Buying Land - Why Here and Why Now - THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN

WHY HERE within THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN

• Privacy, serenity, sanctuary setting
• Exclusive to only 32 estate owners (1-3 acres each); 1 spec home built and sold on estate lot # 18; one beginning on estate lot # 20 – projected spring, 2012 completion date
• A separate area for Cottages/Cabins at Celo – 2 built, 2 sold, 1 to be completed by end of December (with available lease-back option)
• Nature preserved and enhanced – mininal impact on the nationally acclaimed natural beauty of the Toe River Valley of the Blue Ridge Mountains
• The water – streams, creeks, trout ponds, waterfalls – rivers for fly fishing rafting, tubing, kayaking minutes from your front door
• Custom-built treehouse, 4 park areas with cooking areas, fire pits, seating area with handcrafted furniture, campout area for owners
• Lean-to’s for photography, outdoor reading, or lying in a hammock by the waterfalls or creeks
• Club House and Pavilion planned overlooking largest cascading waterfall – Lookout built over waterfall near community gathering area
• Over 3 miles of manicured hiking trails – much along the water features
• All infrastructure in and underground – Yancey County will have fiber optics before Asheville
• Paved within; beautiful winding, wooded drive up gravel road and across creek into Celo Lands and The Cove at Celo Mountain
• Local art-commissioned, hand-forged entrance gate reflecting the profile of our mountain
• Location, Location, Location - see below
• Testimonials of Owners, Developer, Architect, Builder - see below

WHY NOW

• Generational locals (families that have lived on the same land here since the late 1700’s!) say that the best time to choose your property – to see the real lay of the land in these mountains - is after the leaves have fallen off the trees
• No restriction on build time on estate lots
• A lasting legacy for the generations

An estate lot with views (Available)         

Enveloped in privacy – a wooded estate lot

A creek estate lot (one left)

A trout pond within The Cove at Celo Mountain 

Size of the trout in the ponds

Ayles Creek that runs through The Cove at Celo Mountain

LOCATION

• Good Morning America –this area 1 of - 10 Most Beautiful Places in America.
• Fodor’s, Asheville the Top of 21 WORLD Destination Places in 2011 (we are between Asheville and Boone)
• Just off the Blue Ridge Parkway – America’s Favorite Drive
• Near the world-renowned Penland School of Crafts (There are more artists, per capita, in Yancey and Mitchell Counties, than anywhere else in America)
• The highways and byways to the immediate north, south, east and west of us are all either National or State Scenic Highways
• DOT Scenic Highway I-19 off of National Scenic I-26 being made into 4 lane (from Asheville)
• 4 1/2-Star Golf Digest Must Play Public Course 10 minutes from us - Mt. Mitchell Golf
• Hiking, Water Sports, Horseback Riding, Skiing, Scenic Driving, Golfing within minutes

TESTIMONIALS –Owners and Developers

• From someone who has lived in this area for 22 years:  New Estate Owners – Why We Chose The Cove at Celo Mountain
• From someone out-of-state:  New Estate Owner- Why I Chose This Area and The Cove at Celo Mountain
• From the Developer’s Standpoint –What Makes The Cove at Celo Mountain Unique (Interview with the COO) (includes new construction slideshow)
• From new homeowner who lives on the coast: The Cove at Celo Mountain - Through the Eyes of the Artist and New Homeowner 

TESTIMONIALS – Architect and Builder

• From the Preferred Architect’s perspective:  An Interview I did with Armin L. Wessel
• From the Preferred Builder’s perspective:  Guest Author, Randy Banks (Crowder Banks Assoc.)

Please call or email about special visit packages in the winter.

Please let us know if you would like us to mail you our view book and information.

For more information:

• 2 ½  -minute movie clip of THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN
• Fast Facts about the community   
• The Cove at Celo Mountain blog  Please follow our mountain lifestyle events here.
• Foxwood, the Cabin at Celo – projected completion December 25, 2011
• Woodrock, the next spec home – projected completion spring, 2012

We hope you will visit with us soon.

