Asheville Homes and LAND!- The Keep In Touch Blog

Thanks for the info, I joined the group!

Great information, I am very interesting in this trend, there is cetainly a lot to learn but I have a few experts nearby.  I know in my area thia appeals to a lot of my neighbors who would like to see a less toxic environment.

I think indoor air quality will be end up being just as important as energy efficency in the next several years.

Interesting post- hopefully as "environmentally friendly" products become more "consumer friendly" in price the Green Moovement may become more affordable to builders and renovators both. Like with many industries, (tech for example) as the product grows in popularity the price decreases to the public. We all understand the importance of recycling, and renewing resources. Energy efficiency has made great strides in affordability. Take the 13 SEER energy rated A/C units for instance. When Bamboo flooring becomes less costly than other textiles-it will not only be popular but affordable to everyone. (win/win) Go Green!

janeAnne - I went to the 2nd www.greendrinks.org meeting in Pueblo last night. The green wave is moving fast. In my opinion those who do not take hold are going to be left behind.

Definately not a popular thing in our neck of the woods, YET.  I expect it to become ever more prevalent.  I think it's probably beneficial that energy prices have skyrocketed lately.  The best way for most people to become green is to teach them that to stick to the old ways costs quite a bit of green!

Hi William! Happy to have your energy at the ECO-Friendly-GREEN Scene...  be sure to let is know about your journey and discoveries. And welcome aboard!

Jennifer...Experts like Low VOC paint-folk?  mold experts? ...land planners?...How would your clients connect with such resources...information like this will help all of us not only at the ECO-Friendly-GREEN Scene...  (Hope you'll join us!!) ..but REALTORS and clients...Oh do let is know the stories of how this unfolds as we  go along. THANKS for your comment.

Bill...I know that indoor air quality is vital...but tell us... why do you think it will be the main issue in the near future?

Hi Allison...I want to hear more about 13 SEER energy rated systems....I agree, when product information gets to be common knowledge, it could help all of us not only at the ECO-Friendly-GREEN Scene...  (Hope you'll join us!!) ..but across the board...in cost and health savings. Thanks for your comments.

Dear Dena...As you say, " those who do not take hold are going to be left behind. .." So what can we do here at AR to reach out to our colleagues at AR?..I figure if 5,000 REALTORS across the country see the value in getting with the market trend...and they touch 100,000 homebuyers and their families  each year...there will be about 500,000 people reaping the benefits!

Hi Chris...Seems to me you are on to something when you say..."teach them"...has always felt to me that we REALTORS are providers of education so that our clietns can make wise choices...you also point out, that if  consumers "stick to the old ways [it] costs quite a bit of green! " So I'm smiling.Good point, Chris.  Hey with that kind of spunk and wisdom...hope you''' join us at the ECO-Friendly-GREEN Scene...  ...

Another great topic, JaneAnne.  We need more green builders that are willing to get outside of the city limits and build for clients in conservation developments in the outlying areas.  There is certainly a demand for builders educated in energy efficiency and green building to build homes in private mountain communities promoting conservation.  It seems an obvious marriage of eco conscious buyer and "green" contractor. 

Hi Corey...EXACTLY...and I can think of  of a "private mountain communities promoting conservation"...that entrances me each time I visit and leaves my clients smiling...In case you hadn't guessed, that would be Creston Preserve...

Tell us a bit more about your comment that such communities seem " an obvious marriage of eco conscious buyer and "green" contractor." 

Thanks, JaneAnne.  My clients that have purchased homesites in the Creston Community have come from all over the country, all age groups and all sorts of professions, backgrounds and nationalities.  However, they all have a common bond that draws them to a place like Creston with it's conservation easements, hiking trails, privacy and thoughtful architectural guidelines.  There is a strong desire in our property owners to embrace and blend in with the natural beauty of Western NC and not to destroy the very thing that attracted them to this area in the first place.  There's no doubt a wonderful trend towards conservation communities and green building especially among the much sought after baby boomer market.  I only hope more developers, realtors and builders are educated of this trend and not be afraid to adventure outside of their comfort zones and leave behind the golf course communities, enormous "McMansions", etc.

Green is becoming more and more important in our society!  Be it cars or homes.  There is only a finite amount of natural resources out there, so....

Corey...You bring up an excellent point! You say, " There's no doubt a wonderful trend towards conservation communities and green building especially among the much sought after baby boomer market." Do you have any thoughts on that and/or  are you seeing it at Creston?

