Asheville ECO-GREEN Real Estate

Have you heard about the  100 million a year social marketing campaign being launched by the Alliance for Climate Protection.  ?  Based on the methods outlined and taught by Douglas McKensie-Mohr whose ideas have potential relevance for those of us who enjoy the benefits  at Active Rain, it's worth a peek.

Check out  information on Page One of the March 24^th issue of USA Today.
It's entitled Green Bandwagon Is Getting a Big Push

As a REALTOR®  one feature whose benefits you could point out  for anyone with interest in eco-friendly commercial real estate is the value of motion sensors. Since lighting accounts for about 29% of electrical energy use,occupancy and motion  sensors can cut  lighting use by about a third to almost half. Looks as if there may be some "new doors" about to open as we follow this trend toward sustainable innovation.

Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved  Asheville ECO Real Estate: Trends, Legacies & The Home Place Greenolina  
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Recently, not half an hour's drive from Asheville, N.C, (where our real estate market remains vital, ) we spotted a sign, obviously done by a local artist. It read, " green homes for sale in this Asheville burb..."

"Burb"?  What does that mean, I wonder. . .

I asked an eco-savvy husband and wife team what about this...and they had to laugh . Their goal  is to develop a conservation subdivision. They want to partner with eco-minded people interested in, among other things,  eco-innovation,  energy efficiency, true-green-built homes, water conservation, and the creation of economic opportunities for the local communities.

 Maybe that's what that "burb" thing was all about.

But the couple are looking, too, at  land legacies. So the land surrounding their eco-development , if it hasn't been already, will be placed into conservation trusts. No way that could be a "burb."

To our potential clients, ecological land use means carefully, and over a period of years carving out eco-friendly picnic spots and compelling trails for  horsy-folks in the community, and for hikers. Along the way, through the mountain laurels and up to the higher elevations, they know that vocal waterfalls call.  

As we talked with our potential clients, we realized how important it is to them that all this is to be done with as little impact on the environment as possible. And we realized something else. Equestrians will love this-place, Hikers will love this place. Green home builders will love this place.

It's a place to live and learn. It's a place to offer wellness retreats, possibly create a "lifelong learning" center. Certainly, they will choose to invite and host ecotourists   in all seasons. ..

As you can see by the photo I took (to your left) ...this is one amazing place.

As a REALTOR® actively involved in the value-added market, ,my team and I hope that we will get to be a part of this.  We are anticipating working with this eco-savvy husband and wife team who will invite you to Asheville where dreams come true. For now, I feel good when I think that my Clients' contribution will stand in perpetuity as a reminder of their pro-active good will.

Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved  Asheville ECO Real Estate: Trends, Legacies & The Home Place Greenolina  
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• Leadership RolesEvolve as Women and Minorities Bring Their Energy to the Table. I'm smiling.Look at the Top 100 Bloggers at Active Rain, and you'll see what I mean.
• The Demand for GREEN Buildings and Energy Efficient Homes  Lifts the Real Estate Market. (New construction as well as remodels.)
• Sustainable Innovation becomes a By-word in the Industry and 1031 Investors gravitate to  Eco-friendly properties.  
• The Mortgage Crunch Threatens the Real Estate Market, Some see this as dangerous. Some see this as Opportunity. ...depending on how they look at Change.
• The "Blooming" of Online Communities and Social Networks like Active Rain CreatesColorful Results. I can name a few Bloggers that led me to this conclusion if you like.
• The Emergence of  MLS Collaboration and/or Consolidation Gives Some Professionals a Headache. Well...any time there is Change, you can get a headache. I just hope this doesn't turn out to be a Big One.
• The Practice of Real Estate As We Knew It Changes Due to Technology. Is this a good-thing? What do you think?
• The Rise of Coaching (freely available at AR) in Real Estate  accompanies Accelerated Interest in Professional Education.  
• Tons of Real Estate Professionals Learn How to Use Spell Check Effectibely.(oops!)

So that was my List of probably,possible and plausible changes as per Part I of this post on CHANGE.

What About Change in terms of Real Estate Investors?

Whether clients are involved in 1031 Like-Kind Exchanges, foreclosure or auction transactions, much is at stake. Someone's economic future could hang in the balance ...The Great Unknowns, the Possible Gains, the Questions of Losses, the other Significance Factors, and even the Risk of NOT Risking is to be  considered.

