10 Questions for House Hunters

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8. Are there other indoor air pollution sources?

Ironically, it's in newer homes where buyers need to be vigilant for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), pollutants in paint, floor finishes, carpeting and particleboard cabinets and furniture that can that can aggravate asthma and respiratory problems and sometimes lead to cancer. Studies have found that levels of most VOCs in new homes decrease markedly after one year, although formaldehyde (used in particleboard glues) may linger in homes longer.

Beware that carpet can also cause homeowner headaches. Synthetic carpeting may offgass over 100 different VOCs, while old carpeting may be a haven for highly allergenic microbes. Hardwood flooring is a much better alternative because you can cover it with your own washable area rugs.

A detailed indoor environmental assessment—evaluating home hazards such as mold, VOCs, tainted water and radon (a naturally occurring combustion gas that seeps into homes through foundation cracks and can lead to lung cancer)—may set you back several hundred dollars. But Beldock suggests that it's money well spent, particularly for those with chemical sensitivities or allergies. "Analyses cost money, but it's a pay-now or pay-later proposition," notes Beldock. "City or county health departments are your best bet for finding credible home environmental health assessors," says Elaine Andrews, director of the Environmental Resources Center at the University of Wisconsin.

9. Are there other hazards I should know about?

Identify any nearby landfills, abandoned manufacturing plants, leaking underground petroleum tanks or any other sources of groundwater or soil contamination, particularly if the home is served by well water. Preliminary environmental reports from Environmental Data Resources Inc. (www.edrnet.com), which cost between $100 and $150, will help you highlight sites with known contamination.

10. How can I pay for future improvements?
Few buyers purchase a house without some desire to make improvements. Green financing options such as energy-efficient mortgages let borrowers fold costs of energy improvements—such as a new furnace or improved insulation—into the total mortgage amount. (www.natresnet.org). For more, see "Make Your House Pay".

Resources

U.S. Green Building Council/LEED for Homes: www.usgbc.org

Healthy Homes Partnership: www.healthyhomespartnership.net

EcoBroker International: www.ecobroker.com

Green Homes for Sale:  www.greenhomesforsale.com

Healthy House Institute: www.healthyhouseinstitute.com

Green Home Guide: www.greenhomeguide.org

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