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Where Are People Moving To and From?

2012-01-27T06:56:00.000-08:00

by The KCM Crew on January 27, 2012

Year-Round Panoramic Views at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove

2012-01-25T06:56:00.000-08:00

273 Secluded Hills Lane, 33
Arden, NC 28704

Offered at $599,995
MLS #511873

10 Great Sunny Places to Retire

2012-01-24T12:03:00.000-08:00

Best Places to Retire 2012

10 Great Sunny Places to Retire

If bright skies and warm temperatures are on your must-have list, these cities fit the bill

from: AARP | January 2012

Asheville, North Carolina

Miles of single track trails lead to blue skies in and around Asheville, N.C. — © Harrison Shull / Shullphoto

Asheville has changed significantly since its heyday as a summer retreat for wealthy scions named Rockefeller and Vanderbilt. But it is still a serenely beautiful town in the Blue Ridge Mountains with some of the best early 20th-century architecture in the South. It's also a major center for the arts and for outdoor recreation, bolstered by glorious weather for much of the year.

Asheville was named the sixth-best place in the U.S. for business and careers by Forbes magazine a few years back, although more people tend to come here for the cultural offerings: Local artists pack into frequent crafts fairs and display their work in the city's Pack Square gallery district, which includes museums and the 500-seat Diana Wortham Theatre. Live music is on offer in many venues, including the venerable Orange Peel. The city has numerous independent bookstores, including the community epicenter Malaprop's. The Asheville Symphony performs in the 2,300-seat Thomas Wolfe Auditorium.

Other attractions include the Biltmore Estate, a 19th-century mansion built by George Washington Vanderbilt, and the surrounding historic district. Architectural highlights downtown include the tile dome of St. Lawrence Church and the pink-roofed art deco city hall.

Drawbacks? The cost of living here is in the top one-quarter of all metros in the U.S. — fueled in large part by housing prices — while the median household income is in the bottom quarter.

But the share of the population aged 65 and older is high, reflecting an influx of affluent retirees. UNC, Asheville has one of the largest lifelong learning centers in the country, accounting for about half the of the university's 3,400 students.

Take in the oft-sunny weather in Great Smoky Mountains National Park or seek serenity amid the pines of the Pisgah National Forest. The region is crisscrossed with hiking, mountain biking and equestrian trails. Local streams offer trout fishing and some, like the French Broad River, draw whitewater kayakers.

Asheville boasts several hospitals and ample doctors for a town its size. Mission Hospital has won awards for stroke care and also operates a research center. The area is also a Mecca for massage, acupuncture, herbal medicine and other alternative treatments. But sometimes the best medicine is just taking a long walk in the hills around town.

Asheville, N.C.

Nearest major airport: Asheville Regional Airport, 11 miles

Mean price for a single-family home: $248,412

Median household income: $34,457

Population: 76,636

Number of residents over age 65: 14,024

Cost of living: Below average

Real estate sales end 2011 on positive note

2012-01-23T06:45:00.000-08:00

By Inman News, Friday, January 20, 2012.

Inman News®

Homes image via Shutterstock.com.

U.S. existing-home sales rose for the third straight month in December, finishing 2011 with a modest overall increase in sales from the year before, according to a report released today by the National Association of Realtors.

Sales of single-family homes, townhomes, condos and co-ops saw a 1.7 percent rise in 2011, to 4.26 million homes, from 4.19 million in 2010, the report said. Last month, NAR released adjusted estimates for home sales between 2007-10. The 4.19 million cited for sales in 2010 is the "rebenchmarked" figure. Previously reported median home prices or months' supply of homes for sale were not affected by NAR's rebenchmarking.

In December, existing-home sales rose 3.6 percent year over year and 5 percent month to month, to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.61 million. The national median home price fell 2.5 percent last month, to $164,500.

Existing-home sales (December 2011)

Seasonally adjusted annual rate	4.61 million
% change from Dec. 2010	3.6%
% change from November 2011	5%
National median price	$164,500
% change from Dec. 2010	-2.5%
Unsold inventory (months' supply)	6.2
Share of all-cash buyers	31%
Share of investor buyers	21%
Share of first-time buyers	31%
Share of distressed sales	32%

Source: National Association of Realtors.

On a monthly basis, unsold inventory fell 9.2 percent in December to 2.38 million, which represents a 6.2-month supply at the current sales pace -- the lowest inventory level since March 2005, the report said.

"The inventory supply suggests many markets will see prices stabilize or grow moderately in the near future," said Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, in a statement.

Article continues below

Distressed homes, sold at an average 22 percent discount, accounted for 32 percent of sales last month (19 percent were foreclosures, 13 percent were short sales), down from 36 percent in December 2010, the report said.

All-cash buyers, most of whom are investors, accounted for 31 percent of purchases last month, up from 29 percent a year ago, according to a separate NAR survey. Investors accounted for 21 percent of sales in December, up from 20 percent a year ago. The share of first-time buyers in the market fell to 31 percent of sales from 33 percent in December 2010.

Regionally, the Midwest saw sales rise the most on a yearly basis last month: up 9.5 percent, to 1.04 million. Sales rose 8.3 percent in December compared to the previous month. The region saw the largest median price slip compared to a year ago: down 7.9 percent to $129,100.

The Northeast saw the biggest monthly sales increase, up 10.7 percent to an annual rate of 620,000. The region's year-over-year increase was smaller, 3.3 percent. The Northeast's median sales price fell 2.7 percent on an annual basis, to $231,300.

In the South, sales rose 3.5 percent year over year and 2.9 percent month to month in December, to 1.76 million. The region's median sales price dipped 1.1 percent to $146,900.

The West was the only region to see existing-home sales fall on a yearly basis. Sales decreased by 0.8 percent last month to 1.19 million. On a monthly basis, however, sales rose 2.6 percent. The West also saw the only annual increase in median sales price, a slight 0.3 percent uptick to $205,200.

In a separate report released Tuesday, the California Association of Realtors reported sales of existing single-family homes in the Golden State posted an annual increase for the sixth straight month in December.

December's year-over-year increase was a slight one, 0.1 percent, to a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 520,940. On a month-to-month basis, sales rose 3.3 percent. The statewide median sales price fell 6.2 percent from December 2010, to $285,920.

"Fourth-quarter sales were stronger than we expected, thanks to recent improving consumer confidence and an economy that's slowly showing signs of growth. As a result, sales came in slightly above our fall projection," said Leslie Appleton-Young, CAR's vice president and chief economist, in a statement.

"For 2011 as a whole, sales reached a preliminary 497,860 homes sold statewide, up 1.1 percent from the 492,290 homes sold in 2010. However, the statewide median price declined 6.3 percent for the year, to reach a preliminary $285,950, down from the revised $305,010 recorded in 2010.

