Asheville ECO-GREEN Real Estate

The Upside Down Creative Plan and  Avoiding Foreclosure  

Dateline Asheville, North Carolina, July, 2009
News and Views from Asheville's Greenolina, Real Estate Eco-Steward  

I'm working on a plan to help people who are updside down in their homes, facing foreclosure and possibly feeling "trapped".

Getting stuck in the short sale and foreclosure quicksand need not be the absolute rule  if we can enroll the genius of the real estate muse.

But,  I've been wondering,  how does one get in touch with that particular creative intelligence.. . .??

 I know that many home owners see themselves as  trapped by today's housing market. Many are wanting to move on, but instead feel disoriented in an upside down world, or as if they are suffocating-- victims of the miasma of the current economic atmosphere.

To these people, I say there are remedies- IF we/they can access the creative intelligence that happens when  whimsy, the toss of a coin, and chance become our/their allies.

Take for example the work of  the great choreographer Merce Cunningham ,  who died at the age of 90 earlier this week, as an example.   His biographer revealed that , " Injecting an element of chance into his work, expanded his choreographic choices that might otherwise be limited by habit. Zen philosophy, with its emphasis on the present moment, and a keen sensitivity to nature also informed his work," the biographer wrote.

Getting to WHAT IF 

WHAT IF  home owners (and their real estate professionals) gave Cunningham's notion of whimsy credence?  What if  we/they came upon  unexpected solutions to the real estate conundrum by making connections with the nonsensical, the preposterous, the unreasonable outpourings of balderdash, bah-low-nee, drivel, poppycock, tripe and so forth?  Truth is found in Strangeness, I've been told-  "Strangeness AKA Blessings in Disguise. 

In the arena of "Blessings in Disguise" realizing the difference between The Truth as Facts and The Truth of Emotion seems important to meas I search for a plan to help people who are upside down in their homes, and possibly facing foreclosure. So I am willing to search for truth in the unexpected. In my search for creative solutions, here's a multiple choice question I considered: : 

Hummingbirds sip
•a)     nectar
•b)     sunbeams
•c)      beer

 Yes. There is a "correct" answer (a) -the very first answer on the list. But also there is whimsy-  the humorous, the metaphorical. Here there is the delightful, the strange, the improbable, and the amazing-   There are possibilities and connections just by letting phrases and/or /words stand next to each other. 

One of my favorite poets, Mary Oliver wrote: 

It doesn't have to be the blue iris,
it could be weeds in a vacant lot,
or a few small stones;
just pay attention, then patch
a few words together and don't try
to make them elaborate, this isn't
a contest, but the doorway
into thanks, and a silence in which
another voice may speak.
 
                        Mary Oliver
 

Both Oliver and Cunningham are handing out clues about how to get beyond , how to let go of a need to feel totally situated-secure- all set.   AND, that could be a good-thing. Because, let's face it,  this real estate market is NOT all set---in fact it is UNsettled.

So, possibly in this UNsettled and unsettling environment, NOT grasping on to logic, but instead exploring what comes up is the secret.  We can see this situation for what it is-without judgment-and embrace it-with all the compassion we can muster. I'm ready to give it a good try! That's my jumping off point for the plan to help people who are upside down in their homes, and possibly facing foreclosure.

Check back next week for updates. 

AND....Let me know what you think. . .

__________________________________________________________________________________________ 

__~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 First Time  and Relocation LAND and Home Buyers.

AVOID FORECLOSURE - "GREEN" Real Estate and Relocation: The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved

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Are YOU the 100^th Monkey? Active Rain Visionaries on the Subjects of Purpose, Collaboration, Responsibility and Healthy Lifestyles.

Dateline Asheville, North Carolina, July, 2009
News and Views from Asheville's Greenolina, Real Estate Eco-Steward

Years ago, the "100th Monkey" theory was widely popular and often quoted. It went like this: if, one by one, a hundred monkeys on a distant island learn how to use sticks for picking bananas the knowledge of picking bananas with sticks all of a sudden becomes an integral part of monkey consciousness. All monkeys everywhere all around the world will then be privy to this knowledge and be able to use sticks to that end.

Does the principle of a vanguard few apply to humankind as well?  Here at Active Rain, I think it does! Who has not encountered amazing  visionaries here?

Take a  look at the eco-friendly real estate professionals (over 1,000 of them) at Active Rain, for example. These members and  professionals can (and do) inspire changes that contribute to local communities and to the larger community.

