Brevard North Carolina Real Estate Blog

With spring just around the corner, it's the perfect time to start planning a trip to the mountains of western North Carolina. Whether you're checking out Brevard, Asheville, Hendersonville or any of the small surrounding communities, there is no shortage of things to do or places to go.

March 12-14
22nd Annual Comedy Classic - Grove Park Inn, Asheville, NC
This is your chance to catch a weekend of great comedy acts, a comedy clinic, live music and even a cooking demonstration. The headliner is funny man Sinbad along with Kathleen Madigan and Vic Henley.  For more information, visit the Grove Park Inn online, or call 800-438-0050.

March 19-21 - Western North Carolina Home Show - Asheville Civic Center
Visit more than 250 exhibitors with products and services for the home. Visit wnchomeshow.com for details.

March 19-20 - Banff Film Festival - Porter Center, Brevard College - Brevard
Features some of the best films on mountain sports and cultures. Outdoor events including fly fishing, canoe trips, rock climbing and more are availble for a fun-filled weekend. For more information, visit online at Brevard.edu.

March 20 - Shindig on the Green Fundraiser "A Celebration of Mountain Traditions"
Colonial Theater in downtown Canton
One of the area's most beloved and authentic cultural traditions featuring old-time music and dance.

March 21 - Blue Ridge Orchestra: A Celebration of Spring - Asheville
Masterworks concert at the Diana Wortham Theater featuring soloist Amy Lovinger performing Vivaldi's Concerto for Violin and Strings "Spring" from "The Seasons". For ticket information, call 828-650-0948.

March 27 & 28
Western North Carolina Orchid Society Show and Sale.  - North Carolina Arboretum
Enjoy the annual judging and bring home some new varieties from plant and supply vendors. For more information, visit onle at NCArboretum.org, or call 828-665-2492.

March 27-28 Bank of America US Open Whitewater competition.
Nantahala Outdoor Center. Two days of action packed racing. For more information call 800-232-7238

Saturdays Apri 3- June 19 - Guided Tours of the French Broad River - Brevard
There's nothing quite like an up close and personal view of the French Broad River and the many species of wildflowers and shrubs along the banks as you drift along the water in your canoe or kayaak. Your trip includes all gear, river shuttle and guide service. For reservations, call Headwaters at 828-877-3106.

Information provided by the Clay Team - a leading real estate sales and marketing team serving Brevard, Hendersonville, Asheville, and neighboring communities.

Burlingame at Sapphire Lakes is located at over 3500 ft elevation, in the mountains of western North Carolina. It's the kind of place where you can escape the summer heat, reconnect with friends, play some golf or tennis or just take relaxation to a whole new level.

This condominium for sale is the perfect spot for doing all of that and more. The main floor living area includes a large master suite that opens to an oversized screened porch, a spacious and bright living room, and a large kitchen. On the lower level, your friends and family can enjoy their own space with a private bedroom and bath and open deck.  Best of all, the only long drive you'll be making is on the golf course! This unit is conveniently located a short walk away from the club house and all it's amenities. Enjoy the club house, the state of the art fitness center and pool area, or grab a bite to eat at the grill.

If you're looking for a great "lock and leave" place to call home this summer...or all year long...you owe it to yourself to find out more! Aggressivley priced to sell. Being sold  furnished with few exceptions.

For more information on homes, land, and condos for sale in the mountains of western North Carolina, call the Clay Team - a leader in real estate sales and marketing.  Visit online at BrevardNCProperty.com, or call 828-551-6290 or 828-551-6291.

There were 16 single family homes and 2 condominiums sold in the Brevard NC market during February marking a slight increase over sales in January. In single family homes, 12 were sold in the $100,000-$300,000 price range, a trend that has been consistent over the last 14 months. At the other end of the price spectrum, one home sold in the $50,000 and lower range, and two sold in the $500,000-$1M range. There was one home sold in the price range of $300,000-$400,000.