And all of these immersions in CHANGE are opportunities for REALTORS® . We can provide valuable service, because we know that even when our clients make a change that they plan for, and look forward to, they can encounter some very rocky times. We can offer and refer our clients to resources as needed.

Come to think of it

In 2008, it's  a pretty interesting path we travel.

Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved  Asheville ECO Real Estate: Trends, Legacies & The Home Place Greenolina  
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GREEN is "red hot" in Asheville, North Carolina...GREEN real estate that is. All you have to do is take a look at the demand stats for GREEN homes  and you will catch a glimpse of this sizzle right away..I got wondering, IF you could pick just one of the green features below...in building or retrofitting your home... which would it be?

•·         Geo-Thermal heating and cooling
•·         Passive and active solar
•·         Rainwater collection and pristine community well for drinking water
•·         Icynene insulation
•·         On demand Hot Water system with hot water loop
•·         Sustainable materials throughout
•·         Low VOC paints, limited out-gassing
•·         Xero-scaping and native plantings
•·         EnergyStar ® Appliances

This could be challenging, depending on your interest in and familiarity with sustainable innovation.So how about a few photos of eco-savvy homes in the Asheville area(most of which have all the above features) ?  In the  GREEN is "red hot" scenario, no matter if you live in Houston, Phoenix, Battle Creek or Naples, one picture may be worth a thousand words.

Now I'm thumbing through my  photo album with photos I've taken in the past year. Here you will get to see just few of Asheville's amazing, sustainable, energy efficient and attractive GREEN homes. There are plenty more, for sure. And maybe you will find these GREEN homes as fascinating as I do! Let me know what you think...

This is a new home. New construction. Set on site to enjoy passive solar benefits. AsI recall this home sold for around $300K. . .Currently you might find about 50 new WNC HealthyBuilt (Green-built homes) properties available in the Asheville area...ranging in price from the mid $200Ks to over $2M+ ...

 The "upscale" relatives of the "workforce" green-builts  are just as ( or some say almost as) bold and inviting in appearance as their eco-friendly but less expensive counterparts.  In eco-savvy communities around Asheville where only 30 homes may bloom on about 120AC,  team of investors committed to environmentally conscious partnership in development can get together and create something amazing....

Here (left) is an example of a green retrofit ...Photos 2007 and 2008, Asheville, NC

BUILDING/Remodeling/Rehabbing "GREEN"...Maybe these photos can give just a hint about how exciting it is. And,for the green homeowner,  the outcome not only is beautiful ...but practical and dollar-and-cents-wise. I'll tell you more about this and about one of my favorite eco-savvy enterprises in Part II.   Look for that soon.

In the meantime...Tell me .....are you surprised at how compelling the looks of a Green Home can be? If you are engaged in  Asheville's GREEN Real Estate here in the mountains of North Carolina, where the air is fresh and the people are friendly and we are appreciating at about 9% per year...///////////\\\\\\\you won't be surprised.

Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved  Asheville ECO Real Estate: Trends, Legacies & The Home Place Greenolina  
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ARE YOU an expert  mechanic? attorney? tax adviser? ....No?
Neither am I...and if I said I were, you would tell me I had my head in the clouds

REALTORS©can do many things...and we do provide so many services whether what we do is apparent, or behind the scenes ....

but offering professional advice on subjects outside our universe of discourse is a No-No!

Example: As much as I would like to be helpful when it comes to 1031s,  I'm sure no Qualified Intermediary.  Not long ago a client wanted me to provide 1031 consulting and tax advice. I told him...

" I 'd like to be helpful !
I can be your 'Resource" for the  'RESOURCES' "...  

Over the years, most of us meet professionals in real estate related fields... our "Resources" ...

At our eco-friendly real estate firm  here in Asheville, when referring clients to"green" and/or professional resources, our policy is to refer at least three(3) individuals . We simply act as the "Resource for the Resources"...three attorneys, three appraisers, three home inspectors...

By doing this, we provide at the same time, the opportunity for our clients personally to make choices... thus avoiding  unwanted consequences should we be tempted to have our heads so high in the sky.

How often do you catch yourself wanting to be helpful, and forgetting  how much you don't know about other people's areas of expertise?  Certainly, real estate agents are NOT experts in the fields that relate to ours (nor do we claim expertise.

