Brevard North Carolina Real Estate Blog

The mountains of western North Carolina are especially spectacular this time of year. If you ask me, Fall is the best time of year. We usually start looking forward to leaf season around July. This year's Fall has been exceptional. Mother nature has treated us to another incredible display of color. Every bend in the road seems to be more beautiful than the last.

One thing we normally don't expect this time of year, however, is snow. But this morning we woke up to a dusting of the white stuff and flurries continued until mid morning when the sun began to have its way. Aside from the fact that it messed up my plans to play a bit of tennis this morning (inside courts are a wonderful thing!), the weather has heightened my natural affinity for hand made quilts, cuddly sweaters, and chili in front of a roaring fire.

We have friends who live here only part of the year and they have already gone back to their winter home in Florida where the temperatures are more to their liking. He starts to shiver when the temperatures drop below 80.  For me, though, I can't think any place I'd rather be than right here in the mountains around Brevard, North Carolina.

Ok, all you baseball fans...the World Series starts tonight. The Tampa Bay Rays and the Philadelphia Phillies square off in St. Petersburg, Fl. Personally, I'm thrilled to see the Rays finally make it to the big show. I lived in St. Petersburg for a long time and was there when the Trop (aka Tropicana Field) was built. Back then it didn't have any big corporate sponsor and it was called the Suncoast Dome. All of St. Petersburg was pinning it's downtown redevelopment hopes on major league baseball at that time. That was back in late 80's, early 90's. It's too bad that it's taken this long to get the right mix of management and players...but here they are...playing at home in the first world series in franchise history!

So...any predictions on who will take the title? The Rays took the play offs to a nail biting 7 games...will my heart hold out for more of the same?

Batter up!

Sunday was one of those days when the weather made it impossible to stay inside. The sky was that amazing shade of North Carolina blue, the temperatures were in the mid 50's, and the Blue Ridge Parkway was calling my name. So I packed a sandwich and something to drink, loaded Abby, our 13 year old chocolate Lab, into the back seat of my car, and headed out for what I just knew would be a spectactular day.  I wasn't disappointed!

To get to the Parkway, I took SR 215 N, a winding road that brought me though a tunnel of fall color, through the small mountain community of Balsam Grove; past churches and century old cabins; a trout farm; creeks, and campgrounds.  Most of the time, there were no cars in front of me and if another driver happen to come up from behind, I would find a place to pull over to let them pass so I could poke along at my own speed, enjoying the ride. Every turn in the road was a photo opp, a treat for all my senses.

When I was a kid, we often came to this area on summer vacation and it drove me crazy when my dad would stop at every Scenic Overlook on the way to our destination. Somehow, as I drove along the Parkway on this particular Sunday the idea made perfect sense. Every stop afforded a different view of these amazing Blue Ridge mountains. My final stop was at the highest point that is accessible to motorists - it's a view from over 6,000 feet. People were picnicking, taking pictures, or simply standing together, staring out at Mother Nature's annual color show. There were no talks of politics, no one lamenting about mortgages or the drop in home values; no one was debating the war or the price of gas. There seemed to be a collective sense of peace and appreciation for what was around us. 

The 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway began as a Depression-era work project in the 1930's and took a half a century to complete. It connects the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia and the Great Smokey Mountains National Park in North Carolina. The ironic comparison to the days when the Parkway was built and the turbulent economic days we're living in now is not lost on me. But neither is the fact that while the Blue Ridge Parkway was designed to connect two of our country's national parks, it is also the kind of place that connects us a people, giving us a beautiful piece of common ground on which to stand.

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For more information about things to do in and around Brevard, North Carolina
visit the Clay Team online.

All of my family is from the south. In fact, I can't think of a single "northerner" in my family tree. So when I was growing up greens were a staple in our diet. Turnip greens, mustard greens, collards, kale...it was all good. The only way I ever knew to cook greens was in a pot of water and seasoned with ham hocks or occasionally some Virginia ham. Even as a kid, I remember taking a coffee cup and dipping out some "pot liqueur" to drink while the turnip greens were simmering. Most of the time, greens would end up on our table along side buttermilk corn bread and some pinto beans...or maybe my mama's fried chicken..or some pork chops.

