For an interesting story of one couple’s search for financing, head over to greenhomebuilding.com/financial.htm and see what they tried before they found a financial institution (a local credit union) to loan them the money for their dome house. Despite the fact that ‘green’ homes are held up as the houses of the future, there still remain a sizeable amount of banks, credit unions and other lenders that won’t take risks on them.
Another stumbling block for alternative housing is that institutions want to see comparable home values. It’s kind of hard to produce comparables when you’re embarking upon an alternative housing project. However, this is another reason that lenders shy away from this kind of endeavor.
The three ‘musts’:
First of all, your credit has to be very good for a financial institution to even glance your way. Getting your credit up after a setback is not within the scope of this article, but there are plenty of ideas out there for you to explore. The better your credit is, the more likely your chances of a bank taking a second look at your proposal.
Second, have very clear plans about your building. It isn’t enough to say, “Oh this goes over here and we’re gonna put that over there.” You need blueprints, sources for your materials, qualified contractors (if you’re installing electrical and plumbing), and, if you’re not, explain what you’re going to do to heat and light the house. You also need to be extremely aware of municipal bylaws for dwellings as well as any standards you need to meet. Gather all the data you can on your house, comparable structures and the construction process.
Third, be aware of what insurance you need and how you’re going to obtain said insurance. Some companies do not cover homes that are not provided with conventional sources of heat and light or are made out of materials not covered by their standard policies.
There are lenders out there that finance alternative housing, but in the case that you can’t find one in your area or if all you can find is a lender who charges you an exorbitant amount of interest for a loan on an alternative dwelling, here are some ideas:
Try a local institution. Local credit unions and other lenders may be more flexible than the larger national and international banks. If they have strong roots in the community and take a personal interest in what’s happening around your town, they might be interested in financing an exciting new project that elicits strong interest from the public.
Search out other alternative home owners to get an idea of what their experience at valuation was like. If you can get valuations of any alternative housing, even if it’s not in your area, it’s at least something you can use to go on. Also, other alternative home owners may have contacts or ideas that you can use to find lenders.
Publicize your search for financing. Green is ‘in’ and many news outlets could find this a good story to cover. Lenders might feel better about investing in a ‘human interest story’ instead of (to them) some random person wanting to live in a hole in the ground.
Consider private lending. There are online resources, such as Prosper.com where you can post your story, provide potential investors your story and hope that enough decide to invest in your endeavor. Private lending is generally more expensive than a mortgage, but less expensive than most credit cards.
The fight to get alternative housing legitimized by the real estate and mortgage industry is an uphill battle. However, the more alternative dwellings built, the more voices will be raised for equality among home owners – whether that home is a conventional one or something a little different, a little greener and ultimately a little better for the Earth.
By: Rozi Dover
About the Author:
For information on Auburn AL real estate, contact Rozi Dover, your Auburn-Opelika real estate expert, at Auburn-OpelikaHomes.com
Green Building Techniques
In fact, even the building techniques used to make a home can be easier on the environment. Builders are starting to think about building homes on fewer square feet of land (more earth left for plants to grow) and even including roof top gardens that help to insulate the home, while making more room for carbon monoxide-loving oxygen-producing plants, to grow. That is an example of what it truly means to “go green” with eco-friendly homes. Even small things like building the home in a south facing position can help to make better use of natural sunlight which can help the home to be more energy efficient.
Eco-friendly Building Materials
Building materials that do not result in deforestation of the earth, especially the delicate rain forests also help make eco-friendly homes. This can be anything from reclaimed wood that comes from river beds, standing dead wood or even from buildings or homes that are being torn down. So long as no living tree was cut down to build a home, that home is more eco-friendly. Mud, stones and even straw are natural building materials that are commonly being used in eco-friendly homes along with renewable resources like bamboo. Nowadays many types of products are being made from bamboo, a member of the grass family, from flooring to cabinets, to wall coverings.
