Earthships Update

Green Homes for Sale - Taos, New Mexico 87571 Green Home Healthy Home Natural Home

Welcome to the Earthling -- one of the most beautiful and functional earthships ever built. Constructed in 2004 by earthship progenitor Mike Reynolds, this 1,700 square-foot home has all the modern systems, artistic touches, growing abilities and conveniences that makes it a haven and a true home.
Taos, New Mexico — Green Home For Sale

Green Home
Healthy Home
Natural Home

Asking Price (US$): $450,000
Annual Property Tax $925
Annual Utility Cost $0
Home Area: 1,700 ft2
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 1
Total Lot Size: 1.20 acres
Year Built: 2004
Property Description
Home Description

Welcome to The Earthling -- one of the most beautiful and functional earthships ever built.

Constructed in 2004 by earthship progenitor Mike Reynolds, this 1,700 home has all the modern systems, artistic touches, growing abilities, comfort and conveniences that makes it a haven and a home in every sense of the word.

This Earthling is unique from other earthships in the following ways: 1) Double the solar power; there are two banks of solar panels -- equaling 1,200 watts which allows for many heat-generating appliances, music center and easy global connectedness; 2) Attached indoor green house that harnesses the heat for growing year round -- chard, lettuce and onions in the winter; squash, tomatoes and chilies in the summer; 3) Many many creative accents from stained glass doors to custom tile-work to beautiful mica and plaster walls -- all done by some of the finest artisans in Taos.

The Earthling has 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom. It’s spacious and well-designed with a warm earthy-feeling, full of light and greenery. Lovely flagstone and brick floors run throughout. There is beautiful glass block and tile mosaic. In addition, there is such delightful features as a round bedroom -- called the hut, -- a stylish north entrance and a large plasma TV!

I purchased the Earthling in 2006 and have been very pleased with the stability of temperature -- cool in the summer and warm in the winter. This is due to passive solar from the large south-facing windows and the northside thermomass and berm. There is also a lovely fireplace for ambience and a wood-burning stove for extra warmth in the winter. I’ve also loved living in the surround of greenery that thrives at the Earthling -- rosemary, mint, red geraniums, cherry tomatoes, squash and beans. In the dead of winter, it is so nice to walk into a home that is alive with greenery! And in the summer, I’ve grown amaranth, Aztec corn, carrots, beats and fennel in the black-water cell outside. Finally, the extra solar power has allowed me to have modern conveniences and decor preferences (toaster, coffee makers, XM radio, lamps, Christmas lights, nightlights) So much so, I sometimes forget I’m operating on batteries!

And I’ve particularly enjoyed its location at the Greater World Sustainable Community -- a 360-acre sustainable community outside of Taos, near the gorge bridge, established by Mike Reynolds.

It’s a constant show out here; incredible 360-degree views and rainbows of every size. I’ve seen hot air balloons drift over my head and amazing lightening shows blazing across the mesa. And to go outside on a clear night, is to see the vast stellar constellations -- they are particularly clear out here as they are undiluted by city lights. And there is plenty of open space for the rabbits, coyotes and other wild life.

The Earthling has the following special features:
 Two banks of 150-watt PV panels adding up to 1,200 watts of solar power -- double the power of most earthships
 Washer and dryer hookups
 Media center
 A large Great Room with high ceilings lined with 24-foot long vegas; big south-facing windows and a creatively-designed Kiva fireplace.
 A fire pit for burning vegetation or for fireside gatherings
 A large flagstone patio with rock gardens filed with the natural beauty of the wild flowers of the mesa
 Black water cell planting area with beautiful Globe Willow and lilac bush -- great for growing amaranth, corn, beats and other vegetables in the summer
 An attached green house for growing food throughout the year including winter
 Wind turbine for extra power, especially on those cloudy windy days!
 Wood-burning stove for extra warmth
 All the modern conveniences: gas stove and oven, hot water any time you want it, XM radio, lamps, cold refrigerator, such heat-generating appliances as toasters, coffee makers, blow-dryers.
 Beautiful mica and plaster walls and pomegranate mural.

The asking price of the Earthling is $450,000 -- truly a bargain considering earthships now cost $300 per square-foot to build. As the Earthling is 1,700 square feet, it would cost these days $510,000 to build -- not including the land. The Earthling’s price permits you to save money as well as the time of construction. And it is noteworthy to know that earthships are appreciating in value more than other conventional homes. No owner financing is available; however, it is possible to get conventional financing with an earthship.

