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More and more homebuyers in the Washington DC area are making an effort to make positive changes for a sustainable future by looking for Eco Friendly homes and going ‘Green'. Shopping for an environmental-friendly home will help save you money while offering a healthier lifestyle. With the market demand for green houses continually rising, buying a green home in the DC area now is not only sensible, but also a smart investment.

You really can buy a new home you'll love that is energy efficient and at the same time makes a positive impact on the environment and your pocketbook.  In addition to the savings in utility bills, green homes are more durable than the traditional homes. This means that you, as the buyer, will spend less money on repairs over the years. Along with the benefits of being cost-efficient, green homes are also healthier for you and your family and are environmental friendly allowing each of us to positively impact the ecological footprint we choose to leave behind.

One common misconception about green homes is that they cost more. However, experts have shown how the long-term savings will out weigh the costs many times over.  In fact, the number one reason cited over and over by homebuyers for buying a green home is the amount of money they actually do save over the long run.

Many buyers ask about the general characteristics of a green home and want to know what to look for.

The U.S. Green Building Council offers a Green Home Checklist that can help you identify whether the home you are considering purchasing is truly a green home. The Council says that this checklist can help you ensure that you get a healthier, high-performance home that costs less to operate and has fewer environmental impacts than a traditional home that doesn't have these "green" elements.

Some of the key items on the Green Home Checklist include:

Smaller houses that are close to stores and parks that you can walk to and from

• Energy-efficient lighting, heating, cooling and water-heating systems
• ENERGY STAR® ratings on appliances, windows and exterior doors
• Sunshades on the southern and western facades to block hot Summer sun
• Windows, clerestories, skylights and other strategies that bring daylight to the home's interior
• Non-toxic building materials, salvaged materials, and materials with significant recycled content
• Water-conserving irrigation systems and water-efficient kitchen and bathroom fixtures

Even if a solar-powered penthouse downtown remains just out of reach, consider looking for place that will benefit from a upgraded green kitchen or bathroom -- the two rooms where you typically get the best return for your renovating dollar. Depending on your specific needs, buying an older home and renovating and recycling may be the green option for you.  As long as the house doesn't need major structural repairs, or you don't have to completely gut the place to get the rooms and layout you want, you can still go green at a reasonable cost.

Other lower cost options focus on selecting walk friendly locations or finding a yard with trees and green foliage. Both of these options are small moves toward greenness but also contribute to the overall impact on the environment and are considered as incorporating a green lifestyle into home buying.

If you think a green home is for you, it is important to find a green home specialist who knows the area who can help you find the perfect home. You will want someone who knows which listed homes in the DC area have ‘green appeal' and who truly cares about your family's health and the environment. The DC area has just such a Realtor, Rachel Valentino. She not only has ESRES designation (Energy Smart Real Estate Specialist) she is also a top Realtor in the DC area because she cares. Contact Her Today.

Whether you are a new homebuyer, or a seasoned home buying veteran in the D.C. area, it's not only possible, but makes sense to put a new, green roof over your head. Create a positive change today, by looking into the possibilities of buying a green home. Going green is the wave of the future. How can you go wrong with better health, lower costs and a more positive effect on your health and the environment? 

Work with expert Rachel Valentino, ESRES (Energy Smart Real Estate Specialist) to explore all of your ‘green' options in the DC housing market.