Asheville ECO-GREEN Real Estate

This is the second of a series  of posts on eco-sensitive land development  and eco and/ or green  communities   in the mountains of western North Carolina. 

 As a point of interest... 

Here are a few criteria  for such stewardship projects as set out by the Green Communities organization:

1. Integrated Design
2. Site, Location and Neighborhood Fabric
3. Site Improvements
4. Water Conservation
5. Energy Efficiency
6. Materials Beneficial to the Environment
7. Healthy Living Environment
8. Operations and Maintenance

(To learn if your project has the potential for green classification and Green Communities grants and funding, see the full criteria and requirements. Request the Green Criteria.) 

In the first post,  I told the story of how we had  gone out on the Land (and a very nice sized building site it will be)  and had staked out the site with spritely little orange flags. It was a party. 

Of course, this is just the "first shovel" so to speak.  If you love the Land, (as I do) you need to be prepared for at least 500 questions that such an  experience will evoke from the soon-to-be  new stewards of this Land...So today, I'm tossing  just a few of those questions your way.....and possibly a smile or two ...

 First of all, I have to tell you that there really is nothing like hanging out at the local eateries  in a vicinity to get the latest news...and answers to questions such as: How's the soil for growing things, what options exist for getting power to the Land, can we make a swimming hole? and so forth... But, as Eco Certified® Real Estate Consultants, we 're inclined to refer our clients to even  more experts for answers, as you will see as you read the answers to the first round of questions are new Land Stewards had for us.

First Round of Questions...Your Turn is Coming Up Next

Q. How's the soil for growing things?
A. Have a soil analysis done by Professional Analytical Lab 

Q. What kind of animals could/would you have there?
A. seems good to me for farm animals, but let's ask the Permaculture people 

Q. What kind of animals will be roaming around?
A. deer, turtles, snakes, bugs, maybe a coyote or two, bear?? 

Q. What options exist for garden/mini-farming?
A. First let's ask the solar -orientation expert you select and then , again the Permaculture people 

Q. What are some grading options?

A. We can give you three references to just the folks who can answer that questions 

Q. Where's the spring?  Could/would we set it up so it irrigated a garden?
A. Let's ask the Seller/Seller's Broker to show you the spring...and ask the pond expert you select to talk with you about irrigation/ponds, etc.)

 Q. How exactly does one put in a pond that would be home to wildlife, fish etc.
A. Again... let's ask the pond expert you select to talk with you about  irrigation/ponds, etc. 

Q. Could there be a swimming hole part (14' diameter section)?
A. Lots of regulations about this. We will need to consult. We will refer you too a number of experts for their opinions. 

Q. How high up the ridge would it be prudent/ecological/economic to build?
A. We have some very definite opinions about this having  to do with steep slope ordinances, erosion and soil disturbance....but... those are just opinions...so let's plan on asking this to the person you have chosen at Equinox Environmental.

Q. Could we put a trail with switchbacks up to the top and put a little fire pit up there
A There may be fire district restrictions. Let's check on that.

 Q. How much poison ivy can one clear out or should we make just a trail up the hill?
A.  If I  were as allergic to PI as you are...I would want to look carefully at this.

  

Here's our local answer man...

Now it's your turn...ask away! We'll try to answer....

 Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by The Activerain Network and it's members and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of janeAnne "Greenolina" http://activerain.com/janeanne  Broker/Owner of The ECO-Steward Real Estate Firm www.EcoStweardRealty.com which is not responsible for the accuracy or content provided by The Community.

Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved.  Join the conversation at the Eco-All-Stars Group  http://activerain.com/groups/GREEN where AR Members "Cycle in" to the Latest in Trendy Green News

 

ECO Curious?  Subscribe to Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG.

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We've been doing lots of "due diligence"  on acreage and eco-community building sites this year. 

 We actually love this time period. It's a "party" where we get together with everyone and enjoy a project of the land-kind.

Here follows a series of posts on the typical  steps involved as we coordinate with land experts and professionals  the new land stewards and those who have been taking good care of the land for many years (or maybe for just a few years)..and  all of us aim toward a happy and  successful adventure. 