The Preferred Builder's Perspective - THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN - Guest Author: Randy Banks of Crowder, Banks, and Assoc.

            Randy - 828-284-0409      Edwin -828-778-2127      

Crowder, Banks, & Associates (CBA Construction) is proud to be associated with the fine folks at The Cove at Celo Mountain.  Given today's economic situation, especially in the real estate market, it is refreshing to see  developers listen and understand what people want and to provide a first class development.  They do this while still preserving the beauty and heritage that the mountains of Yancey County provide - with as little disruption as possible. The peaceful, tranquil environment is unmatched - from the many hiking trails, to the streams, trout ponds, and waterfalls. The beautiful steel "mountain profile" entry gate and  fireplace gathering area provide a warm welcome as you enter.  CBA Construction has built 3 of the new weekender cabins.  Two of these are sold, and the third (below) should be finished in the next few weeks and is available for purchase.  It has beautiful views of Celo Knob.

We also completed a new 2200 sq ft home on estate lot 18  (below), which has sold as well.  It is located on .96 acres with a screened porch and upper and lower decks the length of the home overlooking Ayles Creek.

Brookhaven on Ayles Creek - SOLD

Currently we have foundations in and are starting new construction homes on estate lot 16, estate lot 19, and  estate lot 20. Estate lots 16 and 19 are custom homes for owners; 20 is the new spec home that has a projected spring, 2012 completion date.  It sits on 1.32 acres.

Estate Lot # 16 - sold - for owners' home

Estate Lot #16 - sold 

Beginning work on Estate Lot #19 on Ayles Creek - sold - for owner

Beginning work on Woodrock - Estate Lot # 20  - spring, 2012 - Available

My business partner, Edwin Crowder, and I are lifelong residents of this area.  We understand "mountain building" and the importance of preserving the natural surroundings.  We provide an exceptional quality of home and lifestyle, while working with our customers to maintain their vision and budget.

Our hats off to the Mountain Lifestyle Development group for understanding what mountain living really means!

Please feel free to visit our website at www.crowderbanks.com      
A 2 1/2-minute video of THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN
Testimonial from Celo Estate Owners of a CBA Home

The Cove at Celo Mountain Interview - From the Preferred Architect's Perspective: Guest Author, Armin L. Wessel

How has the current economic slump in real estate changed your approach to client interaction, or has it?

There is not as much interest in building homes as 3 years ago, although there are still a number of clients that still want to build with quality design.  Our approach has not really changed in that we have to take each client and individually solve their problems, meet their needs and wishes.  There is no stock plan.  Everyone deserves to have what they want.  What has changed in real estate is that most people are looking for deals, and this is true as well for architects.  We have to work as we always have - very conscientiously – with a truthful, honest, open approach.  This has not changed.  There just are not as many clients in today’s market.

Has the real estate market downturn impacted your design approach?  I assume design in architecture changes with economic change.   Is that correct and, if so, how – on a personal level?

No, our design approach has not changed.  The approach in design is to evaluate the needs and wishes of the client and its relationship to the property.  One aspect of change is that some clients are paying cash as it is difficult for people to get loans.  However, our design approach remains constant - to listen to the client - what they are saying, what they are not saying - and design accordingly.

What are you hearing from a client that is different from say 3 years ago?  Are smaller homes more the trend?  What square footage is being requested?  Other?

Smaller homes are more the trend but with high quality in design and specifications.  But I do have one client that still wants a 7,000 sq. ft. home.  I have tried to encourage smaller, but this is a dream of theirs.  We are also seeing much more remodeling than new starts.

 

What changes in amenities or trends are clients now requesting?

