Eco Friendly Real Estate Blog

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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(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............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  January , 2010 

Exploring LAND in the Asheville area mountains is always exciting. It is particularly so in the winter after a snowstorm. But, when land is for sale by owner, my curiosity propels me.  Add in an element of anticipation and you have a very alluring adventure.

 Yesterday I ventured out to see if I could get a few winter shots of such a property.Traveling east from Asheville, I turned the volume up on Kathy Mattea's Definitive Collection  CD  .  She was singing, "...I'll be halfway to Asheville...." It's been awhile since I've seen Carolina, it always was pretty this time of year...." and I was singing along... at the top of my voice...the way you can when you are speeding along the Interstate ...solo... 

Before I knew it, I was turning off I-40 and on to the road that would take me to the land for sale by owner.  

 The road was clear, but there  remained evidence of the storm- - trees fallen and debris.

Still the air was crisp and the sky was deep Carolina Blue, so , attentively,  I nosed my way around  the winding mountain road called North Haven where the owner of this land promised a jewel to behold.

Here is an eco-development on over 1,000 acres where sustainable innovation is evident.

The road was cleared and only a few places had me holding my breath as I looked over the edge of the road into the distance. Just to clarify that- I was holding my breath because it was so beautiful ... (see photo)

  I hoped to find "Nestled In" that very special parcel of land for sale by owner I sought. . .to be continued

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(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............LAND in  Asheville and Going Green Properties. Mountain Homes and Land Legacies rolling on for a sustainable  world. Asheville NC Real Estate. Marketing Consultation for Land For Sale By Owner and Buyers. See also our Mountain Homes and Land blog.  Copyright © 2010. All Rights Reserved  Asheville NC Real Estate Journal
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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/

Dateline Asheville, North Carolina, September, 2009
News and Views from Asheville's "GREEN-O-Lina"

For anyone looking at loan modification and/or mitigation, whether you live in Asheville, NC or Anytown, USA,  a gigantic hurry-up-and-wait process is certain.  You rush to get all the required paperwork together, and then to send it off "post haste"... You dash to meet advisors with pertinent information, and  then slowly, slowly  try to make sense of that information.

Somewhere along the way you discover that there are tens of thousands (and more) people trying to do just what you are doing. The loan people don't have the software they need to expedite the stacks of files accumulating on their desks. You don't have what you need to help out.

S T R E S S appears in every corner of the experience. As a result, I have been thinking about de-stressing...seeking simple and effective remedies to counteract frenetic goings-on. As luck would have it, just last week, while doing one of my  HOME-spun Videos©  at Creston Eco-Community in Black Mountain, NC, , I found an unexpected and immmediate remedy for stress.  Watching the antics of this Mountain Cat  I caught in this 30 second video may work for you, too. Let me know what you think...

 

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(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable  world you can create today and tomorrow!. .........................    .............with OBJECTIVE FIDUCIARY COUNSEL & Asheville Short Sale Consults. ECO STEWARDS' LEARNING TOURS. Serving Asheville's Stay-in-Your-Home, Relocation LAND Clients..

On the GO 4 Sustainability:  "GREEN" Real Estate and Relocation: The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved

It has been raining magic in the mountains. Tall pines and rising peaks are mirrored in sparkling rivulets along the roadside.

 

 

I followed their trail via North Haven, the gently winding way leading to the cabins at Creston Preserve, (see photo) a conservation-oriented community near Black Mountain, North Carolina. 

(photo shows mystery and the magic of this cabin awaiting my visit...fireplace SEE NEXT PHOTO  is ready to offer an early autumn glow)

 

 

I had returned this day to do some photography for one of my clients who is looking for an extraordinary mountain homesite close to nature and wildlife and mountain trails and waterfalls.

Extraordinary: At Creston , an environmentally-sensitive community,  my clients will find thoughtful planning that compliments nature's beauty.

