Exploring Green Communities: The Eco Villages and Eco Communities You Could Love

The LOOKS COUNT Series.  Urban infill communities. Part III.  
Re-Development of a Brownfield Area/ The River Arts District.

"The plan celebrates the area's rich past, its present reinvention as Asheville's premiere arts district, and its future as a vibrant sustainable community."

FIRST Imagine

• stepped pathways
• public plazas
• terraces and courtyards
• a bowling alley
• a children's library of art and architecture
• an artists' cooperative
• restaurants and shops

THEN check this out  to see what the developer envisions. 

A newsletter containing this artist's rendering from the develpoer reveals that, " ...  the ground floors along [the street] and the pedestiran alley will be a vibrant, energized mix of art galleries, cafes and shops. The floors above will be residential lofts perfect for artist live/work space..."

 If you are a person who values sustainability, the New Urbanism, and in establishing and engaging in green communities you may be attracted to a creative yet traditional approach.

If you are a person who wants a say in how this all comes together, as many of my clients are, you may be fascinated with how the developers approached the project.  They hosted a design charrette with renowned urban planners and architects. Dedication to sustainability , in this case, includes studios, cafes, shops, homes  on a "human scale" and on a workforce budget ( Loft presales are in the #150,000. range.) 

AND if you are a person made thirsty for more... mark July 19, 2008 for the grand opening of Wedge Brewing complete with a showing the drive-in classic Thunder Road  which was shot in Western North Carolina And get this...it includes a chase that roared right by the Wedge Brewery location.

Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved.  Join the conversation at the Eco-All-Stars Group    where AR Members "Cycle in" to the Latest in Trendy Green News ...

Curious about green building, remodeling and communities?  Subscribe to Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG.

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________________________________________________________________________________

The opinions expressed by the Activerain Network and it's members and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of janeAnne "Greenolina" http://activerain.com/janeanne  Broker/Owner of The ECO-Steward Real Estate Firm www.EcoStweardRealty.com which is not responsible for the accuracy or content provided by The Community.

Green Communities, Eco Villages and Eco Communities in Greater Asheville, NC

LOOKS COUNT Series.  Urban infill communities, What's True Green? 

The headline read, " Urban Infill Project Embraces Green Building Guidelines." Intriguing, eh?  First of all...what are they talking about? 1) What is an urban infill project? And 2) what is meant by "Green Building Guidelines"?

Seems GREEN is red-hot these days, especially right here in Asheville, N.C.  But, let's face it, there's small-case green, my friend the author calls this "Faux Green"... and then, well, there's True Green. As Eco Certified® Real Estate Consultants, we are impressed with the WNC HealthyBuilt® Home program. It's checklist of Green Requirements encompasses all aspects of environmental design and construction including:  site and landscape, materials, indoor air quality, heating and cooling systems, the building envelope, and water efficiency. Interestingly, an objective third party is required  to check on and make sure buildings pass the WNC HealthyBuilt® inspection at various phases of building process. This tells us that we are looking at True Green possibilities.

There are a number of True Green urban infill projects in our town.. 

Today I will tell you about just one urban infill development where True Green building and community cooperation add up to a sustainable special find. This WNC HealthyBuilt® eco-community is within walking distance of downtown Asheville. Nineteen units (four townhomes and ten single family) equal True Green real estate for sale.....but this is not what might be considered "workforce housing".  Prices range from the mid $400Ks to over $1M.  And buildings are just over 1,000 to just under 3,000 square feet. 

Proximity to downtown counts. And LOOKS COUNT! (I wrote about that earlier and this is the second in the series on that matter.) With views, stately trees preserved and cared for, top-of-the-line non-toxic  finishes, common areas and outdoor living spaces, this is one example of an urban infill project that could thrill the home buyer. All this -  a mix of condos, townhomes, and single family homes the interested person will find on just a 3.5 acre parcel, where literally dozens of 50-70 year old trees still stand because land planning and land use also count in this situation...and factor that into the cost..

"We felt compelled to honor this land, to do something that made sense for the neighborhood," said the eco-developer. And you will not find gates separating this green community from the rest of the area. 

 " We just want it to fit in, to have it feel like it's been there a long time, and we're hoping a variety of people, from young families to empty nesters, will appreciate our efforts. This will be home to people who make a conscious choice-to buy here because it's green and because it exemplifies a quality of life they desire."

Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved.  Join the conversation at the Eco-All-Stars Group    where AR Members "Cycle in" to the Latest in Trendy Green News ...

Curious about green building, remodeling and communities?  Subscribe to Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG.

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(*)/'(*)

____________________________________________________________________________________  

The opinions expressed by the Activerain Network and it's members and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of janeAnne "Greenolina" http://activerain.com/janeanne  Broker/Owner of The ECO-Steward Real Estate Firm www.EcoStweardRealty.com which is not responsible for the accuracy or content provided by The Community.

LOOKS COUNT!! ! What We All Can Do About 'Em ( Land Use, and Community Planning)

Land, being mostly privately held, as you know, makes the landowners/stewards, developers, and the local city-county elected officials the land use decision-makers. That's something to consider when it comes to what we all can do in terms of land use and community planning right in our own/combined backyards.

So, bring on the Permaculture Pros, our real estate clients.  They explain the above and more... that Permaculture is about designing ecological human habitats and food production systems. (further defined below) We sure have expanded our land use perceptions since we met them....and  not only for farmland, but for urban-dwellers.

Our Permaculture Pros, with their innovative thinking and foresight, are a bonus of our being in the practice of real estate here in Asheville.  As Eco Certified® Real Estate Consultants, we're always intrigued with ways developers and builders can facilitate the creation of "green space" in their plans and, expanding on that, how urban communities can create green areas where previously there was a forgotten alleyway or small plot. If you asked, I'd tell you that how we use land and the land use decisions we make today are hugely important in long-term environmental issues. And I'd add...LOOKS COUNT.

So here begins a from time-to-time series of shared stories as we learn more about how all of this comes together.

Resources:   

PERMACULTURE. According to Wikipedia, "the word permaculture, coined by Australians Bill Mollison and David Holmgren during the 1970s, is a portmanteau of permanent agriculture as well as permanent culture.

Through a series of publications, Mollison, Holmgren and their associates documented an approach to designing human settlements, in particular the development of perennial agricultural systems that mimic the structure and interrelationship found in natural ecologies"

  Introduction to Permaculture: Concepts and Resources 

Links to USDA Sustainable Agriculture Programs
Sustainable Agriculture Network

Alternative Farming Systems Information Center

Sustainable Agriculture GRANTS http://www.sare.org/grants/

Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved.  Join the conversation at the Eco-All-Stars Group    where AR Members "Cycle in" to the Latest in Trendy Green News ...

Curious about green building, remodeling and communities?  Subscribe to Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG.

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(*)/'(*)

__________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

The opinions expressed by the Activerain Network and it's members and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of janeAnne "Greenolina" http://activerain.com/janeanne  Broker/Owner of The ECO-Steward Real Estate Firm www.EcoStweardRealty.com which is not responsible for the accuracy or content provided by The Community.

Green Communities, On the Path to Land Planning and Design, Part 3

In yesterday's post I touched on the initial steps in land planning. I mentioned Equinox Environmental, one of a few  Greater Asheville Area Firms whose core services provide land planning for our real estate clients.

  The path to land planning is exciting.

 It's another kind of "party"  than I've described so far in the other posts in this series. . . and it takes longer.

Oftentimes, our clients use land planning  services during the due diligence period.  Then the land-savvy  professionals may have deadlines but manage to help our clients.

Sometimes too, land planners come in after acreage has been acquired to help our eco-developer clients to, as David of Equinox   says, "... develop and make use of their properties while protecting and enhancing the natural and cultural resources on their lands." 

That's essential in a green community.

So the next step is also a "party" but it's not only on the Land, but with the Land...And it has to do with sustainable design -the water, wetlands, rare species, habitat, and historic features there. 

Two examples of the latter:

1) Recently we listed a property with the remnants of an old gristmill on it. The eco-developers of this green community chose to replicate the gristmill. It will serve as the hub of the eco-community.

 2) Also just this past month we did a site evaluation on a potential urban  infill project. Although very close in to Asheville, it contains the ruins of an 18^th century building. These are the kind of historic features that could, with thoughtful planning, become centerpieces of a new green community. 

While on the path to sustainable land planning and design, our real estate clients (and we)  appreciate being able to consult ,during and/or after due diligence, with eco-savvy experts who can transform special features of and on the Land into site amenities. These, David of Equinox tells us, " hold functional, aesthetic, and educational appeal....[whether that be for]... large scale planning of greenways and developments to site specific design of residential landscapes or restoration projects....".

