What Green Means

By Trisha Randall

Say "green building" and one of two images is likely to pop into your head: either a house that's literally painted green or one with walls of dirt, grass growing on the roof and a windmill churning away out back.

Even if you're familiar enough with the term to realize that it simply means using earth-friendly, energy-efficient designs and materials, you're still likely to picture a home that's the residential equivalent of a Birkenstock sandal-comfy and practical, but a long way from the high-style look of Jimmy Choo footwear.

Not true. A green-built home can look as fancy, or as plain, as any other. It can stand out, or blend into a neighborhood. And the principals of green building can be applied to homes in every style and price range, from simple bungalows to majestic mansions.

In the Bay area, and across Florida, you're going to hear more about green building in the months to come.

Why? Green building is good for Mother Earth, of course, but there's more than altruism at work. As energy prices skyrocket, consumers are demanding homes designed and built to conserve resources while not sacrificing comfort.

In this issue of Tampa Bay Homebuyer, we'll look at the green building trend locally. Several local builders have embraced the concept in its entirety while others are moving in that direction.

We'll also look at luxurious bathrooms and take our usual grand tour throughout the Bay area and its array of communities. As always, our new community listings are the most comprehensive to be found in print, anywhere.

Which brings me to another point. If you're looking for a new home, now is the time to buy. Yes, I know, you've heard that one before. But right now-and likely for a brief time-we're in a true buyer's market. There are plenty of choices, prices are stable and incentives abound.

In our rapidly growing region, that situation won't last. Already builders are working down inventory and new construction is gearing up again. While we're unlikely ever to return to the frenzied pace of 2005-nobody wants that, even builders-we're certainly returning to normal.

So if you've been waiting for an opportune time to jump into the market, this is it. A few months from now, you might be kicking yourself for missing a terrific opportunity.

Finally, from all of us at Tampa Bay Homebuyer, we wish you a happy and successful New Year. I want to thank our readers and advertisers for your loyalty and support, and for the warm welcome you've extended to me since I took over the publisher's post in October.

Here's to a great year.