Example: Knowing the status of various systems of a home. We leave that to a home inspector, whose insurance will cover errors he (not we) might make. So,  even when we've been around many homes and sat in on many inspections, we happily refer and defer to the experts. Right? Well let me tell you a story. In the winter of 2007, one of our junior associates had a request from his client. She would not be able to move into her 1903 restored bungalow here in Asheville until the summer. That winter, she asked for a tiny favor from our associate. "Please watch over the pipes at my little home to make sure they don't leak or freeze, Honey," she smiled. 

Now what do you think our Pipe Watcher candidate replied? Is this service  one you would refer to an expert?

Check out this list of experts and let me know what you think!

•     Property Mangers     

•       Loan officers

•       Mortgage originators

•       Home Inspectors

•       Appraisers

•       Title Companies

•       Escrow Companies

•       Real Estate Attorneys

•       Real Estate Auctioneers

•       GREEN Single family builders

•       GREEN Multifamily builders

•       GREEN Remodelers

•       ECO Developers

•       Environmentally-sensitive Land planners

•       Eco-savvy Architects and designers

•       Home Energy raters

•       Eco-friendly Product manufacturers and suppliers

•       GREEN Home Stagers

•       Mortgage Processors

•       Builder-Contractors

•       Notaries

•       Environmental Services

•        Financial Planners

•       Insurance Broker or Agents

• 1031 Qualified Intermediaries

Added from pals here at AR:

surveyors

renewable energy consultants

well drillers and dowsers

 solar installers, plumbers, electricians, HVAC folks

THANKS to you all....and Who did I forget??? any more???

 

Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved  Asheville ECO Real Estate: Trends, Legacies & The Home Place Greenolina  
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Recently, REALTOR Magazine explored the trend toward green-built homes and the demand for sustainable products.  "It's easy sounding green" the article reports, "...the triple whammy of gas prices, global warming, and health concerns about chemicals has made green buildings red hot. ...

So back in March of 2007, here at Active Rain, we at the Eco-All-Stars Group

responded to REALTOR Magazine by creating the Eco-All-Stars' GREEN IS RED HOT CONTEST. Now, another year has passed and we have done it again! The Eco-All-Stars' 2^nd Annual GREEN IS RED HOT CONTEST has just concluded and it's time to announce the winners.

Please  GIVE a BIG round of applause (AKA your comments) to our
1^st PLACE WINNER  
 in the 2^nd Annual 2008 GREEN is RED HOT CONTEST ..
The Green Scrooge!

You can tell in the first few minutes you bump in to him that he is an enterprising fellow with a good sense of humor. Judging from this photo (left) he even might  be ready to sit down to talk, when times are tough and the weather is stormy. Not only that, but his posts have a lyrical quality. Read them and you will understand more than you did before about the whole eco-thing and have a good read at the same time.

  That's a combination that makes this eco-savvy real estate professional simply shine. How would I (janeAnne, Greenolina a way on over here in the mountains in Asheville, North Carolina) know this? I looked at his Profile here at AR and at his "other' BLOG...where  he wrote ...

"This was a stellar day. You know how sometimes the light is just right and the temperature mellow warm, but not hot. Add to that the wonderful smells filling the air as the growing season kicks into high gear with the warming and lengthening days...."

This is one  person at Active Rain to whom you may want to refer your California clients...especially if they are" technophiles, authors, young families, and plenty of just plain folks..." Can you guess who our 1^st Place Winner is? I'll give you a few hints:

HINT #1  It sure looks as if he's the kind of person you could depend on to get things organized for a "sit down" discussion even in a flood. =)

HINT #2  He is a happily married father of two grown children.  And has a jazz singing spouse of thirty years.  He and his wife live in a redwood forest near the Russian River and have a lovely grand-dogger poodle. 

Hint #3 . A REALTOR® with style, he has been a general building contractor, renewable energy expert, computer consultant, and restaurant owner.

 "Sorry. I feel like the Green Scrooge," he tells us in his WINNING POST ..."You came for hot and sexy green-ness, and all I have for you is warm lime sherbet...."

CONGRATULATIONS DAVE ROBERTS
(fondly known as The Green Scrooge)

For Your 1^st Place Winning Post
Going Green for $1,000 or Less

"Let's face it. The greenest things you can do for your house and the planet
fall a little short in the WOW Factor, " Dave admits...

But Dave...your post introduces us to sensible and practical ideas for improving quality of life for our clients/us . That's a lucky thing on March 17^th, this  celebrated  lucky day.  Your WINNING POST offers AR readers and our clients three green ideas with a common thread....

1) ...their modest price tags that the average home owner can fit into their long term green budget.