Step One: new land steward goes out onto the building site specifically to decide where to place the house, well and septic.

Oftentimes, the buyer/steward will seek the advice of land planners and designers, landscape architects, dowsers, solar-orientation folks and Permaculture experts before putting the initial footprint in place. (see photo I took to your left)

Timeframe:  In any case, there is a time-sensitive element to the due diligence process so we pay close attention to coordinate the review and decision themes..  Here in the mountains near Asheville, many home sites require septic evaluations (Perc tests)  so where the buyer/steward wants the home to be needs to be set out so that those responsible can apply for the septic permit.

We have found that  the house and well locations do NOT need to be EXACT....but the DO need to be flagged  so we also pay close attention during this time to make sure that ground flags to mark the drain field are in place.  

What Happens Next: As soon as the buyer/steward has decided about approximate building site location... 

1. a sketch of the building site showing the approximate locations of home/septic/well is prepared.... the well will be at least 100' from the septic field.
2. the septic permit  is then applied for (fee is involved)..one thing we note is that one never can tell how long it will take to get the Perc Test Folks out to do the test... the more time we allow for the septic folks to get out, the better it is...
3. in the meantime, the Site for the perc test is prepared. Bright orange  ground flags are placed to mark the drain field and where several test holes will be dug. We coordinate the diggers who do the  clearing out the proposed septic area.  Requirements as shown on the sketch are 60 linear feet per bedroom with the trenches spaced at least 10 feet apart. There also needs to be a reserve area of equal size to the active septic area.  

For 3 bedrooms, there would need to be 180' plus 180' for a total of 360 linear feet. This could be six 60' long trenches in an area 60' by 60' wide. Or there could be four 90' trenches in an area 90' by 40' wide. Or three 120' trenches in an area 120' by 30'. you get the idea. 

So that's the start...and oh...in order to increase the solar gain, we let those involved know that they may want to think about putting the field on the south side of the house,  so any tree removal for the septic field will bring more light into the house. 

Stay tuned...photos and the next step will follow.

 

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by The Activerain Network and it's members and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of janeAnne "Greenolina" http://activerain.com/janeanne  Broker/Owner of The ECO-Steward Real Estate Firm www.EcoStweardRealty.com which is not responsible for the accuracy or content provided by The Community.

Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved.  Join the conversation at the Eco-All-Stars Group  where AR Members "Cycle in" to the Latest in Trendy Green News 

 Subscribe to Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG.

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We've been introduced to  a new project of sizable interest to our clients. It's called,  LEED for Neighborhood Development   . If you are interested in the "green" niche market this is something new on the horizon that caught our attention. It takes into account a number of "True Green" facets that those of us watching the growing interest in green-built homes and eco-friendly land use and design certainly are noting with great interest. So I have a couple of questions today. . . 

First question: From a marketing perspective, how many of the following LEED 50+ features would you/your clients be attracted to when looking for eco-friendly homes, land, neighborhoods and eco-communities? (I've started this list with those I pay special attention to here in the mountains...)

Steep Slope Protection
Site Design for Habitat or Wetlands Conservation
Restoration of Habitat or Wetlands
Conservation Management of Habitat or Wetlands
Proximity to Water and Wastewater Infrastructure
Imperiled Species and Ecological Communities
Wetland and Water Body Conservation
Farmland Conservation
Floodplain Avoidance
Minimize Site Disturbance through Site Design
Light Pollution Reduction
Innovation in Design
Open Community
Universal Accessibility
Community Outreach and Involvement
Local Food Production 

Construction Activity Pollution Prevention
Certified Green Buildings
Energy Efficiency in Buildings
Reduced Water Use
Building Reuse and Adaptive Reuse
Reuse of Historic Buildings

 Housing and Jobs Proximity
Smart Location
Brownfield Redevelopment
High Priority Brownfields Redevelopment
Reduced Automobile Dependence
Bicycle Network
School Proximity 

Reduced Parking Footprint
Compact Development
Diversity of Uses
Diversity of Housing Types
Affordable Rental Housing
Affordable For-Sale Housing
Walkable Streets
Street Network
Transit Facilities
Transportation Demand Management
Access to Surrounding Vicinity
Access to Public Spaces  

 Contaminant Reduction in Brownfields Remediation
Stormwater Management
Heat Island Reduction
Solar Orientation
District Heating & Cooling
Infrastructure Energy Efficiency

Wastewater Management
Recycled Content for Infrastructure
Construction Waste Management
Comprehensive Waste Management

Just FYI...to our eco-friendly clients at least 40 of the features above
will be significant ...

