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Source: TODAY.com: TODAY

The report found that 2011′s green home share is expected to be about 17 percent, but that number is predicted to rise to a staggering 29 to 38 percent by 2016.

“In the current residential market, there is an enormous need to differentiate your homes for consumers,” says Harvey Bernstein, Vice President of Industry Insights and Alliances at McGraw-Hill Construction. “When builders are able to offer homes that not only are green, but also offer the combination of higher quality and better value, they have a major competitive edge over those building traditional homes.”

Consumers are seeking out green homes for a couple good reasons. First, they save the consumer money in the long-run. Also, they are seen to be of higher quality construction.

The report found other factors are driving growth in the green home market. . About two-thirds of builders and remodelers surveyed said they have customers requesting green homes and projects. These consumers are seeking out lower energy costs.

The higher costs of building green are less of a factor now than they were in 2008. Today’s market has a good supply of green products meaning prices have fallen more in line with traditional projects.

The report also noted, “Higher quality for both new home builders and remodelers. For those doing a high volume of green homes (at least 60% of the homes they build), its importance is magnified, with 90% who regard higher quality as an important trigger for building green, compared to 72% of builders overall.”

There is a definite shift taking place in the market as green practices spring to the forefront.

The report found that “more than 80% report that energy efficiency is making today’s homes greener compared to two years ago. Use of energy-efficient features is pervasive in the market – the top practice by nearly all surveyed builders and remodelers, regardless of their level of green building activity.”

Also tops in consideration are indoor air quality, with 95 percent of high volume home builders including these features, and durable materials being emphasized by remodelers.

“These findings confirm the shift we’ve seen in the market,” says Jim Halter, Vice President, Construction Solutions for Waste Management. “Builders and remodelers are placing more emphasis on energy efficiency, increases in sustainability focused waste management practices and more products made from post-consumer materials. These important factors are pushing our industry forward.”

by Carla Hill

Published: May 7, 2012, RealtyTimes – Real Estate News and Advice

You might be thinking, I want to own my own home which translates in your mind to a single- or double- story house. However, your finances, where you live, affordability, and practicality may factor in and cause you to consider other options. So let’s explore some of them.

Single-Family Housing. When many people think of owning their own house, the single-family residence first comes to mind. This type of home is the most independent. The walls are typically not joined together with any other homes. The heating and plumbing systems are separate. And, while, the house may be in a planned community that has covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs) regarding what you can do to your home on the outside, there is generally the most freedom with this type of home. Some of these homes have additional fees (Mello-Roos fee) to pay for schools in the area.

These residences are usually detached houses and have land surrounding them unless, it’s a zero-lot-line house. Then the house sits on or very close to the property line. These houses are packed into areas and may offer extra space inside but at the compromise for little land outside.

Row houses are often situated this way. However, while the single-family home can have a little different look, the row houses are generally identical and lined up side-by-side, thus the term: row houses. Sometimes there is a small backyard area behind the row house. The row houses also usually share a wall or two with the other houses. This also makes them more affordable than the detached, single-family house.

The Duplex. This type of house shares a roof and one wall but the other side is separate from other homes. You can also choose from triplexes and quadruplexes. Some buyers decide to go for this style of housing because they can live in one of the units and rent out the others to help pay for their mortgage. This allows them to save to and, later, if they choose, to purchase another home and rent out all of the units.

Townhouse. This style of house shares a wall and common areas such as parking lots, and walkways.

Condominiums. These units often look a lot like apartments. In fact, some apartments have been part of a condominium conversion. The individual unit is owned by a homeowner. Often the homeowner purchases the unit and rents it out. Homeowners have an ownership interest in the common elements which can include halls, stairways, elevators, parking lots, open areas, and other amenities.

As with townhouses and even single-family homes that are in planned communities, there is a fee for the care of the common areas.

he Microhouse. They may be small as the name states but they can be plenty big especially for those who are living alone or traveling frequently and simply want an easy-to-care-for home.

These micro or mini houses can be just a few hundred square feet to a thousand. Often they are vertically built and they have more living space by the use of lofts and smaller- than-usual furniture and appliances. Some have unique features such as a deck on the roof.

So whether you’re shopping for a single-family, detached home or a minihouse, having a basic understanding about what you can expect with each housing style is an optimal way to begin your search. Then let your experienced real estate agent guide you to the suitable options that can best meet your specific needs.

by Phoebe Chongchua

Published: April 26, 2012, RealtyTimes – Real Estate News and Advice