Asheville ECO-GREEN Real Estate

Asheville, North Carolina Real Estate Market, December, 2006 thru January, 2007

Residential Sales Trends/ Existing Homes  Asheville, N.C. Asheville Board of REALTORS ® 

December, 2006 Real Estate Market Stats Buncombe County (Asheville area), North Carolina

Residential Properties on the Market: 2078                    
Residential Properties Pending: 702
Priced Over $1M: 117
Priced Under $50K :   7

Farms & Land on the Market in Combined Buncombe, Madison, Yancey Counties :  2107 

Asheville, North Carolina Buncombe County

Pending: 242
Priced Over $1M: 161
Priced Under $50K : 2989

Our market is moving toward:

• Lower operating costs- Lower utility bills for heating and cooling
• Increased comfort- Improved indoor air quality
• Creating lasting value- Third party review
• Building with health in mind- Lowered Environmental Impact

NC Healthy Built Homes: DUE in 2007: 378

As of January, 2007, the average list price for an existing home in the Asheville area is about $392,000. The price has increased about 10% percent since this time last year. Home Appreciation ...Annual appreciation rate for homes in the Greater  Asheville area is up 12.5 percent as of the second quarter of 2006. The data reflects same-home sales information collected by the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight (OFHEO). The Asheville appreciation rate tops the nationwide pace of 10 percent  and our area's appreciation rate ranks 83 among 275 metros across the USA.

NC Healthy Built Homes: 24...DUE in 2007: 375

The Montford Neighborhood ~ Asheville, N.C. ~A Community Embracing a Sustainable Future.

     MONTFORD:  Where one picture tells the story.  

The MONTFORD NEIGBORHOOD in Asheville, North Carolina: Historic and Happening!

Here is a neighborhood of about 300 acres that expresses a rich diversity of architectural styles,   most constructed between 1890 and 1920.

Montford, like its residents, is a place of complex overall character.. .Romance and history are in the air, so expect to " feel"  the artistic influences. Even residents of other neighborhoods in and around Asheville find themselves drawn to Montford. Maybe you will see them strolling down a tree-lined boulevard. Maybe you will notice how often they stop  to gaze at  the majestic homes that grace the streets There are wondrous architectural details including those from such  trendsetters as Bruce Price, Bernard Maybeck, the prominent Arts and Crafts architect, and Frank Lloyd Wright.   The Arts and Crafts style made popular in Asheville by noted society architect, Richard Sharp Smith, supervising Architect to Biltmore House is well-represented here in Montford. According to the National Park Service, "Smith's preference for pebbledash, shingles, high-pitched roofs and heavy stone foundations contributed to an overall form for the neighborhood.

Even with the variety of designs throughout Montford, consistent patterns and use of materials like shingles, stucco, pebbledash and half-timbering comprise a cohesive Montford impression." .  But, as you may surmise from the photo above, it is the people in the neighborhood, through their vibrant sustainable community spirit, that make this neighborhood a great place to visit and an even greater place in which to live. 

Much of the Montford neighborhood was designated as an Historic District and listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. Since that time, historic restoration has been on the rise. Today the Montford community is home to several businesses (see photos) and the neighborhood has developed a new business, centered around the historical restoration projects of a number of devoted stewards of fine buildings.

That business is the Bed & Breakfast business. Montford is home to about a dozen B&B's.   

Our out-of-town(and some local) clients tell us that they truly enjoy staying in Montford at one of those B&Bs. Like you, they look forward to  enjoying the many amenities in and around Asheville-- Art Galleries, Gourmet Vegetarian  or French 'comfort food" ,  Live Music, a Ride on the Blue Ridge Parkway, Horseback Riding at the Biltmore Estate, , or a Raft-ride on the French Broad River ... Like you, they look forward then to returning to inspired lodging, possibly to listen to traditional Appalachian music, attend a "social",  or  walk in lush gardens. And in the morning? A gourmet breakfast served on fine china, crystal and heirloom silver and organic coffee. You can expect the Montford B&Bs to bring you  hospitality with a warmth and graciousness that is typical of the Asheville area.

For those who choose to amble into downtown, many of the following B&Bs are within walking distance ... Check out photos (such as the one just below) that we took of a number of Montford's B&Bs one sunny winter's day at the Photos link.                                        

And here are a few links you  might explore.

Abbington Green  
 
Applewood Manor  

Carolina B&B 

Katherine's Place  

The Black Walnut B&B   

The Lion & The Rose B&B  

The Wright Inn  

Montford Community  Very Interesting Links

• Historic Montford Tours
•  Annual Montford Arts and Music Festival - (This year, May 19th, 2007)
• Montford Area Historic District \
• The Montford Park Players NC's Longest Running Shakespeare Festival

We are in the mountains , so if you are into elevation, here is a  link to a map that will give you a "bird's eye view"  of Montford in terms of the topography, or land contour, by means of contour lines.
Montford Topography TOPO Map

Famous (and some infamous) People Who Have Lived in Montford

Author F. Scott Fitzgerald lived and worked in Asheville during some of his literary career. |
His wife, Zelda Fitzgerald lived and died here.
A few disgruntled Montford residents found themselves immortalized in Thomas Wolfe's Look Homeward Angel. In Look Homeward Angel, a fictional account of Asheville, the character named Tommy French was based on a contemporary of Wolfe named Charles French Toms, who lived in one of the Montford B&Bs. 

