Now that is a different kind of marketing tactic!  Will the builder pay for over mileage?  :)

Hi Stephanie, yes, truly different! I'd bet not on the mileage but we'll wait and see what Chris has to say! I was pretty jealous the other day when my business partner told me he had to get gas and only had to put $10 in his hybrid!

If you run the numbers a 2 year lease is only about $10,000 at the most.  Less than they would be paying commission or incentives - but it is a good gimmick.

Build a green house, drive a green car?  Some say that it takes a lot of green money to do that!  Not necessarily true though.

Green living is ultimately cost efficient in the long term.  I love the idea of this post and am glad you're promoting these ideas.  The free lease coupled with the house is a very cool idea.

Good post.

Hi Adam, yes, you are right. The fun part is they will still pay realtors full commission on total home package. Thanks for the comment!

Hi Fred - I agree with the cost efficiency of going green in the long term. I am also working with several builders, like Chris and Josh, who are doing what they can to keep the cost up front contained to make it affordable. That is what will really help green building and renewables become more mainstream. As things become mainstream the technology will improve and costs will continue to improve. Remember how expensive your first DVD player was? I am curious to see how many people take Green Life Homes up on their offer! Thanks for your comments and compliments! 

Mary, This is really cool.  I think this a great marketing idea and I love the fact that not only are they promoting green building but also responsible use of energy with cars.  This builder is definitely thinking "outside the box!"

Hi Lola - yes! I thought it was pretty cool myself! If you have someone looking to build a new home in the next few months have them check these guys out!

I will Certainly keep them in mind.  This really impresses me...

Hi Lola, they will be starting a home in the next few weeks. I will let you know where the job site is when they break ground so you can check it out. Thanks for the comments.

Wow! Thanks for great write up Mary!

The hybrid promo is coming out of our bottom line, so please don't think this is some gimmik or that we're marking up the projects to pay for the car. Add to it the 6% we pay REALTORS and you'll see we are pretty eager to make a name for ourselves and really improve the sustainability of the average home being built.

If you have a buyer who is interested in one of our listed properties then you'd work with Ron Horrigan at ERA Network Real Estate to negotiate the 6%. But if you bring a buyer who has their own lot or wants to start from scratch we give you the 6% on the entire build...so you aren't just getting the $500 transaction fee on some little lot. We value REALTORS and want to build friendships that last...just like the homes we build!

Thanks for the comment Chris. Green Life Homes is building a great business model for others to follow. I'm sure you have seen it all with builders being the director at Green Built Michigan for so many years. I have watched you and Josh interact and support your business partners and work to develop sustainable relationships! 

Keep up the great work! 

Thats pretty awesome to see.  Too bad Michigan doesn't offer tax incentives like California for Energy Star Ratings on your homes, cars and other purchases.

David - yes, we tax payers all want that, we just need to get the folks in Lansing to grant it! Keep your eyes out over the next few months. I have some associates working with Lansing to bring us policy! Wouldn't that be nice? Keep in mind the federal tax credit is available for solar - 30% to a max of $2000 - it has been extended to the end of 2008. It's nothing compared to the awesome policy California has but at least it is something. Thanks for your comment!

Mary, Sounds like a win-win deal to me. I'm asuming lenders allow this?

Like the name change

Gary - good question and I'll do some checking. I would think as long as it is not part of the purchase contract it would be ok...but never hurts to check these things! 

Gary - I just noticed your comment on the name change. Things are "heating" up! no pun intended! I am having fun Renewing My Life!

Great Marketing idea...send them out our way!

Are you enjoying the new career?

Hi Joan ~ isn't that just fab? I would bet they would love to build in NH! Do you have a development in mind they can take over? Maybe a E-PUD?  I like that idea!

The new career is remarkable! What a pleasure to work with people excited about renewables and high on life. Old and new hippies! It's a lot of fun to be exposed to people with great ideas and positive outlooks on how to make less of an impact and correct some of our wrongs. I am fortunate to have met some great people who have helped me develop my interests and put me on the fast track to learning. Everyone knows my favorites and that circle keeps growing. The excitement is always palpable and it is exciting to watch the wheels spin when new ideas are being developed.  

Thanks for the comment! 

Hi Mary ~ Green is such a fabulous color.  I think that the car should be green in color, too!  That way, the theme will be green all around

Hi Sarah! great idea! I wonder what the boys will think of it! Thanks for your comment!

I look forward to all of our buildings being green in the future and this sounds like a powerful incentive to get started now.  If I was going to build a house I would definitely check with Chris Hall. Thanks for the post, Mary.

Hi Bonnie - that is great that you are looking towards greener pastures! I like it! We are assembling some very smart teams. Chris will love your vote of confidence! Thanks for the comments! Be sure you come on over and check out the ECO All Stars group for great green content!

