Waco's Cotton Crossing exploring LEED Certification

Cotton Crossing is not the only group in the Waco area that is going green. The new Waco Chamber of Commerce headquarters is going to be one of the first LEED certified commercial buildings in the area. Below is an interesting article on the new LEED Neighborhood Development standards which, prior to now didn't really exist. It is interesting reading if your are trying to brush up on everything "Green".

This certification is something that we will certainly explore at Cotton Crossing and other projects we are working on. However, we are always trying to utilize the practices of sustainability and green building at all times in the development process.

With the release of the LEED-Neighborhood Development pilot rating system this week, it is clearer than ever that green building design and community form shouldn't go it alone. The most powerful strategy for achieving environmental sustainability is incorporating high-performance buildings in compact, mixed-use neighborhoods that reduce driving by making walking and transit attractive options for commuting and other trips.
A joint venture of the Congress for the New Urbanism, the US Green Building Council, and the Natural Resources Defense Council, LEED-ND acknowledges that more than a third of greenhouse gases and a similar share of other environmental impacts are generated by buildings (primarily heating and cooling them) but another third is generated transporting people and goods to and from those buildings. Through a multi-year research and review process, the LEED-ND partners have identified draft criteria that will guide developments to achieve significant improvements in sustainability on both of these fronts, as well as related ones such as water management and habitat preservation. That pilot version of LEED-ND was released this week and is now available for download (warning: large PDF).
During the pilot phase, the LEED-ND rating system is tested against real world projects in order to improve the system and its applicability in the marketplace. In addition, participants in the pilot program have the opportunity for their development to be among the first projects to be recognized with LEED-ND certification. New Urbanist practitioners -- with their expertise in developing compact, complete, and connected neighborhoods -- can help in the refinement of the LEED-ND rating system by participating in the pilot program.
"Just as other LEED systems have improved building efficiency and energy performance, LEED-ND will reward efficient use of land and the building of complete and walkable communities," said John Norquist, President and CEO of the Congress for the New Urbanism. "It is helping to reinforce a more complete understanding of sustainability that extends all the way from the individual building to the neighborhood and community."
Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair, U.S. Green Building Council said the expanded focus on green communities is important. “The future of green building is to think beyond just buildings, by addressing important issues like density development, community infrastructure, resource availability, and encouraging a healthy lifestyle. LEED for Neighborhood Development is an important and exciting step towards transforming the marketplace to create a healthy and sustainable future.”

Waco Home Buyers Have New Priorities

The following article is based on a national survey but is very indicative of trends in the Waco Real Estate marketplace.

Green living, storage, quality materials, outdoor living, and other amenities are listed as important to today's consumer
New data has been compiled by both the National Association of Home Builders and Better Homes and Gardens. The info was presented at the International Builders' Show recently. With the studies showing an interest in green living, outdoor living, and quality, consumers are ready to ask for what they need and want.

Because of recent increases in fuel and building costs, the home buyers' desire for green materials is two fold. On the one hand, these materials are better for the environment. On the other, energy-efficient improvements and appliances will help with long-term home maintenance costs.

Acccording to the Better Homes and Gardens survey, many buyers feel that they would be more apt to buy a new home during rough economic times if the builder was offering additional amenities, discounts, or professional advice. Builders are taking consumer desires to heart, for example, by accomodating modern, busy lifestyles with more functional kitchens, extra living space, storage, and master suites.

Although many people in older homes may dream of a shiny, modern kitchen or another bathroom upstairs, the studies show that buyers are generally happy with the size and quality of new homes' kitchens, as well as with the numbers of bathrooms.

Of course, any home buyer has their own list of "must-have" features they just won't consider living without. The survey found the some of the top items to be:

Laundry rooms
Heavy insulation
Energy-Star rated windows
Fenced yards
Walk-in pantries
Natural stone
Home size and price were also important factors explored by both studies, as well as the materials.

