Arlene's Blog

Hickory Nut Forest An Outstanding Eco-Friendly Community

Arlene Brown (Eco Steward Realty) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:59:10 -0500

Via Asheville's "GREEN "Property Consultants- LAND & Fine Homes :

Hickory Nut Forest An Outstanding Asheville Area Eco Community

One of my favorite eco communities in the Asheville area (and please note, Asheville is the "hub' of green and sustainable development) is Hickory Nut Forest.Numerous eco-communities are popping up in and around Asheville, but Hickory Nut Forest is demonstrating how to go about creating an eco-friendly habitat. (see video).

THIS evolving "green" community and conservation neighborhood honors the Land and the forests that offer it building materials. (see video). It is surrounded on three sides by over 800 acres of conservation land , so you can hike out from this community on one of the well-tended trails leading to those 800 + acres and to the adjoining 250 acres. Hickory Nut Forest has set aside a special place for the community/retreat/teaching/learning center. Here is where the new community building is in the process of construction (see video)
From the standpoint of sustainability, here is an example of the "social dimension"--Peace, security, social justice --Human settlements and Human relationship to nature .
Hickory Nut Forest is alive with possibility. EXAMPLE: I was so excited to be able to WATCH how the construction of the new community building happens! ( see video) If you are interested in the "social dimension" of green building, be sure to check this out.

Creston Preserve Eco-Friendly Mountain Community Near Asheville-Corey's Silver Lining (video series)

Arlene Brown (Eco Steward Realty) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:57:14 -0500

Been there, it is everything you say.

Arlene

Via Asheville's "GREEN "Property Consultants- LAND & Fine Homes :

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.

30+ Eco-Friendly GREEN Urban and Mountain Communities in the Asheville Area

Arlene Brown (Eco Steward Realty) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:54:17 -0500

Via Asheville's "GREEN "Property Consultants- LAND & Fine Homes :

Asheville, North Carolina, October, 2009 Real Estate News and Views from "GREEN-O-Lina"
30+ Eco-Friendly Urban and Mountain Communities in the Asheville Area

There are about as many shades of green in eco-friendly design, development and building as you see in the early light on an Appalachian mountainside. (see photo) Levels of attraction, commitment, and motivation to embrace eco conepts and planning are unique to each of us.

Poll homebuyers and investors and you are sure to find certain green features have more appeal than others. For example , on the subject of green-built homes, indoor air quality(IAQ) may be one person's primary focus, while whole house ventilation or NO-VOC paint may be another's concern.

And many people looking to leave a land legacy will devote their attention to eco-savvy development that takes into account site planning, solar orientation and energy use.

But people do seem to share this in common:They are deeply attracted to the notion that their grand kids will be and/or are in a healthy, non-toxic environment.

With this in mind, I have compiled a list of 30+ urban and mountain eco-friendly developments in the Greater Asheville area. If you would like to know the "greenest' I will be posting a comparison chart you can use to determine for yourself...And/or check back to see the following list highlighted with links to my video series as I visit each of these communities.

30+ Eco-Friendly Urban* and Mountain Communities in the Asheville Area

Altura   (Urban)
Balsam Mountain Preserve
Ciel (Urban)
Cliffs of High Carolina (Tiger Woods)
Cold Mountain
Cove at Celo Mountain
Crest Mountain Community (Urban)

CRESTON

DROVERS ROAD PRESERVE

Fitgerald Condominiums (Urban)
French Broad Crossing
GAIA (Urban)
Grand Highlands of Bearwallow Mountain
Grand Highlands of Waterford Lakes

GREENWOOD

HICKORY NUT FOREST ECO COMMUNITY

Homestead at Mills River

MOUNTAIN AIR
Mountain Meadows

NORTH KNOB

Pisgah Preserve at Lake James

PRESERVE AT LITTLE PINE

PRESERVE AT WOLF LAUREL

Ramble Biltmore Forest (Urban)
Red Wolf Run
Residences at 151 (Urban)
River Highlands at Madison Crossing
River Rock
Settings of Black Mountain (Urban)
Stillhouse Creek

THREE CREEKS PRESERVE at Lake Lure
Thoms Estate (Urban)

WALNUT CREEK PRESERVE Equestrian Community (seen in photo)
Whisper Mountain

•·        I am defining "urban" as within a 10 minute drive of downtown Asheville

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__~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 Eco-Friendly-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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Mountain Homesites & Magic Rains - The Creston Preserve Series

Arlene Brown (Eco Steward Realty) — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 15:13:56 -0500

Via Asheville's "GREEN "Property Consultants- LAND & Fine Homes :

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
-\_<,
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............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

6 Reasons why your house won't sell.

Arlene Brown (Eco Steward Realty) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 10:14:38 -0500

Via Alan May, Coldwell Banker Evanston Realtor, North Shore Realtor (Evanston Real Estate, Evanston, IL):

1. Your photos are unimpressive. The vast majority of home buyers start their search for a home on the Internet, your house had better look great in print. Not just nice... downright fabulous. Today we are considering internet views as a 'virtual showing'... if your house gets past that, then they might (just might) make an appointment to see it in person... We consider that your SECOND showing. Today's buyers are expecting good quality photos (and lots of them... just 1 shot from the street won't cut it!), a virtual tour, maybe even a floor plan, if applicable.

2. It's overpriced. You've got to view your own property as objectively as possible. Look at the home like a "buyer"... if necessary, go out with your Realtor and view other homes that are priced comparably to yours. Be objective. Given the other options on the market (and yes, you DO have to include short sales and foreclosures on your list... your potential buyers are!), would YOU buy your home, over the others on the market?

If no, then you either have to "update" your home to meet or beat the competition... or lower your price to adjust for it. if you can't afford to sell for the price, that you KNOW it sell for, you may want to consider just removing it from the market.

3. It shows poorly. This could mean almost anything... from the barky, barky dog, to the smell of the diaper pail. Maybe the carpeting is a bit worn, or the woodwork shows a lot of wear. All things that don't show up on the internet, but whoa.... once you get inside the house... they show up, like a cat-urine-smell on a 95 degree day in New Orleans!

4. You're invisible. Today's buyer comes from the internet, almost exclusively. Have you (or your agent) simply plopped the property on the MLS, and started praying? Are you on all the websites...(Trulia, Zillow, Craig's List, Google Base, etc...) all the places that buyers are searching? If not, you want to be.

5. Your listing is tired and stale on the market. Okay... yes, you overpriced your home initially when you first came on the market 2 years ago. But since then you have reduced your price almost monthly... constantly chasing the market down.... Now, finally you're truly priced where you should be... but your listing is tired and stale. Everyone looking for your type of property (ie: 3br/1.1 bath) in your area has already seen it, sometimes twice... and they remember that there was "something" about it that they didn't like... but what they don't remember is... what they didn't like.... was the price. Time to take the listing off market. Let it cool off (3-6 months), and bring it back on fresh in the Spring. Yeah, you'll have 6 mos. worth of holding-costs... but you'll more than make up for it in your purchase price.

btw... Avoid the temptation to bring the house back on at a higher price, than when you left the market. Just "don't do it"!

6. Your house won't appraise. The house looks great... you've finally gotten someone to bring you a bid on your slightly over-priced, but beautiful pied-a-terre. But the bank appraiser says it's worth $20,000 less than what they've agreed to pay. Heavy sigh... bite the bullet.... negotiate with them. If you have to drop the price $20,000 to make it work.... "make it work"... chances are, anybody else trying to buy your house will run into the same problem.

SHORT SALES SAVVY 2009-Getting Your Ducks in a Row

Arlene Brown (Eco Steward Realty) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 14:10:54 -0500

Via Asheville's "GREEN "Property Consultants- LAND & Fine Homes :

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 sale process - 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.