2) ...that each of them can be accomplished for under $1,000

3) ...and that, typically, they may be completed  in just one day.

As you say..."Going green can be fast, affordable, and create great long term savings. In my book, that's sexy enough...."

Here's what People are Saying about Your Post

"Thanks for your great post. Consumers are sort of overwhelmed by the whole green thing. It's important to educate them on the importance of starting with  simple energy saving ideas. I like the idea of the solar attic fan. I'll pass it along...."

"As always  your research is thorough, your recommendations outstanding and your writing entertaining and informative.  Thanks for these suggestions."

"I love the title of your post as it shows you can do things green without them costing a lot of green!"

Now it's your turn to let Dave (and the other winners of the Green is Red Hot Contest ) hear from you.

Please comment on their posts at:

DAVE ... 1^st Place Winner Going Green for $1,000 or Less

MARY ... 2^nd Place Winner As the Green Tide Rises.... "A Rising Tide Raises All Boats."

COLLEEN ...3^rd Place  Winner

HONORABLE MENTION:
Eloise Gift
Lindsay Pendleton
Ed Vogt
Jo-Anne Smith
Joseph Lang
Stephanie Edwards-Musa
Tricia Jumonville 
Ann Cummings
Michael Pulskamp
Laurie Logan

janeAnne "GREENolina"

THANK YOU TO THE JUDGES WHO DEVOTED TIME AND ENERGY TO THIS PROJECT!!!

Tricia Jumonville 
Ann Cummings
Michael Pulskamp

2008 Green is Red Hot Contest Prizes and Points

1000 for first place
750 for second
500 for third
200 (in addition to the 200 for any post) for entering this contest |
                with a post of at least 300 words

Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved  Asheville ECO Real Estate: Trends, Legacies & The Home Place Greenolina  
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Please  GIVE a BIG round of applause (AKA your comments) to the
1st Runner Up/2nd PLACE WINNER  
 in the 2^nd Annual 2008 GREEN is RED HOT CONTEST ..

The True People(see Hint #1&2 below)

Recently, REALTOR Magazine explored the trend toward green-built homes and the demand for sustainable products.  "It's easy sounding green" the article reported, "...the triple whammy of gas prices, global warming, and health concerns about chemicals has made green buildings red hot. ... So back in 2007, here at Active Rain, we responded to this interesting news by creating the GREEN IS RED HOT CONTEST.

Now , the 2^nd Annual 2008 GREEN IS RED HOT CONTEST has just concluded
and it's time to announce the 2^nd Place WINNER and 1^st Runner Up.
Here is an AR Member you might like to know because

HINT # 1... She has a wonderful sense of humorYou can find this out right away when you read her BLOG where recently she told us about the Outhouse 500.

"This wasn't the NASCAR race ... yet generational crowds...young and seasoned alike...came out to take part in this exciting winter festival of sorts...Where else but in a town whose county dump RECYCLES METHANE would you see....    OUTHOUSES FLYING DOWN MAIN STREET??" she wrote with obvious glee.

Hint # 2... If you chance upon her profile, you will find that she is  a  student -- of life and of her industry.. .. ..the focus of her current research and learning is how the GREEN building industry and Hi Performance Homes can benefit the lives of homeowners. She tells us,

"I set out on a Green Pathway [not long ago],"  she tells us...."I thought I knew everything there was to find.....     Oh was I wrong!!!   On my journey I made many new friends... ...notTree Huggers! (they went out with the 60s !)  ...not  activists....(they are fighting other battles.)  I started a meet and greet... and I found ....The colors are changing......        A spark came out of the sky and I met....   True People....True to their word....Truly concerned about our effect on the environment..."

CONGRATULATIONS MARY BIGELOW

2^nd Place WINNER

As the Green Tide Rises.... "A Rising Tide Raises All Boats."

Mary...Your post gets right to the point..that what we perceive and how we act on that is worth thinking about. You pointed out

1.   "All these weird people talking about all these weirdideas...no VOC's, formaldehyde free, icynene, gray water systems, geothermal, renewable....and yet so many ask, "WHAT ARE THEY TALKING ABOUT???"

2)      Potential benefits come from collaborative advertising efforts, shared training programs and leveraging skills of the "many stakeholders of the homebuilding value chain." They direct attention to the success of the Energy Star program which has been so successful by partnering with a variety of professionals in the industry. I am proud to say my company is an Energy Star partner.