Second Question: How many LEED Certified homes do you have in your town?

Although, here in Asheville, N.C. we have many HealthyBuilt® Homes, (about 500) and the certification process and outcome is said to be on a par (or even better than) LEED...   There' only one LEED Certified home in our area! It's described as "....LEED certified home. Generous outdoor living space takes advantage of the gorgeous surroundings, while the interior showcases the latest in sustainable materials. Solar heat, hot water and electricity will minimize bills while maximizing comfort. A detached two-car garage with living space for a guest house..." and costs over $1M..

Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved.  Join the conversation at the Eco-All-Stars Group  where AR Members "Cycle in" to the Latest in Trendy Green News &. Subscribe to Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG.

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FYI- DURABILITY:: Green-built homes are constructed to last for more than a hundred years. 

(Here's a photo I took of "tree houses" each beautifully constructed and on a small footprint.  No wonder these days more and more I'm hearing...'green is Beautiful!' )

 

 

WHAT DO HOME BUYERS  EXPECT?

 

• Expect not only durability, but increased energy efficiency, the use of building materials from local or regional resources...
•   Expect attention to eco-friendly design, environmentally sustainable building practices, site sensitivity and craftsmanship whether a residential property, new construction or remodel utilizes passive energy-saving  principles or  emerging green technologies.
• Expect lower utility ,heating and cooling bills, better indoor air quality and the comfort of knowing that the home has passed rigorous inspections by objective professionals.
• Expect decreased maintenance, indoor air pollutants, and long term costs. By the way, if you view  upfront costs as an investment those  costs will  pay for themselves in lower energy and water bills, tax and insurance credits and reduced repair needs.

 FYI- COSTS:: Are costs a deterrent in terms of the green-built home? Honestly, take a closer look at the cost. You'll find that price increases generally are  only a few percentage points higher. And client demand is fast lowering those points as green practices become increasingly ainstream.

Many of the homes in this report are HeatlhyBuilt® Homes with Energy Star® ratings  

GREEN Residential Market -Green-Built Homes Sold YTD in Asheville, NC

Green-Built and Energy Star Rated Homes Sold: Jan-Jun,2008  : 18

Price Range: $122,000 to $715,000

Average Days on Market: About 3 months

Sq. Ft: 850 to 2600  

Just so you know...there is a huge demand for Green-Built Homes in the Greater Asheville Area... here's a quick peek at new (green/eco-friendly) construction CURRENT Green Market stats...

  Current :: GREEN Residential Market -Green-Built Homes  Listings in Asheville, NC  

Green-Built and Energy Star Rated Homes: 197

Price Range: $150,000. to $1.5M +

Sq. Ft: 850  to 3,300  

FYI::  Look for some or all of these Elements in a Green Home and Eco-community. . .Solar Orientation. . .
Stormwater Management Systems and Planning. . .Attention to Footprint Size . . .Recycling and Careful use of Local Materials.... Rain Catchment Systems. . .Solar Power. . .Tight Building Envelope. . .Durable roofing . . .Landscaping- sustainable design-drought resistant xeriscaping...all with an emphasis on Sustainable Community. . . 

FYI::  Clients  more and more are demanding energy efficient properties. They love the idea of green-built investment properties as the sustainability factor means excellent ROI. Green builders and/or remodelers for multi-family properties are much needed. Let me know if you can help out.  All Statistics are gathered from the Greater Asheville Area MLS and  Association of REALTORS®.

 Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by The Activerain Network and it's members and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of janeAnne "Greenolina" http://activerain.com/janeanne  Broker/Owner of The ECO-Steward Real Estate Firm www.EcoStweardRealty.com which is not responsible for the accuracy or content provided by The Community.

Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved.  Join the conversation at the Eco-All-Stars Group  where AR Members "Cycle in" to the Latest in Trendy Green News &. Subscribe to Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG.

