IN THE NEWS

“Deconstruction” a New Buzz Word in Real Estate

A spirit of sustainability is taking hold in residential real estate across the country as buyers make good use of houses that would otherwise be tear-downs. “Deconstruction” can now replace “demolition,” enabling Habitat for Humanity and other non-profits to pass on parts of well-built homes to new and needy users.

The first deconstruction in North Texas is currently taking place in Highland Park in Dallas, Texas. Tessa Mosteller, an associate with Briggs Freeman Real Estate, represented the buyers who wanted to expand the land on a new Terrasse home they had just purchased.

“After purchasing their newly constructed home, they bought the property next door but didn’t want to destroy the very good family home that was on it. So they contacted Reuse People of America in California,” said Ms. Mosteller.

Ted Reiff, president of the California based Reuse People of America, flew to Dallas to begin the process. He then turned it over to Tarrant County Master Builder Mike Thrutchley to oversee.

With a demolition, the entire home ends up in a landfill. With this deconstruction, every usable part, from door frames to hardware, will now be sold for pennies on the dollar at the Habitat for Humanity resale shop. Deconstruction can cost four times more than demolition, but the costs can be written off, from $40,000 to over $300,000 in some cases.

The family of the older property is delighted that their home will not be demolished, the buyers are happy to foster sustainability and get a tax credit, and lower income users can get good parts at good prices. It’s a win-win-win, any way you look at it.

“I haven’t seen such a fabulous way to give back in my 10 years in real estate,” said Mosteller, who says she and her partner, Lucinda Buford, will now encourage other buyers and agents to turn would-be tear-downs into homes that can help others.

View All News Articles >