UPDATE- September, 2011
NC Healthy Built Certified : 539
NC Healthy Built Certified in Progress: 244

UPDATE -June 2011

Over the past few years, have you noticed a change in perception about the way people choose where and how they live and what they need?

Is this a trend?

JT (see photo) has been keeping an eye out . He has noticed a change. And it does appear to be a trend!  

But just to be sure, I am looking for the "proof in the pudding" so -to-speak; I'm looking at statisticsunearthed from our Mountain MLS System here in Asheville.

xo

Although putting numbers on my intuitionas a REALTOR® feels a little "dangerous"- (I don't want to lose my intuitive edge) - this  search for statistics could be important for everyone our clients and for brokerage business planning.

What intuition and observation tell me:

1) I am aware of a bubbling apprehension in  the Appalachians when it comes to
  mountaintop removal .
2) I have witnessed some pretty noisy community meetings about such topics.
3) Then there have been the lively neighborhood charettes .
4) Time and again, I have seen community members insist on sustainable innovation.

You could say that sustainabilityis the by-word here in Asheville. So it is not surprising that my intuition, based on in-your-face observations, tells me that there is a significant public interest and shift(at least in the Asheville area) toward environmentally-sensitive residential properties.

Could there be more evidence than this, for example, (see photo) a new urban, green-built community being evaluated by members of the local community.

It's walkable. It's green. It's energy efficient and it invites neighborliness.

 Photo shows green-built urban community in Asheville.

** And  intuition is born out in client demand. 

 As Green Byers' Brokers, with eco-savvy  clients, if they are not buying NEW green-built homes, our clients are demanding  green retrofits.

Here is a photo I took recently. This is an environmentally-sensitive new home. It is situated to take advantage of the sun. (Note solar panels)

This home is in West Asheville. You can walk to the bakeryfrom your front door. And, although you cannot see it, there is an organic garden  to the left of this photo.

Energy efficiency is important to all our clients whether they are looking for income-producing rentals (green investor-buyers ) or for personal residences. All follow the trend toward being particularly serious about Energy Star Rated homes.  Take a peek at this array! I took this photo earlier this week at a site evaluation on a Gold Certified Healthy Built Home just outside of Asheville.  

 We can tell our clients about NC Healthy Built Homes  but, for the purposes of future planning,  you may be interested in a just a couple of the most obvious  features of sustainable, healthy-built  homes, and some numbers on the trend.

 Features:

Energy-.Energy Star appliances, florescent bulbs, high efficiency water heaters,
fifty (50) year shingles, low flow faucets and showerheads ,sealed crawl spaces, cellulose and icynene insulation, solar preheat for hot water, and oh so comfy radiant floor heat...

Low Toxicity-.Low VOC paints, Bamboo, hardwood or a natural linoleum floor that is made with 100% natural ingredients.

 xo

 Benefits: In the long run; sustainability- lasting value, lower environmental impact, and right now today; lower utility bills for heating and cooling, improved indoor air quality, and happier faces on family and neighbors.

STATS:   CHECVKC OUT the GREEN BUILT stats! The "GREEN" proof in the pudding?

In 2006~ Asheville Area NC HealthyBuilt and/or Energy Star Rated: 39

Three years later in 2009 - There are currently 230 certified HealthyBuilt Homes and 687 "in progress"in the Greater Asheville Area in Western North Carolina. 687!!! Talk about a trend!

Two years later- UPDATE -June 2011

GREEN BUILT-HEALTHY BUILT TREND/STATS

39 in 2006
230 in 2009
511 in 2011

Resources GREEN HOMES

This information could well change how we look at  where we stand and the direction in which  will be moving  in 2009 and beyond.,and maybe it will make a few people feel better knowing that this direction is not "simply intuitive"... but is  based on a hard, objective look at the stats.

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

__~o
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(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable  world you can create today and tomorrow!. .........................    ............. GREEN Statistics- The "Proof in the Pudding"- Asheville Style-The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved

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