If you have been looking for a farm or estate to purchase in Albemarle County, you may have noticed that quite a few listings state that the property is under conservation easement. You may be wondering, "what is a conservation easement" and "how would this impact the land that I wish to buy?" Or if you are already a land owner in the countryside around Charlottesville, Virginia you may be wondering if a conservation easement would be a good option for you.
For many of us one of the biggest reasons that we stay in Albemarle County is the natural beauty of the countryside. We do not want to see our county turn into the urban sprawl of Northern Virginia. For this reason we take the stewardship of the land very seriously. As a REALTOR, I realize that growth is inevitable, but at the same time it is important to make sure that growth is regulated and that we protect our rural economy and natural resources. Conservation easements are an effective tool for accomplishing just that.
A conservation easement is a legal document drawn up between a landowner and a government agency or non-proffit organization such as the Virginia Outdoors Fooundation or Piedmont Environmental Council. The easement limits the development of the property on into perpetuity thus ensuring that it will remain open land. This is a good way to protect natural resources, wildlife habitats, watersheds, views, family farms, and historic properties. The landowner can still use, own and sell the land except for the rights specifically surrendered in the easement. In addition there are often significant federal, state and local tax advantages to having your land under easement.
In 2007 6,889 acres in Albemarle County were placed under easement, to make a total of 73,249 acres eased in Albemarle. The Piedmont area of Virginia now has 293,365 acres in easement protecting the land we love forever.
For more information on land preservation and conservation easements visit the Piedmont Environmental Council and Virginia Outdoors Foundation websites.
Please contact me for information on the Albemarle County real estate market. If you are looking for a farm or land, I would be happy to help you find the perfect Central Virginia Property.
If you would like to perform your own home search, click here.
Pam Dent, e-PRO, SRES, NHD
Real Estate III
Charlottesville, Virginia
434 960-0161
www.JumpintoGreenerPastures.com
www.CharlottesvilleHorseFarmsandCountryHomes.com
Licensed to sell real estate in Virginia.
