Buying a Property Overseas needn’t cost the Earth

PRLog (Press Release) – May 14, 2008 – ‘The GREEN Building Standard’ (GBS) will be an internationally-recognized mark of quality which lets prospective purchasers of properties anywhere in the world indentify whether that development is being built to the highest “green” standards.  It will be launched next month by Green Horizons, a division of overseas property network, Blue Horizons.

The rating system will give environmentally-conscious consumers the opportunity to choose carefully and buy from the world’s most eco-friendly builders.  Developments will be awarded a bronze, silver, gold or platinum rating depending on its environmental credentials and will be allowed to display the Standard on its brochures and on the building itself.  This eliminates the uncertainty and false claims to eco-friendliness of buildings currently circulating in the market.

The GREEN Building Standard has been designed by Green Horizons in response to a major shift in the attitudes of international property purchasers who have become much more environmentally-conscious when buying property overseas.  In November 2007, Green Horizons conducted a poll of 181 clients who have recently either bought, or have considered buying, a property overseas.  Of those polled, 92% said that they would prefer to buy a property built with environmentally friendly features built in.

Sky TV research conducted in 2006 also revealed that almost three quarters of people contacted were convinced that climate change had been proven beyond any doubt, and almost the same percentage believed that if everyone did their bit to act consciously with regards to the environment, the damage could be repaired.

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Managing Director, Colin Barrett-Treen, explains: “We have designed a system which can easily be applied across national and continental borders.  Using the GREEN Building Standard, purchasers will be able to easily identify how environmentally friendly a property is when compared to others which have gained an award, wherever those properties are situated in the world.  Additionally, because the granting of the rating is based on certification by the project architects, the awards can be made very early in the development process.  This allows buyers to make informed decisions even when they buy off-plan.”

The GREEN Building Standard has been running for 10 weeks on a pilot basis, and has already gained the support of some significant developers worldwide.  The first development to gain the coveted “Platinum Award” is the visually stunning and undeniably iconic “Visionaire”, which sits prominently on the Manhattan skyline in Battery Park City.  Ann Froelich, Sales Director at “Visionaire” has no doubt that the GREEN Building Standard will help her attract environmentally conscious buyers. “We are totally committed to making our building as sustainable, and as kind to the environment as possible.  This award recognizes that commitment and is a highly visible and effective way to communicate this to the buying public”.
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT
GREEN HORIZONS
Colin Barrett-Treen
Managing Director          Green Horizons Property

TEL. +44 (0)1733 206628
EMAIL.  colin@greenhorizonsproperty.com
WEB: http://www.greenhorizonsproperty.com


TIDEWAY COMMUNICATIONS
Kerry Clark Tideway Communications
TEL  +44 20 8878 0787
EMAIL kerry@tidewaycommunications.com


PRESS KIT

You can download relevant documents and images from our press kit at

http://www.greenhorizonsproperty.com/press_kit/