Cottage Home To Showcase Beach Homes in Upcoming Bus Tour

South Haven, MI – Cutting energy and water consumption by 30 to 60 percent, lowering greenhouse emissions, and reducing exposure to mold, mildew and other toxins are a few of the persuasive reasons why more and more people are opting for sustainable-designed homes.

The trend toward greener home design and construction is growing both nationwide and along the West Michigan lakeshore. The highest level of sustainability is designing and building to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards. Earlier this month, the LEED for Homes program gave a green stamp of approval on the 10,000^th home nationwide, and there are more than 38,000 additional properties in progress.

To help area residents get a better idea of the possibilities for LEED-certifying a home in West Michigan, Cottage Home is sponsoring a LEED Home Tour of properties that the homebuilder designed and built along the lakeshore.

“Our goal is to improve existing lakeshore sites with new beach homes that are better for the environment and for homeowners’ quality of life,” said Brian Bosgraaf, Cottage Home president. “You don’t have to start from scratch; in fact, that’s not necessarily the most responsible way to approach a LEED-designed home.”

The Cottage Home bus tour event will be held May 6. Attendees will board a bus at Hawks Head Golf Course for an afternoon tour of five beach homes in the South Haven area before heading back to the course club house for an hors d’oeuvre and drink reception.

The cost of the event is $50 per person, with proceeds going toward the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy – an organization dedicated to protecting the diversity, stability and beauty of southwest Michigan by preserving the area’s natural and scenic lands.

Space is limited. For reservations, please call (616) 393-9460 or email Stephanie@cottagehome.com.

Cottage Home, which specializes in designing and constructing well-appointment beach houses and cottages, has built eight LEED-certified homes along the West Michigan lakeshore. To learn more about Cottage Home and view some of the builder’s properties, visit www.cottagehome.com.

For additional information on the LEED program, go to http://www.usgbc.org/leed.