SMART GROWTH: THE ACTIVITIES
CAN I SELL YOU THIS HOUSE? SCENARIO

Esquire Real Estate Company has the exclusive sales contract for Paradise Hills Country Club, located in a suburb outside of Charlotte, NC. The large gated community contains the following amenities:

• Two 18-hole golf courses with large clubhouses
• Two clubhouses offer restaurants, tennis courts, swimming pools, spas and recreation centers (indoor basketball court, aerobics rooms, racket ball courts) and there are large asphalt parking lots to accommodate both clubhouses
• Three hundred lots, averaging 1/2 to 1 acre, many of which adjoin natural wildlife areas including marsh, inland lakes and creeks and old growth forests

Today, the newly transferred Harris family is going to tour Paradise Hills. They will visit 3 homes, all approximately 3,500 square feet. One home is on the golf course, one on the edge of a lake and one is next to a Cyprus grove.

The Real Estate Agent's Role:

You are a commissions-based agent for Esquire Real Estate Company.

Your goal is to sell homes in Paradise Hills, promoting the natural beauty, amenities and convenience to schools, churches, medical facilities, and shopping.

You have written a two-page (or tri-fold) marketing piece (brochure) for all clients you tour through the development. It includes descriptions of the exclusive amenities, gorgeous landscaping, open spaces, 24-hour security, convenient location to schools, churches, retail shopping and personal services.

The Homebuyer's Role:

Quality of life is important, including amenities and proximity to schools and services, but you are a masters graduate in environmental sciences from Muir University (made-up), the most prestigious institution of environmental research in the country. You are very knowledgeable about smart growth and environmental impact issues.

You want quality of life, but not at the expense of depletion or pollution of natural resources. You tell the agent that you want to buy in the development, but he/she must give you a factual report on how the development manages its developed acreage, protects its adjoining resources and contributes to the areas sprawl solutions. You also want to know how the development helps city and county planner to mitigate sprawl problems caused by the 300 families and their cars that use the streets and highways near the development. Importantly, you want to know how the development will continue to grow and develop its remaining 200 acres.

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