Motivated by lower cost of energy efficient homes

It comes as no surprise that today's home buyers are interested in finding the best deal possible, but an increasing number are looking at the longer-term costs of home ownership. A beneficiary of this trend is energy efficient homes. In fact, almost 63 percent of home buyers are motivated by the lower operating and maintenance costs of energy efficient homes, says a 2007 National Association of Home Builders survey.

"Today's green homes take a much more dedicated approach to conserving resources. Enough so that several standards for rating green homes have emerged -- including Built Green, Energy Star Homes, LEED, and EarthCraft House. It's not just energy efficient windows and Energy Star-rated appliances anymore," said Patrick O'Rourke, regional vice president of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage.

Because the science of energy savings has become so advanced, it often takes a specialized Realtor to guide environmentally-conscious home buyers through the process of purchasing a green home. EcoBrokers are certified to understand and explain the ins and outs of green homes. It extends from features that affect the bottom line cost of maintaining a home such as heating and cooling systems, to environmental issues like using paint that's low in volatile organic compounds for better air quality.

When considering the purchase of a Green home, not only should buyers consult a certified EcoBroker, they may want to look for the following features:

? Bamboo flooring, a durable and renewable resource

? Carpeting made of recycled plastic

? Compact fluorescent bulbs that use less power and have a longer life.

? Geo exchange systems designed to use the Earth's natural heat to warm a home.

? Solar panels that help a home generate its own energy.