Build Better Stage Presentation Schedule

Planning a build or major renovation? Join Paul Heathman of HomeTrust Bank, along with Carolyn Hargus and Nancy Duggan of the Carolinas Real Estate Investors Association, for an educational panel comparing today’s most common financing options. We’ll also talk about mortgage rates and how to determine if this is the best time to refinance. Moderated by Kyle Parks of Parks PR, this session will explore traditional mortgages, construction loans, HELOCs, and hard money lending to help you understand which path may best fit your project goals.

Go beyond the beautifully styled vignettes and hear directly from the creative people behind them. In this special session, Natalie Miller of Sherwin-Williams joins Designer Showcase creatives Lyn Mabry, Designer Spaces by Lyn, and Lindsey Kehres, Southern Elegance Interiors, to share their vision, inspiration, and approach to working with the Sherwin-Williams Colormix® 2026 palette. From material selection to layered finishes, this is a behind-the-scenes look at the expertise shaping this year’s installations.

What exactly is a modular home, and how does it come together? In this informative session, Carla Parvin of Build Modular in Asheville explains the process behind modern modular construction. Learn how homes are precision-built in climate-controlled facilities, transported to the site, and assembled with efficiency and quality control in mind. She will also cover timelines, customization options, and why modular building is gaining momentum in Western North Carolina.

Radon is an invisible, odorless gas that can pose serious health risks, and homes in Western North Carolina are often at higher risk due to the region’s geology. In this educational session, Kimi McBurney of Carolina Radon explains how radon enters a home, how testing is conducted, and what mitigation solutions are available. Walk away with clear, practical guidance to help protect your home and family.

A well-designed home should support you at every stage of life. In this informative session, Brian Daniel, Director of Design at Scroggs Construction Services, shares how thoughtful aging-in-place strategies can be seamlessly integrated into both new builds and renovations. From accessible layouts and safer kitchens to zero-entry showers and wider doorways, discover how smart design decisions today can create long-term peace of mind.

Mold can impact more than your home’s structure; it can also affect your health and indoor air quality. In this informative session, Dylan Hunt of Green Home Solutions breaks down how mold develops, where it commonly hides, and the warning signs homeowners should not ignore. The discussion also addresses potential health effects, practical prevention strategies, and effective remediation options to help create a safer, healthier living environment.

Framing artwork and photos is both an art and a science. In this informative session, Jean Stryker, owner of BlackBird Frame & Art, explores how aesthetic design and preservation framing techniques work together to enhance and protect what you value most. She will cover archival materials, proper mounting methods, and glass options that prevent damage while elevating the presentation of artwork, photographs, and cherished memorabilia for years to come.

In 2022, the Preservation Society of Asheville & Buncombe County purchased 32 Grail Street and Cappadocia Church to prevent demolition and protect their historic character. Following a full rehabilitation completed in 2025, 32 Grail was transferred to the Asheville-Buncombe Community Land Trust with 99+ years of deep affordability protections. Jessie Landl shares how preservation, adaptive reuse, and community partnership can expand affordable housing while resisting displacement and gentrification.

Rethinking how we manage our landscapes can make a powerful difference for local wildlife. In this informative session, Steve Pettis, Extension Agent in Consumer and Commercial Horticulture with NC State University, shares practical, environmentally friendly landscaping strategies. Discover how choosing native plants, removing invasives, supporting pollinators, and leaving fallen leaves can strengthen biodiversity and create healthier habitats for wildlife.

Every spring and fall, millions of birds pass over Western North Carolina along the Atlantic Flyway. In this engaging session, Danielle DiBella-Lenaway of Blue Ridge Audubon, joined by UNC Asheville students, shares practical ways homeowners can better support migratory birds. Discover strategies for bird-safe windows, responsible outdoor lighting, native plant selection, feeder placement, and clean water sources that help create a safer, more welcoming habitat right at home.

Understanding how your home is priced is essential to staying on budget and avoiding surprises. In this informative session, Greg Grooms of Blue Pinnacle Homes provides a clear overview of residential construction pricing models. He compares cost-plus and allowance-based approaches, explaining how each influences budgeting, selections, transparency, and the final cost of a custom home so homeowners can move forward with greater confidence.