Resources: Links to Freedman's full article and a few others I found of interest:

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.
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__~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.

Short Sales - Savvy & Real Estate and Relocation: The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants! Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved.
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Short Sales Savvy - 21 Questions for An Attorney

Arlene Brown (Eco Steward Realty) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 14:06:22 -0500

Via Asheville's "GREEN "Property Consultants- LAND & Fine Homes :

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?

Have you see this article from the June 14, 2009 Chicago Tribune Business Section on the troubles around loan modifications?

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?

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__~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.

21 SHORT SALE QUESTIONS FOR YOUR ATTORNEY.- "GREEN" Real Estate and Relocation: The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants! Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved
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303 Eliada Home Rd Asheville, NC 28806 Pet Friendly

Arlene Brown (Eco Steward Realty) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 10:07:21 -0500

Via Asheville's "GREEN "Property Consultants- LAND & Fine Homes :

"We have been hunting for a place where we could have our several four-legged friends with us." the couple told me. "I know just the place!," enthusiastically, I responded. "Actually, it is WAY more than a 'place'. Your pets will think it's a 'palace'!"

This PET-FRIENDLY home of STONE and CEDAR construction on 1.48 AC has it all-- -

PRIVATE (see photo of tree-lined entrance below) yet convenient--it is only 7 minutes from downtown Asheville.

It is spacious and "homey".. with.
BIG, family and pets-sized rooms rooms.

Living Rm: 17.6 X 23.4 1
MBR: 21 X 17 1
Dining Rm: 14.6 X 10 1
BR 2: 14 X 11 1
BR 3: 20 X 15   ( photo shows STONE and CEDAR construction on 1.48 AC)



SqFt:   3004 of wonderful, sunny, spacious, inviting rooms as per those you see above
Baths: 2 Apx Yr. Built: 1976
Half Baths: 1 Taxes: 1532

AND you really can enjoy plenty of sunny garden areas while your pets have a great time in the enormous fenced enclosures with views of the gently sloping grounds where your cats will love climbing the trees.

You can play and garden here.

Later, relax by the (2) wood-burning fireplaces.

( photo shows excellent sunny spot for homegrown food and flowers)

I am excited about this home. With downtown Asheville so close by, it still offers a sense of privacy. Best of all, it is a special "find" for pet lovers. . .

But that's not all!

There also is a totally remodeled "In-Law Suite" . It boasts a complete kitchen, wonderful fireplace, and private entrance.

Interior Features: Attic Fan , Breakfast Bar , Ceiling Fan(s) ,2 Fireplace(s) , Formal Dining Rm , In-Law Suite , Master on Main , Pull-Down Attic Stairs , Workshop and...Very desirable wood and/or tile floors throughout.

Exterior Features:Pet-Friendly Fencing , Insulated Doors , Insulated Windows

The double garage has a separate workroom.

( Photo shows the tree-lined entrance to your own private Asheville mini-estate.)

Put this together the context of Asheville, North Carolina's amenities...

Location

Asheville's "green" real estate market

And Asheville's vibrant community ....

and you have a win-win -win!

CONTEXT- Location:303 Eliada Home Rd. Asheville, NC  28806 is within 5 to 10 minutes of Asheville, N.C. and the city's healthy impetus for sustainable development,  diverse economic structure bases on tourism, services, and eco-innovative attitudes. Overall education levels, wages and per capita income levels are on the "plus" side. Standards of living are, too.

CONTEXT- Asheville Area Sustainable Real Estate Market: GREEN is "red-hot" here. Greater Asheville, North Carolina's GREEN real estate market enjoys clients who are hungry for sustainable neighborhoods, energy-efficient design and green-built homes. THIS IS NOT ONLY IS THE PERFECT SPOT for your eco-friendly renovation, but a compassionate PET-FRIENDLY atmosphere.

MLS 441931A
303 Eliada Home Rd. Asheville, NC 28806 $299,888

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If you are not committed to another real estate professional, please give us a call at 828-255-1082 or simply email us. We are short sale specialists who are also ECO Certified ® Real Estate Consultants at The ECO Steward Real Estate Firm in the Greater Asheville, North Carolina area. We are excited about value-added, ECO-friendly properties, and focus on positive futures.

303 Eliada Home Rd. Asheville, NC 28806. . Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved

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Spring, Asheville, Painted Mountains and the Zephyr

Arlene Brown (Eco Steward Realty) — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 13:52:54 -0500

Via Asheville's "GREEN "Property Consultants- LAND & Fine Homes :

It was getting late. Soon the birds would be nesting. I climbed to the top of the ridge, facing north. There in the venerable Asheville Mountains almost as old as time itself, something exciting ...yet unnamed ...was arranging itself between the coves and rising ridges. It spoke to the possibility, this very April evening of simultaneously starting anew and leaving yesterday behind....

Spring in Asheville! The season has painted her canvas with all the colors we anticipate each year as we rediscover an abundance of choices.... places to consider alone and with others...places where you and I can create "safe landings" for generations to come.... Understanding this, you need only to choose the where and when.

A gentle soul once told me,

"...there's a pathway to contentment.
It is like a zephyr on the mountains, an uncommon force
always moving.

You can measure it by your heartbeat,
an all-at-once coming together and letting go."

Asheville Relocation, The Smart 1st Time Home Buyer, and Tax Incentives They Love (Part 2)

Arlene Brown (Eco Steward Realty) — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 14:04:50 -0600

Via Asheville's GREEN BUYERS' Brokers- LAND & Fine Homes :

As I mentioned in Part 1, 1^stTime Home Buyers, especially those relocating to the Greater Asheville, NC area want to know if the home (or land) they invest in has a good chance of appreciating over the years ...

According to Home Smart Reports,  a research tool for 1^st Time Home buyers (and others) that focuses "not only on market value, but also the underlying trends that affect property value in both the short and long-term.... and market conditions you need to know when making your buy/sell decisions ..."

The Asheville area gets an "A" for Low Market Risk Conditions.

Given this, now is the time for smart 1^st Time Home Buyers to exercise the option to invest in real property .

(Here I am talking about eco-freindly land purchases and green-built homes to be sited on the land...LAND , of course is ALWAYS a good value!)

Local experts say that the in-demand "green" real estate market is strong. One real estate adviser told me, " There are wonderful homes to be found if you know where to look and are ready to act when you spot what you desire..." As an Eco-Certified Real Estate Consultant and EcoBroker, I totally agree..especially when it comes to eco-friendly land and homes.

Add to that the recent economic stimulus packagerecently signed by President Obama which features, for 1st Time Home Buyers, an $8,000 (or 10% of the home's value, whichever is less) benefit on their 2008 or 2009 taxes, and we all are smiling!

DETAILS(as promised inPart 1of this series) according to CNN   this tax credit has the following pluses:

Refundable: The credit is refundable, meaning tax filers see a refund of the full $8,000 even if their total tax bill - the amount of withholding they paid during the year- was less than that amount.

Purchase Date: To qualify for the credit, the purchase must be made between Jan. 1, 2009 and Nov. 30, 2009. Buyers may not have owned a home for the past three years to qualify as "first time" buyer. They must also live in the house as their primary residence for at least three years, or they will be obligated to pay back the credit.

Paperwork: Applying for the credit will be easy - or at least as easy as doing your income taxes. Just claim it on your return. No other forms or papers have to be filed. Taxpayers who have already completed their returns can file amended returns for 2008 to claim the credit.

Income Restrictions: To qualify, buyers must make less than $75,000 for singles or $150,000 for couples.

