Natural and Sustainable

The housing crisis really got a lot of home owners worried and there is still worry about what is the best route to go when it comes to purchasing or even keeping the right home. Many of us, that are in the market for a new home, turn to a realtor, but if your realtor keeping up with the eco-times or is she out for what’s in the good for herself?

Ecobroker International is a real estate company that offer the education for realtors they touch on topics such as health and environmental concerns. There are many other educational realtor options in the Unites States alone to help realtors stay up with the times.

There are very many environmental concerns when it comes to purchasing a new home like radon, lead, mold, energy systems, indoor air quality and even water efficiency. The list can go on and on, but is your realtor in the know when it comes to these issues?

Green homes are all the rage right now, mainly because they will save you more money over a long period of time. If your realtor isn’t one that is in the eco-know then it may be time to make a change for one who is. It may cost more to buy a greener home at first, but within a few years you will begin to reap the benefits over all. Let your realtor know you concerns and if she/he isn’t willing to give on any, then find one who is. You can begin your search here.

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Want a better choice in a computer? Then choose a radiation and chemical-free computer or laptop. Computers have been linked to cancer, depression and other issues such as birth defects. Some people have even reported neurological disorders as well. At Technology Alternative Corporation they will help shield your computer from these and other issues. For as little as $400, you can have a chemical-free and radiation-free computer experience.

A lot of us whom would like to be more green, don’t know if what we are actually buying is green. So how do you know what you like to buy on a regular basis actually meets the green code for actually purchasing green? Here are some tips to help you make sure you are buying in a greener way.

1. Where did it come from: If it came from a natural source and can be again recycled to be made into something else, it then is green. Read the label to make sure. If the label doesn’t state whether it is green or not you can call the company or just don’t buy it if you don’t buy it.

2. Was there any byproducts: Byproducts are what is left over after a product has been made. Make sure the manufacturing process produces low pollution and that the materials it is made from isn’t made by destroying something else in the process.

3. Where does the material come from: Make sure what you are buying didn’t travel many miles to get to where you could purchase it. And also make sure that installation of the product doesn’t eat into the environment either.

4. How much will it take to maintain the item: Make sure the material is made durable. Particle board and chip board are not made durable and they contain ammonia and other toxins, so items such as this are not green at all. If an item needs batteries or other energy uses, it really isn’t all that green as well.

5. Is the material hazardous: A vinyl shower curtain gives off toxic chemicals, so a vinyl shower curtain isn’t green AT ALL. So make sure the material doesn’t give off harmful chemicals or outgases. Do you have to wear protection when you install it? Can it have potential allergens and carcinogens? If so, then it isn’t green.

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: If you purchase something and are done with it, make sure it can be disassembled easily, recycled or bridgeable and/ or can be reused. If it’s just throwaway consider your purchase before bringing it home.