The Wall Street Journal-20080214-Money-s Worth - Real Estate

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Money's Worth / Real Estate

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Today is not just Valentine's Day, it is "Green Day" at the International Builders' Show, Orlando, where the National Association ofHome Builders will announce its Certified Green Professional designation. Here are three green homes for sale.

PLACE/PRICE: Mebane, N.C. / $222,650

TAXES*: $2,400

THE PROPERTY: 4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, 2761 square feet

DESCRIPTION: This home with stone fascia around the garage has a loft. It also has hardwood floors throughout the first floor and a gas fireplace. The master has a trey ceiling and separate shower and tub.

NOTABLE: Green features include dual flush toilets, Green Label carpet, low-emissivity coated thermal windows and water-efficient showerheads that save about 5,000 gallons of water a year. The home has a Green rating of 139 and is Energy Star certified.

PLACE/PRICE: Bentonville, Ark. / $549,900

TAXES*: $3,710

THE PROPERTY: 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 3,850 square feet

DESCRIPTION: This fiber-cement-clad home has an office, media room and a bonus room. The living room has windows that overlook a deck and wooded back yard. There is a screened porch with fireplace.

NOTABLE: To save energy, the home has an insulated concrete form foundation, an ice roof with radiant barrier, a tankless hot-water heater and argon-filled, double-pane windows. It has an energy rating of 54, which exceeds standards.

PLACE/PRICE: Orlando, Fla. / $ 4.8 million

TAXES*: $64,000

THE PROPERTY: 6,725 square feet

DESCRIPTION: This 2-story has two first-floor master suites and an upstairs club room with theater. The covered patio has a kitchen, fireplace, pool and spa. There is a solar thermal water heater with electric backup.

NOTABLE: The home uses about 62% less energy for heating and cooling compared to comparable homes in this state that are not energy certified. The attic is sealed airtight with spray foam. Exterior walls are aerated, autoclaved concrete blocks.

* Taxes are fromcurrent county tax-assessor records; N.C. and Fla. taxes are estimates.

Sources: nahb.org, nahbgreen.org, tnah.com, cimarronhomes.com, stittenergy.com, realtor.com