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Is Now the Time for you to Go Solar Home?

by Tom Stachler,ABR,CDPE - Group One Realty Team

Solar Tax Credit Extended

Lost in all the talk of dropping oil prices and rising interest rates is news that is expected to transform the solar world, and the homes (and bank balances) of those who have (or want) solar energy. A federal tax credit that was set to expire at the end of this year was instead just extended for five more years.

"In a surprise move, recently U.S. lawmakers agreed to extend tax credits for solar and wind for another five years," said Bloomberg News. "This will give an unprecedented boost to the industry and change the course of deployment in the U.S."

The extension means "a 30% federal tax credit offered by the EPA and Department of Energy to encourage Americans to use solar power" for the next five years," said The Simple Dollar. "If you install Energy Star-approved solar power systems, the credit allows you to claim 30% of the cost as a tax credit for the year you installed it. That amount is taken directly off your tax payment, rather than as a deduction from your taxable income."

The increase in installed solar because of the extension is expected to be substantial.

"Solar will more than triple in size from just more than 24 GW of total capacity to nearly 100 GW by 2020. By that point, there will be enough solar installed to power 20 million American homes," said Ecowatch. "This seemingly routine legislation is historic because it brings the solar industry to the forefront of the conversation about American energy."

Capitalizing on trends

Bloomberg calls this "exactly the sort of bridge the industry needed" to continue absorption trends. With costs continuing down while usage works its way up, it's important to capitalize.

"The costs of installing wind and solar power have dropped precipitously—by more than 90 percent since the original tax credits took effect—but in most places coal and natural gas are still cheaper than unsubsidized renewables," they said. "By the time the new tax credit expires, solar and wind will be the cheapest forms of new electricity in many states across the U.S. The scale of these new projects will help push costs down further and will stimulate new investment that lasts beyond the extension of the credits."

Making solar affordable

Affordability—or lack thereof—has long been a knock on solar, discouraging many from exploring options to traditional energy. The cost of a solar panel can range anywhere from $650 to $900 per panel, according to Todd Davidson, from Clean Energy Collective. Incentives make them more affordable, but that's not the only financial advantage.

"Incentives play a big part. But even without incentives there is ROI, or return on investment," said green-energy consultant Steve Pope on The Simple Dollar. Not to mention the cost savings associated with lower electric bills and the potential for building equity in your Home.

"From what we've seen about homes that go green, installing these assets increases the value of a house by 13%," said Pope. "It does make a difference when you're trying to sell a home. When you're adding solar power you're adding long-term value to your home."

Solar Options

Those who want to add solar panels to their home or incorporate them into a newly built home have options other than Buying them outright.

Power purchase agreement (PPA) - A PPA is a contract in which you pay only for your solar power. Because ownership of the system remains with the solar company, you don't pay for the equipment or installation.

Solar leasing - Lease your system instead of buy, just like you'd do with a car. Low and no-down payment options are available.

Low-interest loans - At a number of different solar companies, you can take out a low-interest loan for your solar system and make payments according to your solar production.

Is solar energy on your radar? Which options might you consider? Let us know in the comments.

 

tom stachler, real estate, one, michigan, homes, houses, condos, for sale, lease, broker, builder, solar, power, options. 

Information about Real Estate Broker and Realtor Tom Stachler

by Tom Stachler,ABR,CDPE - Group One Realty Team

Broker and Builder in Ann Arbor

Tom Stachler has been in the local real estate sales and management business since the 1980's.  For the past 20 years he as been working as an Associate Broker and REALTOR with Real Estate One in Ann Arbor Michigan.  Client References and more information can be found on this web site.  

You can Click here to view a digital Brochure for more information about this seasoned professional  

 

 

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Star Wars: Ranking the Galaxy's Most Iconic HOmes

by Tom Stachler,ABR,CDPE - Group One Realty Team

Star Wars: The Force Awakens has finally been unleashed throughout the world! While we anxiously wait to see the lightsaber duels and starfighter battles for ourselves, we’re tapping into our own Jedi powers to rank some of the most iconic homes in the galaxy.

