Eco Homes in Mexico Are Becoming a Reality for More People

 Environment-friendly homes in Mexico have been a favourite for Americans and Canadians for years – possibly even decades.  Yet, as is so often the case, in the larger picture of Mexico, eco homes are more of a luxury for the “well to do.”

Now, most of us wouldn’t consider ourselves well-to-do, but the average Mexican would probably think that we are; in any case, many average Mexicans wouldn’t be able to afford the beautiful new eco home in Tulum or Playacar, even if it is only a fraction of the price of a similar home in the U.S.

But the good news is that the Mexican government is making an effort (and investment) to change this, offering loans for developers of low-priced eco homes.  Talli Nauman writing for the Thomson Reuters Foundation reports this:

The construction loan program offers buyers of newly built homes increased comfort and energy cost savings – through features such as roof insulation and solar water heating – at the same price they’d pay for conventional shelter. It aims to reduce the housing sector’s greenhouse-gas emissions at least 20 percent by the end of this decade.

The object is “to prompt climate-friendly design, adjusting it to the characteristics of each locale, and develop new construction systems of higher quality and efficiency,” says Mónica Healy Hegewisch, a member of Campillo’s team.

She makes some claims in the first few paragraphs that I find questionable. (Such as, low-cost row homes are responsible for the urban sprawl in Mexico City; from what I’ve seen, it’s mostly completely disorganized shanty towns.)  But on the whole, the article is very good and the program sounds even better.  Read the entire article here.

This would benefit everyone who lives in Mexico, making for lower emissions, and placing more ecologically sound homes within reach of the average Mexican.

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Andy Welbourne, from London, Ontario, has been living in Playa del Carmen and working as a part of the team with Thomas Lloyd for 7 years. He has worked with many Canadians and Americans to assist in finding their dream home in the Mexican Caribbean; many of these clients have turned into great friendships. Contact Andy at (512) 879-6546.

The TOP Mexico Real Estate Network; “Mexico’s Leading Network of Specialists for Finding and Purchasing Mexican Properties Safely!”