THOUGHTS ON THE PROFESSION: Real Estate and Architects
Buying and selling real estate is a big deal. Many factors are at play and, more than likely, ones ability to remain objective during such an emotionally charged and at times risky process is compromised.
Its not uncommon to ask oneself:
Does this property suit my current and/or future needs?
Is there untapped potential/value in the property I want to buy?
Should I avoid buying one property over another?
How do I market this property in the most attractive and effective way?
These are only some of the questions we ask ourselves when venturing into a real estate transaction, and a real estate agent and broker are and should be your first point of contact when starting this process. Architects, however, can also play an important and often overlooked role in a buyer or seller’s real estate exchange.
MANY HATS
Architects are trained in multiple areas and to wear “many hats”. A diverse skill set enables them to approach problems from multiple angles and to propose multiple solutions; the type of talent you want when wading through the complexities of buying and selling real estate.
So what are these skills and how do they help?
An eye for style and history
Architects have a trained eye for spotting and highlighting the architectural character within a building. Historic, unique and rare period details are attributes that can easily be overlooked. Architects can help you identify these characteristics in real estate you wish to buy and/or accentuate these qualities in marketing materials for real estate you are trying to sell.
An eye for the space you have … and the space you COULD have
Architects are trained to quickly recognize a buildings “conversion value”, or how they can be transformed into new uses. There is a great value with having an architect accompany you while walking through a building you’re considering to buy; as they are able to see and even quickly sketch ideas that can give an otherwise old building new and vibrant life.
Codes, zoning and permitting… OH MY
So now that you’ve bought the land or real estate to develop, you must make sure that the goals you have are permissible under any number of local, state and federal regulations. Building code, zoning by-laws, conservation and environmental guidelines all have the potential to impact your future development goals. Architects are not only familiar with how regulations affect one property, zoning district and/or neighborhood over another, but they are well versed in the politics, processes, schedule impacts and fees that are associated with them. A simple but thorough review by an architect to identify these complex regulations before you purchase a piece of real estate will save you money, time and headaches.
Well Connected
Buying real estate in an area you’re not originally from or familiar with and looking for quality contractors to help realize your development goals? Call an Architect! At Clark + Green we are community focused, and like many other architects, are well connected to our local network of builders and craftsmen. Forged over years of working together and achieving successful project outcomes, these relationships are a tremendous benefit to you and your goals for real estate development.
Creative problem solving, a marketers eye for detail and beauty, and deep connections with a local community can and should form the bedrock of the professional expertise you choose to guide your real estate goals. An architect brings all of these skills and more to the table, and should be considered at any stage of your real estate buying and selling process.