The opinions expressed by the Activerain Network and it's members and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of janeAnne "Greenolina" Broker/Owner of The ECO-Steward Real Estate Firm www.EcoStweardRealty.com which is not responsible for the accuracy or content provided by The Community.

Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved.  Join the conversation at the Eco-All-Stars Group  http://activerain.com/groups/GREEN  where AR Members and you can "Cycle in" to the Latest in Trendy Green News --  Curious about green building, remodeling and communities?  Subscribe to Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG.

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Green Communities, A Party on the Land, Part 2

This is the second of a series  of posts on eco-sensitive land development  and eco and/ or green  communities   in the mountains of western North Carolina. 

 As a point of interest... 

Here are a few criteria  for such stewardship projects as set out by the Green Communities organization:

1. Integrated Design
2. Site, Location and Neighborhood Fabric
3. Site Improvements
4. Water Conservation
5. Energy Efficiency
6. Materials Beneficial to the Environment
7. Healthy Living Environment
8. Operations and Maintenance

(To learn if your project has the potential for green classification and Green Communities grants and funding, see the full criteria and requirements. Request the Green Criteria.) 

In the first post,  I told the story of how we had  gone out on the Land (and a very nice sized building site it will be)  and had staked out the site with spritely little orange flags. It was a party. 

Of course, this is just the "first shovel" so to speak.  If you love the Land, (as I do) you need to be prepared for at least 500 questions that such an  experience will evoke from the soon-to-be  new stewards of this Land...So today, I'm tossing  just a few of those questions your way.....and possibly a smile or two ...

 First of all, I have to tell you that there really is nothing like hanging out at the local eateries  in a vicinity to get the latest news...and answers to questions such as: How's the soil for growing things, what options exist for getting power to the Land, can we make a swimming hole? and so forth... But, as Eco Certified® Real Estate Consultants, we 're inclined to refer our clients to even  more experts for answers, as you will see as you read the answers to the first round of questions are new Land Stewards had for us.

First Round of Questions...Your Turn is Coming Up Next

Q. How's the soil for growing things?
A. Have a soil analysis done by Professional Analytical Lab 

Q. What kind of animals could/would you have there?
A. seems good to me for farm animals, but let's ask the Permaculture people 

Q. What kind of animals will be roaming around?
A. deer, turtles, snakes, bugs, maybe a coyote or two, bear?? 

Q. What options exist for garden/mini-farming?
A. First let's ask the solar -orientation expert you select and then , again the Permaculture people 

Q. What are some grading options?

A. We can give you three references to just the folks who can answer that questions 

Q. Where's the spring?  Could/would we set it up so it irrigated a garden?
A. Let's ask the Seller/Seller's Broker to show you the spring...and ask the pond expert you select to talk with you about irrigation/ponds, etc.)

 Q. How exactly does one put in a pond that would be home to wildlife, fish etc.
A. Again... let's ask the pond expert you select to talk with you about  irrigation/ponds, etc. 

Q. Could there be a swimming hole part (14' diameter section)?
A. Lots of regulations about this. We will need to consult. We will refer you too a number of experts for their opinions. 

Q. How high up the ridge would it be prudent/ecological/economic to build?
A. We have some very definite opinions about this having  to do with steep slope ordinances, erosion and soil disturbance....but... those are just opinions...so let's plan on asking this to the person you have chosen at Equinox Environmental.

Q. Could we put a trail with switchbacks up to the top and put a little fire pit up there
A There may be fire district restrictions. Let's check on that.

 Q. How much poison ivy can one clear out or should we make just a trail up the hill?
A.  If I  were as allergic to PI as you are...I would want to look carefully at this.

Here's our local answer man...

Now it's your turn...ask away! We'll try to answer....

 Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by The Activerain Network and it's members and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of janeAnne "Greenolina" http://activerain.com/janeanne  Broker/Owner of The ECO-Steward Real Estate Firm www.EcoStweardRealty.com which is not responsible for the accuracy or content provided by The Community.

Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved.  Join the conversation at the Eco-All-Stars Group  http://activerain.com/groups/GREEN where AR Members "Cycle in" to the Latest in Trendy Green News

ECO Curious?  Subscribe to Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG.

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Due Diligence: A Party on the LAND

We've been doing lots of "due diligence"  on acreage and eco-community building sites this year. 