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Asheville, NC is home to the University of North Carolina/Asheville (UNCA ) It's a welcoming campus with paths beneath tree-lined streets  leading to the various buildings. Off-campus housing is a big plus for many students.  Some are first-time home buyers, but others possibly have convinced 1031 investors/ parents of the wisdom of investing in income-producing multi-family properties in this solid Asheville market. 

Here in Asheville, we define multi-family properties as 4-plex, Tri-plex  and Duplexes. Here's  a typical description: "Tri-plex on great street in central location. Close to UNCA and downtown. Views of Sunset Mountain and Grove Park. Has excellent rental history because tenants love these apartments. Lots of windows, granite fireplaces and hardwood floors. Landlord pays for water and lawn maintenance only. . ."  

How does that sound to you? If you are like me, it  sounds intriguing...and enough so that  more information on properties within 20 minutes of the UNCA campus is called for ..so here it is:  

• There are 41 multi-family properties currently are on the market and are for sale in Asheville's UNCA area. These income-producing properties range in price from (lowest) $140K to (highest)  $2.3 M with an average list price of $350,000.
• There are currently 4 pending multi-family homes in Asheville's UNCA neighborhoods.
• So far in 2008, 14 of these properties have closed with sales ranging in price from $179,000 to $758,000 with an average sold price of about $400K. DOM: Average-78.

Now, looking a little deeper...here are some interesting details!

4-Plex:

• 7 active listings - Price Range-- $215,000 to $700K
• YTD Closed: 2

Tri-plex:

• 7 active listing - Price Range--$225,000 to $1.8M
• One sold YTD - $380K and on the market for about 4 months

Duplex:

• 17 active listings - Price Range--$140,000 to $480K
• There are currently 2 duplexes pending sale
• YTD  7 have sold , ranging in price from $170,000 to $400K  with an average of about 60  days on the market.  Highest -186 Days on the market-  Lowest- 77 days on the market.

FYI:  Clients  more and more are demanding energy efficient properties. They love the idea of green-built investment properties as the sustainability factor means excellent ROI. Green builders and/or remodelers for multi-family properties are much needed. Let me know if you can help out.  All Statistics are gathered from the Greater Asheville Area MLS and  Association of REALTORS®.

 

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by The Activerain Network and it's members and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of janeAnne "Greenolina" http://activerain.com/janeanne  Broker/Owner of The ECO-Steward Real Estate Firm www.EcoStweardRealty.com which is not responsible for the accuracy or content provided by The Community.

Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved.  Join the conversation at the Eco-All-Stars Group  where AR Members "Cycle in" to the Latest in Trendy Green News &. Subscribe to Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG.

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WHAT BELONGS HERE? YOU can enter your "Land Design and Development Sketch" in the ECO-All-Stars June Challenge Contest!

Following consumer demand, or just because they are smart eco-friendly developers and building contractors who've contacted me through Active Rain, have let it be known that they're seriously considering the value of healthy-built homes. So, in this fifth post in a series that looks at sustainability and the undeniable trend toward consumer demand for attractive, green-built homes, I want to say a word or two about New Homes- the "Good", the "Bad" and how this might all come back to an ancient notion of respecting the Ecosystem.  

Ecosystem  

As a real estate professional, I'm always interested in what's new on the horizon that will bring satisfaction to my clients. So this ‘whole systems" concept as it applies to building and real estate development has caught my attention. More and more clients are saying they are more attracted to homes and neighborhoods where the developer /contractors have tried to respect their building sites as being a part of the ecosystem. 

And I can see why.  Having a builder with a depth of knowledge and consideration for what's around the building site has definite appeal. I myself (and possibly you) would prefer to invest in a home where the context was a part of the plan and the building site is respected as a special and unique place rather than just a place to put a house.

  I look for telltale clues around the property that herald the work of an eco-savvy builder: 

• native plants
• natural landscaping
• paved only as much driveway as ordinances require
• saved topsoil
• saved trees
• possibly a small footprint. 