5. Theed Royal Palace

Theed Royal Palace

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Atop a cliff in Naboo’s capital city, the Royal Palace was modeled after the real-life Marin County Civic Center designed by Frank Lloyd Wright—regrettably not a long time ago, nor in a galaxy far, far away. The interior is actually the Palace of Caserta (Italy’s answer to Versailles), with 1,200 rooms, a library and a theater, all overlooking a garden blooming on nearly 300 acres.

What’s it worth? Based on approximations for the French landmark and the Civic Center, the palace and its many watch towers could fetch up to $2 billion if it ever went to market.

4. Hutt Castle

Hutt Castle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Otherwise known as Jabba’s Palace, this durasteel monastery-turned-crime lord retreat offers unobstructed views of Tatooine’s Dune Sea. Powered by energy produced at an in-house facility, the castle features a tower with spiral staircase and holoprojector, an elevator with a capacity for Hutts and polished stone floors throughout.

The real selling point? A pit below the throne room perfect for a pet rancor.

Related: Great Spaces, Star Wars Edition: Yoda’s Hut, How Much It Is?

3. Ewok Tree Hut

Ewok

Nestled more than 150 feet above ground on the Forest Moon of Endor, these treetop huts form Bright Tree Village, an ideal community for those eager to try off-the-grid living. Tree hut residents also have access to ground-level accommodations—an entertainer’s dream when partying it up after a Rebel win.

The best part? These canopy homes are constructed in and around ancient, flame-resistant trees. Yub yub!

2. The Lars Homestead

Lars Homestead

This moisture farm on Tatooine has a storied history, passed down through generations of the Lars family. It comes complete with a semi-subterranean Home and courtyard that shields occupants from the planet’s twin suns, and a garage with recharging port roomy enough for three T-16 skyhoppers. The property also features a security access pad barring entrance to Sand People uninvited visitors.

UPDATE: The Lars Homestead is now a pile of charred rubble, and—full disclosure—it may have seen a tragedy or two, but it’s the childhood home of Luke Skywalker, people!

1. Death Star

Death Star

At over 75 miles in diameter, the first Death Star is comparable to a class-IV moon. Composed of quadanium steel and encircled by a mile-wide docking bay, it boasts a hyperdrive system, trash compactors and a superlaser capable of blasting planets to oblivion. Several more defining features were also added by the architect, including an exhaust port no bigger than a womp rat.

UPDATE: Like the Lars Homestead, Death Star I is no more. Still, flaw and all, it’s priceless.

 

tom stachler, real estate, star wars, props, info, movie, research, homes, of, movie, introduction, ann arbor, michigan, saline, dexter, chelsea, homes, for, sale

 

Star Wars: The Force Awakens has finally been unleashed throughout the world! While we anxiously wait to see the lightsaber duels and starfighter battles for ourselves, we’re tapping into our own Jedi powers to rank some of the most iconic homes in the galaxy.

5. Theed Royal Palace

Theed Royal Palace

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Atop a cliff in Naboo’s capital city, the Royal Palace was modeled after the real-life Marin County Civic Center designed by Frank Lloyd Wright—regrettably not a long time ago, nor in a galaxy far, far away. The interior is actually the Palace of Caserta (Italy’s answer to Versailles), with 1,200 rooms, a library and a theater, all overlooking a garden blooming on nearly 300 acres.

What’s it worth? Based on approximations for the French landmark and the Civic Center, the palace and its many watch towers could fetch up to $2 billion if it ever went to market.

4. Hutt Castle

Hutt Castle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Otherwise known as Jabba’s Palace, this durasteel monastery-turned-crime lord retreat offers unobstructed views of Tatooine’s Dune Sea. Powered by energy produced at an in-house facility, the castle features a tower with spiral staircase and holoprojector, an elevator with a capacity for Hutts and polished stone floors throughout.

The real selling point? A pit below the throne room perfect for a pet rancor.

Related: Great Spaces, Star Wars Edition: Yoda’s Hut, How Much It Is?

