It is July Fourth, 2009. Here in Asheville, we are celebrating in the traditional ways: back yard gatherings, blue grass music, fireworks downtown.Tonight I will be able to see the fireworks dazzle the mountains and surprise the night sky.
In Asheville, a number of us are adding another color to this celebration of life and liberty on the Fourth. Complimenting the traditional red, white and blue canvas is a backdrop of green.
Dateline Asheville, North Carolina, July, 2009 News and Views from Asheville's Greenolina, Real Estate Eco-Steward
PLAN Your Move to a Greener Home.
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.)
This beginning plan will increase the value of the home and certainly makes it more attractive to today's buyers
Step Two: Replace old appliances with energy efficient appliances.
Step Three: Update windows, 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. (I'm smiling)
__~o -\_<, (*)/'(*) .......... ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable world you can create today and tomorrow!. ......................... .............with OBJECTIVE FIDUCIARY COUNSEL.
ECO STEWARDS' LEARNING TOURS.Serving Asheville's First Time and Relocation LAND and Home Buyers.
R = (CH2)14CH3 or R = (CH2)7CH=CH(CH2)5CH3 or R = (CH2)7CH=CHCH2CH=CH(CH2)2CH3 or R = (CH2)7CH=CHCH2CH=CHCH=CHCH3 or R = (CH2)7CH=CHCH2CH=CHCH2CH=CH2 and others
Sitting on my upper deck the other evening, I noticed a tree that seemed to have sprouted overnight.
I took this photo right away. I was amazed and curious.
I had a sense that this tree could even be "dangerous" to those who happened upon it unexpectedly.
The leaves on this "Tree" looked somehow familiar: leaves alternating, with 3 leaflets, each smooth margined or shallowly lobed.
Germination: We have had a lot of rain this year, I mused. Could that have made this tree grow so tall (over 10 feet!) when it was not there last year???
"YIKES! It may be a monster," one visitor laughed.
"Certainly not something I would like to encounter on a dark night," another remarked.
On my forays in the field as a conservation land specialist I had to admit, I had never seen anything like this.
WHAT could it be? Shall I tell you right away or would you prefer to take a guess?
One more hint? OK. Take a look at this graphic. And maybe check out this word. "Urushiol"
I'll be back to let you know the name of the "TREE" in my back yard, so be sure to take a guess and check back later. And, in the meantime, watch where you walk. . .or ride...or picnic...or garden...
__~o -\_<, (*)/'(*) .......... ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable world you can create today and tomorrow!. ......................... .............with OBJECTIVE FIDUCIARY COUNSEL.. ECO STEWARDS' LEARNING TOURS.Serving Asheville's First Time and Relocation LAND and Home Buyers.
News and Views from Asheville's Greenolina, Real Estate Eco-Steward
I'm sharing here Parts 1 and 2 ofa letter that one of our eco-friendly conservation land buyers'received from a member of the "Green Team" at our Firm.
The reason why? Simple. Sometimes people are unaware of the research and energy that goes into the practice of real estate. Sometimes this can be distressing to folks like those seen in the photo ..real estate professionals who spend hours and days preparing for a meeting with clients.....
So here is a clue on just what goes on prior to a client's arrival here in Asheville, and I suspect elsewhere . LAZY? I don't think so!
The letter reads:
Dear Mr. and Mrs. (Smith)
Just want to review with you what, in addition to the property we discussed in the previous email (far below) , we have previewed since we walked this property for you... this is what has been accomplished....
•1) We have previewed 15 large acreages. In doing so, we have covered about a 300 mile area...we have walked and photographed those acreages that meet your specifications.
•2) Unfortunately, the weather has been stormy and wet. Lots of rain makes some of the larger acreages where roads are old logging roads and tend to be muddy very hard to preview...BE SURE TO BRING GOOD HIKING SHOES!
•3) Please note that most of the land adjacent to National Forest is at least 45 minutes out from Asheville Although it is in your price range, it is not in your specified driving range. Let me know what you think about this, please.
•4) We have completed previewing all the land adjacent to the National Forest currently listed. In addition, we have been in touch with our local farm stewardship contacts to see if they know of parcels that were NOT listed.
•5) We have spoken with and/or met with other conservation real estate Brokers and reviewed what they had to offer, being all the while scrupulous about staying within the price point you specified. We have not gone over this price range, but have tried to stay within or below it.
