Barbara: Ideas for "Easy" green from construction viewpoint:
Using 2X6 walls, 24" on center, rather than old standard 2X4 walls, 16" o.c. (better stability, better energy efficiency, and less expensive, less wood used)Using zero-VOC paints (no off-gassing, price not significantly higher compared to regular paints, now available everywhere)
Better site-usage, placing houses closer to street, leaving larger back yards for recreation and gardening, and less space used for extended, impermeable driveways
Using locally produced items to avoid long-distance shipping expenses and fuel (we use kitchen cabinets made in our county from wood grown in the next county)
Provision of clotheslines, where allowed (remember the wonderful smell of sheets dried in the sun?)
Use of local plants for landscaping (list available from county extension service) to avoid plants that need regular maintenance and watering
Feel free to add to this list of low-cost greening!