"Home prices are stabilizing for the distressed market, where we see robust demand, but we continue to see downward pressure on home prices in some higher-end markets."

Creating Wealth Through Homeownership – The Proof

2012-01-17T06:50:00.000-08:00

Creating Wealth Through Homeownership – The Proof

by Ken H. Johnson on January 17, 2012

Today, we are honored to have Ken H. Johnson, Ph.D. — Florida International University (FIU) and Editor of the Journal of Housing Research as our guest blogger. To view other research from FIU, visit http://realestate.fiu.edu/. - The KCM Crew

Several real estate economists have shown that the average homeowner accumulates more overall wealth than the average renter.[i] However, it is not clear how this is done. Is it that owned property usually appreciates at such a rate that, after considering leverag, returns to ownership are extraordinarily high? Said another way, might homeowners accumulate more overall wealth because ownership is a great levered equity creator through property appreciation? Or, is it that owners acquire greater wealth, on average, because they are systematically paying down a mortgage thereby creating equity thanks to loan amortization? In other words, paying off property creates wealth.
In ongoing research being conducted by Beracha and Johnson,[ii] these and other questions concerning homeownership and the accumulation of wealth are being investigated. In earlier research, Beracha and Johnson show that renting is the superior investment strategy; however, in this earlier strict horserace between buying and renting, a very bold assumption is made. Specifically, it is assumed that any rent savings (from lower rent versus mortgage payments) are reinvested without fail. Thereby, after balancing all of the costs and benefits from ownership and comparing them to renters’ portfolios from reinvesting rent savings, renting wins.
The question, however, very quickly becomes that, in a setting where Americans generally save less than 5% of their disposable income, is this assumption realistic and how might the removal of this reinvestment decision alter the outcome of the horserace between buy and renting? As part of their current research, this question is directly addressed. In particular, Beracha and Johnson find that after allowing renters to spend any rent savings on consumption (beer, cookies, healthcare, education, etc.), ownership leads to greater wealth accumulation, on average. The graph below highlights this finding.

The graph looks at the ratio of renters’ portfolio values to owners’ proceeds from sale for the entire U.S. between 1978 and 2010 both with strict reinvestment of rent savings and without reinvestment of rent savings.[iii] Clearly, numbers greater than 1 indicate that renting leads to greater wealth accumulations, while numbers less than 1 indicate that homeownership creates greater wealth, on average.
When renters are forced to reinvest (top line in the graph), the results confirm the earlier findings of Beracha and Johnson (2012). That is, in a strict horserace between buying and renting, renting wins in the vast majority of cases. However, when renters are allowed to spend rent savings on consumption (i.e. economically act like the typical American consumer), homeownership wins in virtually all instances. Notice that in the bottom line of the graph (no reinvestment), the renters’ portfolio values divided by owners’ sale proceeds is great than 1 for only four of the 32 years of the study. Thus, when renters are allowed to spend rent savings, homeownership is the clear winner in the wealth accumulation horserace.
Finally, in the same current research, Beracha and Johnson find that allowing for property appreciation rates to increase as much as 20% over their actual historic values results in virtually no change in the outcomes concerning wealth accumulation. That is, property appreciation contributes only marginally to wealth accumulation

Implications

Without proof many have speculated about this outcome for years. However, there is now actual quantifiable evidence that homeownership is not the great levered equity creator that it has so often been touted to be. Instead, it appears that homeownership creates extra wealth mainly through its ability to force owners to save rather than through property appreciation. Thus, homeownership appears to be a self-imposed savings, which through time leads to greater wealth accumulation as compared to comparable renters. In short, buying a home makes Americans save.
Who says that Americans are horrible savers? Apparently, we are not. We have simply been saving through our homes rather than putting our savings in the bank.

Endnotes

[i] Homeownership is the most viable path to wealth creation for the majority of Americans. See Engelhardt (1994), Haurin, Hendershott and Wachter (1996), and Rohe, Van Zandt and McCarhty (2002), among others.

[ii] Eli Beracha and Ken H. Johnson, 2012, Beer and Cookies Impact on Homeowners’ Wealth Accumulation, ongoing research.
[iii] The research assumes 8-year holding periods. When the holding period is allowed to vary between four and twelve years, the results change only marginally. Thus, holding period has very little to do with the results.

I will try my best to stay in contact while traveling. I

Just Listed in Biltmore Forest! Offered at $299K!

2012-01-16T11:20:00.000-08:00

24 Ridgefield Place
Asheville, NC 28803

Offered at $299,000

MLS #511491

Great bones with an opportunity to own in Biltmore Forest. Home backs up to Carolina Day School. Private backyard with in-ground swimming pool. This home needs work but has tremendous potential and upside. Call Molly McNichols 828-712-7877 to schedule an appointment to see this great investment home!

Carolina Mountain Sales Supports Kids Against Hunger

2012-01-16T09:40:00.000-08:00

On February 11th, Carolina Mountain Sales is sponsoring a packing session for Kids Against Hunger, whereby, we will be a pilot to see how much money we can raise to support our session and future sessions. We would like to make 2012 the best year ever for feeding hungry children.

Interesting facts:

Approximately one third of the meals we pack, stay in our area feeding kids that will not eat from Friday until they return to school on Monday, unless one of the KAH meals is put in their back pack on Friday.
The other meals are sent to areas of need around the world
Each packing session’s materials cost approximately $1250 – $2000
Every day 40,000 kids die around the world due to starvation.
A group of 18-24 can typically package about 5,000 – 8,000 meals in one 2.5 hour session. At a cost of only 25 cents per meal.
All donations are Tax deductible

For more information on this program, please visit www.missionhospitals.org/hunger

If you would like to support this cause, KAH will be thrilled with a donation from $1 to $1mm dollars. Please send a check written to Kids Against Hunger prior to February 9th, to Carolina Mountain Sales, 1550 Hendersonville Road, Suite 210, Asheville, NC 28803

Thank you in advance for any consideration.

New Listing - 10 Spring Park Rd.

2012-01-16T07:30:00.000-08:00

Easy Mountain Living Close to Downtown

10 Spring Park Rd.
Asheville, NC 28805

Offered at $209,900

MLS # 511468

Jeff Lovette
jefflovette@gmail.com

Cell: 828-242-3623

Located on a quiet cul-de-sac only 1 mile from the mall and only 2 miles from downtown Asheville, this home boasts easy mountain living with all the conveniences of being close to the city! Entertain your guests on the large back deck with a fenced in yard, or enjoy cooking in the newly remodeled kitchen with stainless steel appliances, or take a quick stroll through the community park to the lake.

People Are Buying Homes AND GETTING MORTGAGES!