 We actually love this time period. It's a "party" where we get together with everyone and enjoy a project of the land-kind.

Here follows a series of posts on the typical  steps involved as we coordinate with land experts and professionals  the new land stewards and those who have been taking good care of the land for many years (or maybe for just a few years)..and  all of us aim toward a happy and  successful adventure. 

Step One: new land steward goes out onto the building site specifically to decide where to place the house, well and septic.

Oftentimes, the buyer/steward will seek the advice of land planners and designers, landscape architects, dowsers, solar-orientation folks and Permaculture experts before putting the initial footprint in place. (see photo I took to your left)

Timeframe:  In any case, there is a time-sensitive element to the due diligence process so we pay close attention to coordinate the review and decision themes..  Here in the mountains near Asheville, many home sites require septic evaluations (Perc tests)  so where the buyer/steward wants the home to be needs to be set out so that those responsible can apply for the septic permit.

We have found that  the house and well locations do NOT need to be EXACT....but the DO need to be flagged  so we also pay close attention during this time to make sure that ground flags to mark the drain field are in place.  

What Happens Next: As soon as the buyer/steward has decided about approximate building site location... 

1. a sketch of the building site showing the approximate locations of home/septic/well is prepared.... the well will be at least 100' from the septic field.
2. the septic permit  is then applied for (fee is involved)..one thing we note is that one never can tell how long it will take to get the Perc Test Folks out to do the test... the more time we allow for the septic folks to get out, the better it is...
3. in the meantime, the Site for the perc test is prepared. Bright orange  ground flags are placed to mark the drain field and where several test holes will be dug. We coordinate the diggers who do the  clearing out the proposed septic area.  Requirements as shown on the sketch are 60 linear feet per bedroom with the trenches spaced at least 10 feet apart. There also needs to be a reserve area of equal size to the active septic area.  

For 3 bedrooms, there would need to be 180' plus 180' for a total of 360 linear feet. This could be six 60' long trenches in an area 60' by 60' wide. Or there could be four 90' trenches in an area 90' by 40' wide. Or three 120' trenches in an area 120' by 30'. you get the idea. 

So that's the start...and oh...in order to increase the solar gain, we let those involved know that they may want to think about putting the field on the south side of the house,  so any tree removal for the septic field will bring more light into the house. 

Stay tuned...photos and the next step will follow.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by The Activerain Network and it's members and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of janeAnne "Greenolina" http://activerain.com/janeanne  Broker/Owner of The ECO-Steward Real Estate Firm www.EcoStweardRealty.com which is not responsible for the accuracy or content provided by The Community.

Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved.  Join the conversation at the Eco-All-Stars Group  where AR Members "Cycle in" to the Latest in Trendy Green News 

 Subscribe to Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG.

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From a Marketing Perspective LEED for Neighborhood Development

We've been introduced to  a new project of sizable interest to our clients. It's called,  LEED for Neighborhood Development   . If you are interested in the "green" niche market this is something new on the horizon that caught our attention. It takes into account a number of "True Green" facets that those of us watching the growing interest in green-built homes and eco-friendly land use and design certainly are noting with great interest. So I have a couple of questions today. . . 

First question: From a marketing perspective, how many of the following LEED 50+ features would you/your clients be attracted to when looking for eco-friendly homes, land, neighborhoods and eco-communities? (I've started this list with those I pay special attention to here in the mountains...)

Steep Slope Protection
Site Design for Habitat or Wetlands Conservation
Restoration of Habitat or Wetlands
Conservation Management of Habitat or Wetlands
Proximity to Water and Wastewater Infrastructure
Imperiled Species and Ecological Communities
Wetland and Water Body Conservation
Farmland Conservation
Floodplain Avoidance
Minimize Site Disturbance through Site Design
Light Pollution Reduction
Innovation in Design
Open Community
Universal Accessibility
Community Outreach and Involvement
Local Food Production 

Construction Activity Pollution Prevention
Certified Green Buildings
Energy Efficiency in Buildings
Reduced Water Use
Building Reuse and Adaptive Reuse
Reuse of Historic Buildings

 Housing and Jobs Proximity
Smart Location
Brownfield Redevelopment
High Priority Brownfields Redevelopment
Reduced Automobile Dependence
Bicycle Network
School Proximity 

Reduced Parking Footprint
Compact Development
Diversity of Uses
Diversity of Housing Types
Affordable Rental Housing
Affordable For-Sale Housing
Walkable Streets
Street Network
Transit Facilities
Transportation Demand Management
Access to Surrounding Vicinity
Access to Public Spaces  

 Contaminant Reduction in Brownfields Remediation
Stormwater Management
Heat Island Reduction
Solar Orientation
District Heating & Cooling
Infrastructure Energy Efficiency

Wastewater Management
Recycled Content for Infrastructure
Construction Waste Management
Comprehensive Waste Management

Just FYI...to our eco-friendly clients at least 40 of the features above
will be significant ...

