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Horse Farm in Asheville Beckons

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with REAL ESTATE REFERRAL NETWORK 209970

horses want to come home to farm in Asheville, NC

I began a "conversation" with a horse person via email. She is a potentialclient I met through Active Rain. She wrote something like this,

"I am exploring relocating to an eco conscious, eco friendly community which welcomes and accommodates horses (5).  I am specifically interested in a situation in which there is minimum environmental toxicity in the community."

Now folks, I know what she means by eco-friendly. "Green"  is downright popular these days. Thank goodness "old timers" and ecologists are readily available to point out plants and trees potentially toxic  to horses.

But I also know about my horse-clients and their attraction to horses! I figured that five (5) horses  may  be the case now  ...but soon there could be one to be rescued and another as a total surprise ... inexplicable that attraction horses evoke in the horse-lover, one that horse people honor... et voila..  another horse finds the way home. Real estate professionals take such realities into consideration. (I'm smiling..)   So, with this in mind, I answered, as diplomatically as possible. . .


"...   let's say that over the years you have 6 or 7  horses...you might need a minimum of 14 acres...depending on your accommodation and amenities choices. By this I mean that there are eco-friendly equestrian communities here in the Asheville area where you could share a pasture and barn, but please tell me, what kind of paddocks/stalls situation might work or not work for you?"

 (These horses want to "be rescued" and come Home to an eco-friendly farm in Asheville, N.C. Photo by JT, Broker.)

One of the challenges of communicating via email is to open up a good conversation.  I wanted to make sure this potential client, who would be  relocating to the Asheville area, understood that I would be thorough in my search for what was most important to her. I wanted her to know that her concerns about environmental factors were being "heard". I needed to let her know that I am knowledgeable and conscientious,  and that she could depend on me.   So, I continued. . .

"I should explain that when I am keeping an eye out for land for my clients, I look for what's "there" and what isn't. When looking for eco-friendly equestrian property, here's what I do. I:

  •  
    •  
      • Walk the land.
      • Check to see if there are rocks, holes, trees that are toxic to horses
      • Grab some dirt and consider the condition of the soil
      • Smell and feel the grass in the pasture,and note what kind of grasses are hanging out there in that pasture
      • Check the water source.
      • Note if the property is fenced, and what kind of fencing is there...the height, the condition
      • Take photos of all this.
      • Take photos of and note what's around the land. Is there a hog farm next door?  Is there an old apple orchard where chemicals were used and now are in the groundwater?
        Not good! And who's down the road? Do they use pesticides?
      • Investigate the quality and condition of barns, stables, etc.

I wasn't quite ready to tell her that I saw a really, really nice horse property the other day while I was out looking for one of my clients. The tack room had hot water and a washer and dryer. And a sofa. Nice! I'd be sure to mention that in the next email...but first I'd ask her what was most important to her. So I wrote...

"... do you want to have a home/stables, round ring and so forth already on the land?...
or do you intend to build? Tell me what's on top of your priority list. . ."

By the way, there is amazing horse and eco-friendly property within half an hour of Asheville. Gorgeous 35 acres ...10-15 acres of flat pasture, spectacular long range views, potential municipal water hookup, for example. I could hardly wait to tell her about this.  Would this potential client respond?  What do you think?

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Comments (17)

ASHEVILLE REALTY REFERRAL RESOURCE 828-776-0779
REAL ESTATE REFERRAL NETWORK - Asheville, NC
CONTACT janeAnne365@gmail.com
If you are exploring relocating to an eco conscious, eco friendly community which welcomes and accommodates horses ...and interested in a situation in which there is minimum environmental toxicity in the community...or if you are interested in rescuing "lost souls"....let me know.
Jan 19, 2008 12:43 AM
Jon Miller
United Country-Marshland Realty - Beaufort, SC
Good luck working with this horse lover.  You didn't mention what your horse lover's price point is.  There are a ton of properties down around Beaufort, South Carolina as well.  I know of one that has an indoor riding stable.  I know of another multi-million dollar professional stud horse breeding facility for sale.  I know of acreage along the Intracoastal Waterway and the Whale Branch River.  But my main point is that I appreciate you sharing your knowledge about what you do - walking the land, checking for holes, dirt, water sources, etc.  That's good stuff.  Thanks for sharing.
Jan 19, 2008 12:47 AM
Stephanie Edwards-Musa
thredUP.com - The Woodlands, TX
knitwit at thred UP

Hi janeAnne,  I bet she responds.  :)  You are definitely the ONE to call for Eco Friendly horse land around Asheville.   I'm confident she will reply.  :)

I have not thought about the toxic plants to horses...another way I learn by reading your posts.

Jan 19, 2008 12:50 AM
Mary McGraw
GLREA - Rockford, MI
2015: Solar Energy Is Still A Simple Machine!

Hi JaneAnne - I would bet my last dollar that she will respond. You have a way  with words and your thoroughness comes through in your writing. You have developed a keen eye for finding things about a property that others just don't see or think of. When she responds you will have to write part II!

Jan 19, 2008 01:13 AM
ASHEVILLE REALTY REFERRAL RESOURCE 828-776-0779
REAL ESTATE REFERRAL NETWORK - Asheville, NC
CONTACT janeAnne365@gmail.com

Jon~

...and I appreciate your commenting..."I appreciate you sharing your knowledge about what you do - walking the land, checking for holes, dirt, water sources, etc.  That's good stuff.  Thanks for sharing" 

and as to the "price point"...we are so careful ,when first beginning a conversation, to let folks know we are buyers' brokers and NOT to bring  up price point until folks have read and acknowledged our NC Law of Agency

Like your area, our horse properties (depending on the amenities) are running from $500K for a small acreage with good pasture to well over the $2-3M dollar range...

