With ever-advancing technology, smart homes are only getting smarter. From security cameras that send motion notifications to your smartphone, to doorbells that let you see who’s at the door before you even answer it, the latest additions to the smart-home roster promise easier, less stressful, streamlined living. How can you make your home [...]

Unique spa experiences abound in Asheville. From a relaxing, rejuvenating salt cave session, to a hot spring soak against a Blue Ridge backdrop, there are plenty of unusual ways to unwind in the area, for an hour or for a weekend. Following, some singular spa destinations in and around Asheville to check [...]

The Asheville area is rich with craft tradition, and that has translated into arts and crafts festivals and classes of every kind. From pottery to glass to cloth fiber, the media through which artisans and students alike can express themselves are plentiful. Following, a few of the many arts festivals and classes that you can be a part of [...]

As you begin your real estate search in the Asheville area, it’s important to learn the zoning rules and regulations specific to the neighborhoods you’re interested in. The laws can be complicated and circuitous depending on the type of home or business you plan to establish; extremely helpful to the process is securing a [...]

Asheville boasts a range of theater venues producing world-class shows to entertain everyone. From Broadway musicals to children’s productions to intimate stage theater, you’ll find an array of performing-arts options for that next special date night, or a fun family afternoon outing.

A big performing-arts draw year after year is the Mainstage [...]

Shopping for a home can be a complicated, confusing undertaking. As rewarding as the end result is, the process of attaining your dream requires time, patience and, most importantly, organization. Before you set out on the journey, it helps to map out your wants and needs. While you may not meet every one of your desires, detailing them at [...]

Summer is in full bloom, and so are Asheville-area flower farms and greenhouses. For fresh cuts of everything from peonies and poppies to zinnias and dahlias, the sources are abundant. Flower farms provide their wares at farmer’s markets across the area, or through flower bouquet shares (similar to CSA shares). Some farms also offer [...]

Moving is never an easy task. The to-do list in preparation for the undertaking can be long and laborious. Keeping the environment in mind when planning a move may be the last thing you want to worry about, but it’s easier than you think. Doing little things like opting for eco-friendly moving containers and supplies can cut back on excessive cardboard uses, and greatly reduce the amount of unfriendly packing materials you might use, like plastic bubble wrap and Styrofoam. Additionally, finding ways to soundly dispose of hard-to-recycle items you might not want to move – think that old television, dusty, unused books, or a dilapidated table – can help reduce moving costs AND stay kind to the environment.

Asheville GreenWorks offers an easy solution with its Hard 2 Recycle events. Founded in 2011 by Rainbow Recycling, the free events bring to the public an awareness of alternate modes of recycling in Buncombe County. Held five times throughout the year (four events around the county and one central event in downtown Asheville), Hard 2 Recycle aims to collect and divert items that would otherwise end up crowding a landfill.

Working with various community businesses to recycle or repurpose discarded items, Hard 2 Recycle will accept everything from electronics, appliances, Styrofoam and packing peanuts to furniture, hardware, plumbing, rolls of chain link, even cooking oil. Finding the next Hard 2 Recycle event is simple; just visit http://www.ashevillegreenworks.org/hard-2-recycle.html for a schedule, along with which items will be accepted at the upcoming event.

If you’re planning to move, taking advantage of the next Hard 2 Recycle event – either to avoid moving unnecessary items, or to properly dispose of any hard-to-recycle packing materials you may use in the move – is just one way of applying an eco-friendly approach to the task. Here are some other ways to do so:

·       Instead of buying a bunch of brand-new moving boxes – which usually last for a handful of uses before they need to be recycled – ask friends or local businesses if they have any you can take off their hands. You can get creative with moving containers as well. Suitcases, laundry baskets, clean garbage bins, furniture drawers and trash bags can all pull double duty when transporting possessions.

·       Substitute packing materials like plastic bubble wrap and Styrofoam packing peanuts with more eco-friendly options. You can wrap and cushion delicate items with blankets, towels, sheets or clothing.

·       Moving your belongings yourself, in piecemeal, may seem like a good idea, but the back-and-forth car trips can tax the environment. Instead, leave the job to the movers on your designated moving day, and concentrate on packing efficiently so as to minimize the number of boxes they’ll need to transport.

For more information about Asheville or about real estate in Asheville, contact Mike Figura at Mike@MyMosaicRealty.com, or call him anytime at 828-337-8190. 

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In Asheville, enjoying the craft-beer scene goes beyond simply sitting back and sipping: Thanks to everything from state-of-the-art spaces and informative tours to live entertainment, lawn games and scenic surroundings, a number of area breweries are becoming destinations for the entire family. Following, a few spots that supply fun for [...]

Asheville has seen a new-construction boom in recent years, thanks to an influx of buyers looking for fresh, modern, green or more centrally located homes in popular neighborhoods. While it’s easy to believe that a newly built home translates to a headache-free real estate transaction, new construction carries its own set of cautionary guidelines. Finding an agent who can navigate the ins and outs of a new-construction purchase is key to getting the best out of your experience. The agents at Mosaic Community Lifestyle Realty have the knowhow to guide you through the process smoothly, eliminating the headaches that can come with venturing into unfamiliar territory. Below, a few pointers to get you started:

• If you’re purchasing a home before or during construction, make sure the building specifics are adequately defined so there is no question about finishes. A Mosaic agent can clue you in to which details you need to know – floor plans and spec sheets are but two of the specifics – and from whom to secure the information.
• If the seller or builder is perhaps just starting out and lacks some experience, you will want the due diligence period to run beyond completion of construction. That way, you have time to terminate the deal if the house is not completed to spec.
• Did you know that even if you’re building a new home, you should still be ready to perform a regular home inspection and radon test? While green-built homes already come radon-tested, other types of new-home construction may not.
• Newly constructed homes don’t generally come with things like mailboxes or bathroom hardware – think towel rods and toilet paper holders. An adept agent will know what to look for on spec sheets, and can help you determine which missing pieces you’ll need to supply yourself.
• Always make sure you have a one-year warranty as part of new construction. A Mosaic agent can help you nail down the right contract or addendum to protect your new investment.
• Did you know you can pay for blinds or window treatments but have the builder install them? A knowledgeable agent can help you think through ancillary items like these that you may want to add on during construction of your new home.

Tips like these are only a start; if you’re ready to build or buy a new-construction home in Asheville, and want a thorough plan and expert direction that thoughtfully encompasses all of your needs, contact Mike Figura at Mike@MyMosaicRealty.com or call him anytime at (828) 337-8190, or get in touch with any of Mosaic’s selling agents at info@mymosaicrealty.com.

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