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Real Estate Development, a Perspective

So what's F. David Peat, a physicist and quantum theory researcher
doing smiling out at you here in this real estate BLOG?

Maybe because he one of the characters I am covering in my LEGENDS Series? Yes! But more than this, he has a hot tip on how to participate in creative real estate development. And while, in the past, I have written about development in terms of land planning and have plugged conservation development along the way,today this blogging Land Specialist is wondering about "development, improvement, progress " from a whole different vantage point, one where
F. David Peat can take us.

"In the current world-view," says Peat, "our values are dominated by the need for development, improvement, progress, evolution and the linear unfoldment of time...." But what if we could take our values and step out of linear time ? What if, as Peat suggests in his research and writings, we could see the whole picture from from the standpoint of nonlinear time?

What if we took a "quantum" leap through Insight?

You already know exactly how to do that. Here's proof. Take a look at these two photos taken near Asheville, North Carolina. The first was taken before development. The second shows the same scene after development has begun. If you could step out of time and use insight to re-create the scene, would you sculpt another creation into this land?

Development, for the sake of development, ("progress") may appear to make sense...on the surface. However, when those involved in a real estate transaction think only in terms of "good, better, best," in other words, when we only categorize, compare, and measure, we miss that gut feeling that has been a friend of humankind for a very long time. What would happen if all parties involved used insight ? What if that same little voice that responds to the photos above were not just asking, "Which alternative is better?" but "Which is the all-inclusive solution the.both, all, and side-by-side for the best land use solution? Maybe all parties involved could reach a whole new level of operation.

Insights: Possibly feed insights by understanding the topography, the geology, the aesthetic. Ask good questions. Could the land under development be a conservation development? (At this point, probably not, at least not as AR's Corey Atherton describes it.) What do the experts say? (The great Lou Jewell who teaches Land 101 with his anthem , "I LOVE LAND!" might have a few words about the above scenes.) Ask local experts who know the character of the land.

Hot Tip: Use insight in any real estate transaction.

Resources: Equinox Environmental for Baseline Documentation,Conservation Subdivisions,Farmland Preservation, Green-ways Planning ,Native Plantings ,Park Planning ,Phase 1 Assessments,Private Lands,Sustainable Landscapes,Watershed Assessments,Wetlands Delineation and what insight looks like in action.

Photo of LEGEND, F.David Peat courtesy of Wikipedia.

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Posted by janeAnne, Asheville's "Green-o-Lina" ECO Certified Real Estate Consultant on 02/22/2007 05:28 PM

Comments (32)

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

Originally posted at: Asheville ECO-GREEN Real Estate: Real Estate Development, a Perspective

32 Comments on Real Estate Development, a Perspective

FEB

2007

Let me know what you think!

I think - those pictures are scary. I think a developer should have his / her hand slapped. I hope that with every home sold landscaping is included, including trees!

FEB

2007

I can post a big blog about this and think I will because the pictures you are showing here I see right now every day from my backyard as another new subdivision rips up the land.

Really indepth, lots of info here and great links

Dick Beals

Wow! That's scary! Is that a golf course or a football stadium or Strip Mall or what?

janeAnne

As one involved in selling and developing land I am concerned about that statement "highest and best use". Those words can be interpreted quite differently by those coming from the 'green and sustainable" point of view. From a real estate agent's perspective the economic factor may be the priority. From an 'eco-friendly' perspective the priority might be a conservation easement or an eco-community.

Dena...If we could just stop to consider what works best in the short and long term, gather insight from taking time to have community input we could leave the trees in place and still have eco-wise development. As I look at the photos above, I am grateful that a REALTOR did NOT this property to the developer because this property is subject to landslides. Homeowners who may not be aware of this fact could end up in their neighbor's backyard...and not for a B-B-Q.

Those photos make me very sad.

Bill...I will look forward to your first-hand account. I am sure it will be revealing and the process you use to approach your challenge will be an example for all of us.

Dick...Always interesting to search "outside the box" for perspectives and then apply them to what is "in your face"...especially in our profession, where getting a sense of place is so important.

FEB

2007

Leigh...I know how you feel. That's why I am hoping you run for public office!

