The Ever-Evolving Home- Asheville- Style As mentioned in Part 1  Aging In Place and the Ever-Evolving Asheville Home, many "boomers" are choosing to stay in their homes as they age. The ever-evolving home is their goal.  It is interesting to note that a Joint Center for Housing Studies- Harvard University study reports: “… moving implies prepaying …current mortgage with its favorable interest rate, and taking out a new, higher market-rate mortgage."   So it seems that more and more Post-50-People are thinking  about  accessibility/accessible, active living community, energy smart, green design, healthy places, LEED, mixed-use-development, neo-traditional development, New Urbanism, pedestrian-friendly, proximity, quality-of- life, Smart Code, social capital, sustainable design, universa... 03/02/2014

The Ever-Evolving Home -Asheville Style We've heard it said so many times!...Asheville, NC is "Boomer-Heaven"- and we believe it's true!  And this is especially true as the economy recovers and mortgage rates begin to rise. Certainly, the time to invest in land and home is now. For those who are lucky to already have invested in a second and/or vacation home, Asheville holds a special promise. Many NOT-All-That-Retiring Post-50-People have a positive equity balance on our homes. We have taken advantage of historically low interest rates and may be more inclined to remain in our homes as we "age in place". According to The Joint Center for Housing Studies- Harvard University, “… moving implies prepaying …current mortgage with its favorable interest rate, and taking out a new, higher mark... 03/01/2014

The Ever-Evolving Asheville Home  We've heard it said so many times!...Asheville, NC is "Boomer-Heaven"- and we believe it's true!  And this is especially true as the economy recovers and mortgage rates begin to rise. Certainly, the time to invest in land and home is now. For those who are lucky to already have invested in a second and/or vacation home, Asheville holds a special promise. Many NOT-All-That-Retiring Post-50-People have a positive equity balance on our homes. We have taken advantage of historically low interest rates and may be more inclined to remain in our homes as we "age in place". According to The Joint Center for Housing Studies- Harvard University, “… moving implies prepaying …current mortgage with its favorable interest rate, and taking out a new, higher market-ra... 03/01/2014

Here in Asheville, home of amazing walkable communities, our real estate team has been tracking the very strong interest in walkable neighborhoods. Whether in Trendy West Asheville, or Charming Lake View Park  or close to downtown or in  pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods,  the demand for person-friendly surroundings is on the rise- in a Big Way! Recently, as I read Ten things planners need to know about demographics and the future real estate market- from Kaid Benfield’s Blog  , I discovered that " contrary to what occurred in previous generations, half of all new housing demand between now and 2040 will be for attached homes, the other half for small-lot homes.  The demand for large-lot suburbia, by contrast, is diminishing. " Benfield refers to the work of Prolific Author and Professo... 02/25/2014

I went on a tour last week of the Deltec Homes factory, where they put together their prefabricated home systems. It was a wonderful experience and I learned a lot.  One of the first questions asked by a participant in the tour was if these were considered modular homes, since they were prefabricated. The answer was no. The difference, our tour guide said, was that they put up walls with the outside completed, in other words in a closed in state, but that the inside was completely unfinished. In modular homes they arrive with the plumbing, electrical and other mechanical innards already completed, as well as the finished floors and walls, ceilings and even appliances. Deltec allows the the owner and their contractor to complete the inside as they like. There are local inspections per st... 02/23/2014

Asheville Real Estate Journal: The Aging-in-PALACE ConceptThere are any number of good choices when it comes to designing a comfortable "Feathered-Nest" - now - and for years to come.  Bottom line: Ask yourself this. Are you ready, willing and able to plan and prepare to go for "sustainable excellence" and independence at home?   Then decide if you would prefer to beaging-in-PALACE- (one step further than  aging in place)CONTROL YOUR OWN DESTINYWould it make sense to control your own destiny, have the things you need in daily life, while maintaining your independence and quality of life? Would it be nice if we could stay in our homes (age-in-place) instead of needing to settle for costly and impersonal alternatives? If your answer is YES, our age-friendly team is ready to sit down and  ... 02/13/2014