PS. Definition of a 1^st Time Home Buyer! Buyers who have NOT owned a home for the past three years and who will also live in the house for at least three years...(otherwise they will have to pay back a special credit...keep reading...Part 3)

and let me know what YOU think...
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Curious about sustainable Green real estate possibilities ? Simply pedal on over to Convivial Blogger Greenolina's "Green Wheels" BLOG and SUBSCRIBE

__~o
-\_<,
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable world you can create today and tomorrow!. .........................    .............

Asheville Relocation, The Smart 1^st Time Home Buyer, and Tax Incentives They Love (Part 2) The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants! Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved
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How the Stimulus Benefits “Green” (And How You Can Position Yourself to Benefit as Well)

Arlene Brown (Eco Steward Realty) — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 13:02:04 -0600

Via Ryan Moehring (EcoBroker International):

You may think there is too much "pork" in the recently signed stimulus bill. Or perhaps too much spending or too may tax cuts. Its passage may offend your Keynesian or Monetarist economic views, and may, you believe, lead to the very demise of capitalism itself (OK, that may be going too far). You may not think we need a stimulus at all-that we should let the free market recover on its own. Whatever your political and economic viewpoint, if you believe our country's energy policy needs a fundamental change, and that energy efficiency and renewable energy can simultaneously stimulate the economy and help the planet, chances are you are excited about the green provisions of the bill.

To say the stimulus is big is an understatement. It is huge, colossal, gargantuan even. It is the largest spending bill the world has ever seen, which is a frightening proposition to say the least. However, if you can get past the staggering debt created by the bill, you'll find unprecedented subsidies for the energy sector. Here is an abbreviated summary of some of the energy-related provisions that can impact your real estate business:

$6.3 billion for energy efficiency in multifamily housing getting federal assistance, such as HUD-sponsored low-income housing

$5 billion to weatherize more than 1 million homes owned by "modest-income" families

$4.5 billion to increase the energy efficiency of federal buildings

$4 billion to repair and modernize public housing units

$2 billion to increase the tax credit for hybrid cars to $7,500

$1.4 billion for bonds to carry out state and local renewable energy and conservation projects

$510 million to repair and modernize more than 4,000 Native American housing units

$500 million to train workers for careers in energy efficiency and renewable energy

$300 million for consumer rebates for energy-efficient appliances

$268 million to remove caps on a 30 percent residential credit for solar, wind, and geothermal

$250 million to HUD to improve the efficiency of government-subsidized apartments

The New York Times released a detailed breakdown of the energy provisions here.

Interesting Facts About the $5 Billion Dedicated to Weatherization Assistance

This amount could weatherize 1 million homes and, directly and indirectly, create 375,000 jobs.

Low-income families will save an average of $350 annually from weatherization.

Every investment of $1 billion in clean energy programs creates nearly 5,000 more jobs than traditional infrastructure spending.

As a real estate professional, you may be wondering how you can benefit from all of this spending. Here are a few suggestions:

You can always contact your state energy office and obtain information about their weatherization program. Once you have this information, how can you apply it?

Do you know someone on your lead list, or perhaps a past client, who could use some free insulation or some caulking around their windows? Why wouldn't you take the time to connect a potential client with free weatherization money for home improvements that will actually improve their comfort and quality of life?

When the time comes to sell their home, who do you think they are going to call? Mr. Big Shot REALTOR^® with the huge advertising budget? Or the considerate agent who thoughtfully took the time to help make their winter a little more comfortable?

Maybe you've already helped a family move into a green home, or have helped them retrofit it. You already know that green topics are important to them, so why wouldn't you tell them about the $7,500 tax credit for purchasing a plug-in hybrid vehicle?

Do they already have a hybrid? Tell them about the rebates for energy-efficient appliances.

Even better, how about informing them about the removal of the 30 percent cap on residential solar systems? Combine this credit with local incentives currently offered by a number of states and your clients can start producing their own energy for around 1/4^th of the sticker price. Now that's exciting!

Whatever the scenario, you should know that your competition will be putting the stimulus to good use. How will your business benefit? Start planning today.

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Sources:

http://www.lohud.com/article/2008902120479

http://features.csmonitor.com/politics/2009/02/12/what-stimulus-bill-can-and-can%E2%80%99t-do/

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/laland/2009/02/an-8000-tax-cre.html

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iOG3Yk-jwqgGCWnZ__ek2Tktc7lgD96AR08G2

http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/weatherization/

http://www.boston.com/business/personalfinance/articles/2009/02/13/what_the_789b_stimulus_would_do_for_consumers/

http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2009/02/recovery_plan_captures.html

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aygJM54SPDUE&refer=home

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/3-trillion-Senate-Fed-apf-14315831.html

http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/energy/22977/

http://projects.nytimes.com/44th_president/stimulus/energy

HOPE FOR HOMEOWNERS PROGRAM - 2009

Arlene Brown (Eco Steward Realty) — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 09:31:19 -0600

In these times this is GREAT info to have.

Via Asheville's GREEN BUYERS' Brokers- LAND & Fine Homes :

The other day I had a conversation with a retired gentlelady. She is "no spring chick" by her own admission. She lives with her two German Shepherds and (at seventy-something) works part-time. It's a tough situation . As the snow falls, she fears she may be in jeopardy of losing her home.

I shared the following information with her.

It contains a list of lenders participating in the HOPE FOR HOMEOWNERS PROGRAM.

May blessings fall upon you...
and prosperity, even in difficult days

In doing research on this program I was given two important pieces of advice:

1. "When contacting any lender on this list, please use the contact information provided. Do not give anyone money or pay any fees until you have spoken with your existing lender and know it is participating in the HOPE for Homeowners Program. "

2. "If you are experiencing difficulty in communicating with your current servicing lender and/or subordinate lien holders, you may wish to contact a housing counseling agency to ask for advice and assistance in reaching a mutually agreeable solution for avoiding foreclosure. "

Here is the link to a PDF file with the list of lenders in the HOPE FOR HOMEOWNERS PROGRAM.
. It is updated weekly!

LIST OF H4H PARTICIPATING LENDERS

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Curious about sustainable Green real estate possibilities ? Simply pedal on over to Convivial Blogger Greenolina's "Green Wheels" BLOG and SUBSCRIBE

__~o
-\_<,
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable world you can create today and tomorrow!. .........................    .............

HOPE FOR HOMEOWNERS PROGRAM - 2009 .The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants! Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved
_______________________________________________________________________________________________

!!! * Announcing* The WINNERS of the ECO-All-Stars' January Challenge

Arlene Brown (Eco Steward Realty) — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 16:03:32 -0600

Via Asheville's GREEN BUYERS' Brokers- LAND & Fine Homes :

!!! *** Announcing*** The WINNERS of the ECO-All-Stars' January Challenge

Right off the bat, I would like to thank all those who participated in the Eco-All-Stars' very challenging monthly January Challenge.

On the "slippery slopes" of contests, and with so much talent, it was a race to the finish ...and a very hard call for the judges.

With the help of Active Rain members who voted , judges were able to break the ties and select the winners.

The judges based their decisions on 1) the rules, 2) color and creativity, 3) courage and initiative...and the tie-breaking AR members' votes.

THANKS to all who participated...
~janeAnne, Group Founder/Moderator

A few words from AR Members....

As Eloise Gift  pointed out, "All the posts are excellent- well written and informative. ..." and

Joanne O'Donnell hit the nail on the head when she commented,. "all were amazing blogs with valid and very different points of view...

Dave's blog... provided us with some new and very usable tools for the cause - from the fabulous earth image that challenges us with the old adage to not "reinvent the wheel" to the new adages: "Sharing is Sustainable" and "the cheapest energy by far is energy not produced".

