Like Greg and Valri Williams' dream development Verde Village in Ashland, a 62 unit project mix consisting of cottages, single-family homes and 15 affordable housing units that will all be Net-Zero Energy Homes (homes that combine energy-efficient construction, equipment, lighting and appliances with commercially available renewable energy systems to provide homeowners with annual net-zero energy consumption), Southern Oregon Builders are on board the Green Building train which is picking up steam on a journey toward rapidly expanding the number of Energy Star, Earth Advantage, L.E.E.D. certified homes, emphasizing clean air, clean water, with limited impact on landscape in the Rogue Valley.  From Shady Cove, to Jacksonville, to the Applegate, to Talent, on to Ashland, with many other Jackson County cities in between, more and more homeowners are turning toward building and remodeling their homes to meet these standards.

The City of Ashland is very committed to green building practices. The Ashland Conservation Division, established more than 20 years ago, is responsible for operating water, recycling, air quality and energy conservation programs. This division works with the Ashland School District, Southern Oregon University, and Ashland businesses and homeowners to increase the efficiency of their resource usage by offering energy and water expertise, as well as programs and guidance to Ashland residents. Zero interest loans or cash incentives are available to both private and business sectors, which many Ashland home and business owners have been using to help fun the additional expense associated with funding improvements to increase their efficient use of electric energy in both new construction and weatherization of existing homes and businesses. Solar water heating incentives, including tax credits, are available through the Oregon Department of Energy.

Need Southern Oregon Architects dedicated to designing energy efficient, sustainable homes? Look up Jason Zook at Ogden Roemer Wilkerson Architecture (541)779-5237, who is on the Rogue Valley Branch of the Cascadia Region Green Building Council, or Carlos Delgado of Ashland at (541)552-9502 who built a beautiful home that Superior Windows & Doors of Ashland provided the energy-efficient windows and doors for.

For new construction of Net Zero or other Green levels for homes, Eric Artner Construction is a name we know and trust. The quality and experience Eric Artner brings to a job is what a homeowner will want for their dream home. Look for Eric Artner Construction's  subdivision Pacific Stage Heights, a 143-unit all Green village to be built in Talent, Oregon.

D.A. Boldt Construction offers both residential and commercial new construction and remodeling. Their historic renovations can be seen all throughout the Rogue Valley. In addition, there are several smaller builders, contractors and developers who focus is also on building quality projects. If you would like more contacts, just contact me at (541)608-6003 or e-mail me at Karen@Quality4Loans.com.

Earth Advantage has an ambitious plan to increase the percentage of homes in the Rogue Valley that meet their standards to 10-12% over the next four years. Although many builders have expressed concern about the added costs associated with building to these specifications, many seem to have greater concerns about the amount of paperwork involved to get their projects certified, as the energy savings and incentives available help offset a large part of these costs. Even Affordable Housing Developers in the Rogue Valley are building homes to Earth Advantagestandards, at only an added cost of roughly $2,000. For questions you may have on projects you plan to build to Earth Advantage standards, contact Fred Gant at (541)840-8302 or fgant@earthadvantage.org.

The local branch of the U.S. Green Building Council is growing, and Jackson County Home Builders Association has established a Green Building committee. This Green Train is steaming along! As of now, true Energy Efficient Mortgages giving preferred rates to homeowners who are building green are not yet available, but Quality Home Loans wishes to support our Green Building homeowners doing the right thing by building their energy-efficient, sustainable homes and receiving Earth Advantage and/or L.E.E.D. certifications. Go to http://www.quality4loans.com/ for more information on this program, or other construction, remodel and purchase loans for your California and Southern Oregon projects.

See you at the closing table!

Karen Cooper - OR/CA Mortgage Consultant - http://www.quality4loans.com/