Asheville North Carolina is a magnet for creative and interesting people. The film industry has just named Asheville as a top city for the movie industry to thrive. We are number 1 or 2 in the top beer cities. Our unemployment is down to about 5%. However, housing in Asheville is not inexpensive. The only other arrea of the state where real estate is more expensive is the Outer Banks. Our inventory is at 8 - 9 year lows. Our Asking Price is creeping up. Sales have been strong all through 2013. 2014 has, like most of the eastern half, had colder than normal weather so sales have slowed somewhat.                Copyright by Don Davies©   - See more at: http://activerain.com/blogsview/4321969/asheville-real-estate-trends-buncombe-county-nc-2013-4th-quarter-housing-trends#sthash.Nneib8Tv.dpuf 02/13/2014

Asheville North Carolina is a magnet for creative and interesting people. The film industry has just named Asheville as a top city for the movie industry to thrive. We are number 1 or 2 in the top beer cities. Our unemployment is down to about 5%. However, housing in Asheville is not inexpensive. The only other arrea of the state where real estate is more expensive is the Outer Banks. Our inventory is at 8 - 9 year lows. Our Asking Price is creeping up. Sales have been strong all through 2013. 2014 has, like most of the eastern half, had colder than normal weather so sales have slowed somewhat.                Copyright by Don Davies©     02/08/2014

Buncombe County Residential Sales Year over Year by Month Comparison Single family homes includes, homes, condos, town homes, as well as manufactured homes on owned land. December 2013 sales were equal to December 2012 basically, which allowed for 2013 overall sales to be the highest in many years. The Days on Market before selling decreased, which is positive, but the selling price was headed in a downward trend while the average asking price increased. One area showing improvement was the Month End Inventory. The inventory reduction will be critical to stabalizing 2014 because at 1748, that suggests we have approximately 12 months of inventory right now if no other homes are added. The inventory is the lowest in almost 8 years which should stabalize our market but may allow for increa... 01/30/2014

Asheville Real estate Home Sellers can USE THIS Right Now! A powerful group of buyers  is on the horizon. They are known as "The Savvy Boomers" and they are heading to Top UN-Retirement Heaven- Asheville, North Carolina.  We are happy to meet them "at the door" as these home buyers are age-friendly and very selective. They are looking for feathered nests in which to "age-in-place": (see my earlier posts) Here are five questions they ask us 1. What DESIGN elements DO YOU consider important to incorporate in a lifelong home?2. How might WE  leverage our clout  to demand universal design elements in our homes?3. Do  YOU see any particular challenges we might encounter along the way?4. How might WE connect with a support system in Asheville?5. What kind of a spending plan do we need to crea... 01/25/2014

Over the past number of years, at least here in Asheville, N.C., "Boomers" have begun talking about "AGING-IN-PLACE"- This is a catch phrase used to describe "The ability to live in one’s own home and community safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level." It refers to a choice by Post 50 People to opt to remain in their lifelong home. A good place to begin making that choice is by asking, finding answers to, and talking about relevant options for home owners... .     Here is my own personal  3-Step Action Plan- and it is not only on advanced professional coursework, but on my own experience as I age in my own sweet feathered nest.      step 1:  Know to what aging-in-place refers.TALK About & Set Priorities step 2:  PLAN. Then set priorities  to ... 01/23/2014

UPDATE: January , 2014Asheville, NC  Steep Slopes and Sustainable Building Practices, especially in terms of landslides, has been a matter of concern over the years. "Landslides are a natural part of the ever-changing topography of Western North Carolina. Most of them are triggered by heavy rain events that saturate mountain soils. " We consider landslides a potential hazard and that we DO recommend that our clients contact Professionals and bring in a State licensed geotechnical engineer, when necessary ... to look at potential hazards ...such as how a steep slope may be defined as we see it when we are out on the land. (see photo) Please know that all of us at the Eco-Steward Real Estate Firm are Eco Certified® Real Estate  Consultants, and specialize in land carefully and thoughtfull... 01/06/2014

Asheville Post50 Homes   When Sage and John, a beautiful couple beginning their Post-50 adventure here in Asheville, North Carolina decided to create a sanctuary – a wonderful dream dwelling—  it was clear to them that they wanted to build something small.   They had seen an ad in an Asheville journal (see graphic) and were looking at a land and home package for just over $100,000. The interior would be just under 800 sqft. There would be room to add on  an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) as well. At some point in the future the idea of continuing a “family compound” might be on the table. Post50 Homes- Style Options There were many! But now they were looking at the options in terms of styles, building techniques, and materials used.   Some were modern in style, some were rustic. They we... 12/29/2013