2012-01-11T07:31:00.001-08:00

People Are Buying Homes AND GETTING MORTGAGES!

by The KCM Crew on January 11, 2012

Many believe that very few houses are selling and that almost no one can get a mortgage. We want to let everyone know that neither of these assumptions is true. Recently, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) released their Existing Homes Sales Report. According to the report there are, on average, 12,109 homes selling in the United States EACH and EVERY DAY! That means that approximately 12,000 houses sold yesterday, approximately 12,000 will sell today and approximately 12,000 will sell tomorrow. So the thinking that homes aren’t selling just isn’t true.
Another interesting fact in the report was that 72% of these transactions were accompanied by a mortgage. That means that approximately 8,719 people qualify for a mortgage on a daily basis in this country.
There are over 12,000 homes sold and over 8,000 mortgages granted every day. The real estate market is doing better than many believe.

When the Prophet Says Buy - BUY!

2012-01-09T06:42:00.000-08:00

When the Prophet Says Buy – BUY!

by The KCM Crew on January 9, 2012

John R. Talbott, previously a Goldman Sachs investment banker, is a bestselling author and economic consultant. When it comes to the housing market he is also a prophet. When housing prices started to skyrocket in 2003, he published The Coming Crash in the Housing Market correctly warning us that a real estate bubble was forming. Then in January 2006, he called the absolute peak of home prices in the US by releasing a new book, Sell Now! The End of the Housing Bubble.
Mr. Talbott, the person who accurately predicted the housing bubble and its bust, now has a new prediction – IT IS THE TIME TO BUY A HOME! In a recent article, Homes – Buy Now!, Talbott simply explains:

“I have been waiting for more than five years to offer this advice. It is now time in most cities across the country to buy a new home or refinance your existing home with thirty-year fixed rate mortgage debt.”

He goes on to explain that his conclusion is based on four different metrics, all of which favor buying today:

Home Prices Relative to Peak Prices During the Bubble
Home Prices Relative to Construction Costs or Replacement Costs
Home Prices Relative to Incomes and Rents
Home Prices in Real Terms, Not US Dollar Terms

Bottom Line

If the person who called the real estate bubble and its bust says now is the time to buy, we believe it is time to buy.

New Listing - 9 Oakland St - Within Walking Distance to Downtown Weaverville

2012-01-06T11:28:00.000-08:00

9 Oakley Street
Weaverville, NC 28787

Offered at $189,000
MLS #511061

Cute Bungalow within walking distance to downtown Weaverville! New kithchen, bath and windows. Fully fenced in yard and detached garage. Contact June Weitz @ 828-215-5976 to schedule an appointment to come see this home!

New Listing in Biltmore Forest!

2012-01-06T10:49:00.000-08:00

Historic Home in Biltmore Forest

310 Vanderbilt Rd
Asheville, NC 28803

Offered at $545,000
MLS #511067

Historic home with impressive lineage of owners. Charm and character abound with heart of pine floors, six fireplaces, and nice wood work. Enjoy the lovely landscaped lot from your covered front porch. Includes an adorable cottage with a bedroom and full bath.

Just Listed! Queen Anne Victorian Home in Montford!

2012-01-05T10:47:00.000-08:00

89 Montford Ave
Asheville, NC 28801

Offered at $425,000
MLS #511035

Beautiful Queen Anne Victorian located on Montford Ave. in Historic Montford. The property may be used for commercial purposes. Recent renovations: copper porch roof, exterior repairs/painting, HVAC. Hardwood floors, slate roof. RM8 zoning can provide conversion to multi-family, single family or commercial office space. Historic tax credits available. Additional .38 acre site R8 zoned, available for $275,000.

Comparing Real Estate To Other Investments

2012-01-04T07:17:00.001-08:00

Comparing Real Estate To Other Investments

by The KCM Crew on January 4, 2012

We recently posted Real Estate: Today’s Golden Opportunity comparing the current housing market to the market for gold about a decade ago. Some commented on the fact that you can’t compare gold to real estate as an investment as gold is a very liquid asset and it would take more time and effort to sell a house. We were not trying to make the case for real estate vs. gold as an investment in our blog. We were just showing that all investments go through cycles and that the best time to buy any investment may be when everyone is saying not to.
However, since the subject of comparing real estate to other investments has come up, let’s take a closer look. There are two major advantages to investing in a home of your own rather than another option:

You Can’t Live in Your IRA

When you buy your own home you are not taking available dollars away from another investment. You are replacing one housing expense (rent) which has no potential for a return on investment with another (mortgage payment) that does give you an opportunity for a return. We realize that there has been research showing that over the last 30 years renting has been less expensive than owning. That research also says that if you invested the entire difference between the rent payment and mortgage payment you may have done better financially. There are two challenges with this conclusion:

Today, in the vast majority of the country, renting is actually more expensive than owning a home.
History has proven that tenants DO NOT invest the difference in their rent and mortgage payments.

Today, study after study shows that owning a home is no more expensive than renting a home. However, even if this wasn’t the case, history shows that owning a home creates greater wealth.
Paying a mortgage creates what financial experts call ‘forced savings’. The Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University released a study earlier this year titled America’s Rental Housing: Meeting Challenges, Building on Opportunities. In the study, they actually quantified the difference in family wealth between renters and homeowners:

“[R]enters have only a fraction of the net wealth of owners. Near the peak of the housing bubble in 2007, the median net wealth of homeowners was $234,600—about 46 times the $5,100 median for renters. Even if homeowner wealth fell back to 1995 levels, it would still be 27.5 times the median for renters.”

There Are Tremendous Tax Advantages to Investing in a Home

There is no doubt that selling an investment such as gold is easier than selling your home. However, this liquidity comes at a price. The price is called capital gains. That is the tax you pay on any financial gain you receive from the investment. This tax doesn’t apply the same way when you sell your primary residence:
Theresa Palagonia, a CPA and the Accounting Manager for the firm G.S. Garritano & Associates, was good enough to explain the Home Sale Exclusion Rules:

“You may qualify to exclude from your income all or part of any gain from the sale of your main home.
Maximum Exclusion
You can exclude up to $250,000 of the gain on the sale of your main home if all of the following are true:
You meet the ownership test.
You meet the use test.
During the 2 year period ending on the date of the sale, you did not exclude gain from the sale of another home.
If you and another person owned the home jointly but file separate returns, each of you can exclude up to $250,000 of gain from the sale of your interest in the home if each of you meets the three conditions listed above.
You may be able to exclude up to $500,000 of the gain on the sale of your main home if you are married and file a joint return and meet the requirements. (Special rules apply for joint returns.)
Ownership and Use Tests
During the 5 year period ending on the date of the sale, you must have:
Owned the home for at least 2 years, and
Lived in the home as your main home for at least 2 years
Certain exceptions exist in which you may qualify for the exclusion without satisfying the tests listed.”