Kaushik..really good point that seems to fly right by a number of consumers...as you say, there is a " finite amount of natural resources..."   As REALTORS we are in the inviable position of being able to educate our clients about the benefits for them in the "green" market.

janeAnne

Having lived in Los Angeles and Patagonia--I have observed the increase in awareness of and demand for more eco-friendly, health enhancing, sustainable homes. Here is Asheville there are even some"affordable" homes as well as higher end homes incorporating 'green' features.

I am in the Construction Management program at AB Tech and there is a department now building a modular home which meets the "Healthy Built Home" standard for North Carolina. I will gather more information about it and let you know what I learn. 

Sami...Thanks for your news about a modular home which meets the "Healthy Built Home" standard ..and look for my upcoming blog on another modular home that willknock your socks off! YAY!

I am wondering how you see ... a REALTOR as a stake-holder

Arlene..This could be a whole BLOG! Just let me say that we are in an enviable position to create possibilities for ourselves and others and this can benefit the community and the larger community as well.

janeAnne. We are looking at 1031 investment properties. We want to think ahead to what will attract home buyers in the future, so we are interested in certain green features like energy saving appliances. That would be number one on out list. If we were buying for personal use, we'd go for radiant floor heat, bamboo floors, and low voc paints, too. What are your clients asking for the most?

janeAnne

Since we are becoming ever more aware of the toxins in our environment there is no doubt in my mind that incresing numbers of homeowners will ask for their homes to be built with safer materials. One has only to think of the "canary in the cage" that miners would take into the mines with them. The increase in childhood illnesses such as asthma has  been linked to environmental exposures to certain materials that are used in construction. Also the problem of exposure to lead based paints. Although the lead has been removed for many years people are still discovering high levels of lead still in their bodies. It would be comforting to know that we are safe in our own homes due to the use of non-toxic building materials.

Sami...You bring up an excellent point. It is the silent invaders who may cause the most harm.

janeAnne and Allison  I like the comment about "environmentally friendly" products becoming more "consumer friendly" in price. This is definitely an issue in larger numbers of people changing how they choose to live. One of the magazines I read regularly had many articles about building new 'green' homes. After surveying their readers the magazine heard that most of them were not in the market to build a new home but needed information on how to make the homes they live in more 'green'.

janeAnne  I enjoyed your comment that "we are in an enviable position to create possibilities for ourselves and others and this can benefit the community and the larger community as well."  Living in Southern California in Topanga Canyon and watching sunsets over the Pacific as I drove home on PCH was always incredible to me. I didn't understand why everyone didn't want to live there. Through interesting circumstances I find myself living in the mountains of North Carolina and loving the beauty of my surroundings.

I am a member of the Asheville Board of Realtors and our legislative committee has discussed this topic. Many of us moved here to enjoy the region's beauty and we are in the business of helping people purchase or sell their properties. However we are aware that unless we protect this wonderful legacy that nature has provided there will be less and less reason for people to be drawn to live here.

Sami...Good point you make: "unless we protect this wonderful legacy that nature has provided there will be less and less reason for people to be drawn to live here. .." ...and to create a win-win-win situation, we really need to pay attention to our viewsheds and open spaces and waterfalls...as well as each other. Sustainable communities don't just happen, as you imply.

As you know, I try to read your BLOG every week. Here is yet another reason why. You said, When you evaluate a home, do you ask yourself, "How many miles per gallon does this home get?" ? How about energy resources? Durability? Low impact on nature? Health for you, your employees, your family?  I had never thought of that. Now I will have more thinking to do.

Durability is one of my favorite topics, John. Let's look at an ECO-wise builder, for example. When a builder uses durable materials those materials will not have to be replaced for many years. They will not negatively impact other systems and components.  I am just not a fan of short-lived or disposable materials, they will waste both money and resources. One of the cautions I offer my clients who are investing in new construction is to ascertain if materials are properly installed. If  so, they can perform to their full potential. One of my trusted builders told me, " Construction details that prevent moisture and air infiltration and insect or weather damage can be the key to the longevity of a dwelling."

The  Blue Sky Foundation of North Carolina  promotes safer construction, wise land use, disaster mitigation and sustainable development and could be a  good resource for you.

John~

Thanks for your comment. It is nice to know that my BLOG has given you (and hopefully other readers) something to think about that is of value to them.

janeAnne,

This old-timer builder still seems to doubt the green building momentum. It's still in its early stages, but it definitely is gathering steam and is going to be elemental for builders to embrace in the next few years, or else.