By offering a stronger occupancy record, lower risk and liability, and substantial operating savings, your green building will likely be a more attractive property to buyers, even in a down market. As a general rule, for every $1.00 per square foot your green project saves in operating expenses, its net present value increases by $10.00 per square foot.

Also, getting your project certified through the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED program can help you draw higher bids for the property by generating media interest in your project and giving credibility to its green performance claims.

The USAA Realty Company invested $110,000 in energy efficiency measures in its 170,000-square-foot office plaza in La Paz, California, and achieved an increase in market value of $1.5 million upon sale of the building.