I look for certifications: HealthyBuilt, LEED, Energy Star 

 In an eco-community, and there is a growing number of these here in Asheville, being green-smart includes thinking about the quality, longevity, and  health-wise features of a new home (or remodel ) AND the entire context...the neighborhood and the ecosystem.

So I want to know... what home would YOU construct on the property shown in the photo, and how would you subdivide this land? Be sure to enter your "Land Design and Development Sketch" in the ECO-All-Stars June Challenge Contest!

Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved.  Join the conversation at the Eco-All-Stars Group  where AR Members "Cycle in" to the Latest in Trendy Green News &. Subscribe to Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG.

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Here is the fourth post in a series that looks at sustainability and the undeniable trend toward consumer demand for attractive, green-built homes.

This series was inspired by the questions of a number of developers who have contacted me just this past couple of  months. I heard from them via Active Rain. Active Rain, thanks for the introduction!. 

 

So this series is all about climbing the stairs to Quality, Longevity & Healthy Living Spaces (see photo to right taken in a green built home with details to follow, the green shoes are mine)

It seems that this exercise of "climbing to new heights" is getting more common due to the insistent prodding of consumer demand. Or it could be just because smart developers/ contractors are thinking about the value of healthy-built homes in an eco-community. They are giving serious consideration  to what this means in terms of quality longevity and  healthy living spaces. 

Of Quality, Longevity & Healthy Living Spaces 

Take a look at this photo. It shows the quality of construction even in the execution of the staircase in this  WNC HealthyBuilt ® Home right here in Asheville. If you are lucky and/or determined, you could enjoy such excellence right in your home town.

While all this could be, of course, the choice is yours.

Sustainability. One of the first things you need to know about ia green-built home is that it is constructed to last for more than a hundred years. How's that for longevity? 

 

 

This home's low impact design and construction includes a welcoming and generous front porch (see photo to your left) where huge locust posts, taken off of a future building site, and locally harvested and milled decking  could make it someone's dream home,

and one that your great-grandkids could appreciate..

A sturdy stone patio in the backyard will be here 150 years from now ...(if the good-seasons allow)...   Again, longevity.

But what about "healthy living spaces"? 

During a recent site evaluation for NLJ, I was drawn to the decking. I asked the builder about it.  "By decking our front porch with locust instead of traditional PT lumber, we feel good about our children walking barefoot without any chemicals leaching into their skin."

  This "green builder" (there he is on the front porch!)   is into insuring high indoor air as part of the plan for healthy living spaces throughout the home.   



To achieve his objective  this eco-friendly builder  

1. 1.  used only non-toxic paints on the interior of the house,
   2.  used only rainforest sealer for all interior wood trim, and windows,
   3.  used Bona-Traffic water-based low- VOC finish for all hardwood floors.  

The interior floors were finished using a new dustless sanding system that filters the dust through HEPA filters leaving the air and the interior virtually dust-free.   If you have allergies or if you value the quality of air that you /your clients/your family breathes, this is amazing. And get this!!!  All registers for the HVAC system were covered during construction to keep dust out of the ductwork.   

 I'm impressed. How about you?  

Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved.  Join the conversation at the Eco-All-Stars Group  where AR Members "Cycle in" to the Latest in Trendy Green News &. Subscribe to Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG.

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Here is the third post in a series that looks at sustainability and the city of tomorrow. A number of developers have contacted me through Active Rain. They are thinking about the future-the value of an eco-community, the way this comes together.  They are asking about what this means in terms of energy and resource efficiency.

  

Energy and Resource Efficiency 

Recently, we  visited  a new green-built home that represents the spirit of energy and resource efficiency. This home, on a city lot subdivided in the early 1900's, is part of a sustainable community here in Asheville, NC.  Mature trees line the  street in the neighborhood providing  much appreciated shade. Neighbors walk to the market where locally-grown food is selected and toted home.

Resource Efficiency: As you approach this home you notice a rain barrel strategically placed to the side. It is there to direct water towards the yard. Here you see native landscaping.  The lot was planted with only drought resistant landscaping, so the barrel is a nice benefit, but not a necessity.  

 

Energy Efficiency: Because the builder elected to save the trees, (see photo) the major source of electricity for the home is the grid.  The south side of the house is shaded by a large spruce tree, so passive solar heat is not a major factor in an otherwise super eco-friendly home. 