But lately, I've been working on a new way to cook kale. I haven't tried this with any other green, but this has become a regular in our house. The fact that kale is really good for you can't hurt! According to wikipedia:

 "Kale is considered to be a highly nutritious vegetable with powerful antioxidant properties and is anti-inflammatory. Kale is very high in beta carotene, vitamin K, vitamin C, lutein, zeaxanthin, and reasonably rich in calcium.  As with Broccoli and other brassicas, kale contains sulforaphane a chemical believed to have potent anti-cancer properties, particularly when chopped.

It does come with a warming though: Because of its high vitamin K content, patients taking anti-coagulants such as warfarin are encouraged to avoid this food since it increases the vitamin K concentration in the blood which is what the drugs are often attempting to lower. This effectively raises the effective dose of the drug."

All that being said....here's my version of kicked up kale. If you try it, let me know what you think of it!

One large or two small bunches of fresh kale - washed and leaves removed from the stems

1 large shallot chopped or slivered

about 2 Tb of olive oil

Pancetta or country ham pieces chopped - about a small handful

1 Tb Apple cider vinegar

In a deep pot, on medium heat, add the olive oil. Add the chopped pancetta or country ham pieces (the pancetta is better but if you can't find it, country ham is a decent alternative. This is for seasoning purposes so adjust to suit your tastes). As the pancetta begins to render, add the chopped shallots. While the pancetta and shallots saute, chop the kale leaves. I like to roll them in bunches and make a chiffonade, but chopping them is fine too. When the shallots have softened, start adding the chopped kale. Like spinach, it cooks down so keep adding it to the pot until it's all in there. Toss the ham, shallots, and kale so it is all coated. Add a couple of grinds of fresh black pepper and salt to taste. Put the lid on it and let it simmer on low. There is no water in this so the kale is basically sauteed. You can add a TB of water if you want, though, to help it along. Cover, and cook for about 20 min on low to medium heat or until the kale is tender. Since there is no water, be sure the heat isn't too high or it will burn. Right before serving, add about 1 TB of apple cider vinegar and toss.

Like turnip greens, we like our kale with a healthy splash of pepper vinegar too.

Enjoy!

LAND SALES IN HENDERSON COUNTY

In September the average land sale in Henderson County was $101,870 which represented a drop from August when it was $144,032, but an increase over the same time last year when the average was $95,844.

The average days on market was 349 days which was up significantly from August when it was 171 days, but down from last year when the average was 409 days.

LAND SALES IN TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY

In Transylvania County, the average land sale in September was $162,414. This was a significant increase over last month when it $94,036 and a slight increase over last year when the average was $153,003.

The average days on market was 232 days, down from 383 in August as well as the same time last year when the average was 338.

Statistical data provided by the WNC Regional MLS.

For more information about residential lots, investment property, and raw acreage in the

Hendersonville or Brevard areas, contact the Clay Team.

AVERAGE RESIDENTIAL CLOSING PRICE

September numbers are back down to reality. In August I reported that according to our MLS numbers, the average residential closing in Transylvania County was $536,148. However, since Lake Toxaway, a very high end community where homes routinely sell for millions of dollars, is part of our MLS, whenever a home sells in that community, it causes all sorts of spikes in our otherwise consistent data.

In September the average closing price was $217,152. A year ago, the average was $244,503.

AVERAGE DAYS ON MARKET

The average days on market for homes closed during September was 132 days. In August that number was 266 days. However, just as sales in the Lake Toxaway area affect our selling prices, it also affects the days on market statistics because homes in that area are typically on the market longer.

In September 2007 the average was 164 days.

PERCENT OF LISTING PRICE

This particular group of numbers has been a wild ride this month. The selling price for homes in the $100-$300K price range remained stable selling at about 96% of the asking price.For the first time in a year, though, homes in the $300-$400K range sold for less than 95% of the asking price. Homes in the $400-$500K range were up, though, selling for around 96%. In the price range of $500K and up, homes are still selling for about 97% of the asking price. But that number is actually down from the same time last year when homes sold for almost the asking price.

Statistical data provided by the WNC Regional MLS

For more information about residential sales in Transylvania County, contact the Clay Team.

Mention western North Carolina or the Blue Ridge mountains and most people think of all the outdoor activities that make the area so popular. But Brevard is also home to a rich and active arts community.

There are a 11 galleries in the Brevard area and 5 are right on Main Street in downtown. On the fourth Friday of every month they stay open late for visitors during the Gallery Walk. Take a stroll down Main Street and you'll discover the works of local artists, world renowned artists, and some of our area's emerging talent. Throughout downtown you'll also find five murals and 14 award-winning sculptures that are part of a public arts project. While you're at it, don't miss the "Scenic 276 Arts Corridor" and the many galleries and studios that dot this mountain road. (Hwy. 276 is the main road leading into Brevard from the South Carolina border.)

For a complete listing of galleries, classes, and performances, visit www.artsofbrevard.org. The site even has a feature that will help you build an itinerary so you don't miss a thing! Visit us today for a complete list of things to do in Brevard, NC.

Hey you ghouls and goblins, it's time to get registered for the 28th Annual Flight of the Vampire 5K Certified Race in Brevard, North Carolina located where else... but Transylvania County. The race is being held on Saturday, October 25, 2008. Check in starts at 3:30 pm on Saturday and the race begins at 5:30 pm. You can pre-register for $20. After October 20th, the cost is $25.  All race participants receive a FREE long-sleeve t-shirt. Medals will be awarded to each age category for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.

Proceeds benefit the many community projects supported by the Brevard Rotary Foundation, Inc. For more information, call 828-507-1259 or 828-883-4888.

The Flight of the Vampire Race is part of downtown Brevard's Halloween Fest, an annual family-fun event in downtown Brevard.

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For more information about things to do in the Brevard, North Carolina area
 visit the Clay Team online today!

If you love music, you'll love this site. As the promo says it's like creating your own radio station with only the music you enjoy. I have ITunes on my computer that I often have on when I'm working, but this is even better because I can customize it to suite only my preferences.

Let's say you're a James Taylor fan (or Def Leppard...it's your choice). You can create a "station" that plays nothing but James Taylor music. Now, let's say you also like Yo-Yo Ma. So you create a station with his music. You can listen to one station with only that music...or once you set up multiple "stations" you hit mix and it shuffles all your "stations".  No commercials and you hear only the music from the stations you've created with artists you choose. It will also suggest other artists similar to the one you've chosen so you can expand your repertoire of music and add them to any of your stations. I haven't done it yet, but it says you can also share you mix with friends.

And if you like knowing the back story to a particular artist or song, there are videos to watch.

Check it out at www.pandora.com

Bald Rock is a spectacular mountain community located among cascading waterfalls, flowing streams, and the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains in western North Carolina. It is the place where discriminating buyers from across the country come to escape the hassle of city life. It's far from the roar of highways and far from ordinary. This 776 acre private, gated-community is located near Cashiers, North Carolina. It borders Panthertown, a 6,700 acre National Forest. With its estate size lots, and exceptional mountain beauty, it's no wonder residents call it a Civilized Wilderness.

Within the confines of Bald Rock, you'll find hiking trails, mountain waterfalls, and miles of horseback riding trails. The private equestrian center offers complete boarding services, paddock, and riding arena.

This 5.67 acre tract is bank-owned and now available at a greatly reduced price. A road has been partially cut in leading to the suggested home site where, with some clearing, you can enjoy spectacular mountain views.

For additional information about this opportunity, contact the Clay Team today. 

Carol Clay: 828-551-6290 or Robert Clay 828-551-6291.