Asheville ECO-GREEN Real Estate

If you as a real estate professional, or as a potential client were looking for a market niche, could you recognize it by it's "Face"??

(photo of "face" by JT)

 
How would it appear, and how do real estate market NICHES work?-

First Step: To prepare for the series of posts on this subject, we've been taking a poll-asking

  a) if clients began looking
for properties they desired
      with broad criteria in mind, and

  b) if they soon  began  to get a specific leaning toward neighborhoods
      and properties that attracted them.

Poll results showed that both questions were answered in the affirmative.  

 

Next Step-Broker selection.

That's good news for us here in Asheville, NC. since our Firm specializes in eco-friendly properties here.  We are  "green buyers' brokers"  and service a well-defined niche market. And this is where our outreach at Localism.com comes in.

 We love Localism because it has helped us to establish our "local expert" presence as well as the sustainable market we are targeting. At that point of entry it is easy for clients to find us.

 Too, our well-defined niche works in tandem with Active Rain to communicate with our special audience.  We consistently attempt to deliver compelling and focused information via posts on our blogs in the real estate web 2.0 environment.

 How can you stand out from the crowd?"  The answer - follow your passion, and then weave it into a tapestry of possibility....especially in a difficult real estate market,  a niche, and even better, interconnecting niches can work for you to create healthy opportunities.

20 Market Niches Could Form a Healthy Tapestry of Interconnecting Niches

Mountain Property

1. Conservation real estate
2. Land
3. 1031 Investment Buyers and Sellers
4. Small Family Farms
5. Organic Garden/Farm Properties
6. Horse farms
7. Equestrian Estates
8. Eco communities
9. Cohousing
10. Green-built Homes
11. Green Retrofits
12. Eco subdivisions
13. Second and Vacation Homes
14.  Family Compounds
15. Land Legacies
16. Urban Properties/Lofts
17. Artists'/Artisans Workspaces
18. Live-Work Properties
19. EnergyStar® Rated Homes 
20. Mountain Retreats, Private Communities and Resort Properties  

QUESTIONS: Do YOU see a network of related special finds? And do YOU have interconnected niches that work for you?

SERIES REVIEW

1.Taking Advantage of the Market Niche Advantage (Part I)
http://activerain.com/blogsview/887793/STEPPING-UP-to-Your-Niche-Taking-Advantage-of-the-Market-Niche-Advantage-Part-I

2. Longevity: Capturing and Working a Unique  Market Niche (Part II)
http://activerain.com/blogsview/891588/Longevity-Capturing-and-Working-a-Unique-Market-Niche-Stepping-Up-to-Your-Niche-Part-II

3. Viability: Resources and Stats & the Market Niche (Part III)
http://activerain.com/blogsview/894397/Viability-Resources-and-Stats-the-Market-Niche-Part-III 

4. Passion: Your CHOSEN  Market Niche (Part IV)
http://activerain.com/blogsview/896481/Stepping-Up-to-Your-Niche-Part-IV-Its-Your-Niche-But-Are-You-Passionate-About-It

5. Pick a Niche: 50 Market Niches -Stepping Up to Your Real Estate Niche, Part V http://activerain.com/blogsview/898107/50-Market-Niches-Stepping-Up-to-Your-Real-Estate-Niche-Part-V-Pick-a-Niche  

6. Private Communities : Stepping Up to Your Real Estate Niche, Part VI http://activerain.com/blogsview/898177/Stepping-Up-to-Your-Real-Estate-Niche-Part-VI-Private-Communities  

7. Baby Boomers.: Stepping Up to Your Real Estate Niche, Part VII .
 http://activerain.com/blogsview/904824/BABY-BOOMERS-Stepping-Up-to-Your-Real-Estate-Niche-Part-VII  

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Curious about sustainable "green real estate" possibilities ? Simply pedal on over to  Convivial Blogger Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG  and SUBSCRIBE 

__~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable  world you can create today and tomorrow!. .........................    .............

Market NICHES: How Do They Really Work? Stepping Up to Your Real Estate Niche, Part VIII.The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved
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This waterfall on conservation land  beautiful, is it not? But there is more to it than just that. Not to discount the beauty, but only to say there is a surprise beyond the waterfall, beyond the trees lit, as if by a special sunny spotlight. I can tell you where to look, but that might spoil the surprise!  I could hint that there is a face here...

We are "horsey" people with clients who love their companions, and the land on which they create amazing equestrian abodes. Trails reach out from the land and wind around the mountainsides to be kissed by little brooks along the way. How could one describe the delight all this provides for those who experience it?

Not long ago, I shot aphoto that may express the way this horse feels...one picture....

I could write ten thousand words about how it feels to be out on  the land with my family. I could say that it feels as if the skies are bluer, the cold winds, simply invigorating, the expanses before me even more filled with possibility. But one picture says it all....and much more.... what shall I title this photo?

Now to the "details" in terms of working that market niche: Market Statistics and Research.

I spent some serious time earlier this week crunching stats on our MLS.  I use our MLS and other resources to get the facts. Just so you know, our MLS here in the Greater Asheville area is set up so that real estate professionals with particular niche market interests can accomplish some good research. Not sure if your MLS works this way?  But it sure helps!

