100 of my featured posts: Can a "Bigger than Life" Luxury Home still be Eco-savvy?
- 01/30/08 02:51 PM
"Can a "bigger than life" luxury home still be eco-savvy? " you ask. Good Question! And you may already know (or think you know) the answer. Size and function matter when you are talking about environmental impact. In fact, size can be quite a lively, if not controversial subject among the eco-savvy tribes.
But as you consider the relationship between size, and "green" remember that "luxury" real estate may come in many shapes and sizes. There are small footprints with three-stories rising in the trees, there are larger footprints set neatly into the landscape.
There are homes sited to take advantage … (61 comments)
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100 of my featured posts: A REALTOR'S® Perspective: The Anatomy, Design & Development of an "Infill Project"
- 11/02/07 04:32 AM
Scenario: He found me at Active Rain. He was looking for answers about infill projects, design and development and the new urbanism. He told me he had read my entire BLOG. I was honored. We emailed back and forth a few times. He called to set up a meeting to look at his mixed useproperty. He and his wife, whose life work has been with autistic kids, are ready to "un-retire"...
First Meeting: We sat together in the welcoming kitchen in their home of 20 years. A restored "neo-old-Miami" (I'll have to ask Ines about that) the home has a flat … (34 comments)
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100 of my featured posts: Putting Some "Irish" in Negotiation, Communication & Resolving Differences.
- 09/27/07 04:41 PM
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One of my favorite proverbs is, "May you live in interesting times." Would you agree those times are here and now- ? If you have any doubts, simply travel abroad. You'll view current events from a fresh perspective, as I discovered on our recent trip to. Ireland. Negotiation, communication & resolving differences--possibly no nation on Earth knows more about this than the Irish. They offer us a history lesson with flowers to celebrate a recent resolution.
For real estate professionals who understand the importance of negotiation, communication and resolution, Ireland's long history of conflict, from … (24 comments)
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100 of my featured posts: OOOO-Yuckkkk. Contamination. Or CAN sustainable, green development happen here? Field Trip.
- 08/23/07 01:16 AM
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REALTORS'®Due Diligence- Check out THIS list.
Leaking Underground Storage Tanks (LUSTs) LandfillsSuperfund SitesWater Quality Assurance Revolving Priority Fund SitesEPA Proposed Superfund Sites (CERCLIS)Hazardous Waste Sites Hazardous WasteOOOO-YUCK! Who wants to talk about all this gookie-stuff?
Raise your hands.Do I see one-hand? Do I see a few hands? Show me a few hands. Let me tell you a true story. Then maybe those hands will show up.
Recently, we were on the hunt for land for a sustainable, green development for one of our clients. We were excited to hear about 60+ acres that overlooks the … (114 comments)
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100 of my featured posts: 200 "Passive Sun" BLOGS + 1 Active Flying Dog +YOU =
- 08/15/07 04:07 AM
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This flying dog has been leaping across the blogging-blue-sky. (JT's photo taken at Bele Cher in Asheville, N.C. 2007)
She's read over 200 BLOGS this past week-always curious, and most-times impressed. What's out there in the "passive sun"? I'll tell you in two words:A lot!
I'll also tell you that a week or so ago, that might not have been my impression Like Jeff G, I had been wondering why on Green Earth I would want to have another BLOG outside of Active Rain. My "Other Blog" (tended faithfully since 2004) … (61 comments)
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100 of my featured posts: TRENDS: THE BABY BOOMERS' BLAST
- 08/02/07 04:49 AM
NEWS for BABY BOOMERS ALFA produces the most authoritative and comprehensive publications and reports on assisted living, as well as important market research studies
SO! have you heard? GOOGLE is going GREEN. They have chosen one of my favorite architects in the entire world, William McDonough. You can expect amazing news on that front. Daily, such eco-nomically friendly news impacts trends in the real estate market. I've written about this for what seems like a cyber-time dinosaur's age. AND! What else is NEW? The Baby Boomer Blast HELLO! Get ready Asheville's "green" real estate market, the baby boomers are on their way. They could be getting ready … (93 comments)
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100 of my featured posts: HGTV-House Hunters Films the ECO Team . Thanks Active Rain!
- 07/22/07 03:14 AM
update:..PRODUCER LOOKS FOR MORE STORIES....There may be a House Hunters "Green Week" Special (not sure)...but if so... let us know if you have sold a LEED certified home, and we will be happy to pass the word along to the Producer.
Guess who's been here filming all week? Yes. HGTV's House Hunters crew. And how did they find us? They contacted us after reading a number of posts to the ECO-All-Stars Group from my BLOG right here at Active Rain. Seems there is huge audience interest in sustainable design, green building and retrofitting. And you know that is our market niche.