3. Ewok Tree Hut

Ewok

Nestled more than 150 feet above ground on the Forest Moon of Endor, these treetop huts form Bright Tree Village, an ideal community for those eager to try off-the-grid living. Tree hut residents also have access to ground-level accommodations—an entertainer’s dream when partying it up after a Rebel win.

The best part? These canopy homes are constructed in and around ancient, flame-resistant trees. Yub yub!

2. The Lars Homestead

Lars Homestead

This moisture farm on Tatooine has a storied history, passed down through generations of the Lars family. It comes complete with a semi-subterranean home and courtyard that shields occupants from the planet’s twin suns, and a garage with recharging port roomy enough for three T-16 skyhoppers. The property also features a security access pad barring entrance to Sand People uninvited visitors.

UPDATE: The Lars Homestead is now a pile of charred rubble, and—full disclosure—it may have seen a tragedy or two, but it’s the childhood home of Luke Skywalker, people!

1. Death Star

Death Star

At over 75 miles in diameter, the first Death Star is comparable to a class-IV moon. Composed of quadanium steel and encircled by a mile-wide docking bay, it boasts a hyperdrive system, trash compactors and a superlaser capable of blasting planets to oblivion. Several more defining features were also added by the architect, including an exhaust port no bigger than a womp rat.

UPDATE: Like the Lars Homestead, Death Star I is no more. Still, flaw and all, it’s priceless.

 

tom stachler, real estate, star wars, props, info, movie, research, homes, of, movie, introduction, ann arbor, michigan, saline, dexter, chelsea, homes, for, sale

tom stachler, real estate, star wars, props, info, movie, research, homes, of, movie, introduction, ann arbor, michigan, saline, dexter, chelsea, homes, for, sale

Real Estate Home Valuation Tool Information for Ann Arbor and Surrounding Communities

by Tom Stachler,ABR,CDPE - Group One Realty Team

Looking for the Value of your Home in Michigan?

Try this Michigan Real Estate Home valuation tool to get a more accurate idea of your homes current worth that has proven to be more accurate than Zillow's Zestimate feature for instance for the tax assessor SEV or taxable value information. 

Go to www.My Price.guru to view it for yourself and if you put in your contact information, the service will send you quarterly valuation reports as well if you want.  Of course the most accurate way of getting a market report would be to drop us an email and we could provide you with a report with comps and even tweak it further with a visit to your home.  

Let us know if you have any questions or are looking to transition into another home or condo.  Just go to www.RealtyQuest.info for more information and to get the process started.  

 

 

 

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Going on a Trip? Use this Vacation Prep Check List

by Tom Stachler,ABR,CDPE - Group One Realty Team

Vacation Prep Checklist:

 

Unplug electronics.  Any televisions, computers, stereos and other electronics  that are not plugged into a surge protector should be unplugged in case of a power surge.  

 

Monitor with Cell phone.  There are many services and equipment available now using cellular or Home wifi services that can send you text or video messages automatically to your computer or phone. Try video cameras with motion notices like DropCam or Nest thermostats and also cellular alarms like SimpliSafe not to forget some of the new video door bells

 

 Light rooms with timers.  They are available for under $20, and help make the home look occupied and use less electricity. To save on energy use fluorescent or ultimately, LED exterior light bulbs (very low energy usage) and leave your outside lights on more often.

 

 Turn off the main water supply.  A small leak while you are away can cause major damage.  Your main water shut off should not be far from your water meter or where water pipes enter your home.

 

 Check your sump pump if you have one.  Pour a bucket of water into the sump crock to test.  The pump should turn on after it reaches a level that triggers the pump.  It's a good idea to check this periodically as a routine maintenance item as well.

 

Adjust your thermostat settings.  It is not the best idea to completely turn off your furnace or air conditioning while you are gone.  Best temperatures for vacation settings are upper 70's for summer and upper 50's in winter.

 

 

Adjust your water heater.  Turn the temp setting to low or vacation mode to save on your gas bill as you don't need to pay for hot water while gone.