Energy Efficiency
Of course, energy efficiency is an important part of eco-friendly homes. A well-insulated home with low E glass, double glazed windows, will help save energy and adding solar panels can help you create energy. Some eco-friendly homes even add power into the power grid and make money back from the electric companies by using solar or wind power. And adding solar panels to a home isn’t nearly as expensive as it used to be, you can even make your own solar panels with simple instructions and a kit that you can purchase. Some choose to heat their water with solar panel, thereby reducing their need for gas or electricity.
Making the Earth a Better Place
More and more people are realizing the importance and benefits of creating eco-friendly homes to better manage the earth’s natural resources so it can be a better place for future generations. More homes are being built with green building materials and techniques and people are even taking steps to make their current homes more environmentally sound. As building eco-friendly homes becomes more popular, these techniques will likely become more commonplace and actually become the standard for the home building industry. Meanwhile, a people who are looking to purchase or build a new homes should seriously consider “going green” with eco-friendly homes.
If you want to search for Santa Cruz eco-friendly homes or find out where the most energy efficient homes in Santa Cruz are, go to PropertyInSantaCruz.com and find yourself a great home by the beach.
By: Gregg Camp
About the Author:
Gregg Camp is an experienced Santa Cruz real estate agent who has spent more than 20 years working in the beautiful Santa Cruz real estate market. Find homes for sale in the area by visiting http://www.propertyinsantacruz.com
This stunning ECO-FRIENDLY property would not normally be found on the island, the developer takes a very keen interest in sustainable construction which he is promoting here in Tenerife and the design is therefore very futuristic but also charming. It has a very Scandinavian feel with a wealth of timber used in the construction.
The property itself is a magnificent piece of contemporary design and construction with its unusual shape and the use of laminated timber beams which enabled the formation of large spaces and panoramic balconies with decked terraces.
No expense has been spared in the development of this 4 bedroom, 4 bathroom Villa with an infinity pool. Imagine being in the pool and looking over the edge down towards the sea and across to the Island of Gomera. The views from this property are amazing, 180 degrees looking over the coast from Marzul through San Juan, Alcala, Playa Arena and on through to the mountains with views of Mount Teide.
The Villa has been constructed to a standard far in excess of the current and future building standards on the Canary Islands with great attention to detail and high standards of workmanship.
For Golfers, the new Abama 18 hole golf course is just down the hill and the renowned Adeje 27 hole golf course is only a short drive away. There is also a new golf course planned at Hoya Grande.
This dream villa would make a delightful residence or holiday home and with excellent letting potential as one of the most luxurious Villas on the Island it is an opportunity not to be missed.
The Accommodation
The Villa sits on a plot of 840 square metres on the edge of a hill village and boasts a 48 cubic metre heated swimming pool and double garage.
Outside there are a number of planters constructed around the terrace, with blue ceramic copings containing mature plants and trees.
Ground Floor:
The covered double glazed entrance doors lead into the entrance hall. The whole ground floor, staircase and both bathrooms are finished in extremely high quality large porcelain tiles.
The staircase is finished with highly polished stainless steel handrails and balustrades. There is also under stair storage.
The large entrance hall (which also leads to the rear door, pool and terrace) features exposed timber beams and central pillar.
There is a large Utility/laundry room containing kitchen cupboards, worktop, washing machine, and solar hot water cylinder.
The Guest suite has an on-suite bathroom and double glazed patio doors leading to the terrace and pool.
The fourth bedroom has double-glazed patio doors leading to the terrace.
There is an additional bathroom for bedroom four and as changing room for pool guests.
There is even an outside kitchen behind louvered doors for the terrace and the pool with kitchen units, worktop sink and drinks fridge, ideal for BBQ’s
First Floor:
The staircase leads from the main entrance hall to a large open plan with high ceilings and large picture windows, patio doors leading to a 44 sq.m. decked terrace with highly polished stainless steel handrail & balustrades. The decked terrace is the perfect place to admire the 180-degree views.
In the lounge one wall is dedicated as an entertainment wall with a 42 inch flat screen TV above an electric fire that also looks like a flat screen TV all built into a fireplace that houses all your entertainment facilities i.e. DVD, Sky box and your music centre.