 The home is built with 2x6 construction using EnergyStar® framing techniques.  This allowed the builder to insulate the walls with R-19 formaldehyde-free fiberglass insulation.  Both the bands between the floors, where there is a good chance for heat loss, and the roof deck were insulated with Iconene foam insulation.  The home is heated with an EnergyStar®   rated heat pump utilizing a fresh air intake. 

 While this may not be an example of net zero building (I'll cover that in another post) it does give a clue as to the standard we can look for in the city of tomorrow.

 Stay tuned...Up next is a post on sustainability.

Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved.  Join the conversation at the Eco-All-Stars Group  where AR Members "Cycle in" to the Latest in Trendy Green News &. Subscribe to Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG.

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I could write a long, long essay on development impact. According to Wikipedia, low impact development, which is of particular interest to our eco-friendly clients, involves a land planning and engineering design approach to managing stormwater runoff. LID emphasizes conservation and use of on-site natural features to protect water quality. This approach implements engineered small-scale hydrologic controls to replicate the pre-development hydrologic regime of watersheds through infiltrating, filtering, storing, evaporating, and detaining runoff close to its source.^[1]

And that would leave out another long, long essay on "lean construction"...but, hold the phone...this post is part of a series on eco- communities and green-built homes, so today I will focus on just one home (see photo ) as an example of masterful LID and construction.

Masterful LID and Construction

It's a new WNC HealthyBuillt® Home I visited recently as part of a site evaluation team for NLJ.          This home is on a city lot subdivided in the early 1900's. Mature trees, providing much appreciated shade during the heat wave we are having, is just a couple minutes from downtown. Walkable, bike-easy tree-lined streets with light traffic mean a happy family could live in this home and walk to everything that they need.

It was built on a vacant city lot using a house plan that allowed the eco-savvy builder to disturb as little of the site as possible.  When interviewed, that builder told me, "The lot had several beautiful mature trees that we were able to save.  Since the lot was attached to an old home originally, there were some smaller trees and Rhododendron bushes that we dug up and transplanted into the topsoil we scraped off of the building site.  We have since replanted these plants back into our landscaping."

He must have seen that I was impressed, because he continued, proudly, "   We always recycle as many building materials as possible.  We go as far as to separate and haul all non-treated wood to be chipped into mulch at the landfill.  As far as locally and regionally harvested materials; the wood siding on the upper part of the house is locally harvested, milled, and planed." 

Low impact design and construction features and benefits include: 

• A front porch where huge locust posts were taken off of a future building site
• A front porch  where decking was locally harvested and milled
• Oak flooring, regionally harvested
• Stone for the front steps and back patio, regionally harvested,
• Tim in the entire house, locally harvested and milled cherry
• Sealer used on all trim and siding, locally produced rainforest sealer  

HEY! What's not to like?

...Up next , more you will like... a post about Energy and Resource Efficiency

  Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved  Asheville ECO Real Estate: Trends, Legacies & The Home Place   Subscribe to Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG and keep  those creative wheels a turnin'

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This past week another developer contacted me through Active Rain. More and more it seems, developers are focusing on the advantages of green/sustainable design and development. These could-be-green developers want to know more than the statistics. They ask about items that are important to their home and land-buying clients - 

  Development Impact
  Construction Impact
  Ecosystem and Context
  Energy and Resource Efficiency
  Sustainability
  Healthy-built Features
  Non-toxic materials
  Attractiveness and Curb Appeal
  LEED and/or Other Green Certification (such as the Greater Asheville Area's WNC HealthyBuilt Certification.) 

So today, I'm starting a series on eco design and development. I'll will take a look at LEEDS® and/or HealthyBuilt® Certified residential eco-communities from the perspective of trends, price ranges, development sizes and amenities, as well as the ecosystem-sustainability, development/construction impact- and green-built features and benefits. 

FIRST. . .the STATS. Though  I'm focusing here on Asheville, NC, www.asheville.com please note: Other AR members tell me these STATS also are coming into play in their areas, as well...so this could be a good heads-up to Eco Certified® Real Estate Consultants, REALTORS® and ECO Brokers®.

