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Saturday, May 15, 2004

LAND BUYS THAT LOOK TO THE FUTURE 

In the article that follows, you will discover some of the work The Nature Conservancy has done around the Greater Asheville area. YOU can be part of a growing number of folks who are thinking to the future and want their great-grandchildren to be able to enjoy the beauty of the Appalachians.

One way you can do this is through the Nature Conservancy's "Conservation Buyer" Program.

Like you, there are many REALTORS here in the Asheville area who are also great lovers of nature. In fact, I have met quite a few who spend their weekends in the mountains hiking the Appalachian Trail, or out hunting for waterfalls. They say that REALTORS who work on the lands around here can tell where they are by the "feeling" of the land, and I believe it's true. Just let your imagination take you to a horse farm with steep pastures at 3,000 feet, and a horse farm down in the Sandy Mush valley located at the far end of Madison County, and you will see what I mean.

Around here, when you get to the point that you can "feel" the land, you are known as a "green REALTOR' and that's when you hope that some family will come along who feels about the land here the way you do. When that happens, email me right away ! I can share information about a practical ways YOU can help keep these lands gorgeous and pristine for YOUR children’s children...

Here's a start:


LOOK INTO The Nature Conservancy’s "Conservation Buyer" Program, a pragmatic approach that recognizes the interests of property buyers, sellers, realtors, conservationists, and the community. By working together, land trusts and conservation buyers are protecting thousands of acres of land across the nation that are beyond the means of conservation organizations to purchase alone. Each conservation buyer who protects a parcel of land with private dollars frees non-profit and government dollars for other projects, and helps land protection everywhere.

How does it work?

Conservation organizations are increasingly turning to conservation buyers for assistance with land protection efforts in certain areas or on certain types of projects. Conservation buyers are individuals who buy a property that is subject to a permanent and legally binding conservation restriction or who will impose a conservation restriction as part of their purchase.
A conservation restriction – also known as a CONSERVATION EASEMENT–limits certain uses of a property, such as the right to subdivide and develop.

****IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO NOTE: Because use of this land is permanently restricted, land subject to a conservation restriction is generally appraised at a lower value than comparable unrestricted parcels and donation of such a conservation restriction can constitute a charitable gift!!!!

A conservation restriction can be held by either a public or qualified private nonprofit organization.

A conservation restriction being imposed by the buyer at time of purchase can be customized to the needs of both the buyer and the land. If no home exists on the property, a restriction can usually be structured to allow some construction under strict guidelines that protect the property’s natural assets.


What are the advantages of the conservation buyer program?

The property remains in private ownership and on the local tax rolls.
The restrictions stay with the property, even if it is sold or transferred, and therefore limit the use of the property permanently. These restrictions are binding in perpetuity, and designed for a distinct conservation purpose.

Many communities reduce property tax assessments on land with a conservation restriction in place, because the site's potential to be further developed has been reduced or eliminated.

A final advantage is limited housing development and sprawl, which cost communities more than they contribute in tax revenues






READ ON...

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