Getting your home in near model home condition can be a daunting task. It’s especially important this spring, however, as after a long and soggy winter, buyers are finally emerging from hibernation and finding themselves in a market inundated with listings. 

But spring cleaning needn’t be all bad. Setting your home apart by using green-friendly resources in your home beautification efforts can build appeal. Fortunately, in the Bay Area you can find loads of products that minimize damage to natural resources and create a healthy living environment. 

According to a recent survey conducted by the National Association of Home Builders, there has been a 20 percent increase since last year in builders dedicated to green building issues, and that number is expected to rise another 30 percent in 2007. 

The rise is attributed to a growing awareness about the financial and environmental benefits of using more efficient heating and cooling systems, energy efficient appliances and lighting, and low-flow faucets and toilets. 

Even if you’re just planning to tackle basic cleaning, painting and repair, investing in green resources can lead to a big payoff. In fact, the United States Green Building Council estimated in 2003 that “an upfront investment of 2 percent in green building design, on average, results in life cycle savings of 20 percent of the total construction costs - more than 10 times the initial investment.” 

The City offers an outstanding resource guide at www.sfenvironment.com, as well as a downloadable version of its “Home Remodeling Green Building Guidelines.” 

Remodeling Pays! A recent study by the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University found that San Francisco home owners recovered as much as 118 percent of their home improvement costs in 2002. They also discovered that paybacks depend on the type of improvements made. For instance, based on the national average, remodeling a bathroom could result in a return of 88 percent, while kitchen remodels only returned 67 percent of their cost.