Green Building: Housing's Few Bright Spots

Energy-efficient home manufacturing could be one of the few industries to grow and thrive in the present economy, according to the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Consumers are looking for dwellings that are both affordable and sustainable, while manufacturers are eager to reduce production costs as well as reliance on foreign energy.

In Turner Construction Company's survey of real estate developers, agents, brokers, builders, and other industry experts, 83 percent said they would be "extremely" or "likely" to pursue the USGBC's LEED certification for upcoming building projects, despite the credit freeze.

• Findings from other studies conducted over the past year include:
  Seven in 10 home buyers are likely to buy an energy-efficient home in an economic downturn.
• More than 80 percent of commercial builders will invest in green building practices this year.
• 60 percent of commercial developers provide seminars to tenants to show them how to reduce costs and maximize efficiency.

(Source: RISMedia via Realtor.org/realtormag)