Jeff... was amazingly eloquent and sparked a lively discussion that increased awareness even past the scope of the challenge.

Deb.... If I had answered this challenge, I would have followed in her illustrious footsteps

THE CHALLENGE**********

1. ) REVEAL HOW members of YOUR community might benefit from sustainable (green) designs

•2)    REVEAL HOW members of the Active Rain Community can demonstrate to BRAD PITT the benefit the designs from his New Orleans project could help Individuals, Eco-communities, and/or Builders and Developers. ...

THE CONTEXT*********

Stephanie Edwards-Musa provided much appreciated context for the January Challenge...Stephanie pointed out that the " idea of sustainable or (otherwise known as) Green Building is that the home is built for the Homeowner and thus offers features such as: :        Sustainability- will maintain its luster through storms, be more fire resistant, less prone to water damage and other natural occurrences
··       Energy Efficiency- Save $$ on your utility bills ··       Water Efficiency- Can save you money if certain parts of the Country ··       Healthier- Products used that will promote a better lifestyle. Especially important to those with Allergies, Asthma, Chemical Sensitivities and other Auto Immune Disorders •·       Low Maintenance- Because none of us like to change our siding, paint, etc. all the time."

"At the same time, " Stephanie said, " all of these features benefit the environment whether it be through lower Greenhouse Gas emissions, conservation, taking into consideration the actual building site by not damaging the land as much as possible and even lowering building waste.    Sustainable construction means homes built to take into account the highest good of the Homeowner.

THE POINTS***********

1,500 points for 1st Place. 1,000 points for 2nd    750 points for 3rd Place and 200 points for entering as per the rules.



THE FINALISTS ******************   *************************************************
(Read and reBlog those you appreciate)

Jeff Belonger

"What do you usually think of when you hear the words "ECO" and "Green"? For many, the first things that would come to mind are saving the trees, light bulbs, plastics, and overall, our environment to include electric cars and waste. Just in the last year or so, many more have been looking into ECO friendly buildings and homes. I know that we have many faults from the past, that we really need to pay attention to this now. I believe that it starts with the land around us and global warning.

We must understand this first, as we venture out into own cities, towns, and local neighborhoods with ECO friendly homes. ... So how can we push this forward into 2009 and using concepts such as those by Brad Pitt and others?" READ AND REBLOG JEFF BELONGER'S ENTRY

Deb Hurt

"A home is a holistic system; a mini ecosystem for its residents. Environmental issues and energy efficiency continue to become more important every day."

These homes were designed to address a very specific need in a very specific area; in fact they were designed to meet the needs of a very specific neighborhood..

There was a process employed that involved hours of consultation among architects, planners, and residents to determine what they needed and wanted in homes. This was a neighborhood that had one of the highest percentages of home ownership in the country. Many of these homes had been passed down through generations. These designs are not appropriate for any other area except in one very important way. THEIR PRINCIPLES AND CONCEPT are a model that should definitely be emulated."   READ AND REBLOG DEB HURT'S ENTRY

Sylvia Barry

" The idea of sharing the 'Make It Right' plan provides "a sense of working together to change the world". Being able to share the plan from 9th ward, one of the most economically challenged areas in the country with other areas in the U.S. provides both a symbolic and real meaning of working together and sharing; something to be encouraged and proud of! And remember, some of the most important features of Green/Sustainable are to RECYCLE, REUSE and to CONSERVE, same thing goes to building plans. As REALTORS, we care about our neighbors, our fellow citizens and our country. in short, WE CARE!     READ & REBLOG SYLVIA BARRY'S ENTRY

Dave Roberts

"A sustainable building respects the natural environment.

Forests are protected by smart use of engineered lumber and wise land use. Fresh water is treated as the scarce resource it is. The very design and size of the house and how it is located with respect to sun, neighborhood, and community all matter and all can contribute to the sustainability of the project. With the cacophony of crises of energy, climate, water, and housing that echo through the media every day, sustainability provides a soothing rhythm that can integrate all the problems and turn them to solutions." READ AND REBLOG DAVE ROBERTS' ENTRY

Mary Bigelow

"I began by making a visit to the Build America website. The studies ...demonstrate there are at least 5 different building climates in the United States... best practices have been studied for each of these climates.... These best practice case studies were prepared with your tax dollars and are available to you, consumers, builders and developers at no cost from the DOE, you have already paid for them...."... the ECO~All~Stars' January 2009 Challengehas been a real stumper and caused me some grief!!! I suspect I am not alone~ but I rise to the challenge....READ AND REBLOG MARY BIGELOW'S ENTRY

Jeff Geoghan

"It's exciting to be at the cusp of a new era in home building. Many innovative builders are stepping out from traditional design and seeking new options in home design. Other builders are adding "green" features every day to their existing home plans, in response to the demand. And the real winner is YOU!

It's a great time for real estate professionals to step out, too.
The cadre of Realtors who have taken on the task of educating the public on their new home building options have a lot say..." READ AND REBLOG JEFF GEOGHAN'S ENTRY

*********************************************!!***************************************

and now....*****    The Eco-All-Stars, with 900+ members *****who write uncompromisingly informative posts and who would love for you to join them, *****are proud to announce

************THE WINNERS******************

Sylvia Barry     1^stPlace SYLVIA BARRY'S ENTRY

Jeff Geoghan    2^ndPlace JEFF GEOGHAN'S ENTRY

Mary Bigelow    3^rdPlace MARY BIGELOW'S ENTRY

___________________________________________________________________________________

ARE YOU ready for the 3^rd Annual Green is Red Hot Contest this March? Look for details coming soon at the Convivial Blogger Greenolina's "Green Wheels" BLOG and SUBSCRIBE

__~o
-\_<,
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable world you can create today and tomorrow!. .........................    .............

ECO-All-Stars' January Challenge. The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants! Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved.

**************************************************************************************************

FEBRUARY 3,000 Points & Spread the Link Love CHALLENGE

Arlene Brown (Eco Steward Realty) — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 16:02:45 -0600

Via Asheville's GREEN BUYERS' Brokers- LAND & Fine Homes :

FEBRUARY Spread the Link Love CHALLENGE

UPDATE: Winner gets 3,000 points....

Posts MUST be reBlogged
from the ECO-All-Stars' Group

WHAT does "spread the link love" mean ? In the context of the Eco-All-Stars and our 900+ members, and maybe for the members of your Groups, it can mean a nod to community spirit....colleagues posting and commenting and appreciating the time and energy and valuable contributions of others...

THINK of yourself as the Acquisitions Editor for an eco-friendly publication. Review what is on your desk. Which posts would YOU select?

THAT'S the February LINK LOVE Challenge.It sends a Valentine of appreciation. It is a nonlocal hug that counts.

HERE is all you have to do: (UPDATE: Winner gets 3,000 points)

•1)      GO to YOUR OWN posts (current or from way back when) and SELECT the
OK to REBLOG box so that what you have written can be reBlogged.

•2)      EACH DAY for the remainder of the month review posts, then select two (2) posts you would like to share with your readers..

•3)      CLICK on the REBLOG Arrow....possibly write a lead in to the post that you are reBlogging.

•4)     PUT the links of the posts you reBlogged in the comment section here.

•5)      WINNER:The most reBlogged wins...but only IF...that member has commented on others' posts .

GOOD BACKGROUND INFO: I have been doing some research on reBlogging . If you have any questions, here are two (2) links that I have found to be helpful....

http://activerain.com/blogsview/633408/Whoops-there-it-is and http://activerain.com/blogsview/632756/Blog-Blog-and-Now-ReBlog

Facts about Link Love:

You can reBlog up to 10 posts in a week.