 

 

 Use a soaker hose for flowers.  If you don't have a sprinkler system that waters flower beds, you can use  a timer and soaker hose to help keep them alive.  If you are turning the water off for your house, there may be a separate shut off for outdoor water, which you can leave on for this.

 

 Have a neighbor or someone you trust check in on the house while you are gone for an extended period.  If there is an issue while you are away, damage to your home could be greatly minimized if discovered early. Make sure there is no mail or newspapers delivered and a porch cam or neighbor can monitor for any packages that get dropped off so they don't sit there unattended and call attention to your status.

 

 Notify your alarm company or police, if you have one, that you will be away from the home or some police departments have a time frame trip form you can fill out and they may stop by to check on your home while gone. Many police departments have programs where you can register your vacation online and then a officer can drive by to check on your home from time to time.

 

 Winter Snow, if you have a snow storm, make sure it gets maintained and any hand delivered circulars are retrieved. Break in crews look for tracks in the snow while looking for mail, packages and newspapers left lying about.

 

Provided courtesy of Tom Stachler, Real Estate One 734-996-0000

 

 

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Fall Home Maintenance Check List and Recommendations

by Tom Stachler,ABR,CDPE - Group One Realty Team

Michigan Fall Home Maintenance Check List:

Outdoors:

- Check caulking and weather stripping around doors and windows. Even the tiniest cracks in these areas can allow enough water in to do some serious damage and also potential mold issues.  In addition, check exterior paint as well and touch up as needed.

 

- Check your roof for exposed nails, nail pops, and missing shingle(s). These are very important maintenance repairs before winter, as freezing water expands as it becomes ice, which can damage any area where water exists.

 

- Clean gutters - keeping your gutter systems clean and maintained is one of the most important ways to keep water away from your home's foundation.  Keep water flowing AWAY from you home!

 

- Cover your exterior air conditioning compressor unit. Most manufacturers recommend not running your AC below 65 degrees, as it can damage the unit (check your owner's manual). Covering the exterior unit when you are finished using it for the season will keep debris and additional moisture out of the unit.   Help keep it clean

 

- Trim dead limbs on trees and bushes - trimming dead tree branches before winter can prevent them from falling with the weight of snow and ice, which can cause damage to anything below. In addition, trimming dead limbs can make spring clean up much easier. Rake leaves to keep from killing your grass.

 

- Flowers - trim perennials and remove annuals. Trimming perennials before winter sends energy to the roots for next season.  Annuals will need to be removed anyway, and spring removal can be messier as the ground is typically more wet in the spring than in the fall.

 

- Mulch young plants - give newer trees and shrubs a fresh 2-4" layer of fresh organic mulch to keep the plantings warm and control water runoff and soil erosion as we head into colder temperatures

 

- Blow out sprinkler systems.  Hire this task out if you don't own an air compressor or need help with this task. Do not try this yourself without proper research or you may damage your sprinkler system.

 

- Repair and seal driveway cracks. Water entering cracks and expanding during freezing can damage driveways and walkways.

- Drain hoses and shut off outdoor water valves. Disconnect hose from the faucet to allow frost free hose bibs to work properly.

- Clean and seal wood decks.

 

Indoors:

- Test carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. The NFPA recommends smoke detectors be tested once a month. In addition, make sure you have a fire extinguisher accessible with instructions attached and everyone in your home knows where it is located.  For more information on smoke alarm safety,

- Replace furnace filter.   In addition, change your humidity setting on your furnace humidifier to a comfortable setting.  Fall is also a great time to have your furnace inspected, as it most likely hasn't been used for months.  Remember you humidifier filter as well. Make sure to schedule an inspection well in advance as this is a busy season for HVAC professionals.

 

- Check dryer exhaust tube and vent for lint and debris.  One of the more common causes of home fires is clogged dryer vents, as lint is highly combustible. Typical recommendations are to clean these once per year or more often if you have more than 2 people in the home.

 

- Sweep chimneys.  It is important to keep your chimney clean for proper airflow and ventilation. Chimneys used for exhaust ventilation, including gas appliances like furnaces and hot water heaters, need to be properly maintained to avoid health and safety issues.

