A Leafy Green Real Estate Investment

Treehouses conjure up a variety of images for different people. Some see ostriches and the Swiss Family Robinson. Others see tree lovers tied to sky-scraping Pine trees. Children see a playground.

But for me, treehouses conjure up visions of my childhood in Salinas, California. Protected by a fortress of poison oak (I’m immune), it was my secret hiding place where no one could pester me.

As consumers become increasingly energy-conscious, builders and developers are making efforts to appeal to the ‘green’ masses.

One such effort, treehouse communities, is rising in popularity. Some consumers are choosing to live in trees to protect the environment. Others are searching for sustainable ways to retreat from the everyday hustle and bustle of the world. Many people enjoy the sense of community that these developments offer. One such community in Costa Rica, Finca Bellavista, boasts “an opportunity for a sustainable and harmonious lifestyle for property owners in a rainforest environment.”

Personally, I find some of these treehouses, especially these by co-op Baumraum visually appealing.

While others, like these from Free Spirit Spheres are downright bizarre.

But they all serve a common goal: Quality of life in a Sustainable development.

The dangers are numerous, of course. What happens in a drought? What about tree disease? And Bugs? Treehouses are not for the faint of heart (or those with acrophobia). In the wide world of lifestyle investments, treehouses are certainly paramount.

Would-be buyers should take notice: there is more to treehouses than meets the eye. If you can’t afford a house, or are wary to buy a treehouse, you can grow one. More on that tomorrow.