We sent the dogs out to scout the neighborhood to ask current residents what
the MONTOFRD neighborhood itself is famous for...here they are (see photo) and here is
what they told us the buzz on the street is...

Sharon, who you will find at the Newletter Offices in Montford told us that Montford is famous for

•1.       The stories behind the people and houses

•2.       You can imagine history

•3.       Friendliness of neighbors

•4.       Variety of architecture

•5.        Riverside cemetery

•6.       Walking tours

•7.       Newsletter

•8.       Neighborhood events

•9.       The Music and Arts Festival

•10.      Diversity of residents

All in all, we'd like to say that Montford is an amazing place to call home!

more Photos of Montford click here

Real Estate Market Report here   (coming soon)                                                

The Ivory -Billed Woodpecker you see depicted here  is our mascot. Symbol of the potential for stewardship, the Ivory-billed Woodpecker, thought extinct for the past 60 years, has somehow survived to be recently re-discovered. With that hopeful finding comes inspiration for a sustainable future.

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Great Neighborhoods. Asheville, NC Real Estate Information

The Neighborhood.      Sure-fire remedy for the "cookie cutter"  blues, the tedium of  crowded highways, long commutes, and weight-gain..   .. Neighborhoods with "...attractive housing designs and lots of interesting innovation in the use of land and space," can cure distress, according to one source. 

My colleague, Sharon Simms  suggests, "Talk to the neighbors, walk around the area. Ask questions. There are lots of wonderful places to live...."

   Yes indeed asserts Dan Burden  the  Director of Walkable Communities, Inc. And not just neighborhoods, but bikable, walkable communities.  "In my visits to over 1,000 communities," says  Burden, "  working with nearly 40,000 community leaders and concerned citizens, I have found a universal desire for healthy, walkable, interactive, traffic-calmed neighborhood streets. This goal is equally true whether the person in the audience is a fire administrator, engineer, planner, developer, REALTOR®, retailer, waitress, elected official, construction worker or school teacher. ...well-designed, healthy neighborhood streets serve to pump life into neighborhoods. They increase the number of people watching out for one another, the number of people walking and the sense of community. These streets are built with vision, patience, love, common sense, teamwork and openness, and are quickly recognized for their beauty, durability and harmony... . "  

When I think of  The Neighborhood,  I imagine ice cream socials, welcoming living spaces, planned community organic  gardens,  evening strolls on tree-lined sidewalks. Family. Friends.  It's a very attractive picture, I am sure you'll agree, And that's why we want to share images and stories of our neighborhoods here in the Greater Asheville area with you. We are setting aside time each week to journey to a neighborhood, to  take pictures, , to explore the lore of days gone by and to  talk with the folks who live there now and  to share their sentiments about the neighborhood with you. You will find a new chapter each week at Localism.COM ...  Localism: Asheville, NC Real Estate Information-North Carolina

Please come along with us  via Localism to find meaningful  real estate information, not just demographics and listings, get perspective on local real estate markets  and catch the flavor of  the many treasured neighborhoods and charming communities in the Greater Asheville, North Carolina area. Through our  photos and stories,  we invite you to take part in the celebrations, feel the cool mountain breezes, enjoy the people and pets who wander in and out of the snapshots we'll take  along the way. We wish for you communities such as these. ... soft summer days turning into crisp autumn mornings, the aroma of good things to eat lingering in the air, a sense of place and community where aging gracefully is tied to neighborhood relationships, Saturday morning coffee, bake sales, and wonderful new "Healthy Built Homes" or grand places  under  "Renovation in Progress" signs. And now please select Localism: Asheville, NC Real Estate Information-North Carolina and Our Neighborhoods. -    Montford. (coming Sunday)

Great Neighborhoods. Asheville, NC Real Estate Information -  Montford.

So I've been pretty "star struck" with discovering "trends" we could well take stock of lately.  Here's my latest fascinating news. HEY! This is as good as getting on great snow before all the other skiers, and flying down the mountain while it's pure white and almost untouched.  You'll see why I'm using the ski analogy in a second....

A "weekly primetime destination
focusing on environmental topics" 
is due to launch in 2007.

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia....

Here is a STAR, Redford Redford, who  not only is creative, talented, handsome...but  generous...and he has a clue when it comes to "green trends" the future. His SUNDANCE  RESORT outside of Provo, Utah offers cultural amenities, gorgeous scenery,the best Sunday Brunch I've ever had. And now, this exciting news: The launch of the upbeat and inspirational Sundance Channel with the kind of  programming that makes you smile. 

