Affordable housing has become an issue here in the Asheville area. Currently the average asking price of a home here is over $450,000. As a result many folks are forced to look for alternatives in housing. Many turn to Manufactured or Mobile homes. In some cases, that is not altogether a bad idea. It has always been my opinion that buying a Singlewide (SW) Mobile/Manufactured home has never been a wise investment for people wishing to establish a home ownership plan of action. Basically, the land is the only thing holding the values together, and that is only if the land is in an area of land value growth. Rarely do both the land and the singlewide grow in value. Most SW homes are still treated as personal property and licensed as motor vehicle type registrations. Unfortunately, for man... 04/14/2008

 Here are the trends and statistics for for the 1st quarter of 2008 for Asheville & Buncombe County, NC. Buncombe County is made up of  Asheville, Leicester, Weaverville, Candler, Woodfin, Arden, Barnardsville, Black Mountain, and several other area locations. If you go to Realtor.com to search for listings in the Asheville area, be sure to put in Leicester and the other areas to get the complete picture of what is available in our beautiful part of the country.If you put just the word "Asheville" in a Google search you will get 11,000,000+ hits! The number one site for Asheville is Asheville.com.If you put the words Buncombe County NC you will get 1,050,000 hits. The number one site is Buncombe County. org.In comparison, if you put the word "ActiveRain" in you will get 591,000+ hits.As... 04/11/2008

Maybe it was the ready-to-plant south-facing (organic?) garden within a hop-skip-and-jump of that Green Builder's  door that did it! When I visited this remarkable home, (see photos to left and right) suddenly, for the second time this week,  Grandma's sage advice came to mind:    "Get Your Greens!"   Scenario: Board members of NLJ's site visit to evaluate a new "green-built"  construction here in Asheville, NC.  So, in this case, "get your greens" refers to a whole "green-built' package (not just the veggies, though the plot laid out for an organic vegetable garden in the photo above makes me want to dig right in! )  The Whole "GREEN-BUILT" Package: Not only is the home sited to maximize the wild-forever feeling in an urban environment (it backs up to acres and acres of undisturbed la... 04/11/2008

Buncombe County, NC Real Estate Market Statistics - March 2007 and 2008Our Active Residential Listings have increased 37 1/2% from this same time last year. The Average Asking Price has increased 7% and Median Asking Price has increased almost 10%.The real problem we face is the Sold numbers and the Sold prices are down. As you can see by the chart below, we have been down on our numbers all of the last 12 months.The number sold in March 08 is down 32% and the Average Sold Price is down 9%. Also the Days on Market are at their highest levels in over 5 years.Post you listings and market reports at the Group: http://activerain.com/groups/CityStateListingsReports 04/09/2008

Well I wish I had been! I don't know what it is but everytime Asheville has a few days of rain, all the buyers want to see property. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, I just wonder where they were earlier in the week when our temps got into the high seventies :-)I did get an offer on one of the properties so it was a good day! I have noticed many new buyers coming into our area in the last couple of weeks. Must have something to do with everything being in bloom. May the rainy days hurry back! 04/06/2008

Yesterday I wrote about our "Green retrofit" in process, our Office Building here in Asheville, N.C.  So I've been getting suggestions about what to do next in that process.  Seems as if all the Brokers are into creating a sustainable place for us eco-savvy REALTORS®! One suggested we start by painting the porches with Low VOC paint. Another wants a small organic garden in the back yard. Where to start? Where to start?Being a Land Specialist, I pretty much know (or can refer to expert resources) what to look for in terms of a sustainability land plan-the   botanical, wildlife, and natural community inventories, the Section 404- Wetland Delineations and Section 7 -Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Species assessments that may need to be performed, and how/if that can affect my real estate... 04/04/2008

Here it is! Our Office in Asheville. It's on a corner with  huge old trees on either side, and a funeral parlor across the street...We joke about that sometimes. (You can fill jokes in as you might...)  We plan to do a bunch of "retrofitting"  each year. It's an interesting learning experience and challenging process.  Not long ago I asked all the real estate team what retrofitting they'd like to see done first.   Here's what they told me:Solar Panels Finish upgrading the windowsFinish the Low VOC paintingOrganic garden out backOn-Demand Water Heaters More Native landscapingSo I'm thinking...wait a minute...despite all the amazing new technologies and products that can improve quality of life for the REALTORS® and our clients at our Office, our Office already is "greening" the neighborh... 04/03/2008

