Sustainability and making eco green lifestyle choices

The Environmental Protection Agency’s definition of sustainable development: “Environmental protection does not preclude economic development and that economic development must be ecologically viable now and in the long run”.

U.S General Services Administration’s definition of sustainable design: “Sustainable design seeks to reduce negative impacts on the environment, and the health and comfort of building occupants, thereby improving building performance. The basic objectives of sustainability are to reduce consumption of non-renewable resources, minimize waste and create healthy, productive environments”. Read more

What ‘Green’ elements do homebuyers want?

Real estate development is and always has been one of the most profitable businesses globally – there is only so much earth to build upon and with world population growing daily, demand and supply used to be enough to take care of profits. But unmitigated construction and lack of environmentally friendly real estate are a potent combination leading to reduced natural resources. The current need of environmentally friendly home building and green development have never been more paramount.

Gerald Hines, Chairman of Hines, a privately held real estate firm with locations nation wide, says, “Green Development is good for business. Tenants, owners, purchasers and brokers are all becoming more sophisticated and are realizing the financial and social benefits of green product”. This may seem contrary to the popular view on green building development, that it costs more and cuts into a developer’s profits. But with awareness and demand for environmentally friendly real estate growing, it will once again be the forces of demand and supply that ensure profits for a builder. Read more