Our … (135 comments)
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100 of my featured posts: Anatomy of a Land Sale ~ 27+ AC Mountain Retreat (Part I) The CHECKLIST
- 07/16/07 05:26 PM
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Dawn's a good time to scope out property, especially a land sale a short drive from Asheville, N.C, - one of interesting proportions - 27+ irregular acres. So today , as I rolled down a highway where pale-blue mountains fringed the still-pink skies, I considered the anatomy of this particular land sale, and how it could play out for sellers and buyers.
•1) It might be an investment, a 1031 Exchange. •2) It could be someone's prized find for a second home. •3) It could be the perfect mountain retreat with sheltered cove, … (33 comments)
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100 of my featured posts: Prairie Crossing. High Performance Homes. Human-Scale Living
- 07/09/07 02:48 AM
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Prairie Crossing (Grayslake, IL) means High Performance Homes and Human-Scale Living. Today I'm going to tell you about our client, a novelist, who completed her current best-seller while sequestered in the master bedroom closet at her home (pictured just to your left) at Prairie Crossing. ("High-Performance of another kind.)
Prairie Crossing is a conservation community in Lake County just outside the "Windy City", Chicago, Illinois. And, judging from our client, you might find some pretty interesting and eco-wise neighbors there. And too, you could be delighted to discover a very much in demand high-performance home, like … (17 comments)
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100 of my featured posts: Green-o-Lina's Picks & Picnic Trips Around Asheville~ The Mars Hill Loop #1
- 07/03/07 01:44 PM
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Green-o-Lina's Picks & Picnic Trips. Whether you are visiting Asheville-possibly hunting for land on which to build or a "high-performance" new home-or if you are new to the area, or already are fortunate enough to live here, local real estate professional, Green-o-Lina has a Picnic Trip for you. It is sure to make you smile and offer you a sense of place in the mountains.
Just fix a picnic full of locally-grown goodies, or drop in to one of Green-o-Lina's favorite places, Picnics where you can collect the incredible results … (20 comments)
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100 of my featured posts: Anatomy of a Land Sale. Chasing Waterfalls. Part II
- 06/15/07 07:25 PM
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UPDATE: Part III is now up...
In Part I of this unfolding land sale transaction, our client, JT told me that when he first became interested in 1031 Exchanges in conjunction with conservation development, he considered himself lucky to bump into one real estate professional who understood the intersection of a "cultural creative" investor and his quest for land with a waterfall he could steward.
Surprised, I noted that there‘s a market trend toward sustainability in design and construction as expressed in conservation development properties.
But all that aside, this land transaction was … (43 comments)
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100 of my featured posts: HORSE COUNTRY. THAT'S NORTH CAROLINA!
- 05/30/07 09:35 AM
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** IS A FABULOUS HORSE FARM IN YOUR FUTURE?**
If you love horses and horse country, you will love a special place I know of near Asheville, North Carolina.
I guess it's no secret that just under an hour's easy drive from Asheville, in Polk County, you will find some of the best land for equestrian pursuits imaginable.
And almost everything you might need for those pursuits awaits you. Just look at this list I've alphabetized for you...
APPAREL - ENGLISH/WESTERNBLACKSMITH/FARRIERSBREEDINGDRIVING HORSES/LESSONSEQUINE ACUPUNCTURE/ ALTERNATIVE THERAPIESEQUINE DENTISTRYEQUESTRIAN ORGANIZATIONS EQUESTRIAN SCHOLARSHIPS EVENTINGFARM/ANIMAL SUPPLIES ARM EQUIPMENT … (39 comments)
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100 of my featured posts: ... IN YOUR FACE .... Talk to me about your VIEWS... Part 2 of a 4-part series
- 05/07/07 07:13 AM
UPDATE: Gather a dozen or so people for ideas on managing mountainside development, and they're likely to come up with a dozen or so different ideas. The Land-of-Sky Regional Council found out as much as a group of government planners, builders and landowners met for the second of five meetings on the issue.
State legislators and local governments have been wrestling with ideas for steep-slope development rules under pressure from the rapid pace at which builders are putting up homes on mountainsides...
Here's the full story
Yesterday, in Part 1 of this series, I wrote about the consequences of ill-considered development and what that … (27 comments)
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100 of my featured posts: … IN YOUR FACE …. Talk to Me About Your VIEWS…(Part 1 of 3-part series)
- 05/06/07 12:06 PM
UPDATED 5/8/2007 ..development-related storyHungry bears attack dogs in mountain backyards (see below)
This is the first in a 3-part series on VIEWS.
