For those real estate clients looking to go green, Asheville and the surrounding areas are prime players in the movement. The marketplace of green homes has grown over the last 15 years, as an increasing number are built and certified. From purchasing an existing GreenBuilt Certified or Energy Star Certified home, to building your own certified green home, to retrofitting an existing property to make it more sustainable, there are plenty of opportunities to go green in the Asheville real estate market.
Asheville’s Green-Home Gains
In 2006, there were only 16 green-certified homes sold in the Asheville Metropolitan Statistical Area (comprising Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson and Madison counties); in 2020, that number increased to 138. While the vast majority of those sales were concentrated in Asheville, specifically West Asheville, the overall number of green-certified homes is growing across Western N.C. (This article by Mosaic founder Mike Figura offers an in-depth look at Asheville’s green-home market.)
By price range, green-home sales run the gamut. According to Canopy MLS, 6.5% of green-home sales in 2020 were under $250,000; 42% were between $250,000 and $500,000; and 42% were between $500,000 and $750,000. Only 9.5% of green-home sales were over $750,000.
How to Go Green in Asheville
Whether you’re buying or building a green home, or retrofitting an existing home to make it greener, there are a number of sustainability features to keep in mind:
· Healthy Site/Landscape: erosion control and preservation of existing trees
· Water Efficiency: use of high-efficiency irrigation and plumbing fixtures to reduce water bills
· Building Envelope: use of high-efficiency windows and insulation to reduce energy bills
· Heating/Cooling Systems: use of high-efficiency equipment and sealed air ducts to increase comfort
· Appliances/Lighting: use of Energy Star appliances and lighting to reduce utility bills
· Healthy Indoor Air Quality: use of non-toxic finishes and methods to minimize moisture
· Materials: use of durable local and recycled content materials for minimal maintenance
When it comes time to shop for a green home in the Asheville area, there are plenty of GreenBuilt Certified or Energy Star Certified homes – but of course you’re not limited to those official designations, especially if you are targeting a specific location or price range. You can look for homes that may not necessarily be certified, but still carry many beneficial green features, such as sustainable and locally sourced materials, efficient design, and environmentally sound landscaping.
Mosaic Realty’s “Green Homes” quick search reveals green homes across the Asheville area’s entire inventory of available properties, making your sustainable-home hunt easy. For more information on green homes in Asheville and Western N.C., please contact us at Info@MyMosaicRealty.com, or call us anytime at 828-707-9556.
Search: Green Homes in the Asheville/Buncombe County
Read More About the Green Homes Market: Green Built Alliance's Green Homes Market Update
Chart reflects median closed price and number of homes sold for green homes in the Asheville MSA for the last 10 years. Source: Canopy MLS.
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