Asheville Real Estate Journal Picnics and Day Trips Series- Southcliff (South face of Cedar Cliff Mountain)

Area/Community::  Southcliff Fairview, NC (Greater Asheville)

Minutes from Downtown Asheville  Amenities and Mission Hospitals:: 18-20

Time of Departure:: 12:45 PM

Time of Arrival at Gate and Security Stop Point:: 1:03PM

Drive Time from Southcliff to Grocery/Drug Store :: 5 Minutes

Driving out  74A from Asheville, I was reminded why this road is known as the "Scenic Byway." On this bright late December day, the mountains bordering a Carolina Blue sky  and touched at the very top rims with lacy frost were breathtaking. Long ago, farmers drove their livestock to Charleston, Columbia and Charlotte near what is today 74A - the Drovers Road. Southcliff overlooks that site. This development is said to be a private, gated-community, inspired by nature.

Elevations: from 2,675' to 3,950'feet. Lot sizes:  .22 to 4 AC. Price range: 75- 400K (see photo)

Ten (10) neighborhoods from which to select. Attractive homes and townhomes in the "Mountain Style."  200 single residential units planned. 100 townhomes planned.

Pluses::400+ AC. Views of Mt Mitchell, Little and Big Pisgah, Hickory Nut Gap and Bearwallow Mountain.

 Beautiful surroundings with a nod to nature.  Six(6) miles of family-friendly trails crisscross streams with wood bridges. Five (5) park areas.

Children's playground. Open air pavilion.  Convenience to shopping, schools and easy drive into downtown Asheville, our " electric city with rich heritage and tradition for all to discover." Minutes to the entrance off of 74A to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Family Camp features fire rings, tent platforms and picnic tables.

Listing STATS Active: Homes: 10  Lots: 6 (As I explored I noticed an announcement that the new phase is now open-possibly a number of lots are not yet shown on the MLS)

Closed: Homes: 42 Lots: 20       Foreclosures: 0

ECO Notes::  The decision to buy landslide-hazardous real estate should be well-considered. Landslide insurance is NOT obtainable and could have an adverse effect on resale /mortgage refinancing. When buying mountain real estate do your homework.  Slope stability can only be determined by state licensed engineers and geologists: Buyers, Sellers and REALTORS® are not qualified to make these assessments. Complete site specific analyses are available and advisable. I am happy to refer you to our team of experts.

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(*)/'(*)   ________Asheville NC Real Estate Journal. " On the Road HOME, CONTACT ME for 
Residential Market Reports::: "Check Asheville "Monthly Special Gems" and Asheville home stats in the top retirement and green-friendly neighborhoods we cover in Asheville.- Asheville NC Residential Market Reports  

NOTE:: A recent McGraw Hill study revealed that  81% of homebuyers would prefer to buy a eco-friendly home rather than a standard home, even in this current down economy. I have the following real estate green designations: NAR GREEN®, EcoBroker®, Eco Certified ®Real Estate Consultant.

  LAND:: If stewardship of large acreage is important to you, let's talk about mutually beneficial solutions. IF you are a Cash Buyer, some awesome properties are available at excellent price points.  When buying mountain real estate do your homework.  Slope stability can only be determined by state licensed engineers and geologists: Buyers, Sellers and REALTORS® are not qualified to make these assessments. Complete site specific analyses are available and advisable. I am happy to refer you to our team of experts

Unauthorized reproduction of any information including photos  on this site is a violation of existing copyright laws. All rights reserved. Eco-Friendly Mountain Homes and Land Legacies-  - Asheville NC Real Estate  © 2010. _____________________________________________________________________________________

Asheville Real Estate Journal:
Asheville Area Mountain Home BuildersWHY Slopes Fail and Maps That Show Where They Might 

BUILDING IN THE MOUNTAINS? Consider this first:  Land Suitability.  Site and Building Design.  Site Resource Assessment  and,  in the mountains, engaging a team of local experts prior to investing in the land and/or building site: a geo technical engineer, a structural engineer, a landscape architect, an architect, a hydrologist, a soil scientist who understand the idiosyncrasies of mountain construction.   ( Photo shows Asheville Area Mountain Range- Would YOU Build Here?)

To make sure the home is solid on the site,one LEED ®Certified General Contractor here in the Asheville area expects buyers to invest $30,000 to $40,000 just on the foundation of the home.