You can earn points by having your post reBlogged.

Each time someone reBlogs your post, you earn 25 points, up to a maximum of 500 points per post.

____________________________________________________________________________

Curious about sustainable Green real estate possibilities ? Simply pedal on over to Convivial Blogger Greenolina's "Green Wheels" BLOG and SUBSCRIBE

__~o
-\_<,
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable world you can create today and tomorrow!. .........................    .............

FEBRUARY Spread the Link Love CHALLENGE .The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants! Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Is your land suitable for Solar Energy? Going Green in the mountains.

Arlene Brown (Eco Steward Realty) — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 16:00:23 -0600

Via Gary Ward (Exit Realty Mountain Properties):

Is your North Carolina mountain and Georgia land and suitable for Solar Energy? With going green being the hottest ticket, as of late, isn't it time to think about it?

The solar energy potential of a homesite becomes increasingly important as energy cost continue to rise. land on the south-facing slope of a mountain receives direct sunlight for many more hours each day than land on the north-facing slope. Houses on the south facing slopes are generally easier and less expensive to heat. They have the greatest potential for using solar energy for residential space and hot water heating. houses on the east and west facing slopes have less potential, and those on north facing slopes have minimal solar energy potential.

In addition, while trees and shrubbery can be beneficial for cooling in hot summers, tall trees on the south-facing side of a homesite can limit solar potential. The types of trees are important. Evergreens pose a year round obstacle to solar gain. But deciduous trees are without leaves in the late fall and winter, which allows for 30 to 40 percent of sunlight to get through. this enables the use of some solar applications, for space heating in particular. However the use of solar hot water and photovoltaic systems will start to be limited. For many sites particularly on heavily wooded steep slopes, the only option is to clear trees for a wide radius. This may downgrade the beauty of your site and ruin one of the reasons you chose to live in the mountains. Be sure to have a through solar site evaluation before you buy, if you have solar in mind for your house.

If your site is suitable for solar, North Carolina offers 40 percent solar tax credit, up to $1,500 for residential solar energy systems. If your site is not suitable for solar, you may also wish to check out the wind potential. Ideally, for wind, your site must provide a 500 feet radius of unobstructed landscape for a windmill that is raised about 100 feet in the air. In the mountains, some building sites enhance your home's potential for a wind energy system. In addition to this energy capability, the state of North Carolina provides a 10 percent wind energy tax credit.

THEY'RE ALL WRONG, WRONG, WRONG. The American Citizen Is Not Fooled by the "Feel Good" Sound Bites.

Arlene Brown (Eco Steward Realty) — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 15:49:47 -0600

Via Lenn Harley Homefinders.com MD & VA Real Estate:

What is it about the members of the media, the House of Representatives, the Senate and the Office of the President that makes them believe that the American public still believes in smoke and morrors?

     They continue to claim that "it (the economy) is all about "confidence".

     They say that the American consumer needs a "signal" that the future will improve.

     One Senator claimed yesterday that the American public doesn't care about "little pork" in the stimulus bill.

     We're heard the word "change" ad nauseam for two years.

     Congress believes that the public is impressed and comforted when we see them exhibiting "outrage"when questioning the big bank CEOs.

CONFIDENCE? What gives the American citizen confidence is knowing that they will be able to keep their home. The stimulus bill has nothing to make the home owner more confident that they will not be in foreclosure or bankruptcy next year.

SIGNALS? The only signal from the stimulus bill is that Congressional members will tax us about $800,000,000,000 to consolidate their power with pay-offs to political supporters.

"Little pork" means that the pork is spread in small amounts to more recipients.

$600 million will buy more and newer cars for government bureaucrats.

$44 million to refurbish the Department of Agriculture,

$50 million for the National Endowment for the Arts.

$150 million to spruce up the Smithsonian buildings.

CHANGE? In many ways, this was an honest promise. Not that we were ever advised in any way just what was going to be changed from what to what.   However, things will, indeed, change.

     Taxes will go up as the bill for the $800,000,000,000 spending package begins to come in.

     Spending power will go down as the cost of goods and services continue to increase.

     More home owners will be foreclosed as unemployment continues to rise and home owners cannot refinance ARMs, relocate for employment or sell homes an live on retirement income.

     Interest rates will go up as the government takes more available funds to finance spending programs including (little pork).

OUTRAGE? Americans are outraged when we see a Congressman complain to Big Bank CEOs about an ATM that ate his debit card when those CEOs cannot describe their use of TARP money.

YES, THINGS WILL CHANGE.



                              "Honey, was there anything in the stimulus bill to help our family."

                             "I don't believe so Dear, we'll get $800 but our taxes will go up more."

Asheville Relocation with a Nod to Nature

Arlene Brown (Eco Steward Realty) — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 13:49:50 -0600

Via Asheville's GREEN BUYERS' Brokers- LAND & Fine Homes :

Asheville, North Carolina! So many people want to be here. What for?

'll give ya' three quick reasons: 1) Asheville is a center for Cultural Creatives so there is an abundance of art and music to enjoy. . And 2) we have amazing organic produce readily available as per this and other tailgate markets   so there is incredible food to delight in-even organic menus at local restaurants.

AND 3) the Greater Asheville areas just happens to be one of the most beautiful places on earth. (note the photo I took overlooking a neighborhood nestled in the hands of the mountains here)

A particular interest to our eco-friendly clients is good information about relocating to these fair climes. In response, over the years we have gathered a ten-foot stack of resource materials having to do with RELO INFO and "making happy connections".

Here in Asheville, voted the "Happiest City in the U.S.A." collecting materials of this sort has been a breeze . especially since our real estate practice centers on ECO-friendly properties-energy efficient residences, Green Buildings, NC Healthy Built Homes in sustainable communities, and since we do tend to attract clients who love nature and want to be closer to the great out-of-doors.

With "GREEN connections" readily in place, we can offer our clients pointers for quickly getting involved in any number of nature-related projects, and events like these:

Sustainability Open Space - Montford Recreation Center, Asheville, A FREE self-organizing gathering for anyone engaged in the transformation to a thriving sustainable local culture and economy in harmony with the natural world. For more information and to pre-register, go to http://www.sosasheville.net/

Slow Food Asheville: "Lips of the Snail" - at Hawk and Ivy B&B, featuring locally grown and raised foods. Exquisite dishes by famous area chefs, Artisan breads, cheeses, plus Silent Auction, Live Music, and more. For more info on Slow Food Asheville go to: http://www.slowfoodasheville.org/

The Conservation Fund's Resourceful Communities Program and Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project- The Conservation Fund's Resourceful Communities Program (RCP), in partnership with Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project, hosts experiential workshops for community groups and emerging leaders including workshops on earned income for non-profits, community organizing and regional responses to pending referendum.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________ .

Curious about sustainable Green real estate possibilities ? Simply pedal on over to Convivial Blogger Greenolina's "Green Wheels" BLOG and SUBSCRIBE

__~o
-\_<,
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable world you can create today and tomorrow!. .........................    .............

Asheville Relocation with a Nod to Nature..The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants! Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved
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The REAL-TOUR : PETS Along the Way- Dogs

Arlene Brown (Eco Steward Realty) — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 15:32:15 -0600

Via Asheville's GREEN BUYERS' Brokers- LAND & Fine Homes :

There are times when we are out showing properties here in Asheville when we just have to S T O P !!

We simply have to take a moment to appreciate the pets along the way! I am sure you have similar experiences. Today, here is one you are sure to enjoy.

This one comes with wishes for All who come upon this post: Happy New Year... and may you be blessed with the joy of life this wonderful pet showed me today!

