Evaluating Green Communities

So you're buying a new home, and you're committed to "buying green" -- a house with good indoor air quality, that doesn't cost a fortune to heat and cool, is efficient in the use of water, and it resides in an ecologically friendly neighborhood. How do you find out about all that? What do you look for? What questions do you ask?
Over the next few blogs, to help you evaluate the potential "greenness" of the community in both the short- and long-term, I will post 10 questions to ask a developer, realtor, or homeowner. Use them to start a conversation as what is "green" and this will help one to determine if "greenwashing" is occurring. Questions address home, yard, and neighborhood issues. The first two questions are below.

Question #1: What kinds of tree protection and natural area conservation strategies have been employed?

Question #2: Is there a long-term environmental education program for the community?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mark-hostetler/green-community-development_b_1321024.html

Question #3: Do the Covenants, Codes, and Restrictions (CCRs) address any environmental issues?

Question #4: What types of plants are used for landscaping within the community?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mark-hostetler/evaluating-green-communit_1_b_1323432.html


Question #5: Are there trails and sidewalks planned along with shared spaces?

Question #6: What kind of irrigation and stormwater system does the community have, and what water conservation devices have been installed in the home?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mark-hostetler/green-homes_b_1326489.html