According to Grist, the new channel will "present original series and documentary premieres about the earth's ecology and concepts of 'green' living that balance human needs with responsible environmental stewardship."

Programming: Original Series: Change Agents: a high energy, story and character-driven documentary series about the people and projects that are on the front lines of environmental sustainability and innovation.
(That could be US!)  

Interstitial Series: Sundance Channel will launch several interstitial series that will highlight a range of environmental issues and offer viewers innovative suggestions to effect change in their own lives.. Documentaries: The block will feature compelling feature length documentary premieres and news specials on environmental subjects. "         

According to ENN, the Online Network   the series will provide the big-picture context to each week's stories and " will offer practical tips for living a greener life in each of the 13 episodes and more information including solutions and resources will be featured on a mini-site on sundancechannel.com. " "In addition to this original series, the three-hour Sundance Channel GREEN block will include documentary film premieres and accessible interstitial pieces about the earth's ecology, concepts of green living that balance human needs with environmental stewardship, and pieces on celebrity activists and environmental advocates. The destination is designed to be both informative and entertaining, with an emphasis on information, practical advice and community building. "

Obviously my AR colleague over at the ECO-friendly Green Scene, Dena Stevens was right when she commented on my blog on trend-tracks..."The green wave is moving fast. In my opinion those who do not take hold are going to be left behind.

Copyright © 2007 All Rights Reserved  Asheville ECO Real Estate: Trends, Legacies & The Home Place Greenolina

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                                                                                                      Just the other day, an old-timer in the building industry, known for his no-nonsense ways took me aside. "So WHAT if the  Green Building Council says that  LEED-certified buildings are leading the transformation of the built environment," he said. "So what if they  have  lower operating costs, and tax rebates, zoning allowances, and other incentives ! What does that mean to me? "        "Well, Mr. Jones," I replied, "When I put my 'green' glasses on and look down the 'trend tracks'...and I say this knowing that  you currently may not align yourself with green building issues... chances are high that you will be meeting up with a demand by your customers who are hopping on board with the trend . Do you think it might be timely for you to capitalize on your potential to be an ‘industry innovator'?" 

So, I have been thinking about this a good bit lately . Come to think of it, from any number of perspectives...as a REALTOR®, investor, or  stake-holder, now could be the perfect moment to ride the rails into the future.  Certainly, everyone could expect a positive outcome. At the very least, what a pleasant way to  attract and enjoy new business opportunities.   And here's what. There are about as many shades of green as you see in the early light on an Appalachian mountainside. And our levels of attraction, commitment and motivation are unique to each of us. ...For example,   When you evaluate a home, do you ask yourself, "How many miles per gallon does this home get?" ? How about energy resources? Durability? Low impact on nature? Health for you, your employees, your family?    As AR member William Robbins remarked in his piece on Ways I Am Trying to be Green " I am no 'tree hugger' and I am not claiming to be the most energy efficient individual, but I am working on it....I am getting educated and passing info along to home owners and friends...from Energy Star appliances, Low VOC Paint, renewable resource building products like Bamboo Flooring, etc.

I am wondering if  home buyers and investors find certain "green" attributes have more appeal than others....More and more these days, they're concerned about a certain "green" issue (indoor air quality, for example). Just for the record, I've found.( in the Greater Asheville market) that my clients gravitate to whole house ventilation and low-VOC paint. They love the tax advantages and energy efficiency features, too. They love knowing that their grandkids are in a non-toxic environment.

"So, tell me," my silver-haired client with a printed copy of my article from janeAnne's Blog on Trends in hand asked, "I have read in Barron's , but I want to know what you, my REALTOR thinks....Is it true that there really is a trend toward green building these days?" She continued by way of explanation, " You see, I am 72 now. I am on a  clock. If there's a trend, then maybe  there are more green builders around who could help my family and me."

 Yes, my friend. There IS a trend toward designing, constructing, and operating high performance "green" buildings. And yes, too, more and  more,  developers are enrolling in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) classes to learn how to select environmentally responsible locations, reduce the negative impact on natural surroundings and benefit you with a healthier indoor environment.    LEED  promotes a "whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health:

1)sustainable site development    
2)water savings
3)energy efficiency
4)materials selection
5)indoor environmental quality

"Finally! It's about time," she cheered. "My daughter and I are thrilled.

We have heard about the whole system approach. Could you tell me about the LEED rating system," she continued with a smile. "You see, we were looking into buying a new home where I could have my own quarters and my daughter and husband and the twins all could live.But I didn't quite understand about the LEED rating system the builder mentioned."

The LEED rating system for new LEED for Homes helps builders to implement the seven criteria for creating healthier, greener, more efficient homes and register for LEED certification.   Certification meeting prerequisites and performance benchmarks . There are a number of levels builders can achieve. Projects may be are awarded Certified, Silver, Gold, or Platinum certification depending on the number of qualifiers they meet.

