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A REALTOR'S® Perspective: The Anatomy, Design & Development of an "Infill Project"

Scenario: He found me at Active Rain. He was looking for answers about infill projects, design and development and the new urbanism. He told me he had read my entire BLOG. I was honored. We emailed back and forth a few times. He called to set up a meeting to look at his mixed useproperty. He and his wife, whose life work has been with autistic kids, are ready to "un-retire"...

First Meeting: We sat together in the welcoming kitchen in their home of 20 years. A restored "neo-old-Miami" (I'll have to ask Ines about that) the home has a flat roof that could be a green roof, is situated, along with an artist's studio/workshop on about 6 acres, and has a sense of place that cannot be denied. We look at the survey. I note that one of acres could be parceled off to be developed for commercial use. Immediately, I am imagining a charming little eco-friendlyvillage with Top o'the Morning Coffee Shoppe, Granny's Apple Pie Bakery, and Uncle Fred's Barber Shop complete with red and white pole.

Getting to Know You: The couple, "Mr. and Mrs. L" are seeking direction. What and how does one look at this property? Their dream is to create an eco-development. Possibly it could be a pilot project from which others might learn. Over the years they have planted Birch and Dawn Redwood...amazing trees dot the land. They don't want to see them bulldozed.

I understand.

I explain that, as a REALTOR®, I am the resource for the resources. I say that my team and I are just one small star in a big constellation, but that I know the stars in Asheville's green-design and development galaxy and can bring their light to this project. Possibly, what we have here is a giant jigsaw puzzle. Would they consider capturing the pieces so that we can lay them out on the table and reveal a clear picture of this exciting opportunity. We talk it over. Before deciding how to position the property in the market, they tell me they would feel more comfortable if savvy planners, sustainable design and planningprofessionals, eco-developers, architects, and so forth offer ideas.

..."Let's do a bit of ‘due diligence' before the fact, " I chime in. They respond, "We love the idea!"

Tomorrow we head out with a landscape architect to look through his eyes...stay tuned...
UPDATE: PART II is now up...for the next installment, please go to "This Land is YOUR Land"

UPDATE: Here are all 4 links for this series...

http://activerain.com/blogsview/259284/A-REALTOR-S-Perspective

http://activerain.com/blogsview/263386/A-REALTOR-S-Perspective

http://activerain.com/blogsview/274659/A-REALTOR-S-Perspective

http://activerain.com/blogsview/280997/A-REALTOR-S-Perspective

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Posted by janeAnne, Asheville's "Green-o-Lina" NAR GREEN Real Estate Consultant on 11/02/2007 11:32 AM

Comments (34)

100 of my featured posts, asheville green real estate, greenolina, green communities, eco communities

Originally posted at: Asheville ECO-GREEN Real Estate: A REALTOR'S® Perspective: The Anatomy, Design & Development of an "Infill Project"

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34 Comments on A REALTOR'S® Perspective: The Anatomy, Design & Development of an "Infill Project"

NOV

2007

Staying tuned...............are you going to take us through the whole process of creating an eco-development?? How cool would that be??

When you have the knowledge and expertise you are really in tune with the client that needs it! I'm still learning but it is the awareness that I need more education to stay in tune with different prospects that I imagine a more fulfilling career in our land of strict rules and guidelines for purchasing property.

Bob~

Yes I am going to take us all through the entire process...it should be an interesting and educational journey. ..certainly one I (and hopefully my clients) are going to enjoy.

Sally~

Your comment about being "in tune" with clients brings up a smile from me here in Asheville. It is exciting to work with people who are thrilled about the direction they're taking with their property. ...and you know I love the ideas of stewardship..sustainable community and eco-development. How lucky to be a part of seeing the ideas manifest in real time.

janeAnne - how exciting!! "neo-old miami" what an interesting concept. Considering Miami is a pretty new city, I would assume that it's a 30's or 40's home with charm? Maybe stucco on wood-lath with high parapet walls? Big roof eaves for shade? .....enough architecture (or not...would love to see photos).

If I was in your position, I would contact the local architecture school to see if they have an "urban planning" department and would offer to give them the project for them to study it. I'm doing something similar here in Miami. What's great about that is that a lot of great architects with a passion for good design are also teachers and then you get the best of the best.