Number of Greater Asheville Area Eco-community/ WNC HealthyBuilt® eco-communities

Current :   15 +/-
Planned :  15 +/- 

Price Range for Residential Properties in WNC HealthyBuilt® eco-communities

 $ 225,000 to $3,500,000 + 

Size of various WNC HealthyBuilt® eco-communities and Planned Eco-developments 

Small - infill projects can be on  in-city 2-3AC Lots Zoned appropriately
Very Large Projects -on  thousands of acres where more than 50% is
    placed in conservation easement 

Amenities- Range from walkability and community organic gardens to rock climbing and are geared eco-friendly lifestyle choices. 

TUNE IN TOMORROW for more about Development Impact,  Construction Impact and the
  Ecosystem Context. Inquiring minds interested in  details on specific eco-friendly developments?  Let me know. ALSO...please let me know your STATS and I'll include them in this series. 

Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved  Asheville ECO Real Estate: Trends, Legacies & The Home Place   Subscribe to Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG and keep  those creative wheels a turnin'

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I'm excited about Green-built Cluster Subdivisions. (SEE STATS on Asheville area communities below.)  I am attracted to the idea of siting WNC HealthyBuilt® Homes on smaller parcels of land, and setting aside additional LAND that could have been allocated to individual lots to common shared open space for eco-friendly residents. I know our eco-developer clients are, too. So, when I saw Randall Arendt's book,  Conservation Design for Subdivisions, A Practical Guide to Creating Open Space Networks.  I just had to pick it up.

Randall Arendt has me fascinated. REALTORS® --if your clients really appreciate simple explanations of how subdivisions around open space and how cluster housing can work to everyone's advantage-- grab this book!  In today's GREEN market you and your clients will benefit from what Arendt has to share.

Cluster housing achieves a "density-neutral" plan in a way that respects the equity of landowners and the rights of developers to create the full number of house lots allowed under zoning. Could this be the remedy for balancing conservation and development objectives, and offering an opportunity for developers and conservationists to meet in the middle, creating more livable communities in the process?

Many people here in  Asheville think it could be. They have been working on an interconnected network of conservation lands throughout our area. For many years, Asheville's Riverlink  (see graphic)  has been piloting a 17-mile greenway linking the French Broad and Swannanoa Rivers into a 17-mile continuous greenway with separate walking and biking trails anchored on the south at the NC Arboretum and on the east by the Blue Ridge Parkway and on the north by UNCA. The  goal is to revitalize the area bringing back traditional community-based enterprises such as arts, crafts, health/wellness, recreation and entrepreneurship. . .and possibly ...cluster housing.

As Arendt points out:  

"The key to conserving natural resources and cultural features within new developments is to rearrange density on each subdivision tract as it is being laid out, so that only half (or less) of the developable land is cleared, graded, and turned into lawns, driveways, streets, and cul-de-sacs. In this way, homes are built in a less land-consumptive fashion allowing the balance of the property to be permanently protected and added to an interconnected system of green spaces and greenway corridors criss-crossing towns, townships, and counties where these principles are incorporated into the basic design standards for new development." 

Greater Asheville, N.C.  AREA STATS

Eco-Friendly Residential Communities : 14+

These include my some of my favorite communities...Hickory Nut Forest Conservation Neighborhood, Drovers Road Preserve, Walnut Creek Preserve, Three Creeks, Creston, River Run...to name a few.
Typical price ranges: Green-Built Residential Properties $250,000 to $5,000,000.  Lots in Eco-Subdivisions: $100,000- $1.2M

Urban Infill Projects: 10+

These include urban infill projects from the small (5 units/properties) to larger cluster /condo develpoments (50 units+/-). Typical price ranges: Mid $200s to $2M

Private Communities in NC: 200

For details please check back or email me.

 

Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved  Asheville ECO Real Estate: Trends, Legacies & The Home Place   Subscribe to Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG and keep  those creative wheels a turnin'

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"Green" Sustainable Real Estate! It's exciting.  

Things HAPPEN when people start getting together and talking. And the  talk here in the Greater Asheville area, where "THINGS" already are happening is about making wise choices in terms of GREEN.