Here's What People are Saying about Your Post

Mary...you continue to amaze me.  Your knowledge of green building is incredible.  Everytime I read one of your posts, I come away with something.  Keep up the excellent work.  We must get together.  You're unlike any lender I've ever come across.  Lola

2008 Green is Red Hot Contest Prizes and Points

1000 for first place
750 for second
500 for third
200 (in addition to the 200 for any post) for entering this contest |
                with a post of at least 300 words

WINNING ENTRIES are based on
1) originality, 2) intriguing green subject matter, 3) a bit o' humor, 4) graphics, and 5) community appeal.

Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved  Asheville ECO Real Estate: Trends, Legacies & The Home Place Greenolina  
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(*)/'(*)

Recently, REALTOR Magazine explored the trend toward green-built homes and the demand for sustainable products. 

"It's easy sounding green" the article reported, "...the triple whammy of gas prices, global warming, and health concerns about chemicals has made green buildings red hot. ...

So back in 2007, here at Active Rain, we responded to this interesting news by creating the GREEN IS RED HOT CONTEST.

Now , the 2^nd Annual GREEN IS RED HOT CONTEST has just concluded and it's time to announce the winners.

But first....Another round of applause for LAST YEAR'S  2007 Green is Red Hot Contest Winner .... Liz Foley. Here is her winning entry....

and a round of applause (your comments on their posts) for these honorable mention winners...

HONORABLE MENTION GOES TO
Eloise Gift
Lindsay Pendleton
Ed Vogt
Jo-Anne Smith
Joseph Lang
Stephanie Edwards-Musa
Tricia Jumonville 
Ann Cummings
Michael Pulskamp
Laurie Logan

janeAnne "GREENolina"

AND NOW...ANNOUNCING the 2^nd Runner Up....
An AR Member you might like to know because

HINT # 1... She is accomplished photographer and an expert at creative marketing in the Real Estate Industry

Hint # 2...She has been a successful consultant in the technology field and has a diverse background including event management, corporate training and computer knowledge that focuses on the latest marketing strategies, statistical analysis and logistics and she has worked for Radio City Music Hall,  Nabisco Foods, Key Bank and Marsh & McClennan...all of which give her an edge in the Real Estate industry.

Hint # 3... She is the #1 Featured AR BLOGGER in New York State!

 "Let's face it, " she tells us, " There is a big focus on alternative energy these days around the country.  It is the one thing that everyone wants to learn and be part of. ..."

CONGRATULATIONS COLLEEN KULILOWSKI

2^nd Runner Up Winning Post

2^nd Runner Up Winning Post

Colleen...thank you for your post that looks at (among other things) Interesting Green Facts, Alternative Energy Options, and Reclaiming our Communities and that offers Ecological Resources that won points with the judges for serious community appeal and green subject matter.

2008 Green is Red Hot Contest Prizes and Points

1000 for first place
750 for second
500 for third
200 (in addition to the 200 for any post) for entering this contest |
                with a post of at least 300 words

WINNING ENTRIES are based on
1) originality, 2) intriguing green subject matter, 3) a bit o' humor, 4) graphics, and 5) community appeal.

Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved  Asheville ECO Real Estate: Trends, Legacies & The Home Place Greenolina  
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Sure and Begorrah! Here are the HONORABLE METNTIONS
in the 2nd Annual Lucky Green is Red Hot! Contest!! 

                                                                                 The GREEN LADY SPEAKS!  "I'm turning GREEN right before your eyes!  

 Honorable Mentions

Eloise Gift
Lindsay Pendleton
Ed Vogt
Jo-Anne Smith
Joseph Lang
Stephanie Edwards-Musa
Tricia Jumonville 
Ann Cummings
Michael Pulskamp
Laurie Logan

janeAnne "GREENolina"

LOOK FOR WINNING POST ENTRY ANNOUNCEMENTS

Saturday...5PM-ish

Sunday 

and Monday, March 17th...

"Here's a wee bit o' lucky GREEN music to play while ya' wait http://members.aol.com/niteowljw/stpat.html

Some Interesting BLOGS  'n 2008 GREEN AWARENESS CONTEST  POSTS from the Green is Red Hot Contest Participants

IF I missed anyone,  please let me (janeAnne) know! 

Look for the 2009 Green Awareness Contest in March, 2009~

Here's How the 2008 CONTESTANTS ENTERED THIS CONTEST...

