Too often people overlook the greenest dwelling choice that they may be able to make, and that is to stay in their homes. Sure, many people don't have that option due to jobs and family needs, but some overlook this option when trying to green their lives. I have had a few clients come in that are itching to build a new green home and haven't even considered the option of staying in their existing home.

My advice.

Take some time and look at the whole picture. Do you need a new home for something other than preference? Will you be closer to work if you move? Do you need more space? and so on and so on.

You need to ask so many questions and if you decide you have to move, just buy a home and green it up. I am a builder but I would rather save the planet.

I agree with the idea of using what you have rather than buying new. I think it applies to more than just the home though. Many consumer products are just incremental updates to items we already have and that work just fine.

Our culture is one of consumerism and not conservation and that is what needs to change. It pervades all parts of our lives including the home buying markets.

Sometimes moving into a new or new to you home is the only choice some people have. I think its really narrow to say that the 'best' choice is to stay in your home when moving on could be seen as the greener or more sustainable choice.

perhaps you are right, but at the same time, staying in one's home and building upon the resources already in place is an oft overlooked strategy. I will not deny the need to move for many but I have some clients that just want to move to the next neighborhood over and build a brand new spec home. That to me is wasteful.