Bottom Line

Every investment has pros and cons. That is why there is such an assortment of great opportunities. Real Estate has been, is and always will be one of those opportunities.

New Listing - 28 Blake Street - Montford

2012-01-04T06:40:00.000-08:00

Arts & Crafts Home in the Heart of Montford

28 Blake Street
Asheville, NC 28801

Offered at $410,000
MLS # 510981

Beautiful Arts & Crafts home in the heart of Montford, located on level front & back yard on a quiet, non-through street. Winner of the 1998 Griffin Award and offers a remodeled kitchen w/ gas stove + stainless steel appliances. Oversized and restored windows, original re-finished heart of pine floors, 4 wood burning FP's, Arts & Crafts color palette, large bedrooms, sleeping porch off Master, newer plumbing, mature landscaping & upstairs A/C keeps home cool in the summer!

15 Destinations On The Rise

2011-12-30T06:24:00.000-08:00

Asheville is once again featured on one of the TripAdvisors "Top" lists! Please click HERE to read the recent article featuring Asheville as one of "15 Destinations On The Rise"!

What to do this weekend - 12/30/11 - 01/01/12

2011-12-29T12:29:00.000-08:00

A New Year's Celebration 2011

December 31, 2011
Location: Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa
Address: 290 Macon Avenue, Asheville, NC 28804

Annual Downtown Asheville Holiday Window Display

December 1, 2011 - December 31, 2011
Location: Downtown Asheville
Address: Downtown Asheville, Asheville, NC 28801

Old Farmer's Ball New Year's Eve Contra Dance

December 31, 2011
Location: Warren Wilson College
Address: Bryson Gym at Warren Wilson College, Black Mountain, NC 28711

The Fritz with Duende Mountain Duo

December 30, 2011
Location: Mo Daddy's Bar & Grille
Address: 77 Biltmore Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801

Toubab Krewe

December 31, 2011
Location: Orange Peel Social Aid and Pleasure Club
Address: 101 Biltmore Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801

Tressa's Annual New Year's Eve Bash!

December 31, 2011
Location: Tressa's Downtown Jazz & Blues Club
Address: 28 Broadway Street, Asheville, NC 28801

Winter Wonderland at the Grove Arcade

November 19, 2011 - January 2, 2012
Location: Grove Arcade
Address: 1 Page Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801

19th Century Carolina Christmas

November 16, 2011 - January 1, 2012
Location: Smith-McDowell House Museum
Address: 283 Victoria Rd., Asheville, NC 28801

Biltmore Candlelight Christmas Evenings

November 11, 2011 - December 31, 2011
Location: Biltmore
Address: One Lodge Street, Asheville, NC 28803

Get Some Faerie Tail

December 30, 2011
Venue: North Carolina Stage Company
Address: 15 Stage Lane, Asheville, NC 28801-2835

Soweto Gospel Choir

January 1, 2012 - January 29, 2012
Location: Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
Address: Asheville Civic Center, Asheville, NC 28801

National Gingerbread House Competition & Display

November 16, 2011 - January 1, 2012
Location: Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa
Address: 290 Macon Avenue, Asheville, NC 28804

Best Post of 2011: For Buyers - Even the Naysayers Say Now Is the Time to Buy

2011-12-29T05:48:00.000-08:00

Best Post of 2011: For Buyers

by The KCM Crew on December 28, 2011

This week we are posting the best blogs of 2011 by category. We hope you enjoy them as much as you did when we first posted them. – The KCM Crew

Even the Naysayers Say Now Is the Time to Buy

Business School professors Eli Beracha of East Carolina University and Ken H. Johnson of Florida International University have done extensive research on which makes more sense financially: to rent or own a home. They published, Lessons from Over 30 Years of Buy versus Rent Decisions: Is the American Dream Always Wise? In their paper, the professors do not dispute the social benefits of homeownership:

“Home ownership is touted as the “American Dream”. It is credited with enhancing wealth, increasing civic pride, improving self-esteem, crime prevention, child development, and better educational outcomes, among other benefits. This paper does not dispute any of these claims.”

What the professors were proposing is that homeownership is not a better investment strategy than renting. The first of the two major findings was:

“After setting the holding period to the average American’s tenure in a residence, renting (not buying) proves to be the superior investment strategy over most of the study period… Individuals, on average, were better off in economic terms to have rented for most of the years in the study period. This first result is strongly dependent upon fiscally disciplined individuals that, without fail, reinvest any residual savings from renting.”

Historically, people do not actually reinvest savings “without fail”. Check here for the findings of a recent study from The Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard.
The second major finding says it all. According to both professors Beracha and Johnson, NOW IS THE TIME TO BUY!

“(F)undamental drivers now appear to be in place that favor homeownership over renting in the near term future…
The second finding might seem unwise to many given the recent crash in the real estate markets around the country. However, rent-to-price ratios now seem to be in place along with other fundamental drivers that favor ownership over renting.”

They conclude their research paper with this sentence:

“Conditions (historically low mortgage rates and relatively low rent-to-price ratios) now seem in place to favor future purchases.”

Bottom Line

Two researchers set out to prove that homeownership is not a good financial decision. After completing that research, they have determined that now is the time to buy. What more needs to be said?

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Activities for the weekend of 12/22 - 12/25

2011-12-22T07:15:00.000-08:00

"Rediscovering Christmas" Theatre Production

December 21, 2011 - December 22, 2011
Location: Black Mountain Center for the Arts
Address: 225 West State Street, Black Mountain, NC 28711

Black Mountain's own nationally renowned company Acts of Renewal, featuring professional actors Carol Anderson and Jim Shores whose material has been aired on PBS and other national TV and radio show, in their annual holiday production. Known for their balance of humor, timing, interpretation, and message, Anderson and Shores have delighted audiences over and over at the holidays. Original works set in a vignette format with each actor playing more than a half-dozen characters apiece...

Annual Downtown Asheville Holiday Window Display

December 1, 2011 - December 31, 2011
Location: Downtown Asheville
Address: Downtown Asheville, Asheville, NC 28801

The Asheville Downtown Association's Holiday Windows Competition creates a wonderful FREE event for people visiting downtown... a Holiday Windows Walking Tour. Just pick a street and get ready to "ooh" and "ah" at the creative and festive windows through the month of December.

Winter Wonderland at the Grove Arcade

November 19, 2011 - January 2, 2012
Location: Grove Arcade
Address: 1 Page Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801

Make the Grove Arcade a part of your holiday plans. With wonderful local restaurants and independently-owned galleries and shops, you can enjoy the holidays and downtown Asheville while getting your shopping done. For the sixth year, the Arcade is partnering with the Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa to display entries from the National Gingerbread House Competition. The houses are on view Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.