• 1. Put I'M IN  just below in the comment section  
  
  2.  TAG your post "Green Awareness 2008"
  3. PLACE A LINK to your post in the comment section below.

<<<EXAMPLE POST >>>>LAST YEAR'S  2007 Green is Red Hot Contest Winner was Liz Foley.
Here is her winning entry.

Prizes and Points for the 2nd Annual Green is Red Hot Contest

1000 for first place
750 for second
500 for third
200 for each entry to this contest

1000 points for judges who also enter the contest.

WINNING ENTRY 
Based on 1) originality, 2) intriguing green subject matter, 3) a bit o' humor, 4) graphics, and 5) community appeal.

JUDGES: Ann Cummings, Michael I. Pulakamp, EcoBroker®, Tricia Jumonville, EcoBroker® and janeAnne "Greenolina"  Narrin, EcoCertified® Real Estate Consultant

ENTER TO share your perspective

• You don't have to join the ECO All-Stars ECO-All-Stars Group. to participate
• Tag your entry "Green Awareness"
• Place a link to your entry post in the comment section below
• Good background information here: ECO-All-Stars Group
• Photo essays count! (You only need 150 eco-wise descriptive words)

A "Wee Bit" of Lucky Green Philosophy, an Invitation, and Article Ideas

As Jeff Turner mentioned in Take Action, Inspiration Will Follow  "We can sit around waiting for a great wave of ecological inspiration to kick us in the butt, or we can simply, locally, actively begin doing something... anything. If we do, inspiration will find us."

THAT being said... This Contest Is a Call to Take Action.. As professionals, we stand at the gate of positive futures... It's a mighty powerful position in which to find yourself....SO...Read the contest guidelines and then enter this contest before it's too late~!

Just four (4) days left to enter!!!!!  The deadline is NOON, Thursday, March 13^th.

Winners will be announced on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, and the GREEN WINNER ON March 17^th when some of you may actually be wearin' the green. . .

A "Wee Bit" on the Pot O' Gold!  

· Gold Stars for the winner and two runners' up at the Eco-All-Stars Group
· Your article featured at ECO-All-Stars this coming week
•  Winner = 1,000 points and Featured at Active Rain.

  REMINDER>>> place a link to your post in the comment section below.<<<<<<<<<<<

TAG YOUR ENTRIES "Green Awareness"...     <<<<<  or I may miss it..  and

...and may you find
a pot of gold
and a real leprechaun
hiding where you didn't  even expect him ...
maybe even
in a tree right out your own back door!

Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved  Asheville ECO Real Estate: Trends, Legacies & The Home Place Greenolina  
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good luck!

Ah yes! Glorious GREEN Books...books about sustainable practices, sustainable innovation in building and architecture, remodels that make sense and save cents...healthy living at home...and real estate...It's about time to add a few to the ever-growing library...catch up on some reading about the red hot green trend in real estate these days. But where to start?

I headed on over to Google to see what might work for us. At EcoBookNET.net I was amazed and delighted with what I found...What an incredible collection of glorious Green Books! ...

I have a number of these books in my collection. I am a Big Fan of William McDonough as you might know from reading my BLOG.I have his books.   I know Clarke Snell, (book notes on his book appear in Part I). I'm on the local Asheville Board of Directors the NLJ, a print publication that focuses on sustainable innovation and green homes and land with Clarke, so I even-have a signed copy of his book...But what to add?...and which would YOU find valuable? That's my question tonight. 

Take a look at this sampling , along with book notes (just below)  ... and, if you would be so kind, please
let me know which would be YOUR first pick! (and I'll tell you mine =))

Cradle to Cradle
by William McDonough and Michael Braungart                   

William McDonough and his business partner Michael Braungart (architect and a chemist in that order) look at how to re-envision the concept of waste, while preserving commerce . They have brought this concept into a number of very large corporations (such as Ford Motor Co.) and the results are astounding...and give all of us that essential thread of hope we can use today... actually doing good for the environment and their neighborhoods, and making more money in the process.

This may be my favorite handbook for sustainable innovation. Required reading for Asheville's green real estate  pros at our Firm, and recommended to our eco-savvy clients.

Healthy House Building for the New Millennium                                            
by John Bower

Looks to me as if Healthy House Building for the New Millennium shows you everything you need to know to build a healthy house. I like the idea that there is a good section on  how-to information for  remodeling in a healthy manner, too. Here in Asheville, NC, where we have so many amazing historic homes, this could be a big plus.

