The HGTV 2008 Green Home is a shining example of how to build a beautiful eco-friendly home. If you weren't already aware, the 2008 Green Home was built just outside of Hilton Head Island (HHI), SC  where developers and builders are creating an environmentally responsible community called Tradition Hilton Head.

We've vacationed on HHI quite a few times over the years and this year was no different. We were there just a couple of weeks ago to bask in the sunshine and swim in the surf. The weather was almost perfect the entire time and the bugs weren't in full force yet so the timing was right on.

I had planned all along on making my way to Tradition to visit the Green Home at some point during our stay, even though I knew the tours had ended already. I was hopeful that I would somehow be allowed to see the home one way or another. Was I successful?

Has all the talk of green homebuilding got you thinking about how your next home will come equipped? Will it be LEED certified and how many points did it score? There are a number of green home building programs out there that it could possibly be certified through depending on your region of the country. How in the world do you go about sorting through all of the homes shown in your local MLS (Multiple Listing Service) that are certified by one green homebuilding program or another?

One MLS has the answer and makes it easier than ever to find your green, dream home. It's a company called ListedGreen. They list green homes...a Green MLS.

HGTV recently gave away a multi-million dollar dream home in Islamorada, FL and now they're giving away their very first eco-friendly Green Home located in Bluffton, SC near Hilton Head Island. My persistent daily entries DID NOT pay off for the Islamorada giveaway but maybe they will for this one. It won't hurt to try and it would be well worth the effort.

I must admit...I admire much of what HGTV does. And why wouldn't I? They provide an abundance of informative programs and great website DIY-type reference material for homeowners and for folks that just want to gather ideas (pssst...The Fun Times Guide To Homebuilding is a great homeowner idea source, too!).

What is the LEED Home Rating System?

Ever heard of it? Maybe. Thought of it much? Probably not. If you're about to have a home built to your specifications I'd strongly suggest you educate yourself regarding the eco-friendly  LEED Home Rating Certification program. If you're in the market for a new home, condo, apartment, et cetera...seek out a dwelling with the LEED certification for a multitude of reasons.

Okay...you might be asking yourself, "What the heck is LEED?" LEED stands for Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design and it is administered by the U.S. Green Building Council. It's some serious stuff with stringent guidelines but certainly not unattainable goals for environmentally-minded homebuilders and their customers.