My niche (as most of you know) is the sustainable, "green" niche...So I focus, as do all the "Green Buyers' Brokers" on our team on energy efficient buildings, and acreages sought after in the happy process of  eco design and development, for eco-communities, perhaps.

I can find out how many residential properties with EnergyStar® ratings currently are on the market....how many sold this year as  compared to last year. I can find out how many HealthyBuilt®  are available.  By the way, these homes are comparable (and some say go beyond LEED certified.)

 Want to find out for yourself?  Look at this CHECKLIST. http://healthybuilthomes.org/docs/HBH_Statewide_Checklist.pdf

By checking the statistics, I can determine if there really  is this a trend in the demand for green-built homes. That's what I suppose. That's what I expect. But is the consumer trend toward sustainable choices and consumer demand REAL? Let's see . . .  

According to the NC HealthyBuilt Home Program: 

There currently are 233 certified HealthyBuilt Homes and 689 "in progress" in the Western North Carolina area. INTERESTING! That says something about the strength of interest and our market. Good to know that

NC HealthyBuilt Homes is supported by the North Carolina Solar Center, the State Energy Office, Home Builder Associations, and other professional building organizations. The WNC Green Building Council(WNCGBC) and the Asheville Home Builder Association(AHBA) offer the NC HealthyBuilt Homes Program to builders in the Greater Asheville Area.

 Our Greater Ashevillearea MLS shows that there are currently 68 such homes available. These certified green-built homes range from affordable (at $135,000)  to luxury($3,250,000.) More about the range later. Look for this continuing series.  In the $200-600K range (residential) there are 17 Energy Star ® rated homes on the market this month... In the $500K to $900K range there are 14 Energy Star ® rated homes on the market this month...  

I  talked with a 71-year old "baby boomer" green buyer the other day,  a tiny, white-haired, Dresden Doll of a Lady who actually told me... janeAnne I just have to have "...a healthier, safer, more comfortable, sustainable, energy efficient, and environmentally-responsible home..." Should we chalk her choices toward sustainability up to the "wisdom of the elders"?...
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Curious about sustainable Green real estate possibilities ? Simply pedal on over to  Convivial Blogger Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG  and SUBSCRIBE 

__~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable  world you can create today and tomorrow!. .........................    .............

Viability: Resources and Stats & the Market Niche (Part III). .The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved
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Have you ever wondered what the secret of longevity in the practice of real estate IS?

I have. I have spent many long hours pondering how to make my career prosper (and me , too) and have come to the conclusion that  when you step up to the task to follow your passion in your practice of real estate, you energize your career as I mentioned in Part I. 

I am passionate about healthy homes in sustainable communities. I have been following that passion and have found that there are uncommon advantages in capturing and working a unique  market niche.

Looking at various market niches... the Over 55...the Second/Vacation...the Hospitality...Horsey and Equestrian...Land...all appear to have something in common. It may be  a certain "zest" that I mentioned.

For me, and all of our Brokers at our Firm here in Asheville, that "ingredient"  is the very attractive concept of stewardship we like to underscore in the SUSTAINABLE real estate market.  Seems that the idea of stewardship is more and more popular these days.. There are thousands of eco-related outreach organizations.Here are just a few eco-friendly sites directly related to the practice of real estate...

      U.S. Green Building Council

Environmental Building News

EPA Green Building

 Of course my all-time favorite, being that it is right here in Asheville, is the Green Building Council.  If you want to see some remarkable work, visit the above site! AND notice how many REALTORS® are members of the Green Building Council.

Part III is brewing and I will post it soon.
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Curious about sustainable Green real estate possibilities ? Simply pedal on over to  Convivial Blogger Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG  and SUBSCRIBE 

__~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable  world you can create today and tomorrow!. .........................    .............

Stepping Up to Your Niche, Part II. .The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved

 "Will This Home Meet Our Clients' "Sustainably Built" Expectations?"

 Recently JT  and I were exploring the area for our "green" clients hoping to unearth a few "hidden gems"...As we scouted the Asheville area, JT "happened"  to bump into  and start up a conversation with a young couple . it seems they had just completed construction of a "sustainably built' home, their second such project.  As it turned out, they  even were considering selling this home. Talk about LUCK! 

Will this home meet our clients' Sustainably Built expectations? Take a look at the details below and let us know what you think... 

House area: 1,344 square feet       Decks and porch: 586 square feet 

Foundation:   8" CMU foundation wall on reinforced concrete footing,  Bituminous damp proofing applied, face of CMU. NOTE:   Continuous footing drain around perimeter of house 

Floor Framing System:   Double LVL support beam on CMU piers,   Trus-Joist floor joists (engineered by Trus-Joist),   ¾" floor sheathing 

Exterior Walls:   2x6 studs at 16" o.c.,  5/8" sheathing (zip tape system),  R-19 fiberglass insulation with paper face,  Peachtree doors and windows- metal clad exterior- wood interior.
NOTE:   Hardi-Panel cementitious siding,     Lap siding factory finished and warrantied,     Standard sheets cut as required 

Roof:   Trus-Joist rafters at 24" o.c. and 19.2" o.c.,  5/8" sheathing,  Titanium roof paper,  Galvalume roof panels and trim,  Factory painted aluminum seamless gutters and downspouts,  Velux fixed roof windows 