This month, we have been celebrating  just a few of Active Rain's luminaries  at the Eco-All-Star Group.

(photo of visionaries in the mountains near Asheville, NC, hub of sustainable innovation.)

Active Rain's bloggers make it clear that  real estate (and related) professionals  can be and are agents of change. Of course, your sense of purpose plays into the effect. The more dedicated to what you are doing you are, the more impact you will have. There follow four posts that represent the "vanguard few". . .

1. PURPOSE: Every life has at its core a dream that quietly and unobtrusively asks to be fulfilled. Each of us dreams such a dream. It is an important part of the amazing blessing of just being in this world. Purpose is another word for this dream. If you wish to realize your purpose in life you can start by exercising your talents within your chosen field or profession- get what you want, and not give it away, but share it wisely 

On the Subject of PURPOSE:  Michelle Viggiano  has chosen to ensure an inviting environment that would educate, inspire and delight any visitor regardless of individual background, age or belief system.   Michelle  conceptualized an educational garden with various smaller conceptual gardens to create a whole story. Sections such as plants used for ~ "economic growth and survival" ~ "medicinal plants" ~ "culinary plants and herbs" to name a few, as well as a "faith based garden section".  ... conducted research ... locating rare and forgotten plants and seeds, making arrangements to grow them hydroponically, designing the layout of the garden, creating meaningful signage, all with a view to ensure an inviting environment that would educate, inspire and delight any visitor regardless of individual background, age or belief system.  

Read MICHELLE  VIGGIANO' s post  ...HERE

2. COLLABORATION:  In Life's intricate tapestry, my well-being and yours interweaves with the notion and energies of sharing good ideas and work with other people around us.- Bringing personal endeavors into focus in a collaborative approach, though possibly based on a person's own interests, contributes to overall good. I have heard Native Americans refer to this extended sense of community as "all of our relations". All of our relations -- fellow human beings, the animals, plants, minerals: the rocks, mountains and seas, the deserts, swamps and wetlands, the great plains and wild forests.

On the Subject of  COLLABORATION:   DEB HURT is one of those eco-savvy professionals who sees a home as an holistic system; a mini ecosystem for its residents.  "Everyone deserves a safe, affordable home, be it ever so humble  (on that subject PLEASE SEE Make It Right)...'" she says.

 When it comes to collaborating with others, be it her real estate clients or members of the community, Deb has this advice as seen in her post entitled The Perfect Client 

3. RESPONSIBILITY:   If you are a person who appreciates the idea of stewardship, you may choose to support and restructure neighborhoods, towns and the larger community in genuinely new and liberating ways. This does not happen just by the decree of law. Instead, look closer to home- ourselves, our personal integrity, our own energy. In other words, we have to become ourselves, whole and healthy individuals-think for ourselves, take good care of ourselves emotionally and physically, and follow our purpose in life.  

On the Subject of RESPONSIBILITY, DAVE ROBERTS of the Eco-All-Stars Group has much to contribute.  . At his kindergarten class in St. Cloud Minnesota they had Lincoln Logs big enough to build kid sized houses, and he did. At the UC Santa Cruz Farm and Garden project he graduated to real-sized building blocks and learned how to build post and beam framed buildings with hand tools. In the thirty years since he learned to appreciate grain, texture, and a sharp saw, he has designed and built solar homes, consulted with the California Energy Commission on energy efficiency, and lived a second life as a computer consultant and web guru. Through it all, appropriate technology and smart design have played a key role in the projects he undertakes

Read Dave's post HERE http://activerain.com/blogsview/899183/wheel-i-am 

The 100^th Monkey....the  Healthy Lifestyle, Rules and Regs, and Jeff G  is in The Kitchen!

HEALTHY LIFESTYLES:Real estate professionals  deal with distress and stress on many levels, and regularly. Exercise, rest and relaxation, eating "right" and coming home to a non toxic environment makes sense. A number of eco-savvy professionals are leading the way toward a more healthy approach to wellness-both personally and in and around the homes they represent taking an eco-friendly trajectory. They are the eco-friendly real estate professionals at the Eco-All-Star (1,000+ member) Group

To achieve a healthy lifestyle, there are those who say we should introduce ever more new and tighter legislation - adopt stringent rules and regulations. But, on second thought. . . laws are subject to manipulation. Rules can be bent and regulations have loopholes. Possibly, rules and regulations imply that we are ignorant of universal or natural law. Eco-friendly bloggers can demonstrate the connection we all have to an inherent understanding of wellness and healthy lifestyles.