Resources:

'Wall Street Goes Green, '  Barron's December 2006  serious real estate market shift is gaining energy and momentum because green building is going mainstream

The U.S. Green Building Council

For interesting information about Healthy Built Homes including
the Gold, Silver and Bronze Ratings Scale
click here.

You will also find references to the rating scale at these links on my BLOG:

http://activerain.com/blogsview/22301/What-Makes-Healthy-Built

http://activerain.com/blogsview/18679/Demand-for-Healthy-Built

http://activerain.com/blogsview/33247/What-REALTORS-Do-for

Recently Bill Westel commented on my blog on  indicators pointing to Green homes being the standard by 2010  that "if one were smart finding the stocks of companies that build green home products probably would be a good investment!"  

Folks, if you are interested in  trends in the real estate market, Bill's remark will intrigue you as much as it did  me.  Until just this past year, I have not been able readily to identify socially responsible investment (SRI) mutual funds or real estate investment trusts.

I knew that EnergyStar® participation would equate to strong financial performance. And, judging from the increasing interest and demand from my 1031 clients, economic, social, and environmental performance indicators, the triple bottom line, will be hot in the real estate field. 

 "How many investors are interested in green building?"
Here are some remarkable stats.

In an article for SRI Advisor, Bill Baue reported , "Green building is all the rage, but investment in this area is still in its early stages. Gary Pivo, professor of urban planning and natural resources at the University of Arizona and a leader of the socially responsible property investing (SRPI) movement, points to a burgeoning number of private funds focusing on green building.

One example is the $120 million Hines CalPERS Green Development Fund launched in September 2006 as part of the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) Green Wave initiative. Another is the $100 million Rose Smart Growth Investment Equity Fund, which focuses on urban green building."   Baue quoted Charlie Randall, a partner in Revival Fund Management firm launching a $150 million urban green real estate fund for accredited investors (namely high net worth individuals or institutional investors with more than $1 million to plunk down) in January 2007.

"We see green building as the only viable way for real estate to continue into the future and we very much want to be part of shifting the industry in that direction," said Randall. . . "We want to start moving institutional investors into this space so they can support it."  The sentiment was echoed by Revival Partner Dennis Fleming. "We help developers who are social- and community-oriented learn to build green, and likewise we help green developers integrate social and community concerns," he stated.

Resources from professor Gary Pivo:

Real Estate's Latest Movement. An article on Responsible Property Investing from the Wall Street Journal.

Wanted: Socially Responsible Real Estate. Good Deeds, Real Estate and You. Socially Responsible Property Investment Still on the Drafting Table. Read these internet new reports about Pivo's research and related activities.

A Call for the Creation of Socially Responsible Real Estate Investment Products. This is the paper that is discussed in the Baue article. It has been posted on many different internet sites.

Is There a Future for Socially Responsible Property Investments? This is an updated and expanded version of the previous paper and was published in Real Estate Issues, the journal of The Counselors of Real Estate.

The Promising Economics of Green Development Are Creating New Investment Opportunities. A forthcoming article that synthesizes the literature on the economics of green building.

With the presence of these companies within professionally-managed, "socially-screened" funds, possibly we are seeing the next trend in real estate ...one where ecology, economy and equity join hands, and everybody wins.

Copyright © 2007 All Rights Reserved  Asheville ECO Real Estate: Trends, Legacies & The Home Place Greenolina

In North Carolina these days, people are talking about sustainable homes that reflect attention to detail .  The focus on excellence ultimately translates into a top notch product in high demand by residential property clients.The NC Healthy Built home is something homebuyers appreciate.
 Here is a partial checklist of those details.... Top Green Points that score big for real estate investors. 

Top Green Points

1. Efficiency --Energy efficiency is based on heating, cooling, and hot water energy use achieved through a combination of tightly sealed building envelopes, high performance windows, controlled air infiltration, heating and air conditioning systems, tight duct systems, and water-heating equipment--  Look for:
   Energy Star appliances
    florescent bulbs
   high efficiency water heaters
   fifty year shingles
   low flow faucets and showerheads
   sealed crawl spaces                                                                  Talking about  NC HealthyBuilt Home
    cellulose and icynene insulation
    solar preheat for hot water
2. Low Toxicity
   Low VOC paints
   Bamboo, hardwood or Marmoleum®  a natural linoleum floor that is made with 100% natural ingredients: linseed oil, cork, limestone, tree rosin and natural minerals
   Fly ash concrete mixture .This uses far less fossil fuel to produce than conventional concrete. It is a byproduct of coal-burning power plants. The ash is created at high temperatures and becomes tiny, beady glass particles. According to UC Berkeley, of the 60 million tons produced every year in this country, about 75 percent of fly ash is trucked off to landfills rather than converted into building material.