Thinking about the "red hot GREEN" trend in real estate gets me going. I'm not the only one, either. Whether you are in Asheville, N.C. or Kalamazoo...getting involved in sustainable /green homes and land appears to call to "what makes sense" in the minds of consumers. So...this is not just happening in Asheville, NC, although many say we are "THE Hub"  of such activity.   I'm smiling as I write this because I know that the eco-innovators in Georgia, Texas, Arizona, Washington State, Oregon, Western Michigan and elsewhere might have a thing or two to say about that.        Photo: No "pecking order" allowed.In the Greater Atlanta area, for example,  EarthCraft House reports over 4,000 EarthCraft House   single family homes and over 1,500 EarthCraft Multifamily dwelling units have been ce... 04/02/2008

WNC Healthy Built  Homes on the market in Asheville range in price from work-force homes like those seen in this Asheville neighborhood (around $234,000)  to Green luxury homes (in the $3M range.)According to Maggie Leslie at Asheville's (WNC) Green Building Council, Green Homes are a good investment.  Considering the features and benefits for investors/buyers, most of my clients tell me they agree, New Green Homes for sale seem like a Good Value. I agree. Look at these benefits, for example: Home Owner Benefits include:Lower Energy Bills: through energy efficient lighting, equipment, and appliances Healthier and Comfortable Indoor Environment: consistent temperatures and lower risk of mold growth Increased Market Value: higher resale value of a home 5% Discount from Progress Energy: re... 03/31/2008

I know, I know. I'm repeating myself. Eco-innovation is red hot. Development-planning and green building  have changed the way we design, construct, operate and even think about  real estate. One of the best places to see how this is transforming the way we look at our world our communities, our homes is right here in Asheville, NC. So this is your invitation to come see for yourself. Real estate buyers and sellers are excited,  especially if they are considering investing in green homes and/or land for sale in the Asheville, NC. Area, said to be "the HUB" of green building innovation and education. And with good reason!. Take a look at the stats. You will notice:•1)       that value-added features attract people•2)        that the demand for eco-savvy buildings is on the rise•3)       ... 03/31/2008

 Buncombe County is the home of Asheville, NC. Asheville, like the rest of the country, has been experiencing many changes in the real estate market, some good and some, not so good. The Asheville area was once believed to be immune from the negative real estate trends that the rest of the country was experiencing.   Perhaps that would be true if the rest of the country hadn't suffered such deep slow-downs and upset markets.  The Asheville area has continued to see a dramatic slow-down of Sold homes, and returning increase in inventory, and a noticeable drop in "pending" listings. The two numbers that seem to tell the story of the Asheville market appear to be the small percentage of homes under $100,000 and the increasing number of homes over $1,000,000.The record number of Active List... 03/31/2008

The housing market, whether we like it or not, in most parts of the country, has gone stagnant, or at least slowed. The few places in the country where it is vibrant and healthy is a minor factor in helping the economy right now.It seems a lot of dominoes have fallen and everyone is waiting for someone else to stand them back up again. Until the demand creeps back into the markets that have gone stagnant the other markets cannot begin their upward sales trends. Once the news becomes more positive about all kinds of investment markets (stocks, bonds, real estate) then we will see people begin their old habits of spending, buying and selling and taking risks. Right now, not many people are willing to spend or take great risks.Risk, of course, is what makes some people rich, so it will eve... 03/29/2008

Recently, not half an hour's drive from Asheville, N.C, (where our real estate market remains vital, ) we spotted a sign, obviously done by a local artist. It read, " green homes for sale in this Asheville burb..." "Burb"?  What does that mean, I wonder. . . I asked an eco-savvy husband and wife team what about this...and they had to laugh . Their goal  is to develop a conservation subdivision. They want to partner with eco-minded people interested in, among other things,  eco-innovation,  energy efficiency, true-green-built homes, water conservation, and the creation of economic opportunities for the local communities.  Maybe that's what that "burb" thing was all about. But the couple are looking, too, at  land legacies. So the land surrounding their eco-development , if it hasn't been... 03/26/2008

