About Asheville's North Asheville

2012- Looking Ahead - Supply and Demand
For real estate professionals and our clients, keeping an eye on real estate market trends and how the industry may function in the future can be a key to success today…and into the future. “We have a limited amount of resources available and more and more people using them up. If we want our future generations to enjoy the same standard of living we've experienced, we need to take action, “ reports the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR).

NAR suggests a great place start the process is with green building. Whether that means new green construction or an energy efficient (green) remodel, participating in looking ahead in terms of sustainability certainly has benefits. “Buildings consume 14% of potable water, 40% of raw materials, and 39% of energy in the United States alone (according to the US Green Building Council). That's 15 trillion gallons of water and 3 billion tons of raw materials each year.” ( NAR.)

But what about the “appeal” of a “smart” home? Here’s a video you may find of interest. http://www.greenresourcecouncil.org/green_videos.cfm

On a personal note: Calculate your carbon footprint here.
http://www.greenresourcecouncil.org/find_your_carbon_footprint.cfm

This North Asheville certified LEED Platinum home is a dream come true, and it is cost effective, too.

Featured in the Home & Garden section of the Asheville Citizen Times
(see article, Dec 10,2011)

this “true green” new construction in Asheville is solar-powered and “hyperefficient.”

According to the happy owners, “ Capturing energy from the sun and managing … utility costs has never been so easy…. solar panels generate clean power and are helping [us] to become energy independent.”

Big News -Consumer Savings

Even on a chilly day, this home is a cozy 74 degrees with warmth coming from the floors (heated by solar panels.) Solar power provides hot water from the 75 gallon storage tank.

Seems like the happy owners are well on their way to achieving their goal of “net zero” energy- zero net energy consumption and zero carbon emissions annually.

I met with Hazy Oberski for hot chocolate today. Hazy, one of our colleagues here at AR, not only is a top-producing REALTOR® here in the Asheville area, but a big lover of LAND, as I am.

Hazy always takes time to express thanks. When I posted recently about the upcoming season of giving, and wondered how to express my thanks to clients and friends, she introduced me to Send Out Cards--eco-friendly greeting cards you can design yourself, printed on recycled paper, Made in the USA...stamped and sent from the USPS! WOW!!!~ That is quite a gift for my business and personal communications.

THANKS HAZY! Thank you for reaching out to me. ..and for sharing some time this afternoon…even if only for hot chocolate.

Possibly an attitude of gratitude starts within, and then it just expands….to family…and friends…and neighborhoods…

As I drove home after our meeting, still feeling grateful, I decided to stop by St. Mary's Church. Constructed in 1914 in the English Gothic Revival style, this building in our North Asheville neighborhood maintains its beauty and welcoming atmosphere.

I never fail to enjoy just looking at the red brick church with that stone foundation and steeply pitched gabled roof. Something about the windows (pointed arches with leaded glass diamond panes) speaks to me of continuity and hope.

As such it is just one of Asheville’s inspiring architectural gifts for which I am grateful ....

Wishing Y'all a HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Gratitude on a Sunday in Asheville

This Asheville Sunday, as I look across the mountains— the morning mists veiling bright surprises to come— I pause feeling deeply and gratefully the allure of this natural splendor. I am mindful of the intrinsic joie de vivre that emanates from this Land. And I am grateful for being in this special place.

Visions of great-grandchildren, and even generations to follow, hiking up to the knoll to the south of our cabin to bask in the sunrise come to me now.

We have spent many years watching over this protected valley.

The hawks, the bears and wild creatures have startled us with their energies, providing moments of delight. We are thankful for all of this.

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Resource: Stewardship- An outstanding natural area

Asheville area Land may qualify for an “outstanding natural area,” under the U.S Department of Interior’s Land Management program. http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en.html It must have particular features and natural character: It must either provide habitat for rare or endangered species of plants or animals, or have scenic or other features of scientific or educational value.

November Mountain Mists

In the venerable Asheville mountains, almost as old as time itself, it is easy to connect with something beyond the ordinary. In Asheville’s early morning mists your heart can open wide, and a magical connection can simply happen…as it did this November day…

 A gentle soul once told me, “…..there’s a pathway to contentment here. It is like sun beams making their way down from the ridges. .. an uncommon force. When you feel this, even through the mists, you may be able to measure it by the beat of your heart. And like life’s drum it is an all-at-once coming together and letting go... .” …

Watch as the Indian Summer’s sun vaporizes those mists to reveal the new day.