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Keep up-to-date with the latest news about Living Stone Design + Build and browse some of our How-To videos for helpful Design + Build tips and tricks.
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New Timber Frame Porch Currently “under construction”
Black Mountain front porch we are currently building in The Settings.
The Alexis – semi-custom plan
All of semi-custom plans are fully customizable to create your ONE OF A KIND home.
Starting on your lot for $480,000
Contact: Sean Sullivan 828.669.4343
Features: Energy Star Certified, NC Green Built Home, Universally Designed plan
The Alexis is an alternate to our popular Alexandra model that keeps the same main floor plan and finishes, it simply eliminates the upstairs bonus room. It also, is a universally designed home that not only boasts a quaint craftsman architectural feel, but also incredibly energy efficient construction. This floor plan works well for families of all size and ages.
How to Speak Remodeling
The home building industry celebrates National Remodeling Month in May, but remodeling is popular year-round, and the industry is growing every year. Whether it’s a small cosmetic remodel such as replacing bathroom fixtures, or a major down-to-the-wall-studs overhaul...
Smart Home Selling Tips
With today’s changing housing market, home-buying opportunities are tremendous. Interest rates are low, prices are competitive, and many builders are offering fantastic incentives and financing options. But what if you have to sell your current home first? These...
Gary and Bonnie Holstein – building in Southcliff, Asheville
“I have to comment on everyone’s integrity. Everyone has been of the highest caliber and truly made us feel like they care about us as people, our satisfaction and that we are getting a home, not just a house. I rate every aspect of this process, every member of this team and every subcontractor, an A plus!” Bonnie Holstein
Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Technology
Today’s home owners and buyers are looking for ways to incorporate home technologies that increase the long-term value of their house but also provide convenience, safety and comfort. Energy management is a highly-desired feature in both newly-built and existing homes, along with multi-zone heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems and lighting controls. Not only are these features easy-to-use, but they also provide energy-efficiency.
By incorporating the following technologies, home owners can save money on their utility bills:
- Automated HVAC systems can maintain a more energy-efficient temperature while the home owners are away at work, but switch to a more comfortable temperature prior to their arrival home. Zones can also be created to heat or cool only the areas most used by the occupants, keeping other areas, such as guest bedrooms, shut down until they are needed. They also can combat the problem of heat rising, keeping upper floors cooler in the summer without freezing the lower floors in a home. According to Energy Star, a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy, programmable thermostats can save consumers about $180 per year in energy costs.
Blue Ridge Pain Management’s Painless Renovation
“Laura, with ID.ology Interior Design helped us mature our ideas. She actually prevented mistakes and anticipated our needs. The team kept our job within budget and within the timeline. We now have a practice where we love coming to work and our patients are in awe. It was a great experience, thank you! We had an overall idea of what we wanted but actually the final outcome was a superior product than we ever expected! You want a trustworthy contractor? Sean, he’s the man.” Dr. Charles Buzzanell.
The Settings of Black Mountain is BACK!! (FAQ)
The following are a series of frequently asked questions (FAQs)
1. What is the process for getting into the Settings at the weekend?
The gates are open from 7am to 7pm Monday through Saturday. This is a private community and prospects must be accompanied by Realtor at all times. Please do not send clients in with MLS sheets to drive around on their own. Sunday the gates are closed but operable by entering the access code available from ShowingTime.
The code changes on the 1st of each month, and Jane Fuqua at IP will update this code monthly as it changes. Should this not be updated, Jane can be reached at 828-650-6867 or JFuqua@ipmhoa.com.
2. Are there any outstanding assessments at the Settings?
There is an assessment of $1,200 that has been approved by the board for the finishing of Phase one roads. Check with your agent for an update. As at January 2013, yearly dues are $1150 whether you own a lot or a home.
Lower Operating Costs Mean New-Home Buyers Can Afford More House
shared from NHBA.org A newly published study from NAHB’s Economics and Housing Policy Group looks at how operating costs vary depending on the age of the home, using data that has recently become available from the American Housing Survey (funded by the U.S....
Beware of Being Your Own Home Builder
Homeownership is the foundation of the American Dream, and in today’s do-it-yourself culture where how-to advice for just about anything can be found on the internet, many people think they could save a lot of money by building their own home. But your home is likely the single largest investment you will make in your lifetime, and not hiring a professional home builder could be a costly mistake for many reasons—financial, emotional, and physical. 
