There are some new housing numbers that may indicate an improvement in the home sales market in the months to come. Nationally, new home sales jumped 17.5% in December which increased sales of new homes to their highest levels in 8 months. Economists had expected a 300,000 unit increase for the period. Instead, there was a seasonally [...]
The Sept/Oct 2010 issue of Sierra Magazine ranks 162 US colleges in its 4th annual "Coolest School" contest, and Black Mountain's own Warren Wilson College came in at #14 on this year's list. This represents a four slot rise for the school as they appeared last year at #18.
Farm Life at Warren Wilson College
The magazine ranks the colleges based on each college's responses to an 11 page questionnaire. Topics surveyed include energy supply, efficiency, food, and academics plus other categories. Warren Wilson, which the article says gets one third of its food from farms within 500 miles of campus including from its own six-acre organic garden, scored 81.8 out of 100. The number one school, Green Mountain College of Vermont, scored an 86.8.
Warren Wilson College boasts that "We are not for everyone..." and offers a unique triad approach to education: academics, work, and service. The accredited, four-year, private liberal arts college was founded in 1894 with a philosophy of sustainability. With this latest ranking, it seems that that philosophy has remained with the school for more than 100 years.
At Greybeard Realty, we pay attention to sustainability as well. We offer a complete list of green homes available in the Asheville Real Estate market. Sharon McConnaughy, our sales agent specializing in environmentally conscious homes, can help steer you toward environmentally sound homes in the Asheville area. For more information please contact her.
Like other Asheville cabin owners, I have mixed feelings when I see that Asheville has made another top ten list. While I am reassured by these lists that I have indeed chosen to live in one of the best places on Earth, I fear that more and more people will discover what those of us who live here already know. The Asheville area is a very [...]
Greybeard Realty experienced a 14 % increase in home sales volume for 2009. That figure in itself is impressive, but when it is compared with area sales volume overall it becomes even more [...]
Building a green home in Asheville just got easier. The North Carolina State Energy Office, the NC Solar Center, the NC Home Builders Association and other professional building organizations joined forces to create the North Carolina Green Built Homes Program.
A statewide voluntary certification program, Green Built Homes offers a [...]
When it comes to quintessential mountain living, most people think of beautiful views. Of course, to get those views, you usually need to gain elevation, which often involves negotiating a steep driveway or gravel road. But that's not always the case. Laurel Ridge, a neighborhood just north of Black Mountain, is home to some of the most incredible mountain views in Western North Carolina, and you may be surprised how easy they can be to access.
This home in Laurel Ridge offers many of the features that vacation home buyers desire - great year-round views, a fireplace, and easy access to town. In this case, we are talking about downtown Black Mountain, which features a wide variety of restaurants, shops, and galleries. For folks looking to retire, other requirements usually include one-level living (including the master suite on the main level), a garage, and easy entry to the house (few steps).
This home is unique in that it has a very flat driveway (and the road to the house has a gentle grade), as well as a 3-car garage, which is a bit of rarity in the Asheville area for a home with a view. Above the garage is 700 square feet of unfinished (studs in place) apartment space and another deck.
Inside, the wood flooring and beadboard ceilings give the home a very "mountain home" feel. And what mountain home would be complete without an expansive deck to take in the view!
To view more available homes in the Laurel Ridge community, click here.
These days, a lot of folks are interested in "green" homes, and the Asheville area offers a wide variety of environmentally-friendly options. Many of these listings are new construction properties on small lots. But from time to time, an eco-friendly home is listed on a generous lot within an established neighborhood. Such is the case [...]
