The Product Guy

Aug 26 2008 1:49PM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (1) |
Blog This! using: Blogger.com | LiveJournal |

By Nick Bajzek

According to the latest multifamily survey from our good friends at the NAHB, more of our apartment- and condo builders and remodelers are greening up their practices. And renters—people who have no equity at stake and, like yours truly, are a bit cash-strapped—are willing to pay slightly more for green amenities.

Though I don’t necessarily agree with NAHB’s Multifamily Leadership Board Steve Patterson’s comment: "Apartments and condos are inherently green (I don’t think they’re inherently, but can be), because they offer more compact development to begin with," I do see multifamily and higher-density communities as an upward trend. It’s interesting to hear what’s happening on the other side of the industry.

The survey polled multifamily builders and developers nationwide on their green building practices. Among the findings: 89 percent of respondents reported that they are installing energy- efficient appliances and lighting in their multifamily communities. The survey also found that 50 percent are using significantly more insulation than required by the building code (rises to 70 percent on the West Coast). 

Side notes: Any time I hear "survey" I immediately picture Bob Barker. What an awesome tan. On another side note, didn't you hate it when somebody would guess $1000 and then the next guy would guess $1001? Irritated me to no end.