19th Century Carolina Christmas

November 16, 2011 - January 1, 2012
Location: Smith-McDowell House Museum
Address: 283 Victoria Rd., Asheville, NC 28801

Celebrate Christmas the old-fashioned way. The Smith-McDowell House Museum's time-line of authentically decorated period rooms showcase the evolution of Christmas celebrations and decorations.

Biltmore Candlelight Christmas Evenings

November 11, 2011 - December 31, 2011
Location: Biltmore
Address: One Lodge Street, Asheville, NC 28803

As daylight fades into dusk, candlelight and firelight accent Biltmore House’s extravagant holiday décor, accented by live entertainment and outside illuminations.Candlelight Christmas Evenings tickets are available by reservation only, and include an evening self-guided candlelight tour of Biltmore House, next-day visit to the gardens and Biltmore Winery. Advance reservations are required.

Home for the Holidays

December 5, 2011 - December 22, 2011
Location: Flat Rock Playhouse
Address: 2661 Greenville Highway, Flat Rock, NC 28731

A fun-filled, high-spirited send up of the yuletide season. Presented in a two-act concert format, this personable celebration promises to tickle the funny bone and warm the heart. You can expect a new look on some old holiday standards peppered with a handpicked selection of new material by contemporary composers and lyricists. Throw in an audience participation number, a few historical carols with a twist, a novelty number or two reflecting our current views...

Lighting of the Green

December 6, 2011 - December 22, 2011
Location: AB-Tech
Recurrence: Recurring daily

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College will host its second annual "Lighting of the Green" December 2 - 22, 2011. Experience the wonder of the holiday season at Fernihurst, an 1870s mansion once the center of social activity for the elite township of Victoria. The house will be open to the public from 6:00 - 8:00pm on December 6, 9, 13, 16, and 20 with entertainment and light refreshments. Outside lights at Fernihurst and Sunnicrest will be on each evening from December 2 - 22.

Plaid Tidings

November 30, 2011 - December 22, 2011
Location: Flat Rock Playhouse
Address: 2661 Greenville Highway, Flat Rock, NC 28731

Music and Lyrics by Various Artists?The holidays have never sounded so good! After two hugely successful productions of Forever Plaid, our boys are back to do their Christmas Special. The Forever Plaid sequel is a show for the whole family. Christmas with your favorite four Plaids will feature pop songs from the 50's along with Christmas standards that have all been "Plaid-erized,"

The Polar Express at the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

November 4, 2011 - December 24, 2011
Location: Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
Address: 226 Everett Street, Bryson City, NC 28713

Get into the Christmas Spirit by enjoying a 1 hour and 15 minute round-trip journey to the "North Pole" Read along with the magical story and meet Santa himself! Guests will receive warm cocoa and special treats. First Class Upgrade for The Polar Express™ will receive warm cocoa in a POLAR EXPRESS souvenir mug and other treats, all served up in our premium first class seating coaches. Ride The Polar Express™ Christmas Eve Limited for an unforgettable evening and recieve a s...

National Gingerbread House Competition & Display

November 16, 2011 - January 1, 2012
Location: Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa
Address: 290 Macon Avenue, Asheville, NC 28804

Contestants from across the country will bring their culinary masterpieces to The Grove Park Inn this holiday season. Delight in the imagination shown in these sugar-and-spice creations, strolling through the competition display is a sure way to be swept up in the holiday spirit.

Carolina Mountain Sales December 2011 Newsletter

2011-12-21T09:38:00.001-08:00

Click HERE to see our interactive December 2011 newsletter!

Residential Housing Ready to Awaken?

2011-12-19T11:48:00.000-08:00

Click HERE for the original article.

CNBC – Fri, Dec 9, 2011 1:06 PM EST

After half a decade of withering sales and slumping prices, there are strong and diverse signs that the single-family housing market is poised for a rebound.

In some metropolitan areas, the market has bottomed, with both sales and prices on the rise and foreclosures on the decline.

This contrarian - and largely overlooked - thesis flies in the face of the persistent gloom that has nagged the industry since 2007, when the subprime crisis flared.

Industry analysts and players cite a number of reasons - some traditional (employment), others unique to the post-credit bubble era (foreclosures) Â - for the long-awaited sea change. An analysis of industry and government data also support the forecast.

"It has become increasingly apparent to us that the pieces for a housing rebound next year are beginning to fall into place," declared Barclays Capital analyst Stephen Kim in a recent note to investors.

Proponents admit that the nascent rebound could easily be derailed, but stress that after years of government efforts to support sales and prices as well as the volatile impact of foreclosures, the market has regained a measure of normalcy.

"With the exception of really hard-hit markets, the vast majority is ready to turn around," adds Jerry Howard, president and CEO of the National Association of Home Builders, NAHB. "The Washington, D.C., area is not only ripe for recovery, they need to start building units."

The iShares Dow Jones US Home Construction Index Fund (NYSE Arca: itb), for example, is up some 38 percent, while the S&P 500 is up about 21 percent.

Nevertheless, skeptics overwhelmingly outnumber the optimists, given the false-starts of previous years, the economy's sub-par performance, a new wave of distressed properties and the capacity for the European debt crisis to spook business, consumers and investors.

"I think it's premature," says Richard Smith, CEO of Realogy, the nation's largest real estate company, whose brands include Century 21, Coldwell Banker and Sotheby's International. "We see little indications here and there. Transaction volume is improving. Prices are still under pressure. This isn't going to be one of those spiked robust recoveries."

Smith is echoing the conventional industry calculus: that price increases follow sales growth amid consistently strengthening demand.

There's been little conventional, however, about this housing slump, which is one reason it's had so many false bottoms. Among its many firsts - housing starts fell through 1 million annual units, foreclosures topped 2 million in three consecutive years, and home prices declined on a national basis.

The catalysts to recovery are mostly the same: for potential buyers, residential rents have now risen enough to consider buying; existing-home inventory is the lowest in five years, while that of new homes is at a 40-year low; affordability is at a record high; delinquencies have peaked; consumer confidence is on the rise ; and job growth is accelerating.

For investors, with a continuation of the gold rally in question, real estate is beginning to look like a viable inflation hedge alternative, while rising rents mean greater profits.

That thinking may help explain why the iShares Dow Jones US Home Construction Index Fund (NYSE Arca: itb), a broad barometer for the housing market, is up some 38 percent from the stock market's October bottom, while the S&P 500 is up about 21 percent.

Finally, there's the intangible fatigue with bad news, and a desire to end the negative feedback loop.
"We believe there is sizable housing demand that could be released into the market," says Lawrence Yun, chief economist of the National Association of Realtors, NAR.

The NAR is forecasting existing home sales will rise 5 percent in both 2012 and 2013; prices will edge up 2 percent in each of those two years, then 4 percent in 2014.