Mark P. Felton, offers buyers looking for houses in Waco a full suite of professional services. As a licensed realtor and co-owner of Keller Williams Waco, he can assist you with any of your real estate needs. Mark also is a Custom Home Builder and Developer, so if you can't find the home you are looking for, pick your lot and he can build your dream home as well. You can contact him at 254-495-1241.

http://www.cottoncrossingtx.com/
http://www.frontporchhomes.blogspot.com/
http://www.rancholorena.com/

Waco Real Estate Market not 'Gloom & Doom'

The Waco real estate market is at a slow, but steady pace. And while home value appreciations in Waco might have seemed slow, local real estate players are counting themselves thankful to be in a place somewhat isolated from national housing woes. Even while the national media report large drops in home values and the country hits record-setting foreclosure rates, the stability of the real estate market in Waco should make it a safe place to weather the storm, said Trammell Kelly, a residential specialist with Kelly Realtors. In Texas, fast-growing areas such as the suburbs of Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth and Austin have experienced price drops and slowdowns in the market. But the fundamentals of the Texas economy remain strong, making the state a hotbed for job growth and the housing market, said Mark Dotzour, chief economist for the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University. In January, the real estate center released a report titled "Looming Boom: Texas Through 2030," which says that Texas still is being discovered by the rest of the country. The report estimates an increase of population in Texas of 13.6 million people between 2005 and 2030, 90 percent of which is projected to be located in a triangle between Denton, Houston and San Antonio. Waco lies near the center of that triangle, contributing to local builders' and agents' optimism about the future of the real estate market here. But the conflicting stories that people hear from the national media and local real estate professionals confuse homebuyers and sellers, making them ask more questions before entering the market, said Patricia Meadows, board president of the Waco Association of Realtors. The one indicator that raises concerns for some analysts is the Waco area's high inventory of homes for sale. It would take about nine months to sell all of the houses on the market at the current sales pace, according to data compiled by the real estate center. Experts at the center consider 6.5 months of inventory a balanced market, in which home value appreciation can be expected at an average clip. Anything less is considered a seller's market, and anything more is a buyer's market. Statewide inventory is about six months, Dotzour said, adding that it might be a good time for building activity for residential homes to slow to allow time for houses to come off the market. High inventory can slow the market by pressuring sellers to cut prices, which can affect home values. However, Waco has not been affected substantially by large-volume builders that tend to drive up inventory levels. That might reduce the chance that high inventory will sour the market, Dotzour said.

http://www.wacotrib.com/

Mark P.Felton, offers buyers looking for houses in Waco a full suite of professional services. As a licensed realtor and co-owner of Keller Williams Waco, he can assist you with any of your real estate needs. Mark also is a Custom Home Builder and Developer. His home building company is Front Porch Homes which build in and around the Waco area. And his development company is Frontera Development, which is a full service real estate development firm based in Waco, Texas. The primary focus is residential, master planned communities that emphasize the values of New Urbanism and Traditional Neighborhood Development.

Cotton Crossing
Rancho Lorena

Waco Board of Realtors awards Cotton Crossing "Most Unique Salsa"

Mark P. Felton, founder and developer of Cotton Crossing won the "Most Unique Salsa" at the Waco Board of Realtors first annual Margarita and Salsa Contest. This was a new event and fund raiser for the American Home Week festivities that they have every year. The Judges were all local Marines stationed in and around Waco area. Later in the week there will be a "Turkey Fry" the Realtor Golf tournament, Bingo and a hamburger lunch.

The Cotton Crossing Team was happy to come away with a win since there is not much chance of winning anything at the golf tournament.

There were also awards for "Hottest Salsa", which went to the Keller Williams Team (Go Team!). Mark also is a Keller Williams agent as well, so he was rooting on his teammates in their win. First American Title won the "Best Margarita", whom Mark used to work for in Business Development before he went into Real Esate & Construction.

All in all, it was a great night for spicy salsa and smooth margaritas and was a well organized and successful event for the Waco Board of Realtors.

Mark P.Felton, offers buyers & sellers looking for houses in the Waco area a full suite of professional services. As a licensed realtor and co-owner of Keller Williams Waco, he can assist you with any of your real estate needs. Mark also is a Custom Home Builder and Developer. His home building company is Front Porch Homes which builds in and around the Waco area. And his development company is Frontera Development, which is a full service real estate development firm based in Waco, Texas. The primary focus is residential, master planned communities that emphasize the values of New Urbanism and Traditional Neighborhood Development.

http://www.cottoncrossing.net/
http://www.rancholorena.com/
http://www.frontporchhomes.blogspot.com/