John Bower was awarded a Professional Achievement Award by Professional Builder Magazine and has been named one of the "Indoor Environment Power 50" - a Who's Who in the Indoor Environment Industry by Indoor Environment Review, and one of "60 Influential People, Products, and Events" in the home building industry by Professional Builder Magazine.

Rural Studio: Samuel Mockbee and an Architecture of Decency                            
by Andrea Oppenheimer Dean, Timothy Hursley (Photographer)

When Oprah points out a book, readers take note! And this book, and the work it details, has been featured on Oprah. It's a " revelation"  It displays, for the first time in book form, the accomplishments of one of the most celebrated architectural studios in America, the Rural Studio.

Led by Samuel Mockbee of the Auburn University School of Architecture. Mockbee ran this studio for ten years until sadly he died at just 57 of leukemia last year, a year after winning a MacArthur genius award.

Cohousing : A Contemporary Approach to Housing Ourselves                                                                                     
by Kathryn McCamant, Charles Durrett, Ellen Hertzman

I am fascinated with this concept, especially as it pertains to senior cohousing
and the benefits  for elderlings.  I have written about this a number of times in my BLOG.

 IF the idea of a sustainable, friendly community of diverse ages and possibly not cooking meals every night appeals to you... you may want to read this book.

Cohousing is a , a concept that originated in Denmark in the early 1970s spread throughout Europe and is getting noticed in the USA. In fact, we have a number of projects based on the cohousing model in Asheville, NC .

Earth to Spirit: In Search of Natural Architecture                                              
by David Pearson, William McDonough

As I said, I am a Big Fan of William McDonough...here's a chance to find out why.
If, like me, you are interested in design, designing or building which integrates the lessons of the past with today's technology to create structures where the land, the home, and the spirit are all in harmony, here's a book from my library you may want to include in yours.

THIS might be my pick for our Book Club read here in Asheville next month.

.

The Straw Bale House
by Athena Swentzell Steen, Bill Steen, David Bainbridge, David Eisenberg         

I've had this book for years. One of my clients many years ago introduced me to this book...he was in the process of constructing a straw bale house and I got to watch the process. When you think of straw bale, you may envision a pasture with a  bunch of bales of hay and NOT what you see on the cover of this book.  But take a look at the cover and let your imagination soar.

This book is a guide to inexpensive, durable, earth-friendly construction that will stand ...The book is comprehensive, broadly covering why and how to build with straw and then focusing on  details.

Look for more books from my book shelf and Part II in the near future.

Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved  Asheville ECO Real Estate: Trends, Legacies & The Home Place Greenolina  
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NOON TODAY deadline 2^nd Annual GREEN is RED HOT CONTEST? 

UPDATE: NOON TODAY DEADLINE

<<<<<<HOW TO ENTER   > >>>>>

1. Put your name AND "I'M IN" in the comment section below. 

2.  TAG your post "Green Awareness 2008"

3. PUT A LINK TO YOUR POST in the comment section below

<<<EXAMPLE POST >>>>

LAST YEAR'S  2007 Green is Red Hot Contest Winner was Liz Foley. Here is her winning entry.

Prizes and Points:

1000 for first place
750 for second
500 for third
200 for each entry to this contest

1000 points for judges who also enter the contest.

WINNING ENTRY 
Based on 1) originality, 2) intriguing green subject matter, 3) a bit o' humor, 4) graphics, and 5) community appeal.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< READ THIS, THE WIN!!!  GOOD LUCK!!! >>>>>>>>>>

Real estate professionals... what real estate trends are "blooming" in your neck of the woods. ( photo above is of my backyard in Asheville ...). As real estate professionals, we know it just makes sense to o keep abreast of trends our market and in our neighborhoods.

What are YOUR clients demanding?

More and more it is energy efficient and eco-savvy homes and land. In-fact, recently, REALTOR Magazine explored the trend toward green-built homes and the demand for sustainable products.  "It's easy sounding green" the article reports, "...the triple whammy of gas prices, global warming, and health concerns about chemicals has made green buildings red hot. ...

For the 2^nd Annual Green is Red Hot Contest,  check out the the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®' publication on smartgrowth & green  On Common Ground.

