asheville green real estate: Don't let the sun go down - Federal Tax Credits for Solar expire soon! New Energy Policy Introduced
- 09/18/08 02:44 AM
LOOKING for tax credits?
Here's something you might find EXTREMELY valuable. Please note, as Mary points in her post below, that the tax credit currenlty available is about to expire... so .interested parties WOOOO-Hooooo...contact your senators and congressPeople to
extend the tax credit
authorize $800 million of new clean renewable energy bonds, with that total split in thirds for local and state governments, public power providers and electric cooperatives. provide $1.5 billion in new tax credits for advanced coal electricity projects and coal gasification projects and provide credits to industrial facilities for capturing and storing carbon dioxide. provide for a new consumer credit … (3 comments)
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asheville green real estate: Asheville the "Sweet Spot" for Eco Development and Communities
- 09/15/08 02:56 PM
We live in the mountains, a"sweet spot" for for Eco Development and Communities and for people who make choices for quality of life.....
Just one look at our view-sheds says more than a thousand words in that regard. The Asheville area mountains, the valleys, the streams and waterfalls are natural gifts in-which to delight.
(photo is of the AMAZING waterfall at Asheville area Three Creeks Eco-Community)
And not only a sense of place announces itself, but, equally many say, a sense of community.
During difficult days and uncertain times, how good it is to be able to connect with such gifts. The uncommon blessing … (1 comments)
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asheville green real estate: Lot 12 Hickory Nut Forest Eco-Community Gerton NC 28735
- 09/15/08 06:27 AM
Lot 12 could be called the IDEAL LOT in the authentic eco-community of Hickory Nut Forest in Gerton, North Carolina.
This ECO COMMUNITY adjacent to 250 acres of "forever wild" land and with trails leading to 800 acres of conservation partners' lands is just 23min to the cultural center of Asheville, NC. . ALL HealthyBuilt homes are planned for the eco-community which is also aiming to be a net zero energy community.
Especially desirable for Lot 12 is that is offers very good southern sun. Home builders and gardeners can take good advantage of this aspect of Lot 12.
You will … (9 comments)
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asheville green real estate: Hickory Nut Forest Gerton N.C Evolving Eco-Community
- 09/11/08 05:05 AM
Hickory Nut Forest in Gerton N.C. is an evolving eco-community and conservation neighborhood . This eco-community- is an easy drive from Asheville's, cultural amenities, arts, music and delicious cuisine, as well as excellent healthcare all nearby. (17 miles, 23-27 min.) And just 4 minutes to the CSA. If you enjoy farm-fresh produce, you will appreciate how close it is to the eco-community.
The Greater Asheville area is an important "hub" for green and sustainable development. Buyers and investors and sellers of real property will tell you- "GREEN" is the word here in Western North Carolina's mountains. "We are in a sustainable … (6 comments)
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asheville green real estate: 200,000 Points at Active Rain...Already?? Thank YOU!
- 09/10/08 08:16 AM
In the past two years, I have closed ten (10 ) transactions I can attribute directly to connections I made through Active Rain.
To the "Rain Gods" back in Seattle, and All....Wow! "Y'ALL ROCK Active Rain!" Thanks so much for helping me achieve this 200,000 point milestone!
It's a prodigious reckoning...hitting 200,000 points.
Makes one feel as if a word or two is in order ..something special, something rare...something appropriate...and, most especially, something to express appreciation for all the positives that have arrived in my life as the 200,000 points collected themselves around my BLOG since I stepped out … (27 comments)
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asheville green real estate: Green-Builts in Asheville, Asheville's GREEN and Positive Real Estate Trend
- 09/09/08 02:39 PM
Someone asked me just this week for my opinion on the "green-built situation" in today's mortgage market. Personally, I am very positive. Why" Because excellence and sustainability seem always to stand for themselves, even in challenging times.
So, maybe I am more than "positive".... You could say that I am excited about the possibilities and the positive impact happening in terms of green building (and remodeling) here in Asheville and across the country.
More and more, eco-friendly homes are on the minds and buying lists of our clients. As I poll REALTORS® across the country, I find that the interest in … (6 comments)
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asheville green real estate: Marketing Unique Properties: Know Your Target Market.
- 09/03/08 01:38 AM
As you read the re-blog below, you will find the kind of information that is useful no matter how "mature" you are in your practice....You will also find out why I subscribe to Rich Schiffer's BLOG! Here, Rich offers a comparison of common marketing practices, and how they might differ when marketing a unique property...for those of us who work in the eco-friendly market, the applications are right on!