Benefits Checklist 

 Lower utility bills for heating and cooling

 Improved indoor air quality

 Lasting value

 Lower Environmental Impact

REALTORS® play an important role when it comes to buyer-clients and their wise choices in the selection of homes.

So much goes on behind the scenes from which our clients may benefit, but may be unaware.

Take for example this month's meeting here in Asheville of REALTORS® who hold the ECO certification approved by the  North Carolina Real Estate Commission.

We are hard-at-work behind the scenes. Aware of the trend toward  interest in LEED certified  GreenBuilt homes, we are preparing not only by educating ourselves, but by making choices in terms of how to share the benefits with our potential clients through public education. 

In that regard, this month's meeting agenda includes reviewing the green standards that we drafted at the January 5th meeting for advertising in the upcoming "green pages" of the  Greater Asheville Area's Real Estate Weekly.   We will also review and vote on the process that we envision for refining and implementing the green standards.

Normally our ECO professionals' group invites a speaker. Past speakers include Asheville's City Manager, Gary Jackson, who likes  to bike to work, and visionary Green Builder/Developer, Marcus Renner who created a fabulous land-dance for one of  my land-buying clients in 2006,  and other talented professionals and ECObuilders.  

Instead of having a speaker this  month, we will be watching an inspiring presentation from this year's GreenBuild Conference  by world-renowned architect and sustainability leader, my hero, William McDonough. McDonough is the founding principal of William McDonough + Partners,Architecture and Community Design,  an internationally recognized design firm practicing ecologically, socially, and economically intelligent architecture and planningin the U.S. and abroad. He is also the cofounder and principal, with German chemist Michael Braungart, of McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry (MBDC),  which employs a comprehensive Cradle to Cradle design protocol to chemical benchmarking, supply-chain integration, energy and materials assessment, clean-production qualification, and sustainabilityissue management and optimization.

We invite all real estate professionals who have completed the initial 16-hour core class (300+ at last count) to come to our meetings. So long as they complete the 32-hour hands-on classroom program within three years, they will be eligible for the ECO certification designation from the North Carolina Real Estate Commission.  As of January, 2008, 73 REALTORS®  have completed the course and hold the certification.

With 500+ more in process of completion, we are delighted.

As I said in Demand for Healthy Built® Homes Drives Real Estate Market, in the Greater Asheville area, where using green technology is becoming more in demand each year,  the fact that there are 374  "Green" homes currently  being built and 24 on the market, is also a positive sign. I am sure our clients appreciate what we do behind the scenes to learn about healthy living spaces that reflect attention to detail which ultimately results in a top notch product for our residential property clients ...

Resource: For interesting information about Healthy Built Homes including
the Gold, Silver and Bronze Ratings Scale
click here.

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HELLOoooo!

We all know that understanding market trends and issues
and how an industry may function in the future
is one key to success.

The real estate market is no exception. And if you invest  $79.
you can pick up/download a 34 page report on key trends
in the construction industry that "provides you with instant access
to a succinct snapshot of the construction industry
to help you build a firm knowledge base about market conditions,
trends, and leaders. "

The SmartMarket Report on residential green building
published by McGraw-Hill , Summer 2006 release,  takes a solid look at the residential green building marketplace in particular. 

Indicators that residential green building will escalate
in the next year at a significant rate.
What is considered a green home today, the report notes, will be the industry standard tomorow- in the not so distant future.- say by 2010!

A growth of 30% over 2006 numbers is expected.  More than two-thirds of builders will be building green homes, with only one-third not yet engaged in the marketplace.  Beyond 2007, the sheer number of participants in the green home building market will pull the rest of the market up to green standards just to stay competitive.

A heads-up. I read in the SmartMarket report that  "Green home building supporters should work with REALTORS®, appraisers and other financing institutions to accelerate market penetration of green homes.

Resource: For complete copy of the Residential Green Building SmartMarket Report, please visit McGraw-Hill Construction 

Another Resource: http://activerain.com/groups/GREEN

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ASHEVILLE -

   Unsuspecting real state clients out looking for "green" pastures like the one pictured here, about a half hour north of Asheville, North Carolina were astonished today when they noticed an image of Elvis in photographs taken by their REALTOR®. (see below)

     Armed with pen, paper and  maps, and still wearing their land-hiking duds, they had stopped for  a tasty meal at Dino Pappas'  Areopagus Bistro
a favorite diner of their guide to the mountain lands in Mars Hill, North Carolina. 

They had selected potato skins and Greek salads after  jotting down notes on all the absolutely gorgeous acreages they had seen (as per the photo to above) and were preparing to bring a report to their eco-investment group on the trend toward eco-development in Western North Carolina,  when their REALTOR®, a lady with an "amusing" sense of humor, snapped the shot ( below.)  

The REALTOR® demurely  declined to comment , but did offer to email images of Elvis to the entire land-scouting group.