•6) In our previewing, we have found some very unattractive properties...one was burned out... ...one was just a steep cliff...so about 1,000 miles and 20 forays later, TODAY we finally finished the research ....(it takes about 5 or 6 hours to go out to these properties, walk them...and so forth...but we figure the many hours that we spend in research saves our clients disappointment....)
•7) As a result of this research, we have found a number of properties that could work for you. They meet your specifications. Here's why:
a) they are within the price range b) they are adjacent to the National Forest and/or to a Conservation Land c) they have a good water source d) there are no deed restrictions preventing small organic farming e) they can be farmed f) they have workable solar orientation g) they have privacy h) they can be walked by your grandparents i) there are numerous building sites on them j) they have cascades and/or waterfalls k) they actually ARE available for real estate transaction m) they are large 80+ AC land tracts n) they are at least fairly accessible ...and therefore our clients would not have to add another large sum of $$$ in additional costs just to bring power and improvements to them, and o) one or two even have cabins that could be used by the family while you are building
•8) This has beenquite a project, as you can imagine! We are very pleased to tell you that, having just TODAY completed this project, we can now prepare the tours.
•9) We have set up three different tours for you. First...One to the EAST with the waterfall property you told me you wanted to see (this is not adjacent to the National Forest)...Second...One to the Northwest. ..and finally...One to the West... Each tour will take 5 to 6 hours...
•10) We have poured over research details and have assembled maps, plats, surveys, topos, aerials and all the MLS information that could be found. This now is assembled in folders ready for us to review when we meet at our Asheville Office on Monday morning at about 10:30 AM...
__~o -\_<, (*)/'(*) .......... ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable world you can create today and tomorrow!. ......................... .............with OBJECTIVE FIDUCIARY COUNSEL.
ECO STEWARDS' LEARNING TOURS.Serving Asheville's First Time and Relocation LAND and Home Buyers.
Dateline Asheville, North Carolina, June, 2009 News and Views from Asheville's Greenolina, Real Estate Eco-Steward
Here is Part 2 of a series on what goes in to preparing to introduce Asheville's land buyers to amazing properties in our area. Part 1 reviews a letter that one of our eco-friendly conservation land buyers' received from a member of the "Green Team" at our Firm.
Possibly you will be interested in checking out Part 1 to see details of just what goes on in preparation for the review of land and prior to our clients' arrival.
Whether a land purchase is for the purpose of a family legacy, a private estate, an equestrian facility, or conservation easement ere in Asheville, there's lots to do . ..(see photo)
In addition, we are committed to evaluating each property in terms of appreciation, price per AC, seller motivation, and length of time on the market and create a touring schedule that may span several days to a week and cover many, many miles.
We then prepare a list of properties that we have previewed that meet the criteria set out and reviewed in consults with our clients. The list (current, but severely abbreviated for the purpose of this post) looks something like this:
__~o -\_<, (*)/'(*) .......... ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable world you can create today and tomorrow!. ......................... .............with OBJECTIVE FIDUCIARY COUNSEL. ECO STEWARDS' LEARNING TOURS.Serving Asheville's First Time and Relocation LAND and Home Buyers.
Dateline Asheville, North Carolina, June, 2009 News and Views from Asheville's Greenolina, Real Estate Eco-Steward
The Greater Asheville area is full of potential for those seeking a welcoming atmosphere and quality of life. People want to be here. They arrive from elsewhere with high hopes. Before investing in property however, we advise them to think about correctly structuring the real estate transaction.
Getting it "right" means
1. Understanding the topography, the geology, the aesthetic 2.. Asking good questions 3.. Utilizing resources 4.. Asking local experts about the trends in the real estate market 5. Observing subtleties . . .all of this
while still taking into consideration their insights as well as the normal activities of categorizing, comparing, and measuring.
(photo shows one of our clients doing research on equestrian lands not too far from Asheville.)
Right now is an excellent time for buyers in a market where really good choices for people drawn to our area abound.
There are eco-friendly retrofitted bungalows and those ready for renovation (about 95) There are green-built homes (about 600) There are beautiful homes on 5+ Acres. (about 200) There are alluring homes with vocal streams ( about 200) There are homes and land for equestrians (about 200) There are view lots and sizable acreage adjacent to the national forest. (about 175) There are a few large acreages -over 100 AC (about 110) There is lakefront property (about 165) There are cottages close to Asheville in the 300-$500K range (about 75)
The questions are . . .1) do you really know which of these speaks to you, and 2) will you hear and answer it when it calls? ___________________________________________________________________________________________
__~o -\_<, (*)/'(*) .......... ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable world you can create today and tomorrow!. ......................... .............with OBJECTIVE FIDUCIARY COUNSEL. ECO STEWARDS' LEARNING TOURS.Serving Asheville's First Time and Relocation LAND and Home Buyers.
