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

An Introduction to Green Homes

• Consumer trends in the last decade created the foundation for today’s acceptance of “green.”

– organic foods, hybrid vehicles, recycling, etc.

Green Enters the Mainstream

• 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.

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.

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.

Green Awareness Is Commonplace

McGraw Hill SmartMarket Report, “The Green Homeowner,” 2007

Green Secures Foothold in Home Building

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 built in the U.S. were built in Texas.)

McGraw Hill SmartMarket Report, “The Green Homeowner,” 2007

$2 Billion

$20 Billion

What Makes A Home 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.

A Home Is Green...

As a retrofit:New windows,

energy-efficient appliances

1

In new homes:More insulation,

proper orientation2

In communities:Integrated runoff, Cross-lot shading

3 The full benefits.

Many Different Shades of Green

Significant savings.

Slight Improvements.

At its Greenest...Green from the Ground Up

The green benefits our homes offer are unequalled in the 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.

Our engineered approach, called “Green Sense,” demonstrates how we approach our health, the earth and its

resources as four distinct measures:

Earth, Energy, Water and Health.

Earth

Energy

Water

Health

Green Builders selects roof shingles with a 30-year rating, so they last for decades, reflect heat,

stay out of landfills, and can be recycled into road materials.

We offer flooring options that include rapidly renewable or sustainable materials like bamboo and recycled tile.

We use engineered, recycled lumber whenever

possible to reduce waste and save old growth forests.

Spray foam insulation seals better than traditional insulation,

requiring less energy to heat and cool the home.

We use only low VOC (volatile organic compound) paints and finishes which release few or no pollutants.

Every kitchen features a cabinet made to hold a recycling center.

At its Greenest...Green from the Ground Up

Earth

To save on cooling, we use only heat deflecting, Low-E glass windows. Plus, we mount them high in the frame to further minimize direct sun exposure.

HVAC equipment is centrally situated and operates within the

home’s thermal envelope for greater efficiency.

Locally quarried, light colored stone is used on our home exteriors, as it absorbs less

heat and requires less energy to be transported to the site.

We install compact fluorescent lamps exclusively as they

generate less heat, use less energy and last longer.

Every HVAC system is appropriately sized and tested to ensure less than 6% duct leakage.

24” overhangs shade windows from direct sunlight and dramatically reduce heat gain.

Energy

At its Greenest...Green from the Ground Up

Our high performance, low-flow shower-heads and toilets

cut water usage in half. A granite, loam and mulch layering system allows planting beds to hold water longer, reducing water usage.Drought tolerant Central

Texas native plants are used for our homes’ landscaping.

Custom programmable sprinkler systems with rain sensors

prevent unnecessary watering.

We offer ENERGY STAR® appliances that use 10-15%

less water and energy.

We add 4” of rich chocolate loam as topsoil to absorb, retain and conserve water.

Gutters direct rainwater into barrels so the captured water can be used for watering the landscape.

Water

At its Greenest...Green from the Ground Up

Garages have multiple vent to ensure that exhaust fumes and other vapors don’t migrate into living areas.

Exhaust fans are installed in the kitchen, bath and utility rooms to remove humidity and lessen

the chance of mold growth.

Proper grading ensures that water drains away from the home, reducing the possibility of mold and insects.

Premium spray foam insulation seals the home tightly and

lessens the possibility of mold, pollens and allergens

contaminating your indoor air.

Cabinets and carpets are finished and made with materials that greatly reduce ‘off-gasing’ to improve the interior air quality.

Our state-of-the-art air filtration and air exchange system works in

conjunction with the home’s HVAC system to improve indoor

air quality.

Health

At its Greenest...Green from the Ground Up

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.

Features Unique to Green Builders’ Homes

24” roof overhangs help block direct sun exposure and reduce heat gain.

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.

Features Unique to Green Builders’ Homes

Low flow faucets, toilets and showers help our homes use 50% less water.

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.

Experience True Green from Green Builders

9 Models Open in 3 Communities Around Austin

Rutherford West is a new Hill Country community in Driftwood, Texas, where rustic meets refined. The neighborhood features a Texas-style windmill entry, estate-sized acreage homesites and expansive open green space. The homes and model (more than 3,800 square feet) are Hill Country style.

Located in the town named “National Main Street City,” Georgetown Village is a master planned community in Georgetown, Texas. A place for everyone, Georgetown Village offers a selection of home styles and prices. Four updated Craftsman style models and a Studio G information center.

Elm Grove embraces the philosophy of a sustainable, earth-friendly neighborhood in historic Buda, Texas. The 90-acre Elm Grove neighborhood is situated next to award-winning Elm Grove Elementary School and the Garlic Creek Greenbelt. Four models and a Studio G information center.

!

18329 29

Georgetown

35

35

35

Driftwood

AUSTIN

130TOLL

45SETOLL

183

71

71

71

290 1

1 290

79

620

183

183620

620

1TOLL

183ATOLL

130TOLL

130TOLL

130TOLL

LakeTravis

Lake Austin

Walter E.LongLake

Colorado River

LakeGeorgetown

1826

45TOLL

45TOLL

2

3

1

1626

Buda

45WTOLL

N

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.

Updated Craftsman & Hill Country Styles

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

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.

Green Builders Gourmet Kitchens

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

Green Builders Elegant Master Suites

Spacious master bedrooms offer a comfortable place to relax and unwind.

Green Builders Fun & Functional Game Rooms

Upstairs game rooms offer plenty of space for movie night, homework, and family game time.

Search for Available Homes on Our Website

www.greenbuildersinc.comView model homes, search for available homes, and explore the diverse communities where you can find a Green Builders home.

Thank You