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A Tale of The Incredible Momentum of Holiday Acceptance

Arlene Brown (Eco Steward Realty) — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 10:14:55 -0600

Via Asheville's GREEN Land & Homes ECO-Steward Realty:

"What are you doing out here all on your owney-o?"
~Diana Gabaldon,
A Breath of Snow and Ashes

Deep within every one of us, I am told, lies a secret place. Within that primordial chamber the web of life is woven. And here, the "owney-o" shines in concert with the grand tapestry,bringing to the creation the incredible momentum of acceptance.

There follows a tale of that incredible momentum . . .

The Holidays, A Winter Visit and the Gift of Acceptance, 2008.

Warmed by the fire, newly stoked, embraced by the welcoming atmosphere in their home, I sat on the pleasantly overstuffed sofa. I had been here many times since we found the farm. I was not surprised to enjoy, once more, the particular gift of understanding that had brought the couple and me to that place many years ago, and to this space and time in our lives.

I had learned, in that time, about sustainability, and that none of is is out here "all on our owney-o".   (see photo)

Just walking the forest lands, standing beneath the trees, gazing up at the sun filtered through albescent puffs of cloud, can set in motion an incredible momentum of acceptance. How very rooted in the land we all are.

Maybe that is especially true during the holidays.

Now, on my holiday visit, while the logs crackled, he took his seat in the old easy chair, she sat in her rocker, blanket draped over her lap, the dog settled at her feet, and I indulged in that very special embracing energy of home and hearth . . .. She must be nearing seventy, I thought. He was a bit older. Maybe seventy-five. He still brewed the finest hot chocolate in the county. We sipped that concoction, content. Then she spoke:

"Here I am still with you after all these years," she smiled.
"How is it that moment-by-moment it all feels new?"

Good question, I thought.  Could it be that this winter's night, with all of us so cozy by the fire, made time melt into a moment of promise? The holidays did seem to open hearts, bring fresh perspectives.

"I love leisurely evenings," I replied. "It sure feels new when I sit with you by the fire. Sometimes, on the way to work in the morning, though, I wonder why that feeling escapes me."

"Tell me about that," he said lifting his cup, as marshmallows bobbed precariously close to the beard he grew each winter. Encouraged, I went on.

"Just last week, while driving down the road happily anticipating finding horse acreage around the next bend, " I told them, "suddenly I forgot where I was. I found myself instead trying to sort out what's around the next economic bend in the road. I felt ragged, as if I were sliding, willy-nilly into some place I really did not want to be. I came back to driving, of course, when I realized that I had missed my turn. But there was still some sticky residue. The concerns, I suppose, the outrageous dishevelment. Certainly, I did not feel new about then."

He nodded, understanding.

"Sometimes," he mused, eyes sparkling in the firelight, "things just don't seem to make sense. But we are a part of something much bigger than ourselves. Look at how the trees reach to the sky, together....being here with you tonight- belonging- is like that. It makes plenty of sense, even when things are topsy-turvy."

He went on then, his tone reassuring, posing a question.

"Do you know what I learned from my REALTOR® as I've watched you over the years? You taught me about smiling at life's ebb and flow. I learned that favorable regard is magic. It can even make the holidays into remarkable adventures."

The corners of his mouth curved upward then. His once red-gold beard now turned white framed his smile. She called it his "Santa Grin". And when he spoke, it was a gift, indeed.

" Ours may be a world of broken bits and pieces. But there is beauty and possibility. And beyond that, something much, much grander. I feel it, especially this holiday season, in that incredible momentum of acceptance that embraces us with great fervor and favor- and that, my friend, lasts forever!"

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Curious about sustainable Green real estate possibilities ? Simply pedal on over to Convivial Blogger Greenolina's "Green Wheels" BLOG and SUBSCRIBE

__~o
-\_<,
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable world you can create today and tomorrow!. .........................    .............

The Incredible Momentum of Holiday Acceptance. .The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants! Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved

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GREEN (and Other Interesting) Land, Horse, and Eco-Friendly Buyers' RESOURCES in Asheville, North Carolina

Arlene Brown (Eco Steward Realty) — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 14:02:33 -0600

Via janeAnne, "Green-o-Lina" e-PRO, ECO, -The Convivial Blogger-:

GREEN (and Other Interesting) Land, Horse, and Eco-Friendly Buyers' RESOURCES in Asheville, North Carolina.

It's that time of year again. Time to light up the world with the gift of possibility.  And time to share positive information from our very generous local experts in the interesting green real estate market here inAsheville, NC.  (here is a photo of Asheville's skyline during the season of possibility)

Because most of us are inspired by ideas, empowered by knowledge, and moved to change by greater understanding, each year our ECO-friendly GREEN TEAM updates and compiles a list of resources to support that possibility.

We hope that our list (it follows) fosters value-added sustainable real estate. Here buyers can connect with others who are working to take good care of mountain area properties. Land, equestrian, and conservation real estate buyers in the Greater ASHEVILLE,BUNCOMBE COUNTY AND MADISON COUNTY, PISGAH FOREST AREA may find this list of particular value.

The Eco-Stewards' List

The Equestrian Land Conservation Resource Horse people have much to contribute to the preservation of sustainable rural communities and are a caring influence in smart growth initiatives, where rapidly developing communities must recognize the value of maintaining natural corridors that serve the needs of a wide range of interests. Our Firm is a Member of The Equestrian Land Conservation Resource.

Mountin' Hopes Therapeutic Riding Center Mountin' Hopes is always on our list. And that is not just because Eco Certified® senior consultant, Arlene it makes us smile to be able to put you in touch with this very special therapeutic horseback riding center located in near Asheville. The center provides children and adults with special needs the opportunity both to ride and to care for horses. The relationship that can develop between the person and horse encourages wellness.

Land-of-Sky Regional Council may be of interest to eco-friendly people relocating to the Asheville area. Not only does it seek to enhance social, economic, cultural and ecological conditions in the Greater Asheville, N.C. area, but it works to promote well-being of the Region, healthy folks and healthy ecosystems.

The North Carolina Division of WATER Quality. Speaking of healthy ecosystems, here is a link to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). This will take you to information about the agency responsible for statewide regulatory programs in groundwater and surface water protection.

The Clean AIR Community Trust. We are members of this organization. This is a community-based program that has great activities, events and educational opportunities. Over the years we have found that it has inspired many people to make wise choices that lead to air quality improvement.
North Carolina Department of Environmental and Natural Resources . On the state level, you may be interested in the Division of AIR Quality(DAQ) works with the state's citizens to protect and improve outdoor, or ambient, air quality in North Carolina for the health and benefit of all.

AIR QUALITY & BEAUTIFUL IMMAGES LIVE! ASHEVILLE AREA RIGHT NOW - SHINING ROCK  (near Asheville) LIVE -The North Carolina Division of Air Quality and the Forest Service perform real-time monitoring. The available data from the ozone, visibility, and fine particle monitoring is available to you. The results will help us determine if current air pollution exposures are causing an adverse impact

Discover Your Ecological Address . One quick way to evaluate your own impact on the environment will be found when you visit this link. You know what street you live on and what town you live in, but here you can find our your ecological address. Possibly this can tell you much about your place in the world.