Of course, we quickly checked at the Chamber of Commerce of this small village of about 2,000 to verify any other sightings  We were told that the history of Madison County can be explored at the Rural Life Museum on the campus of Mars Hill College, but were assured that Elvis has not been seen in Mars Hill for some time (if ever.) No matter.  

Great fun and productive time was had by all.

Oh...and...here's a photo of Elvis in the background yours truly took that day.

For those who love Elvis here's a good link for you. http://www.elvis.com/

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UPDATE: March, 2009

PLEASE KNOW  that all of us at the Eco-Steward Real Estate Firm are Eco Certified® Real Estate  Consultants, and specialize in land carefully and thoughtfully reviewed for eco-friendly development. Also, please know that we consider steep slopes and landslides a potential hazard ( I have personal experience with the result of  flat-lander inexperience in my own neighborhood and decry it)...and that we DO recommend that our clients contact Professionals and bring in a State licensed geotechnical engineer, if necessary ... to look at potential hazards ...  

HERE IN BUNCOMBE COUNTY just this month in fact, we have been having quite a brouhahain terms of Steep Slope development...and landslides ...Fingers have been pointed at Developers, Sellers and at REALTORS® . .. THIS IS ONE Real Estate Firm NOT to be disparaged . Again....in the Eco-Steward Real Estate Firm ALL members are Eco Certified® Real Estate  Consultants, and specialize in land carefully and thoughtfully reviewed for eco-friendly development

I wrote the following post back in 2007....

___________________________________________________________________________

Real Estate Investors and Developers with little experience in terms of steep slopes might want to seek out the assistance of an ECO certified REALTOR® and her team of Experts. Here in Western North Carolina, Landslides are a reality as you can see with this graphic shared at a class we recently took with Richard Wooten at the Warren Wilson College Environmental Leadership Centerjust outside of Asheville.

Some landslides only consist of soil, called an earthslide. Some are a mixture of soil, rock trees and mud, called a debris flow. Other landslides contain only rock, called a rockfall or rockslide. In any case, it behooves the REALTOR®, and developer to be conscious of that fact, and so advise clients.  Not long ago a developer from a State where mountains are not so common, bought a huge ridge top where he planned to erect 4000 sq ft homes on 1 AC lots and place them atop the lofty peaks. What the developer didn't know was that this" prime acreage" was unstable.

 The result for the developer was a combination of community concern, private embarrassment, and public back-peddling. Once the community found out that the "flatlander" was planning to build on steep slopes in an area prone to landslides, they were (rightly) distressed. Who wants to live downhill from where a landslide might take you for a fast ride in the middle of the night?  For that matter, who would want to invest in a home under those conditions?  Obviously, the community groups reasoned, that developer must not have a clue as to the dangerous conditions with which he was tampering. Shouldn't he at least have looked at the property to see if there were signs of danger such as breaks in the ground surface and/or curved trees?  (see photo below our photographer took at an acreage soon to go on the market.)

Back to the story....Community members, fueled by their feelings of extreme concern,
 formed vocal groups.
They came in noisy droves to the commissioners' planning board meetings,
making it necessary for the meetings to be moved to larger and larger rooms.

The media picked up on the story. A few months passed. The developer learned that the community groups had hired an attorney. Having done that, the attorney began his process of discovery. He verified that slope stability analyses from the planning through construction and inspection phases of developments can help mitigate the potential for landslide damage.He also found out that the analyses, best done by the cooperative efforts of qualified geotechnical engineers, geologists and soil scientists, were nowhere to be found.

This lack of due diligence on the part of interested parties created an opening for the community groups to question the safety of the project. They were able temporarily to halt development pending environmental assessment studies and review of steep slope ordinances.

Soon, in our part of the mountains, landslides and potential landslide areas will be mapped.Then investors, developers and REALTORS® will have readily accessible tools with which to identify and disclose that home sites and homes in those areas are vulnerable to landslide. For all of us, it is a good idea to know certain pertinent facts about the topography and geology of a tract of land that go beyond desirability of location.  

What do you think?

Copyright © 2007 All Rights Reserved  Asheville ECO Real Estate: Trends, Legacies & The Home Place Greenolina

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It is empowering to be part of the growing trend toward green-built homes here in Asheville, NC.  (see photo of green-built home)

It is exciting to participate in sustainable practices "meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs."

 My clients tell me they really want to play a part in helping to preserve the natural beauty here in the Greater Asheville, N.C. Area. To take good care of your bioregion, the place in which you live and work, is something I believe that everyone wants to do. Through eco-wise choice making, we easily can do this. But where to start?

How about starting at home? In the very recent past, people may not have realized that investing in green built homes is a major way that they can do it, feel good about it, and feel good about their own home as well as for the future of their children.

But today we REALTORS® are noticing a lively trend emerging.