The NAHB is forecasting a 5.1-percent increase in new home sales and a 10-percent increase for new home starts in 2012.

Jobs, Jobs, Jobs

A turnaround in the housing market will require continued improvement in the job market.
The economy has created jobs 13 months in a row for a total of almost 1.9 million. Weekly jobless claims have been routinely below the key level of 400,000, and the national jobless rate is down to 8.6 percent.

There are already signs in some markets that an improving employment picture is boosting housing demand and sale prices.

In cities such as Tampa, Fla., South Bend, Ind., Grand Rapids, Mich., Raleigh, N.C., Wichita, Kan., and Green Bay, Wis.., the median sales price of an existing single family home increased 1-2 percent in the third quarter, during which time the jobless rate and/or payrolls growth improved dramatically.
Even in the Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Fla. metropolitan area - considered the epicenter of the foreclosure crisis a few years ago - prices were just 1.4 percent lower in the third quarter than the previous year.

A new index by the NAHB and First American, the Improving Markets Index, IMI, launched in September, tracks housing markets throughout the country that are showing signs of improving economic health. Thirty cities - including San Jose, Pittsburgh, New Orleans and Winston-Salem, N.C. - are showing growth in permits, sales and employment.

In San Diego - where in the last year the jobless rate has fallen from 10.4 percent to 9.7 percent and 24,000 jobs have been added - home inventory is down to two months; in some areas of San Francisco (9.4 vs. 10.3 percent), it is one month.

More broadly, 40 percent of all states showed existing home sale increases on both a quarterly and annual basis in the third quarter, according to National Association of Realtors data. That includes high foreclosure-rate states, such as California, Georgia, Michigan and Utah. All but six states showed double-digit gains year over year.

Location, Location, Location

There's even a strong case to be made that the foreclosure crisis is easing.

"The pipeline of distressed property is plentiful but less than last year," when foreclosure activity hit a record 2.18 million, says Yun.

For the first nine months of 2011, foreclosure activity is down sharply from the same period last year (26.59 percent), whether it is the worst-off states - (Florida, 54.98 percent; California, 31.51 percent; Utah, 27.41 percent) - or better-off ones (New York, 46.57 percent; Mississippi, 33.25 percent; South Dakota, 26.59 percent), according to RealtyTrac, which tracks the data.

Third-quarter foreclosures (610,337) were up 1 percent from the previous quarter but down 34 percent from the year-ago period.

The wild card right now is an impending wave of new foreclosed properties on the market, following the removal of state moratoria and the settlement of state and federal lawsuits with lenders and loan servicers.

It's unclear how many properties will hit the market, but conservative estimates put the number at over a million.

Still, of the top 20 markets in the new wave, nine are in California, five in Florida and two in Ohio, according RealtyTrac, so the impact will be fairly concentated.

Another question is whether that wave will be a tsunami or merely a breaker. If the market is in fact recovering, why would banks want to weaken it again by deluging it with cheap properties.

"You could see them trying to gauge the market like speculators," answers Howard.

Kim of Barclays is among those who say the threat is exaggerated, perhaps misunderstood. He estimates that 40 percent of the foreclosed properties haven't had a payment made on them in two years, which means they are in poor condition and thus unattractive to many buyers.

"The deterioration has been great," he says. "It flies in the face of all the bearish arguments."

Kim's thesis is that there are now two kinds of buyers in the market; those who'll take a chance on a bargain-priced, distressed property and those who'll only make a conventional transaction. He says it helps explain why the Core Logic data he used for his latest report shows non-distressed prices flat or slightly higher in the past year.

"Even if the banks decide to move their inventory more aggressively, and I suspect they will, it's OK because the buyer is making a distinction," explains Kim.

"There's a ready appetite for it," adds Smith of Realogy, who agrees that there's substantial pent-up demand for housing in general but also great uncertainty. "If you can relieve consumers of some of that uncertainty, then I can see a nice little recovery."

That's the psychological dimension of the wild card - the negative feedback loop that has plagued housing.

Optimists say most of the uncertainty and fear is gone.

"The major driver of negative sentiment was that prices were going down across the market by large amounts," says Kim of Barclays. "Buyers need to see a stabilization."

A contributing element to that is the unwinding of government intervention - whether to artificially spur demand - as was the case with the first-time buyer tax incentive program of 2009 and 2010 - and/or to retard and prevent foreclosures.

Many regard those efforts as largely ineffective, if not counter-productive because they delayed the inevitable - a deep descent to a market bottom, which has finally been touched.

"The numbers you're looking at you can trust," says Kim. "There are no exogenous factors."
Though tight lending conditions and forthcoming regulations of the Dodd-Frank legislation are still an issue for some, sweeping housing finance reform is off the agenda for at least the next year.

"You're back to the natural forces of the market," says Howard of the builders association.

Just Listed - 81 Pebble Creek Dr

2011-12-19T09:57:00.000-08:00

So Much For So Little! Condo in Pebble Creek!

81 Pebble Creek Dr.

Asheville, NC 28803

Offered at $149,900

3 Bedroom / 2.5 Bath

2,070 sq. ft.

MLS # 510638

Click HERE for more information about this great condo!

Price Reduced! Now offered at $275K

2011-12-15T06:29:00.000-08:00

471 Blue Mist Way

Arden, NC 28704

MLS #505587

Year Built: 2003
3 Bed / 2.5 Bath

2276 Sq. ft.
Lot Size: 1.0 Acres

Cozy custom-built mountain home with lots of light! Home sits on a peaceful lot that touches Pisgah National Forest in a gated subdivision with hiking trails, pool, clubhouse, and trail to Blue Ridge Parkway. Wood burning fireplace. Hardwood & tile floors, carpet in bedrooms, tile in bathrooms. Composition/Masonite board exterior. Only 10 minutes from Biltmore Park shopping, restaurants, etc.

Good Morning America's 10 Most Beautiful Places in America - ABC News

2011-12-12T06:52:00.000-08:00

Good Morning America's 10 Most Beautiful Places in America - ABC News

Things to do this weekend 12/09 - 12/11

2011-12-09T08:33:00.001-08:00

Annual Downtown Asheville Holiday Window Display

December 01, 2011 - December 31, 2011
Location: Downtown Asheville
Address: Downtown Asheville, Asheville, NC 28801
Admission: Free
Contact: Asheville Downtown Association
Phone: 828-251-9973

Blue Ridge Orchestra Holiday Concert

December 11, 2011 - December 11, 2011
Location: Folk Art Center
Address: Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 382, Asheville, NC 28805
Times: 4:00pm
Admission: $15 adults; $5 studetns. Available at the Wine Guy.
Phone: 828-254-6500

A tradition with all your favorites including sleigh rides by Mozart, Prokofiev, and Leroy Anderson and a special appearance by Connell Sanderson, bagpipes.