With Asheville being described as a highly desirable area to live in so many magazines, it is no wonder the demand for housing close to downtown has exploded. Condos make the best choice for new construction or building revitalization.To say that downtown Asheville is unique and eclectic is an understatement. It is the reason so many folks have said they want to live as close to town as possible. That has opened the door for the condo developers to step in to accommodate that ever increasing market.Old buildings are being renovated. Locations that were not all that desirable are being purchased with the developers charging ahead on the projects they see as necessary and potentially profitable. City Council is being inundated with planning and zoning requests for new projects.Many inves... 03/15/2008

Ah yes! Glorious GREEN Books...books about sustainable practices, sustainable innovation in building and architecture, remodels that make sense and save cents...healthy living at home...and real estate...It's about time to add a few to the ever-growing library...catch up on some reading about the red hot green trend in real estate these days. But where to start? I headed on over to Google to see what might work for us. At EcoBookNET.net I was amazed and delighted with what I found...What an incredible collection of glorious Green Books! ... I have a number of these books in my collection. I am a Big Fan of William McDonough as you might know from reading my BLOG.I have his books.   I know Clarke Snell, (book notes on his book appear in Part I). I'm on the local Asheville Board of Direct... 03/11/2008

Buncombe County, NC Real Estate Market Statistics - February 2007 and 2008Once again, we have seen an increase in the number of single family units on the market, by a significant amount, but a decline in the number of single family units sold, also by a significant amount.The trend that we seem to be bucking is the Average Asking and Median Asking Price of those units available. They have had a steady increase upward, rather than the downward trend the media is talking about in other parts of the country.That could also be why we have sold a smaller number than usual this year.Post you listings and market reports at the Group: http://activerain.com/groups/CityStateListingsReports 03/10/2008

Asheville can no longer escape the fact that we are seeing the same trends that have been occurring in many parts of the country. Asheville and Buncombe County are being affected by the supply and demand rule of business. Our sales are down significantly. The pundits claim there is a pent-up demand for the Asheville area, but buyers must first sell their properties in the part of the country they now live in first, and many of the other areas of the country are still struggling.Asheville and Buncombe County however, are still experiencing somewhat of an unusual phenomenon. Our market has slowed, yet our prices are going up on the existing inventory.We actually set a new record high on the Median Asking Price in January.It appears that the lower priced homes (those under $250,000) have b... 03/08/2008

     Asheville New Urbanism New Urbanism is a powerful growing force in the Asheville green real estate market.  In many ways the traditional neighborhood design is a knight in shining armor for the Asheville area during this time of rapid growth.  one of the reasons for this praise is that New Urbanism inherently works against urban sprawl.  This development design standard also tends to attract a demographic who appreciate green development, community, and the great outdoors.  All of these things are values that Asheville is known for.The amazing growth that the Asheville region has been experiencing has raised many questions about maintaining our unique sense of place as well as our environmental standards.  As growth is unavoidable the best course of action is responsible growth.  T... 03/07/2008

Buncombe County includes the cities or areas  of Asheville, Weaverville, Leicester, Black Mountain, Arden, Skyland, Candler, and Biltmore Forest.Vacant land sales can be an indicator of the health of the real estate market overall.65 parcels have been Sold in 2008 with an Average Sold Price of $188,156.A breakdown of those sales looks like this:25 parcels were under 1 acre with an Average Sold Price of $101,849.26 parcels were between 1 to 2.99 acres with an Average Sold Price of $198,866.2 parcels were between 3 to 4.99 acres with an Average Sold Price of $100,000.4 parcels were between 5 to 9.99 acres with an Average Sold Price of $390,000.3 parcels were between 10 to 20 acres with an Average Sold Price of $310,875.There are currently 2138 parcels of any size on the market with an Ave... 03/04/2008

  Buncombe County is the home of Asheville, NC. Asheville has been experiencing many changes in the real estate market, some good and some, not so good. The Asheville area was once believed to be immune from the negative real estate trends that the rest of the country was experiencing.   Perhaps that would be true if the rest of the country hadn't suffered such deep slow-downs and upset markets.  The Asheville area has now seen a dramatic slow-down of Sold homes, and increase in inventory, and a noticeable drop in "pending" listings. What is a bit confusing is the fact that our prices have actually risen in many cases and the number of homes under $100,000 have been greatly reduced.The two numbers that seem to tell the story of the Asheville market appear to be the number of homes under... 03/03/2008