Why would you build any other way?
Let's flashback to April 1970. I was in high school and it was the first earth day. I remember a few things about it…. Zero Population Growth…. Save a TREE…. Solar Energy. I was a wide eyed teenager that thought I could change the world and set about doing just that (so I thought). Every hour on the high school PA system I announced how much the population has grown. At the end of the day we buried a “time capsule” under a tree we planted in the front of the school. I have no recollection of what was in that time capsule - it sure would be fun to see its contents today.
The interest I had in the environment that day has grown to a more mature “what can I do for me and my family and community” way of thinking. I’m concerned about my grandkids and their future. Over the years I studied passive solar, was a consultant for biodegradable plastics for a Fortune 10 company, toured recycling facilities, compost plants, and garbage dumps. I have a Smart Car, a rather energy efficient home, and I have compost bin in my yard and rain collection drum under my gutter.
I learned when I was working in the biodegradable industry two things I would like to share with you.
1. It’s about The Total System. Do you know how they date a land fill? They bore to the bottom of the landfill and find a newspaper clipping, and then they read the date. That’s right – newspapers, which is made out of pulp from trees, does not biodegrade in a normal landfill. So the first thing to tell you is that biodegradability has to do with the life cycle of the product, not the product. The infrastructure has to be in place. You can buy compostable diapers and they will fill up a landfill just like the non-compostable ones. The answer for going green is in the total SYSTEM, not just the product.
2. The other key thing I learned from my years in that industry is this: The consumer wants to “go green” and “do the right thing” but only if it will not cost him anymore. That’s right. If given the choice between two identically priced items he will pick the more socially conscious one - but he won’t pay more for it. Pretty simple.
Years ago the cost of energy efficiency was eclipsed by the low price of energy. Houses fifty years ago were not well insulated - why do it? Heat was cheap. Gas mileage? Who cared? Gas was cheap.
What’s the hottest trend in housing today? Green Homes.
Green homes consisted, according to a study done by McGraw Hill, of 17 percent of all new home construction in 2011. Green homes are expected to be between 29 percent and 38 percent of the market by 2016. By value, this works to a five-fold increase, from $17 billion in 2011 to $87-$114 billion in 2016, based on the five-year forecast for overall residential construction.
Surprised? I’m not. Energy costs have risen and the cost of Going Green has lowered so the two have met at a tipping point that is going to explode the construction market.
Consider this scenario: There are two houses for sale, same neighborhood, same size, similar amenities, same price, but one will have almost no electric bills and the other will have a $250/month average bill that will continue to increase as energy costs increase. No brainer right?
Why would you build any other way?
Market America Realty and Investment Group has partnered with Greenergy and is offering Net Zero Energy homes from Orlando to Marco Island. We are finishing our first six models as we speak and have 14 more homes in the plans.
What is a Net Zero Energy home? It is a home, that over the course of a year, will produce as much electricity as it consumes – resulting in a net zero energy cost for the year. It is a home that will laugh in the face of higher energy costs.
This home achieves its success through a total system design from the ground up and the sum of all its features make it what it is (key point number one) and an MA Green Home will cost no more than a standard built home (Meets criteria number two above). We have combined intelligent design and total consideration to efficiency with solar electricity generation.
Have you heard the term “blue is the new green”? The expression refers to the fact that water will be the new money item in the future. The Greenergy homes address this issue well with rain collection systems and water conservation.
Greenergy homes also are built for a life time – and can withstand 140 mile an hour winds. The unique features (There are about 45 in this list) are exciting. When I give a presentation on the home, which takes about 45 minutes, most clients after twenty minutes are excited, then theadded features like no VOC carpet and paint, or smart phone monitoring of your home, or rain water irrigation, or the triple gazed windows, are just added bonuses.
I am pretty excited myself. The real estate market has been very tough and full of bad news. This produce is a win-win for everyone and just plain makes me feel good. Good news for us and for you.
Why would you build any other way?
Gregg Fous 800-439-1580 ext 52
GFous@marketamericarealty.com
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