Currently, the Earthling is being brokered by the owner -- not a real estate agent.

Also, Mike Reynold’s Earthship Biotecture has blue prints on file for an addition to the Earthling.

Some folks might know this earthship when it was Reynold’s premiere vacation rental called Happy Castle.
What makes your home a Green or Healthy Home?

Power from the sun and water from the sky -- all these concepts come true in the Earthling.

The Earthling is a completely off-the-grid home. And its carbon footprint is virtually non-existent. Passive solar heating and thermomass construction heat and cool the interior with year-round stability. A wind turbine harnesses wind power. Its electricity comes from two banks of solar panels equally 1,200 watts of power. There are AC and DC lights. A large underground 3,500 gallon cistern catches the rain and snowmelt from the pro-panel roof. Water -- one of our most precious commodities -- is recycled several times in a grey water system that feeds interior planters and a black water system that feeds an outdoor planter. Drinking water passes through an additional filter and is available from different facets.

I will assist buyers in understanding the systems and how to live efficiently in this home.

Some people think that earthships are underground. This is not true. The northside is bermed, in order to keep the heat in. And the Earthling garners plenty of light through south and east facing windows -- creating a warm light-filled interior full of green plants and natural tones.

The northside thermomass consists of tires, aluminum and glass cans -- all which collect heat.

The Earthling is not just a home -- it is a way of living that reflects our changing values.

And it offers what a conventional home does not:
 An opportunity to live independently of utility companies
 To be responsible for growing your own food
 A lifestyle that is in harmony with our natural resources
 To feel closer to nature and the seasons
 The experience of living in a community without noise or visual pollution -- just 360 degree views of vast mountain ranges and mesa and the starry skies at night.

Although the Earthling is a comfortable and amazing home, there are still practical and unavoidable aspects to living off-the-grid. On consecutive cloudy days the solar panels will not collect sun, therefore residents must conserve energy and “power down” on lights and appliances. I’ve done it and it’s no biggie -- there are still lights for reading and the stove-top for cooking.
Neighborhood Description

The Earthling is located in Greater World -- 640-acre sustainable community outside of Taos.

We are a diverse group of people, all from different parts of the country with many varied interests. Yet we are all progressive thinkers, involved in many creative pursuits and all seeking a way to live in balance with the natural world. Greater World is made up of singles, couples and families. Some folks have built their own earthships, while others purchased their completed -- like me. And there are folks who live here year round, and others who use their earthships as second homes.
Market Area

Taos is an art colony in north central New Mexico that has attracted artists and writers for years. Many renowned painters, photographers, writers, thinkers, visionaries, and inspirational people have lived, and still reside here. It is rich in cultural heritage from the native Americans, Spanish, Mexican and anglo residents. The Taos community honors our traditions and history. Many people come to Taos seeking a new way of living, to redefine themselves and pursue their artistic longings; they come for a deeper connection to themselves, others and the earth.
School District

Taos public schools but there are alternative and charter schools available in the area.
Community

Greater World Sustainable Community
Home Type or Land

Single Family - Single Level
Location of Home or Land

Rural
Elevation of Home

Mountain
Local Air Pollution
Agriculture in Area yes
Industry in Area no
Air Pollution in Area no
Pesticide Free yes
Fragrance Free yes
Cleaned with Green Products yes
Indoor Air Quality
Heating System Solar - Active
Solar - Passive
Wood Stove
Cooling System Passive Cooling
Ventilation System Part of Cooling System
Whole House Filtration None
Whole House Vacuum no
Energy & Water
Energy System Photovoltaic (PV)
Off the Grid
Solar - Photovoltaic
Water System Rain Water Collection
Wastewater System Septic System
Construction Information
Construction Type Earth Ship
Exerior Finish Metal
Wood
Interior Finish Earthen Plaster
Wood - Solid
Interior Paint Other
Floor Material Other
Roof Material Metal
Window Material Other
Insulation Material Other
Garage / Carport
Garage / Carport no
Property Information
Address 02 Happy Trails
02 Happy Trails
City, State Zip Taos, NM 87571
Country United States

Map
Contact Information
Name Katy Grabel
Address P.O. Box 857
P.O. Box 857
City, State Zip Taos, 87529
Telephone 575-770-5091


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