Reminder: It takes less rainfall to trigger a debris flow on a modified slope (with evidence of prior instability) than on an unmodified slope. 

Here in the Ashevillearea mountains, Rick Wooten and the North Carolina Geological Survey Staff of the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources  have just introduced the Landslide Hazard Map for Asheville and the surrounding towns in Buncombe County, NC.  In addition, they informed an attentive audience in this presentation:  

WHY Slopes Fail and Maps That Show Where 

NOTE: Landslide Hazard Maps help to identify potential hazard areas, but do NOT substitute for site-specific investigation.  

LANDSLIDE Topics Covered in This Presentaion (see PDF with photos at Link)

Causes- long term and short term factors 

Slope Movement (s)
Debris Flows, Deposits and Fans
Rockslides
Cumulative Effects of Interrelated Factors -Causes and Triggers
(photos and graphics you must see)
Precautionary Zones
Big Slow Movers
Downslope Hazards
Landslide Frequency vs Slope Percent
Embankment Failure
Failures vs Rainfall
Geologic Hazards
Stability Index Map
LANDSLIDE HAZARD MAPS ASHEVILLE (Buncombe County)   

Resources  

Development EXPERT- David Tuch, VP, Equinox Environmental   and his  Team of professionals: 1) Geotech Engineers who can do the soil testing and research to determine what is necessary should you choose to build on one of the challenging sites and Structural Engineers for making sure the building is held in place and won't slide down the mountainside- retaining walls, footing depth... 

Geologist EXPERT- Rick Wooten who with his team has completed the landslide maps mentioned in this post.   Current as of 11/16/2010- Wooten- Why Slopes Fail 

 LAND-OF-SKY Regional Council  (good photo examples)

Asheville Area Hillside Development Ordinance

Recommendation  

Work with a REALTOR® with special training. Look for these designations. NAR GREEN, Eco Certified Real Estate Consultant, RLI. (graphics below) Ask about the Land transactions that Broker has been involved with and what s/he recommends in terms of  process during due diligence.

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A Few of My Other Posts on or Related to Building on Mountain Slopes 

A Few Checkpoints About Steep Slopes 

 LAND Planning & Design   • Land Suitability Analysis •  Site and Eco-Friendly Building Design  •  Site Resource Assessment •  Site Development and Our Steep Slopes  •  Green  Buildings & Communities •     Mountain  Ecosystems You Must Consider • Tree Protection and  landslide Protection... • Conservation Easements & Private Land Trusts   • Purchase of Development Rights  • Farmland Preservation and more  

Integrated Design in the Mountains  

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__~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)   ________AshevilleNC Real Estate Journal. " On the Road HOME with Greenolina, CONTACT ME! "  
Residential Market Reports::: "Check Asheville "Monthly Special Gems" and Asheville home stats in the top retirement and green-friendly neighborhoods we cover in Asheville.-
Asheville NC Residential Market Reports   

LAND:: If stewardship of large acreage is important to you, let's talk about mutually beneficial solutions. IF you are a Cash Buyer, some awesome properties are available at excellent price points. . I have the following real estate green designations: NAR GREEN®, EcoBroker®, Eco Certified ®Real Estate Consultant.

Unauthorized reproduction of any information including photos  on this site is a violation of existing copyright laws. All rights reserved. Eco-Friendly Mountain Homes and Land Legacies-  - Asheville NC Real Estate  © 2010. _____________________________________________________________________________________

Asheville real estate is in high demand. Building sites can be breathtakingly beautiful here in the Asheville area mountains. (see photo)  But there are some caveats. And buyers can benefit from sitting down with an informed local real estate expert when planning to build on the slopes surrounding Asheville.  

Take, for example, the case of the Texas Buyer who back in 2007, invested in a 2 AC parcel just north of Asheville without such counsel.

This glorious south-facing building site with incredible views of the valley below  within 7 minutes of downtown Asheville and all of Asheville's notable amenities, simply called to him. Little did he know the challenges he would face.

Challenges: In order to purchase this amazing 2 AC parcel in Asheville's mountainous terrain, this Texas Buyer had to cure a cloud on the title. Still, he was looking to the future, so he bought the property  that sits high on one of Asheville's mountainsides despite the problem.  But there were other challenges of which he was unaware! Before I go on, I'd like to repeat that the out-of-town investor bought the property without the advice of a REALTOR®. 