People still want good quality.  Plans are still open, casual - no formal dining.  They still want theaters – want to entertain in their home with themselves, family, and large and small groups of friends.  They still want good quality in cabinets, windows, as well as a good use of the lot.   Here in the mountains that, of course, translates to windows with views.

Your portfolio includes private, corporate, religious designs – from high-end to moderate.  Where does design for The Cove at Celo Mountain fit into your spectrum?

Our vision of Celo fits right in with our portfolio – large or small homes that fit into the natural mountain setting.  The design has to be well thought out, good use of lot, giving owners what they want.

Of the design styles preferred within The Cove at Celo Mountain covenants (American Lodge, American Craftsman, and Adirondack), could you show us works from your portfolio that reflect these genres?  Do you have a spin-off of these that is more characteristic of what you envision for The Cove at Celo Mountain?

 

We have included three homes that exhibit quality design in layout, taking advantage of the natural mountain setting and views as well as the use of natural materials -  i.e.,  timbers, logs, stone and other natural materials such as bark siding.  The color pallet also has to be considered when building in the mountains.

Walk through the typical first on-site meeting to the final stages of your work with a client.

 

Our mission is not just to design a home for someone but a satisfying lifestyle as well.  We first meet with the client - usually in our office - to get to know each other and the client’s wishes, needs, and fantasies.  Then we go out and analyze the site with the client, visualizing the design – picture yourself out 50 feet – up in the tree canopy – what would the view be from there?  Imagine the sunset or the full moon or entertaining outdoors with a fire in the fireplace - get them excited about the possibilities.  We take the approach that we are very serious with their investment; we have to earn their trust in us.  We then will do preliminary floor plans and their site plan.  After they have had time to study the design, we will make any desired changes or additions.  Then the 3^rd dimension of the design development begins on the computer.  We develop elevations and cross sections to help the client visualize the entire design.  From there we go to the construction documents – engineering, foundation, electrical, schedules, specifications, etc.  We like to negotiate a contract price from a list of qualified builders.  The team approach in my experience puts everyone on the same page with the same goals.  From start to completion should be about 8-16 months depending on size, weather, steepness of lot, etc.  Almost exclusively, my clients are much more satisfied with the final outcome than they even dreamed or expected.  With us the whole design process is easy, comfortable, enjoyable and fulfilling.

We know that you and the Petersons have finalized design plans for their Cove at Celo Mountain home.  Could you share those with us?

What I would really like to do with the Peterson home, is to have your viewers follow along as we begin the on-site work, and then update them with progress through to completion, so they can experience with these owners how enjoyable, easy and exciting this can be.  We are almost finished with the Peterson’s final version of the plans.   It will be about 2700 square feet on 1 and ½ levels.  We will start next week with photos of their estate lot and the plans in a part of your blog allocated to this building process. 

Any additional comments that you think it would be beneficial for prospective clients to know?

Working with an architect is the only way to design a home.   You get exactly what you want that you wouldn’t by using a stock plan.  Using an architect is a rewarding experience.  You get a custom-designed home that fits your needs and lifestyle.  Architect’s fees are a small investment to ensure that the value of your home now and in the future is secure.   Your home is a major investment.  Protect it.  Use a qualified architect.  We are easy to work with and give our decades of experience and talents to our clients for their living enjoyment and financial benefit.  We have worked with over 2500 clients with completed homes in the last 30 years.  Some of our clients have built multiple homes with us because they were able to realize such a significant increase in the value of their home at time of sale.  (Our corporate, religious, school, and other design work is in addition to this number.)   Our portfolio of private homes ranges from 1500 – 10,000 sq. ft.  Size of the home is not what determines use of an architect’s expertise.  You use an architect for quality design and living experience.   We create a lifestyle as much as a home.  

Website, Portfolio, Testimonials for Armin L. Wessel Architect, Inc.

2 1/2-minute video of THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN

Guest Author Blog Post by Allen and Bevo Peterson, Estate Owners and Clients of Armin Wessel Architect, Inc