Looking to buy or rent a green home? These days, lots of green homes are going on the market as sellers and landlords recognize they’re in demand. But how is one to know which homes are truly green?

Here’s a checklist of features to look out for and questions to ask to determine the green quality of your next home.

Eco Home Tip 1 – Location Location Location – pick a location that’s convenient and easy to get to. Close to shops, amenities and public transport will reduce the amount of emissions that come from getting around. Inquire about the council’s recycling program.

Eco Home Tip 2 – Orient yourself with the right orientation – if a house is to have good eco principles, it will designed with the right orientation. This means that the living areas will face due north, to make the most of the winter sun while allowing the hotter summer sun to pass overhead. Sleeping rooms, meanwhile, will be oriented towards to the South to capture cool summer breezes.

Eco Home tip 3 – Cosy is not a four letter word – consider how the space is used as much as the size of it. Oversized houses utilizes more resources in both construction and maintenance, while smaller dwellings are cleverly conceived can feel quite spacious.

Eco Home Tip 4 – Inquire about insulation – ask about the insulation. Higher R values means the house will better protected against extreme weather elements. See if the windows are double glazed. While you’re at it, ask about other green home features such as solar panels and solar hot water. Make your message loud and clear!

Eco Home Tip 5 Good green help – there are a few Australian green realtors, such as ecoproperty, who specialise in green listings. Check the Green Pages green directory for real estate agents who will help you find the perfect green home.

The important thing is to ask before you buy. Even if the real estate agent can’t tell you upfront, it’s important to let the market know that buyers and renters are looking for this bit of information. While no single home will have all of the sustainable features listed, at least you can get a clear picture of what the potential home has to offer.

Look for more Eco Home ideas at the Green Pages.
Green Pages green directory for eco sustainable products.

People always want good value for money: not only when buying things from the grocery or buying a car. It is also important when purchasing items to use for the decor of the home.

Most people want the home to have a certain theme. Since this depends on the exterior look of the house there sure to be certain changes that need to be made. This could be as simple as buying new furniture or getting some artwork that will make it look good.

Those who are moving into a new home know it is going to have bare walls. Since the furniture being moved in may not match the walls, the person should consider what needs to be done before taking any action.

It does not take someone who specializes in interior decorating to get the job done. Any person can use a little imagination, search through magazines and get the advice of friends and family members for ideas.

Homes that have been in existence for a number of years will eventually show visible signs of deterioration of the walls. This may be due to aging or by the use of nails that have been used to hang paintings, etc.

There are many ways for a person to remedy this problem without spending a great deal of money. Use spackling compound to fill in the holes and then paint over it. This can easily be done by any person without hiring a contractor to do it. Another option is the use of wallpaper to cover the damaged walls. There are many beautiful patterns of wallpaper available at specialty or discount stores and one that will complement the furniture will be easy to find. You must measure the area to be covered before purchasing the wallpaper.

Those who don’t have enough money for paint or wallpaper can use artwork or a nice painting to place over the damaged area.

Most people prefer to use a large painting rather than several smaller ones. It gives a sense of simplicity rather than being cluttered. Many types of inexpensive artwork you can use to complement the furniture are available at discount stores, hobby stores, etc.

All it takes is for a person to check the budget and work within it. They do not have to break their budget to make the home look good.

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