Town homes for telecommuters

A new Built Green-certified community near Seattle increases the environmental benefits of telecommuting.

All the town homes in Brighton on Park are designed with office space on the ground level, which is distinct from the personal living area. Equipped with separate street entrances, a half bath and outdoor signage space, home owners get all the amenities to operate a small home-based business.

Located in Issaquah Highlands, Brighton on Park homeowners can take advantage of the Highlands’ fiber-optic network to stay plugged in to clients and colleagues. The town homes, built by Noland Homes, have Energy Star-certified appliances and lighting, tankless hot water heaters and high standards for indoor air quality. Brighton on Park homeowners can walk to meet most daily needs.

Scott Forcier, a real estate agent and Brighton on Park homeowner, says an increasing number of his clients are seeking energy-efficient and healthy homes. “It’s really helped that the Regional Multiple Listing Service has searchable criteria for green homes,” Forcier says. “It’s helped me understand how much is available.”

More than 45 million people telecommute at least once a week, according to Telework Coalition, a Washington, D.C.-based advocacy and research group. Research shows telecommuting can cut down significantly on pollution: With 44 percent of U.S. companies offering telecommuting options, the U.S. could save about 1.35 billion gallons of fuel per year if everyone who was able to telecommute did so just 1.6 days per week, according to a recent national survey. Currently, just 2 percent of U.S. workers telecommute full time.