A resource guide in green home building for the real estate professional (and home buyers.)

1. A resource guide in green home building for the
real estate professional.
Developed by Green Builders Inc., winner of the
2008 Most Affordable Green Home award from the NAHB

2. An Introduction to Green Homes

3. Green Enters the Mainstream
• Consumer trends in the last decade created the foundation for today’s
acceptance of “green.”
– organic foods, hybrid vehicles, recycling, etc.
• Forces like global warming and rising energy costs
– have accelerated the green movement overall, and
– have helped focus attention on Green Homes and have
begun to make conventional housing seem obsolete.

4. Green Sheds its Elite Status and Quirky Looks
Until recently, true green homes were quirky
looking and only available at the high end of
the market – and were often associated with
wealthy opinion leaders and celebrities.
Green Builders breaks the price barrier,
building green homes at prices equivalent
to conventional homes. The homes are as
beautiful as they are affordable, located in
wonderful neighborhoods, and near good
schools. Prices start from the $180s.

5. Green Awareness Is Commonplace
Two-thirds of all home buyers are aware of
green building.
And, 8% are extremely knowledgeable.
The base is increasing at a rapid rate – more
and more Americans are becoming
increasingly green.
McGraw Hill SmartMarket Report,
“The Green Homeowner,” 2007

6. Green Secures Foothold in Home Building
$20 Billion
The market for green homes is
expected to grow ten-fold, reaching
$20 billion in the next two years.
Texas will lead the nation in the
number of green homes built.
(In 2006, 17% of all green homes
$2 Billion built in the U.S. were built in Texas.)
McGraw Hill SmartMarket Report,
“The Green Homeowner,” 2007

7. What Makes A Home Green

8. A Home Is Green...
...when the home and land both source and
use resources like energy, water and raw
materials more efficiently.
and
...when through better design and construction,
the home (through its entire life) has minimal
impact on human health and the condition of
the environment.

9. Many Different Shades of Green
As a retrofit:
New windows,
Slight Improvements.
1 energy-efficient
appliances
In new homes:
Significant savings.
More insulation,
2
proper orientation
In communities:
3 Integrated runoff, The full benefits.
Cross-lot shading

10. At its Greenest...Green from the Ground Up
The green benefits our homes offer are unequalled in the
Earth
marketplace, because only Green Builders’ homes are
engineered green from the ground up. Green Builders
makes sustainable building practices its priority and uses
earth-friendly products and materials almost exclusively.
Energy
Our engineered approach, called “Green Sense,”
demonstrates how we approach our health, the earth and its
Water
resources as four distinct measures:
Earth, Energy, Water and Health.
Health

11. At its Greenest...Green from the Ground Up
Green Builders selects roof
Earth Every kitchen features a
shingles with a 30-year rating, so
cabinet made to hold a
they last for decades, reflect heat,
recycling center.
stay out of landfills, and can be
recycled into road materials.
We offer flooring options
that include rapidly
Spray foam insulation seals renewable or sustainable
better than traditional insulation, materials like bamboo
requiring less energy to heat and recycled tile.
and cool the home.
We use engineered, We use only low VOC
recycled lumber whenever (volatile organic compound)
possible to reduce waste paints and finishes which
and save old growth forests. release few or no pollutants.

12. At its Greenest...Green from the Ground Up
We install compact fluorescent
Energy 24” overhangs shade windows
lamps exclusively as they
from direct sunlight and
generate less heat, use less
dramatically reduce heat gain.
energy and last longer.
Every HVAC system is
Locally quarried, light colored appropriately sized and
stone is used on our home tested to ensure less than
exteriors, as it absorbs less 6% duct leakage.
heat and requires less energy
to be transported to the site.
To save on cooling, we use
only heat deflecting, Low-E
HVAC equipment is centrally glass windows. Plus, we
situated and operates within the mount them high in the frame
home’s thermal envelope for to further minimize direct sun
greater efficiency. exposure.

13. At its Greenest...Green from the Ground Up
Water
We offer ENERGY STAR® Gutters direct rainwater into
appliances that use 10-15% barrels so the captured
less water and energy. water can be used for
watering the landscape.
Our high performance, low-
flow shower-heads and toilets
A granite, loam and mulch
cut water usage in half.
layering system allows planting
beds to hold water longer,
reducing water usage.
Drought tolerant Central
Texas native plants are used
for our homes’ landscaping.
We add 4” of rich chocolate
Custom programmable sprinkler loam as topsoil to absorb,
systems with rain sensors retain and conserve water.
prevent unnecessary watering.

14. At its Greenest...Green from the Ground Up
Cabinets and carpets are
Premium spray foam insulation Health
finished and made with
seals the home tightly and
materials that greatly reduce
lessens the possibility of mold,
‘off-gasing’ to improve the
pollens and allergens
interior air quality.
contaminating your indoor air.
Our state-of-the-art air filtration and
Garages have multiple vent
air exchange system works in
to ensure that exhaust fumes
conjunction with the home’s
and other vapors don’t
HVAC system to improve indoor
migrate into living areas.
air quality.
Proper grading ensures that
Exhaust fans are installed in the
water drains away from the
kitchen, bath and utility rooms
home, reducing the possibility
to remove humidity and lessen
of mold and insects.
the chance of mold growth.

