Eco Friendly Real Estate Blog

Going Green: A Snowbound Neighborhood 

According to the commonly understood real estate definition, a neighborhood is an
area of a municipality which is identifiable by a common use, a common atmosphere or a common business area. 

When I think of  neighborhood, I imagine ice cream socials, welcoming living spaces, community organic  gardens,  evening strolls on tree-lined sidewalks. Family. Friends. Pets and Parties.  

It's a very attractive picture to me, especially at this time of year. I so enjoy sharing images and stories of life in our neighborhood in the mountains in  Asheville. And for the past number of years I even have been setting aside time each week to journey out  to other neighborhoods, to explore the lore of days gone by and then talk with the folks who live in a neighborhood now.

There seems to be a common thread in the  neighborhoods that attract me. It is not that they have a common business area or a common atmosphere. It has more to do with the "neighborliness" of the neighbors. 

We had a huge snow storm this week. We were snowed in. We hit the wood pile, chopped the logs, lit the fire, and helped out the neighbors. Then we settled down with a hot chocolate.  Does that make us "identifiable by a common use" ? Possibly. But there is so much more energy around the notion of neighborhood.

Maybe it has more to do with the esprit de corps grilling outside in the snow is all about.

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Going Green Series: A Neighborhood. Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved the green real estate Asheville Journal

LAND FOR SALE BY OWNER (or NOT)

As a Land Specialist, I get to walk incredible acreages.-some land for sale by owner-some listed on the MLS. I never cease to be thrilled when I get "that certain feeling" within seconds of stepping on LAND that resonates with me. I have found that my clients feel the same way. It is funny how that happens. Within literally seconds, they/we simply "know". And when we "know" it's the "RIGHT ONE"...it's like finding treasure .....

The  choices and variety of land/ acreage here in the Greater Asheville area (Buncombe, Madison, Henderson, Transylvania and Yancey County) has always attracted people area. I've been reading a novel set in 18^th century North Carolina that makes it clear that even in 1776 people braved ocean waves and mountain passages just to be here! YES... It is like finding .

In the past, even 20 years ago, it was not too difficult for land lovers to secure significant tracts of land here in the Appalachians, whether for investment or for conservation purposes. 

However, today locating large acreages can be challenging.There only are  13  large (over 400 acre and commonly known to be available) tracts within 50 or so miles of Asheville, N.C. (December, 2009)

 Here the data:  

Acreage                              Listed at $$$$ 

404.5                              $ 2.52.                                    
430                                 $ 7,740 
457                                         $ 8,230,140
481                                 $ 3.6 
499                                         $6,986,000                

517                                         $ 6,204,000                 
585                                         $ 6,800,000
690                                          $ 5,500,000
730.49                                    $ 11,614,791
742                                         $ 12,243,000
748                                $ 10,472,000 (Henderson)
748                                $ 10,472,000 (Transylvania)
1048                              $10,867,500 (Jackson County)

  

Whether the land is old family land, as much of the above it, and is used for farming, or  forest land with awesome views, waterfalls, streams, the  unique quality makes it an excellent choice for conservation real estate investors; perhaps even a Preserve .

  It seems that unique mountain acreage always has and always will attract treasure seekers. IF you are one such person, I can help.

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(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............green real estate Asheville: GOING GREEN: Mountain homes and land legacies, socially conscious investing, rolling into a sustainable  world. Create it today for tomorrow. Find eco-friendly LAND. Build a green home. GREEN Real Estate, Retrofits and Relocation: ECO HOMES AND LAND. Serving Asheville's Eco-Friendly-Home, Relocation LAND Clients. The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  http://landlegacies.blogspot.com/
LAND FOR SALE by owner or not. Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reservedthe green real estate Asheville Journal

Eco-Friendly Home Inspection Checklist  

You know that one of the grandest investments you make in your entire life is in your dwelling place. Wise choices before you "take the leap" make sense. Wise choices like a Home Inspection from a certified professional. (resources below)

A Certified Home Inspector will review the "grand investment" with a critical eye and you will benefit.

S/he will investigate the structural elements considering: construction of walls, ceilings, floors, roof and foundation. S/he  will take a close  look at the exterior: the site itself- grading, elevation, drainage and so forth, and check out the condition of other outside features like your garage, fences and sidewalks and the landscaping.

 There is the fascia, trim, and, of course there are doors and windows to review inside and out, as well as the roof and, attic. Did I mention the gutters? It is a logical progression: plumbing, the systems in the property, electrical, appliances.

 

(loving your grand investment photo by janeAnne brings a smile.)

 

 

But, if you are going green, are there additional considerations? Here are just a few eco-friendly items you may find of interest:

Home Energy Audit
Air Movement in the Home and Air Quality
Moisture Control
Lighting/Daylighting
Passive Solar Gain
Site Orientation

 

NOW...How about adding to that list? Let me know what you would add. 

