Living on a Greenbelt… What the heck is a Greenbelt? Being a Colorado native and having the fortune to have owned several homes, my favorite home was my first home. While it was a very modest home, it was the location was what was key. There is nothing that compares the view, serenity and privacy of Greenbelt living! However, all greenbelts are not the same. As with any real estate transaction a little homework will go a long way to ensuring that you are living on the Greenbelt you were promised.
Whats a Greenbelt?
But what is a Greenbelt? Essentially, a greenbelt is a stretch of land within a housing development or city area that cannot have the development of houses or other buildings. Greenbelts are a “natural place” for residents to enjoy even in the middle of the urban jungle. Most major cities have a few with individual developments providing at least one for their residents.
Are all Greenbelts the same?
While greenbelts sound ideal, they are all not created equal. Some areas boast that they have a Greenbelt when they are first built, but eventually, the green turns to concrete as the developer decides that it would be more financially beneficial to throw a few more houses or a shopping center down where grass and playground were. Sadly, residents really don’t have a say in whether the Greenbelt disappears, so it is important to make sure that the zoning for your prospective Greenbelt home will remain that way. Fortunately, your True Performance Real Estate Agent will be able to help you verify that the green will stay that way.
Another variable to ask your True Performance Real Estate Agent about is flooding. While many Greenbelts have proper drainage for Colorado storms and runoff, an altogether too many don’t and end up as small ponds or streams when the water comes through. Sadly, this happened to one of my favorite places in Arvada where a cool quiet place ended up looking like the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina with standing water for almost 3 weeks after a heavy rain.
While this may not seem so bad at first, keep in mind that if your prospective backs a Greenbelt that has poor drainage, the standing water will be an ideal breeding ground for annoying insects such as mosquitoes. Fortunately, some communities know that the drainage is a problem and often spray to keep down the “biting” population. Check with your True Performance Real Estate Agent to see if your new community is one of them.
Living on a Greenbelt
A home near a Greenbelt has to be one of the best places to live. It provides a great place for nighttime strolls where local wildlife like to roam. During the hot days of summer, it gives you a place to escape the heat and the feeling of grass under your feet just can’t be beat. If you are looking for a new home with lots of amenities, consider adding a Greenbelt to your “look-for” list. Your True Performance Real Estate Agent will be able to help you find the one to fit your needs without the downfalls. I promise, you won’t regret it.