 

- Ceiling fans.  Clean  your ceiling fans and reverse your fans if needed.  Ceiling fans should be pushing warm air down in the fall and winter for proper air circulation.


- Check  sump pumps.  If you have a sump pump, make sure it is working properly.  There are several types of systems.  Check your owner's manual for testing and maintenance schedules.

 

tom stachler, real estate, for sale, Lease, one, michigan, broker, realtor, homes, houses, maintenance, fall, preparation, ann arbor, ypsilanti, saline dexter, mi, roof, landscaping, gutters, fix, repair

Maintaining or Replacing your Home Water Heater

by Tom Stachler,ABR,CDPE - Group One Realty Team

 

Water Heating Systems

 

Given that as much as 25% of household energy costs are for water heating, it makes sense t 
evaluate various types of water heating systems with an eye toward saving both energy an money on their operating and maintenance. Here we take a look at some of the water heater options currently available for homeowners to consider.

Storage (Tank) Water Heaters – These are by far the most common type of residential water heater, In these systems, cold water flows into a tank where it is heated by gas or electric power. Once the water in the tank reaches the desired temperature, the heater will cycle on and off to maintain the temperature of the water. As the hot water gets used, more cold water will enter the tank to be heated. Most of us know the phenomenon of running out of hot water after family members take one shower after another; this will occur if the tank's storage capacity is insufficient to meet the demand. At other times of the day when relatively little or even no hot water is being used, the heater must still fire on and off to keep the contents of the tank hot. Unfortunately, it is quite inefficient to keep a tank of water hot all day, especially when the water isn't needed. Adding an insulating wrap to an existing water heater can boost efficiency and energy savings – these are inexpensive and can be installed by the homeowner. New U.S. standards introduced in 2015 include a requirement that manufacturers use an increased level of insulation in their storage water heaters.

Tankless (Demand) Water Heaters – Tank less or demand water heaters are exactly what their name implies. Rather than being stored in a tank, the water is rapidly heated by gas or electricity
once the faucet is turned on. For many homes, a tank less heater can be located close to the sink or shower to heat water on the spot. Because it reaches the desired temperature so quickly, much less water is wasted while waiting for hot water to flow through the faucet, however the results are not truly instantaneous. Tank less heaters powered by gas are usually much more efficient than electric heaters – in fact, electricity costs can sometimes negate much of the savings a tank less system might otherwise provide. Most tank less heaters will already meet the new 2015 energy efficiency requirements implemented in the U. S. Tank less systems normally cost more upfront than a conventional storage water heater, so homeowners should take that into account along with what type, size, and location makes the most sense for them.  I have an on demand system heated by a boiler that also heats our solid surface floors for instance.  There are hybrid systems with smaller tanks that provide a buffer for the on demand systems as well.  

Solar Water Heating – The basic concept of solar water heating is that the sun's energy is used t 
pre-heat water for the Home. The pre-heated water then flows into a solar tank that monitors temperature. Then it is piped into the regular hot water system, usually a storage water heater. If no water is turned on within a brief period of time, the water circulates through the system again, making it unnecessary to keep a large tank of water constantly hot. The pre-heating is done by one or two solar panels, usually installed on the roof. Solar water heating is becoming more and more popular as costs for the systems continue to decrease. By some accounts, including the California Energy Commission, a typical solar water heating system can pay for itself in as little as four to seven years.

No matter what type of water heating homeowners choose, it pays to do some research first to discover the ins and outs of various types for their specific situation. With efficiency and decreased energy use as a goal, the best choice of water heater depends on what pencils out in any given home.  Let us know if you need any recommendations or have questions.  We are always here to help both before and after the sale.  Take care.

 

 

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Help Wanted - Now Hiring - Brokers Real Estate Assistant

by Tom Stachler,ABR,CDPE - Group One Realty Team
Map to Real Estate One Location in Ann Arbor

 

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

REAL ESTATE SALES ASSISTANT to work as a Customer Care Representative in our Ann Arbor Location.  Click the image here for map location and directions. Telecommuting optional. 

