Asheville ECO-GREEN Real Estate

Not long ago, Tom Rioux came to talk with us about PAINT.  No ordinary paint, mind you. This is elegant paint and no wonder. Tom is an elegant person.

I am not saying this because he dresses in Armani , which he does not. I am saying this because he is a class act. And I am saying he is a class act because Tom shows impressive and stylish excellence as he walks his talk.

I have the impression other people are a lot healthier because he has invested his time and energy for that purpose. Yes! You can have great paint without the poisons! 

Beauty. Strength and Sustainability all wrapped up in his creation which is known as  EARTH PAINT.  According to Tom, who knows first-hand what the chemicals in everyday paint can do to the immune system,  

Beauty is about

• Natural Sophisticated Elegance.
• Color, using standard or our No VOC (retailers) colorants

Strength is about

• Old style longevity with today's Green Movement consciousness
• Long Life Cycle factors

Sustainability encompasses

• 100% Wind Power Energy!
• Biodegradable
• 100% Wastewater Recycling
• Competitive Pricing / Fair Wages
• No materials from overseas

Our colleague Mary Bigelow  will be excited to know that Earthpaint is the first paint company to use 140% Wind Energy offsets! And now you have the opportunity to be impressed with Tom ,too.Here he is on video. Let me know what you think....

__~o
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(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable  world you can create today and tomorrow!. .........................    .............with OBJECTIVE FIDUCIARY COUNSEL &. ECO STEWARDS' LEARNING TOURS. Serving Asheville's Eco-Friendly-Home, Relocation LAND Clients..

On the GO 4 Sustainability:  "GREEN" Real Estate and Relocation: The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved

Q and I went for a stroll on this partly sunny October day.  It is close to Halloween and we were ready for a treat, which is just what we found at the Three Dog Bakery in downtown Asheville. 

As we entered the store we were greeted with a cheerful hello and the enticing aroma of dog cookies baking.  From behind  the counter  a lovely lady came out to meet Q. She thought he was adorable, I could tell.

 Lucky for us, we live in pet-friendly Asheville where dogs are recognized as "special" especially when they sparkle like Q does. (see photo)  She offered him a treat which he devoured with delight. She then inquired about our needs. This was our first visit. We saw the shining oven and enjoyed the aroma of fresh-baked goodies. We followed our noses around to see the various colorful displays.

 I noticed that the products are eco-friendly, recycled or recyclable and that the ingredients in the food products are all "natural" while Q dog wagged his tail all the while, especially when he "sniffed out"  the  Grizzly Salmon oil.

When it was time to check out, the items I chose were carefully wrapped in bakery paper and placed in a recyclable box with a logo on it. Woof! A real treat for the upcoming holiday...and no sugar in it. 

I was most impressed with our visit to Asheville's Three Dog Bakery today. The quality of the items and the atmosphere and friendliness combined to make me want to come back often.

When we returned home, both our dogs reported total satisfaction with their Halloween goodies. I am sure they will tell the dogs in our neighborhood whose families will be stopping in to Asheville's Three Dog Bakery  soon.

DOG TREATS for the Halloween.                                               
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__~o
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(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable  world you can create today and tomorrow!. .........................    .............with OBJECTIVE FIDUCIARY COUNSEL &. PET FRIENDLY REAL ESTATE.Serving Asheville's Eco-Friendly-Home, Relocation LAND Clients.

On the GO 4 Sustainability:  "GREEN" Real Estate and Relocation: The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved
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warm socks at first frost 

I love the prospect of warm socks at first frost
and the soldier-like look of them in neat rows
as they line up before me
next to the French-milled soaps
in the second dresser drawer
where they have bunkered
since the daffodils bloomed. 

A colorful assemblage, they
in vibrant vermillion,
or sumptuous grey,
or azure- multi-hued,
patiently waiting to be tapped
for duty.

I am dancing now in the hours after donning
the Carolina Blue pair,
with my tweeds and outdoor duds,
cashmere caressing my lucky toes,
I am royalty lifted above the fray
simply to stroll
Doc Silver's nippy back forty
as if it were a mild midsummer's day
but better: no insects or tall grasses where the
slithering creatures play-

just the Land
and, here and there,
on the north side of the ridge, 
slender watery threads making icicles
from summer's sweet cascades.

October's fallen leaves,
still wet with yesterday's storm,
are slick on the trail.
Still,  I float along, scarf flying,
hiking boots, muddy and well-worn,
with feet smiling in blue-clad  luxury.