I'll start by asking you a question. When you leave your abode, be it a youthful yurt or a lofty lodge, does what you see as you walk out the door matter to your clients (and you)?
Certainly, the ever-changing panorama beyond my door stirs me. To the East, just this morning, a poet's study in pure potential. (photo to your left) painted itself on the sky.
Twelve hours later, to the West, Ursus americanus blasted complacency to the rising moon when I stepped … (35 comments)
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100 of my featured posts: Guess Why Asheville is a "Hopping" Vacation & Second Home Destination Spot!
- 04/24/07 09:20 AM
Once you have experienced Asheville, you will understand the "Paris of the South" in the mountains of Western North Carolina ranks among the favorite second home and vacation spots. But let me give you a few quick reasons:
1) The people are amazing, full of life, and great storytellers.
2) The locally -grown FOOD (see link below) is delicious and good for you!
3) There's FUN galore.
Find out for yourself by "hopping" on one of our "down-home' tours.
photo courtesy of Asheville Trolley Tours
Asheville Historic Trolley Tours - Hop on the darling trolley for an hour or so and ay narrated tour … (6 comments)
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100 of my featured posts: Anatomy of a Horse Farm Sale ... or a Ride to Love
- 04/22/07 06:32 AM
Just today, I was nudged inquisitively by a band of 4 goats, clucked at by the gals in the hen house, looked in the eye by an enormous horse, and left breathless by the sight of Tennessee Walkers racing each other across the Spring-green pasture of the horse farm I was showing.
My clients and I, on the lookout for a "family" horse farm near Asheville, N.C. knew we are in for an adventure! We couldn't think of a better way for a REALTOR® and her clients to celebrate Earth Day than to be out on the Land.
Two farms on the agenda today...So we … (49 comments)
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100 of my featured posts: Stormy Weather and My REALTOR® Still Stands Tall in the Field, (Part 2, Balance. Stamina)
- 04/16/07 01:13 PM
Snow flakes are flying north-to-south across the wildly bobbing heads of the daffodils as the mountain wind roars ferociously down the ridge by my home office this morning. Stormy Weather. The scene is both powerful and empowering as a reminder of the life of a REALTOR®, where, even in "stormy weather"we brave the elements to come to a happy closing event. Our impact in the role of problem solver can provide the "shelter" of balance and endurance through the turmoil.
This morning, as the wind howls down the mountain ridges and over craggy cliffs, I'm wondering if, when we approach our work from a … (40 comments)
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100 of my featured posts: Habitat for Humanity & Community Volunteer REALTOR® Challenge!
- 04/10/07 12:32 AM
I posted an article on Habitat for Humanityand REALTOR® involvement on a home here in the Asheville, N.C. area for which our own Corey Atherton is the point person.
"Through the dedication and energy of a group of real estate professionalsled by our own Active Rain Member, and ECO-All-Star, Corey Atherton, one Family's dream is about to come true , " I wrote.
THREE CHEERS FOR COREY!
We have quite a conversation going on that article, and it has opened up to a CHALLENGE to all real estate and real estate-related professionals!
Here's how the CHALLENGE came about: This morning I replied to a comment Ginger Sala, another … (22 comments)
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100 of my featured posts: 10+ Simple Retrofits for Older Homes
- 03/29/07 07:01 AM
When it comes to being an Eco-Star every home can shine...even an old "castle"...
Simple changes at home can add up to real benefits for your family, neighborhood and the world. Here's an ever-expanding list of things you can do to retrofit or GreenUP an older home that Sharon Simms over at the ECO-All-Stars Group started . Steve Dalton added to it, and that's how the "seed" that Sharon planted began to "sprout". Soon, John Cilladi, REALTOR, EcoBroker, e-PRO told us about a fluorescent light bulb he has had since 1994 that is still going strong after 13 years. WOW! Is that amazing, or … (76 comments)
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100 of my featured posts: STARlight # 6 ** SHERON CARDIN ** Spotlight's on This ECo-All-Star for Her Creativity
- 03/28/07 06:57 PM
We are now 101 members of the ECO-All-Stars!
So....it may take me a few months to introduce y'all...but that's my intent, so hang on to your greenies! Each time I read about one of the ECO-STARS I find myself smiling. I wonder if you do, too?...How could you NOT when you see photos like this one (to the right)? To me, there is a special sense of communitythat opens up as we get to know each other better. Which one of these shining people do you think is our STAR today?
Hint: She has blond hair.
For me, I find useful value-added factors real estate professionals can add … (24 comments)
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