Jan 19, 2008 02:52 AM
ASHEVILLE REALTY REFERRAL RESOURCE 828-776-0779
REAL ESTATE REFERRAL NETWORK - Asheville, NC
CONTACT janeAnne365@gmail.com

Stephanie~ 

Yes...plants and TREES can be toxic to horses.That's why iI made a point to stress how imporant it is for real estate professionals who work with rural properties and/or equine properties and /or farms to scope out the surroundings.

Here is a great link that describes  plants/trees dangerous to horses... 
    also check out the University of Illinois Plants Toxic to Animals data base.
....Oh yes...plants not toxic to horses may be toxic to sheep and cattle. . .

Here's a link to the  National Animal Poison Control Center  and here's a toll-free animal poison hot line.800-548-2423  ...and here's a list of a few of the toxic culprits to look out for:

  • Yew Oleander 
  • Yellow Star Thistle 
  • Locoweed
  • Timber Milk Vetch
  • Lupine
  • Poison Hemlock and Water Hemlock
  • Ground Ivy, (Creeping Charlie)
  • Larkspur (Delphinium)
  • Bracken Fern
  • Horsetail
  • Castor Bean 
  • Red Maple 
  • Buckwheat 
  • Alsike Clover
  • Rhododendrons (and relatives) 
  • Potato and Tobacco Leaf 
  • Fiddleneck and related plants 
  • Crotalaria Species
  • Senecio Species
  • Chokecherry and Wild Cherry (Prunus) Death can occur literally in minutes after the horse has ingested these leaves.
  • Sorghum and Sudan Grass
  • Bermuda Grass
  • Black Locust  and Oak Trees

Maybe I should write a post about this, eh?

This is one reason I always advise buyers/sellers to have a biological survey done!!!...and why I have a list of ecologists to whom I can refer my clients.

 

 

Jan 19, 2008 03:18 AM
ASHEVILLE REALTY REFERRAL RESOURCE 828-776-0779
REAL ESTATE REFERRAL NETWORK - Asheville, NC
CONTACT janeAnne365@gmail.com

Mary~ 

Thanks for your vote of confidence. I sure try. I hope to hear from this potential client again...and for sure, i will do a Part II if/when she responds.

Jan 19, 2008 03:20 AM
Stephanie Edwards-Musa
thredUP.com - The Woodlands, TX
knitwit at thred UP
Thanks for the link janeAnne!! 
Jan 19, 2008 03:46 AM
Anonymous
John Thomas

Hey there janeAnne,

As usual I learned something new from your post. I had no idea that so meant things were toxic to horses. I'll keep this list around in case I meet up with some horse folks! You really do your homework.

Sincerely,J.T.

Jan 19, 2008 05:45 AM
#9
Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman
Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI
(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE
You have just got to be the most informative and experienced person in your community and with all that in mind....of course she'll call you back!
Jan 19, 2008 05:48 AM
Ginger S
Wilkinson & Associates, Wilmington NC - Wilmington, NC
Wilmington NC Real Estate & Relocation~

janeAnne, This potential email client sure knows how to pick a horse-lady...LOL JA , I am betting that she gets in the race with you! And goes the distance to the finish line a winner! Ginger

Jan 19, 2008 09:45 AM
ASHEVILLE REALTY REFERRAL RESOURCE 828-776-0779
REAL ESTATE REFERRAL NETWORK - Asheville, NC
CONTACT janeAnne365@gmail.com

John T~

I had no idea so many plants and trees were toxic to horses myself when I began to act as a real estate consultant for horse lovers...good place to start is with the National Animal Poison Control Center..when you explore there even a little bit you will find really good information about what to look for and what the symptoms are...and photos of the culprits, too

Jan 20, 2008 12:09 AM
ASHEVILLE REALTY REFERRAL RESOURCE 828-776-0779
REAL ESTATE REFERRAL NETWORK - Asheville, NC
CONTACT janeAnne365@gmail.com

Sally~ 

I may not be the "most experienced", but I am dedicated and I know where the experts  can be found...I even-have their home phone numbers =)...I'll let you know what happens next with this client. THX for your comment. You made my day.

Jan 20, 2008 12:11 AM
ASHEVILLE REALTY REFERRAL RESOURCE 828-776-0779
REAL ESTATE REFERRAL NETWORK - Asheville, NC
CONTACT janeAnne365@gmail.com

Ginger~ 

I love your sense of humor. I also love the idea of taking good care of the details.

I sure hope this potential client does follow up with me...or at least that she finds a real estate professional who does her/his homework. When it comes to horses (and dogs and cats and cows and goats and trees and  flowers and ...all living things) possibly the best idea is to provide our most caring attention.

Jan 20, 2008 12:16 AM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital
JaneAnne, have you read any of Jane Smiley's books?  Horse Heaven and A Year at the Races are must reading to help understand your horse people clients.  Don't get too many of them here in the big city, but still loved the books.
Jan 21, 2008 09:58 AM
ASHEVILLE REALTY REFERRAL RESOURCE 828-776-0779
REAL ESTATE REFERRAL NETWORK - Asheville, NC
CONTACT janeAnne365@gmail.com

Patricia~ 

Thanks for the heads-up on the reading. Appreciate this and you... When you refer your clients to our area, we will have read Smiley's books  =)

Jan 23, 2008 02:11 PM
ASHEVILLE REALTY REFERRAL RESOURCE 828-776-0779
REAL ESTATE REFERRAL NETWORK - Asheville, NC
CONTACT janeAnne365@gmail.com

Everyone~

Just heard from an eco-savvy horse person here in the Asheville area who wonders if anyone has  experience with boarding horses ...in a " nontoxic environment--safe fly products, organic pasture, etc...."

IF you have experience in this matter, please share...THX!

 

Nov 26, 2008 12:10 AM