15. Features Unique to Green Builders’ Homes
Only Green Builders’ homes are engineered green from the ground
up, resulting in a wide variety of innovative green benefits:
1. Our exclusive garage ventilation prevents exhaust and other
harmful emissions from migrating into the living areas.
2. A special green “command center” locates the mechanical
systems (HVAC, security, tankless hot water, ventilation,
plumbing manifold) in a climate-friendly space for easy access
and more efficient operation.
3. Lawns built on 4” of rich, chocolate loam absorb and retain
water better, which means less maintenance and a healthier
lawn.
4. Specially designed 24” roof overhangs block direct sun
exposure to windows and minimize interior heat gain.
5. Our 53-gallon signature rain barrel captures and stores
run-off for use in landscape watering.
24” roof overhangs help block direct sun exposure and reduce heat gain.

16. Features Unique to Green Builders’ Homes
6. 30-year roof shingles provide lasting protection from the
Texas heat and can be recycled into road materials.
7. To further reduce heat gain, our energy-efficient, Low-E
windows are mounted high in the frame to avoid low sun
angles.
8. Drought tolerant native Texas plants and thick mulch layers in
our landscape beds greatly reduce the need for watering.
9. Homes are faced with light-colored stone to reflect the intense
Texas heat.
10. By using local stone and building materials, the amount of
energy used to ship them to the job site is greatly reduced.
11. All homes are constructed with solar conduits to facilitate
easy installation of solar panels.
12. Green Builders equips each home with an indoor recycling
center integrated into the kitchen cabinetry.
Low flow faucets, toilets and showers help our homes use 50% less water.

17. Top 10 Reasons to Buy a Green Builders’ Home
Make a responsible choice by reducing your carbon footprint.
Invest in a home constructed of state-of-the-art materials and technology.
Live in a healthier home with air exchange and air filtration systems.
Named 2008 “Most Affordable Green Home” by the NAHB.
Live in an ENERGY STAR®-certified home.
Pay no more for a green home than for a conventional home.
Save 10% on homeowners’ insurance for a qualified green home.
Qualify for a larger mortgage due to the monthly cost savings.
Cut water usage in half.
Save 50% on energy bills.

18. Experience True Green from Green Builders

19. 9 Models Open in 3 Communities Around Austin
1
Lake
Georgetown
29 29
183
Georgetown
Located in the town named “National Main Street City,”
130
Georgetown Village is a master planned community in
N
TOLL
Georgetown, Texas. A place for everyone, Georgetown Village 35
offers a selection of home styles and prices. Four updated 79
183A
Craftsman style models and a Studio G information center. TOLL
620
45
45 TOLL
TOLL
1
Lake TOLL
Travis
183
620
130
35 TOLL
Lake Austin
Elm Grove embraces the philosophy of a sustainable, earth- 620 1 290
friendly neighborhood in historic Buda, Texas. The 90-acre Elm 71
Grove neighborhood is situated next to award-winning Elm
AUSTIN
Grove Elementary School and the Garlic Creek Greenbelt.
183
Four models and a Studio G information center. Walter E.
Long
Lake 130
TOLL
Colorado
River
71
1826
290 1
71
35
45W 130
Driftwood 183
TOLL
TOLL
2
Rutherford West is a new Hill Country community in Driftwood, Buda
Texas, where rustic meets refined. The neighborhood features a
45SE
Texas-style windmill entry, estate-sized acreage homesites and 3 TOLL
expansive open green space. The homes and model (more than 1626
3,800 square feet) are Hill Country style.

20. A True Green Education Starts at Studio G
Visit our Studio G information centers, situated in two
convenient locations: our South Studio G in Elm Grove
and our North location in beautiful Georgetown Village.
Start your Green Builders tour at one of these two centers.
You won’t find more information about buying a green
home anywhere else.

21. Updated Craftsman & Hill Country Styles
Georgetown Village and Elm Grove feature updated Craftsman style exteriors,
while Rutherford West features Hill Country style homes.

22. Green Builders Open Floor Plans
Our floor plans are popular with almost all buyers...as the homes allow for ease of
movement throughout and easy transitions between rooms.

23. Green Builders Gourmet Kitchens
Every cook’s dream kitchen with open layouts, state-of-the-art appliances, and
spacious and functional center islands.

24. Green Builders Elegant Master Suites
Spacious master bedrooms offer a comfortable place to relax and unwind.

25. Green Builders Fun & Functional Game Rooms
Upstairs game rooms offer plenty of space for movie night, homework, and family game time.

26. Search for Available Homes on Our Website
www.greenbuildersinc.com
View model homes, search for
available homes, and explore the
diverse communities where you can
find a Green Builders home.

27. Thank You