| The term "developer" has become the favorite | | | | simple as a walk around a neighborhood to see |
| euphemism of the news outlets for the cause of | | | | what people are interested in buying or as |
| all unwanted or undesirable growth. "Developers | | | | complex as a full-scale study of the trends in the |
| have plans for a new subdivision on 100 acres of | | | | region. Occasionally, speculators try new ideas, or |
| farmland"; "Development causes traffic woes"; | | | | bring old ideas back. Disney's Celebration |
| and similar headlines are thrown at us every day. | | | | community outside of Orlando is an example of |
| Somehow, these reckless destroyers of the | | | | using old town-planning ideas in a new |
| landscape are running amok in our community | | | | development. They took a big risk, but it wasn't |
| without any regard to the citizens. They are | | | | done without exhaustive research. They had a |
| referred to as if they were an evil force bent on | | | | pretty good idea that it was going to succeed |
| destroying the very ground under our feet. | | | | before they built it because their research told |
| I will be the first to admit that not all who build on | | | | them that a market existed for it. |
| speculation are interested in creating lasting quality. | | | | When some people see that sign going up |
| And there are, without a doubt, a few bad apples | | | | announcing a new housing development on the |
| out there who make all of our jobs more difficult. | | | | cornfield down the road they cry out that |
| But most real estate developers are not entitled | | | | developers are tearing up farmland. It would be |
| to the "bad guy" monikers even if you don't like | | | | much more accurate to say that consumer |
| what they're building, for one simple reason: they | | | | demand is tearing up farmland. It is never a |
| are building what we want where we want it. | | | | surprise to me when a hotly-debated rezoning |
| Most real estate speculators are developing land | | | | request goes through, one that was vigorously |
| for exactly what homebuyers are asking for: | | | | opposed by many members of the community, |
| bigger homes (even if it means sacrificing quality), | | | | that those new neighborhoods fill up rapidly. |
| more "features" (vaulted ceilings, round-top | | | | Consider this: when was the last time that you |
| windows, solid-surfaced countertops), and more | | | | saw the lots in a new home development go |
| "curb appeal", even if it means no appeal | | | | completely unsold? You may have treasured the |
| whatsoever on the other three sides of the | | | | soybean field or the forest that had been there |
| house. Apparently, most people want wide | | | | since you moved to the area but there are many |
| streets, sidewalks, streetlights, and a landscaped | | | | others who don't. If everyone held the opinion |
| grand entrance to the subdivision, and are | | | | that houses shouldn't go there, the land would |
| apparently willing to trade off lot size for it. | | | | remain undeveloped. And yet, in our community, |
| In my business, I am in contact with real estate | | | | they can't turn farmland into subdivisions fast |
| developers and home builders on a daily basis. The | | | | enough. I don't like the quality of some of the |
| successful ones have at least one thing in | | | | new homes I see going up, but they are selling |
| common - they don't commit their money to any | | | | fast-often before they are finished. |
| project without research. Research can be as | | | | |