Second Question: How many LEED Certified homes do you have in your town?

Although, here in Asheville, N.C. we have many HealthyBuilt® Homes, (about 500) and the certification process and outcome is said to be on a par (or even better than) LEED...   There' only one LEED Certified home in our area! It's described as "....LEED certified home. Generous outdoor living space takes advantage of the gorgeous surroundings, while the interior showcases the latest in sustainable materials. Solar heat, hot water and electricity will minimize bills while maximizing comfort. A detached two-car garage with living space for a guest house..." and costs over $1M..

Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved.  Join the conversation at the Eco-All-Stars Group  where AR Members "Cycle in" to the Latest in Trendy Green News &. Subscribe to Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG.

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Green-Built Homes Sold in Asheville, NC Jan-Jun., 2008 COSTS & a GREEN Trends Market Report

FYI- DURABILITY:: Green-built homes are constructed to last for more than a hundred years. 

(Here's a photo I took of "tree houses" each beautifully constructed and on a small footprint.  No wonder these days more and more I'm hearing...'green is Beautiful!' )

WHAT DO HOME BUYERS  EXPECT?

• Expect not only durability, but increased energy efficiency, the use of building materials from local or regional resources...
•   Expect attention to eco-friendly design, environmentally sustainable building practices, site sensitivity and craftsmanship whether a residential property, new construction or remodel utilizes passive energy-saving  principles or  emerging green technologies.
• Expect lower utility ,heating and cooling bills, better indoor air quality and the comfort of knowing that the home has passed rigorous inspections by objective professionals.
• Expect decreased maintenance, indoor air pollutants, and long term costs. By the way, if you view  upfront costs as an investment those  costs will  pay for themselves in lower energy and water bills, tax and insurance credits and reduced repair needs.

 FYI- COSTS:: Are costs a deterrent in terms of the green-built home? Honestly, take a closer look at the cost. You'll find that price increases generally are  only a few percentage points higher. And client demand is fast lowering those points as green practices become increasingly ainstream.

Many of the homes in this report are HeatlhyBuilt® Homes with Energy Star® ratings  

GREEN Residential Market -Green-Built Homes Sold YTD in Asheville, NC

Green-Built and Energy Star Rated Homes Sold: Jan-Jun,2008  : 18

Price Range: $122,000 to $715,000

Average Days on Market: About 3 months

Sq. Ft: 850 to 2600  

Just so you know...there is a huge demand for Green-Built Homes in the Greater Asheville Area... here's a quick peek at new (green/eco-friendly) construction CURRENT Green Market stats...

  Current :: GREEN Residential Market -Green-Built Homes  Listings in Asheville, NC  

Green-Built and Energy Star Rated Homes: 197

Price Range: $150,000. to $1.5M +

Sq. Ft: 850  to 3,300  

FYI::  Clients  more and more are demanding energy efficient properties. They love the idea of green-built investment properties as the sustainability factor means excellent ROI. Green builders and/or remodelers for multi-family properties are much needed. Let me know if you can help out.  All Statistics are gathered from the Greater Asheville Area MLS and  Association of REALTORS®.

 Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by The Activerain Network and it's members and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of janeAnne "Greenolina" http://activerain.com/janeanne  Broker/Owner of The ECO-Steward Real Estate Firm www.EcoStweardRealty.com which is not responsible for the accuracy or content provided by The Community.

Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved.  Join the conversation at the Eco-All-Stars Group  where AR Members "Cycle in" to the Latest in Trendy Green News &. Subscribe to Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG.

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Greater Asheville, NC Area Multi-Family & Eco-Friendly Market Report, Summer 2008

Asheville, NC is home to the University of North Carolina/Asheville (UNCA ) It's a welcoming campus with paths beneath tree-lined streets  leading to the various buildings. Off-campus housing is a big plus for many students.  Some are first-time home buyers, but others possibly have convinced 1031 investors/ parents of the wisdom of investing in income-producing multi-family properties in this solid Asheville market. 

