ActiveRain is a terrific place to strengthen your knowledge about trends in the market. We write informative posts. We converse in Groups that sizzle. We have fun by flexing our blog-muscles in contests that explore what's on the horizon. So, we all reap the rewards of sharing our knowledge here.
Exploring trends in real estate is one of my favorite pursuits, no doubt about it. But I'm sure you will agree, that research in the area of trends simply is not complete without incorporating - your own opinions about what's ahead in 2008 and beyond, and what you would like to see happening in your own homeplace... (I myself read and poll numerous sources, and have a growing list of trendy-green items I plan introduce into my mountain home in Asheville, North Carolina.) I've noticed that here at AR, talking with each other "rings the bells " when it comes to finding out what we need to know about what's down the road.
Over at the Eco-All-Stars Group, for example, we're finding out about what our clients are likely to be demanding in 2008... green retrofits, "green-built" new construction with eco-friendly features that intrigue clients, and much more.
Earlier this month, Dena Stevens spearheaded a challenge to all the Active Rain members to showcase choices and trends in the "green" residential market. In the "if money were no object...what would you incorporate in your own home [or those being constructed in Brad Pitt's Make it Right" Project..."] we not only opened up a fascinating conversation...but an invitational to all Active Rain Members.
Competition winners (judged by a panel of ECO certified real estate professionals ) would receive bonus points for their blog post winning entries. The excitement mounted as outstanding posts arrived to meet the "Brad Pitt/Dena Stevens Pink" Challenge. It was almost impossible to narrow down the field. Judges had to use a point system and then the winners were only separated by a few points! But narrow it down they did....And here the winners are. . .
RING THE BELLS for The Winners of the ActiveRain Contest / Brad Pitt, Dena Stevens "Pink" Challenge
who will be featured through this winning announcement..... they are:
1st Place - Dave Roberts 1st Place - 1,000 bonus points
Dave, your "design from the top down" post was delightful, and totally communicated why you chose the 5 elements you did...You explained..."The recent Solar Decathlon on the national mall featured dozens of entries that were all highly efficient and innovative. They proved that creating an energy efficient home is technically very realistic. I'm going to talk about five things I would do to make my building lovably sustainable."
You can read and comment on Dave's 1st Place Entry HERE
2nd Place - Georgina Hunter 2nd Place -500 bonus points - Georgina, similar to Dave's, your post caught the judges' eye(s)... "OK, " you tell us," so if money were absolutely no object we could have done things differently and here's what I would put on my wish list for the futureL read on
3rd Place - Bill Roberts 3rd place- 300 bonus points - Bill, you explained... I am not an artist or an architect so there are no drawings. You have to close your eyes and imagine it...."
And that is just what we did. Active Rain members reading your delightful post, tell me they are the recipients of vivid mental images, and smiles. . .read on
Special Honorable Mentions - Green Thumbs Up to-
Dena, Stephanie, and Mary All of whom wrote WINNING POSTS...but since you volunteered to judge this Challenge...you disqualified your post. Therefore, you are herby awarded ...Special Honorable Mention and the Big Green Thumbs Up!
Honorable Mentions - Lane, Brent... Michael Pulakamp a wonderful job.... we had to give you some AR positivism, too!
All of You.... thanks for taking all of us on your journey ---goodimagineering and times! As I read each post I so enjoyed the detail, educational benefits for me and my clients and the excellent conversation that has developed in the comment section on your posts. AND...for those of you who didn't "win", ActiveRain is showering you with "gifts of the season" -ALL those that entered and did not win bonus points --- you will be each getting 200 points!!!
Thank You to the Contest Judges And we cannot forget our judges and the inspiration for this contest - Dena Stevens, Mary Bigelow, Stephanie Edwards-Musa - 500 points for their effort! Mary Bigelow - Stephanie Edwards-Musa - Dena Stevens -
FINALLY...a big round of applause for Brad Pitt... as Georgina and Dave pointed out.. "You have to applaud Brad Pitt for taking on such a monumental project, and getting the ball rolling with a $5 Million contribution. His heart is in the right place, and he is leading by example...[with his Pink Project ]. . .
"Making It Right is a wonderful idea for rebuilding New Orleans Lower 9th Ward. The Pink Project'sconcept of building 150 eco-friendly homes is a brilliant way to combine reconstruction with education about the planet's ecological and climate balance. The web site illustrates many specifics of the New Orleans design and appliance decisions. The designers made some very good choices for homes that have to be both affordable and sustainable. For today's market they are doing exactly the right thing."
May 2008 ring in abundant blessings.
..for everyone!
Copyright © 2007 All Rights Reserved Asheville ECO Real Estate: Trends, Legacies & The Home Place Greenolina
janeAnne, I was so impressed with everyone's posts during this contest! I learned some new things, met some wonderful ECO minded professionals and really enjoyed reading all of these posts. Thanks for letting me help judge!
A Big Thanks and Congratulations to everyone that entered the contest!!! Happy Holidays to everyone and Here's to a Happy New Year!!!
janeAnne, I really enjoyed participating in this contest. This group is one of the best on AR. Everybody is so nice and helpful.