IF he had engaged the services of a real estate land specialist, he might have known that a large and vocal group of Asheville residents even affirm that Asheville's local economy relies on protecting the beauty of mountains and ridge tops. He might have discovered that  a Steep Slope Ordinance was, at that time, pending. He might have learned that local experts expected new zoning rules for areas above 2,500 feet elevation with an average slope greater than 35 percent (his building site.) In the case of the Texas Buyer, before making the investment of approximately $100,000 per acre, he could have discovered that:

1) Approximately half of the property is in the "Debris Flow Pathway"
2) All of the property except for a small potion directly on the road is above 2500 feet and subject  to (the now in place) Steep Slope Ordinance that places safety and viewshed restrictions on building, particularly on ridge-tops.
3)The slope average of  his lot, 54% , makes it not only a very expensive build, but (as of October,2010) subject to Buncombe County Hillside Development Ordinances which might disallow building on all but that  tiny portion of the property that sits within feet of a subdivision road.

You may wonder how I came to know so much about this particular parcel. Here's the answer. A Very Smart Buyer asked me to look into that exact building site, now on the market, and let him know what research shows prior to investing in it.

To quote a colleague, " Be careful of steep grade property. Sure it looks beautiful and it's nice to think of having your home at the top, but most steep grade property cannot be built on without extensive and expensive roads, site work, and building costs accruing..." and, here in Buncombe County- check out the  Hillside Development Ordinance. 

__~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)   ________Asheville NC Real Estate Journal. " On the Road HOME, CONTACT ME! "     Residential Market Reports::: "Check Asheville "Monthly Special Gems"and Asheville home stats in the top retirement and green-friendly neighborhoods we cover in Asheville.- Asheville NC Residential Market Reports   

Land:: If stewardship of large acreage is important to you, let's talk about mutually beneficial solutions. IF you are a Cash Buyer, some awesome properties are available at excellent price points.  NOTE:: A recent McGraw Hill study revealed that  81% of homebuyers would prefer to buy a eco-friendly home rather than a standard home, even in this current down economy. I have the following real estate green designations: NAR GREEN®, EcoBroker®, Eco Certified ®Real Estate Consultant.

Unauthorized reproduction of any information including photos  on this site is a violation of existing copyright laws. All rights reserved. Eco-Friendly Mountain Homes and Land Legacies-  - Asheville NC Real Estate  © 2010. _____________________________________________________________________________________ 

From our peaceful cabins. homes and land on the snowy hills and dales around Asheville, REALTORS® who, in a special way,  understand what HOME can mean, are touching lives across the globe.

This holiday season a number of real estate brokers and our clients in Asheville have chosen to send a life-affirming and a life-saving gift-  basic tools and simple comforts- that  can make a critical difference in the lives of people who are experiencing terrible suffering.

By December 15^th, in honor of clients, friends, and loved ones, along with a  small donation made before or after closing, we are sending a personalized holiday card in their name.

As a former teacher, I am especially attracted to the idea of providing mosquito nets to save children from malaria. Mosquito nets only  cost $18!

ABOUT IRC

Formed at the request of Albert Einstein, since 1933, the International Rescue Committee has gone to crisis zones to rescue and rebuild with a banner that reads,

 "We lead refugees from harm to HOME."   

And, for almost two (2) decades, Gerry Martone  has worked for the IRC, http://www.theirc.org/ spending much of that time leading emergency response efforts in crisis situations around the world.  Here's the percentages showing how our donation will be used (see graphic.)

From our snowy slopes in Asheville, we wish wellness and happy homes for all...

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Passages of the Moon- 

We reflect the passages of the moon in all her tones and glory
as told in long-ago sage's stories of snowy nights when she disappeared,
and witnessed in December's 2010 lunar blackout,
the first, they say, in six hundred years.

We mirror the phases of moonshine-
as do August's waterfalls, giants roaring down the rockside,
or the wee winged creatures living in the woods,
who turn to hide on the quiet side of her silver orb.

We transform as Diana the Huntress sculpts in black and glimmer.
We find,as the demilune skips along the river,
that we are like tiny bits of shimmer,
turning with a waxing sphere,
circling, streaming, refracting through the trees,
feeling all of life must be before us,
but so light, we are the mere suggestion of a breeze.

