LEED for homes

The new LEED for homes standards are fully up and running (since January 2008) and are now gaining momentum and popularity across the country. If you are interested in building a green home and want the certification with the highest level of visibility and most brand recognition, LEED is definitely the way to go.

Integral to the certification is obtaining a HERS rating and becoming Energy Star eligible... In most areas of the country there are considerable financial incentives to do this. Generally the cost of the HERS rating is completely covered, and often you can gain extra money to cover the entire certification process plus some - these would all be in addition to the financial incentives that are locally and nationally available for your gas water heaters, solar power or water, insulation, energy star appliance rebates, etc. For information on what is available locally, check in with you local government or contact your local LEED for homes provider or field agent.

Looking to buy or sell a green home? ...find an EcoBroker

Got kids, allergies, want to change your life, or simply reduce you bills, ...looking to buy a green home (or a home with greening potential), look no further. EcoBroker International not only certifies real estate professionals in all aspects of green homes, but provides listings of both agents and properties.

The first and only international provider of green certification for real estate professionals, EcoBroker® works under the mission "to broaden and improve the base of training and continuing education for real estate professionals, and in turn, the public." Coursework undertaken by RE professionals is eligible for continuing education credits.

Licensed EcoBrokers are now present in over 42 states, 4 Canadian provinces and in the Caribbean. If green is what you are looking for in a home, working with a licensed EcoBroker will most likely save you money, time and possible future headaches.

LEED AP credentials to be obtained from new organization

For those folks in the building industry, either LEED certified, or hoping to become LEED certified, LEED accreditation is now obtained through the new (and separately incorporated) organization: the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI).

This effective separation of the AP credentials from the LEED rating system (administered by the USGBC) is required to enable accreditation under the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).