FEB

2007

Corey..."THAT" to which you refer is a traditional residential development created by a "flatlander" who knows nothing of the stormwater problems and potential landslides he may be responsible for...it is jut so important to take the time to investigate and gain insight into the nature of the land on which you plan to build, as you know, and discuss in your BLOG.

Sami...Thanks for your concern about "highest and best use"...It takes the kind of dedicated investigation I understand you are willing to do to create an eco-wise scenario where insight gained through communication and intuition...and shared with all parties involved allows everyone (and the LAND) to prosper.

It seems that in a lot of communities -- there is a total lack of planning - there is no real vision -- it is unforunate. I think you have provided some very important information to consider.

Joan...That's what we all do as professional real estate people...provide information and insight (hopefully) . It seems to me we are /can be a powerfulforce for wise choices within the realm of possibilities available to our clients. ...

It's hard to believe that the two photos were taken from the same spot....what a difference.

FEB

2007

Wow....what a difference in photos. It's unbelievable the amount of development that is going on everywhere. We do have to be careful. I don't think people will realize what they are doing until it's too late.

Well, you have done it again. Somehow you have taken lessons learned in science and have shown how they relate to real estate. What will you think of next?

Christy:

It reminds of the old Joni Mitchell song .... "Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you got until its gone, Take paradise and put up up a parking lot."

FEB

2007

You might consider entering this in the CARNIVAL: The Economics of Real Estate Group

Judi and Christy...I so agree,.....When we have a chance to see a "before and after" as in the above photos, and in this very large scale, it seems to have THAT much more impact on us. Possibly we miss the big picture insights because we are focused on the short-range challenges of everyday life.

Brian...Thanks for noticing this article. It is close to my heart, as you may have guessed. The economics of real estate also has to do with the economics of insight, I am thinking...how about you?

John...Thanks...I like to look at the world from upside down now and then. Have you ever gone out on a cloudless night, pretended you were carefully Velcro'd to the Earth and gazed DOWN at the night sky? Try it and let me know what insights arrive.

FEB

2007

janeAnne

It's obvious that there are many of us who realize the relevancy of the information about good stewardship of the land. The land provides us with our food as well as our shelter. There are many conversations happening and it is imperative that each of us speaks up when necessary. The saying "Think globally, act locally" is especially relevant with the unprecedented surge in building across our country.

One of the first places to begin is in one's own back yard. My 'back yard' is the new "affordable" development I am living in. On my daily walks I noticed the downspouts/leaders were depositing rainwater up against the building foundation instead of draining away from it. Also the sediment pond at the rear of the last building was not doing its intended job. The brisk flow was a rich vermillion color as it rushed out of the parking lot area. As a concerned home/condo/owner I reported these problems to the city several weeks ago. The inspectors expressed appreciation for bringing the problem to their attention and assured me they would contact the developer. Obviously they did since several items have been remedied. However not all has been taken care of. Shall I wait and trust it will be. Probably not the best idea. I contacted the builiding rep and took a walk-about with camera in hand. My plan is to visit the inspectors, thank them for the improvements made and then present the updated photos and ask for a time frame for the completion of the remaining items.

Do I have time for this? No. However if someone doesn't deal with this now there will be a greater cost in the future. What's happening in your backyard that you could be pro active about?

That could not happen in Maryland.

FEB

2007

Sami...Such an in-depth comment! Possibly consider a blog on this. As you say, "Think globally, act locally" coined by David Brower, founder of Friends of the Earth, back in the late 1960s hits the nail on the head. I am wondering how the next generation of REALTORS will relate to that concept.

FEB

2007

I'd like to know more about how to find out about the topography and if developers are required to do some kind of topographic study before they begin to work.

Lenn...I would like to know more about Maryland and how such development could NOT happen there! Have you written a BLOG on this? Might you, if you haven't? And wouldyou please let the ECO All-Stars group know about this? THX!

Johm....Here's a link to a good source for TOPO maps.

MAR

2007

You said: Development, for the sake of development, ("progress") may appear to make sense...on the surface. Could you tell me more about what would make sense?

What would make sense..

Inspired and educated leadership.
Time to consider before destroying habitats.
Sustainable development,
and a team of professionals to advise developers
who could achieve financial goals
AND respect the natural environment and those who wish to enjoy it.

MAR

2007

Have not been able to write that blog yet, it is a bit too hard right now. We had to resort to putting up a fence just so we did not have to watch the devastation any more.

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