The U.S. Green Building Council's LEED certification guidelines are stringent, but beneficial for many reasons. Included are various incentives, including financial, to stamp the LEED logo on a new or remodeled home, such as:

The basics of pre-fab and modular homes
Choosing the Most Eco-Friendly Roofs
Three Benefits of Living in a Green Home
The benefits of residential wind power
The Differences in Green Home Certifications
Florida Green Home Standard Reference Guide
A White Paper on Building for Platinum LEED Certification
Benson I Home Plans TightLines Designs
Green Building Program: Many Incentives for Building Green in Anaheim
What's New in Eco-Affordable Housing?: Combining Green Building Innovations with Affordable Housing Needs
Designing and Building a More Sustainable Home
NREL/Habitat for Humanity Zero Energy Home: A Cold-Climate Case Study for Affordable Zero Energy Homes
How to Buy an Energy-Efficient Ground-Source Heat Pump
Whole-House Ventilation Systems and Improved Control of Air Quality
Own Your Power! A Consumer Guide to Solar Electricity for the Home