“Inclusionary Zoning”

This is a phrase some of you may not be familiar with, others more so. It refers to a type of action that zoning commissions take when attempting to approve certain housing projects for certain social groups. For instance, cheap, apartment housing, sometimes referred to as “project housing” could be said to be inclusionary zoning for those below the middle class distinction. Essentially it means to “include” certain communities on zoning projects to ensure equal diversity and opportunity for all demographics to live where they please.

This, however, has come under scrutiny in Darien, Conneticut. According to a NYTimes report, new zoning regulations for large apartment developments have laid out a few guidelines of what kind of citizen they are supposed to give preference to, and they are as follows:

“The provision under scrutiny designates six “priority populations” that are to be given preference for the affordable housing: Darien residents who volunteer as first responders; Darien public employees; Darien residents who work in town; Darien residents; nonresidents who work in Darien; and former residents who want to move back.”

The reason that this new regulation has made its way to the Fair Housing Committee is because they could be potentially discriminating to the town’s small (5%) minority population. Whether this was intentional or not is unknown, the investigation is currently under way to review the new regulations and see if there is in fact any “discriminatory zoning” going on. It is currently in the hands of the Justice Department.

While I think Darien’s heart is in the right place—trying to bring previous residents back, providing housing for volunteers, etc.—I feel the Justice Dept. could have a case. It’s safe to say this country is ultra-sensitive when it comes to race and ethnicity and equal opportunity and what not, so regulators have to be extra careful when appropriating restrictions on housing for certain demographics.

Spurred on by a few helpful comments by some of Yigdigs’ most devout readers (I do appreciate you, and take your thoughts into account), I’ve got a quick correction. I recently made remarks that Allan Dalton was supposedly the president of Realtor.com. However, upon further inspection and a helpful nudge, I’ve come to realize that Dalton has in fact left Realtor.com. The press release in question where I got the information was outdated—a couple of years. So even thought your source site may be reputable, sometimes their info is outdated. Just one of the many pitfalls of the age information.

Well folks, I’ve found him. Allan Dalton, former president of Realtor.com has begun a new venture in the world real estate. RISMedia, a national real estate information service, has started a membership program at the behest of Dalton. It’s called the “Top 5 Real Estate Network” and Dalton is its president and founder.

Basically, the “Top 5” is a membership branding service that realtors can join once they’ve met the basic 5 “consumer-valued” criteria. This is basically a who’s who of North America’s real estate professionals.

He’s now in the business of media marketing as opposed to rebuffing the way the Realtor.com offices. He’s infamous for chastising remarks toward home evaluator website Zillow, referring to their methods as similar to that of “Guess Your Weight and Age” attraction at the carnival. He petitioned Realtor.com to adjust the way they evaluate home prices only showing competitive listings and urged Zillow to do the same. He has since resigned as started up his new venture remaining advisor to the Realtor.com.

There’s no denying it: the green revolution is upon us. People are wanting efficiency, cost-effectiveness, conservation, sustainability, recyclability, renewability, and all of the other amenities afforded by such a technologically advanced and environmentally aware civilization.

Homebuyers want this and home builders are slowing catching on. Detailed in the Austin American-Statesman’s September 25th edition is an article about a particular builder in Dallas is making waves among the McMansions. “This fall, I have five new homes sold under 3,000 square feet,” he said, “this is where I’m carving out my niche—small and green.” Jeff Baron, the builder in question, predicts that his new home in Old Dallas among the McMansions, standing a mere 2,000 square feet will have electricity bills under $100 dollars. Even the exterior is made of low-maintenance materials.

Buyers are gravitating towards these kinds of homes for many reasons. They’re cheaper for starters, and you find that you’re not just buying furniture and fixtures to fill space that you didn’t need.

It was originally thought that smaller-scale suburban style homes were mainly for the first-time homebuyer demographic, but now that buyer consciousness has shifted towards smaller and more efficient, buyers are reacting. Studies show that the ideal home size is now somewhere between 1,400 t0 2,600 square feet. This applies to 60% of potential buyers. It’s a smart and, hopefully, lasting trend.

I was putting together a Yigdigs exclusive “Faces of Real Estate” piece on Realtor.com’s president Allan Dalton, and in doing my research, I found myself growing rather aggravated and irked, thought I couldn’t really figure why. Then, as I sat back and let out an exhausted, yet curious sigh from my swiveling desk chair, I could see: the word “realtor”, which is printed 11 times in Allan Dalton’s bio, was capitalized at every opportunity.

It seems a bit excessive, a bit over-promotional, verging on the side of propoganda than simple site branding. After all, I’m already on the site, do I really need to be inundated with the word “REALTOR” and “REALTORS” and the phrase “NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS” over and over and over and over?

As a For Sale by Owner advocate, I find this repetitive self-aggrandizement, a little much.

Look for the “Faces of Real Estate: Allan Dalton” later this week. Maybe we will find some answers.

In the fray of the housing market, fluctuations, incentives, etc., there have been several micro-trends popping up across the country of savvy groups taking advantage of real estate’s vulnerable state.

Lately, with all of the McMansions and million-dollar homes built in the bubble going to foreclosure, people have been taking advantage of these vacant properties by squatting—and living it up.

Here is an article detailing a bunch of cases where people have lived for months at a time on vacant, expensive property, and what’s funny is that the realtors who manage the property seem somewhat understanding. Read it up!