Interior Walls:   2x4 or 2x6 wood studs at 16" o.c.,  ½" gypsum board,  Ceramic tiles at bathrooms,  Paint grade birch veneer doors 1-3/8" solid core pre-hung 

Ceilings:   1x6 tongue and groove lodgepole pine ceiling with Tung Oil finish in main living area,  ½" gypsum board ceiling at all other locations 

Floors:   Ceramic tile at both bathrooms and utility room,  Hand scraped bambooat all other locations 

Cabinets:   Kitchen: Manufactured birch veneer system,  Vanities: Custom "locust" cabinets by local artisan

 Bedrooms: Built-in wardrobe units (see photo JT took on the site)  

Mechanical System:   Heat Pump-York electric heat pump (13 SEER) with York air handler 

Solar Water Heater:   80 gallon tank with electric heating element and copper tubing heat exchanger as manufactured by Richmond,  Eagle Sun collector,  Non-toxic glycol coolant 

Finishes:   Paint: Interior-Sherwin Williams "Harmony" (no/low VOC)        Exterior-Sherwin Williams 

Appliances: EnergyStar® Refrigerator,  Range,  Dishwasher
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 Curious about sustainable Green real estate possibilities ? Simply pedal on over to  Convivial Blogger Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG  and SUBSCRIBE 

__~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable  world you can create today and tomorrow!. .........................    .............

Will This Home Meet Our Clients' "Sustainably Built" Expectations?.The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved

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"What are you doing out here all on your owney-o?" 
~Diana Gabaldon,  from her novel, A Breath of Snow and Ashes  

 

JT took this photo while we were out previewing conservation acreage for one of our land legacy clients earlier this week.

As you can see, it was a frosty day-the evergreens, dusted with snow,  forming  a living lacy border for the mountainscape, our wee, but mighty dog seeming even smaller on the trail. . . 

When I saw the photo JT took, immediately I was captured by the visual metaphor. That tiny dog-Friend. Those enormous trees. And the vast mountain range.

Does strength reside only in size? No, such boldness must be prompted from someplace deep within. . ..

And I wondered  how many of you have ever felt like a tiny creature "out there" in the wilderness all on your owney own... 

only to  understand, anew,  that deep impulse, that overriding sense that you are safe simply in the living moment, knowing that you are woven, without a shadow of a doubt, into the fabric of the web of life that connects All . _______________________________________________________________________________________________ 

Curious about sustainable Green real estate possibilities ? Simply pedal on over to  Convivial Blogger Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG  and SUBSCRIBE 

__~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable  world you can create today and tomorrow!. .........................    .............

Strength in Size?A Lesson in the North Carolina National Forest .The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved
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Asheville, North Carolina!  So many people want to be here. What for?

'll give ya' three quick reasons: 1)  Asheville is a center for Cultural Creatives so there is an abundance of art and music to enjoy. . And 2) we have amazing organic produce readily available as per this and other  tailgate markets   so there is incredible food to delight in-even organic menus at local restaurants.

AND 3) the Greater Asheville areas just happens to be one of the most beautiful places on earth. (note the photo I took overlooking a neighborhood nestled in the hands of the mountains here)

A particular interest to our eco-friendly clients is good information about relocating to these fair climes. In response, over the years we have gathered a ten-foot stack of resource materials having to do with RELO INFO and "making happy connections".

Here in Asheville, voted the "Happiest City in the U.S.A." collecting materials of this sort has been  a breeze . especially since our real estate practice centers on ECO-friendly  properties-energy efficient residences, Green Buildings, NC Healthy Built Homes in sustainable communities, and since we do tend to attract clients who love nature and want to be closer to the great out-of-doors.

 

With  "GREEN connections" readily in place, we can offer our clients pointers for quickly getting involved in any number of nature-related projects, and events like these: 

Sustainability Open Space - Montford Recreation Center, Asheville, A FREE self-organizing gathering for anyone engaged in the transformation to a thriving sustainable local culture and economy in harmony with the natural world.  For more information and to pre-register, go to http://www.sosasheville.net/

Slow Food Asheville: "Lips of the Snail" - at Hawk and Ivy B&B, featuring locally grown and raised foods. Exquisite dishes by famous area chefs, Artisan breads, cheeses, plus Silent Auction, Live Music, and more.  For more info on Slow Food Asheville go to: http://www.slowfoodasheville.org/  

 The Conservation Fund's Resourceful Communities Program and Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project-  The Conservation Fund's Resourceful Communities Program (RCP), in partnership with Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project, hosts experiential workshops for community groups and emerging leaders including workshops on earned income for non-profits, community organizing and regional responses to pending referendum. 
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 Curious about sustainable Green real estate possibilities ? Simply pedal on over to  Convivial Blogger Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG  and SUBSCRIBE 

__~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable  world you can create today and tomorrow!. .........................    .............

Asheville Relocation with a Nod to Nature..The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved
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They may not be the bridges of fictional  fame in the book of the same name, but I submit that the bridges of Madison County, NC hold as much promise as those Robert James Waller 
seeks in the book (then made into a 1995 film of the same name )directed by Clint Eastwood. and starring Eastwood and Meryl Streep.

For those in search of a transition to majestic beauty and sanctuary, some say  that there simply is no place like Madison County, North Carolina.

Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina, * Madison County maintains a sense of place the embodies the amazing attractiveness of the  sustainable community that lives on from generation to generation.

 

And the bridges (you see here in photos I shot on this adventure into special crossings)...

tell that  story. It is one of  a rural county that captures the essence of life as it can be lived in the most simple of ways. Although it is only about half an hour or so from the Cultural Creative's favorite, Asheville, NC, for me, Madison County retains the promise of quietude.

And the bridges become metaphors for timeless crossings in continuity. . .

Here, the winding roads  climb along the mountainsides, and here vocal streams call out to you to stop and picnic along their banks...

and here the mighty French Broad  and Laurel Rivers test the bridge that spans their widths on the way to town (see French Broad River first photo in this post , and Laurel  is just above)

..and then there is the array of bridges. ..small, almost fragile...footbridges and stalwart crossings...

In Madison County, where streams and pastures and coves abound, you may every day come face to face with the realization that in life, on so many levels, we must choose to cross to what lies beyond....

       *    
                       


                         *

 

 

                                    **

 

             *

 

 

                              * 

no matter how high or how wide or how challenging the "crossing " may be....

*Western North Carolina (often abbreviated as WNC) is the region of North Carolina which includes the Appalachian Mountains,
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Curious about sustainable Green real estate possibilities ? Simply pedal on over to  Convivial Blogger Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG  and SUBSCRIBE 

__~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable  world you can create today and tomorrow!. .........................    .............

The Bridges of Our Madison County: Special  .The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved
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A Big  eco-friendly "Thumbs Up" to teachers across the USA who helped pass a "GREEN" resolution:

"WHEREAS, green and sustainable schools are new or renovated schools that create a healthy environment that is conducive to learning while saving energy resources and money. "

Sustainable living encompasses a lifestyle change...

"green-built" schools * focus on improvements in site selection, daylighting, indoor air quality, thermal comfort, acoustics and classroom design - all of which have an important impact on a child's ability to learn and a teacher's ability to teach ..." 

Teachers are SMART!  So that is why  I am wondering is how many teachers take their own advice when they go home at night.

 

Do they do their homework when it comes to sustainable and/or regreen elements in thier homes? .Two quiz questions for teachers:

1. Are you involved in regreening your home?
2. Do YOUplan to  invest in a new Green-Built  or what we call here in Asheville, NC  WNC HealthyBuilt® Home? 

I know one for sure. That would be me.  Ask your teacher friends and let me know who "passes" the GREEN test. . .

*green school  /grEn skül / n. a school building or facility that creates a healthy environment that is conducive to learning while saving energy, resources and money-- 

Teacher pass "Green" resolution. HERE it is.

Do You Really Need a "Consult" to "Green" Your Home or Office?  More and more we see that our clients are eager to abandon and to remedy energy-wasting  situations in their homes and offices. "Greening Up" means finding ways to create a more environmentally friendly home. This sounds like a good idea, but, again, we are asked:  do we really need a professional consultation  to "Green" your home or office?

As Eco Certified® Real Estate Consultants we are asked that question more frequently, as interest in sustainable practices increases. Some or our clients have asked us for referrals for professional consultants who can evaluate their home for indoor and outdoor eco-friendly improvements. An analysis might take into account:

•1.       improving the building's  energy consumption
            (swap out regular bulbs for compact fluorescents)

•2.       consideration of air quality
            ( nontoxic spray insulation such as Icynene

•3.       review of water quality

•4.       an overview of appliance efficiency
           (condenser coils behind the refrigerator- semi-annual cleaning to maximize efficienc)

•5.       landscaping  (native)

•6.       renewable energy (solar)

We happily refer clients to our Asheville Area Sustainable/Green  Resources List.

We have developed a SURVEY  that helps to pinpoints what eco-consulting services a client may desire. After reviewing the survey, we are better able to refer our clients to eco consultants on the Sustainable/Green  Resources List.

We have compiled -and I would like to emphasize- that we have very, very carefully complied said List over many years. We know the folks on our list.  We have watched them at work. We know how satisfied our clients have been with their services.

But what about eco-consulting services in other cities across the USA?  Here are a few I found. Please note: I do NOT know these people, so do not make any representation as to their excellence.

Chicago ecohomechicago.com

Boston greenontheinside.net

 Seattle greenirene.com

New York greenhouseecocleaning.com

NOTE: Eco-consultants may charge anywhere from $99 to a few hundred dollars for a home analysis and recommendations

Here is more information on "GREEN" you can use from my Things to Consider REBLOG Series:

Find out about chemical releases in your community or neighborhood...you might be surprised!

Major Airlines testing Jatropha Bio Diesel in their planes....

2009 Green Resolutions for the office

Renewable Energy Credits.

What are you doing to GO GREEN?

Water, Water, Water & No Salmon Left Behind

HOW TO BUY A HOME IN A BUYERS' MARKET

Barriers & Bridges VS Selling Your Hawaii Home

A Performance Evaluation for REALTORS

Stuff, Crap, Junk, and Things We Think We Need...!!!

The Poet Writes....Flywheel Energy Storage

Teachers Go GREEN in Asheville and All Across the USA but Do They Pass the Green HOME Test?

Eco-Friendly (GREEN) and First Time Home Buyers LOANS in Asheville, NC

GREEN First Time Home Buyers have a double advantage in Asheville, NC.