Unlike many markets in the US today, home prices in western North Carolina have not dropped significantly and the values remain stable. In 2008, the average listing price was $335,781 and homes sold for 92% of the list.  In 2009, the average listing price rose to $340,297 and the homes sold for 90% of the list.

So far this year homes are selling for approximately 92% of the list price. In February, the average listing price for single family homes was $256,167 and the average selling price was $236,139. While there were only two condominiums sold, they faired even better with an average list price of $180,000 and average selling price of $177,500.

What has changed is the total number of homes being sold. Over the last three years there has been a decline in the total number of homes sold which is a reflection of a number of factors including scarce financing, hard hit retirement accounts, and a severe decline in home values in feeder markets like Florida. But even the overall decline has slowed dramatically. The greatest difference was between 2007 and 2008 when sales dropped 30%. But sales in 2008 compared to 2009 dropped only 17%.

For sellers, this means the buyers that are out there are looking for deals so making sure your home is properly staged and competitively priced is more important than ever. It’s a buyers market and the buyers know it. They expect more from a home and expect more in the way of a price reduction from the sellers.

Conversely, what many buyers don’t take into consideration is that, despite the decline in total sales, homes for sale in the Brevard NC area still sell at 90-92% of the listing price. This should be a signal to buyers that sellers have already adjusted their prices and with the exception of foreclosures and short sales, sellers are not generally compelled to sell their home at fire sale prices.

If you would like more information about homes for sale in the Brevard, NC area, or if you are considering putting your home on the market, contact the Clay Team at 828-551-6290 or 828-551-6291. You can visit us online at BrevardNCProperty.com.
The Clay Team is a leading real estate team in Brevard, NC with a name you can trust and the experience that matters!

There were 16 single family homes and 2 condominiums sold in the Brevard NC market during February marking a slight increase over sales in January. In single family homes, 12 were sold in the $100,000-$300,000 price range, a trend that has been consistent over the last 14 months. At the other end of the price spectrum, one home sold in the $50,000 and lower range, and two sold in the $500,000-$1M range. There was one home sold in the price range of $300,000-$400,000.

Unlike many markets in the US today, home prices in western North Carolina have not dropped significantly and the values remain stable. In 2008, the average listing price was $335,781 and homes sold for 92% of the list.  In 2009, the average listing price rose to $340,297 and the homes sold for 90% of the list.

So far this year homes are selling for approximately 92% of the list price. In February, the average listing price for single family homes was $256,167 and the average selling price was $236,139. While there were only two condominiums sold, they faired even better with an average list price of $180,000 and average selling price of $177,500.

What has changed is the total number of homes being sold. Over the last three years there has been a decline in the total number of homes sold which is a reflection of a number of factors including scarce financing, hard hit retirement accounts, and a severe decline in home values in feeder markets like Florida. But even the overall decline has slowed dramatically. The greatest difference was between 2007 and 2008 when sales dropped 30%. But sales in 2008 compared to 2009 dropped only 17%.

For sellers, this means the buyers that are out there are looking for deals so making sure your home is properly staged and competitively priced is more important than ever. It’s a buyers market and the buyers know it. They expect more from a home and expect more in the way of a price reduction from the sellers.

Conversely, what many buyers don’t take into consideration is that, despite the decline in total sales, homes for sale in the Brevard NC area still sell at 90-92% of the listing price. This should be a signal to buyers that sellers have already adjusted their prices and with the exception of foreclosures and short sales, sellers are not generally compelled to sell their home at fire sale prices.

If you would like more information about homes for sale in the Brevard, NC area, or if you are considering putting your home on the market, contact the Clay Team at 828-551-6290 or 828-551-6291. You can visit us online at BrevardNCProperty.com.
The Clay Team is a leading real estate team in Brevard, NC with a name you can trust and the experience that matters!

Looking for an online store where you can buy cool stuff and benefit a local animal rescue group? 

Check out Balloon Juice - a new online store where you can buy all sorts of gear including t-shirts, gym bags, aprons, hoodies and more.

And best of all, the proceeds all benefit Charlie's Angels Animal Rescue in Brevard, NC. 

Charlie's Angels is a group of volunteers dedicated to rescuing animals in Transylvania County, North Carolina. Every year hundreds of dogs who are found as strays, or abandoned by their owners, are brought in to the County's animal shelter.  That's where Charlie's Angels come in.  Through donations, the group is able to pay to have the animals spayed/neutered and brought up to date on their immunizations. From there we find rescue groups and foster homes. The Transylvania County Animal shelter is very small and space is limited so there are days when a dog's life is saved by only a matter of hours.

The group rescues an average of 30 dogs a month and because it is all volunteer, donations are always needed. This past month, a generous couple donated the funds to purchase 14 special beds for the shelter dogs. Without these beds, many were sleeping on cold concrete floors.

If you'd like to help Charlie's Angels, visit Balloon Juice today! And for up to date information on the animal rescue efforts in the Brevard area, animals that are available for adoption, and helpful animal care articles, you can also visit their new blog at www.BrevardNCAnimalRescue.com.

Cold Weather Animal Care

Between our weekly snows and temperatures in the single-digits, winter has been brutal this year.  For animals living outside, sometimes even their fur coats aren't enough to keep them alive.  A few simple steps can help protect your animals during cold temperatures.  Please review these cold weather tips and keep your pet safe:

• Keep pets inside.  If animals can't be inside, provide a warm, comfortable place.  Face shelter away from wind and provide a flap or door to help keep the animal's body heat inside.
• Bedding is essential.  It insulates the animal from the snow and ice underneath the body and allows the animal to retain heat within the bedding.  Straw is an inexpensive alternative.
• Cats may sleep under the hoods of cars to stay warm.  If you have outdoor felines in your neighborhood, bang loudly on the car hood before starting the engine to give the cat a chance to escape or check under the hood before starting your car. 


• When walking your pet, keep them on leashes; they can't rely on their sense of smell in the snow and may become lost.
• Wipe of your dog's paws, legs and stomach after being outdoors to remove any ice, salt or chemicals.  Snow collecting between the toes of dogs can be very painful, and if large enough, obstruct blood flow to the toes.  Help your pet remove these collections of snow while you are out walking.  Dog boots would help eliminate this problem.
• Ice on walks is not only dangerous for us two-legged creatures, but for our four-legged friends as well.  Slipping on the ice is of special concern for older dogs that may already be stiff due to arthritis.
• Outdoor pets need more calories to produce body heat so extra food and water must be provided.  When the temperature is below freezing, you may need to increase calories by as much as 30%, depending on the pet and housing conditions.  Provide your pet with fresh, unfrozen water at all times.  Avoid stainless steel or metal bowls; instead, use heated buckets or bowls.
• Own a short-haired breed?  Consider getting him a coat or sweater with a high collar or turtleneck with coverage from the base of the tail to the belly.  For many dogs, this is regulation winter wear.
• Never leave your dog or cat alone in a car during cold weather.  A car can act as a refrigerator in the winter, holding in the cold and causing the animal to freeze to death.
• Thin ice on lakes is hazardous for people and animals.  Keep your pet away from lakes or other bodies of water which may have thin ice.
• A good common sense rule is if you need to bundle up from the cold, you also need to take steps to protect your pets.  Animals are susceptible to hypothermia and are most likely to get it when they are wet.  The signs of hypothermia are violent shivering followed by listlessness, apathy, a temperature below 97 degrees, and finally, collapse and coma.  If you believe your pet is suffering from hypothermia, consult your veterinarian.  Prevention is the best choice.

The dog pictured here is Oliver. Oliver is a sweetheart and chooses loving over treats. His owners left behind when they moved. He is available for adoption February 17. He is up to date on immunizations and will be neutered upon adoption or rescue. For more information on how you can adopt Oliver, visit him online at Pet Finder.