We are searching for the last wild berries,
you and I, and beneath these,
you unearth the secret:
"... cherished toes pay dividends uncounted...."

~^~ jA Narrin, Wind-in-the-Feather The Spirit Ridge Collection  Asheville, 2009

October Sunday Morning - Peace in Our  Asheville Valley

What is Behind Customer Demand for Energy Efficient Homes?  

That's what a seasoned builder here in Asheville wanted to know.  

"The local Green Building Council says that HealthyBuilt Homes®  are leading the way in the built environment," he said.

 "What would make me want to build them?"

 That is a good question, and one that seems to be coming up more and more even in a challenging economy where the impact on the real estate market is significant.

Here are just three (3) "secrets" I suggested he consider:

•1.      Customer demand for energy efficient homes. From Atlanta to Asheville to Santa Monica developers involved in sustainable innovation continue to enjoy.
Possibly, it's time to capitalize on the opportunity.

•2.      Federal and State Tax credits, zoning allowances and other incentives

•3.      Lower operating costs attract new home buyers.

In the future, should the home buyer decide to sell the home, the certificate proving that the homes that meets "green home guidelines" and is built by residential builders who practice sustainable, high-performance building strategies, adds value to the purchase.

Summing it up:  Everyone wins. Eco-friendly homes create a comfortable, healthy and affordable place that reduce energy and water usage, promote renewable energy use and help protect the land where the home is built.

Resource: Green Building Council   educating homeowners and building professionals on the benefits of:

• creating energy efficient buildings
• increased use of alternative energy sources
• sustainable development
• using green building materials
• decreasing use of natural resources
• preserving topsoil and trees
• reducing storm water runoff
• _____________  (fill in the blank and let me know what that is)_
• __~o
   -\_<,                                       
  (*)/'(*)    ..........      ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable  world you can create today and tomorrow!. .........................    .............with OBJECTIVE FIDUCIARY COUNSEL &. ECO STEWARDS' LEARNING TOURS. Serving Asheville's Eco-Friendly-Home, Relocation LAND Clients..

On the GO 4 Sustainability:  "GREEN" Real Estate and Relocation: The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved ......................................

Cracking the Green Building Codes. There's a trend in building these days. The trend is toward designing, constructing and operating healthy-built "green" buildings. Such buildings reduce the negative impact on natural surroundings and benefit those who work or live there by providing them with a healthier indoor environment.

More and more, developers are enrolling in NC HealthyBuilt® and/or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) programsthat set forth environmentally savvy choices. And here, the general public  can find the keys to cracking the Green Building Codes.

Both of these programs set forth, in written form, the benchmarks for the design, construction and operation of eco-friendly buildings.  My clients who invest in the buildings can find what they need in terms of  a measurable scale with which to look at sustainability when they review the guidelines and check certifications as Maggie Leslie of the Green Building Council right here in Asheville, NC recently pointed out in her article: Cracking the Green Building Codes.

A "whole-building approach to sustainability"  recognizes five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.

Here is a graphic I created of one noteworthy example of such buildings in the Asheville, NC area: The Blue Ridge Parkway Destination Center

__~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable  world you can create today and tomorrow!. .........................    .............with OBJECTIVE FIDUCIARY COUNSEL &. ECO STEWARDS' LEARNING TOURS. Serving Asheville's Eco-Friendly-Home, Relocation LAND Clients..

On the GO 4 Sustainability:  "GREEN" Real Estate and Relocation: The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved

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I had the pleasure of sitting down with John Myers and Jane Lawson the developers of the Hickory Nut Forest GREEN/conservation community near Asheville, NC not long ago. We talked about what it takes to create such a community- their philosophy and how they designed and developed the land. Here is a segment of our conversation.

HOW ONE COUPLE ENVISIONED AND REALIZED THEIR DREAM OF AN ECO-FRIENDLY  MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY

Q. How long has it taken to create the Hickory Nut Forest eco-community?

A. We have been involved in the process of creating community for nearly five years. It has been an amazing journey that has taken on a life of its own. We started out with a vision to conserve some beautiful land in the mountains of North Carolina.

We wanted to be stewards of this sacred place with its amazing forests, waterfalls, living plants and animals. As we have come to know the land intimately, we feel guided to keep expanding our vision.