Its Hard To Soar Like An Eagle When Surrounded By Turkeys!!

MEETING EXPECTATIONS, NOT EVERY AGENT CAN, OR DOES

Two down......eight to go!!!

Sustainable Building Practices ~ The Importance Of Searching For Local Information

Saturday...And Sounding The Trumpet Signaling Recovery...!!!

GIVING BACK, PROVIDING A HELPING HAND!!

 

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Curious about sustainable Green real estate possibilities ? Simply pedal on over to  Convivial Blogger Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG  and SUBSCRIBE 

__~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable  world you can create today and tomorrow!. .........................    .............

Do You Really Need a "Consult" to "Green" Your Home or Office?.The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved
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Just the other day, I wrote a post on Smart Teachers and Smart Schools how important it is (for all concerned) to enjoy a healthy GREEN environment in a "Smart Building"   therein.

One of our colleagues, JT,  respondedto the "Smart"  post this way: " ....daylighting*, indoor air quality, thermal comfort, acoustics and classroom design - all of which have an important impact on a child's ability to learn and a teacher's ability to teach ...should go without saying...."

While most of agree that the (smart) environmental benefits of green buildings are clear, are aware that the green building concepts have changed the way we design, construct, operate and generally, think, about buildings and communities,  there has been a question as to whether green, high performance buildings, add tangible value to a property. Up until just a few years ago, there was no definitive study indicating if there actually  is something "smart" going on, a  "value-added" factor. 

Luckily, Green Value stepped up to the plate. In an independent study researching green buildings in Canada, the  UK and the USA, they concluded that there is a clear link  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 the following,
a 7-Point Advantage for Smart Living

•1.       green buildings good for the environment
•2.       provide healthier places to live  
•3.       offer more productive places to work
•4.       can command higher rents and prices
•5.       attract tenants more quickly
•6.       reduce tenant turnover
•7.       cost less to operate and maintain. 


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
http://www.rics.org/RICSWEB/getpage.aspx?p=-ddiy7NSO0CyCVsDctoQ9Q

*Daylightinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daylighting is the practice of placing windows, or other transparent media, and reflective surfaces so that, during the day, natural light provides effective internal illumination.

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Curious about sustainable Green real estate possibilities ? Simply pedal on over to  Convivial Blogger Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG  and SUBSCRIBE 

__~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable  world you can create today and tomorrow!. .........................    .............

The 7-Point Advantage for Smart Living. The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved

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Wouldn't it be totally poetic if after all the struggles we have been through in terms of energy resourcing, we-  you and I, could tap in to renewable energy, save money and help heal a very challenged economy?

 A poet of engineered solutions with long vision and I talked about this just this afternoon. He's no ordinary guy. To his way of thinking, meeting energy demands without having to go very far from home is, to quote him,  "a no-brainer...well, except for the big anchors of the Status Quo." 

I asked him about his startling conclusion. "Simple, " he told me, "ONE WORD...FLYWHEEL."  

His "ONE WORD" brought to mind the pinwheels I used to play with as a kid.

That couldn't be the solution ... 

So I spun on over to  Wikipedia.  and discovered  "Flywheel Energy Storage (FES) works by accelerating a rotor to a very high speed and maintaining the energy in the system as inertial energy.

 Advanced flywheels are made of high strength carbon-composite filaments that spin at speeds from 20,000 to 100,000 rpm in a vacuum enclosure. Magnetic bearings are necessary; in conventional mechanical bearings, friction is directly proportional to speed, and at such speeds, too much energy would be lost to friction."

That's a photo of one working at NASA (photo courtesy of Wikipedia) 

So where will this lead? Here in North Carolina, we are beginning to work on renewable enrgy sources. Maybe where we adventure in 2009 and beyond is up to US.
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Curious about sustainable Green real estate possibilities ? Simply pedal on over to  Convivial Blogger Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG  and SUBSCRIBE 
__~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable  world you can create today and tomorrow!. .........................    .............

The Poet Writes....Flywheel Energy Storage..The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved
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green school  /grEn skül / n. a school building or facility that creates a healthy environment that is conducive to learning while saving energy, resources and money-- 

Not long ago teachers across the USA helped pass a resolution: "WHEREAS, green and sustainable schools are new or renovated schools that create a healthy environment that is conducive to learning while saving energy resources and money. 

 Green schools focus on improvements in site selection, daylighting, indoor air quality, thermal comfort, acoustics and classroom design - all of which have an important impact on a child's ability to learn and a teacher's ability to teach ..." 

You can see the entire resolution here: http://www.buildgreenschools.org/news/news_story_4.html 

Teachers are SMART!  So that is why  I am wondering is how many teachers take their own advice. How many teachers (new, old and/or retired) are involved in regreeningtheir homes? How many plan to  invest in a new Green-Built  or what we call here in Asheville, NC  WNC HealthyBuilt® Home? 

I know one for sure. That would be me. 

