Asheville real estate has taken a turn for the green. With Western North Carolina quickly becoming America's number 1 place to relocate and Asheville unveiled as the happiest city in the nation, more and more developers are trying to find a way to do what they do with the limited mountain terrain. Some of those developers, who will remain nameless for the purpose of this article, have little interest in preserving the spectacular natural setting that actually draws their prospects here. These developers only see the golden opportunity to capitalize on a good thing.
However, there are many other developments that are trying to simultaneously embrace Asheville's sustainable mindset and the ripe real estate market that makes it possible to develop. One large example of these sustainable developers is Creston. Creston, which is located between Black Mountain and Chimney Rock, has absolutely earned its reputation for a true conservation community. The Creston development is made up of 11,000 stunning acres with giant views in every direction. In my opinion Creston's largest contribution to the environment is the environment. By that I am eluding to the hundreds upon hundreds of acres they have set aside in conservation easements.
Another great example is the green in-fill project and traditional neighborhood development that is Gaia. Nestled within walking distance of thriving West Asheville, Gaia ties together some of the most sought after green features such as solar hot water and radiant floor heating, with a traditional village atmosphere comfortably placed around common green space. It is truly a beautiful design.
And so the Asheville real estate market continues to grow. I for one believe that Asheville will continue to grow in a green and sustainable direction. It just makes sense that America's happiest city would be its flagship for sustainable development.
"The Asheville green building business is booming, they just cant build them fast enough!", I overheard a man say at my favorite local fair-trade coffee shop the other day. And you know what, he was right. The growing real estate development in Western North Carolina has absolutely shown us where the demand is: Green Sustainable Development. And now contractors and real estate investors are scrambling to create the supply. It is so refreshing to see a trend that reflects the healthy interests of the market. It is also nice to know that local government is following suit, for example back in 2006 Asheville City Council passed a resolution ensuring that all new municipal buildings are up to LEED specifications.
Many different states now have some sort of program going beyond Energy Star specifications, setting a new standard for sustainable development. North Carolina's version of the new standard is called the Healthy Built Homes Program. Environmentally minded and profit minded builders are quickly adopting this new standard, as the numbers clearly show. There are currently 97 Healthy Built Homes in Western NC and guess how many under construction, not 100, not 200, not even 300, but 492!!! Can you believe it? Amazing!
One of the best and most respected resources for green building in Asheville is the Western North Carolina Green Building Council. The WNCGBC began modestly eight years ago when five building visionaries gathered for dinner to share their common love for education about sustainable building practices. The council has now grown into a major identity in the Asheville Green Community.
It warms my heart. I cant say for sure what is going to happen, but the future looks bright here in Asheville, North Carolina, the happiest city in America.
For me, being a green buyer's agent in Asheville, North Carolina is the only way I could work as a real estate broker. The are many reasons for this, from a passion for this area to my commitment to a sustainable relationship with our environment.
Asheville's realty market has been growing in great ways over the last several years. Even this year's housing slump has only highlighted its desirability as it remained one of the last healthy markets in the nation. To name just a couple of contrasting accolades; Asheville was named "Best Southern Town" by Outside Magazine as well as the number one most popular place to retire according to Topretirements.com. This kind of growth and attention has brought out a lot real estate agents. There are a lot of brokers in the Asheville area doing just what traditional real estate agents do, trying to get every listing they can get their hands on. I don't see any problem with this mind set, I guess, it just isn't how I do business. My background before becoming an Asheville real estate professional was mostly focused on conservation, service, and wilderness guiding. My experience has helped shape my business. I prefer to work as a buyer's agent because for me it is more like acting as an interpreter and guide in a place that I love. I am not out there hunting down listings, I am getting to know like minded clients and helping them hunt down their dreams. It may be a little non-traditional to meet clients on a hiking trail to discuss options or to explore the local resteraunts before the local properties...but hey, Asheville is a pretty non-traditional city.