Available: One permanent position
Wage: $10-18 per hour plus bonus
Hours: Flexible - 40 per week
Duties: See overview below;

Click Here for more Information

 

JOB DESCRIPTION
1) 'Respond to Listing inquiries via phone and the web and enter and maintain broker client contact management system software.  Schedule our buyer agent showing appointments with other brokers and print up and provide MLS feature sheets to include in client welcome packages. 

2) Create sales brochures or highlight sheets using standard WORD or PUBLISHER tweaking data/info on existing templates that have already been developed.

3) Take video and/or digital photos of Listings to be used in print and electronic media, color balance and upload to websites, etc.
4) Rarely Host/Hostess at open houses or new construction communities and or show properties if you are licensed (will receive commission or compensation bonus on sales).
5) Use REALTOR web accounts to access MLS data for real estate inquiry reports on current or past listings.
6) Process, schedule and remove various agreement contingencies related to property inspections, finance and title work reviews for client files to remain on schedule.
7) Schedule and track closings, showings and other appointment requests from another cooperating REALTORS and provide or solicit client feedback.
8) Post Listing copy and photos on our websites, occasionally distribute and design advertising materials and copy to sales sites and published media. Update Brokers Websites with new listing information and changes.  

Requirements

Good Typing, phone, people, internet and Computer Skills. Have Smartphone.
Have Valid Driver's License and Car preferred though not required

How to Apply

First you should download an application.  The Word Version here is easier to complete digitally if you have Word or there is also a PDF Version  Please complete application and submit with resume, letters of recommendation, cover letter or anything else you may wish to include. Please DO NOT submit without a completed application. We are looking for digital submissions and communications only please. 

Submit Your Application

Please submit our application form, resume if available etc. via email to Tom Stachler direct at [email protected] or via courier to the front desk.  We do not accept faxes. This is the preferred method of submission and applicants that do so will be given first consideration.  DO NOT call us at the office.  If you have questions, please send them to Tom Stachler directly by clicking this link.  

Please Note:  Position acceptance requires you sign a limited real estate industry "do not compete" agreement along with a sub-contractor employment and non-disclosure/confidentiality agreement.  

Thank you for your interest!  

REO Front Lobby

 

 We look forward to hearing from  you.

These are some photos of our office space in Ann Arbor.    Real Estate One is the largest real estate company in Michigan and 9th largest overall in the country. 

 

 

 

 

google map

 

 

 

 

 

REO Cafe
 
 

 

 

 

 

Our Offices are located at State Street and I-94 at the entrance to the Briarwood Mall.  

 

 

 

Relax in our REO employee and guest Cafe. 

 

.

 

 

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Staging your home proves successful

by Tom Stachler,ABR,CDPE - Group One Realty Team

Home sales are on the rise and it takes a sellers edge to make their home standout in the competitive market. As real estate agents we are well aware that staging a property can enhance the appeal and get the seller a top-dollar offer.

According to the Real Estate Staging Association, homes that are professionally staged result in a higher sale price compared to non-staged properties. They also spend about 73 percent less time on the market. These numbers can make for a compelling argument for your client against the cost of hiring a professional staging company.

Most buyers are pre-screening homes by viewing pictures online before they actually take the next step to see it in person. The first impression they have of the home is how it is photographed. If the pictures are not appealing, they will continue their search and disregard the home before even taking a step inside. When a home is professionally staged, it helps distract the buyer from the flaws and draw attention to the best features.

tom stachler, real estate one, ann arbor, homes, for sale, listing, selling

Want a Backyard Farm in Ann Arbor or Saline Michigan ?

by Tom Stachler,ABR,CDPE - Group One Realty Team

The Rise of the Backyard Farm

As a national speaker and edible landscaping expert, Rosalind Creasy has seen a sea change in how the public views growing food and tending to food-producing fauna in their yards. She says that, just as a segment of society has traded in the allure of the huge, gas-guzzling Cadillac for sleeker, more efficient cars, so too have we redefined the concept of a desirable outdoor space. “It used to be that having a big lawn and lots of shrubs was a status symbol, showing you have so much land and so many servants and so much money you didn’t have to use your land to just grow food,” Creasy says. “But now edibles have cachet. They are in. They’re sustainable. They’re healthy. Wealthy, educated people in particular are aware that this is the new status symbol.”