Ask your teacher friends and let me know who "passes" the GREEN test. . .
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Curious about sustainable Green real estate possibilities ? Simply pedal on over to  Convivial Blogger Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG  and SUBSCRIBE 

__~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable  world you can create today and tomorrow!. .........................    ............. Teachers Go GREEN in Asheville and All Across the USA but Do They Pass the Green HOME Test?  .The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved

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Eco-Friendly (GREEN) and  First Time Home Buyers LOANS in Asheville, NC 

In North Carolina, a first time home buyer can use money in the form of grants for down payment and closing costs. It is a wonderful program where first time home buyers can get up to $7,500 to use toward the down payment and closing costs. And it does not have to be paid back until 30 years (that amounts to almost $10,000 in interest saved.)

Here in Asheville, the very supportive and eco-friendly (GREEN) Buyers' Brokers at our Firm have created a list of contacts for our first time buyers  

Here is that list along with links to web sites:

* State Employees Credit Union
GREEN MORTGAGE LOANS
http://www.ncsecu.org/Loans/GreenMortgage.html
All Souls Crescent
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 225-2900

American Security Mortgage
http://www.americansecuritymortgage.com/ 
23 Bevlin Drive
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 771-2391

Asheville Savings Bank, SSB
http://www.ashevillesavingsbank.com/
11 Church Street
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 254-7411

Atlantic First Mortgage Corporation
http://www.atlanticfirst-mortgage.com/
23 Arlington Street
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 243-2484

Bank of America
https://www.bankofamerica.com/index.jsp
68 Patton Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 251-8005

BB&T
http://www.bbt.com/bbt/default.html
One West Pack Square
#400
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 225-2045

Carolina First Bank
http://www.carolinafirst.com/default.aspx
200 College Street
Asheville, NC 28801 (828) 252-7410

Cunningham & Company
http://www.cunninghammortgage.com/contents/Default.asp
Executive Park I
Suite 216
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 258-1290

Hometrust Bank
http://www.hometrustbanking.com/
10 Woodfin Street
Asheville, NC 28802
(828) 254-8144

RBC Centura Bank
http://www.rbcbankusa.com/cid-95406.html
One Town Sq. Biltmore
Ste. 250
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 236-6810

Self-Help Credit Union
http://www.self-help.org/
34 Wall Street
Ste. 704
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 253-5251

State Employees Credit Union
GREEN MORTGAGE LOANS
http://www.ncsecu.org/Loans/GreenMortgage.html
All Souls Crescent
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 225-2900

Suntrust Mortgage, Inc.
https://www.suntrust.com/portal/server.pt
20 Town Mountain Road
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 253-4138

Wells Fargo Home Mortgage
https://www.wellsfargo.com/
138 Charlotte Street
Ste. 203-A
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 253-8383

WR Starkey Mortgage, LLP
http://www.wrstarkey.com/
1200 Ridgefield Blvd.
Ste. 262
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 667-5650 

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Curious about sustainable Green real estate possibilities ? Simply pedal on over to  Convivial Blogger Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG  and SUBSCRIBE 

__~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable  world you can create today and tomorrow!. .........................    .............

Eco-Friendly (GREEN) and  First Time Home Buyers LOANS in Asheville, NC .The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved
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Once you have experienced Asheville,  where beautiful sustainable living is the norm,

you will understand why the "Paris of the South" in the mountains of Western North Carolina ranks among the favorite second home and vacation spots-and that is true even in the depths of winter.

You will be able to create some amazing adventures and join our great storytellers perhaps over some hot chocolate while enjoying the locally -grown FOOD  and telling tall tales....

(do you see tall tale teller in photo? )

TALL TALES like... the tale of the lonesome canoe (see  photos taken by the lake, newly kissed with snow) ... Local lore says that it was abandoned one summer's day-far out on the lake.

 

 

 

 Just in the nick of time, as the winter winds approached, it is said,

 a passing REALTOR® , always keeping a "good-eye" out for interesting things, as well as for clients, noticed the wee canoe  all alone out there.

  The lake was beginning to freeze. (see below)  Time was of the essence. And being attuned to such things-- after all that is just a "given" when it comes  to the practice of real estate. she made a thoughtful choice.

  

The Choice? Hang out with your friends!  Now the wee Lonesome Canoe is at home on the shore happily nested with its friends- as we hope Y'All will be in 2009...

_____AND....All this is under amazing winter skies!

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Curious about sustainable Green real estate possibilities ? Simply pedal on over to  Convivial Blogger Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG  and SUBSCRIBE 

__~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable  world you can create today and tomorrow!. .........................    .............

The Tale of Asheville's Lonesome Canoe .The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved

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When it comes to being an Eco-Starevery home can shine, even an "Oldie but Goodie" like this one in an historic and  sustainable community in Asheville, NC.

Simple  changes at home can add up to real benefits for your family, neighborhood and contribute to a sustainable community.  

Here, for example, are at least 10 "re-greens' ( things you can do)  to retrofit an older home that I collected as part of an on-going series I am doing to highlight Active Rain bloggers who have caught my attention with their wit and wisdom(Look for my reBLOGS)

 

Here, from your AR colleagues at the ECO-All-Stars Group  are examples that represent value-added opportunities for real estate professionals and our clients in terms of sustainable living alternatives.

