Brevard North Carolina Real Estate Blog

Fall has officially arrived here in the mountains, bringing with it, shorter days and cool, crisp air - both necessary ingredients for a great leaf season. In higher elevations like Cashiers and Highlands just west of Brevard, North Carolina you can already see the subtle change from green to yellow on some of the maple trees, and splashes of burgundy have begun to dot the mountain sides.

If you are planning a fall trip to the mountains of western North Carolina, experts tell us that peak leaf season should be starting around mid-October. Generally, you can count on great leaf color into early November and possibly through to Thanksgiving depending on weather. 

Fall is a great time of year for all sorts of outdoor activities here in the Brevard area. No matter where you are, you're surrounded by the incredible beauty of nature during this annual color show. Hiking is especially spectacular this time of year in  Pisgah Forest and nearby DuPont Forest.  If you are in the area the weekend of October 25, be sure to check out the fun at the 26th annual Halloween Fest and the 13th annual Old Time Music Festival Competition.  It all happens right on Main Street in the heart of downtown Brevard, North Carolina.

Of course, what would a trip to western North Carolina be without a trip along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Get the latest information about what's in bloom and other highlights along the Parkway to make the most of your visit.

So grab your sweaters and enjoy the season. For a complete list of things do and places to stay when you're in the Brevard area, just visit us online today.

I never played sports when I was growing up. No one in my family did. And although both of my parents graduated from colleges with strong football programs, we never dressed in team colors and gathered around the TV on Sunday afternoons to watch their teams play. We didn't notice the Army/Navy football game even though both of my parents were Navy veterans. The same familial indifference to sports applied to professional teams. Fact is, I can't remember a single moment from my past when sports was even a topic of discussion around the dinner table. Maybe this can explain my "issues" with competitiveness. For much of my life, I thought that being competitive was a bad thing and playing to win was a concept that eluded me. Does this mean that having a competitive spirit is a product of "nature" or "nurture". Is it something that some people are simply wired with or do we have to learn to be competitive?

When I was in Junior High School, I loved staying after school to watch the girls basketball teams compete, secretly marveling at their athleticism and their tenacity as they dug deep for that next jump shot. It never occurred to me that I could play sports, but I remember thinking "that is so cool!" Boys always competed in one thing or another. In sports especially, it was not only acceptable, but encouraged. But for girls to be aggressively and openly competitive...that was another story.

But somewhere along the line, I became a "closet" competitor. As my business career began to take off, I started to listen to that voice inside me that urged me to try harder...to do more...to go for it..to win! But I still couldn't do it openly. To be conspicuously competitive was like wearing shoes that were too tight. It just didn't feel right. In retrospect, maybe it was just a way to protect my ego in case I didn't win whatever it was I was competing for. After all, it was much easier to be nonchalant than to admit that losing mattered.

It's been over 40 years since I sat on the sidelines wanting to be more like those girls on the basketball court and a lot has changed. Now I can finally admit that I have a competitive spirit. There I said it!

I even play competitive league tennis these days. The operative word there is "competitive". When I first picked up a racquet, I told my husband it was just for the exercise. He was the one who kept encouraging me to play on a team. I had no experience at team sports, and besides, "I'm just not that competitive", I told him. That was 4 years ago and now I captain a team that is in a tight race among the top three in a league of 11 other teams. I even welcome the chance to be on the court with better players so I can learn more, but also because I get such a charge from winning a point off of them. Yea, I love winning. I love putting away a shot at the net that is a deciding point. And as much as I love winning, I can also openly admit now that I hate losing.

All of this holds true in our real estate business, too. It is that same competitive spirit that motivates me to keep trying in this dismal market. I openly rejoice in our victories, no matter how small. And frankly, I don't know if it is my distaste for losing or my joy of winning, but learning to embrace my own competitiveness has been a big part of my professional growth over the years. I will never be a cut throat competitor - the type of person who will stop at nothing to get what they want. And that's ok with me.

I believe that we all have to find that inner voice that encourages us "try harder...to do more...to go for it..to win". Every day, I remind myself that when we lose our will, we can also lose our way. It's hard to stay focused and positive when you work in a market like ours that is down 60%, but embracing my competitive spirit gets me up in the morning and motivates me to keep moving forward. So, in the end, even though I'm a little late coming into the game, I'm better prepared and ready to play. Put me in coach!

As Realtors, it's our job to price your home correctly, aggressively market the home, and insure that all necessary contracts and paperwork are done properly. But selling a home is a team effort and as the seller you play a critical role in getting your home sold.

Your biggest job is keeping your home in show ready condition. Yes, that's a lot of work and one of the more stressful things about selling a home. But we work with a lot of buyers and I can't stress enough how important it is to keep your home clean and decluttered. From their perspective, a home that is free of clutter and looks and smells clean translates to a home that has been well cared for. And that can translate to offers!

So what can you do to make sure your home is buyer friendly?

11 Things You Can Do To Make Sure Your Home Ready To Show

• The entryway into your home is going to set the tone for that all-important first impression. Make sure your front door and the area around it are clean, and free of things like spider webs, built up dust or debris. Repaint the front door if it's looking a little worn. A new doormat wouldn't hurt either. Place some seasonal plants near the entrance for that final "Welcome Home" touch. (Just be sure to keep those plants watered and maintained!)

• Clean the windows. Windex makes a great product that makes window cleaning a breeze! It hooks onto your garden hose. Spray it on...rinse it off...and voila! Sparkling clean windows. Especially good for windows in high places.

• Clear the kitchen counter of everything except the essentials. Counterspace is a premium and you want to show off every square foot of it. Store the Cuisinart, canisters, etc. in a cabinet. If you really don't foresee needing them, get a jump on packing and store them away.

• Don't store things like cereal, pots, etc. on top of the fridge. When a buyer sees that, they think "Not enough storage."
  
• Don't forget to clean your oven and dishwasher! Nothing says "ick" to a buyer like a dirty oven.
  

• Eliminate questionable kitchen smells. Run some chunks of fresh lemon or baking soda through your garbage disposal periodically.

• Clean the carpets. Once they're clean, protect them. If you have kids or just a lot of traffic, buy a roll of carpet protector for high traffic areas. It's what you see used in model homes.

• Lovingly store personal photos and the kids art work in an acid free photo box for the next house. You want buyers to be able to picture themselves in your home and not get distracted with your personal belongings. 

• Bathrooms -- there is no such thing as too clean when it comes to a bathroom. A new shower curtain and towels can help present a clean, fresh look. And make sure your tub and shower sparkle. Trust me when I tell you that buyers WILL pull back the shower curtain, or open the shower door to see what is behind it. Like your kitchen, stash your personal grooming things in a drawer or cabinet. Maximize your counter space. Buy some wonderful smelling bar soap and put it in an attractive soap dish. It works like an air freshener without the "Oh, that's air freshener" smell.

• Remove and store, or give away any unwanted or unused clothing so your closet appears more spacious. (Donate some of those things so you have less to move!)

• Consider replacing a worn out vinyl floor with vinyl tiles. They're not expensive and they're easy to install yourself. If you have dingy grout, consult a professional steam cleaner.
  
                                                                       ##

For more helpful hints on selling your home, visit the Clay Team online. Or drop us an email at carolclay@kw.com.

10:00 am 9/11/08

It's hard to believe that seven years ago today, about this time, planes were smashing into the Twin Towers in New York City, falling from the sky in Pennsylvania, and crashing into the Pentagon in DC, killing thousands of people, and forever changing the way we live as Americans. It was a moment in our country's history that will hopefully never be forgotten. Like D-day, the Kennedy assassination, the killing of Martin Luther King, people will remember where they were when they first heard the news.

I was home working when I got the call to turn on the TV.
I remember sitting on my bed watching it all unfold; my mind wanting to disbelieve what my eyes were seeing. Then the towers began to crumble and all I could do was cry. I cried for all the men and women who found no escape. And I cried for the families who were left behind...never having had the chance to say "I love you" one more time....never having the chance to say good-bye. And I cried for what we lost as a nation. I didn't care about the politics and cared even less about the finger pointing that ensued. All I knew was, at that moment, I no longer felt safe. I no felt like our country was invincible; that terrorism was something that happened in other countries, not ours!

In the days and weeks that followed that awful morning my heart swelled as patriotism seemed to consume the country. At no time in my life have I ever seen such an open display of "love of country." Flags flew, and for awhile, we were all a little nicer to each other. I suppose it was, to some degree, what my parents must have experienced during World War II when we, as a nation, rallied together as one.

Much has changed since September 11, 2001. The children who have been born since then will know nothing about this day except what they read in the history books, and hopefully what their parents tell them. And for all of us, there are things we can no longer take for granted. While I pray that it doesn't ever happen again, somewhere in the recesses of my mind, I remember. And mingled with those memories is the fear that if it happened once...it could happen again.

So today, I say a little prayer for the continued well being of our country, for the thousands of men, women, and children who died on this day, seven years ago, and for all the families who have bravely carried on without their loved ones.

If you're looking for an affordable home in a great neighborhood, close to town, you've found it! With 3 bedrooms and 2 full baths, it's a great opportunity for first time home buyers, investors, or anyone who is simply sizing down. Don't miss the huge garage with a workshop area....plus there's a second heated workshop below. Buy now and you'll be warming your toes by the fireplace in no time!

RESIDENTIAL SALES SUMMARY

Henderson County, NC, which includes Hendersonville and a number of surrounding communities, continues to hold relatively steady amid all the housing troubles that are plaguing our industry. In August this year, the area saw an increase in the number of homes sold compared to last month, as well as the same time last year. There were 165 residential closings in August and 49 of them in them were in the $100-$200K price range, a slight increase from July. There were 35 closings in the $200-$300K range, slightly off from last month. And 12 closings made it in the $300-$400 range, an increase over last month. With the August closings, the average selling price went up slightly to $248,309. The good news for sellers is that homes continue to sell for 95-96% of the asking price.

For more information about real estate in Henderson County, including Hendersonville, or Transylvania County including Brevard, contact the Clay Team. Or give us a call at 828-551-6290 or 828-551-6291.

RESIDENTIAL SALES SUMMARY - August 2008

RESIDENTIAL SALES SUMMARY

When you start crunching real estate numbers in Transylvania County, which includes Brevard and a number of neighboring communities, you must take into consideration that Lake Toxaway, a community where most homes are in the millions of dollars, is part of Transylvania County. So when there are sales in Lake Toxaway, it will skew the data for the whole MLS board. This is the case in August and to a lesser extent, July. In August, the average residential sales price soared to $536,148 which represents more than an 110% increase over June and more than a 50% increase from July. But August, and even July is not a good representation of housing costs in the Brevard area.For the most part the average selling price in the Brevard area continues to be in the mid $200,000 price range. Still an affordable place to call home.

The evidence of how data can be skewed is clear. There were 27 closings in August and 7 were over $500,000 (and well into the millions), 9 were in the $300-$400K range and 8 were in the $100-$200K range. For the first time in a year, there were no residential closings under $100K.

Homes continued to sell for 95-96% of the asking price.

For more information about the real estate market in Brevard, NC, visit the Clay Team online, or call us at 828-551-6290 or 828-551-6291.

Everyone has their favorite time of year. For us, it's fall. Maybe it's the cooler, drier air. Or maybe it's the the way the summer haze gives way to crystal clear views of the mountains that are ablaze in yellow, red, orange, and gold. It could be the smell of wood burning in our fireplace or the feel of being cozy and warm in a butter soft sweater. It may even be the fact that it's the start of football season. More than likely, it's all of those things that makes me look forward to the coming of fall, even when the calendar says August and the temperatures still hover in the 80's. Now, in the early weeks of September, here in the higher elevations, the leaves have begun an ever so subtle change, the shadows are getting longer as the days are getting shorter, and I know for sure that fall is just around the corner.

Fall is apple season here in the mountains so if you plan to visit the Hendersonville or Brevard area of western North Carolina, don't pass up the chance to do some of your own apple picking. It's a great way to spend the day and whether you choose to pick your own from a basket or from the tree, it's a tasty bounty.

Most of the apple orchards are located on Hwy. 64 heading east of Hendersonville. One of our favorites is Grandad's Apples N' Such. But there are numerous others to choose from including Creasman's Farm, Skytop Orchards, Hillcrest Orchard/J. H. Stepp Farm,  and Coston Farms. Most of these are family owned farms that have been part of the landscape and the mountain economy for decades.

Apple growing is big business in the Hendersonville area of North Carolina and represents 65% of the apples grown in the state. Apple season runs from late August through October so there's still plenty of time to take a bite out of this year's crop. 

Before I go any further, I should explain that this is not some sort of vampire fest. Transylvania County, home of Brevard, is located in beautiful western North Carolina and got it's name from its founders. In Latin it roughly means "Across the woods".

With that out of the way, let's talk about food! On September 16, you can sample food from 15 area restaurants at the annual Taste of Transylvania. Tasty samplings from the area's best restaurants is just the beginning though. There is a silent auction where you can bid on items that showcase our wonderful mountain lifestyle. And if that isn't enough, there's music by Mark Yaxley. We saw him perform at one of Brevard's gallery nights and hearing him again is worth the price of admission.

Taste of Translvania is being held at the Brevard Music Center to benefit Communities in Schools in Transylvania County (CISTC).

"CISTC champions the connection between community resources and the children, family and schools of Transylvania County to ensure that young people successfully learn, stay in school, and are prepared for life...Communities in Schools (CIS) is the anchor to the nation's leading community-based organization helping young people stay in school and prepare for life. Transylvania County's CIS office opened in July of 1991. CISTC responds to the needs of our community by creating community around young people and their families, and by bringing existing resources, services, parents, and volunteers into school and non-school sites. The result: Young people's needs are met, so they can concentrate on learning."

Advance tickets are $35 for adults ($40 at the door). Children 12 and under are $10 and kids under 3 get in free. For more information visit Taste of Transylvania online or call 828-885-7390.