Here in Asheville, we define multi-family properties as 4-plex, Tri-plex  and Duplexes. Here's  a typical description: "Tri-plex on great street in central location. Close to UNCA and downtown. Views of Sunset Mountain and Grove Park. Has excellent rental history because tenants love these apartments. Lots of windows, granite fireplaces and hardwood floors. Landlord pays for water and lawn maintenance only. . ."  

How does that sound to you? If you are like me, it  sounds intriguing...and enough so that  more information on properties within 20 minutes of the UNCA campus is called for ..so here it is:  

• There are 41 multi-family properties currently are on the market and are for sale in Asheville's UNCA area. These income-producing properties range in price from (lowest) $140K to (highest)  $2.3 M with an average list price of $350,000.
• There are currently 4 pending multi-family homes in Asheville's UNCA neighborhoods.
• So far in 2008, 14 of these properties have closed with sales ranging in price from $179,000 to $758,000 with an average sold price of about $400K. DOM: Average-78.

Now, looking a little deeper...here are some interesting details!

4-Plex:

• 7 active listings - Price Range-- $215,000 to $700K
• YTD Closed: 2

Tri-plex:

• 7 active listing - Price Range--$225,000 to $1.8M
• One sold YTD - $380K and on the market for about 4 months

Duplex:

• 17 active listings - Price Range--$140,000 to $480K
• There are currently 2 duplexes pending sale
• YTD  7 have sold , ranging in price from $170,000 to $400K  with an average of about 60  days on the market.  Highest -186 Days on the market-  Lowest- 77 days on the market.

FYI:  Clients  more and more are demanding energy efficient properties. They love the idea of green-built investment properties as the sustainability factor means excellent ROI. Green builders and/or remodelers for multi-family properties are much needed. Let me know if you can help out.  All Statistics are gathered from the Greater Asheville Area MLS and  Association of REALTORS®.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by The Activerain Network and it's members and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of janeAnne "Greenolina" http://activerain.com/janeanne  Broker/Owner of The ECO-Steward Real Estate Firm www.EcoStweardRealty.com which is not responsible for the accuracy or content provided by The Community.

Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved.  Join the conversation at the Eco-All-Stars Group  where AR Members "Cycle in" to the Latest in Trendy Green News &. Subscribe to Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG.

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New Homes— the Good, the Bad and the Ecosystem

WHAT BELONGS HERE? YOU can enter your "Land Design and Development Sketch" in the ECO-All-Stars June Challenge Contest!

Following consumer demand, or just because they are smart eco-friendly developers and building contractors who've contacted me through Active Rain, have let it be known that they're seriously considering the value of healthy-built homes. So, in this fifth post in a series that looks at sustainability and the undeniable trend toward consumer demand for attractive, green-built homes, I want to say a word or two about New Homes- the "Good", the "Bad" and how this might all come back to an ancient notion of respecting the Ecosystem.  

Ecosystem  

As a real estate professional, I'm always interested in what's new on the horizon that will bring satisfaction to my clients. So this ‘whole systems" concept as it applies to building and real estate development has caught my attention. More and more clients are saying they are more attracted to homes and neighborhoods where the developer /contractors have tried to respect their building sites as being a part of the ecosystem. 

And I can see why.  Having a builder with a depth of knowledge and consideration for what's around the building site has definite appeal. I myself (and possibly you) would prefer to invest in a home where the context was a part of the plan and the building site is respected as a special and unique place rather than just a place to put a house.

  I look for telltale clues around the property that herald the work of an eco-savvy builder: 

• native plants
• natural landscaping
• paved only as much driveway as ordinances require
• saved topsoil
• saved trees
• possibly a small footprint. 

I look for certifications: HealthyBuilt, LEED, Energy Star 

 In an eco-community, and there is a growing number of these here in Asheville, being green-smart includes thinking about the quality, longevity, and  health-wise features of a new home (or remodel ) AND the entire context...the neighborhood and the ecosystem.

So I want to know... what home would YOU construct on the property shown in the photo, and how would you subdivide this land? Be sure to enter your "Land Design and Development Sketch" in the ECO-All-Stars June Challenge Contest!

Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved.  Join the conversation at the Eco-All-Stars Group  where AR Members "Cycle in" to the Latest in Trendy Green News &. Subscribe to Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG.

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