
Last Wednesday, March 31, the historic Green Park Inn, located at 9239 Valley Boulevard in Blowing Rock, sold for $935,000 cash at a live auction, and the deal will close shortly, said Bracky Rogers, sales manager, auctioneer and founder of Rogers Realty.
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Watauga going Solar
Local Firm Selected To Pursue Large-Scale Solar Energy Plant on County’s Closed Landfill

Watauga Solar partners Ray Sinclair, left, and Ged Moody, right, are currently conducting a feasibility study to determine the practicality of constructing a 1- to 2-megawatt photovoltaic (PV) power plant at the county’s closed landfill site that will produce solar energy, create opportunities for local investment and ownership and serve as an educational tool for all ages of students and citizens. Photo by Sam Calhoun
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Green Treehouse Provides an Incredible Learning Playground

Stunning design and green architecture shouldn’t be reserved just for adults, as showcased by this gorgeous green treehouse built by the architects at Lord, Aeck & Sargent. Constructed as an extension to Camp Twin Lakes, a camp dedicated to kids with special needs, this treehouse is not only beautiful, fun and kid friendly, but green as well!
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Circular Hakka Houses Create Self-Sustaining Communities

War and conflict often bring about the destruction of architecture, however these forces can also result in new constructions that define a cultural identity and place. Stressed by China’s growing population, the Hakka people have been confronted with armed warfare for local resources since the 17th century. To remedy their situation the Hakka began building massive structures that could not only stave off intruders, but would also form amazing self-sustaining micro-communities complete with food storage, space for livestock, living quarters, temples, armories and more.
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Real estate sales still sluggish
The High Country Association of REALTORS released statistics today for residential homes sold through the end of November. Sales are off from October’s numbers, approaching June’s total residential units sold.
Sales continue to fall below last year’s figures. When comparing year-to-date numbers with the same time period in 2008, the number of residential units sold is down 11.1 percent, and the median sold price for residential property is down 11.3 percent. The total number of new residential listings is down 6.2 percent from 2008.
Mortgage rates are also dropping, which is good news for homebuyers. According to Freddie Mac, the national average commitment rate for a 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate mortgage fell to 4.88 in November, down from 5.06 percent in September. The rate was 6.09 percent in November 2008.
In addition to lower mortgage rates, buyers now have more time to secure big tax savings. On Nov. 6, President Obama signed The Worker, Homeownership and Business Assistance Act of 2009, which includes an $8,000 tax credit for qualified first-time buyers and a $6,500 tax credit for qualified existing homeowners. This gives prospective buyers an additional six months to take advantage of the popular tax credits, which have helped boost sagging homes sales.
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A Beautiful Bend Oregon Green Prefab

All of you know Stillwater Dwellings. This new company is indeed very busy these days with an array of orders. They have recently completed their first prefab home in Bend, Oregon. This home was built using the sd231 floor plan and includes 2,950 square feet of space. This house contains three bedrooms, two and halfbathrooms, a laundry room, and 600 square feet of garage space. The cost of construct this house was $175 per square foot which includes the entire site work.
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ASU to cut ribbon on wind turbine
The Renewable Energy Initiative of Appalachian State University in Boone, NC is holding its official ribbon-cutting event on Nov. 12 at 3 p.m. for the 100KW wind turbine successfully installed at the university-owned Broyhill Inn & Conference Center. The project, installed by Alteris Renewables, was completed this past summer. The turbine is currently the largest wind development in the state of North Carolina.
Click here for the article from The Watauga Democrat
Blue Ridge Electric Offers Solar Water Heating Rebate Program
Story by Celeste von Mangan
Water heating in your home uses a large portion of electricity and is preceded in energy consumption only by air heating and cooling systems. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, using a solar water heating system in conjunction with a backup electric heater can cut costs by 50 percent. Though it may take several years to recoup the initial outlay at the time of purchase, recovery of this cost can be facilitated by taking advantage of a $500 rebate from Blue Ridge Electric, along with progressive tax credits from the federal and state government.
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