[Greenbuilding] Green real estate market

[Steve Tripp]

I'm new to the list and have done some searching through the archives, but
have not seen a discussion regarding resale value of green homes.

My wife and I are remodeling and hope to make our home as weather tight as
possible as well as use recycled and sustainable materials wherever
possible.  We do not plan on selling the house anytime soon, but I wanted to
find out if our planned improvements would increase the market value.  I was
told that geothermal heating-cooling systems will add 1/4 of its cost to the
value of the house and that quality weather tight windows and doors will not
add enough to the value of a home to make them worthwhile.

We still plan to make the changes we want, but now am wondering what kind of
uphill battle I may have with the bank if I cannot show that we are adding
more to the value of the home.

Do green homes sell?

Thanks in advance for any insight you may provide.
Steve Tripp

-- 
Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men.

John F. Kennedy (1917-1963)