The 16th Annual Montford Home Tour

December 10, 2011 - December 10, 2011
Location: Montford Historic District
Address: Montford Historic District, Asheville, NC 28801
Times: 1:00 - 5:00pm
Admission: Tickets may be purchased from the Visitors Center Gift Shop and on line starting December 1
Phone: 828-280-1576

Begin the holiday season with the 16th Annual Montford Home Tour. Explore Asheville's oldest, most historic neighborhood comprised of Victorian, Arts and Crafts, Greek Revival and Dutch Colonial homes built in the 1890's to 1920's. A variety of these residences will be open for tour during this special one day event. Enjoy roving Shakespearian actors, courtesy of The Montford Park Players and feast on homemade baked goods from the kitchens of Montford residents. The Montford Community is located just north of the Asheville Chamber Visitor's Center.

Wine Tasting at Studio 375 Depot

December 10, 2011 - December 10, 2011
Location: Studio 375 Depot
Address: 375 Depot Street, River Arts District, Asheville, NC 28801
Times: 4:00 - 7:00pm
Phone: 828-707-4553

The River Arts District's Studio 375 Depot is hosting a raffle and wine tasting as a benefit for Manna FoodBank. The studio's artists as well as several area businesses have donated art and items for several gift baskets to be raffled off for just $5 a ticket. Plus, guests who bring non-perishable food items for Manna will receive additional tickets. Just some of the items in the raffle gift baskets include jewelry from Earthspeak Metal Arts, an original painting by Michael Allen Campbell, Love Asheville Go Local T-shirt, pottery, photo notecards from Vagabond Vistas and more great stuff. The Wine Studio of Asheville will bring along four wines great for holiday gatherings and gifts, and The Colorful Palate Catering's delicious snacks are sure to delight taste buds.The event also coincides with the region-wide Second Saturday Initiative, Collect Art Asheville. Artists and art organizations throughout Western North Carolina open their doors and host openings, events, classes and workshops on the second weekend of each month. Studio 375 artists include: Ada Lea Birnie, Alice Scott, Cynthia Lee, Desert Moon Designs, David Simchock, Duane Dunston, Earthspeak Metal Arts, Fran Welch, Hobie's Porch Chair Caning, Julie Merrill, Mackenzie King, Michael Allen Campbell, Planet Art Picture Framing & Gallery, Sheryl Baker, Penny Clark, Smoking Turtle Pottery and Vagabond Vistas.

Winter Wonderland at the Grove Arcade

November 19, 2011 - January 02, 2012
Location: Grove Arcade
Address: 1 Page Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801
Admission: Free
Phone: 828-252-7799

Santa on the Chimney!

December 03, 2011 - December 10, 2011
Location: Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park
Address: 431 Main Street, Chimney Rock, NC 28720
Times: 11am-2pm
Admission: No additional cost with paid Park admission
Phone: 800-277-9611

Santa practices on 315-foot Chimney Rock before climbing down millions of much shorter chimneys all around the world on Christmas Eve. USA Today named Chimney Rock one of the top 10 places to catch up with Santa--come and see why! Meet Santa & Mrs. Claus, enjoy live holiday music, free hot cocoa, cookies and kids' activities and meet live critters. Annual Passholders are invited to a special holiday sale with 25% off their total retail purchase both days at Cliff Dwellers Gifts, which will be providing entertainment, artist demonstrations and refreshments.

19th Century Carolina Christmas

November 16, 2011 - January 01, 2012
Location: Smith-McDowell House Museum
Address: 283 Victoria Rd., Asheville, NC 28801
Contact Info: (828) 253-9231

Celebrate Christmas the old-fashioned way. The Smith-McDowell House Museum's time-line of authentically decorated period rooms showcase the evolution of Christmas celebrations and decorations.

A Christmas Carol Presented by the Montford Park Players

December 08, 2011 - December 18, 2011
Location: The Masonic Temple
Address: 88 Broadway, Asheville, NC 28801
Admission: Visit website or call for ticket pricing.

The 35th presentation of Charles Dickens' classic tale of greed and redemption, performed by the Montford Park Players!

Biltmore Candlelight Christmas Evenings

November 11, 2011 - December 31, 2011
Location: Biltmore
Address: One Lodge Street, Asheville, NC 28803
Admission: A special ticket is required. Visit website for details.
Contact Info: 800-411-3812 or 828-225-1333

Christmas at Connemara

December 10, 2011 - December 10, 2011
Location: Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site
Address: 81 Carl Sandburg Lane, Flat Rock, NC 28731
Admission: Free
Contact Info: 828-693-4178 or carl_administration@nps.gov

Musicians and storytellers will perform traditional holiday stories and music. Hot cider and cookies will be served. This free festive celebration will honor Carl Sandburg and the family holiday tradition of music. Young visitors will find many opportunities for participation in storytelling and sing-a-longs too. The house will be decorated in the simple style of the Sandburgs with poinsettias and a traditionally decorated Christmas tree throughout December.

Home for the Holidays

December 05, 2011 - December 22, 2011
Location: Flat Rock Playhouse
Address: 2661 Greenville Highway, Flat Rock, NC 28731
Admission: $34
Contact Info: Box Office, 828-693-0731

Lighting of the Green

December 06, 2011 - December 22, 2011
Location: AB-Tech
Admission: Free
Contact Info: Susan Haldane, Special Events CoordinatorA-B Tech Foundation828-254-1921, ext. 7567

Plaid Tidings

November 30, 2011 - December 22, 2011
Location: Flat Rock Playhouse
Address: 2661 Greenville Highway, Flat Rock, NC 28731
Admission: $40
Contact Info: Main box office: (828) 693-0731

The Polar Express at the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

November 04, 2011 - December 24, 2011
Location: Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
Address: 226 Everett Street, Bryson City, NC 28713
Admission: Multiple levels of tickets are available. Check website or call for ticketing.
Contact Info: 1-800-872-4681

Weaverville Candlelight Christmas Stroll

December 09, 2011 - December 09, 2011
Location: Downtown Weaverville
Address: Main Street, Weaverville, NC
Admission: Free

Enjoy the warmth and spirit of the holiday season at the 8th Annual Candlelight Stroll in downtown Weaverville. The Weaverville Business Association will once again sponsor this event, which provides a charming small-town Christmas atmosphere to residents and visitors.

National Gingerbread House Competition & Display

November 16, 2011 - January 01, 2012
Location: Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa
Address: 290 Macon Avenue, Asheville, NC 28804
Admission: Free Community Viewing Days are Monday-Thursday only.
Contact Info: (800) 438-5800

$400K Price Reduction in The Ramble!