I feel like it is much easier to build relationships as a buyer's agent. For one thing, payment is generally coming from the seller's side. With money out of the way it makes it a lot easier for people to trust me. Also, because I am not representing the property, people can feel secure that they are finding out all the information that is important to them and that nothing is hidden. Being a green buyer's broker has more in common with being a well informed and helpful friend than it does with any other professional relationship. And that is the only way I would have it.
Living and working in the Asheville green real estate market is not just day to day life for me... it is kind of an obsession. This fact is not hidden from my family and friends. And the result is much the same as it is for many of us these days when our family and friends know something about us...they forward every single piece of information remotely pertaining to your favored subject straight to your email. I could write a small book containing all the accolades our fair city is honored with, and in turn is sent to my in-box. The heart of the matter is that people just love it here and they like to sing, paint, or write about it.
Yesterday I came upon a very great distinction for Asheville. It seems that there was a piece recently on ABC's 20/20 exploring something we all want: happiness. Part of the coverage went over journalist Eric Weiner's new novel, "The Geography of Bliss". In his book Eric travels the world doing research about happiness. I will let you read the book to find out where people are the happiest in the entire world. But, you guessed it, Asheville, North Carolina was named the happiest city in America. Why is this do you think? Anyone who knows Asheville or happens to read my blog, know at least a few of the reasons; the natural beauty, music, art, culture, and mindfulness are always on the list. Thinking about it brings to mind a book my mother gave me several years ago, "The Alchemist" by Paulo Ceolho. At one point in this wonderful story the protagonist hears a story about the meaning of life or some other huge elusive truth. I can recall that it had something to do with one being given a spoon containing some oil and then being asked to talk a long walk through an elaborate and richly ornamented castle. The challenge however was to not spill any of the oil and still take in all the wonders of the castle. This anecdote reminds me of Asheville because Asheville seems to be a city that never lost any of the charm, warmth, and magic of a small town during it's sometimes rapid growth.
I love it here.
Green commercial real estate in Asheville, North Carolina is starting to make a big impression on the market. Green real estate has quickly established itself as a growing powerhouse for Western North Carolina. Asheville has put itself on the map once again for approving one of the countries largest LEED certified projects the Weirbridge Project. Weirbridge Village is a 16 building, 21 acre, 100 million dollar project, designed to be LEED certified. This is also the second largest of its kind in the nation. Following suit, developers are looking for more opportunities to build or renovate sustainably in this Asheville market whose demographics are gobbling it up. You just cant beat it when values and value come together.
Another great example of green commercial property in the Asheville area is the Campbell Building located in Black Mountain. The Campbell Building was the second LEED certified commercial property in Buncumbe County and is helping set the standard for professional space in Western NC.
The current belief regarding the Asheville real estate market both commercial and residential is that it is among the healthiest in the country, but poised to experience very rapid growth when the nation wide market turns around. Developers and investors alike are taking advantage of this ripening fruit.
Breakaway Village, dappling the mountains just north of Asheville, NC is the ideal mountain community. Growing in line with the values of new urbanism, Breakaway is truly a sight to behold.
I settled in the Asheville region after leaving Alaska so that I could be closer to my family. After getting established I became interested in new urbanism and the communities that were being designed alongside it's principals. I have been fortunate enough to have traveled extensively within our great country. And my favorite places have been those that have clung to a sense of community against the tide of urban sprawl. Traditional Neighborhood Developments seem to encourage the values that bring communities together. I once had a philosophy teacher who told me, " If you ever want to be rich or successful all you have to do is find something forgotten in the past and re-invent it." The planners, architects, and developers who are behind this growing trend are doing just that. They have taken it upon themselves to re-invent the American community, something to many of us have just learned to just live without.
Traditional Neighborhood Developments such as Seaside, Celebration, and Rosemary Beach have come on the scene and dramatically changed the way America looks at development. And as the old saying goes, money talks, these developments have experienced almost unheard of rates of appreciation. Only natural, as America notices the benefits of new urbanism and starts on it's way home.
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