As the nation turns its attention toward greener energy and other environmentally friendly practices, it shouldn't come to much of a surprise to learn that the world of real estate is following the same trend. But, what many don't realize is that the National Association of Home Builders actually launched its Green Building Initiative a few years ago - long before President Obama began his efforts to wake the nation up to the importance of going green.



Building using Green building materials involves using materials that are made of renewable materials. It also takes into account a number of other factors including:

- Energy Efficiency

- Resource Efficiency

- Water Conservation

- Affordability

As this trend continues to increase in popularity more and more building suppliers and vendors are providing improved building elements as well.

According to the Belleville News-Democrat website, which serves the Southwestern Illinois and St. Louis Region, some positive steps toward developing greener real estate have been taken by Well Spring Development Company. By utilizing a holistic approach, the company has already developed two homes that are to be part of its sustainable community of "high performance homes."

The new development, which will be called Rock Hill Trails, is slated to include 49 lots. Interestingly, the land being used for the project has actually been in the family of Anthony Schroeder, who is the president of Well Spring Development Company, for over 150 years. Nonetheless, he doesn't seem to have a problem with using the land for this new project.

The two model homes that have already been completed as part of the Rock Hill Trails community will soon be open to the public to view. Here, the public can see the numerous energy-saving initiatives that have been taken with the homes. For example, the air temperature of the homes is regulated with a geothermal system that originates 200 to 300 feet below ground. In addition, each home is insulated with spray foam rather than roll-out insulation in order to make certain every nook and cranny is filled and the home is as energy-efficient as possible. Other eco-friendly initiatives include utilizing building styles that help reduce the community's long-term impact on the environment as well as selecting natural landscaping options.

"I'm encouraged that there are some builders who are willing to step forward and put together energy-efficient homes, or 'green' houses, by using new construction techniques that are very cost effective and to market them as low-energy homes," said Al Suguitan, who is responsible for overseeing real estate activity in Illinois' Madison County. "And I think that the public will embrace this type of construction."

Builders around the country are starting to embrace the ?Green? building movement and are constantly trying to find new ways to implement re-usable and environmentally safe building materials wherever possible. Many leaders within the real estate industry are excited about the progression and see it as being the wave of the future. A home that is built following green standards will not only be good for the homeowner, but also the environment.