Resources: National  Association of Certified Home Inspectors and for the Eco-Friendly, a GREEN Home Inspection Checklist  

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 __~o
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(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............green real estate Asheville: GOING GREEN: Mountain homes and land legacies, socially conscious investing, rolling into a sustainable  world. Create it today for tomorrow. Find eco-friendly LAND. Build a green home. GREEN Real Estate, Retrofits and Relocation: ECO HOMES AND LAND. Serving Asheville's Eco-Friendly-Home, Relocation LAND Clients. The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  http://landlegacies.blogspot.com/

Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved the green real estate Asheville Journal
The Home Inspection Checklist- An Eco-Friendly One, That Is

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I got an invitation from Phil Gibson, a much admired colleague recently.   Phil is the  Director of Research and Community Outreach at the Environmental Leadership Center at Warren Wilson College just down the valley in Black Mountain, North Carolina. The Environmental Leadership Center has the mission of "raising awareness of local, national and global environmental realities and to inspire caring citizens - especially our youth - to reflect, to communicate, and to act as responsible caretakers of the earth. "

The Eco-Steward Firm has had a similar mission, and so I was excited  when Phil told me that  Clarke Snell who wrote and autographed my copy of his book, Building Green,   was going to be doing a presentation there. Clarke would be talking about "  Sustainable Construction Methods"   over at the Canon Lounge of the Gladfelter Building. 

That got me thinking that readers might be interested in information about events sponsored by the Environmental Leadership Center. So here is a worthy link for you: 

http://www.warren-wilson.edu/~elc/New_ELC_Website_/conference/

GOING GREEN Series: A Vintage Retrofit 

On a quiet street in an historic neighborhood in Asheville, NC, where  huge old trees stand in stately glory on either side of the rode,  I found an amazing vintage home in need of TLC.

I showed it not long ago to a young couple who are planning to " do a bunch of retrofitting"  after they invest in an older home. Great attitude as the "GREEN-UP":  It's going to be a fascinating learning experience and challenge, " they tell me. 

GREEN RETROFIT 

We sat sown with our "GREENERS" -professional resources who understand the ins and outs of  retrofitting to get a clue as to their opinion about what they'd like to see done first.   Here's what they told us:

• Solar Panels
• Upgrade the windows
• NO VOC painting throughout 
• Edible landscape
• On-Demand Water Heaters

 

 

 

Summarizing: Green products can improve your quality of life while also "greening-up" the neighborhood in a special way.  Here is a Vintage Retrofit and it could be  the biggest and most elegant recycled item for which you have ever cared!

What's yours???

Resources: . 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.)

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__~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............ green real estate Asheville: GOING GREEN: Mountain homes and land legacies, socially conscious investing, rolling into a sustainable  world. Create it today for tomorrow. Find eco-friendly LAND. Build a green home. GREEN Real Estate, Retrofits and Relocation: ECO HOMES AND LAND. Serving Asheville's

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Going Green Series- Before you Move......GREEN-up 

Before you Move,take a look at your reason to sell and think through the process before you do anything else. Good planning pays off. It makes sense to do the standard list of  things:

a) Release your personal attachment to your home (not always so easy to do)
b) Take your personality out of the picture (also not always so easy to do)
c) Get a jump on packing and de-clutter (for sure not  so easy to do)
d) Make all closets and cabinets ship-shape (another challenge)

But what about providing that special "oomph" to buyers
who more and more today are demanding ECO-FRIENDLY FEATURES
that offer attractive BENEFITS to buyers?

Before you Move, GREEN-up- Paint. Replace. Upgrade.

This eco-friendly plan will increase the value of the home and certainly makes it more attractive to today's buyers.

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.)

Step Two: Replace old appliances with  energy efficient appliances.

Step Three: Updatewindows, 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.

  

  

__~o
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(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............ the green real estate Asheville: GOING GREEN: Mountain homes and land legacies, socially conscious investing, rolling into a sustainable  world. Create it today for tomorrow. Find eco-friendly LAND. Build a green home. GREEN Real Estate, Retrofits and Relocation: ECO HOMES AND LAND. Serving Asheville's Eco-Friendly-Home, Relocation LAND Clients. The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  http://landlegacies.blogspot.com/

Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved the green real estate Asheville Journal

GOING GREEN: Mountain homes and land legacies

I am excited about the trend toward eco-savvy communities in the Asheville NCarea. In a time when many communities may be drawing inward, the opposite seems true when I research eco-friendly communities for my clients. Here is an example - news from Hickory Nut Forest Eco-Community near Asheville.

Hickory Nut Forest Eco-community has created a non-profit called Mountain Roots whose Mission Statement reveals that the non-profit is dedicated to providing discovery and adventure learning experiences, while exposing participants to a working model of environmentally responsible and community-centered living.