Starting with a landscape architect is perfect in order to preserve their beautiful specimens (you know I'm a tree hugger).

janeAnne, Sounds like a wonderful opportunity for both you and them. I'm so glad you've found one another and I know that under your guidance, the most wonderful eco-friendly development will take shape in years to come.

((-:

Ines~

Great idea about contacting UNC architecture school! I hadn't thought of that!! YAY-yeah! Much appreciated, and I'm on it. Privately, I'll send you a few photos I took showing the building. It reminded me of homes in the the charming old section of Coral Gables...what is that called? I do think it was built in the 40s...

Landscape architect is a super star and-if anyone can figure out how to maximize this gem, he will know how, I agree...look for photos of trees in the upcoming series

Hi JaneAnne...I am listening to a Huge seminar with Mike Watson he goes into great detail on this stuff. Good post, I am glad I spent some time studying lately so I could follow your thoughts. PS Love the glasses!!

Jo-Anne~

I am very excited about this project.It is an amazing experience to be the "broker element" in the workings of something exceptional, inventive and sustainable. Somehow it connects you with something much-larger than yourself...if you know what I mean...and that is a great place to find your livelihood.

I will be following this project as it unfolds and will let-you know as we move forward. . .

Everyone~

SO! I checked it out with Ines, as promised. Sent her some photos today. Here is here response, "What a great looking house. It's so eclectic - the parapets are Art Deco and so are the horizontal lines, the entrance is neo-classical? the window proportions are more Mediterranean revival and so is the stucco. With a little lime-based paint - the right green roof and windows, it could be a beauty! Thanks so much for sharing with me - and keep me informed on the progress. ines"

Yup...sounds like neo-old-Miami to me (I'm smiling)

JaneAnne - Another fun project of yours I get to part take in, even if it is just through my green screen!

Somehow it connects you with something much-larger than yourself...if you know what I mean...and that is a great place to find your livelihood. I have an idea of what you mean. I am thinking about how you are helping to sustain our beautiful mother earth who has survived so much longer than our meager, short lives...continuing on long past the time we are gone. You are a very forward thinker and do your homework on projects!

Your clients, having worked with autistic children, will have the patience and diligence it takes to see a project like this through...step...by step...by step! I look forward to someday enjoying a cup of coffee in the Top 'O The Morning Coffee Shoppe! in the beauty of NC. I look forward to learning with you on this exciting project!

janeAnne, Do you get all your experts to give free consultations or are they paid from the get go?

I'm really looking forward to the entire series.

Bill Roberts

BTW I never saw the conclusion to the waterfsll story.

Hi janeAnne, Another fascinating journey! It sounds like Mr. and Mrs. L have a fantastic property. I can't wait to see how it works out. I would love to see that pictures too. :)

NOV

2007

Cousin Mary~

You commented, " Somehow it connects you with something much-larger than yourself...if you know what I mean...and that is a great place to find your livelihood. I have an idea of what you mean. I am thinking about how you are helping to sustain our beautiful mother earth who has survived so much longer than our meager, short lives...continuing on long past the time we are gone. "

and I am smiling ear-to-ear...because you have underscored the operating principle of our business...stewardship...

JaneAnne - yes, Stewardship is what is important! Upon those principles your business will continue to sustain!

Can't wait to hear more about this. It's always an adventure hearing your stories.

NOV

2007

JaneAnne- What exactly are you doing with these people? Are you selling them property, are you listing their home, are you selling them something else? I am not understanding what the end result is, are you building a community with them and then selling the homes? Katerina

Jane - Anne (and there is a Jo Anne here very confusing LOL), this should be so much fun to research, no matter what the outcome. I would say yes to the architectural contacts and also your green community contacts. See if you can get a few of them in a room together with the sellers - great potential here and no matter what transpires, a terrific boon to the learning curve, I think I get my biggest real estate highs when that happens.

Mary~

principles..you bring up a good point. I remember a college professor of mine telling students...first ..before anything else...you MUST know your philosophy....in terms of my real estate practice, I and my team love the idea of stewardship...that demonstrates itself in so many ways...including taking good care of what arrives as a challenge in the practice of real estate....

Dena~

When I was a schoolteacher (seems like a thousand years ago) I used to love to tell stories to my students...ones with a point, of course...I used to love to see their eyes light up when they got the point, and hear their sighs, chuckles and laughter...

I guess you can't teach an old teacher new tricks (I'm smiling)

Glad you like my stories... Second installment of this one should be up Monday or Tuesday...depending on the weather.

