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Look for more 'Realtor Homes for Our Future'
Cheryl Nelson
Guest Opinion
It is in the best interest of a community to encourage and support home ownership - and the pride home ownership instills. It's also been one of our American cornerstones.
The National Association of Realtors Code of Ethics begins with the lines, "Under all is the land. Upon its wise utilization and widely allocated ownership depend the survival and growth of free institutions and of our civilization." Home ownership is not a right but a privilege, and those of us working with people, helping them attain their dreams, are the ones who feel privileged.
Last year, a group of people met to find new and creative ways to provide this dream to people in our Iowa City area community. The Iowa City Area Association of Realtors, Iowa City Housing Authority, SouthGate Development, MidWestOne Bank and a professor in the University of Iowa College of Law developed a plan to build an affordable home using green building practices and universal design within a specified budget. A $175,000 grant from the Johnson County Housing Trust Fund was awarded to this creative group, and with the help of many generous area businesses, the home was finished in time for the June 2009 Parade of Homes.
This home project was titled "Realtor Homes for Our Future" and one of the unique features of this functional yet lovely home was to incorporate universal design principles so the new homeowners, and whatever needs they might have, could enjoy an easy-to-live-in home. Hallways and doorways were wide to accommodate a wheelchair or walker. Home thresholds were "zero-entry" meaning there was no elevation or obstacle to hinder access. The kitchen dishwasher was raised, and the custom sink was built to allow wheelchair access while blending into the aesthetic of the kitchen. All of these subtle changes can make a big difference in a home's function and livability.
Green elements also were incorporated, helping make the home more affordable to maintain while having a more gentle impact on our environment. From the CFL light bulbs to the geo-thermal heating and air system, every opportunity was taken to be "green" and the home was awarded the Silver Standard by the Home Builders Association.
There are many community members to thank who worked tirelessly to make this dream a reality. They are listed elsewhere in this paper's edition, and we encourage you to congratulate those mentioned for giving their time and talents and reward them with your business. This entire project resulted in more than a home being built: It demonstrated that with cooperative spirits, collegial relationships can be developed resulting in something more than any one person could envision. The personal rewards for all those involved were priceless. With continued community involvement this was designed to be a perpetual project, so be sure to look for other Realtor Homes of Our Future in the coming years. |
