Eco Friendly Real Estate Blog

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
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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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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
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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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You know that old country song..."I was country before country was cool..." ?  Well ,guess who was "Greenolina"  before sustainability was cool? . . . Remember the old Green is Red Hot Contests that took place in March, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 right here on Active Rain?  They were fun and informative and as a result, the Eco- All-Star Group went from 2 members (yes just Dena and me back in 2006) to a very nice 1,000+.

Now it looks as if  the trend toward green -sustainability it red hot in a broader audience. As a land broker, I was so pleased to learn of  a webinar sponsored by the REALTORS® Land Institute,  for example. 

" Sustainable development is the ability to satisfy the basic needs of today without compromising the ability of future generations to do so...the intention behind sustainable development is to create a balanced environment that can be maintained in line with nature's life supporting systems," says the eFlyer I just received.

So it turns out that-

Planning low impact land use to preserve natural beauty and resources is the trend.

This webinar deals with mighty interesting subjects including:

1. non-polluting  alternative energy sources -  solar, wind, hydro
2. strategic planning  to preserve natural features, habitats
3. giving thought to sustainable landscape design tactics

I am excited about this. Possibly,  you are someone who might benefit from taking a look  this link for more information: http://www.rliland.com/WebSeminars.aspx

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You can design your own kitchen, bathroom, patio...and, at the same time,  stamp your signature into concrete. How exciting is that??  If you have been following this series, you will know that our eco-friendly colleagues here in Asheville, the Hub of Green, sure are. Solid and durable, it also is versatile and adaptable to both indoor and outdoor use. As one person put it, " Concrete is the soup du jour of current home trends.

Sellers are finding that including the "new concrete" is an economical and eco-savvy way in which they can  update their home prior to putting it on the market.

Green builders (see photo) around town are using concrete in many different ways.

Neighbors doing renovation projects, as well, favor this material.

Buyers are so impressed with kitchen remodeling ideas that include counter tops with integral sinks and backsplashes, or a unique fireplace surround, or patio designs and walkways with that special creative allure . . ..

 Artisans are thrilled with the possibilities.

Today's hottest trend adds color, fine-finishes that dazzle, and a chance to express your personal creative stamp. 

Other posts in this series include topics such as : concrete flooring and home trends in concrete.HOW would YOU include concrete in your design plans and put YOUR stamp on it?

Heads-Up:  The US Green Building Council recently picked concrete as their #1 Choice  for Kitchen Counter Tops. 

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__~o
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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."  © Concrete (Series) - Put Your Stamp On It, 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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Ever since I participated in a site evaluation of a Green-Built home, where I first experienced the luster of concrete flooring, I have been fascinated with the possibilities for concrete in residential properties.   

Because the home that was being evaluated was complying with HealthyBuilt standards, the concrete used did not generate significant volumes of carbon dioxide (CO2.)

CO2 contributes significantly to greenhouse gas. In this application, the builder carefully had selected concrete the substitutes of  fly ash and slag. 

 What else makes concrete a "green" product? 

1.Concrete flooring provides high durability.

2. Concrete flooring is less subject to biological contamination problems. 

(Photo taken at site evaluation of an Asheville NC Green Built home.

For buyers and sellers of properties who are thinking about smart residential renovations we are excited about the various types of flooring they may choose to install. Bamboo? Cork? Recycled Hardwood? In terms of environmentally responsible choices, particularly in our indoor environment, for our own home, we are leaning towards concrete as we discuss the topic around the kitchen table. 
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Asheville NC Real Estate:      Going Green Properties. Expert Tools for Sellers and Buyers of  Mountain Homes and Land Legacies. "On the roll for  sustainable  innovation." See also our Mountain Homes and Land blog. Smart Renovations -Concrete .Copyright © 2010. All Rights Reserved. Asheville NC Real Estate     

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Asheville NC Real Estate - Smart Renovations 2010  include. . .  CONCRETE!

