asheville green real estate: Cracking the Green Building Codes
- 10/18/09 08:11 AM
Cracking the Green Building Codes. There's a trend in building these days. The trend is toward designing, constructing and operating healthy-built "green" buildings. Such buildings reduce the negative impact on natural surroundings and benefit those who work or live there by providing them with a healthier indoor environment.More and more, developers are enrolling in NC HealthyBuilt® and/or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) programsthat set forth environmentally savvy choices. And here, the general public can find the keys to cracking the Green Building Codes.
Both of these programs set forth, in written form, the benchmarks for the design, construction and operation of … (2 comments)
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asheville green real estate: PLAN Your Move to a Greener Home. START Where You Are with These 4 Steps
- 07/03/09 01:14 PM
Dateline Asheville, North Carolina, July, 2009News and Views from Asheville's Greenolina, Real Estate Eco-Steward
PLAN Your Move to a Greener Home.
Step One: Spruce up your abode.
Paint. Use NO VOC paints, remove and replace old carpets with nontoxic flooring, consider replacing all the light bulbs with LEDs..
I love Asheville's locally-produced Earthpaint® which is NO VOC for sprucing up both interior and exterior surfaces. (Check the link. You can order it shipped if need be.)
This beginning plan will increase the value of the home and certainly makes it more attractive to today's buyers
Step Two: Replace old appliances with energy efficient … (1 comments)
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asheville green real estate: Sustainable Community~ Asheville's Eco-Jewel~ Hickory Nut Forest
- 05/11/09 01:38 AM
Not long ago I was contacted via Active Rainabout a post I had done -part of an on-going series called " Asheville- Picnics and Day Trips" - about Hickory Nut Forest Eco-Community. I responded with delight for it is apple blossom time at Hickory Nut Forest, and we had taken some amazing photos to share.(see photo)
"We share an interest in self-sustaining communities," I enthused... ."and was happy to provide information. Possibly you. have seen posts (see a few of those links below) about Hickory Nut Forest.
I am passionate about the concept of eco-friendly developmentand how this has played out in … (1 comments)
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asheville green real estate: Asheville ECO: Farmland Values Project & The Eco-Stewards' Fiduciary Counsel
- 04/05/09 08:37 AM
A Report on Asheville ECO: Farmland Values Project& The Eco-Stewards' Fiduciary Counsel
Offering objective fiduciary counsel to our clients is a lot more than an avocation for the Eco Certified® real estate consultants at our Firm. It means keeping a finger on the pulse of local goings-on here in the Greater Asheville area. When it comes to sustainable innovation in Asheville, it is an on-going adventure.
Recently, we reviewed findings of potential interest for our clients in search of large acreages. The discoveries came from Farmland Values Project. (see photo of farmland near Asheville)
The Farmland Values Project involved both data collection and research, … (3 comments)
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asheville green real estate: Asheville NC Relocation Tour: Eco-Communities
- 02/21/09 06:16 AM
If considering Asheville NC Relocation is on your agenda don't miss a tour of our area Eco Communities!
Asheville is a "hub' of green and sustainable development, and therefore it is an attractive place for individuals and families looking for good investment in homes and land to relocate.
Whether it is in an urban environment, or in the rolling regions beyond Asheville's city limits, buyers and investors and sellers of real property will tell you- "GREEN" is the word here in Western North Carolina's mountains.
Numerous eco-communities are popping up in and around Asheville. Take for example, Hickory Nut Forest ( an evolving … (1 comments)
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asheville green real estate: 3 Valuable Home Inspection Links for the First Time Homebuyer in Asheville
- 02/13/09 12:35 AM
If you are a First Time Homebuyer think ahead! Make up your mind right now that BEFORE you invest your hard-earned money in a home (and I mean even a new home) (and even a "green" home here in beautiful Asheville, N.C. ) you are going to insist on a home inspection.
- Why? -
Because such inspections are a critical part of the home buying process. They protect you and your investment.
Engaging and working with home inspectors is explored in the valuable links that follow. Follow them to discover a treasure trove of professional home inspection organizations and useful … (2 comments)
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asheville green real estate: Viability: Resources and Stats & the Market Niche (Part III)
- 01/22/09 02:34 AM
Now to the "details" in terms of working that market niche: Market Statistics and Research.