I think I read all the entries. I learned so much. I just want to thank everybody, but especially the judges.
THANK YOU.
Bill Roberts
I'm with Bill. Everybody had interesting suggestions and great ideas for their own dream home. I am VERY encouraged by the understanding of the issues shown by this group. We obviously have real estate people from all over the country who understand what green building is all about. I'm honored to have been able to participate in this contest with so many wonderful people. Thanks!
Best wishes to New Orleans and Brad Pitt's project. I hope they get swamped with donations this holiday season.
Thanks for running this "contest", JaneAnne. I feel we were all winners by reading and participating in this green awareness campaign. You have helped to bring this topic to the TOP of everyone's list of trends for the immediate future.
I learned a lot about reuseable resources and I am still investigating these to implement.
Best wishes to all this holiday season!
Stephanie~
THANKS so much for making the effort to judge this Challenge...especially during this busy time of the year. I agree with you..it was HARD to choose a winner...entries were so well-written, informative and worthwhile. . .
Diane~
Now you have made my entire month!...You commented, " ...truly was one of the all time best contestson AR. " I am thrilled with the results...each of the winners...all the honorable mentions and everyone who participated underscored the possibility for positive futures...for all concerned. . .
I've been impressed by the Green People on Active Rain. And I'm feeling a little frustrated by my old 1915 house, and how it seems to be one step forward and two steps back. I'm planning to use the area's best green contractor to do the rest of the work on it. Should be interesting!
And congratulations to all the winners!
JaneAnne! Thanks for this contest! It has been fun AND educational! I appreciate the extra points but more importantly I appreciate AR, All the ECO AllStars who have made my year full of growth and have accompanied me on this green pathway! 2008 will be exciting and I look forward to learning more and enjoying GREAT WRITING and input that we receive daily in this forum!
Merry Christmas to All and to All .... a reNEWable Year!
CONGRATS to all the winners! I've had the pleasure to have read some of these winners, and will go read the rest. I learned a number of things about eco-minded real estate, and things that can be done to do our part.
WONDERFUL contest!
I don't want to hurt myself patting own back to hard. But I think this was one of the best, if not THE BEST contest we have ever had in the Rain. Thank you janeAnne for all of your time and trouble. And thank you to everyone who wrote a post.
I'd like to now suggest that everyone who wrote a post either try to publish it or in someway engage their ideas and plans. We need to continue to be proactive!
janeAnne, What a wonderful challenge. I can't wait to read all the posts. Congratulations to you on a well deserved featured post and to all the winners.
Bill~
Congratulations on your amazing entry to the Challenge...I could just see myself in your green home! It's nice to know that, as you commented, " I read all the entries. I learned so much..." To me, that is one of the major benfits of Active Rain. . .
janeAnne,
All the winners and participants in this event deserve congratulations, including you for organizing it. Brad Pitt really should get the most recognition for his effort in the huge project. He sets an important example that hopefully will be duplicated by many.
Dave~
Your post on the Green/Pink subject was fantabulous! Congratulations on your 1st Place win...What you noticed (as per your comment) "We obviously have real estate people from all over the country who understand what green building is all about."..goes double for YOU =)
I have really enjoyed this contest and enjoyed learning from it.
Congratulations to all winners!!
Bonnie~
You bring up a great point..."I learned a lot about reuseable resources and I am still investigating these to implement." Thanks for your participation in this AR event...look for your 200 points soon =)
Lane~
I so enjoyed your post(s) on this subject! Congratulations on your Honorable Mention...you brought a special "element" of your own to this discussion.
Brian~
It was lots of fun to put this Challenge together and moderate it ...lucky for me, I didn't have to be on the judges bench on this one...it would have been SO hard to pick the winner(s) because all the posts were amazing!
It is impressive how passionate folks are who want to see humanity progress toward more intelligent ways of of creating and using energy.
Great entries.Relevant subject matter as always with this forward looking bunch.
Thank you all for your great work,imagining a smarter near future.
J.T.
You guys all ROCK, this was such a great contest, THANK YOU to everybody involved. I'd been bouncing ideas around and this was the perfect inducement to write them down.
Thank You!
janeAnne - my dad says "hi"! I'm down here in Florida for Christmas and he saw me reading your post and asked about you.
Merry Christmas!
Ann
Hi janeAnne - I included this post in this week's Week in Review. I think there's so much for many of us to learn from the winners in this contest - I wanted more people to read them.
Merry Christmas!
Ann
Wishing You HAPPY HOLIDAYS and Best Wishes for A GREAT YEAR 2008.
New York Certified Home Inspector Long Island NY Tommy Nassau/Suffolk/Queens Home Inspectionsgreat thoughts and ideas from all! I can't wait to read each and everyone and have already started. Things are changing rapidly in the green movement and kudos to the eco AR Group and janeAnne for keeping us at the forefront!
Warm regards to all!
Janie
Ann~
GREAT NEWS!!!
Thanks so much for letting us know...
Hi janeAnne - I included this post in this week's Week in Review. I think there's so much for many of us to learn from the winners in this contest - I wanted more people to read them.
and Happy 2008 to You and ALL