Q How have you expanded on your vision to conserve this gorgeous land in the mountains of North Carolina?

We created homesites for up to 34 green-built homes, added an organic apple orchard and heirloom vineyard, placed a conservation easement on the mountain and built miles of hiking trails.

(photo shows John and Jane at one of the many waterfalls on the property the are developing near Chimney Rock just outside of Asheville, NC. )

 Q How do you see the growth of Hickory Nut Forest into the mature "Green Community" you envision, and will it be  a "Private Mountain Community"?

A. As new people have arrived, they have brought their enthusiasm and dreams to the community. [One of the first to arrive] Ryan was inspired to develop a community garden and with student interns created a veggie patch, an herb circle, mushroom logs, and added beehives and free-range chickens. 

Folks wanted to have a gathering place, so we started building a community center at the ruins of an old gristmill. This vision has grown into creating Laughing Waters, a retreat site for year-round classes, workshops and student internships that we hope to have open by spring. 

We are allowing the community to grow slowly and naturally through sharing this magical place with all who come to visit. Our free monthly events have included a bluegrass concert, apple fests, hikes, herb walks, bonfire/potlucks and kids' educational programs. People have initially come for a visit and then decided to live here.

Q. What is your guiding principle or intention? 

From the beginning our guiding intention has been simply to approach everything and everyone with love and respect: our neighbors, all the people working on various projects, our visitors, the land and the water, the plants and animals, and each other. We feel such a powerful healing energy from this land. Our role is simply to make it possible for people to come here and experience it for themselves. 

FURTHER READING on how to recognize an eco-friendly development

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__~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable  world you can create today and tomorrow!. .........................    .............with OBJECTIVE FIDUCIARY COUNSEL &. ECO STEWARDS' LEARNING TOURS.Serving Asheville's Eco-Friendly-Home, Relocation LAND Clients..

On the GO 4 Sustainability:  "GREEN" Real Estate and Relocation: The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved
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DEBE MAXWELLhas a point here. Folks selling their homes today are more concerned than ever when it comes to analyzing and settling on their asking price. She asks, " When you're searching online at night for homes in the [Asheville, NC area] what price points do you use in your own search?"

If you are selling, read this post and benefit from Debe's excellent advice.

Asheville, North Carolina, October, 2009  Eco-Friendly  News and Views from "GREEN-O-Lina"   

Some people relocate to the Asheville area just so that they can
hike in exciting places
like Craggy Gardens,  or Mt. Mitchell. 

But once they find a place on the land to call Home,
create, then build an eco-friendly environment
with a nod to Mother Nature,

a simple early morning stroll
can provide sights and sounds
that dazzle.

Come for such a stroll with me.
You will be amazed at what I found this morning
right in my own backyard. 

Turn up the volume for a SURPRISE at the close of this short video...
and let me know what you think that honking (hint-hint) sound is!

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__~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable  world you can create today and tomorrow!. .........................    .............with OBJECTIVE FIDUCIARY COUNSEL &. ECO STEWARDS' LEARNING TOURS. Serving Asheville's Eco-Friendly-Home, Relocation LAND Clients.. On the GO 4 Sustainability:  "GREEN" Real Estate and Relocation: The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved

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Asheville, North Carolina, October, 2009 Real Estate News and Views from "GREEN-O-Lina"   
30+ Eco-Friendly Urban and  Mountain Communities in the Asheville Area

There are about as many shades of green in eco-friendly design, development and building as you see in the early light on an Appalachian mountainside. (see photo) Levels of attraction, commitment, and motivation to embrace eco conepts and planning are unique to each of us.

 Poll homebuyers and investors and you are sure to find certain green features have more appeal than others. For example , on the subject of green-built homes,  indoor air quality(IAQ) may be one person's primary focus, while whole house ventilation or NO-VOC paint may be another's concern.

And many people looking to leave a land legacy will devote their attention to eco-savvy development that takes into account site planning, solar orientation and energy use.

But people do seem to share this in common:They are deeply attracted to the notion that their grand kids will be and/or are in a healthy, non-toxic environment.

With this in mind, I have compiled a list of 30+ urban and mountain eco-friendly developments in the Greater Asheville area. If you would like to know the "greenest' I will be posting a comparison chart you can use to determine for yourself...And/or check back to see the following list highlighted with links to my video series as I visit each of these communities. 