A Buzz in the Air

It’s not just gardens that are creating buzz. There’s no doubt in the mind of American Beekeeping Federation President Tim Tucker that the backyard beehive trend is going mainstream. “The number of beekeepers of one to five hives is growing by leaps and bounds,” he says. Part of this is fueled by the shock over the problem of colony collapse disorder, a mysterious event where entire colonies of bees perish. “People do want to help,” he says. However, Tucker says he also sees a growing interest from older Home owners, some of whom are having trouble finding wild bees for fruit trees and other plants that rely on pollination. “There’s also this movement of the baby boom generation toward more sustainable practices. They see it as a hobby that will help their garden.”

Chicago home owner Jean Bryan says she’s excited about the uptick in people interested in agriculture in her Rogers Park neighborhood. “This neighborhood is very chicken-heavy,” she says with a smile. “There’s a real tipping point in terms of our awareness of healthy food and the need for having food closer at hand.”

With the increasing interest in local food production, Bryan knows her yard—at 50 by 170 feet, it’s larger than the average Chicago lot—is enviable for city dwellers. She has room for a coop that offers protection and a “chicken run” that allows her seven hens outdoor space to scratch and forage. “There’s an increasing interest in home production of food—chickens are a subset of that—and the size of our yard would be very attractive to someone who was into that.”

The yard also offers a head start for gardeners that’s been decades in the making. “Besides the size of the yard, which would be a big selling point, we already have a raised-bed garden that was started by the original owners of the house,” Bryan says. “That part of the yard has been a garden for decades, and its soil has been built up significantly.”

Bryan says she and her husband are not looking to sell right now, but that having a real estate pro who understands the market for their home would be important. She says she thinks today’s chicken coop is yesterday’s solar panel. While a few years ago, agents might have recommended terminating a solar panel Lease at a home before putting it on the market, “I really think they’re becoming something of value.”

Josh Friberg, green, a realty sales associate in Portland, Ore., says it’s simple to change your thinking about the needs of this subset of buyers. “It takes a different kind of property for a Yorkie versus a Great Dane,” he says. “It really only takes a small shift in mindset to consider what’s going to be appropriate for chickens.”

3rdphoto

Knowing the Rules

Governments are beginning to see benefits to localizing food production. More than a dozen states have recently enacted legislation promoting small-scale agriculture, and a smaller number, including Hawaii, Louisiana, North Carolina, and Oklahoma, have looked into or introduced incentives to encourage people to pursue backyard food production on residential property, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Where municipalities and agencies do restrict or monitor agricultural activity on residential land, they are rarely out to squelch those practices with regulations, which are often created to protect home owners. Tucker says part of the reason it’s hard for his organization to get reliable numbers about the beekeeper population in the U.S. is because many residents with just a few hives try to avoid state monitoring programs. “Unfortunately it’s going to get more involved and there are going to be more requirements for beekeepers,” he says. However, he notes this will make for healthier bees, as agricultural agencies track disease and ensure that pesticide companies are aware of any no-spray zones in residential areas.

Other restrictions are based on so-called “nuisance laws,” which attempt to keep neighborhoods harmonious. Friberg says the complaint-based system in Portland is governed by this principle. He needed a permit for his backyard farm, which is home to goats, turkeys, chickens, honeybees, and a massive vegetable garden (the city allows residents to have up to three livestock animals without a permit). However, he says the permitting process is easy if you have a good relationship with your neighbors. Even visits from county disease control officials center on how comfortable nearby people are with his activities. “They mostly want to know what your relationships are with neighbors,” he says. “Also, I make homemade beer and a lot of that does go over the fence. All of a sudden you’ve got really happy neighbors!”