 Rest your eyes  upon our communal celestial jewel.
Draw vision and meaning from her comings and goings,
    for to  run with her in the heavens
is to wrap yourself in the present
and presence
that is Luna's blessing
right here on Earth. 

 *

copyright jnarrin- Wind-in-the-Feather

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ASHEVILLE LIVE- ABILITY - WINTER 2010-   VIEWS & REAL ESTATE NEWS ...

Winter Wonderland at the Grove Arcade   

Downtown Asheville's Grove Arcade provides plenty of holiday events to enjoy while you shop and eat at some of the most eclectic restaurants and businesses. Winter Wonderland at the Grove Arcade features a wide variety National Gingerbread House Competition, a special art exhibition featuring holiday cover art submissions from the Mountain Xpress, live holiday music during weekends, photos with Santa and special performances including a dramatic reading of Twas the Night Before Christmas that is sure to become a family tradition.

A Winter's Tale at the WNC Nature Center  

Illuminate your holiday with crafts, food and fun at our annual holiday event. Mountain Marionette performances at 2:00 & 2:40pm. Bring your camera, jackets and mittens for a stroll along the trails to see the animals. Hot beverages and baked goods for sale.

The Nutcracker  

This production of The Nutcracker is produced by High Country Youth Ballet, a non-profit organization. Dancers are mainly students from Mitchell, Avery, and Yancey Counties. Please bring your family and friends to celebrate the season with this timeless Christmas tradition!

Historic Biltmore Village transforms into a quaint Victorian village on the first weekend of December for Dickens in the Village. Horse-drawn carriages will trot along decorated streets as carolers, storytellers and instrumentalists stroll the village in period costumes. Watch live excerpts from Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol performed by the Montford Park Players while enjoying fresh roasted chestnuts.

Holiday Pops Decking the Hall by the Asheville Symphony Chorus & Asheville Symphony Children's Chorus. 

The Big Crafty

The Asheville Art Museum is pleased to again partner with The Big Crafty Holiday Show to host it in Pack Place on Sunday, December 5, 2010 from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m. Admission to this event is free. Voted Best Arts/Crafts Fair in Western North Carolina in Mountain Xpress's Best of WNC, The Big Crafty returns this December! In addition to the over 100 amazing artists and crafters, there will be food, music and fun! Firestorm Café will have refreshments available for purchase. DJ Whitney Shroyer will bring the music to help you get your holiday groove on. This December's Big Crafty will also see the revival of the ever-popular Craffle Raffle! 

ASHEVILLE REAL ESTATE MARKET OVERVIEW::

If you are a home buyer, this may be a  good time for you to invest in a second/ vacation or  permanent residence in Asheville.The Asheville Citizen -Times reported in November, 2010  that Asheville home values have fallen nearly 5.3% from a year ago, according to the Federal Housing Finance Authority. "The Asheville metro ranked 254th out of 299 metros in the U.S. in price performance for the 12-month period ending Sept. 30. The ranking is based on sales and refinancing."

If you are a home buyer, consult with a local expert real estate expert before purchasing. NOTE:: The expertise of a  real estate expert with advanced training in green-friendly matters can be especially valuable. For example, the Winston-Salem Journalreported that  the EPA "is stepping up efforts to remove contaminated soil from a former apple orchard that is being converted into a subdivision. More than 100 trucks a day will haul dirt contaminated with arsenic, lead and pesticides from the site

ASHEVILLE GREEN-FRIENDLY LODGING::

Visiting or relocating to Asheville?One of the first major hotels in the United States to include a solar water heating system atop its roof,  the  Hilton Asheville will offers water that, throughout the hotel, including the pool, will be solar heated,  will eliminate 25 tons of carbon dioxide per year, the equivalent of planting 7,377 trees. The solar water heating system is just one of the hotel's many environmentally focused features. More Sustainability Features and Photos. 

ASHEVILLE SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES NEWS & VIEWS::  

The word on the street is that the N.C. Wildlife ResourcesCommission has agreed to work with conservation groups to manage and find funding for an 8,000-acre tract owned by former U.S. Rep. Charles Taylor of Brevard, NC. The total purchase price is $33 million.

Read the inspiring story of the saving of one of Asheville's architectural landmarks, Helen's Bridge.  "The saving of Helen's Bridge now gives us all the opportunity to walk under the "great arched bridge" and shout up to the bridge and listen for our echo, just as Thomas Wolfe did as a young boy in the early 1900's."  

