Housing affordability is one of the biggest problems BC faces
Sally Hollingsworth, a Kelowna realtor, has been intrigued by the interest in earth houses since researching the viability of an Okanagan realtor for a client.
“You want to find an efficient green home that saves heating and cooling,” said Hollingsworth. “I think people care more because there is this whole element of society that wants to leave a lighter footprint.”
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Earth houses are smaller houses that are often built underground or into the slope of a hill. Often times, a container house is built into a cave hill and covered with earth and dirt to insulate the house.
The insulation allows for less heating and cooling of the house, Hollingsworth said, as the earth houses have average temperatures of 16 ° C year round.
The construction costs are lower; Lot sizes are smaller and the containers, which cost around $ 4,000, can be stacked and made into a comfortable home.
“I began to envision a whole development that they could become. It would take forward thinking in our communities as it is more minimalistic. Less could be more, ”said Hollingsworth.
While exploring the possibility of earth houses in the Okanagan is one thing, doing the right job is another story to begin building one.
Researching the desired property, working on construction plans, figuring out environmental sensitivities near the desired property, and communicating with an environmental planner in front of the construction planner are all necessary when it comes to building earth houses as well as new houses a lot at home.
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“(People) need to research and see what the county is doing,” Hollingsworth said. “A place where you can buy a lot where they’re cheaper is because they’re (often) off the beaten path.”
“In order to find (more) places where people can use them, communities have to open up to accept them.”
One of the big concerns is that the “ugly” containers could bring the surrounding property prices down, but grass and gardens on homes on earth will add cosmetic appeal to what is already great financial appeal, especially at this time of discussion about affordable housing, she said.
Since the beginning of her research, Hollingsworth said other brokers have become increasingly interested in the Okanagan in getting more information.
For information on the reality of Okanagan, visit the Hollingsworth website.
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