In the Asheville NC real estate market , where eco-friendly features such as concrete innovations and design trends add-value to residential properties, I have been asking, " Are you ready to discover one of the newest design trends that actually is as old as the Roman Empire? " 

Discovery :: The "New Concrete"- colorful, fine-fashioned, and with shining surfaces, the new concrete offers solutions in sustainable innovation that  I daresay could have astounded Caesar himself.  According to Wikipedia,  in the Emperor's day,  the "Concrete Revolution, freed Roman construction from the restrictions of stone and brick material and allowed for revolutionary new designs both in terms of structural complexity and dimension."  

Today, in that same spirit, revolutionary new designs in custom concrete provide solutions --
"stadiums-full" of property owners can applaud. Solid, dependable, "concrete solutions" that make sense for both indoor and outdoor use.   

Speaking of stadiums, how about this concrete solution from Elite Crete?

Exciting :: Kitchen remodeling ideas that include concrete countertops with integral sinks and backsplashes, kitchen islands, fireplace surrounds, concrete patio designs and walkways- and more...read on with the next installment of this series as I take you on a tour ...

AshevilleNC Real Estate:     LAND in  Asheville . Going Green Properties. Expert Tools for Sellers and Buyers of  Mountain Homes and Land Legacies. "On the roll for  sustainable  innovation." See also our Mountain Homes and Land blog. http://landlegacies.blogspot.com/ 
Copyright © 2010. All Rights Reserved. Asheville NC Real Estate       __________________________

Going Green: Faux-green to Real-deal- Asheville NC Real Estate and Beyond 

If you are Going Green, how do you tell the difference between faux-green and the real-deal? If you are in the Asheville NC real estate market or in Anytown, USA,  this can be an amazing challenge.  There are so many shades of green out there today-   "green buildings" encompass a wide variety of real estate from homes you might find in a conservation-oriented subdivision, to homes on acreage that are off the grid,  to mixed-use buildings that have residential condos above ground floor retail- to mention just a few. 

 Here's a check list of questions to ask real estate and related service providers.
These apply whether you are in the Asheville NC real estate market or in Portland, Detroit or  LA::

 1.  WHAT advanced training to you have ?

2.  Do you have the Eco Certified® Real Estate Consultant designation?  Have you completed ECOBroker® Training? O do you hold the NAR GREEN Designation?

3.  Have you advanced training and education in understanding  land planning and use?

4.    How do you distinguish yourself from your colleagues as a valuable resource to buyers and sellers?

5.   Do you have a collection of contact information at the tip of their fingers?

6.   Tell me....what are your concerns for improving environmental quality?

7.   Tell me....what cooperative efforts are you involved in ...in the community...or initiated by business professionals and/or the general public?

8.    Tell me... can you (and how would you)   connect me  with "green" building and development experts for technical assistance in the real estate transaction?

9.    Can you help me determine the type of green real estate that best fits my needs?

10.   What is green-washing all about?

11.   Do you have an understanding of technical issues that can arise with the transaction of green real estate (loans, home inspections, etc)?

12.    Can you identify the "right" expert in the green building and development industry to help resolve potential problems?

13.   Can you point me in the direction of expert information on topics such as energy-efficient mortgages, passive solar heating, radiant floor heating, mold mitigation, land design and development, cluster housing?

14.   What is Permaculture?

15.   What is a rain catchment system?

16.   Who do I contact to find out environmental impact?

17.   How many of these steps for certifying a True Green Home are you familiar with?  http://www.wncgbc.org/healthybuilt/docs/HBHChecklistv3.0.xls

18.   Do you live in a "green" home yourself? And/or  what are you doing to make it more "green"?

19.   What are you doing in terms of collaboration in neighborhoods, eco-communities and the broader community?

20.   What "green" organizations do you belong to or do you sponsor?

...so ....summing it up.....search for authenticity... 

Resources:
Eco-All-Stars. Over 1,000 real estate and related professionals offer green and going green information based on experience.   

