Part 6: How to Buy a Green Home; Paint

Part 6: How to Buy a Green Home- PAINT

You know that fresh New Home smell you notice sometimes when you tour houses? You don't really want that. That smell is coming from chemicals in the air. Off-gassing from paints and carpets give you the new home smell, but also making your air quality worse.

What is off-gassing? It's when VOC's (volatile organic compounds) and formaldehyde are released from building materials (cabinets and paints).

Although VOC contains the word Organic in it, don't be confused. VOC's are toxic and will effect air quality in your home. You want to find a paint that is Low-VOC or Zero VOC. Sherwin Williams makes a Harmony brand that works great. (I've used this one a bunch). It's more expensive than your standard paint, but I think breathing is a pretty important thing, don't you?

Most folks don't advertise the kinds of paints they have used, but home owners often leave a gallon or two of paint behind in case you need to touch anything up. This can offer you a good clue in what they've used.

This is your Green Real Estate Agent!
Stay Tuned and Stay Green-
Patty Sylvana
Owner, EcoBroker, Realtor Green
E3 Properties
512-297-5658
patty@Ethreeproperties.com

How to Chose a Green Realtor

Like choosing any professional- you'll want to ask some questions. Here is some insight into some good ways to find the right person. You'll want to find someone who is personally interested in being more environmentally aware- for cost savings, for better health, and for the planet. Someone who is personally involved will be doing more to stay up to date, than you're average Joe who is just looking at a marketing strategy.

- The recently released National Association of Realtors (NAR) GREEN designation is the most basic step. Honestly, I could have taught the course myself. It's great for Realtors just starting to understand what a green home can be, but it's a pretty low standard right now.

- EcoBroker, I believe it's the first nationally recognized green training for Realtors. Does a good job of covering the basics, but doesn't go into any region-specific issues. The climate gives you different issues to deal with, so a good Green Realtor still needs to be aware of your region. You'd build a green home differently in Madison, WI than you would in Austin, TX.

- City of Austin's Green By Design program- an excellent resource for local information. Very regionally focused and provides a ton of good information. If they've attended this, then you are off to a good start. (it's great, and usually fills up quick)


- Have they had an energy audit on their home? What was it like?

- What kinds of things have they done to make their own home more 'green'?

- What types of things do they look for to help clients find green homes?

- What do they think of the current green homes on the market?

- What kind of green events do they go to regularly?

- How do they find green homes that are not 3rd party rated?

- Do they share Green resources with you when you first meet?

All of this should put you on the right path!

Enjoy!
Patty Sylvana
Owner, EcoBroker, Green Realtor
E3 Properties
Experts in Green Real Estate
512-297-5658