 

There is a vibrant feeling, a magical "aura" here.  But the rains--the colors, the scents, the sounds echoed and wrapped in brumous veils-- seem to intensify it ....In all of this, between thunderclaps and cloudbursts, there is welcome shelter at the community's *eco-friendly clubhouse where, in a steady downpour,  I retreated for good company with the neighbors.

*Rain Chains: The community clubhouse employs attractive alternatives to downspouts,widely used in Japan for hundreds of years,not only can be used to  harvest rainwater for future use, but can captivate an unsuspecting passerby with the dance and the music of the rain . 

Resources: http://www.rainchain.com/copper_rain_chain.htm

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__~o
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(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable  world you can create today and tomorrow!. .........................    .............with OBJECTIVE FIDUCIARY COUNSEL & Asheville Short Sale Consults. ECO STEWARDS' LEARNING TOURS. Serving Asheville's Stay-in-Your-Home, Relocation LAND Clients..

On the GO 4 Sustainability:  "GREEN" Real Estate and Relocation: The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved

 

Dateline Asheville, North Carolina, September, 2009
Real Estate News and Views from Green Asheville's "Stay-in-Your-Home" Eco-Steward

I've been out on the trails at Creston Preserve this week, reporting in almost daily with short posts and from my little hand-held camera.

I figure that's a good way  for you to see a  "down-to-earth" vision of life in the mountains near Asheville.

Creston is an eco-friendly development whose thoughtful and thorough protective covenants and design guidelines  preserve mountain views, natural splendor, and visual harmony.  

To me being environmentally sensitive makes sense since North Carolina's ancient mountains are treasures.  Two main crests- the Western or Unaka Front along the Tennessee-North Carolina border and the Eastern Front in North Carolina-remind those who live, visit and relocate here of this each day.  With a number of "cross ridges" between the two main crests and subranges ( Asheville area's Black Mountains, and  Mount Mitchell at 6,684 feet -see earlier video ) there is plenty of adventure for trail hikers of all levels of accomplishment. 

I am attracted to the trails at Creston-miles of them, some leading right to Catawba Falls!

And I am attracted, as well, to this eco-community's  environmentally sensitive home design guidelines because they help to maintain a sense of visual harmony between homes and the natural environment. Look for photos soon to see homes inspired by the Craftsman, Bungalow, and Post and Beam styles. In the meantime , plan to come for a walk with me on this trail ! Grandkids will love this one.  Let me know what you think.

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__~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable  world you can create today and tomorrow!. .........................    .............with OBJECTIVE FIDUCIARY COUNSEL & Asheville Short Sale Consults. ECO STEWARDS' LEARNING TOURS. Serving Asheville's Stay-in-Your-Home, Relocation LAND Clients..

On the GO 4 Sustainability:  "GREEN" Real Estate and Relocation: The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved

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I've been vacationing near home this week. I am adventuring in conservation areas--looking for wildlife (small varieties! -- like the wild turkey who crossed the trail today)--and ready for great photo opps. Today I am out at Creston Preserve. Three reasons I like it here...besides the peaceful atmosphere??

50% of 1,100 Acres Protected Conservation Easement

5 Miles of Hiking Trails Leading to Creeks & Waterfalls

Mountain Overlooks

I've stopped by the clubhouse for a visit with REALTY STAR, Corey Atherton and asked him to tell me a bit about the views. We hiked a trail, then hopped in his red mountain vehicle to check out one of the many Mountain Overlooks....Here's a small movie clip with that scene. ...

What better way to engage your energy on Labor Day than to head out to the mountains near Asheville in search of a worthy enterprise. For me, today that included a hike at Creston Preserve and the less strenuous pursuit of a beautiful blue butterfly who turned out to like the camera. Happy Pursuit for me...and I hope for You, too!

I get to meet all kinds of interesting people as I visit eco-friendly conservation communities here in the Greater Asheville area. One of my favorites is COREY ATHERTON who is the Project Manager at Creston Preserve. The other day he took me out exploring his favorite sites. Now's your chance to come along with us.