NOTE: Healthy, durable, sustainable, energy efficient homes- in other words, well designed and built homes - are beginning to seriously work their way into the market. Here's a link to information from the Asheville Board of REALTORS® about the GREEN REAL ESTATE MARKET in the Greater Asheville area.   If this intrigues you, here are a couple of mortgage calculators that our clients have found useful.RENT vs BUY CALCULATOR and the HOME AFFORDABILITY CALCULATOR

ECO COMMUNITIES we love: Authenticeco-wise development in the Asheville area: Hickory Nut Forest Eco-Community , Drovers Road Preserve Eco-Community, Walnut Creek Preserve, An Equestrian Eco-Community

ASHEVILLE AREA MAPS & INFORMATION

www.asheville.com

WLOS - Local News and Weather Buncombe County, NC

The Ultimate Guide To Asheville. A REALTOR® colleague of our wrote this book. We like it a lot. You may, too. "Best selling guidebook to Asheville & Hendersonville" by Lee James Pantas

North Carolina Home Page and Link to TAX INFO

SCHOOL REPORT CARDS

North Carolina Arts Council

VA Medical Center in Asheville(828) 298-7911

The Biltmore Estate & Winery

Chimney Rock Park This amazing place is just 7 minutes from one of our favorite eco-communities.

Grandfather Mountain This amazing place is just 7 minutes from one of our favorite eco-communities.

Pisgah Forest

The Cherokee Indian Reservation

Brevard Music Center

Asheville Area B&Bs

Let us know if you would like us to cover an area of interest you have that we have missed. From the perspective of the GREEN real estate market and for those interested in stewardship of historic properties and land investment in the Greater Asheville area we are always happy to be of assistance.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Curious about sustainable Green real estate possibilities ? Simply pedal on over to Convivial Blogger Greenolina's "Green Wheels" BLOG and SUBSCRIBE

__~o
-\_<,
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable world you can create today and tomorrow!. .........................    .............

GREEN (and Other Interesting) Land, Horse, and Eco-Friendly Buyers' RESOURCES in Asheville, North Carolina . The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants! Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved

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303 Eliada Home Rd. Asheville, NC 28806

Arlene Brown (Eco Steward Realty) — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 11:45:03 -0500

As you will see on the drive in, (see photo to left) 303 Eliada Home Rd. Asheville, NC 28806 offers wonderful privacy on wooded acre+ lot.

This exterior photo shows the welcoming drive in to the PET-FRIENDLY home place .

The additional features; that the home has multi-family and/or multi-generational possibilities, and is PET-FRIENDLY will be appreciated by animal lovers, investors, and folks with large families. The Kids, Mom and Dad and Grandma and Grandpa all can fit easily inside with room to spare.

Indeed, Zoned RM6 this stone and wood home has many possible uses.

Serenely sited and with privacy, and pet-freindly fenced area on the lawns, this home (freshly painted and updated) welcomes you with a generous 1.48 AC private lot and beautiful, large hardwoods.

...AND...Eliada Home Road is just minutes from downtown Asheville, NC.

The lawns boast beautiful mature trees and dappled sunlight.

The property is the perfect PET-FRIENDLY place to call home. As I mentioned, the lawns have individually-fenced areas for a number of pets. Quality of life for rescued pets has always been important to the seller, and you can see that a large investment was made to secure that for the seller's pets.

Two special features: 1) This home offers proximity to all Asheville's amenities and 2) it also provides a retreat-like setting. "Peek a Booo- You can't see me from the N,S,E,W," smiles the MLS Listing (424662) .

Inside, (See photo above of the Family Room,) you will find a number of places to sit and enjoy the cozy atmosphere and fireplaces. Marvelous room sizes mean plenty of room for the family to spread out, and for entertaining!.

In fact, there are numerous large rooms to greet you. This home is spacious! . It could work for a large family, or a muliti-generational family, or the zoning could open possibilities for multi-family housing.

Impressive is the fact that the lower level In-Law Suite boasts a complete kitchen and beautiful wood floors...(see photo to left)

and a most welcoming library and/or family room.
(see photo to right) also ...did you notice the fireplace?

This home has two (2) stone fireplaces!

Back on the main floor, a sunny dining area opens to the patio. You will appreciate the wood and tile floors, the attached double-car garage, and that this home has been newly painted outside and most of inside. This all ads up to one of Asheville's very special mountain homes. Yet you do not have to drive far for groceries or supplies. This home is close to everything.

Put this together the context of Asheville, North Carolina's amenities...

Location
Asheville's "green" real estate market
And Asheville's vibrant community ....

and you have a win-win -win!

CONTEXT- Location: 303 Eliada Home Rd. Asheville, NC 28806 is within 5 to 10 minutes of Asheville, N.C. and the city's healthy impetus for sustainable development, diverse economic structure bases on tourism, services, and eco-innovative attitudes. Overall education levels, wages and per capita income levels are on the "plus" side. Standards of living are, too.

CONTEXT- Asheville Area Sustainable Real Estate Market: GREEN is "red-hot" here. Greater Asheville, North Carolina's GREEN real estate market enjoys clients who are hungry for sustainable neighborhoods, energy-efficient design and green-built homes.

THIS IS NOT ONLY IS THE PERFECT SPOT for your eco-friendly renovation, but a compassionate PET-FRIENDLY atmosphere.

Keeping a "Good-Eye" Out for Conservation Real Estate Land Buyers

Arlene Brown (Eco Steward Realty) — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 10:42:39 -0500

Like janeAnne, I've been keeping a "Good-Eye" out for clients who are conservation real estate land buyers and investors.

Via janeAnne, "Green-o-Lina" e-PRO, ECO, Owner/Broker:

For many years, I've been keeping a "Good-Eye" out for clients who are conservation real estate land buyers and investors.

Traditionally, landowners relocating and building in Western North Carolina have enjoyed the highlands and the many gifts of living here.

But since 1975, we have found it more and more challenging to find large acreages in the mountains. These days, partly because a good deal of the land is steep and rugged terrain, and too because eco-friendly developers know that it is mighty expensive and even imprudent to prepare such land for development, land values have appreciated significantly. (Map courtesy of Blue Ridge Forever.)

As a Land Specialist still attempting to keep that ‘good-eye" out for my conservation real estate buyers, I note with interest the steep slope ordinances recently approved. I recognize how neighbors, who watch carefully and voice opinions at city council meetings, are taking action to protect farmlands, land containing rare, unique species and ecosystems.I observe what is happening with our awesome and beautiful viewsheds.

Recently, Phyllis Stiles of Blue Ridge Forever stated, "With population and development growing at unprecedented rates in Western North Carolina, land trusts are having to take a broader look at where they invest their limited resources. The lands we lose or protect this decade will define the region for generations to come."

So what are the folks at Blue Ridge Forever, that coalition of 13 land conservation groups all about? They are energizing the effort to save much of the mountain lands that possess these special features:

    1.    significant ecological qualities
    2.    high quality waters or significant water supply
    3.    connectivity of the landscape - linking protected lands and habitats together
    4.    cultural and economic importance, including exceptional scenic views
    5.    significant tracts of working forests or farms

In a report entitled a Conservation Vision for Western North Carolina, land conservation organizations, leading conservation thinkers, biological experts, agricultural specialists and cultural researchers hope to communicate with land trusts as they decide where to commit resources.

As a real estate professional involved in conservation real estate, I am delighted to be a small part of this. I get to represent places like Three Creeks Eco-Community and Hickory Nut Forest Eco-Community. Both of these conservation neighborhoodswere developed by private eco-developers. Each purchased over 200 acres of land and then surveyed off about 1/10 of the acreage on which to place an ecovillage and/or building sites. I also have the "feel-good" knowledge that in some small way, I am helping

•1.       to preserve access to fresh, locally grown food
•2.       to protect crucial water resources
•3.       to safeguard the precious views and landscape
•4.       to ensure that the resources and beauty are around for the next generation.