Eco Certified ®Real Estate Consultants.   Consumers can connect with professionals who have done at least 36 hours of classroom, hands-on training in outdoor and indoor green-related real estate coursework.

EcoBrokers®

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__~o
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(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............LAND in  Asheville . Going Green Properties. Expert Tools for Sellers and Buyers of  Mountain Homes and Land Legacies. "On the roll for  sustainable  innovation." See also our Mountain Homes and Land blog. http://landlegacies.blogspot.com/  Copyright © 2010. All Rights Reserved  Asheville NC Real Estate ______________________________________________________________

LAND  and Green-Built Homes in The Mountains- Market Remain Strong
Real Estate in Greater Asheville, North Carolina

Excellent eco-friendly properties promise appreciationin the Greater Asheville area mountains with predictions of stability during 2010.  

Eco-designed developments, green-built homes and excellent acreages are worthy of note in the WNC region.

NOTE:

•·         "Green" properties are in demand by buyers, and so they have added value for investors.  People living in and relocating to the Greater Asheville area and mountains of Western North Carolina appreciate sustainable eco-oriented properties. They demand green-builthomes and want to live in eco-developments. Expect a strong return on your investment.

•·        Cash stream as well as market appreciation is strong with income properties in the mountains. Here is an excellent opportunity to build/enjoy/rent out a second/vacation home.




Photo taken on Land For Sale by Owner ./\ (Photo shows green-built second/vacation home under construction in the Asheville NC area)

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__~o
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(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............LAND in  Asheville . Going Green Properties. Expert Tools for Sellers and Buyers of  Mountain Homes and Land Legacies. "On the roll for  sustainable  innovation." See also our Mountain Homes and Land blog. http://landlegacies.blogspot.com/  Copyright © 2010. All Rights Reserved  Asheville NC Real Estate Journal   

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Anatomy of the Sale of Mountain Land For Sale by Owner- Going Green
Asheville Mountain Properties NC 2010

 Selling and buying Land is different that selling and buying residential property. For one thing, there is a whole list of discoveries during the due diligence period that takes place outside the realm of the residential sale. And there are tasks that do not resemble the tasks of the residential broker.  

Real Case Scenario- Land for Sale by Owner- The Survey-  

The seller has a very old survey.  We recommend a new one. We devote our time and attention to emailing and  calling all the surveyors on our list. No luck. Don't connect with a one. Leave messages. Hope for a return call. If not, we will start all over tomorrow. 

Discovered in conversation with the seller that the surveyor who did the original survey on the land for sale by owner tract may still be around,  although it is thirty (30) years since he did the survey.  About ten (10) years ago he told everyone he was going to retire. Now our task is to see if we can unearth him (not literally!). ( just a little land specialist's humor)

In the meantime, I'll run out to Madison County  (it is an hour-of-so drive from my appointment in the south-end of town)  to see if we can track down a good clean copy of the survey to overnight to our investor. 

NOTE: By contrast, I took this photo on land for sale by owner where a current survey IS in place.(A plus for all concerned.)  Creston Preserve is an eco-friendly development on over 1,000 acres, with hiking trails. The trail seen here leads to the area seen in a video on a prior post  and "live action-of the life and times of a land specialist" Here's a link to the VIDEO of land for sale by owner.

As Land Specialists,we make it a point to get to know folks in the real estate related offices in the county offices in our region. Over the years, they have come to see that we are serious land lovers and professionals and they respect our willingness to"go the extra mile."  We expect and enjoy the excellent cooperation of our colleagues, and hope for some good luck in locating the  survey...if it didn't get lost ... 

but getting a new or updated survey us by the end of February, that could be a close one. 

Stay Tuned...and let me hear from you....

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__~o
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(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............LAND in  Asheville . Going Green Properties. Expert Tools for Sellers and Buyers of  Mountain Homes and Land Legacies. "On the roll for  sustainable  innovation." See also our Mountain Homes and Land blog. Mountain Land For Sale by Owner.  Copyright © 2010. All Rights Reserved  Asheville NC Real Estate Journal.

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