The open plan custom kitchen is made from solid Birch with black granite worktops. Top quality appliances include a freestanding island with ceramic hob, double oven and stainless steel extraction unit. There is also an integrated fridge, freezer and dishwasher.
The master bedroom suite has an en-suite bathroom containing hydro massage bath, separate shower cubical, toilet, bidet and wall hung basin. The floor and walls are finished in large high quality porcelain tiles.
The second bedroom also has an on-suite bathroom with high quality porcelain tiles.
There is also a separate guest toilet.
Other than the two on-suite bathrooms the first floor is finished in solid hardwood parquet flooring in Birch.
Other Features:
The construction incorporates very high levels of insulation, both thermal and acoustic. This ensures the Villa stays cooler on the inside on the warmest days and warmer on the inside on cooler days.
All windows and doors are a new stainless steel aluminium finish with double glazing using blue safety glass.
The Villa comes complete with all internal and external light fittings and two automatic irrigation systems in the gardens.
Other features include automatic lighting control, intercom entry phones to floors, automatic electric garage gates, solar panels for hot water heating, heat pump for the swimming pool and an abundance of electrical outlets.
This property is being marketed by Expedia Property SL in Tenerife. To see photographs of this amazing house please visit the property webpage.
By: Lester Emanuel
About the Author:
Property Consultant living and working in Tenerife. Please visit the Expedia Property webpage
“Go Green” – “ECO friendly” – “save the planet” – “Global Warming”. All words we are very familiar with unless you have lived on the moon for the past 5 years or so. Now everyone is jumping on the bandwagon and offering green products and services. But how green are they and is it just a token gesture to be popular? We have been researching the possibilities of building eco friendly and economical green villas in Spain after I inadvertently made the mistake of asking my wife how she would like her new house built. “Eco friendly” she replied.
Those two words began a journey of thousands of miles across Europe and countless hours researching the web to find out how “eco friendly” I could build her dream home. Initially I found that an eco friendly home was just a cave house…I didn’t fancy living in or building a cave house, or they had thicker lagging on pipes or they offered solar water heaters…BIG DEAL, I expected that as standard, in fact it is law in Spain now to have alternative water heating supply, one company even classed a home as eco friendly because the heating had a thermostat.
Two years later and after securing the sole rights to build with a German quality ICF system we are beginning our first two new eco friendly villas in Spain for clients and have several scheduled to begin next year. The interest has been amazing; unfortunately this means my wife’s dream home has been put on hold for a while but our business and our attitude to all things green is being transformed. We are offering geothermal heating systems, solar power, grey water systems, water saving systems inside and outside the home, wind turbines, appliance advice, lighting systems I never knew existed and even water less toilets (the jury is still out on that one with me) all this to make our eco friendly villas in Spain as economically friendly as we can. The fantastic thing about the Eco friendly build systems is the speed and insulating values they offer. A traditional styled villa of a 100m2 villa can be erected within 10 days! Saving weeks of labour charges thus bringing the cost of these new eco friendly properties on par or even cheaper than traditional block and beam villas. The insulation values are amazing and they even have fantastic sound insulation (great if you have noisy teenagers like me).
When we first introduced this system to an architect he looked blankly at the proposal and smiled that smile you see in Spain when you know they think you are mad and after experiencing this manic suppressed grin over a lengthy period of time with a lot of old – maybe not old but my age – ok old Architects! We finally came across a young enthusiastic architect who believed and embraced the system as we did. We drew up a set of plans and submitted them to the local town hall and put the project forward to the bank for a valuation. The town hall was thrilled with the idea and the bank valued the project over 40% higher than we charged the client! Now this could have a lot to do with the fact that we are inexpensive builders but the manager did tell us they are valuing homes with eco friendly factors higher than traditional homes.
We are not jumping on the bandwagon … we’re driving it!
All the information can be found on our web site.http://www.1st2spain.com
By: K.Towers
About the Author:
Author K. Towers http://www.1st2spain.com
Eco friendly house also bring about sustainable energy solutions. People opting to construct such houses can use natural materials like wood, solar products, and so on for the construction of home. You can also get the latest eco news about construction of houses by looking online. This will help reduce the harmful impact of global warming, climate change, and so on. Organic, all-natural, or eco-friendly products can also help cut down the excessive expenses involved. The products used will be less wasteful and less toxic than mainstream products.
