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Is An Eco Village The Wave Of The Future?
Real estate agents have a new term popping up in their reports: eco village. The demand for green homes is growing larger and larger, and green homes are selling faster than their conventional counterparts. What’s the reason? Experts are pointing toward lower utility bills, higher home efficiency ratings, and the safety and health benefits that come from building green. In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in healthy lifestyle choices, quality of life, environmental sensitivity, and energy-efficient products as well as a significant dedication to local community. This community dedication is a large factor in the recent trend in eco villages. What exactly is an eco village? Defined as intentional communities, eco villages typically begin with the goal of becoming more socially, economically and ecologically sustainable. Populations range from 50 to 2,000, with the larger communities sparking networks of smaller subcommunities while still maintaining a broad foundation of support. Existing in both urban and rural settings, eco villages often integrate various aspects of ecological design, including ecological building, alternative energy, environmentally concious manufacturing or production, community building practices, and permaculture-- a type of landscaping designed to mimic nature and to provide the community with food, materials, and fuel. Many eco villages focus on the choice and commitment to change or reverse what they regard the gradual disintegration of supportive social and cultural structures and the simultaneous increase of destructive environmental practices on our planet. According to many reports, this choice is appealing to more and more people. In a market where home sales are still shaky, green homes are a steady niche. Combined with a welcoming, friendly community, these properties are selling much faster compared with the average. Eco villages may be seen as a rapid trend now, but if mortgage rates stay low, they may become a mainstay in the housing world. |
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