You might counsel buyers interested in residential food production to reach out to potential neighbors before committing to a new home. “It’s always a good idea to know your neighbors,” Tucker says. He adds that because bees need access to water, even a nearby bird bath can draw their attention. If a potential neighbor has both an outdoor swimming pool and a severe bee allergy, it might not be the best fit. (Another tip from Tucker for mobile beekeepers: Don’t pick a place that’s too close to the previous hive. “If you only move [the bees] a quarter of a mile, they’re going to go back to their old site.”)

But in the early stages of helping buyers, it’s important to know the local laws. When Sarah Snodgrass, a agent in Kansas City, Mo., was looking into the possibility of starting a coop in her backyard, she found the overlapping regulations incredibly confusing. “Before I got chickens I thought, ‘Well, am I allowed? What’s the deal?'” she remembers. A home may be in a city where a coop is acceptable but “you might be in a subdivision that doesn’t allow chickens.”

Cities might mandate minimum space requirements around coops or restrict the number of chickens home owners may legally have, and some prohibit rooster ownership altogether. Additional restrictions may exist on a smaller scale, through home owner associations. To make the situation clearer, Snodgrass put together a chart on her blog, which she updates as changes occur. Not only does she reference it often in her own business, she says clients and real estate pros often come to her for advice on urban farming. “They think I will understand them and be able to help them better than anyone else,” Snodgrass says.

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Marketing Your Expertise

Snodgrass is currently working with buyers looking to start up a backyard chicken coop. But it’s not just her blog that helps her connect with this community. She’s currently working toward becoming a master gardener, taking classes through the University of Missouri’s extension program and volunteering in the community. She says agents who want to follow her lead should gather expertise in what they’re passionate about. “Be yourself. You have so many ways to connect—from local activities to online outreach via social media. Get out there, be professional, but, most important, be authentic,” Snodgrass says. “Buyers and sellers want to work with a real estate pro who will understand them.”

Friberg says his agricultural expertise has led to several referrals. He holds his annual client appreciation event at a pumpkin patch, mentions how the livestock are doing in his newsletter, and can be seen taking his goats for leashed walks around the community. “This is who I am, and people know that,” Friberg says. “I just got an e-mail from a former neighbor who said, ‘I really want to have the lifestyle that you and your wife have, and I think you could help me with that.'”

So what happens when a seller with a coop, beehive, or massive garden is ready to sell? Bryan suggests agents ask chicken coop owners whether they plan to take the coop with them. Creasy says conversations with sellers can also inform your marketing plan: “Ask them what are the things in their yard that make them happy,” she says. “If they say, ‘I’ve grown $700 worth of food out of this box,’ don’t you think that’s worth mentioning to buyers?”

Creasy also recommends using the fruits of edible landscaping in staging, perhaps gathering a few sun-ripened tomatoes from the garden and arranging them in a rustic basket. She’s helped several clients get their yards ready to sell and says anything from a mini-orchard to a tidy herb garden off the kitchen can help. “Plants like thyme are so easy; they don’t ask for anything,” Creasy says. “I call them edible plants with training wheels.” But you may need several months’ lead time to make sure all the plantings are ready. “It’s different with landscaping,” she says. “You can’t walk in and set up a few decorative pillows and take down the pictures.”

Friberg suggests ensuring farming structures are in good shape. He remembers working with one seller whose chicken coop was in disrepair. “We had to spend time mucking out the coop to really make it look nice. We were also prepared to remove it [if buyers insisted],” he says. “The goal was making it look as pleasing as possible.” Friberg helps widen the appeal of chicken runs by suggesting alternative uses in his listing notes, such as repurposing them for dogs or gardening. “It’s all about recognizing that there are multiple functions for these items,” he says. “I make sure this is part of the conversation.”

Creasy says the industry will benefit from understanding the growing mini-farm movement: “Real estate agents should get to know more about food, because the public is integrating food into their whole lifestyle.” And we’ve all got to eat.

 

If you are looking for a property with a bit more lot space for you to plant your own backyard garden, call, text or email. I can help!

 

Tom Stachler, Real Estate One, Ann Arbor, Michigan, farming, backyard, goats, chickens, coop, crops, raising, bee's, hives, agriculture

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