•1.      Tony ZimmermanReGreen Tips
•2.      Stephanie Edwards-Musa
•3.      Mary Bigelow  Energy Efficiency
•4.      Jonathan Blackwell Green Bathroom Renovation
"5.      Deb Hurt  Perspective
•6.      Diane Daley  Linoleum!
•7.      Tricia Jumonville  Which home is Greenest?
•8.      Johnathan Mullaney GREEN Living Tips
•9.      Kimo Stowell Beautiful Revival 
•10.    Sharon Simms NEAT Features in Old Homes 

 

 OK I'm liking this conversation.!   It's Winter! And I am thinking "Time for Creative GREENING Projects" ...and recycling. Did you know that according to the National Institutes of Health we generate about 208 million tons of municipal solid waste a year!  That's more than 4 pounds per person per day of   GLUNK!

SO! Recycle and Re-Green  is the by-word for 2009. You could  recycle glass bottles, save electricity and create countertops like this one by IceStone    that offers "  an environmentally friendly alternative to natural stone and solid surface materials. The non-porous, durable and heat-resistant qualities make them a good match for kitchens and bathrooms. ... Because the material can be shaped, cut, inlaid or mounted it can used for of applications from backsplashes to countertops to flooring. Due to its high recycled content, IceStone materials can be used for LEED qualification."

By the way!  IceStone received a Silver certification from Cradle To Cradle (one of my favorite organizations)  for its commitment to environmentally intelligent design."

So here are the 10+++++ (pluses)  to add to our Winter Re-GREEN Tip for Older Homes: 

1.Tankless water heaters.  Very popular in Europe. Hmmmm. Maybe they know more about preserving castles.
2.Compact fluorescent bulbs. You can replace the incandescent bulbs, one at a time as they burn out. John's record for fluorescent bulb: 13 years! (see above)
3.Radiant Barriers. Reduce summer heat gain and winter heat loss, and thus lower heating and cooling costs. The barriers consist of a highly reflective material that reflects radiant heat rather than absorbing it. 
4.Solar Panels . Modular panels that can be designed to meet any electrical requirement, no matter how large or how small.
5. Weather stripping. Caulk and check is as needed. And check the insulation in your attic, ceilings, exterior and basement walls, floors, and crawl spaces to see if it meets the levels recommended for your area.
6. Natural stone and solid surface materials. Love this one (See link above)
7. Geothermal Heat Pump Systems. Replace your old one when the time comes. They use 25%-50% less electricity than conventional heating or cooling systems and save  money.
8.Task Lighting. Direct light where you need it. Save energy and money.Good for romantic cooking. Better than candlelight they tell me .
9. Renewable Energy.  According to Wikipedia this is "energy derived from resources that are regenerative or for all practical purposes cannot be depleted."   Try solar-powered outdoor lights . Consider, too choosing renewable energy from your utility to even producing solar electricity at home with photovoltaic (PV) cells. Also check out Wikipedia for more info on renewable energy in the form of: 

•  
  • 1.1 Wind power   1.2 Water power     1.3 Solar energy use   1.4 Biofuel 
    • 1.4.1 Liquid biofuel   1.4.2 Solid biomass   1.4.3 Biogas   1.5 Geothermal energy  

10. Sayeth the U.S. Department of Energy

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Curious about sustainable Green real estate possibilities ? Simply pedal on over to  Convivial Blogger Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG  and SUBSCRIBE 

__~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable  world you can create today and tomorrow!. .........................    .............

10 + "Re-GREENs" Breathe New Value Into Old Homes. The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved

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Can a "Luxury" Home also be "Green"?   If you think that it is possible for a home to be both a "luxury home" and  eco-savvyyou are one person who has given some thought to how the building is to be used.

Flexible design a key feature in green-built homes. Size and function matter when you are talking about environmental impact. In fact, size can be quite a lively, if not controversial subject with our green buyer clients and eco-friendly builders and developers.

Can a "Luxury" home also be "Green"?

As you consider  your answer, you may want to take into account the relationship between size and  sustainability.

After all, some people will tell you that  "luxury" real estate may come in many shapes and sizes. There are small footprints with three-stories rising in the trees and lots of square footage, there are larger footprints set neatly into the landscape.  

And then , too, you have to think about the green features. There are homes sited to take advantage of solar benefits.  And, there are those very large homes designed to take advantage of nature, or privacy, or  architectural excellence; signature homes that may, in some cases, offer eco-savvy features.

 Can a "Luxury" Home also be "Green"? YOU DECIDE.

I'm going to tell you about one of those cases right now; one that involves Amazing Views, Green Design & Ideal Location . I am going to tell you this story from the point of view of the artist/builder, a custom, eco-informed builder  in Asheville, NC.  And I will share a list of green features so that you can decide if this home, considered by many to be "luxury home" is eco-savvy...

What the green builder will tell you: "The home takes advantage of desirable Southern exposure, a passive solar design, and a large covered deck which maximizes the visual connection to nature on 3.5 acres of pristine forest with commanding year round mountain views.

The home was built using green design principles ensuring energy efficiency, health and low maintenance while providing an elegant ambiance and a close relationship with the surrounding environment. The home was sited to maximize the mountain views and the preservation of the existing hardwood trees and the flowering rhododendrons. Hiking trails and the best that nature has to offer await right at your back door [and there is ]  a beautiful and edible landscape featuring strawberries, blueberries, fig & cherry trees." 