Everyone~

Look for this as an on-going adventure...Second installment of this one should be up Monday or Tuesday...depending on the weather.

NOV

2007

Katerina, Hi~

This is going to be kind of a long answer...I can see by your question that some more context may be useful at this point. So....deep-breath...here goes:

Because I and my team at our Firm are ECO certified real estate consultants
--meaning we have been through (or are well on the way through )
a 36-hour classroom and field training program, a recognized designation
by the real estate commission here in NC,

I (we) are lucky to be able to practice real estate in partnership with a network of eco-friendly resources. ...
Although I am not an expert landscape architect, or an expert land planner, or an expert ecologist, or an expert hydrologist, or an expert green builder...etc.,

over the years, I have met, observed and spent time with, and currently serve on the Board of a print publication specializing in concepts for sustainable innovation with such experts.

Eco-wise real estate consulting from this perspective is a joy ...

Hope I answered your questions...

Carole~

Yes indeed! As you say, "...this should be so much fun to research, no matter what the outcome. I would say yes to the architectural contacts and also your green communitycontacts..." That's what I really love about this process.

janeAnne- OK, that clears it up for me. I understand better of what you are doing now. Thanks for taking the time to explain. Katerina

Do you havea link for where you take:

ECO certified real estate consultants courses?

Thanks,

Paul in New Jersey

Katerina~

I am-happy to have the opportunity to look at this infill project with you. I hope you enjoy the rest of the series...and look forward to your comments and wisdom.

NOV

2007

DEFINED: INFILL PROJECT

Two things in play here...suburban infill "...the development of land in existing suburban areas that was left vacant during the development of the suburb. It is one of the tenets of the New Urbanism and smart growth [to which Asheville is committed]... urging densification to reduce the need for automobiles, encourage walking, and ultimately save energy..." and infill housing..."...

Infill housing is the insertion of additional housing units into an already approved subdivision or neighborhood. These can be in the form of additional units built on the same lot, by dividing existing homes into multiple units, or by creating new residential lots by further subdivision or lot line adjustments. Units may also be used by building on lots that were previously vacant.

The advantage of infill housing is in the fact that it does not require the subdivision of greenfield land, natural areas, or prime agricultural land. Another advantage is that existing infrastructure is usually almost adequate to provide all the need for utility and other services, at least at first glance.

Possible disadvantages are higher density of housing units per acre, and units that are not "up to code" or create circumstances that are illegal or unsafe. Especially if the infill was done without supervision or inspection. Structures built as an infill may clash architecturally with the older, existing buildings."

Definitions courtesy of Wikipedia

As we go along, we will be getting into both perspectives. This property has both acreage and buildings in existence. It-has multiple uses and multiple zoning possibilities. I'm VERY excited about those possibilities.

Mike~

Thanks for our comment. It highlights the requirement of those of us who are real estate professionals to keep current with what's new in-our field through education. Here in the Asheville area, we must take 8 hours of continuing education each-year. Many of us take more classes than are required...as you are doing =)

Bill~

Thanks for staying tuned. This could turn out to be one of our most interesting adventures. As for the waterfall story...one day the buyer ventured on the land without permission and ran into a pack of dogs and an unpleasant experience. In the-meantime, the seller disappeared into the woods somewhere in the wilderness out West...and everything went into a state of disarray...

Paul~

Thanks for asking about ECO certification. This is a series of classes (36 hours real time-classroom) that is offered only in North Carolina right now. It is a pilot program that NCAR recognizes and it is a designation...but you would have to come here to take the main core class..

There is an online class called ECOBroker that could be a good place to start...

NOV

2007

Paul~

I will be putting a reference and the link in Part III of this series..

NOV

2007

step one - can't wait to get to the next one to see what comes next!!!

JUN

2008

Barbara Jo~

I'll try to remember to add the links to this post. Right now, we are in the process of working with the clients to see if they want to create an urban infill project, a green community...or sell this amazing property.

UPDATE: Here are all 4 links for this series...

http://activerain.com/blogsview/259284/A-REALTOR-S-Perspective

http://activerain.com/blogsview/263386/A-REALTOR-S-Perspective

http://activerain.com/blogsview/274659/A-REALTOR-S-Perspective

http://activerain.com/blogsview/280997/A-REALTOR-S-Perspective

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