By Rich Schiffer, REALTOR, e-PRO
(This article is part of a training series presented for real estate professionals, whether new to the industry or experienced, to help them discover, understand, and benefit from the tools that … (9 comments)
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asheville green real estate: RA, RA- THE Original Solar-Powered Delight, Remodeled -Part I
- 08/30/08 06:23 AM
It seems to me (and how about you?) that there's a "solar-tie" between all of us-- no matter where we stand in the annals of history.
EXAMPLE: Our on-going relationship with the sun in terms of light, warmth, and growth.
I've noticed that here, in 2008, we human beings seem to have developed a keen interest in the advantages of becoming sun-partners in terms of energy efficiency.
Photo I took at Hickory Nut Forest Eco-Community. Experts look for SUN...
NOTE: This eco-community is aiming for a net sero energy goal!
As the sun rose this morning, I … (11 comments)
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asheville green real estate: RA, RA- THE Original Solar-Powered Delight, Remodeled-Part II
- 08/30/08 05:57 AM
Part II. SUN POWER.
It is amazing how we have evolved over the years. These days, we can pull together a stylish, comfortable, and beautiful "palace" that is also non-toxic and eco-friendly. Here in Asheville, we are really getting into Solar Power.
Just today I heard about a Hands-on Workshop: Building a Solar Water Heater, that will take place at the Long Branch Environmental Education Center.
Here, ladies and lords, you can learn about a solar design even RA may have envied. It is "the essence of simplicity: Put water holding tanks in an insulated box, with glass on the side … (1 comments)
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asheville green real estate: Moving Into Some $$$WEET Music & Green Office Building$$
- 08/20/08 09:43 AM
This isn't really news to those of us who predicted it. But, even on second glance, taking another look at ordinary "non-green" buildings as compared to nearby " green" buildings, still ignites a broad smile on the faces of both REALTORS® and our clients/investors. . What generates that reaction and is $$$$weeeeet Music to my ears ?
Add it up and tell me if it sounds good to you. . ..
Happy inhabitants.Savings in energy costs.Savings in $$$s.
1.Green buildings have higher occupancy rates, and added ROI.
2. Green buildings have lower variability in occupancy and added ROI. 3. Green buildings are … (8 comments)
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asheville green real estate: Green Communities, Future Green Building Trends .Asheville and Beyond
- 08/15/08 07:20 AM
Recently I bumped into such an interesting discussion on green building trends on the tube. If you are interested in trends in our industry in terms of sustainable design,here's a bit of information that seems pertinent . As I sat glued to the screen, I thought of my pals at AR, real estate professionals and our clients, especially those looking to the future. So, I took notes.
The discussion took place right here in North Carolina where sustainable innovation is spurring the imagination in the real estate industry these days. In fact, WNC Healthy Built Homes® (see photo I took not too long ago)are … (6 comments)
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asheville green real estate: Picnics and Day Trips: Trip # 3 of the Asheville Series-Hickory Nut Forest
- 08/02/08 05:19 AM
GREEN Asheville area's Hickory Nut Forest Conservation Acreage and evolving eco-community is a perfect spot to picnic. Over 800 acres of conservation land surround you. Trails lead to those 800 acres and adjoin 275 acres where community buildings and an organic garden soon will expand into healthy possibilities.
Here you can spread your picnic blanket and just B R E A T H E.
INSPIRATION. You can stand by a waterfall and soon discover that there are 15 or more waterfalls on the Conservation Partner's Lands. Or hike the trails leading to wildflower meadows and rock-climbing adventure.
Maybe you would prefer to spend a soft afternoon and picnic out by the heirloom … (15 comments)
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asheville green real estate: Asheville Eco Communities: Drovers Road Preserve
- 07/28/08 07:10 AM
WHERE is the perfect place to construct the green-built home of your dreams? Possibly on a remarkable building site in one of Asheville, North Carolina's eco-communities. "GREEN" is the word here in Western North Carolina's mountains.
More and more here in Asheville we are noticing a trend toward sustainable environments, and more and more. Asheville is becoming the "hub' of green and sustainable development.
(Photo to the right of the meadows at Drovers Road Preserve courtesy of David Tuch, VP Equinox Environmental.)
