10 BENEFITS of Green Development- Asheville Style          Countering a misconception about the financial viability of going green in real estate development, this white-haired investor in the idea of a sustainability and New Urban community is excited about her research and the benefits she has discovered. She points to the Smart Growth Network. . .  Smart Growth- a Legacy of Positive Futures . . .which is reaching out to Asheville area stake-holders who are seeking innovative ideas about the future of our communities   such as the Villages at Crest Mountain where Permaculture is a central feature: http://activerain.com/blogsview/1701593/asheville-s-villages-at-crest-mountain-dance-with-the-land-permaculture-and-neighborly-caring   And.... what other benefits is our white-haired frie... 07/12/2012

White-Haired Baby Boomer Reveals 6 Benefits of Green DevelopmentAsheville Real Estate JournalGreen Development Plans from a White-Haired Boomer:  Just because you are a “white-haired Baby Boomer” doesn’t mean you can expect to sit on the sidelines- at least not if you want to see your Green Development dream come true. This white-haired diva is investigating the possibility of creating an urban paradise. Of course, there is a good-deal of learning to do if you are new to development. Our boomer colleague has attended any number of workshops in her area of interest. These have demonstrated the basics of conservation land planning and have examined local ordinances pertaining to conservation planning.   She has also made it a priority to visit property sites where homes are planned to be ... 04/24/2012

Urban communities.  Emerald Green Asheville Style IMAGINE! stepped pathways public plazas terraces and courtyards a bakery and barber shop a children's library of art and architecture an artists' cooperative restaurants and small local shops ***   ****       If you are a person who values sustainability, the New Urbanism, and in establishing and engaging in green communities your imagination can take you to places of delight and comfort. If you are a person who wants a say in how this all comes together…  on a “human scale” and on a workforce budget … AND if all this makes you thirsty for more… and you are curious about green building, remodeling and communities…follow this blog. Photo-slideshow here depicts  a LEED Neighborhood in Asheville, NC..you may just  come to love...contact me ... 12/06/2011

Here at the Villages at Crest Mountain, we are less than 10 minutes away from downtown. Yet, I am excited that we have gone to great lengths to preserve the wonderful mountain views.  I was telling one of our interested visitors that some of the building sites, like the one just above where I am standing in the video clip, even are adjacent to miles of trails! Here (below) is a short 21-SEC video that lets you see what I mean So, if you are vacationing in or near Asheville during the holiday season, and Your Dream includes living in Asheville – look at the video and know that living in Asheville can be a dream come true – especially when you discover the  affordability of  our WNC HealthyBuilt® Homes and mountain view building sites at the Villages at Crest Mountain. Three reasons I lik... 12/03/2010

Here at the Villages at Crest Mountain  in beautiful Asheville, NC we have noticed validation for our commitment to “green” development in the form of a trend. More and more, people coming to meet with me for a tour here at the Villages are stressing their concern about  things beyond the transaction for the purchase of a property. They are invested in the property, yes— and the Villages at Crest Mountain is a worthy investment and excellent choice when it comes to property as we are not only responsible in terms of sustainable practices, but are also debt-free—   The trend ? Future residents of the Villages at Crest Mountain are invested in learning about a community, finding resources for professional and trade services, and above all, they are interested in the health of their childr... 10/05/2010

Since 1978  when Bill Morrison, an Australian ecologist invented the term "Permaculture" ( "permanent agriculture")  it has proven, time and again, to be a solid approach to designing sustainable systems.  Based on that successful track record, here at the Villages at Crest Mountain we have incorporated Permaculture right from the start. Like our Permaculture expert, Chuck Marsh,   we are excited about  the idea that Permaculture encompasses ecological human design and plant production systems—together— in  a whole system. Here, each component relates to another component. According to Wikipedia, modern Permaculture is “ a system design tool. It is a way of: looking at a whole system or problem; observing how the parts relate; planning to mend sick systems by applying ideas learned from... 09/28/2010

  Here at the Villages at Crest Mountain we have been talking with our Green Experts Team including Steve Cochran our Chief Sustainability Officer about putting sustainable practices into action.   We have already taken steps to assure sustainability at the Villages. And we are proud of the way the Project is coming together. Here in Asheville it is a Project that has generated a great deal of interest. Right from the start  (see photo of land and view as we began the project) we asked Chuck Marsh to come on board as our Permaculture expert, and committed to  implementing the latest green technologies, including photovoltaic panels and rainwater harvesting on a development-wide scale.  Our home models in a range of styles and prices all must be NC Healthy Built and Energy Star Certified... 09/27/2010