Dateline Asheville, North Carolina, June, 2009 News and Views from Asheville's Greenolina, Real Estate Eco-Steward
The National Association of REALTORS® members group on LinkedIn rendered an interesting quote:
"That notion of expertiseis what will bring new customers to you. It's what has ALWAYS brought new, and repeat, business to you. It's why people refer their friends to you. Online tools (BLOGS, twitter, facebook,) just allow you to share that expertise on the Web in a much more efficient way." ~Michael Cutlip, IT Director, Massachusetts Association of REALTORS®
Capitalizing on connections and creating authentic conversations of valueto those seeking what you have to offer makes sense to me. But not to many of my colleague, Dennis who has lots of friends at Facebook, but still does not have his picture up. I wondered what would prevent Dennis from taking advantage of online opportunities efficiently to share his expertise.
Curious, my pal and I started "sniffing out" the facts. Results are below- in no particular order.
1) Being online means more time away from my real life. 2) I will have to put in at least an hour or two each day to be effective. 3) I already work hard enough and this looks like more hard work to me. 4) I simply don't have the expertise to write in a public forum. 5) What would I say? 6)I am not sure that the supposed 87% of consumers now searching online before ever contacting me wouldn't rather have a meeting in person and do business in the "old-fashioned" way. 7)There is just too much to learn and I don't have the time. 8)I really don't want a bunch of people reading what I write and then criticizing me. 9) I cannot even do the tasks I have at hand myself . I would need to hire an assistant. 10)That online stuff is for kids and goofy people.
I might point out that online conversations are great for outreach. That they increase traffic to your web pages. That such conversations build business referrals and partnerships . And that, best of all, they bring you qualified leads. But ...... What would you say? _______________________________________________________________________________
__~o -\_<, (*)/'(*) .......... ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable world you can create today and tomorrow!. ......................... .............with OBJECTIVE FIDUCIARY COUNSEL. ECO STEWARDS' LEARNING TOURS. Serving Asheville's First Time and Relocation LAND and Home Buyers.
Here is a good question for you. Think about your answer before you tell me your answer...
WHEN was the last time you remember lace curtains flying at the window as a summer storm rolled in? the time when you last really felt the thunderclaps, the lightning raising warnings of the clash, as if a battle were at hand, and all Nature had a way of letting go? the time you last ran for shelter from the storm as the great trees trembled in the winds, and lace curtains counted the cycles?
__~o -\_<, (*)/'(*) .......... ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable world you can create today and tomorrow!. ......................... .............with OBJECTIVE FIDUCIARY COUNSEL. ECO STEWARDS' LEARNING TOURS. Serving Asheville's First Time and Relocation LAND and Home Buyers.
Dateline Asheville, North Carolina, June, 2009 News and Views from Asheville's Greenolina, Real Estate Eco-Steward
As I mentioned in Part I of this series on short sales,after three (3) short sale seminars from various experts, one (1) crowded learning session for REALTORS® by two (2) short sale experts/ real estate attorneys right here in Asheville, and hours (countless, maybe 100) consulting with CPA s, bookkeepers, lenders, support people, and so forth...
I felt compelled to continue my research on the short sale process....
Then, one of our clients came in. . .
I sat down with this client to take a peek at questions the client might want to ask an attorney about short sales and the entire process and the effects on a family's future.
Here is a list of 21 short sale questions that may intrigue you as much as they did me:
Can you be like as fearsome as a Nordic troll(see photo)helping to find legal remedies to use as leverage with our bank-
Predatory Lending? Was I given a new interest rate right before the closing? Is it OK for them to make $50K if we get out of the loan early?
Can they produce the actual NOTE. Do they actually have it?
Could there be a RESPA Violation?
Can you get both a loan modification and a short sale packet from my bank?
Might you be able to make connections at a decision-maker level so that we can move forward efficiently with a short sale if need be?
Might you be able to get my bank to understand that a workout at the level they suggested ($xxxxx/MO)is better than the one a court might force the bank to accept in a bankruptcy situation.
Can you get a FULL Pay-Off Letter so that I am not stuck with a 50,000 problem due to the short sale?
Can you get a signed document by the banks waiving a 1099?