ASHEVILLE HEALTH AND WELLNESS::

Child Nutrition. December 2010.The House of Representatives approved legislation that will improve federal child nutrition programs: School meals, support for farmers through Farm to School programs, growing obesity rates among the young- that includes $40 million over five years in mandatory funding for farm-to-school programs, ensuring that more children are able to eat local, healthy produce, create school gardens, and use more local foods.  "By connecting schools with local farmers, the bill creates a win-win for our nation's children and farmers and builds on a proven method of combating childhood obesity." stated Marion Kalb, co-director of the National Farm to School Network. 

Addressing the  challenges of childhood obesity, healthy aging and workplace wellness UNC Asheville is poised to address these challenges through the N.C. Center for Health and Wellness at UNC Asheville.  http://www2.unca.edu/magazine/magazine609/around.html

Ten hospitals in the region are participating in ASAP's Farm to Hospital   pilot program where they have the potential to act not only as a resource to treat the sick, but as a community role model for proactive healthy choices.  Featuring fresh local foods and offering food and farm related educational programming both improves public health and sustains farms.

Take to the slopes for winter wellness. North Carolina's ski industry is growing.  In fact, in addition to the wellness factors, you will be contributing to the wellness of North Carolina's economy. The N.C. Ski Areas Association reported that skiers and snowboards spent more than $88 million last season for lift tickets, equipment, lodging, food and other items.  

"GREEN"  OPPORTUNITIES- ASHEVILLE EMPLOYMENT/BUSINESS  OUTLOOK::  

If you seek Green Jobs in Asheville, check out the Green Press Initiative.  

The Housing Authority of the City of Asheville (HACA) this year contracted with  Green Opportunities' (GO) Energy Team to recruit, train and place public housing residents in jobs weatherizing public housing units.  In its first four months the GO Energy Team created almost a score of jobs and weatherized approximately 1,200 units of public housing.

Economy. Asheville-based grocery-store chain Ingles Marketssays profit for the quarter ended Sept. 25 increased 63% from a year ago to $8.5 million. It attributed the increase to more shoppers. Ingles carries a wonderful assortment of organic foods and produce.   Facebook, according to  The News & Observer, Raleigh plans to build a $450 million data center in Rutherford County near Forest City. The company an 18-month construction process.  German auto-parts maker Reich GmbHplans to open a factory in Asheville that will employ 56 to make parts for steering systems, transmissions and engines. Production is set to begin in the first quarter of 2011.  And Sitelplans to hire 75 more workers at its Asheville call center, bringing employment to 575. It says changes in the health-care industry sparked the increase.

HIGHER EDUCATION IN AND AROUND ASHEVILLE::

UNC Asheville's Great Smokies Writing ProgramOffers Spring Workshops. Local writers will have the opportunity to hone their skills with the spring workshop series from UNC Asheville's Great Smokies Writing Program (GSWP). The program will offer 11 workshops in poetry and prose, which will be offered in various off-campus locations in Asheville, Black Mountain, Burnsville and Hendersonville. Most classes are open to all interested writers but class size is limited; early registration is suggested. 

Warren Wilson College hosts an annual conference of particular interest to Asheville Livability. This is the Mountain Green Conference where professionals convene annually to learn about and discuss "best practices" in sustainable and green construction, real estate, development, planning, and design. http://warren-wilson.edu/blogs/mtngreen/about/

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__~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)   ________Asheville NC Real Estate Journal. " On the Road HOME, CONTACT ME! "  
Residential Market Reports::: "Check Asheville "Monthly Special Gems" and Asheville home stats in the top retirement and green-friendly neighborhoods we cover in Asheville.-
Asheville NC Residential Market Reports        Land:: If stewardship of large acreage is important to you, let's talk about mutually beneficial solutions. IF you are a Cash Buyer, some awesome properties are available at excellent price points.    NOTE:: A recent McGraw Hill study revealed that  81% of homebuyers would prefer to buy a eco-friendly home rather than a standard home, even in this current down economy. I have the following real estate green designations: NAR GREEN®, EcoBroker®, Eco Certified ®Real Estate Consultant.

Unauthorized reproduction of any information including photos  on this site is a violation of existing copyright laws. All rights reserved. Eco-Friendly Mountain Homes and Land Legacies-  - Asheville NC Real Estate  © 2010. _____________________________________________________________________________________