On that subject- HEALTHY LIFESTYLESJeff Geoghan  weighs in saying, "I love talking about the Kitchen because there's so much going on there that can be impacted.  I break my thoughts into 2 categories: Behavior Changes and remodeling ideas."

Jeff is an interesting fellow.  A strong advocate of sustainable energy and energy conservation, Jeff has taken the extraordinary step of creating the first "Green" friendly real estate practice in central Pennsylvania. In 2006 Jeff authored a new book entitled "A walking tour of Historic East Petersburg" featuring some of the great historic homes in his home town.  Jeff is a tireless advocate of historic preservation. Most recently, Jeff has taken his love of photography to a new level, with a new venture entitled Heritage Photographic Art.  With this he is offering fine art photography online as well as custom client portfolios (historic homes, commercial, advertising).  Click here to see his work.  Jeff has seamlessly woven this activity into his real estate business, offering his clients pro photography that "comes with the package"!  

 READ his post here. http://activerain.com/blogsview/1042494/-greening-your-kitchen-some-ideas

NOMINATE OTHER LUMINARIES. Please let me know if you would like to highlight the work of other Active Rain Luminaries. Just put a link to a post relative to  1. Purpose 2. Collaboration 3. Responsibility and/or 4. Healthy Lifestyles, and I happily will read it! Please use the the comment section to do that...THX!

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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 First Time  and Relocation LAND and Home Buyers.

Asheville Eco-Friendly Real Estate Professionals: IMPACT & Trends - "GREEN" Real Estate and Relocation: The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved

____________________________________________________________________________________________   

Dateline Asheville, North Carolina, July, 2009
News and Views from Asheville's Greenolina, Real Estate Eco-Steward  

Do real estate professionals wish to support and/or help as people restructure neighborhoods, towns and the larger community? Many will say that they do, and in genuinely new and liberating ways. "We cannot do so just by the decree of law. Instead, we can look closer to home, with ourselves, our personal integrity, our own energy, " they might tell you.

In other words, all of us have to become ourselves, whole and healthy individuals. We have to think for ourselves, take good care of ourselves emotionally and physically, and follow our purpose in life -(see earlier post in this series.)

I am excited about the members like DAVE ROBERTS of the Eco-All-Stars Groupwho are reaching out to their colleagues and the public to demonstrate eco-friendly remedies and their understanding of healthy choices in properties and lifestyles.

Dave created the graphic here. This JULY, in a series of posts, we celebrate contributions of our own Eco-All-Stars  by highlighting posts they have written.

Today we celebrate: DAVE ROBERTS. 

At his kindergarten class in St. Cloud Minnesota they had Lincoln Logs big enough to build kid sized houses, and he did. At the UC Santa Cruz Farm and Garden project he graduated to real-sized building blocks and learned how to build post and beam framed buildings with hand tools.

In the thirty years since he learned to appreciate grain, texture, and a sharp saw, he has designed and built solar homes, consulted with the California Energy Commission on energy efficiency, and lived a second life as a computer consultant and web guru.

Through it all, appropriate technology and smart design have played a key role in the projects he undertakes.

Says Dave, " The world confronts huge opportunity and disaster simultaneously today. If we choose the smart path of recycling, conservation, renewable energy, and smart urban planning our children will inherit a healthy, vibrant planet. Every day each of us makes choices to be smart or to fall back on old habits and easy ways of doing things. It's a great time to be alive...and choosing."

READ Dave's exquisite post on sustainability here: http://activerain.com/blogsview/899183/wheel-i-am

_______________________________________________________________________________  

__~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 First Time  and Relocation LAND and Home Buyers.

Asheville Eco-Friendly Real Estate Professionals: IMPACT & Trends - "GREEN" Real Estate and Relocation: The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved

________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

Dateline Asheville, North Carolina, July, 2009
News and Views from Asheville's Greenolina, Real Estate Eco-Steward
  

COLLABORATION: Does it seem to you that, within the amazing tapestry of life, individual well-being is woven together with the golden threads of collaboration- supporting the  local and larger community?

Bringing personal endeavors into alignment witha collaborative approach to solving problems is typical of an eco-friendly real estate professional's approach.

Everybody can benefit.

Although based on an individual's interest, in the collaborative choice, everyone's actions contribute to overall good. I have heard Native Americans refer to this extended sense of community as "all of our relations".

All of our relations -- fellow human beings, the animals, plants, minerals: the rocks, mountains and seas, the deserts, swamps and wetlands, the great plains and wild forests.

The eco-friendly real estate professionals at the Eco-All-Star (1,000+ member) Groupat Active Rain  demonstrate the idea of collaboration. This JULY, in a series of posts, we celebrate contributions of our own Eco-All-Stars by highlighting posts they have written.  

Today we celebrate:  DEB HURT  Deb is one of those eco-savvy professionals who sees a home is an holistic system; a mini ecosystem for its residents. She says, "Environmental issues and energy efficiency continue to become more important every day." Deb's "Home Recycling AKA Resale Residential blog  http://activerain.com/blogs/debhurt   is based on her belief  that

1. Small is beautiful and it uses less resources
2. The "greenest" house is the one that is already built
3. Every existing house can be made more energy efficient and usually at far less cost in both money and embodied energy than new construction
4. Affordable and inexpensive changes can reap big energy savings 
5. Everyone deserves a safe, affordable home, be it ever so humble  (on that subject PLEASE SEE Make It Right)
6. Mature neighborhoods can be revitalized without being gentrified

** all of which suggests a collaborative approach to solving problems. And when it comes to collaborating with clients, Deb has this advice as seen in her post entitled The Perfect Client  -  Be impeccable with your word -   Don't take anything personally -   Don't make assumptions -  Always do your best.

Good advice, I say!! Who else likes this advice?

________________________________________________________________________________________

 __~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 First Time  and Relocation LAND and Home Buyers.

Asheville Eco-Friendly Real Estate Professionals: IMPACT & Trends - "GREEN" Real Estate and Relocation: The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Dateline Asheville, North Carolina, July, 2009
News and Views from Asheville's Greenolina, Real Estate Eco-Steward
Eco-Friendly Real Estate Professionals: IMPACT & Trends- Part II :: PURPOSE  

Real estate professionals know that every life has at its core a dream that quietly and unobtrusively asks to be fulfilled. Each of us dreams such a dream. It is an important part of the amazing blessing of just being in this world.

Purpose is another word for this dream. If you wish to realize your purpose in life you can start by exercising your talents within your chosen field or profession- get what you want, and not give it away, but share it wisely.

The eco-friendly real estate professionals at the Eco-All-Star (1,000+ member) Group at Active Rain  are doing just that.  So, this  JULY, in this, and the series of posts that follow, we invite you to join us by reading  the amazing contributions of our own Eco-All-Stars!

Today we celebrate: MICHELLE VIGGIANO  

Eco-All-Star Michelle is an interior designer with a faux finishing studio.   

PURPOSE: Ensure an inviting environment that would educate, inspire and delight any visitor regardless of individual background, age or belief system.  

Michelle  conceptualized an educational garden with various smaller conceptual gardens to create a whole story. Sections such as plants used for ~ "economic growth and survival" ~ "medicinal plants" ~ "culinary plants and herbs" to name a few, as well as a "faith based garden section".  ... conducted research ... locating rare and forgotten plants and seeds, making arrangements to grow them hydroponically, designing the layout of the garden, creating meaningful signage,

all with a view to ensure an inviting environment that would educate, inspire and delight any visitor regardless of individual background, age or belief system.  

Michelle specializes in work that is non-slaked plaster colored with earth pigments.  "I also have an eco-responsible, plant based, carpet and air duct cleaning business, " Michelle told me.   

YOU will be delighted when you read THIS POST that underscores the notion of PURPOSE.
 Thank you for this amazing contribution, Michelle .

________________________________________________________________________________________  

__~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 First Time  and Relocation LAND and Home Buyers.

Asheville Eco-Friendly Real Estate Professionals: IMPACT & Trends - "GREEN" Real Estate and Relocation: The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Eco-Friendly Real Estate Professionals: IMPACT & Trends and The 100^th Monkey- Part I 

Years ago, the "100th Monkey" theory was widely popular and often quoted. It went like this: if, one by one, a hundred monkeys on a distant island learn how to use sticks for picking bananas the knowledge of picking bananas with sticks all of a sudden becomes an integral part of monkey consciousness. All monkeys everywhere all around the world will then be privy to this knowledge and be able to use sticks to that end.

Does the principle of a vanguard few preparing a shift in consciousness apply to humankind as well?

If you look at the impact eco-friendly real estate professionals may/could/do have, you might be inclined to answer in the affirmative.

Can those same professionals inspire changes that contribute to local communities and to the larger community as well? Just look at what this small (1,000+ member) group at Active Rain offers. You may discover that anyone can be  an agent of change. Of course, the more dedicated to what you are doing you are, the more impact you will have.  

This JULY, in the series of posts that follow, we celebrate contributions of our own Eco-All-Stars  --highlighting posts they have written.  I will be adding links here so please check back, click and comment on these incredible posts, and let me know what you think.

  * 1) Michelle Viggiano..on PURPOSE..  Read about Michelle and her post.

  * 2) Deb Hurt...on COLLABORATION...  Read about Deb her post.

  * 3) Dave Roberts on RESPONSIBILITY  . . . Read about Dave and his post.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

__~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 First Time  and Relocation LAND and Home Buyers.

Asheville Eco-Friendly Real Estate Professionals: IMPACT & Trends - "GREEN" Real Estate and Relocation: The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Here is a post that may be of value to my readers. It is from a trusted colleague, LANE BAILEY. Here Lane points out the value of being cautious.

Following Lane's  advice, I checked out the two sources he references.  Combined with this post, for which we can thank him profusely, the sources can give us excellent information.

It is July Fourth, 2009. Here in Asheville, we are celebrating in the traditional ways: back yard gatherings, blue grass music, fireworks downtown.Tonight I will be able to see the fireworks dazzle the mountains and surprise the night sky.

In Asheville, a number of us are adding   another color to this celebration of life and liberty on the Fourth. Complimenting the traditional red, white and blue  canvas is a backdrop of green.

Here's what I mean-see photo.

Dateline Asheville, North Carolina, July, 2009
News and Views from Asheville's Greenolina, Real Estate Eco-Steward

PLAN Your Move to a Greener Home.

Step One: Spruce up your abode.

Paint. Use NO VOC paints, remove and replace old carpets with nontoxic flooring, consider replacing all the light bulbs with LEDs..

I love Asheville's locally-produced Earthpaint® which is NO VOC for sprucing up both interior and exterior surfaces. (Check the link. You can order it shipped if need be.)

This beginning plan will increase the value of the home and certainly makes it more attractive to today's buyers

Step Two: Replace old appliances with  energy efficient appliances.

Step Three: Update windows, insulate for energy efficiency, and go for daylighting. .

Step Four: Seek out a"green"  real estate professional with NAR's GREEN Designation or the EcoBroker or Eco Certified Real Estate Consultant Designation. (I'm smiling)

______________________________________________________________________________

 __~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 First Time  and Relocation LAND and Home Buyers.

Asheville GREEN Home Buyers - "GREEN" Real Estate and Relocation: The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved

WHAT is THIS???

Hint:

R = (CH₂)₁₄CH₃ or
R = (CH₂)₇CH=CH(CH₂)₅CH₃ or
R = (CH₂)₇CH=CHCH₂CH=CH(CH₂)₂CH₃ or
R = (CH₂)₇CH=CHCH₂CH=CHCH=CHCH₃ or
R = (CH₂)₇CH=CHCH₂CH=CHCH₂CH=CH₂ and others

Sitting on my upper deck the other evening, I noticed a tree that seemed to have sprouted overnight.

I took this photo right away. I was amazed and curious.

I had a sense that this tree could even be "dangerous" to those who happened upon it unexpectedly.

The leaves on this "Tree" looked somehow familiar:  leaves alternating, with 3 leaflets, each smooth margined or shallowly lobed. 

Germination: We have had a lot of rain this year, I mused. Could that have made this tree grow so tall (over 10 feet!) when it was not there last year???

"YIKES! It may be a monster," one visitor laughed.

"Certainly not something I would like to encounter on a dark night," another remarked.

On my forays in the field as  a conservation land specialist I had to admit, I had never seen anything like this.

WHAT could it be? Shall I tell you right away or would you prefer to take a guess?

One more hint? OK. Take a look at this graphic. And maybe check out this word. "Urushiol"

I'll be back to let you know the name of the "TREE" in my back yard, so be sure to take a guess and check back later. And, in the meantime, watch where you walk. . .or ride...or picnic...or garden...

________________________________________________________________________________

__~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 First Time  and Relocation LAND and Home Buyers.

Asheville: The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved

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