HI Mary- You commented on my on my blog post " Lights Camara Trash can?  You liked the photos. The picture on that one were taken in a home that my huband Mike (Mpi concept homes) built. It is a green home as well. It was our first green home and was very well recieved. Good to see the green trend on the rise. Way to go Chris Hall for a vey bold marketing plan with the car. That is pretty awesome!

Hi Sue! You write great stuff! It is great to know you and your hubby are green! We're all coming out of the woodwork, aren't we? Walker Green Drinks is Wed Dec 12...we would love to have you there! We are a new chapter and had our first meet 'n greet last month. It went well and we are hoping for a larger gathering this time! 

As for Chris and Josh! Wow! I loved the idea of the car! There couldn't be a better way to be BOLD and make their statement! They are truly committed to what they do. It is so exciting to see the "old" ideas being implemented in new ways to have such a great impact! You will have to share some of what MPI Concept Homes does! I would love to hear more! 

Mary,

We have a green yard. That's granite gravel you see instead of green grass.  No fertilizer, no water, no muss, no fuss.

Thanks for your post!

Mike in Tucson

I've seen big screen TVs, sports cars, but this is a first. Will they come to Arizona? Probably can't complete one by Feb. 29 in our Flagstaff winter and our 6 week minimum permitting process. We do have a green builder here, but, so far, he's only done high-end custom homes (like near $1 million).

Hi Mike - I am green with jealousy! How cool is that!! Do the cactii flower all year? Love the photo, thanks for posting!

Hi Ann,

Yes, what a great idea! I would bet if you gave them a place to stay they wouldn't mind Arizona one bit!

Just to clarify, the home does not to be completed by Feb 29, they just need a valid building contract by Feb 29. Yes, there are a lot of builders doing the high end and I think that is why so many people perceive it to be more expensive to go green. There is a way to do it right and build affordable homes. We visited Bigelow Homes in Chicago area last week - they have it down to a science and currently offer a $400/yr home heating guarentee. In the northern parts where we are that is huge! In light of the current housing crisis and rising costs of energy we need more builders to pay attention to affordability.

Hi Mary- Tell Chris to get to Traverse City, the people here will love it.

This is quite the attention getter. I hope it works out well for them. It would be nice to see this forward thinking catching on around the country.

I agree , Realtors need to start to get creative , this examble shows your dedication .

I do the same and give my clients a discount towards a Waterheater , after County and Electric company discount !

Hi Michael - We're on it! Let's get something set up soon!

Hi Dena! VERY exciting! There is certainly a need for this and it's my feeling the time is right! Thanks for your comment!

Hi Georg - Yes, all of us in the housing industry need to get creative and I think it is awesome that Green Life will give commissions to the Realtors on the complete build. Selling just a lot wouldn't appeal to me if I were a RE Agent, either. These guys are really playing fair and want the situation to be win - win for everyone, especially the homeowner because that is what it is all about! I think it's awesome what you are doing with the water heater. Have you hooked up with anyone for Solar Thermal Hot water? Thanks for the comment and welcome to AR!

It's great to see companies getting both conscious and proactive with environmental expediency. We can turn this around with enough effort from all angles.

Thanks for visiting my post - you are really on with 'green' Mary, great to see!

Deborah - you are welcome! I love getting to know others who have a genuine interest in the latest and greatest! We can all work together and benefit the end user -- the homeowner!!! I am working with several different builders who "see the light!" and use it! Thanks for your comment!

what an awesome idea, I am going to see if we can incorporate this into our new development! Thanks so much Mary!

Hi Janie - this is a great idea! What makes it even more special is that they are not marking up the price of the home to cover the cost. Being dedicated to their building practices they feel it is more important to get their homes & ideas out there. They have some truly great ideas and practices making it a win-win for everyone! 

Hi Mary:  This is a unique idea.  It definitely promotes "green" in every aspect so it's nothing but a win-win situation for everyone.  And they are still paying Realtors commissions is a plus. I'll check them out.

Hi Ed - I like their unique ideas also. Check them out on the web...and..they may be coming to a meeting near you soon!

How much more(or less) is a green home over a regular home. Please send me an email. Thanks.

Hi Robert - I'll drop you an email but also wanted to respond here. In an article in the Dec 2007 issue of Professional Builder focusing on Veridian Homes, 2008 Builder of the Year, David Simon, President of operations is quoted as saying,

"Making the decision to build green does not have to be a costly one for the customer if you go about it in a systematic way. You have to ask yourself, 'How can I improve this product without raising the cost?' It is not so much about having to use more expensive products as it is about making sure that you are using the proper installation methods and can meet third-party inspections. Ultimately, the most important thing is to make sure you are providing a high-quality, comfortable living environment for the consumer and that the home is truly performing the way it should."

GreenLife Homes is able to provide homes in any price range. They are committed to offering as many features as they making health and efficiency of the home a priority. I'll give you a shout so we can talk!

I really like that idea.  We need to do that here in Austin Texas.

J.

Hi Jeff! Thanks for the comment! I am very excited about the home packages these guys are offering!