The purpose of Mountain Roots is to:

1)      Practice and teach a variety environmentally sustainable practices through organic farming, land conservation, and the use of renewable energy technologies;

2)      Model a balanced and healthy life-style

3)      Emphasize character, leadership, and community development;

4)      Encourage healthy living by providing challenging opportunities through adventure experiences.

 

Interview with Eco-Developers: CLICK HERE  

__~o
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(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............ the green real estate Asheville: GOING GREEN: Mountain homes and land legacies, socially conscious investing, rolling into a sustainable  world. Create it today for tomorrow. Find eco-friendly LAND. Build a green home. GREEN Real Estate, Retrofits and Relocation: ECO HOMES AND LAND. Serving Asheville's Eco-Friendly-Home, Relocation LAND Clients. The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  http://landlegacies.blogspot.com/

Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved the green real estate Asheville Journal

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the green real estate Asheville: GOING GREEN

By shifting to a sustainable and low-maintenance approach in landscape design, trading out plants that demand a lot of attention and substituting plants that seem to do well on their own, many of us around Asheville, NC have found more time to be "neighborly" . Many of us are way less exhausted on the weekend when we get together. The lawns are smaller, but the landscaping is mighty attractive with ground covers and shrubs, and mulch praising our efforts for sustainable landscape design, and some of this  even is edible. 

GREEN Living Tip Asheville: Low Maintenance Landscape Benefits  

1. REDUCED money, water, chemicals and labor.
2. Wonderful wildlife habitat and viewing.
3. Increased probability of a strong foundation that invites other wild plants to come in and grow.
4. Increased time to live with and learn about each other and the plants used - adaptable, drought-tolerant, insect- and disease-resistant -

Less effort- =)
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__~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............ the green real estate Asheville: GOING GREEN: Mountain homes and land legacies, socially conscious investing, rolling into a sustainable  world. Create it today for tomorrow. Find eco-friendly LAND. Build a green home. GREEN Real Estate, Retrofits and Relocation: ECO HOMES AND LAND. Serving Asheville's Eco-Friendly-Home, Relocation LAND Clients. The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  http://landlegacies.blogspot.com/

Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved the green real estate Asheville Journal

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Possibly you already have an idea that comfortable-green and eco-friendly homes offer positive possibilities for you and your family.

Today I am wondering which features in your green home and land are most important to you.

For example- how would you rate the reduction in the cost of utilities? Indoor air quality? Sustainable quality? Native landscaping?  A small footprint? Green community amenities? Edible landscaping? Energy efficient appliances? Non toxic finishes and paints? The Energy Star® rating?

 

Here is a Green Home Features ranking poll. Take it and let me know!

What Green Home Features Are Most Important to YOU?(polls)

__~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............ the green real estate Asheville: GOING GREEN: Mountain homes and land legacies, socially conscious investing, rolling into a sustainable  world. Create it today for tomorrow. Find eco-friendly LAND. Build a green home. GREEN Real Estate, Retrofits and Relocation: ECO HOMES AND LAND. Serving Asheville's Eco-Friendly-Home, Relocation LAND Clients. The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  http://landlegacies.blogspot.com/

Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved the green real estate Asheville Journal

the green real estate Asheville Journal-greenhomes and land legacies : I happened on succinct information from Blueprint for America, an initiative of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) today.

Blueprint for America encourages communities to think about the possibilities for and within the green and livable, eco-friendly scene.. "Intended to inspire communities to come together around architecture, Blueprint provides the opportunity for individuals to collaborate with AIA architects and share their ideas for creating livable communities." 

Here are just a few of the community service initiatives: Bus Stop Extreme Makeover (Oklahoma City/Wichita) Statewide Disaster Preparedness Program (Tennessee) Brooklyn Expressway Corridor (New York) 3-D Planning Models (Colorado Springs/Indianapolis) Affordable Housing Modules (New York State/Southeast Wisconsin)

 As evidenced in the above projects, GREEN and livable means  

1.   design that happens on a human scale
2.   choices
3.   multiple transportation options
4.   encouragement of mixed-use development
5.   preservation of urban centers
6.   creation of  vibrant public spaces
7.   creation of neighborhoods with identity
8.  protection of  environmental resources
9.   conservation of  landscapes
10.  and the notion that Good Design Matters 

That sounds like a "green-print" to me...how about you?

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__~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............ the green real estate Asheville: GOING GREEN: Mountain homes and land legacies, socially conscious investing, rolling into a sustainable  world. Create it today for tomorrow. Find eco-friendly LAND. Build a green home. GREEN Real Estate, Retrofits and Relocation: ECO HOMES AND LAND. Serving Asheville's Eco-Friendly-Home, Relocation LAND Clients. The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  http://landlegacies.blogspot.com/

Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved the green real estate Asheville Journal

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