Now to the "details" in terms of working that market niche: Market Statistics and Research.
I spent some serious time earlier this week crunching stats on our MLS. I use our MLS and other resources to get the facts. Just so you know, our MLS here in the Greater Asheville area is set up so that real estate professionals with particular niche market interests can accomplish some good research. Not sure if your MLS works this way? But it sure helps!
My niche (as most of you know) is the sustainable, "green" niche...So I focus, as do all the "Green Buyers' Brokers" on our team on energy efficient buildings, and acreages sought after in the happy process of eco design and development, for eco-communities, perhaps.
I can find out how many residential properties with EnergyStar® ratings currently are on the market....how many sold this year as compared to last year. I can find out how many HealthyBuilt® are available. By the way, these homes are comparable (and some say go beyond LEED certified.)
Want to find out for yourself? Look at this CHECKLIST. http://healthybuilthomes.org/docs/HBH_Statewide_Checklist.pdf
By checking the statistics, I can determine if there really is this a trend in the demand for green-built homes. That's what I suppose. That's what I expect. But is the consumer trend toward sustainable choices and consumer demand REAL? Let's see . . .
According to the NC HealthyBuilt Home Program:
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There currently are 233 certified HealthyBuilt Homes and 689 "in progress" in the Western North Carolina area. INTERESTING! That says something about the strength of interest and our market. Good to know that |
NC HealthyBuilt Homes is supported by the North Carolina Solar Center, the State Energy Office, Home Builder Associations, and other professional building organizations. The WNC Green Building Council(WNCGBC) and the Asheville Home Builder Association(AHBA) offer the NC HealthyBuilt Homes Program to builders in the Greater Asheville Area.
Our Greater Ashevillearea MLS shows that there are currently 68 such homes available. These certified green-built homes range from affordable (at $135,000) to luxury($3,250,000.) More about the range later. Look for this continuing series. In the $200-600K range (residential) there are 17 Energy Star ® rated homes on the market this month... In the $500K to $900K range there are 14 Energy Star ® rated homes on the market this month...
I talked with a 71-year old "baby boomer" green buyer the other day, a tiny, white-haired, Dresden Doll of a Lady who actually told me... janeAnne I just have to have "...a healthier, safer, more comfortable, sustainable, energy efficient, and environmentally-responsible home..." Should we chalk her choices toward sustainability up to the "wisdom of the elders"?...
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Curious about sustainable Green real estate possibilities ? Simply pedal on over to Convivial Blogger Greenolina's "Green Wheels" BLOG and SUBSCRIBE
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(*)/'(*) .......... ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable world you can create today and tomorrow!. ......................... .............
Viability: Resources and Stats & the Market Niche (Part III). .The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants! Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved
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Should we chalk her choices toward sustainability up to the "wisdom of the elders"?...
Hi, do any of those checklists or links have relevant Canadian information?
I think going green is one of the biggest things that a Realtor can do to make him or herself stand out from the rest. Thank you for the information.
I created a checklist the other day (blog) on green tips that Realtors can do for their clients. if I knew how to link to it I would have. LOL
Victoria Carter www.TwoMoveYou.com
After reading your posts for almost two years I can surely say you are the expert for your area for knowledge and informations on eco communities and energy efficient homes and buildings. Yet another article loaded with information for not just the consumer...but learning peers like me!
Victoria~
I agree with your sentiments! I would really like to see your checklist! Please send me the link and I will include it here!
Sally~
THANK YOU so much for your very kind comment. After having taken almost every course available for real estate professionals on the subject of sustainable practices and healthy lifestyles, and having been happily involved in Project Nature Connect for years and years, I hope that what you say is at least somewhat on the mark =)
Alot of good pointers in this well thought out post. Thanks so much!
Evelyn~
Thanks for the kind words. I am passionate about sustainable choices in homes and land, so writing about this is like a smile for me...
Dear janeAnne,
Interesting to see your stats on this. North Carolina, at least the western, part has always been so forward on energy and architecture. I can see the green theme being big there.
I am in Roanoke, Virginia. The green houses that I am familiar with are in our historic district. Green and historic. What an appraisal nightmare! One of mine sold this fall. The other sales on green historic were too old to use as comps. My company has just sold another one.
Do you have any historic green homes, or is it all new construction?
Thanks for sharing!
Barbara
Barbara~
Yes...here in the Asheville area, we have focused not only on new "green" construction, but also on retrofitting and remodeling for sustainable choices...now you have me wondering about historic properties and how many of ours (we have many) have been handled with green TLC...I will have to get back with you on that!..