Because I write about Green Real Estate, well, always...I hear this. "I don't care." "I'm tired of hearing about it." "It will never go mainstream" "It will go away like in the 70's and 80's"
I understand what you are saying. I really do. Before we consider a few things to help make a point, I'm going to go way out on a limb, in writing. The term 'Green' in 'Green Building'. Yes. It will go away. Homes built to what is considered to be 'green' today will not be called this forever. As a matter of fact, I predict that within 7-10 years the term will completely go away, if not sooner.
Notice I say 'the term'. The science behind 'green building' is going no where. 'Green Building' will be NORMAL. In no more than 10 years I predict that 'Green Building' will be CODE in most large Municipalities around the Nation. There, I said it. I also predict that within the next 2-3 years the building industry will be taken by storm with reports on how unhealthy some of the building materials are that we use and it will be backed by major and well respected Non Profit organizations. For example, maybe the American Cancer Society.
Now. Let's consider the 'term' Code. We know this as the law in which homes MUST be built. However, I'm going to translate the term Code using a definition from someone I know.
"Code. If a builder tells you that their home meets Code, what they have just told you is that essentially they have just built you the WORST possible product allowed by Law."
Consider that. Why in the world would I say all of this? It's not because this is what I do. It's not because I think every builder and City across America is going to all of the sudden want to save the Environment. It's not about being a Treehugger.
Here are a few things that have happened just in the last 12 months:
- There are now Cities that require a HERS Rating to be performed on both new construction AND resale homes
- The City of Houston as well as others require Commercial Buildings over 10,000 sq ft to be built LEED Certified. (that means Green)
- The City of Houston adopted the IEC 2006 as Energy CODE for Residential Properties built within the City limits. To translate, that is said to be close to 10%-15% above Energy Star
Quick side note. Energy Star is supposed to be 15% ABOVE Texas Building Code. Not only have we seen an increase in required ratings for Energy Star products, but will possibly see Nationally, an increase in what is required for an Energy Star home because that worst possible home built in some Cities EXCEEDS ENERGY STAR STANDARDS.
- The State of Texas is considering making it mandatory to have a HERS Rating as a mandatory field on all MLS, but not necessarily required to have one performed. We can tell where that is headed.
- The City of Houston is making a website where you can go to see how your Energy Usage compares to your neighbor's
I could go on and on. If you go to a home show it is not uncommon to have a Consumer stop by a booth and know more about the systems involved in Green Building than the builder themselves. What do they do? Well, they move on of course. They find one that knows what a sealed attic is and how to do it or whatever else they are looking for in their home.
We are at a tipping point now where it is almost a liability to NOT know what this stuff means.
Like it or not, the writing is on the wall. Energy Codes are changing at Warp Speed and 'Green' is a major component of that. We as an industry need to stay up to date and educated about all of it. Regardless of what industry you are in or if you are a consumer- If you are rejecting the idea of learning about it now is the time to start. If you are a Real Estate Professional, don't let it get to the point where your clients know more about it than you do.
It's no longer going to be questions about post tension slabs and double pane windows. It is overall Home Performance. No one is trying to shove a concept down your throat or change your beliefs, it's just a little food for thought.
***Shameless Plug*** If you want to learn more about all of this, feel free to sign up for my webinars or listen to the recorded ones.
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