Asheville, N.C.'s  creative citizenry including a growing number (of ECO Certified® Real Estate Consultants has set its heart on finding "Smart" ways to approach the practice of real estate and to provide healthy choices in land design and use that  enhance a sense of community.

While the environmental  and social benefits of green buildings to a community are clear, until recently, some real estate professionals and their clients questioned whether green-built buildings, added tangible value to a property. Then, Green Value, an independent research study provided in-depth research that concluded that a clear link is beginning to emerge between the market value of a building and its green features.

The study combined a review of literature and case studies and found that not only are green buildings good for the environment, provide healthier places to live and more productive places to work, they can command higher prices. Today's eco-savvy REALTORS® who are well aware of  Asheville's "Smart Growth" plan for centrally situated public facilities, efficient and sustainable use of land, natural resources and energy see this as happy opportunity.  Tied into the preservation of precious landscapes here in the mountains, a green-built-heritage becomes a very attractive  model--one that as REALTORS® I and my fellow ECO Certified® associates are happy to be able to share with our clients.

For REALTORS®, accepting a leadership role in "green-thinking " new ways  not only benefit sour ecology and our economy...but all concerned.

Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved  Asheville ECO Real Estate: Trends, Legacies & The Home Place   Subscribe to Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG and keep  those creative wheels a turnin'

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(*)/'(*)

They were, they admitted, "no spring-chicks"...I wondered...could they be the infamous Baby Boomers who are arriving here in the mountains? Were they looking for LAND to help keep them flexible and strong, or just to build on top of a mountain and look around?

 They told me they wanted to "grow things...organic vegetables...maybe plant some fruit trees in sunny spots"...and they wanted to continue to work the acreage.

I said, " Are you sure you want to work that hard? Possibly you might want just to practice YOGA!"

 

They laughed in unison...They'd  discovered yoga long ago...and had found out that it was much more than just exercise .

OK..I was convinced...they were ready for LAND! And here in the mountains near Asheville, there is a sumptuous variety from which to choose...

• 
  big organic farms, rolling gently into steep tracts,
• building lots in conservation neighborhoods,
• recreational land,
• green-built home sites,
• wooded acreage,
•  mini-farms,
•  properties that run by the stream all the way to the ridges...

 (see photo)

Their dream  acreage is fully landscaped native plants, perennial  flower and vegetable gardens, fruit trees, nut trees,  one of those streams I mentioned AND waterfall...it is acreage where  all sacred traditions and indigenous ways of life will be honored.

And I know just the place... 

Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved  Asheville ECO Real Estate: Trends, Legacies & The Home Place   Subscribe to Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG and keep  those creative wheels a turnin'

__~o
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(*)/'(*)

The heart of a Land Specialist may be soft and determined all at once. If you spend enough time with the Land, there seems to be an ever-unfolding awareness of connections, or should I say the "interconnectedness" of what you find on the Land. Here in Asheville, at least, it seems that the interconnectedness puts things in perspective  in a flash.

The sense of belonging within the larger community of living things  that arrives as you set foot on The LAND, impacts you, and everything else in sight. The entire experience has an effect. It's BIG. And it trickles into your awareness and influences the practice of real estate. 

• Land Specialists can tell you stories-
  
  stories about roaring streams, and the trees that, once bent by lightning, now reach from bank to bank providing a natural bridge for you to traverse-
  
  stories about old barns and the farmers who tended fields now overgrown with wild roses-
  
  stories that can  take you away from the limits of your  own mind. 

The camaraderie of real estate clients and professionals as they work together to make a dream come true is real and appreciated. (see photo from such a project I took yesterday)  It's a privilege to muster with the Land Masters (the guys in the photo) ...land planners and surveyors and appraisers and the hands-on experts who have walked the Land for many years and created sanctuaries before the one you're visiting now.   

It's a joy to see your clients eyes light up with a new kind of adventure. Kids, and dogs, and old REALTORS® alike are feeling that good party spirit. Change may be coming to the Land, but it comes with compassion, then. 

 Put all this together, and you can't avoid seeing the opportunity for sustainable practices  as much as is possible. So my question this morning is ...how long has it been since YOU sat with the Land?