Buying An Eco-Friendly House

In many countries, natural resources, in particular drinking water, are in short supply. The world is slowly approaching ecological disaster.

A big problem for the environment is the pollution from the wastes of the population. In order to preserve ecological stability, it is necessary to sort garbage properly and send it for recycling.

The air is polluted because of the exhaust gases of motor vehicles and chemical emissions into the atmosphere (during the operation of factories). At the same time, forests are destroyed, respectively, there are fewer trees that enrich it with oxygen. At the moment, this problem is of high relevance. It is necessary to recycle paper to save forests from being cut down. Polluted air negatively affects human health, so more attention must be paid to creating a favorable climate in all parts of the world.

Poaching has put many species at risk of extinction. Every year, many individuals of endangered species are killed in order to obtain valuable furs and skins. It is necessary to take more effective measures aimed at preventing poaching.

Every person can make his or her own contribution to the protection of the environment. For example, it is very important to send all waste for recycling. Also, it is advisable to install solar panels, which will allow to refuse electric power and, thus, to save resources. The economical use of water will make it possible to provide all corners of the planet with water, which is what the Third World countries need at the moment.

Gennady Litvin 26/11/2021 0 Comments

Environmentally friendly houses are becoming increasingly popular in the real estate market. Home buyers are learning that investing in eco-friendly homes not only helps the environment but also saves money on utility and energy bills in the long run.

Finding environment-friendly housing can be challenging. If you are in the market for a new home, you should reach out to a knowledgeable real estate agent and real estate attorney to learn how to buy an eco-friendly house.

Common Challenges When Buying an Eco-Friendly Home

Potential home buyers on the search for a “green” home for sale will discover that there are many challenges when buying an eco-friendly home.

1. Availability. If you are looking to purchase an environmentally friendly home, be ready to look. Although sustainable housing is growing in popularity, the demand is still relatively low, so you need to be patient in your search.

2. Budget. An eco-friendly home will be more expensive than a typical house, so you should be ready to spend 20%-30% more when purchasing an environmentally friendly home. Home prices will vary based on geography due to terrain and weather. Eco-homes in the Northeast tend to be the most expensive because construction costs are higher, and houses must be built with stronger materials to withstand snow and wind.

On a positive note, spending the money upfront for an environmentally friendly house will pay off in the long run. Energy bills in eco-friendly homes are on average one-third of a typical home.

3. You may have to build. Eco-friendly houses have not yet become popular in the mainstream housing market. If you have exhausted your search options, you may need to consider building. Building your own home allows you more options for eco-friendly features like water conservation, filtration systems, and the possibility to be off the electric grid. Make sure you choose a builder who is partnered with Energy Star.

When deciding to build an eco-friendly home, your budget will be a significant factor, and you will pay more than you would building a regular home. In California, building costs can range from $150 to $250 per square foot.

Steps of Buying an Eco-Friendly Property in New York

Buying eco-friendly homes in a Northeastern state like New York will be especially challenging. Sustainable homes are harder to find in New York and will be more expensive than other areas in the country. In New York, building costs are higher and environmental factors like heavy winter snowfalls make building an eco-friendly home more challenging and expensive.

Find a Real Estate Attorney

The first step to purchasing an eco-friendly home in New York is finding a property lawyers online that are knowledgeable about environmentally friendly real estate. Real estate attorneys are essential in the home buying process and can assist you with:

· Preparing and reviewing all documents and contracts

· Conducting title searches

· Attending closing

· Settling disputes

Contact your local real estate attorney. for a free consultation and learn how a real estate attorney can help you throughout your home buying process.

Build Your Team

In addition to a real estate attorney, you will want to find a real estate agent who specializes in green and sustainable housing. A real estate agent can help you determine if the house you are interested in has used environmentally friendly materials and identify what kinds of eco-friendly features you can add.

Find the Best Terms

There are various banks and mortgage companies that provide green home buyers with credits and benefits specifically designed to finance energy-efficient homes.

· FHA Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM)- If you are eligible for an FHA loan, you also qualify for an FHA EEM, and you don’t have to be a first-time home buyer. The FHA EEM loan only requires you to be approved for the cost of the house, not the extra costs you plan to spend to make the house environmentally friendly.

· V.A. Energy Efficient Mortgage- Veterans who want to make their homes more sustainable can save up to $6,000 in energy improvements

· A Conventional EEM- Various lenders, including Fannie Mae, assist home buyers in affording eco-friendly homes by considering the energy savings when determining the size of a loan.

Green mortgages will be very similar to a traditional loan. You will still have similar interest rates and monthly payments, but you could benefit from a larger loan to complete energy-efficient upgrades.

Find Your Perfect Spot

Location is everything when buying an eco-friendly home. When choosing your location, consider environmental factors like sun exposure for solar panels and how many trees are in the yard.

Many people who switch to eco-friendly housing also choose a location in close proximity to a city so they can trade their car for a bicycle to further reduce their environmental impact.

Where You Can Find Eco-Friendly Houses

Beginning the search for an eco-friendly home can be difficult if you don’t know where to look. The following companies are great starting points for home buyers interested in environmentally friendly houses.

1. Realty Sage. Realty Sage has one of the largest selections for eco-friendly and energy homes in the real estate world. With over 4,000 listings nationwide, Realty Sage showcases LEED-certified homes, EnergyStar, solar, and net-zero. Realty Sage also rates each listing with a custom score to evaluate eco-friendly, cost savings, resale value, and quality.

2. Green Homes for Sale. This company specializes specifically in green and eco-friendly homes. Home buyers can search for eco-homes based on categories like energy-efficient homes, adobe homes, Earthship homes, green pre-fab homes, off-grid homes, solar homes, and many more.

3. Sotheby’s International Realty. Sotheby’s has added an “eco-friendly” filter to their search options to feature luxury homes that are environmentally friendly.

4. Tiny House Listings. Tiny houses have become a very popular option for those buying an eco-friendly home. Tiny houses are generally 180 square feet or less and can be stationary or on wheels. Tiny House Listings allows a buyer to search through hundreds of available eco-friendly tiny homes.

If you are ready to begin your search for an eco-friendly house, don’t start the home buying process without consulting with a real estate attorney by your side. Your local attorneys have knowledgeable real estate attorneys well versed in the process of buying an eco-friendly house in New York. Contact them today for a free consultation.

Gennady Litvin

Gennady Litvin, Esq. is an associate with the Law Office of Yuriy Moshes, P.C. Recently, Gennady Litvin has spent his time teaching and mentoring real estate brokers and agents. He covers matters such as commission disputes, the contract process of real estate transactions, and taking listings of properties which may be short sales or in foreclosure.

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