I spent some serious time earlier this week crunching stats on our MLS. I use our MLS and other resources to get the facts. Just so you know, our MLS here in the Greater Asheville area is set up so that real estate professionals with particular niche market interests can accomplish some good research. Not sure if your MLS works this way? But it sure helps!
My niche (as most of you know) is the sustainable, "green" niche...So I focus, as do all the "Green Buyers' … (9 comments)
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asheville green real estate: Longevity: Capturing and Working a Unique Market Niche -Stepping Up to Your Niche, Part II
- 01/20/09 11:02 AM
Have you ever wondered what the secret of longevity in the practice of real estate IS?
I have. I have spent many long hours pondering how to make my career prosper (and me , too) and have come to the conclusion that when you step up to the task to follow your passion in your practice of real estate, you energize your career as I mentioned in Part I.
I am passionate about healthy homes in sustainable communities. I have been following that passion and have found that there are uncommon advantages in capturing and working a unique market niche.
Looking at various … (10 comments)
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asheville green real estate: Will This Home Meet Our Clients' "Sustainably Built" Expectations?
- 01/17/09 03:39 AM
"Will This Home Meet Our Clients' "Sustainably Built" Expectations?"
Recently JT and I were exploring the area for our "green" clients hoping to unearth a few "hidden gems"...As we scouted the Asheville area, JT "happened" to bump into and start up a conversation with a young couple . it seems they had just completed construction of a "sustainably built' home, their second such project. As it turned out, they even were considering selling this home. Talk about LUCK!
Will this home meet our clients' Sustainably Built expectations? Take a look at the details below and let us know what you think...
House … (12 comments)
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asheville green real estate: Eco-Friendly (GREEN) and First Time Home Buyers LOANS in Asheville, NC
- 01/10/09 08:21 AM
Eco-Friendly (GREEN) and First Time Home Buyers LOANS in Asheville, NC
In North Carolina, a first time home buyer can use money in the form of grants for down payment and closing costs. It is a wonderful program where first time home buyers can get up to $7,500 to use toward the down payment and closing costs. And it does not have to be paid back until 30 years (that amounts to almost $10,000 in interest saved.)
Here in Asheville, the very supportive and eco-friendly (GREEN) Buyers' Brokers at our Firm have created a list of contacts for our first … (5 comments)
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asheville green real estate: Bridge to Happy Expectations, 2009
- 01/06/09 11:48 PM
There he stood at the end of a curious crossing. I didn't know how he got there. He seemed very pleased with himself, however, and he was beckoning me to cross where he had already gone. It was a beautiful but frigid wintry day.Carolina blueskies above. A noisy river below. No ice on the plank that served as his bridge. I didn't want him to assume I was any less brave then he was.....so I took this shot (just in case I fell in )took a deep breath...and crossed to the other side.......
… (5 comments)
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asheville green real estate: Green Energy NEWS HEADLINES Across the USA
- 01/06/09 12:46 AM
Sustainable (GREEN) Energy News: I am always "keeping a good-eye-out" for news about sustainable energy. .. and not only local news from Asheville, but across the USA.
This week, for example, I've been out exploring around the WWW for green energy news that could be valuable to you.
I am focused on North Carolina Sustainable Energy News. Headlines in the news such as: "Deals in Alternative Energy" and "Green Initiatives Could Bring JOBS" are so promising!
I've compiled the following list of promising sources for information (see just below) that could be of interest and use to you as they were to me, and I'd like to ask you … (5 comments)
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asheville green real estate: GREEN Statistics- The "Proof in the Pudding"- Asheville Style
- 01/04/09 04:21 PM
UPDATE- September, 2011NC Healthy Built Certified : 539NC Healthy Built Certified in Progress: 244
UPDATE -June 2011
GREEN BUILT-HEALTHY BUILT TREND/STATS
39 in 2006230 in 2009511 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" … (38 comments)
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asheville green real estate: WHAT Did You Say a "CSA" Is?? And WHAT is "S L O W Food" ??
- 12/31/08 01:47 AM
We are GREEN Buyers' Brokers. We expect to respond to interesting eco-friendly questions. For example, just last weeka "greenie" couple who are looking to establish a conservation development here in the Asheville area, or become a part of an already established eco community asked, "
"WHAT is a CSA??"
We explained that according to Local Harvest, a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) is a way for the those of us who do not spend our lives on the land farming to create a relationship with a farm , even if we so choose, to receive a weekly basket of produce.