Next...see what the green house of the future will be like by checking out the NAR cosponsored exhibit The Green House at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., or on the Web at www.nbm.org, 

And one more thing: Active Rain members ..possibly take at look at all the information collected at the  ECO All-Stars Group

MORE ABOUT THIS CONTEST ..IDEAS and HOW TO ENTER
The 2^nd ANNUAL GREEN IS RED HOT CONTEST

1. EVERYONE is invited to participate
2. Share your personal take on/experience of/musings about the Green is Red Hot Trend.
3. The deadline to enter those thoughts (300+ words) is NOON, Friday, March 14^th.
4. Winners will be announced and featured on Saturday(15th) , Sunday (16th) and Monday, March 17^th when some of you actually may be wearing GREEN  =)

POST Ideas: 

1. Interviews ...with the Experts...
2. Interviews with Your Kids on Energy Efficiency, on What they Think the world will be like when they are your age, etc. ....
3. Humor that makes a good stewardship point,...
4. Your words on the subject of Alternative and Passive solar energy, ECO-villages, Sustainable Neighborhoods and Communities,  Native Plants and Landscaping..
5. How Green Staging Can Model Change...
6. Personal experiences in Your Back Yard, Neighborhood,Business....... 

Give us UNIQUE, lively, informational and compelling articles with a positive, fun spirit.  TYPE E'S....Artists, and Photo Nuts...Let us discover your views on the subject of this Trend. Oh! AND...We love photos! Photo essays count! (You only need 150 eco-wise descriptive words)

HOW TO ENTER   > >>>>> 1. Put your name AND "I'M IN" in the comment section below. 
                                                    2.  TAG your post "Green Awareness"
                                                    3. PUT A LINK TO YOUR POST in the comment section below

Only 5 days left to enter.

JUDGES:Ann Cummings,Michael I. Pulakamp, EcoBroker®,Tricia Jumonville,EcoBroker® and janeAnne "Greenolina"  Narrin, EcoCertified® Real Estate Consultant

Asheville ECO Real Estate: Trends, Legacies & The Home Place Greenolina.   Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved  
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SO...   life is good. Today I got a "wish" list from an eco-savvy client longing to relocate to Asheville where the vocal demand for Asheville Green Real Estate and HealthyBuilt® Homes definitely is on the rise. You should know that when clients relocate to Asheville, we always ask them to provide a list of their Top 10 Must Haves in terms of "Green" features....

That's what arrived today...When you look at  their Eco-Friendly Must Haves, you may wonder how we ever are going to be able to satisfy all these "green essentials"...

But never fear, here in "green" Asheville, where the green real estate is more and more in demand, we may surprise our clients with meeting their wishes...and YOU.

Asheville Green Real Estate "Must Haves" List

• 1. On the way in...the driveway ... unpaved and pervious
• 2. Home ... must be placed on site to minimize impact on trees and oriented with the long axis to solar south and with a 50year metal roof
• 3. Home...to be constructed from locally harvested and milled wood
• 4. Cladding... Exterior cladding must be pest and rot resistant...all cladding must be finished on the backside!
• 5. Home... Exterior walls are urethane SIPS walls R23 Roof R42, bands and open floor insulated with ieynene
• 6. Hardwood floors from old houses or old whiskey distillery within 100 miles.
• 7. Kitchen cabinets ... "Plyboo"  (bamboo plywood) only!
  8. Systems... 16 SEER high efficiency heat pump with sealed duct work and
• hydronic solar panels on roof to  heat the domestic hot water and send excess heat through a coil in the heat pump air handler, assisting to heat the house
• 9. Naturally, we want CFL bulbs used throughout the home
• 10.And...one last thing...we want it to be placed on an urban infill site, but with abundant natural beauty .  And...of course...House is WNC Healthy Built ®Energy Star® Certified

Hey! Wait a minute...that's more than 10! Not to worry...Take a look at the following stats and you will see that there are plenty of possibilities to be reviewed. . .

Asheville Green Real Estate HealthyBuilt® Homes Stats:

RESOURCES & Green Asheville Links

Green Builders

•·         Appropriate Building Solutions
•·         Cornerstone Builders
•·         Demos Builders, Inc
•·         Earthtone Builders
•·         Innova Homes, LLC
•·         SAGE Builders

Green Architects

•·         Alice Dodson  
•·         Samsel Architects
•·         Daryl Rantis Architects

Alternative Energy, HERS Raters & Home Energy Assessment

•·         Blue Ridge Biofuels
•·         Solar Dynamics
•·         Appalachian Energy
•·         Sundance Power Systems 
           Home Energy Partners           

For more information visit http://www.energystar.gov/.

Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved  Asheville ECO Real Estate: Trends, Legacies & The Home Place Greenolina  
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