Green homes for sale can help people interested in buying a green house at a lower rate. It is very easy to get information on such houses online too. In addition to being one of the first, largest, and most respected online resources for green products, we offer advice and information on greening your home. One can be rest assured that all eco-friendly products are non-toxic and guaranteed to be safe for your children, home, and environment.
Using such products will also help save energy on your appliances, go vegan and organic or just live a low-impact lifestyle. One can also find comprehensive and interesting articles on eco friendly houses. Green homes are unique and artistically designed. They make a perfect living space for people who wish to stay in close proximity of nature. Such houses also help cut down unwanted expenses considerably.
These kinds of houses will also help cut down spiralling energy costs and the ever growing concern about global warming. An increasing numbers of householders are turning to greener energy options these days. This will help make a significant contribution to the environment. Installation of natural products will also help lower your household bills and can add significant value to your property. Some of the alternative energy options that can be included are heat pumps, high efficiency boilers, low energy heating systems, solar energy, rainwater harvesters and wind energy. Going in for eco friendly house has numerous advantages.
By: Sadhana Dhanyal
About the Author:
Sadhna D, Expert author, Platinum status. Eco friendly house advice and tips: Eco Friendly House
Free guide or assistance on green homes: Green Homes for Sale
“Go Green” – “ECO friendly” – “save the planet” – “Global Warming”. All words we are very familiar with unless you have lived on the moon for the past 5 years or so. Now everyone is jumping on the bandwagon and offering green products and services. But how green are they and is it just a token gesture to be popular? We have been researching the possibilities of building eco friendly and economical green villas in Spain after I inadvertently made the mistake of asking my wife how she would like her new house built. “Eco friendly” she replied.
Those two words began a journey of thousands of miles across Europe and countless hours researching the web to find out how “eco friendly” I could build her dream home. Initially I found that an eco friendly home was just a cave house…I didn’t fancy living in or building a cave house, or they had thicker lagging on pipes or they offered solar water heaters…BIG DEAL, I expected that as standard, in fact it is law in Spain now to have alternative water heating supply, one company even classed a home as eco friendly because the heating had a thermostat.
Two years later and after securing the sole rights to build with a German quality ICF system we are beginning our first two new eco friendly villas in Spain for clients and have several scheduled to begin next year. The interest has been amazing; unfortunately this means my wife’s dream home has been put on hold for a while but our business and our attitude to all things green is being transformed. We are offering geothermal heating systems, solar power, grey water systems, water saving systems inside and outside the home, wind turbines, appliance advice, lighting systems I never knew existed and even water less toilets (the jury is still out on that one with me) all this to make our eco friendly villas in Spain as economically friendly as we can. The fantastic thing about the Eco friendly build systems is the speed and insulating values they offer. A traditional styled villa of a 100m2 villa can be erected within 10 days! Saving weeks of labour charges thus bringing the cost of these new eco friendly properties on par or even cheaper than traditional block and beam villas. The insulation values are amazing and they even have fantastic sound insulation (great if you have noisy teenagers like me).
When we first introduced this system to an architect he looked blankly at the proposal and smiled that smile you see in Spain when you know they think you are mad and after experiencing this manic suppressed grin over a lengthy period of time with a lot of old – maybe not old but my age – ok old Architects! We finally came across a young enthusiastic architect who believed and embraced the system as we did. We drew up a set of plans and submitted them to the local town hall and put the project forward to the bank for a valuation. The town hall was thrilled with the idea and the bank valued the project over 40% higher than we charged the client! Now this could have a lot to do with the fact that we are inexpensive builders but the manager did tell us they are valuing homes with eco friendly factors higher than traditional homes.
We are not jumping on the bandwagon … we’re driving it!
All the information can be found on our web site.http://www.1st2spain.com
By: K.Towers
About the Author:
Author K. Towers http://www.1st2spain.com