"Great idea! … (3 comments)
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asheville green real estate: Asheville NC Relocation - Area Eco Communities
- 12/29/08 03:44 AM
One of the most exciting factors to consider if Asheville NC Relocation is on your agenda is our Area Eco Communities!
A "hub' of green and sustainable development, Ashevilleis an attractive place to relocate. And whether it is in an urban environment, or in the rolling regions beyond Asheville's city limits, buyers and investors and sellers of real property will tell you-
"GREEN" is the word here in Western North Carolina's mountains.
(map of the Asheville area)
"We are in a sustainable framework, and we're lovin' it!"
Numerous eco-communities are popping up in and around Asheville. Take for … (5 comments)
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asheville green real estate: ASHEVILLE : "Sweet Spot" for Artists & Eco-Friendly Builders
- 12/28/08 05:02 AM
A gentle soul once told me,".....there's a pathway to contentment here in Asheville.
It is like the rainbows over the ridges. The surging flow of a waterfall. It's an uncommon force. When you see it you can measure it by your heartbeat ... an all-at-once coming together and letting go... ." ... Yes...Artists and Poets and Creative People love it here. Inspiration. . . and Pure Potential really are in the air!
Something exciting ...on so many levels ...arranges itself like a waterfall over boulders.
Somewhere between the coves and rising ridges, the artists and the eco-friendly buildersfind a meeting place in … (1 comments)
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asheville green real estate: Luxury Real Estate in Asheville this Winter
- 12/28/08 04:43 AM
Luxury Real Estate . This phrase brings to the fore a question on the minds of many a "green" buyers' broker here in Asheville of late.
That question is: "Can a luxury home also be GREEN?"
It's a good question and one bound to elicit opposing viewpoints. But here in Asheville we are taking some time tonight just to consider the beauty of a winter's eve.
It is one of those perfect nights. The sky is a canvas of pale blue decorated from east to west with clouds of pink and silver and deepest rose. From the ridge, facing north, it … (1 comments)
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asheville green real estate: Asheville's GREEN Real Estate Buyers' Broker Holiday Greetings! "It's Time for GREEN. . ." Part I
- 12/25/08 03:16 AM
I've been thinking about TIME so much lately!
Time must be the most convenient invention of the human mind - sometimes it's even a tool for getting to a Holiday Party just about when everyone else does. (I'm smiling.)
Our holiday gathering this year will find us with high hopes and aspirations. Despite a challenging economy there is much positive news to share. Maybe it is just time for GREEN and our Green Buyers' Brokers here in Asheville.
Headline: Asheville's Real Estate Weekly " Green Building Growing Despite Tight Housing Market."
That's good timing, eh?
As Asheville's GREEN Buyers' Brokers we … (7 comments)
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asheville green real estate: Santa's GREEN Sack =)
- 12/24/08 12:35 AM
I wish you could be with us here in Asheville, NC. for our Third Annual Community Feast! The menu never varies...and we really look forward to the gathering. (see menu)
But you cancome along, no matter where you find yourself this holiday season. You can help us celebrate everything positive in Santa's GREEN Sack...
You are invited!
We all may marvel at the wee reindeer and the fine red velvet suit Santa's wearing, but even better is what you may discover in Santa's GREEN Sack. . .
for there you may find the answer to some questions you and I have asked about eco-friendly remedies and connections......(see … (2 comments)
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asheville green real estate: A Gift for All Seasons: Amazing Areas of Natural Significance, All within 30 Minutes of Asheville North Carolina
- 12/20/08 01:34 AM
Within 30 Minutes of Asheville North Carolina those who live, relocate, or simply are indulging in a visit to our beautiful mountains quickly can discover amazing areas of natural significance.
(Photo taken at Florence Preserve byJT in 2008. This is adjacent to the Hickory Nut Forest Eco-Community)
Prompted by the allure of our area, North Carolina's stewards of sustainable development continue to put great energy into the project, working not only for our generation but for future generations as well.
Now, North Carolina has at least one hundred (100) dedicated State Nature Preserves -"areas of natural significance important for scientific research and … (8 comments)
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Cracking the Green Building Codes. There's a trend in building these days. The trend is toward designing, constructing and operating healthy-built "green" buildings. Such buildings reduce the negative impact on natural surroundings and benefit those who work or live there by providing them with a healthier indoor environment.More and more, developers are enrolling in NC HealthyBuilt® and/or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) programsthat set forth environmentally savvy choices. And here, the general public can find the keys to cracking the Green Building Codes.
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