RISMEDIA, April 28, 2011—As Americans widely embrace the “green revolution,” residents of the greater D.C. area interested in eco-friendly living should check out the newly released Top Green Neighborhood list published by MRIS, the nation’s largest multiple listings service (MLS) which offers nearly 75,000 local homes listings via its consumer website, Homesdatabase.com.
“MRIS is actively participating with national and local thought leaders to green the MLS,” states MRIS Product Manager, Tim Campbell. “Research has proven that homes with green features can reduce energy bills, preserve the local environment, and potentially lead to higher resale values, even in a recovering market.”
Green elements span the gamut from geo-thermal heat pumps to Energy Star windows and appliances. According to MRIS data, there are currently 95 active listings with geo-thermal heat pumps, 2,361 active listings using Energy Star appliances, 2,783 active listings featuring green windows, and 34 active listings with vegetated roofs!
MRIS compiled the list by collecting the most recent MLS data, and surveying local parks and area green initiatives. Based on this hyper local data, MRIS notes the following as the top green neighborhoods in the greater D.C. area:
• Ballston (VA)
Ballston is showing clear efforts to educate the public about environmental improvements through its initiative to reduce emissions and its innovation in building Virginia’s first LEED platinum house.
• Bethesda (MD)
Bethesda is home to DC’s first Passive Design House. It also has a number of green initiatives to cut greenhouse gas emissions and implement green jobs.
• Capitol Hill (DC)
Capitol Hill is abundant with green homes and buildings and offers close proximity to the city’s largest farmer’s market and famous green spaces and gardens—most notably the Botanical Gardens.
• Crestwood (DC)
Crestwood borders Rock Creek Park, which contains 1,754 acres of green space and nature-related activities. Crestwood also has a neighborhood plan to conserve and preserve their community.
• Columbia Heights (DC)
Columbia Heights is home to DC’s first solar powered condos, as well as DC’s largest residential solar thermal project.
• Mount Rainier (MD)
Mount Rainier has a number of green building initiatives and projects, as well as an abundance of green space including the Mount Rainier Nature and Recreation Center.
• Old Town Alexandria (VA)
Old Town Alexandria is the home to the first LEED certified condo building in the state of Virginia. It also takes part in all of Alexandra’s green initiatives, including the Green Building Policy and the Go Green Alexandria project.
• Petworth (DC)
Petworth is home to DC’s first LEED platinum condo development and encompasses a number of parks and lush green areas, including Rock Creek Cemetery.
• Takoma Park (MD)
Takoma Park features 17 acres of green space and parks, including Sligo Creek Park. It is also home to a number of green buildings and community projects.
• Woodley Park (DC)
Woodley Park is surrounded by green space and offers a number of public transportation options. Woodley Park is in walking distance to the National Zoo and a number of local parks, including the largest in DC, Rock Creek Park.
“Going green isn’t a fad, it is a key part of communities and towns,” adds Campbell. “We are leading discussions with local real estate professionals and association task forces to green the MLS—an initiative started in 2009 to track green communities, real estate trends, and property specs. Green is good—it’s healthy to live in a green area, energy-efficient fixtures keep bills and housing costs down, and green elements typically help a house sell quickly or at least set it apart from others on the market.”
For more information visit www.MRIS.com.