So I have been touring various eco-communities in the Asheville, NC area to find out what this is all about. … (11 comments)
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asheville green real estate: Asheville's Eco Communities (series) : Hickory Nut Forest
- 07/28/08 05:46 AM
eco-stewards' GREEN LEARNING TOUR
Asheville is the "hub' of green and sustainable development. Whether 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. "We are in a sustainable framework, and we're lovin' it!" Numerous eco-communities are popping up in and around Asheville. This post is the first in a series on those eco-communities. Today I'm taking you on a jaunt (about 20 minutes or so) to Asheville area's Hickory Nut Forest.
Hickory Nut Forest is an … (19 comments)
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asheville green real estate: Exploring Green Communities: The Eco Villages and Eco Communities You Could Love
- 07/04/08 09:26 AM
The LOOKS COUNT Series. Urban infill communities. Part III. Re-Development of a Brownfield Area/ The River Arts District.
"The plan celebrates the area's rich past, its present reinvention as Asheville's premiere arts district, and its future as a vibrant sustainable community."
FIRST Imagine
stepped pathways public plazas terraces and courtyards a bowling alley a children's library of art and architecture an artists' cooperative restaurants and shops THEN check this out to see what the developer envisions.
A newsletter containing this artist's rendering from the develpoer reveals that, " ... the ground floors along [the street] and the pedestiran alley will … (6 comments)
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asheville green real estate: Green Communities, On the Path to Land Planning and Design, Part 3
- 06/30/08 01:37 AM
So...we have touched on Green ECO Communities,and the process of Land Planning and Design.
The initial steps in land planning are so important. Equinox Environmental, is one of a few Greater Asheville Area Firms whose core services can provide land planning for our real estate clients.
The path to land planning is exciting.
( I took this photo at an eco community about 25 minutes from downtown Asheville. Hiclory Nut Forest.)
Oftentimes, our clients use land planning services during the due diligence period and prior to building. . Then the land-savvy professionals may have due diligence deadlines to deal with, but we have … (7 comments)
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asheville green real estate: Green Communities, A Party on the Land, Part 2
- 06/29/08 06:16 AM
This is the second of a series of posts on eco-sensitive land development and eco and/ or green communities in the mountains of western North Carolina.
As a point of interest...
Here are a few criteria for such stewardship projects as set out by the Green Communities organization:
Integrated Design Site, Location and Neighborhood Fabric Site Improvements Water Conservation Energy Efficiency Materials Beneficial to the Environment Healthy Living Environment Operations and Maintenance (To learn if your project has the potential for green classification and Green Communities grants and funding, see the full criteria and requirements. Request the Green Criteria.)
In the first post, … (5 comments)
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asheville green real estate: Due Diligence: A Party on the LAND
- 06/26/08 03:23 AM
We've been doing lots of "due diligence" on acreage and eco-community building sites this year.
We actually love this time period. It's a "party" where we get together with everyone and enjoy a project of the land-kind.
Here follows a series of posts on the typical steps involved as we coordinate with land experts and professionals the new land stewards and those who have been taking good care of the land for many years (or maybe for just a few years)..and all of us aim toward a happy and successful adventure.
Step One: new land steward goes out onto the building site … (6 comments)
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asheville green real estate: From a Marketing Perspective LEED for Neighborhood Development
- 06/25/08 07:13 AM
We've been introduced to a new project of sizable interest to our clients. It's called, LEED for Neighborhood Development . If you are interested in the "green" niche market this is something new on the horizon that caught our attention. It takes into account a number of "True Green" facets that those of us watching the growing interest in green-built homes and eco-friendly land use and design certainly are noting with great interest. So I have a couple of questions today. . .
First question: From a marketing perspective, how many of the following LEED 50+ features would you/your clients be attracted to when looking … (6 comments)
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asheville green real estate: Green-Built Homes Sold in Asheville, NC Jan-Jun., 2008 COSTS & a GREEN Trends Market Report
- 06/22/08 06:52 AM
FYI- DURABILITY:: Green-built homes are constructed to last for more than a hundred years.
(Here's a photo I took of "tree houses" each beautifully constructed and on a small footprint. No wonder these days more and more I'm hearing...'green is Beautiful!' )
WHAT DO HOME BUYERS EXPECT?
Expect not only durability, but increased energy efficiency, the use of building materials from local or regional resources... Expect attention to eco-friendly design, environmentally sustainable building practices, site sensitivity and craftsmanship whether a residential property, new construction or remodel utilizes passive energy-saving principles or emerging … (4 comments)
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