30+ Eco-Friendly Urban* and  Mountain Communities in the Asheville Area

Altura   (Urban)
Balsam Mountain Preserve
Ciel (Urban)
Cliffs of High Carolina (Tiger Woods)
Cold Mountain
Cove at Celo Mountain
Crest Mountain Community (Urban)

CRESTON

DROVERS ROAD PRESERVE

Fitgerald Condominiums (Urban)
French Broad Crossing
GAIA (Urban)
Grand Highlands of Bearwallow Mountain
Grand Highlands of Waterford Lakes

GREENWOOD 

HICKORY NUT FOREST ECO COMMUNITY

Homestead at Mills River

MOUNTAIN AIR
Mountain Meadows

NORTH KNOB

Pisgah Preserve at Lake James

PRESERVE AT LITTLE PINE

PRESERVE AT WOLF LAUREL

Ramble Biltmore Forest (Urban)
Red Wolf Run
Residences at 151 (Urban)
River Highlands at Madison Crossing
River Rock
Settings of Black Mountain (Urban)
Stillhouse Creek

THREE CREEKS PRESERVE at Lake Lure
Thoms Estate (Urban)

WALNUT CREEK PRESERVE Equestrian Community (seen in photo)
Whisper Mountain

•·        I am defining "urban" as within a 10 minute drive of downtown Asheville

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__~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable  world you can create today and tomorrow!. .........................    .............with OBJECTIVE FIDUCIARY COUNSEL &. ECO STEWARDS' LEARNING TOURS. Serving Asheville's Eco-Friendly-Home, Relocation LAND Clients..

On the GO 4 Sustainability:  "GREEN" Real Estate and Relocation: The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved
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AIR LEAKING around your AC unit? NOT a good-thing if you are concerned with energy efficiency...check out my pal STEPHANIE-EDWARDS-MUSA'S video on why HVAC Tape is better than Duct Tape

Dateline Asheville, North Carolina, October, 2009
News and Views from "GREEN-O-Lina"   

The Eco-Community & Conservation Land

THIS WEEK I had the good fortune to hike the sunny trails leading from an amazing eco-friendly community just minutes from downtown Asheville. This model for sustainable innovation, Hickory Nut Forest is one of the first ECO developments in the USA to combine wide-ranging land conservation with an eco-friendly community of green-built  homes, to be powered by renewable energy -(wind power, hydropower , geothermal) - to create  a  "net-zero-energy community". Living in this conservation neighborhood means enjoying the forever-wild mountain forests, soaring cliffs and pristine, cascading streams, out your back door. You can walk for miles in the serenity of nature.  
 
Hiking trails lead conveniently from the building sites into 800+ acres of nature preserve lands  with waterfalls, streams, cliffs and mountaintop vistas. And, here a learning/teaching and community center is taking shape. Based on the model of the grist mill that once stood here, the building is being "built green" and features wood harvested with TLC from the site. (see video)

__~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable  world you can create today and tomorrow!. .........................    .............with OBJECTIVE FIDUCIARY COUNSEL and ECO STEWARDS' LEARNING TOURS. Serving Asheville's Relocationand  LAND Clients..

On the GO 4 Sustainability:  "GREEN" Real Estate and Relocation: The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved

SHELDON NEAL is a well-read blogger. No wonder. Each time we read what he has on his mind, we are informed and/or entertained and/or find something worth considering.

 Here is SHELDON'S post about REALTOR dedication , Here are his thoughts on what clients could expect from their experience when  clients and REALTORS have a "Plan" in place.

Hickory Nut Forest An Outstanding Asheville Area Eco Community

One of my favorite eco communities in the Asheville area (and please note, Asheville is the  "hub' of green and sustainable development) is Hickory Nut Forest.Numerous eco-communities are popping up in and around Asheville, but Hickory Nut Forest is demonstrating how to go about creating an eco-friendly habitat. (see video).

THIS evolving "green" community and conservation neighborhood honors the Land and the forests that offer it building materials. (see video). It is surrounded on three sides by over 800 acres of conservation land , so you can hike out from this community on one of the well-tended trails leading to those 800 + acres and to the adjoining 250 acres. Hickory Nut Forest has set aside a special place for the community/retreat/teaching/learning center. Here is where the new community building is in the process of construction (see video) 

Hickory Nut Forest is alive with possibility. EXAMPLE: I was so excited to be able to WATCH how the construction of the new community building happens! ( see video) If you are interested in the "social dimension" of green building, be sure to check this out.