Today, I know more about Building a Greener Home than I did yesterday. The Home Builders Association of Jackson (HBAJ) sponsored a two-hour learning seminar to explain the National Green Building Standard and how the point system works in attaining certain levels of Green Building.
Our first speaker, Gary Smith, is a NAHB Green Building Verifier and local home inspector. Gary also serves as co-chair of the Building Green Works Committee at the HBAJ. The duties of an accredited Verifier is to ensure the home or building meets the GREEN qualifications set by the NAHB GREEN.
Gary led us through a power point presentation depicting how we have evolved from the first Earth Day in 1970 to the steps we are taking today to be more environmentally friendly with the changes and procedures in our Building Standards.
Building Green takes into consideration the site placement, design and construction of the building, efficient use of natural and renewable resources, and maintenance.
Our second speaker, David Smith, is a Certified Green Professional (CGP). David received An Award of Excellence for Innovation in Building Practices during last year's Fall Parade of Homes and has built four GREEN homes in the Metro Jackson area. David reviewed the steps that must be taken to certify a GREEN home. He discussed in detail building materials, higher R-values in insulation, U-values for window efficiency, and energy star appliances and products.
David also mentioned briefly the cost to the builder to construct a GREEN home, including the fees to register the home and the increased cost of material and labor charges. On average, it cost the builder $2,000 to $3,000 more to build a more energy-efficient GREEN home, but there are tax advantages (credits) that can offset most of the costs.
Chuck Morris with MS Home Corp stopped by and announced the Growing a Greener Mississippi contest. The contest will award 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes of up to $50,000 to the designated winners in the competition. Homes entered in the contest must be constructed according to the NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines. The home must be inspected during the framing stage and again at completion, and the maximum sales price cannot exceed $175,000.
Rules and requirements for the contest are available through Mississippi Home Corp.
The seminar was very informative and a fantastic opportunity to learn about Building Green. Further information can be found from HBAJ and NAHB GREEN.
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Pat Starnes, a Realtor since 1988, specializes in Mississippi Residential Real Estate and can assist you with buying or selling in the Jackson MS Metro area. 
Search homes for sale in Brandon, Pearl, Flowood, Madison, Ridgeland, Florence, Bryam, or Jackson, MS.
Written and Published by Pat Starnes REALTOR
McIntosh and Assoc., LLC434 Katherine DriveFlowood, MS 39232601-278-4513 - cell601-936-2007 - office
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Pat Starnes, a Realtor since 1988, specializes in Mississippi Residential Real Estate and can assist you with buying or selling in the Jackson MS Metro area. 
Search homes for sale in Brandon, Pearl, Flowood, Madison, Ridgeland, Florence, Bryam, or Jackson, MS.
Written and Published by Pat Starnes REALTOR
McIntosh and Assoc., LLC434 Katherine DriveFlowood, MS 39232601-278-4513 - cell601-936-2007 - office
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Thanks for this post. The more informed Realtors are about green building, the better information they can provide to buyers and sellers. We are in a position to help make a profound difference on climate change, on sustainable living and even on the economy through what we know and how we share it with our clients and customers.