GREEN BUILDING Specs:

 Green Building Attributes: 1. Passive solar design 2. low maintenance exterior 3. highly insulated exterior walls and roof 4. high efficiency variable speed heat pump 5. recycled kitchen cabinets 6. milled on-site cleared and wind-falling trees 7. recycled greenhouse plastic vapor barrier under cement pad 8. natural boric acid termite treatment 9. foiled faced rigid insulation on roof 10. low VOC sub-floor and interior paint 11. low maintenance native and eatable landscape 12. landscape rocks (walls and paths) were obtain on-site and within 1 miles of building site. 13. Over 90% of lighting is fluorescent 14. Grided and finished cement floor adds thermal mass and low maintenance 15. tight high quality Hurd windows 

Design: The main objective was to preserve the mature hardwood trees and rhododendrons while taking advantage of the southern exposure with good "green" and passive solar design. A significant design element is the large south facing sliding glass doors in the great room and bedrooms. This design configuration brings daylight deep into the house, connects the interior space to native hardwood trees, offer pristine views of the mountains, while the southern exposure allows for solar energy gain.

 
The kitchen, living, and dining areas are one big space with large areas of glazing on south side. These windows are protected during the hot summer months by the mature deciduous trees, adding to the house's overall energy efficiency. The north and west face has minimum window area. The color palette (bronze) of the exterior surfaces are dark, absorbing solar energy during the winter months. The abundance of hardwood trees around the house keep it cool during the warmer seasons while also maintaining complete privacy. The net result is extremely low energy use with an average utility bill of less than $50/month. All domestic energy demands are 100% electric supplemented with a wood burning stove. 

Construction: The house is built using basic stick framing with low maintenance cement board siding trimmed with western red cedar. A maroon-color standing seam metal roof adds aesthetic qualities while contributing to the sustainability and low maintenance of the exterior. The interior woodwork is highly crafted of fine hardwoods milled on-site. 

Landscape Design:The 3.5 acre site is blessed with an abundance of mature hardwood trees, native rhododendrons and mountain laurels. The house site was carefully placed on top of a sloping knoll so as to maintain the largest oak, hickory, and maple trees and the many native (flame) azaleas. After careful thinning of the wooded area, native plants were incorporated into the landscape, such as oak leaf and flowering hydrangeas, ferns, dogwoods, hemlocks, rhododendrons, hollies, irises, daylilies, laurels, hostas, etc. Many low maintenance edible fruit bearing plants were added including blueberries, strawberries, cherry trees, service berry and herbs. Finally, an area was designated to accommodate a vegetable garden. All planted vegetation is grown organically utilizing the site's top soil supplemented with organic fertilizers and generous amounts of on-site produced compost. 

HVAC:Force air heating and cooling- Trane high efficiency heat pump 14 seer rating, 34,000 BTU/HR Max Blank (Mfg. in Germany) woodstove with baking oven. All HVAC duct work and air handler are within the insulation envelope of the home.

Site: A beautiful south facing mountain property was an opportunity to design a contemporary passive solar home that limit the disturbance of native vegetation while maximizing visual connection to nature. The 3.5 acre site is located  just a 15 minutes from downtown Asheville and 15 minutes to the regional airport. ..and offers complete privacy, sloping land, mature hardwood trees, southern exposure, and 180 degree pristine mountain year-around view. 

Exterior Materials:Hardi panel cement board accented with Vermont slate roofing shakes, vertical grain western red cedar and mahogany, standing seam metal roof, ipe (ironwood),
white oak and locust decking (milled on-site), stainless and galvanized steel fasteners. 

Interior Materials:Painted drywall, quarter-sawn white, red oak and hickory floors, quarter sawn oak, walnut, and cherry trim, white oak/steel tubing baluster, split-face block, granite counter top and hearth, stainless steel counter tops, and T&G spruce cathedral ceiling in great room. All hardwood flooring and trim were milled (quarter-sawn) on-site from building site trees and wind fallen trees found near the site. 

Cabinetry:Custom built and recycled kitchen cabinets (birdseye maple faced drawers and doors featuring Blum hardware with full extension under-mount slides and soft close blumotion). Bathroom cabinetry utilizes black cherry, mahogany, white oak, black walnut, and stainless steel.

Windows:High Efficiency Hurd sliding doors and windows. Anodized bronze aluminum cladding with wood interior. 

Insulation: Formaldehyde free fiberglass wall insulation R19 and R30 (1st level). Foil face polyisocyanurate foam insulation under 1st level cement floor R14, behind block walls R17, and roof R42

Now to your evaluation and your answer to the question. For sure, this home is a LUXURY HOME.
So- Can a "Luxury" home also be "Green"?  
Let me know what YOU think. . .

_____________________________________________________________________________________ 

Curious about sustainable Green real estate possibilities ? Simply pedal on over to  Convivial Blogger Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG  and SUBSCRIBE 

__~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable  world you can create today and tomorrow!. .........................    .............

Can a "Luxury" Home also be "Green"? .The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved.

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There he stood at the end of a curious crossing. I didn't know how he got there. He seemed very pleased with himself, however, and he was beckoning me to cross where he had already gone. It was a beautiful but frigid wintry day.Carolina blueskies above. A noisy river below. No ice on the plank that served as his bridge. I didn't want him to assume I was any less brave then he was.....so I took this shot (just in case I fell in )took a deep breath...and crossed to the other side.......