Brevard North Carolina Real Estate Blog

Gallery walk in Brevard is always a great time to be downtown.

The art galleries are open late, the restaurants are busy, and people are milling around in a congenial atmosphere. Friday was this month's Gallery walk but with a new twist. Live music. Not just OK live music...but GREAT live music. It was all a part of the kick off to the Arts and Culture Week June 27- July 4. The concert started with the Marc Yaxley trio which was followed by the Firecracker Jazz Band. Main Street was closed down at the east end where the stage was set up. People of all ages began gathering with their folding chairs and before you knew it, they were dancing in the streets.

It was a beautiful night...temperatures in the low 70's, a nice breeze was blowing...and as Robert and I were enjoying the music from our perch on a nearby curb, I thought to myself WOW...what a great place to be on a Friday night. In fact, there was no where else I would have rather been!

I don't know about you, but I'm tired of all the bad news...the distorted news...the doomsday news. In this information age, we are deluged with news and there's nothing wrong with being informed. The problem is, the information we get, especially from the media, is filtered through the biases of the media itself. The political races are a good example. How can anyone really make an informed decision when all we ever hear is what the media wants us to hear. Is any of it really fair and balanced? I don't think so.

The same is happening with the real estate market. For the past year, I've made it my mission to remind people that real estate is regional. And like the weather...just because it's raining in one part of the country, doesn't mean it's raining everywhere. That being said, I'm not so naive and unaware to say that everything is sunshine and roses in our market. It has slowed for sure. But it's also a tremendous time to be buying. Prices are adjusting and sellers are negotiating. Look, you can't have a sellers market and a buyers market at the same time. Right now, we have a buyer's market. And if you are like millions of other people in this country who have a job and have taken care of your credit, you can get some great deals. What's wrong with that message?

Our local news recently reported that foreclosures are up 96% in our area. Before anyone jumps to the conclusion that all of Transylvania County is in foreclosure, you must consider that it's all relative. If I sold one house last year and this year I sold two houses, that would be a 100% increase in sales over last year. Wow! I sure like the sound of that! So, what does 96% mean? In a market that typically doesn't see alot of foreclosures, I suspect the actual number isn't so scary.

My homework for this week is to find out what that 96% really means and report back.

If you have been considering a seasonal or year round home in the beautiful mountains of western North Carolina, let me introduce you to this home in Burlingame at Sapphire Lakes. Situated between Brevard and Cashiers, NC, Burlingame is a casual country club setting with one of the finest championship golf courses in North Carolina. You'll also find top notch tennis courts, fitness center and pool, and fine dining in the club house. It's the kind of place where you can do as much, or as little as you choose.

This newly remodeled home sits on the 3rd tee box with a year round view of Hogback Mountain. From the covered front porch, you can relax and listen to the sounds of the Horsepasture River across the street. Or, take a short walk to the park and enjoy the waterfalls. It's a great mountain lifestyle...or a great escape. For more information visit our virtual tour at http:www.sapphirelakeshome.com or contact us at 828-551-6290. (KW Broker/Owner)

Highlights and Features

• 2074 sf, 3 bedrooms, 3 full baths, plus 4 season Carolina Room.
• Newly painted inside and out.
• All new kitchen with knotty alder cabinets, granite counters, upgraded stainless appliances, new hardwood floor.
• Spa inspired master suite with hardwood floors. Granite counters, vessel sinks, and river stone shower floor in bath.
• Guest suite features private full bath.
• Wooded 1 acre lot on the golf course with a year round mountain view.
• Low maintenance landscaping.                                          

There's just something special about celebrating Independence Day in a small town like Brevard, NC.

Maybe it's because around here, people still stop and speak to each other on the street. And when they ask how you're doing, they really want to know. Maybe it's the strong sense of community that can be hard to find in a big city. Whatever it is, it's a great place to be as we celebrate the freedoms we all enjoy.

If you're lucky enough to be in western North Carolina over the holiday weekend, take a day and come on over to Brevard. The day will start with a 5K run and end with a Fireworks Extravaganza. In between is the Arts Council's 36th Annual Fine Arts & Craft Showcase, the annual classic car show, kids activites, live music, a bike parade, the traditional reading of the Declaration of Independence and more.

If you're looking for a slice of Americana this Fourth of July weekend, you'll find it on Main Street in Brevard, NC. For more details, visit http://www.brevardnc.org/fourthjuly.php Come see us...or look for us on You Tube!

A few days ago some friends of ours who live in the Etowah area, (about a 45 min drive from here) came to visit us. They relocated to western North Carolina from Florida about 6 months after we did but had never really taken the time to discover what the Lake Toxaway, Sapphire, Cashiers area is all about. We were more than happy to play tour guide and Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors. As it turns out, it was as if the Chamber of Commerce had made special arrangements for the weather that particular day. It was a spectacular day with clear North Carolina blue skies, a light breeze, low humidity, and temperatures around 75. Perfect June weather in the mountains. We all still recall how hot and humid Florida is this time of year and there was a collective sigh of appreciation as we ventured out with our car's sun roof wide open.

As we made our way west on Hwy 64, we pointed out the various golf courses and made a brief stop at Fairfield Lake where people were enjoying a day of canoeing, swimming, and picnicing.

The highlight of our afternoon was the Cornucopia restaurant in Cashiers. There's no better place for great food and their house speciality...buttermilk pie. Yum Yum. This building has been a part of the landscape here since the early 1900's. They don't have a website so if you're in the Cashiers area and need directions, let me know.

In an earlier post, I reviewed the market conditions in Transylvnia County, North Carolina. Transylvania County is best known for Brevard, Pisgah Forest, Connestee Falls, Sapphire, Lake Toxaway, and other popular communities.

Today I want to take a look at Henderson County which is east of Transylvania and includes Hendersonville.

Both counties are popular vacation and relocation destinations, but differ considerably in population. Transylvania County population is 29,880 and Brevard is 6,829.  The population of Henderson County is nearly four times greater at 100,107 and Hendersonville population is 12,499.

Overall, Henderson County numbers have also dropped this past year as the market shifted.

In May 2007, there were a total of 167 residential closings compared to May 2008 when there were 116. Like Transylvania County, the greatest number of closings were in the $100K-$300K price range.

The average sales price however, has barely changed. In May 2007 it was $237,242 compared to May 2008 at $239,615. Transylvania County had much higher jump in the average selling price over the past year.

The number of days on market in Henderson County in May 2007 was 170 compared to 167 in May 2008.                                        

For more area market information contact the Clay Team at www.brevardncproperty.com

Data furnished by WNC Regional MLS, LLC

In this part of western North Carolina, everyone has their own way of making pimento and cheese. One thing is for sure though, if you go to a party, someone's bringing pimento and cheese. I grew up in the south and as far as I can tell, this is a dish that is as much a part of southern hospitality as sweet tea on a hot summer day. Enjoy ya'll.

(This is my own recipe and I have made it so many times, I don't measure any more, so feel free to adjust to your personal tastes). This is a party size recipe.

16 oz extra sharp yellow cheddar

8 oz extra sharp white cheddar

8 oz pepper jack cheese

Appox. 8 oz sour cream

12 oz jar of roasted peppers

about a cup or so of good mayonaise

pinch of salt

cracked black pepper

Dice the roasted red peppers and set aside to drain.

Grate all the cheese using either a box grater or a food processor. Either way, make sure the cheese is really cold so it doesn't get mushy. Sometimes I'll do half in the processor and half with the box grater so I get a chunkier spread.

Toss the cheeses so they are well distributed. Add a pinch or so of salt and a couple of grinds of black pepper. Toss in the roasted peppers and start mixing in the sour cream and mayonaise. It should be creamy, but still slightly chunky. If you prefer to use all mayonaise, that's fine, but the sour cream adds a nice spark to the flavor.

Adjust the salt, mayo, and sour cream to taste. Place in the fridge for at least an hour or so before serving. Serve as a spread with your favorite hearty cracker. Also good for making finger sandwiches.

Variations: I personally like a bit of japaleno pepper in my pimento and cheese. If you don't like japaleno, adding a dash of cayenne pepper instead is also classic.

There are many things that make Brevard, North Carolina an ideal destination for a summer visit. The higher elevation means cool mountain air, but it's also the kind of place where you can do as much...or as little as you choose because sometimes, just being here can be enough. As the saying goes, if you're lucky enough to be in the mountains...you're lucky enough.

So if you're looking for a way to escape the summer heat, check out our Top Ten list of things to do in Brevard, North Carolina

1. Rent a mountain bike (or bring your own) and discover Dupont State Forest on two wheels. It is considered by many to be ground zero for some of the best mountain biking in the southeast.

2. Take in a performance at the Brevard Music Center. Every summer, 400 of the worlds's most talented music students join professional musicians for a rigourus schedule of instruction and collaboration. This years "class" will present more than 80 public performances between June 27 and August 10. 

3. Cool off and have a blast at Sliding Rock a 60 ft natural rock waterslide.

4. Go canoeing or kayaking on the French Broad River.

5. Learn to fly fish. This part of NC offers up some of the best fly fishing you're going to find in western North Carolina.

6. Shop...eat...shop some more...stop for a gelato or a piece of fresh made local chocolate...shop...then finish the day with a bite to eat at any of our great downtown eateries.

7. Go hiking. With Dupont State Forest, Pisgah National Forest, and Gorges State Park all nearby, you'll have plenty of choices. 

8. Learn something new at the Cradle of Forestry. The story of the birth of forestry in America is told here through exhibits, guided tours along historic sites, and interpretive programs. Or stop off at the Pisgah Center of Wildlife Education and take in one of their programs or events.

9. Pick up local made pottery at one of the many craft studios in the area. Many also offer classes throughout the summer months for all ages.

10. Discover Transylvania County's waterfalls. There are over 260 in the area to keep you busy.

For more ideas, visit us at www.brevardncproperty.com

Caution: Once you're here...you may find you never want to leave!

Today's sudden passing of Tim Russert should serve as a sobering reminder that we never know how much time we have on this earth and how important it is to have our priorities in order.

Evidently he had just returned from a trip to Italy with his wife and son where they were celebrating his son's graduation from college.  I can only imagine the optimism, the hope, and the joy they shared as a family and how many talks they must have had about the future. How could anyone have predicted that when he stepped on the plane to return home ahead of them, that it would be the last time they saw each other. My heart breaks for his wife and son who had to make the long journey back to the states...alone. In a split second their family was ripped apart along with their dreams, and so many of their plans.

In any business, but especially real estate, it's easy to work too many hours and spend too much time at the office. Monday's here, and before you know it, it's Sunday nite and you wonder where the time went.

Today, make sure you tell the people you love that you care about them...take the time to relax and then enjoy the moment...take a deep breath and be grateful. You never know what is around the next corner.