That trend is toward designing, constructing, and operating high performance "green" buildings like that in the photo. Happily, such buildings reduce the negative impact on natural surroundings and benefitthose who work or  live there with a healthier indoor environment.  It's nice to know that your baby is NOT crawling on floors that contain toxic chemicals, then putting his fingers in his mouth with potentially harmful consequences, for example.   

Not only here in North Carolina, but across the country REALTORS® are taking opportunities to learn about the selection of environmentally responsible locations, and much more.  Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) offers training programs specifically written and geared for professionals, and a Professional Accreditation program "to develop and encourage green building expertise across the entire building industry. Everyone: Architects, real estate professionals, facility managers, engineers, interior designers, landscape architects, construction managers, lenders, government officials can participate."

FOR MORE INFORMATION ,Read  GREENOLINA'S  newsabout mountain and valley  neighborhoods, real estate,  local  day trips, picnics, and  ecotourist attractions you'll just love.   Curious aboutgreen building, remodeling and eco-communities ?  ...Subscribe to Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG.   

__~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............and always remember that " poets are soldiers that liberate words from the steadfast possession of definition." -Eli Khamarov  .......  We are in a sustainable  world, so grab hold of your Muse... dream that world... and make it happen!. .........................    .............

Growing Trend Toward Green-Builts. The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved

How do you, the caring professional, find a memorable and UNIQUE closing gift to welcome your client Home?

• Do you send a plant?
• A welcome mat?
• A book?

 I have sent all of these, dressed in bows.  And yes, I think such tokens are appreciated. But the most delight I have ever seen came from a simple, from-the-heart closing gift, a verse I wrote  and hand-delivered with some of my from scratch scrumptious double dark chocolate chip cookies..........

A POEM AT CLOSING

                                                                                               
Build something new in an empty space.
Erect a scaffold as if upon a stage,
Create scenery, and then collaborate on a glorious production. 
And when, in just a little while,
The project is complete,
Take down the scaffold that you once needed,
And boldly enjoy your creation. . . 
Your New Home ...with this chocolate chip feast.

In good time, I know you will dress the interior in the colors of your heart,
Wrap all of this in the happy relations of image and meaning,
And dance into the mysteries and assets of all you can imagine.
Then I'll bring more cookies and we can celebrate! 

For here, in your New Home,
Your days, uncommon and unique to this living space,
Your nighttimes, blended with bits of yourself and your history,
Will surely turn into star songs in the spirit of your Family.

I see you with pure possibility through the years,
Months and weeks composed of happy days,
Where any  "stumbling block" is just a bit of dust
Beyond the bone-hard edges
Of what once seemed to be your limits.

WELCOME HOME!

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"Baby boomers" who, like their grandkids, are all bundled up for cold weather up north, are seeking the warmer climes and investment potential in the Greater Asheville Area.

They  tell me they are ready to let their wealth "flower" in years to come. Interestingly, the demand for 1031 Tax Deferred Exchanges has also "bloomed". More and more of my clients want to know whether they can qualify their vacation homes and secondary residences for an Exchange. Although I have done many successful 1031 Exchange transactions, and have taken advanced training in this subject area, I am NOT an expert on the intricacies of the tax code. 

So, I like to refer my clients to those who are experts for details about the mechanics of the 1031 Exchange, especially in terms of Vacation Homes.
(In order to conduct a valid 1031 Exchange it generally is necessary to have such property rented to unrelated parties for a period of time both BEFORE and after the exchange, for example.)
In making sure a Property actually qualifies for the 1031 requirements INTENT is all-important. In this regard, there are many details that a Qualified Intermediary explains and handles.

As your real estate professional, I CAN advise you NOT :

1) To inadvertently indicate in a Contract that you intend to live in the property,
2) To sign a listing agreement soon after its purchase,
3) To apply for "owner occupied" financing on the property,
4) To move into that property within a specified period of time,
5) To ignore rental history (it must be rented by its tenants for a significant time)
6) To claim the "mortgage interest" deduction for the property on yours tax return,
7) To treat a 1031 investment property as a "time-share" arrangement. Section 280A of the Tax Code spells out the Test. Personal use of the property may not exceed the greater of: 1. Fourteen (14) days; or2. Ten percent (10%) of the number of days that the property is rented at fair market value to others.

My clients like to consider the purpose for which they will be using an investment property. I ask them to be aware that in order to qualify for Section 1031 treatment., the purpose for holding the property must be for investment or business use.

Please check out more information
There a small library of related INFO there!

Let me know if you need a referral to a Qualified Intermediary. I have taken the time personally to interview a number of QIs and have excellent references from satisfied clients to share with you.

Heads-Up Investors there's a new trend in an old place.  A collaborative process for identifying and prioritizing brownfields for assessment for future use is about to get underway all across the USA.. Could this effort signal a trend in the real estate investment market? From where we stand, it looks that way. In fact, this effort can mean value-added opps for real estate professionals and investors alike.