Can you get a signed document saying I am NOT responsible for paying tax on the debt forgiven?
Can you get the bank to agree and sign papers that the debt is paid in full by the proceeds from a sale?
What if I do not want to sell at this time, and I can afford to stay in my home if bank will do loan modification at $xxxxx/MO, as they suggested, can you intercede with the decision makers (not the bill collectors) at the bank for me?
Can you show me how to prepare the documents (or can you prepare them) to show that I am in "financial hardship" but am trying to get out of it?
Can you pinpoint the amount I could take a financial hit on if I decided to sign a promissory note?
Should I even sign a promissory note?
Tell me truthfully, can you get a short sale approved in a reasonable period of time?
What would that "reasonable amount of time" be?
Will you look out for my interests when it comes to advising whether or not to sign the lender's approval and close?
Does the doctrine of merger apply in our State, and could that negatively affect me?
Will you be especially attentive about charge off language that banks and collection agents use charge off in many different ways?
What do you think of bankruptcy as an option for me?
Should I request a loan modification on the Second even though I am not behind and stop payments for a month?
How much do you charge to provide this service?
I know that my client's attorney is going to listen carefully to these questions. MY question is....How many will that "fearsome Nordic troll" answer in the affirmative?
__~o -\_<, (*)/'(*) .......... ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable world you can create today and tomorrow!. ......................... .............with OBJECTIVE FIDUCIARY COUNSEL. ECO STEWARDS' LEARNING TOURS.Serving Asheville's First Time and Relocation LAND and Home Buyers.
Dateline Asheville, North Carolina, June, 2009 News and Views from Asheville's Greenolina, Real Estate Eco-Steward
Quite unexpectedly, I found myself fascinated with short sales this year.(2009) Not the homeowners' challenging actuality, mind you- that I will cover in another post- but intrigued with the short saleprocess - in general- and then, how to get our ducks in a row when it comes to the 2009 version of that very process.
You might think that a specialist in conservation real estate and land would NOT be curious about short sales. But it is 2009,and I am. Three (3) short sale seminars from various experts, one crowded learning session for REALTORS by two short sale experts/ real estate attorneys right here in Asheville, and hours consulting with CPA s find me compelled to continue my research....
I suspect there is a lot more to unearth about the nuances of short sales. I plan to take at least one of our own Broker Bryant's short sales webinars (it is just $27 per session) and I continue to search out and read articles on the subject. An article from Robert Freedman is a senior editor of REALTOR® magazine caught my attention today. In it, Mr. Freedman talks about the pitfalls, sticky wickets and legal consequences when REALTORS® work with short sales.
He lists seven (7) short sale pitfalls, cautioning real estate professionals to get their ducks in a row ...
1. Misrepresenting tax consequences. 2. Misrepresenting how secondary debt is treated. 3. Acting on inappropriate lender requests for seller contributions. 4. Breaching fiduciary duty. 5. Providing poor oversight of a loss mitigation company. 6. Lacking the required license to undertake loss mitigation. 7. Facilitating transactions not listed on the HUD-1 form.
Short Sales: The New Wild West From pushy lenders to aggressive investors, there are many challenges that real estate practitioners must overcome in the new world of distressed sales.
Tips for Disclosing a Short Sale Short sales present two disclosure challenges - finding a reliable source of correct information about the physical condition of the property and deciding how and when to make a situational disclosure about the owner's financial distress.
Short Sales: Sorting Out Commission Issues Some MLSs have a rule requiring listing agents to let their colleagues know if a listing is, or is potentially, a short sale, and thus subject to a possible last-minute change in the commission by the lender.
About the "ducks in a row" photo: It was taken by janeAnne (c'est mois) on a recent local getaway for the afternoon at one of our excellent and obviously entertaining picnic spots along the French Broad River near Asheville. _________________________________________________________________________________
__~o -\_<, (*)/'(*) .......... ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable world you can create today and tomorrow!. ......................... .............with OBJECTIVE FIDUCIARY COUNSEL. ECO STEWARDS' LEARNING TOURS.Serving Asheville's First Time and Relocation LAND and Home Buyers.
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Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
One more hint? OK. Take a look at this graphic. And maybe check out this word. 
properties in our area. 
ction.
1) Being online means more time away from my real life.
experts, one (1) crowded learning session for REALTORS® by two (2) short sale experts/ real estate attorneys right here in Asheville, and hours (countless, maybe 100) consulting with CPA s, bookkeepers, lenders, support people, and so forth...
;)
;)