  Happy Land Brokers on the trail love the adventure  (photo) and the chance to explore the land and see how it lies when leaves are hiding. We say it takes a certain "type" to explore acreage at this time of year. If it looks like FUN to you, email us ASAP. And, by the way- speaking of land, in Asheville , NC we adhere to an historic method of measuring it. We do that using the metes and bounds method. When you first encounter a metes and bounds survey you may find yourself traveling back in time. Like our family’s "Old General"  who,  having been granted twenty-five thousand acresfor his services in the Revolutionary War, strode the land in North Carolina, you may be surprised at what you discover of your own genealogy. Land records are a fascinating source of family history informat... 12/19/2013

A nice thing about living in Sylva, NC is that it doesn't take long to get to Asheville when you are feeling like doing something "big city". We did just that last night when we went to see the Shadrack's Christmas Light Show at the AG Center Fairgrounds near the Asheville Airport.   Twenty bucks a car and you get to enter a magical space. It sort of felt like we were at an Electric Light Orchestra concert! As we entered the fairgrounds, a sign directed us to set our radio dial to a certain number and the music began. I don't know how many lights there were but it felt like a million and they were all synced to the music. With headlights dimmed to just parking lights, we drove slowly through the Twelve Days of Christmas and then into a twenty minute drive through dancing lights.   It wa... 12/19/2013

  Kaid Benfield, who is the Special Counsel for Urban Solutions, grew up right here in Asheville, NC! I am a big fan of his and of his Asheville roots. In fact, he talks about Asheville frequently as per: Is the 'traditional' downtown a thing of the past? Is that OK?   I particularly like what he says about Asheville’s downtown in his latest post     “…  the lively, compact and walkable downtown of Asheville, where I grew up, has enjoyed a wonderful revival, as I wrote some time back.  Most of the wonderful old art deco buildings are still there, but repurposed.  The restaurant and bar scene is great, as are the galleries and high-end craft shops.  There are new residential buildings downtown, which I find very encouraging, though I'm told they are very expensive to buy into.  There’s s... 12/18/2013

    Asheville Area Homes on 5+ Acres What a View!   The Asheville area offers so many beautiful mountain homes. Many of these homes are on five acres or more and take advantage of solar gain. What attracts you? Are you drawn to  a pastoral setting, or do you love the idea of snuggling into a mountain side listening to a stream go by?  As land specialists, we are here to show you a bountiful selection.  Come tour Asheville area mountain homes and Land  with over 5 Acres! 12/14/2013

    Asheville is lighting up -warm with good cheer.But it is chilly this time of year. As the holidays draw near,Good idea to save energy- to be crystal clear. A little elf told me that most homes can save 25% to 50% or more energy.  So, ahome energy audit is a gift you can give yourself. It can help point the way to savings by investigating the general condition of heating and air conditioning systems,  looking at  insulation, and the degree of outside air infiltration, the operation and condition of lighting, and reviewing the efficiency of water heating systems and appliances. You may choose to ask professional auditors to come on over to do the audit. But while you are decorating, it’s a great time of the year to do an annual do-it-yourself home energy audit Here’s how: http://energ... 12/11/2013

  In Transit to the Future (Asheville Style)                                                                                                            "Taking a Flying Leap" I’m reading Kaid Benfield’s blog this morning- feeling a nudge. That “nudge” has to do with the future and future planning- something like to do all the time, but especially as the new year approaches. In case you do not know or read  Kaid,  he’s the Special Counsel for urban solutions, NRDC. He also is an  adjunct professor at  George Washington University School of Law; co-founder, LEED for Neighborhood Development rating system; co-founder, Smart Growth America coalition and  author of several books on smart growth and sprawl. Kaid’s forthcoming book, People Habitat: 25 Ways to Think about Greener, Healthier Cit... 12/05/2013

  Here in Asheville, our team has been working to develop creative solutions for independent living -- regardless of age or physical ability as you may see in the many pages of this blog. We love the idea of small homes on shared acreages…a community garden…friendly neighbors, and living -independent universal design elements. We are here to  talk with clients about small spaces, universal design, home automation and more. Are you and/or your family and friends ready to  discover how to envision and plan a LIFELONG HOME?  You have probably heard the term.*” aging-in-place”—or the “lifelong home”—But having a conversation about creating a “feathered nest” might be a little more challenging that you expect.  We think having that conversation can pay off for those involved, though. A home ... 12/03/2013