Take, for example, a pilot project scheduled to take place in the Greater Asheville, North Carolina Area

It will include a region-wide inventory of brownfields. Here in the Asheville area, we expect Phase I   and Phase II environmental assessments of properties in the French Broad Riverfront area in Asheville, Phase I and Phase II assessments of the ice facility and the former tannery site in the Asheville target area and a Phase II environmental assessment of the former wood treating site.

Preparation and cleanup plans, and reach out to the community are an integral part of the project.

EPA is working hand-in hand with the Land-of-Sky Regional Council for this Brownfields Assessment Pilot Project.The Land-of-Sky Regional Council reports that it "represents Buncombe, Henderson, Madison, and Transylvania counties (population 344,472) in western North Carolina," and shares a bit of history...

According to Land-of-Sky, throughout " the first half of the 1900s, road transportation began to eclipse the railroad and diverted traffic away from river basins, negatively impacting the timber, textile, tanning, and paper milling industries. Numerous factories and mills were forced to close due to poor economic conditions. Many of these old properties remain neglected or underused due to real or perceived contamination."

FYI Investors:  Look at the Smart Growth  Plan in the Greater Asheville Area for excellent development opportunities. Land of-Sky has already targeted three sites of potential interest to you.

There is a 2.3-acre ice-distribution warehouse and a 1-acre former tannery, both in the French Broad Riverfront  area of Asheville.

A bit of history....Early in the 1890's industry took  notice of the prime, flat real-estate to be found near the French Broad and the Asheville Tannery, built circa 1896 and the Carolina Coal & Ice Company  (see photo at top) set up shop there. The Carolina Coal and Ice Company was founded in 1890. It became Carolina Fuel Company and, after building an ice plant on Lyman Street, the company joined with another group on Riverside Drive.

My favorite photographer and I went out to explore this brownfield areatoday. Look for a photo essay on this very interesting subject in the near future, but in the meantime, here are a couple of shots of the area that might interest you. What do you think about the looks of this area? Note River and Distant Mountains. There is aleady a residential re-development project just above where we took this shot. (See my earlier blog for photos)

 A vacant former wood treating facility in the Town of Fletcher is also under consideration, and Land-of-Sky also reports that "additional target properties may be assessed after a region-wide inventory of brownfields is completed...."

 So stay tuned! ..and maybe you , too will notice
the Carolina Blue sky 
reflecting possibility.

 For further information, including specific Pilot contacts, additional Pilot information, brownfields news and events, and publications and links, visit the EPA Brownfields web site. And see my earlier report ...

Resources: You can visit the EPA Region 4 Brownfields web site at: www.epa.gov/brownfields EPA Home

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Where can you find gourmet vegetarian dishes served by candlelight, and a smorgasbord of goodies for the culturally-inspired?  Why in Asheville, North Carolina, of course. Embraced by mountains, fed by rivers, and admired by all who come to visit, this could be the opportunity of which real estate investors dream. Asheville  is both welcoming and exciting, both growing and with stable roots.

This is not only an investment opportunity, but a home place with the compelling combination
of city amenities and village charm. (see photo)

Sounds great, but what  do you do around here? Here are just a few chooices.

1. Take Day Trips! Explore the  mountains and rivers to the north, to the little town such as Marshall or Mars Hill .

2. Or just stay right in Asheville and take the Urban Trail  "an art museum without walls, a walk through time, an opportunity to examine the rich architecture, to enjoy neighborhoods and learn about the people and events that have given Asheville its distinctive flair."    The entire Trail is 1.7 miles long, takes roughly two hours to walk. Use the link here to see a very good map!

3. Visit craftspeople in their studios. (I ‘m happy to share a map of their locations)

4. Go on a candlelight tour at Biltmore Estate

5. Take an hour or two mini-vacation at the Asheville Area Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Maybe catch the storytellers! Then cruise the Parkway.
Watch the sunset from a vantage point along the way.

View of Sunset from the Blue Ridge Parkway. AWESOME!

To your right see the photo of one Rver I love, the French Broad.

 7.Calm water float and/or whitewater raft on one of the rivers in the area. That is one adventure you won't soon forget!

8. Back to solid ground, and the Biltmore Estate for a stroll the world-class gardens at own "castle",  the largest home in America.

9. Take the whole family for a twilight railway ride through the Blue Ridge Mountains. 

 10. Photograph waterfalls. My favorite waterfall hike is a three mile easy trail with a few climbs with three great waterfalls Just a half hour or so from  Asheville in Dupont State Forest. Here are some photos taken by a local  chef on his day off .

 That reminds me...     Discover every one of the restaurants  that feature locally-grown and organic food.  There are enough to keep ya' going for more than a month. And then possibly visit the Asheville area farms  where all this good organic food is grown.

Remember, yoy are welcome to come along as we scout for land to place in land legacies for those who will come here a hundred years from now, or find old homes to restore...

Copyright © 2007 All Rights Reserved  Asheville ECO Real Estate: Trends, Legacies & The Home Place Greenolina