Buyers swapping game rooms for solar panels

The green movement is going strong amongst buyers looking to build their dream homes. At a time when everyone is scaling back, a new survey released by the American Institute of Architects reports that those who can still afford to purchase new homes are swapping recreational amenities like game rooms, guest suites, and high-end kitchens for energy-saving options like solar panels, better insulation and water-saving devices. Home offices are also gaining in popularity. The residential billings index was up 20 points in the second quarter, reaching a score of 38. While a score below 50 indicates a decline in activity, the numbers indicate that the market is stabilizing.