Here are links and (shown above) a numbered and labeled map from Blue Ridge Forever that locate some of the sustainable areas at risk

1. New River Headwaters (F)
2. Stone Mountain Area (FP)
3. Highlands of Roan to Yellow Mountain (A)
4. North Toe River Headwaters
5. Valle Crucis (F)
6. Brushy Mountains (F)
7. North Fork Catawba River & Upper
    Linville River Gorge (FP)
8. Spring Creek Farming Community (FA)
9. Black and Craggy Mountains (P)
10. Sandy Mush Farming Community (F)
11. Smoky Mountains (AP)
12. Great Balsams and Plott Balsams Mountains (P)
13. Pisgah Ridge Bethel Farming Community (FP)
14. Hickory Nut Gorge

15. Hickory Nut Mountain
16. South Mountains to Dyartsville
17. White Oak Mountain to Tryon Peak
18. Dupont State Forest
19. Upper Tuckasegee Gorge
20. Chattooga Headwaters and Whiteside Mountain Area
21. Little Tennessee River Valley (F)
22. Hiawassee Valley, Unicoi Mountains and
     Snowbird Mountains (F)
23. Appalachian Trail (A)
24. Blue Ridge Parkway (P)
25. Upper French Broad River Watershed (F)
26. Grandfather Mountain and Wilson Creek (P)
27. Pond Mountain (A)
28. Fairview Farmland (F)

If you are an eco-frienldy person, you may also appreciate the following:

13 Top-Notch RESOURCES: Blue Ridge Rural Land Trust Boone, NC, Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy Hendersonville, NC, Conservation Trust for North Carolina Raleigh, NC, Foothills Conservancy of North CarolinaMorganton, NC, High Country Conservancy Boone, NC, Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust Highlands, NC, Land Trust for the Little Tennessee Franklin, NC, National Committee for the New River West Jefferson, NC, Pacolet Area ConservancyTryon, NC, Southern Appalachian Highlands ConservancyAsheville, NC, The Conservation Fund Chapel Hill, NC, The North Carolina Chapter of The Nature Conservancy Saluda, NC, Trust for Public LandCarolinas Field Office - Charlotte, NC

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Read  GREENOLINA'S newsabout mountain and valley neighborhoods, conservation real estate, local day trips, picnics, and ecotourist attractions you'll just love.   Curious aboutgreen building, remodeling and eco-communities ? ...Subscribe to Greenolina's "Green Wheels" BLOG.

__~o
-\_<,
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............and always remember that " poets are soldiers that liberate words from the steadfast possession of definition." -Eli Khamarov ....... We are in a sustainable world, so grab hold of your Muse... dream that world... and make it happen!. .........................    .............

Keeping a "Good-Eye" Out for Conservation Real Estate Land Buyers. The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants! Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved

________________________________________________________________________________________________

The American Institute of Architects "GreenStep" Initiative.

Arlene Brown (Eco Steward Realty) — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 10:40:51 -0500

good information

Via janeAnne, "Green-o-Lina" e-PRO, ECO, Owner/Broker:

   The American Institute of Architects (AIA) recently instituted a "GreenSteps" initiative with a series of instructive videos available for architects, other professionals and the public.

"There's been a lot of talk about changes in our climate lately. CO2 emissions, dwindling resources, and energy usage are growing concerns in every walk of life, " a spokesperson for the organization reported.

" AIA Architects, in particular, want to address those concerns. We strongly believe that the time for talk has passed, and now it is time to walk the walk. "

Photo courtesy of AIA

Living here in Asheville, NC, where real estate professionals and our clients more and more are in the know, and are demanding green-excellence in housing opportunities, I could guess that nowhere is that green-excellence more visible than right here in our fair city.

Certainly, the local Asheville, AIA Chapter actively is seeking to " work together to address issues of concern for our region such as historic preservation, smart growth, sustainability, green building, affordable housing and more."

** Here in Asheville, we have seen that sustainable design makes an impressive difference. We have also seen that it is important to feel knowledgeable and confident when exploring the Green issues including costs and design.

Many of the purveyors of green-excellence here in Asheville consider an historic effort by the American Institute of Architects, a boon. It comes in the form of a series of videos now available online called, " Green Architecture Resources for Clients." Researching these webpages I found information on

1) costs, including information about tax breaks and rebates, lower construction costs, reducing or eliminating the need for heating and air-conditioning equipment and the associated costs of purchase, maintenance and electricity, and on cutting energy and water bills by as much as half-

2) what actually makes a green building "Green" and

3) ROI tables where you can share the © GREENandSAVE RIO tables
with other people via the code provided.

...good info if you are interested in planning new buildings or the renovation of existing buildings-and have "green concerns". . .

GreenStepand the multipart video series on the benefits of green architecture are HERE> . Most of the series is already available and you can look for completion by the end of the year.

Greenstep 1: Water Conservation - already posted.

Greenstep 2: Smart Controls - already posted.

Greenstep 3: Radiant Heating and Cooling - already posted.

Greenstep 4: Vegetation for Sun Control - already posted.

Greenstep 5: The Whole Building Approach - already posted.

Greenstep 6: Green Tags - already posted.

Greenstep 7: Energy Modeling - September 29

Greenstep 8: Green Roofs - October 13

Greenstep 9: Daylighting - October 27

Greenstep 10: Choosing Green Materials - November 10

Greenstep 11: Carbon Offsets - November 24

Greenstep 12: Deconstruction - December 8

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Read  GREENOLINA'S news about mountain and valley neighborhoods, real estate, local day trips, picnics, and ecotourist attractions you'll appreciate.   Curious aboutgreen building, remodeling and eco-communities ? ...Subscribe to Greenolina's "Green Wheels" BLOG.

__~o
-\_<,
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............and always remember that " poets are soldiers that liberate words from the steadfast possession of definition." -Eli Khamarov ....... We are in a sustainable world, so grab hold of your Muse... dream that world... and make it happen!. .........................    .............

The American Institute of Architects "GreenStep" Initiative. The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants! Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved.

Green Heaven

Arlene Brown (Eco Steward Realty) — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 10:50:32 -0600

It's "GREEN HEAVEN" here in Asheville. I was talking with the folks at the NC Green Builder Program, who told me that sustainable building is "IN"" . I like the idea that energy, water, and materials are used efficiently during the construction and lifetime of a structure; the health and productivity of occupants is supported; and the impact of the structure on the local and global environment is minimized...

Recently I listed a property, a big tract of land, that would be perfect for green-built homes. If you were to visit here you would know what I mean. It's green heaven, all right!

As an ECO certified real estate person, I find sustainable design and building especially interesting. AND so I am excited to think this land is a perfect opportunity for investors and developers to do the green-thing. . .

LOCATION, LOCATION--ASHEVILLE NC

Arlene Brown (Eco Steward Realty) — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 11:30:04 -0600

Commercial designated property, just outside of Asheville, N.C. and immediately off 1/26 going into Woodfin. Expansion is the word for all the great happenings in this bursting community. A great place to set up your home/office or business. Contact me for link to Powerpoint presentation. $374,000. MLS 373527

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303 Eliada Home Rd. Asheville, NC 28806

$379,000 MLS 424662303 Eliada Home Rd. Asheville, NC 28806 303 Eliada Home Rd. Asheville, NC 28806. Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved

Keeping a "Good-Eye" Out for Conservation Real Estate Land Buyers

The American Institute of Architects "GreenStep" Initiative.

Green Heaven

LOCATION, LOCATION--ASHEVILLE NC

!!! * Announcing* The WINNERS of the ECO-All-Stars' January Challenge

$379,000 MLS 424662
303 Eliada Home Rd. Asheville, NC 28806

303 Eliada Home Rd. Asheville, NC 28806.
Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved