Brevard North Carolina Real Estate Blog

REDUCED $10,000!

NOW AVAILABLE FOR ONLY $155,00!

If you love the bungalow design, you'll love this home for sale in Hendersonville, North Carolina.  It is loaded with period charm including original hardwood floors, fireplace, doors, and more. The back yard is plenty big enough for kids and pets. Plus, this home is convenient to Flat Rock and downtown Hendersonville.

Cozy, comfy, and just right!

For more information, contact the Clay Team today at BrevardNCProperty.com, or call 828-551-6290.

Today's economic climate has spawned a whole new batch of "financial experts", each of whom have a different take on how to survive during these tough times. One of their gems of wisdom is the suggestion that you call your credit card companies and talk to them about lowering your interest rate. DON'T DO IT!

I got a call yesterday from a client/friend with an unbelievable story that further hardens my feelings for credit card companies.  This guy is in the construction business and through no fault of his own, his income has been greatly reduced this year because of the downturn in building in this area. But, he's paying his bills, making sacrifices, and doing all the right things to keep current on all his payments. Yesterday, he called his credit card company to see if he could get his interest rate lowered from the 12.99% he was paying to something more in line with his other credit cards which are around 6%. His balance on this card was around $5,000 and he had a credit limit of $13,000 so his ratio wasn't too bad. He had never been late, he wasn't past due.

Well, guess what...after talking to the credit department at FIA (they took over Wachovia's credit card business recently), and explaining his situation, not only did they NOT lower his interest rate, they immediately cut his credit limit to $5,500 which instantly maxed out his credit card. That may end up affecting his credit score or his ability to get any other lending assistance and ultimately make his situation even worse.

Let me be very clear about this. These blood sucking credit card companies don't care about you, or me, or anyone else. If you think for a second that you can call them and get a little help.....forget it. Their only concern is their bottom line....not yours.

The next time you hear anyone suggest that you can "negotiate" your credit card rate....feel free to laugh out loud. The only people who can "negotiate" a credit card rate successfully are people who don't really need the credit in the first place.

Who says people aren't buying real estate?

We just closed on a residential lot that we had on the market for 12 days. We have a closing on a home this week that we sold in under 90 days. And another closing next week on a home we sold that had been on the market for only about 2 weeks before we brought the buyer!

Best of all, despite the dire news about lending, we haven't had a client yet that couldn't get solid financing.

What we haven't seen are people lining up or even asking about the $8,000 first time home buyer incentive. The effectiveness of that little nugget remains to be seen.

The real estate market in western North Carolina, including the areas in and around Hendersonville, Pisgah Forest, Connestee Falls, and Brevard, is very seasonal. Typically, the “buying season” starts in the spring, sometime before Memorial Day and peaks during the summer months. After the kids start going back to shool business slows slightly but picks up again during the leaf season. After Thanksgiving, or the end of leaf season (whichever comes first), the streets are quiet until the following spring when we ramp up once again.

This year has been no exception and while the overall numbers are reflective of the downturn in the economy, the pattern is the same.

In Henderson County, there were 111 homes closed during the month of June, a 29% increase over May, but only a very slight increase over June 2008 when there were 108 closings. Much like the neighborhing Brevard area in Transylvania County, the largest number of sales occured in the $100-$300K price range. There were 13 closings at $100K or less; 44 at $100k-$200K; and 34 closings in the $200-$300K price range. Homes in the $300-$400K price range had 12 closings. And there 4 closings in the $400-$500K range and in the $500K and up price range.

The average selling price in June was $220,091, only slightly higher than May, but it was a 20% drop from June 2008. The median price was $197,000, only a $10,000 increase over May and an 8% drop from the year before.

For more information about homes and land for sale in the Hendersonville or Brevard  area, visit the Clay Team online at brevardncproperty.com, or call 828-551-6290/551-6291.

The real estate market in western North Carolina, specifically the Brevard area, is very seasonal and typically ebbs and flows in synch the visitor industry. Season will begin in the spring, usually around May, followed by a peak during the summer months. Business slows after the kids start going back to shool but peaks again during the leaf season. After Thanksgiving, or the end of leaf season (whichever comes first), the streets are quiet until the following spring when we ramp up once again.

This year has been no exception and while the overall numbers are reflective of the downturn in the economy, the pattern is the same.

In June there 25 residential closings, a marked uptick from May when there were only 14 homes closed.  For the first time since February, homes in the $200K to $300K price range outpaced any other bracket with a total of 9 closings. In the $100K-$200K range, the numbers dropped off slightly from 9 closings to 5. There were 5 closings in the $300K-$400K range, the most significant increase in that price range since October 2008.  Two homes closed in the $400K-$500K range, an increase from the month before. And 3 homes closed in the $500K and up price range, marking the best month in that price range since December 2008.

As a result, the average closing price in June increased to $292,280, a 42% increase over May. It is also nearly a 13% increase over June 2008. The median price was $274,000 for a 39% increase over May and a 29% increase over the same time last year.

For more information about homes and land for sale in the Brevard, NC area, visit the Clay Team online at brevardncproperty.com, or call 828-551-6290/551-6291.

This is a wonderful, historic 1930 Arts and Crafts bungalow in Asheville, NC. It's been loved and well cared for over the years but it is about to become another victim of our down economy. If you appreciate the warmth and character of an older home, this is your opportunity to buy at a greatly reduced price!

The home sits on a 1 acre lot and is also zoned CB1 so it can be used for residential or commercial use. With over 2,000 sf, it's perfect for a family or a myriad of business uses.  Inside you'll find original hardwood floors throughout, an updated and cozy country kitchen, updated baths throughout, and many other updates. There is an additional outbuilding that could be used as an art studio, storage, or fitness room. 

Originally listed at $415,000, it is now available for $299,900!

For more information, call Robert Clay at 828-551-6291 or Carol Clay at 828-551-6290. Hurry!! Foreclosure date is August 5, 2009.

Clay Team - BrevardNCProperty.com