Getting financing is an important consideration. As a self-contractor, lenders have strict guidelines and limits on how much money they will give you, and they will require that you provide house plans, specifications and an itemized list of documented costs and bids beforehand.
Even if you feel that you have enough cash to do the job, it is wise to get a loan to cover material or labor cost increases, upgrades or material overruns. Many mortgage companies will not lend money to cover unanticipated costs on a home when construction has already begun.
Preventative Maintenance
2023 National Custom Home Builder of the Year
30+ Years of Design-Build Experience
Green Building Leadership
We prioritize designing and building homes that are as low-maintenance as possible—but no home is maintenance-free. Much like a high-performance vehicle, a high-performance home is designed to perform at a higher level, but it still requires thoughtful, routine care to keep it operating at its best. Living Stone Concierge helps protect that performance—and your investment—by giving you a trusted team to manage the ongoing care your home needs for years to come.
Two Premier Services
One Team, Long After Move-In
Membership
Preventative Maintenance Program
By Project
Custom Care Plan
1
Point of Contact
4
Pillars of care
30+
Years Building Homes
How the program Works
Four Pillars of Concierge Care
Through the Preventative Maintenance Program, your Living Stone Concierge delivers single point of contact service, so you no longer need to worry about finding trusted service contractors or waiting countless hours for them to show up. When there are third party workers in your home you can rest easy that your Living Stone Concierge will be there monitoring and ensuring a quality job is done.
Prevent
Repair
Improve
Your home should evolve with the way you live. Our Custom Care team handles personalized improvements—from hanging artwork and installing shelving to building fences and completing those finishing touches that make your home work better for you.
Trust
We believe your time is better spent enjoying your home than managing it. Our team takes care of the details, giving you one trusted resource and access to our network of proven professionals—so your home is cared for and your time stays yours.
Michael Blackstone
Warranty Specialist
As the overseer of our Preventative Maintenance Plan, he meticulously examines every detail of your home to ensure it is perfectly finished and maintained. With a wealth of experience in home construction and renovation from his years with various trade-related companies, Michael is the ultimate guardian of Living Stone standards. Beyond his professional expertise, Michael is a family man with a son, residing in the charming community of Old Fort. Entrust your project to Michael, where craftsmanship meets care.
Preventative Maintenance
2023 National Custom Home Builder of the Year
30+ Years of Design-Build Experience
Green Building Leadership
We prioritize designing and building homes that are as low-maintenance as possible—but no home is maintenance-free. Much like a high-performance vehicle, a high-performance home is designed to perform at a higher level, but it still requires thoughtful, routine care to keep it operating at its best. Living Stone Concierge helps protect that performance—and your investment—by giving you a trusted team to manage the ongoing care your home needs for years to come.
Two Premier Services
One Team, Long After Move-In
Membership
Preventative Maintenance Program
By Project
Custom Care Plan
1
Point of Contact
4
Pillars of care
30+
Years Building Homes
How the program Works
Four Pillars of Concierge Care
Through the Preventative Maintenance Program, your Living Stone Concierge delivers single point of contact service, so you no longer need to worry about finding trusted service contractors or waiting countless hours for them to show up. When there are third party workers in your home you can rest easy that your Living Stone Concierge will be there monitoring and ensuring a quality job is done.
Prevent
Repair
Improve
Your home should evolve with the way you live. Our Custom Care team handles personalized improvements—from hanging artwork and installing shelving to building fences and completing those finishing touches that make your home work better for you.
Trust
We believe your time is better spent enjoying your home than managing it. Our team takes care of the details, giving you one trusted resource and access to our network of proven professionals—so your home is cared for and your time stays yours.
Michael Blackstone
Warranty Specialist
As the overseer of our Preventative Maintenance Plan, he meticulously examines every detail of your home to ensure it is perfectly finished and maintained. With a wealth of experience in home construction and renovation from his years with various trade-related companies, Michael is the ultimate guardian of Living Stone standards. Beyond his professional expertise, Michael is a family man with a son, residing in the charming community of Old Fort. Entrust your project to Michael, where craftsmanship meets care.