HeraldNet: Controversy in Eco-Land



RECENT POSTS:
• Stop the flood of phone books November 21 • Chew on this, Mama November 19 • Where does recycling go? Here’s one place. November 17 • Duped, a bit, by eco-diapers November 12 • Can recycling save the economy? November 11

Archives:



LINKS:
Eat Local • Eat Wild • Get Fresh • Pacific Northwest Cheese Project • Puget Sound Fresh • Tilth Producers • Urban Hennery (Everett) Eco Friendly • Ask Umbra • EcoConsumer • Green Everett • Green Gardening Tips • Grist Recycling • 2good2toss • Freecycle • PC Recycle • Recycle with Karen (Everett) • Snohomish County Solid Waste • The Story of Stuff

RELATED ARTICLES:
• Bush rule change would relax protections in endangered species act November 21 • New $1 billion Sea-Tac runway is dedicated November 21 • Shore resident, natural steward November 21 • The home front: Trashy extravagance November 20 • Kimberly-Clark keeps closer eye on its Everett wood pile November 19 • County Council hikes charge on storm water November 19 • Tax hike sought to clean up Puget Sound November 17 • Drilling near Utah's scenic 'crown jewels' triggers an uproar November 17 • Water warning lifted for Snohomish County November 16 • Animated graphic: Gray Whales of the North Pacific November 15


ADVERTISEMENT <script language=JavaScript src="http://ads.heraldnet.com/servlet/ajrotator/169233/0/vj?z=heraldnet&ct=122081&dim=169231&abr=$scriptiniframe"></script><noscript><a href="http://ads.heraldnet.com/servlet/ajrotator/169233/0/cc?z=heraldnet"><img src="http://ads.heraldnet.com/servlet/ajrotator/169233/0/vc?z=heraldnet&ct=122081&dim=169231&abr=$imginiframe" width="160" height="600" border="0"></a></noscript>

Eco Geek

August 25, 2008

Controversy in Eco-Land

Posted at 11:23 am

If you’re in the market for a new home, pay close attention to the certifications real estate agents tout while you’re taking the tour.

Real Estate reporter Debra Smith wrote Sunday that some real estate agents have been listing their homes as “certified” green residences, but few of those homes have been inspected by a third party.

Smith found that in a group of 18 homes listed as “certified,” just four had been verified by Built Green, Energy Star or LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).

The idea of green-certified homes is a relatively new concept in this area, so some real estate agents argue that the definition is open to interpretation. Real estate experts say some agents simply need to be educated, but home buyers can’t ignore the fact that “certified” green homes usually sell for more than standard homes. In King County, certified homes have been found to sell 18 percent faster and for 30 percent more than others.

To learn more about green-certified homes and how to avoid getting duped into buying a home that hasn’t bee third-party verified, go to the Built Green Web site. In Snohomish County, check outGreening Properties.

Return to Eco Geek

TODAY'S TOP JOBS

View All Top Jobs

>> view all top homes

>> view all homes

<script language=JavaScript src="http://ads.heraldnet.com/servlet/ajrotator/105699/0/vj?z=heraldnet&dim=100749&abr=$scriptiniframe"></script><noscript><a href="http://ads.heraldnet.com/servlet/ajrotator/105699/0/cc?z=heraldnet"><img src="http://ads.heraldnet.com/servlet/ajrotator/105699/0/vc?z=heraldnet&dim=100749&abr=$imginiframe" width="728" height="90" border="0"></a></noscript>
\|Contact Us \|Advertiser Services \|Home Delivery \|Newsstand Locations \|Classifieds \|Feedback \|About the Company \|Work@the Herald \|Site Map	© 2008 The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA.