Asheville ECO-GREEN Real Estate

Creative Retirees Pick Asheville NC- Old Dog-New Tricks? YES!

"If you're thinking about retiring or relocating to a community with an arts focus, here's [Asheville, NC] where there is a healthy arts climate....

 Active retirees who love the arts are seeking out large cities and towns with strong arts programs and more affordable communities that are close to cultural centers," reports Retire South .

THIS old dog has an avid affinity for Asheville. She promises "old dogs" learn can and do learn new tricks here in the mountains where the air is crisp, the neighbors are friendly and great food abounds. (see photo of my happy dog)

And if it is Sense of Community you seek, Asheville's Center for Creative Retirement  on the campus of UNCA is a must.

Here you is the opportunity to  meet like-minded people, explore common interests, share experiences and learn in an atmosphere that is "stimulating, creative, friendly, fulfilling, and fun." 

 Take a look at the various programs creative retirees recommend from leadership and research to learning and service such as:

•   College for Seniors (CFS)   Community Education   Creative Retirement Weekend (CREW)  Paths to Creative Retirement (Paths)   Leadership Asheville Seniors (LAS)   Leadership Training for Older Persons (LTOP)   Center Governance Community Education  and Volunteering    

Then tell me if you desire  healthy built nest...Baby Boomers--Where are you heading?

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  Asheville NC Real Estate:  LAND and LOT EXPERTS- Going Green/ Eco-Friendly Properties.  Tools for Sellers and Buyers. Mountain Homes, Land Legacies, LOTS and Land For Sale by Owners.

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(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............" We are on the roll  for  sustainable  innovation."  © 2010. Asheville NC Real Estate     Unauthorized reproduction of any information on this site is a violation of existing copyright laws. All rights reserved.

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Rain chains according to Wikipedia are "alternatives to a downspout...[whose] purpose is largely decorative...." And certainly, they are.

They offer melodic interpretations
of water heading to the ground.
Sometimes, there is a the potential for a
three dimensional moment.   

However, here in the Asheville NC area, the hub of sustainable innovation, rain chains offer more than attractive decorative features.

Rain chains can be  a simple addition to a chosen rainwater harvesting (RWH) system.
(see photo)

Here in the mountains,
where permaculture and organic gardening
are part and parcel of neighborhoods,
many of our clients are exctied about RWH.

Rain water harvesting (RWH)  
requires less treatment than greywater recycling,
if being used for non-potable demand
such as watering your garden.

* * *

On a Sunday, during the February thaw, we came across this rain chain creating a point of interest. Here you can see how this simple rain chain, still having a good bit of ice aboard, breaks the fall of the water, guiding it downward to a storage basin. There is, too, the enchanting melody.

If you were inclined, you could even connect this to a rain barrel for storage.

Asheville NC Real Estate:  LAND and LOT EXPERTS- Going Green/ Eco-Friendly Properties.  Tools for Sellers and Buyers. Mountain Homes, Land Legacies, LOTS and Land For Sale by Owners.

__~o
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(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............" We are on the roll  for  sustainable  innovation."  © 2010. Asheville NC Real Estate     Unauthorized reproduction of any information on this site is a violation of existing copyright laws. All rights reserved.

Asheville NC. The Land. The Lots. The February Sky. And a Fabulous FSBO.

Sunday in the Asheville area mountains. Winter.  The trees are bare. The sun is shining.

This is the perfect time to scout parcels of land . These are the days LOTS and LAND reveal what they are "made of."  Take for example:

__ a  For Sale By Owner (FSBO)  parcel that a client and I went out to investigate today.  

 My client is particular. She wants privacy, but she also wants to have a sense of community.On her list of top priorities is that she be able to enjoy wildlife and be close to the National Forest. She wonders, as we drive, if she will be attracted to the parcel. 

I answer in the affirmative, and smile knowing that this FSBO  parcel just happens to be within a conservation-oriented community .

It's a real beauty. It is nestled in by the trails and wildlife right next to the Pisgah National Forest, but it is easily accessible. (see photos.)

On the way to see how she feels about it, this client continues to specify her parameters. She will build a LEED Certified  home.

She asks questions such as:

1. " Can you refer me to an architect and a LEED builder who will take into account protection of the building site, solar orientation, wildlife preservation, erosion control, saving existing trees?

2. Might you know who will incorporate plans for a "Cradle to Cradle"   design?

And then we arrive on the scene.  YES. There are few special finds ( NOT a lot) this client might consider- however, LOTS where conservation based subdivision design, Low Impact Development (LID), and land development minimizes adverse environmental impact- are rare.

As we drive on the mountain road approaching the site, she catches her breath. "This  is gorgeous!" she breathes. We reach the parcel. We step out into the fresh mountain air. It is not cold, but the pristine snow blankets a landscape bordered by mountains and blue sky. And she gazes at the sight as  I catch a photo of her reaction. (see photo)  She is impressed ... Will she fall in love with this gem?

Follow this story in days to come...
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Asheville NC Real Estate:  LAND and LOT EXPERTS- Going Green/ Eco-Friendly Properties.  Tools for Sellers and Buyers. Mountain Homes, Land Legacies, LOTS and Land For Sale by Owners.

__~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............" We are on the roll  for  sustainable  innovation."  © 2010. Asheville NC Real Estate     Unauthorized reproduction of any information on this site is a violation of existing copyright laws. All rights reserved.

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Lots and acreage enjoy a special position in the real estate investment market, especially in Asheville NC where our clients have a vested interest in maintaining quality of life in the mountains. More and more we are seeing thoughtful development where homes on the land, such as this horse property in Asheville (see photo of FSBO) take into account eco-friendly features.  

That vested interest contributes to the viability of the  market.as demonstrated by the increasing demand for value-added, sustainable properties such as NC HealthyBuilt ® Homes that are being built on lots and large parcels of land in our area. .

For example, more and more investors are choosing "eco- communities"- looking at eco-developments and private land trusts not only for their economic investment potential, but for their value in terms of social and natural capital. 

LOTS & LAND & ECO LITERACY GO HAND IN HAND IN THE GREATER ASHEVILLE AREA

People who are active and informed in their communities are among our most important assets in the Greater Asheville Area in terms of  stewardship, environmental justice, air and water quality.

Going Green?  Here a few links of interest to green builders, buyers and sellers of land. 

03-23-2010 - 03-23-2010 NC HealthyBuilt Homes Program Orientation ... 

03-23-2010 - 03-23-2010 LEED for Homes Program Orientation   

Air Quality Forecast  www.ncair.org 

Safe, Accessible Water for All  http://www.cwfnc.org/ 

The North Carolina Division of Waste Management regulates solid waste disposal, hazardous waste management, underground storage tanks and Superfund cleanups.

Here's information on area Landfill Sites and more...  http://www.wastenotnc.org/programs.htm 

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Asheville NC Real Estate:  LAND and LOT EXPERTS- Going Green/ Eco-Friendly Properties.  Tools for Sellers and Buyers. Mountain Homes, Land Legacies, LOTS Land For Sale by Owners.

__~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............" We are on the roll  for  sustainable  innovation."  © 2010. Asheville NC Real Estate     Unauthorized reproduction of any information on this site is a violation of existing copyright laws. All rights reserved.

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MYRL JEFFCOAT has the heart of a poet...the eye of an artists...and the imagination to bring them to life through her photography. What a beautiful Valentine Gift she shares here...

Asheville NC snow storm. Power out for days. No problem. Toss another log on the fire, and if you are thirsty. a cold drink is just outside...in the ice chair...I call this photo..."I'm snow-cold, I'm shakin'."

5 Tips for Buying Land in  Asheville NC  that Work No Matter Where You Live

1.  Find a local expert who enjoys the out-of-doors to assist you(see photo of Asheville real estate land expert) This professional land expert knows how to answer important questions about the land. SEE THIS POST.

2. Plan to see the land in the winter. Yes, the winter! Or in the early spring. Why? Because, in most climates, you can get an excellent view of the lay of the land when leaves and bears are sleeping.

(Photo taken today just past dawn as Land Loving Specialist digs out after winter storm in the Asheville area mountains. Showing land in winter is an art form.)

3. Decide the context: Do you desired your own little "bit of paradise"  on a mountaintop? Would you prefer to have neighbors in a mountain setting with whom you might enjoy hiking, fishing, and cross country skiing ? Will this land be a legacy for your family? Possibly you are considering a weekend getaway- so many cherished memories unfold from times spent with family and friends at the family cabin.

4. Ask good questions of your land specialist: Does the property have reliable water source? Is it landlocked? What does your sustainable development expert say about solar orientation? What building restrictions are in place?  

5. Notice and acknowledge the "feeling"  you enjoy when you stand on the land. Take that "feeling" into account when you discuss what is most important to you and your family in the buying decision.

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Asheville NC Real Estate:  LAND and LOT EXPERTS-  Going Green/ Eco-Friendly Properties.  Tools for Sellers and Buyers. Mountain Homes, Land Legacies, LOTS Land For Sale by Owners.

__~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............" We are on the roll  for  sustainable  innovation."  © 2010. Asheville NC Real Estate     Unauthorized reproduction of any information on this site is a violation of existing copyright laws. All rights reserved.

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We are working with a general contractor in Asheville, NC who plans to build a LEED certified home on an outstanding lot she discovered, so we are especially excited about RLI's upcoming March 3, 2010 webinar that all of us have been invited to attend.

 It offers useful  information about sustainable development including one of my favorite topics: site development.

Site analyses are important no matter what you are building or where you live.They are especially important in the mountains. So, here in Asheville NC sustainable development is "the thing".

For the builder/owner of a LEED Certified home, taking the following into account is really  important:

Hydrology
Soils
Slopes
Solar aspect and building orientation
Microclimate(s)
Vegetation
Wildlife
Scenic qualities
Cultural features

(Photo shows sustainable education teacher demonstrating solar gain at Hickory Nut Forest eco-community near Asheville, NC)  

As a land specialist and broker of large and small tracts of land for sale, I am appreciative of what site analyses do for buyers, sellers and for me. Combined with the building site's overall ecological patterns a site analyses provides essential information that helps all of us make wise choices.

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Asheville NC Real Estate:     LAND in  Asheville.  Going Green  and Eco-Friendly Properties. Expert Tools for Sellers and Buyers of  Mountain Homes and Land Legacies. "On the roll for  sustainable  innovation."  © 2010. Asheville NC Real Estate     Unauthorized reproduction of any information on this site is a violation of existing copyright laws. All rights reserved.

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Asheville NC -Investors' LOTS and Land For Sale

I wrote a post not long ago about the Top 5 Eco-Friendly Trends for Investors to Watch in 2010 that gave investors lots to think about: Innovation - developing alternatives to technologies that have been demonstrated to damage your health and your environment."Cradle to Cradle" Design - fully reclaiming or re-using products end "cradle to grave" cycle of manufactured products. Sustainability - meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.Source reduction - reducing waste and pollution by changing outmoded patterns of production and consumption. This decreases reliance on landfills and incinerators.Viability - creating economic growth around "green" technologies and products.


But all this got me thinking about LOTS! Eco-friendly LOTS , that is. There are lots of LOTS for sale by owner and/or on the MLS in the Asheville NC  area.  What can distinguish these lots? They are informed by the list above. 

Such LOTS would take into account protection of the building site, solar orientation, wildlife preservation, erosion control, saving existing trees, and would incorporate plans for a "Cradle to Cradle" design. The LOT and the Investor would want sustainability to count. How many trips to the landfill, for example, could be avoided when the building process gets underway? (Source reduction.) And would bring green technologies into play.  Would you consider reclaiming or re-using timber?(see video below.)

I know of a handful of lots (that is NOT  a lot) that Investors looking for ROI might consider-LOTS where  conservation based subdivision design, Low Impact Development (LID), walkability, and land development that minimizes adverse environmental impacts adds up to a wise choice- 

Take a look at this one, for example. (see video) This LOT is NOT on the MLS. It's a FSBO.  It belongs to a poet-author....and when you watch the video, you may understand why he chose to invest in it--hint (waterfall and trails.)

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__~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............Asheville NC Real Estate:     LAND in  Asheville.  Going Green  and Eco-Friendly Properties. Expert Tools for Sellers and Buyers of  Mountain Homes and Land Legacies. "On the roll for  sustainable  innovation."  © 2010. Asheville NC Real Estate     Unauthorized reproduction of any information on this site is a violation of existing copyright laws. All rights reserved.

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JEFF GEOGHAN found this map. I am reBlogging it and spending some time thinking about the implications.

What eco-friendly trends in real estate are Investors watching these days? Here are my Top 5 picks for 2010. 

1. "Cradle to Cradle" Design - fully reclaiming or re-using products end "cradle to grave" cycle of manufactured products.
   
   Example:  In Detroit, The Ford River Rouge Complexredevelopment  is an example of this concept, and is a direct result of FoMoCo consultation with William McDonough, who with his partner originated the concept.
   
   Reported Michigan Land Use, "The entrance to the Rouge complex is turning into a 1.5-mile-long green boulevard with 22 acres of wetlands, trees, and shrubs. Some 1,500 trees and other plantings are starting to surround the new assembly building and several others. Thousands of feet of shallow drainage canals, and multiple manmade wetlands have been constructed and seeded with indigenous plants. To control rainwater and pollutants, the assembly plant's 15-acre parking lot is covered with a porous surface through which water is filtered, cleansed and stored in underground basins to be slowly released into canals and wetlands. ...."
   
   Can you imagine how this affects the quality of life for those who live and work in the area?
   
   
   
2. Sustainability - meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
   
   Example: In Asheville, NC, interdependence, respect for nature, and responsibility for future generations is expressed in local culture and neighborhoods. 
   
   
   And a group of over 300 real estate professionals  who are eco certified work together and with developers to build sustainably, and work with buyers to find the most eco friendly homes, businesses and/or land.
   
   
   As a member of this group, I can say I am excited to see the possibilities for clients and for Asheville.
   
   
   
3. Source reduction - reducing waste and pollution by changing outmoded patterns of production and consumption. This decreases reliance on landfills and incinerators.  By reducing the need for "virgin" resources extracted from forests, oil reserves, and mines, we use less energy, reduce greenhouse gases, water pollution, and conserve natural resources.
   
   Example: Your Home Town and Your Footprint:  Calculate it here
   
   Guess how small or big your "footprint" is. . .let me know
   
   
   
   
4. Viability - creating economic growth around "green" technologies and products.
   
   Example: Our colleague, Mary Bigelow's work. For a quick glimpse, check out Mary's blog post.  and leave Mary a comment.
   
   
   
5.  Innovation - developing alternatives to technologies that have been demonstrated to damage your health and your environment.
   
   Example: The NC HealthyBuilt Homes (HBH) Program  that encompass all aspects of environmental design and construction including:
   
   
   a) Site and Landscape: healthy outdoors by using erosion control and saving existing trees
   b) Water Efficiency: lower water bills by using high efficiency irrigation and plumbing fixtures
   c) Building Envelope: lower utility bills by using high efficiency windows and insulation
   d) Heating and Cooling Systems: higher comfort with efficiency equipment and sealed air ducts
   e) Appliances and Lighting: lower utility bills by using Energy Star appliances and lighting
   f) Indoor Air Quality: a healthy interior with non-toxic finishes and minimizing mold
   g) Materials: a low maintenance home using durable, local, and recycled content materials
   
   REALTORS...how would you and your investors like to live in such a home?
   
   
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__~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............Asheville NC Real Estate:     LAND in  Asheville.  Going Green  and Eco-Friendly Properties. Expert Tools for Sellers and Buyers of  Mountain Homes and Land Legacies. "On the roll for  sustainable  innovation."  © 2010. Asheville NC Real Estate     Unauthorized reproduction of any information on this site is a violation of existing copyright laws. All rights reserved.

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