2011-12-08T12:56:00.001-08:00

Elegant European Style Home
6 Vaux Court
Asheville, NC 28803

Now Offered at $1,799,000
MLS # 478576

Bedrooms: 6
Baths: 5.5

Click HERE for more information about this one-of-a-kind home!

Realty Times - Should I Take My Home Off The Market During The Holidays?

2011-12-08T06:44:00.000-08:00

Realty Times - Should I Take My Home Off The Market During The Holidays?

44 Robinwood Ave. New Listing in West Asheville!

2011-12-01T13:51:00.001-08:00

44 Robinwood Ave

Asheville, NC

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 2

1,140 sq. ft.

0.12 Acres

Year Built: 2009

MLS #510111

Click HERE for more information about this home!

Beautiful construction in desirable West Asheville! Enjoy this 3 bedroom, 2 bath like-new home with mountain views and all the upgrades. Stainless steel kitchen has quality Whirlpool appliances and bright open floor plan overlooking living room and dining area. Bedrooms are all located upstairs, maximizing entertainment space on main level. With amenities such as oak hardwood floors, canned lighting, zoned dual heat pumps, separate laundry room, and lovely covered deck with mountain views, this home is priced to sell! Quiet location in a no-thru street!

For A Free Pre-Recorded Message About This Listing, Call: 1-877-463-6546 / Code: 1539

Lowest Inventory in Six Years

2011-12-01T09:08:00.000-08:00

The total homes listed for sale continue to move downward. The latest decline in October to 3.33 million was partly seasonal, as autumn and winter months nearly always have fewer listings in comparison with spring and summer months. Still, examining listings only in the month of October (so as to get an apple-to-apple comparison), this year saw the lowest inventory since 2005.

Click HERE to enlarge picture.

A review of June, July, August, and September data also says the same thing: namely, 2011 had the lowest inventory count since 2005 across same-month comparisons. The market is clearly healing and the falling inventory is an early indicator as to what will happen to home prices in the future.

Despite the improving inventory trend, let’s be mindful that the current inventory conditions are still considered elevated and above normal compared to the early years of the last decade. Also the months-supply – i.e., how many months it would take to exhaust the current inventory assuming the current sales pace – stood at 8 months in October, which is still a tad above normal conditions. Ideally, the months-supply figure needs to fall to about 6 months before prices show consistent positive movement of about 3 to 5 percent annually.

Separately, the inventory of newly constructed homes (not existing home inventory) is at 40 year lows because homebuilders have just not been able to break ground and build new homes because of very difficult lending conditions in obtaining construction loans.

The inventory trends for both existing and new homes should therefore provide some reassurance that home price growth (at the national level) could be just around the corner. Local markets in Bismarck, Buffalo, Pittsburgh, San Diego, and Washington, D.C., as some examples, have already shown consistent price gains.

What To Do This Weekend 12/02 - 12/04

2011-11-30T09:01:00.001-08:00

Christmas in Appalachia

December 03, 2011 - December 03, 2011
Location: Montreat Conference Center
Address: PO Box 969, Montreat, NC 28757
Times: 7:00pm
Admission: Adults $20; Children 12 & under $10; Group Rate (10 or more adults) $15 per person
Contact: Judy Miller
Phone: 828-685-8313

"Christmas in Appalachia" Fundraising Concert for Shindig on the Green. The concert features headliner The Cockman Family, AppalachiaSong and clogging and buck dance demos. Master of Ceremonies: Glenn Bannerman.

Jinglefest

December 04, 2011 - December 04, 2011
Location: Pack Square Park
Address: 1 W Pack Square, Asheville, NC 28801
Times: 2:00pm
Admission: Free
Contact: Asheville Downtown Association
Phone: 828-251-9973

Jinglefest is back! On December 4, we'll start off at 2 pm at Roger McGuire Green Terrace in Pack Square Park with traditional Christmas caroling, dance performances, lots of holiday games and contests for kids, parents and even grandparents. Since Downtown JingleFest is sponsored by Fun Depot this year, you know it will be FUN! And of course, in keeping with tradition, we expect to see Santa stop by to meet with the kids. There will be elves and reindeer and hot cider and cocoa and snacks and snowmen and snowballs and just some good old-fashioned holiday spirit in the air.

19th Century Carolina Christmas

November 16, 2011 - January 01, 2012
Location: Smith-McDowell House Museum
Address: 283 Victoria Rd., Asheville, NC 28801
Contact Info: (828) 253-9231

Celebrate Christmas the old-fashioned way. The Smith-McDowell House Museum's time-line of authentically decorated period rooms showcase the evolution of Christmas celebrations and decorations.

Asheville Downtown Gallery Association Art Walk

December 02, 2011 - December 02, 2011
Location: Downtown Asheville
Address: Biltmore Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801
Admission: Free

Asheville Downtown Gallery Association Invites you to visit the downtown galleries to enjoy the fine art and craft that they have to offer.

Biltmore Candlelight Christmas Evenings

November 11, 2011 - December 31, 2011
Location: Biltmore
Address: One Lodge Street, Asheville, NC 28803
Admission: A special ticket is required.
Contact Info: 800-411-3812 or 828-225-1333

As daylight fades into dusk, candlelight and firelight accent Biltmore House’s extravagant holiday décor, accented by live entertainment and outside illuminations.Candlelight Christmas Evenings tickets are available by reservation only, and include an evening self-guided candlelight tour of Biltmore House, next-day visit to the gardens and Biltmore Winery. Advance reservations are required.

Dashing Through The Snow

November 18, 2011 - December 03, 2011
Location: Asheville Community Theatre
Address: 35 East Walnut Street, Asheville, NC 28801
Admission: $22.00 Adult, $19.00 Senior or Student*, $12.00 Children**, $11.00 Rush
Contact Info: 828-254-1320

Take a trip to Tinsel, Texas for the latest comedy from Asheville’s favorite playwriting trio. In this family-friendly Christmas comedy, a colorful parade of eccentric guests arrives at the Snowflake Inn and proceeds to deck the halls with holiday hilarity! This play will be more fun than a joy ride in a one horse open sleigh!

Holly Jolly Christmas In Black Mountain

December 02, 2011 - December 02, 2011
Location: Black Mountain
Address: Black Mountain-Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce, Black Mountain, NC 28711
Admission: Free
Contact Info: (828) 669-2177

Spend a festive evening visiting downtown shops of Black Mountains!

Plaid Tidings

November 30, 2011 - December 22, 2011
Location: Flat Rock Playhouse
Address: 2661 Greenville Highway, Flat Rock, NC 28731
Admission: $40
Contact Info: Main box office: (828) 693-0731

Music and Lyrics by Various Artists?The holidays have never sounded so good! After two hugely successful productions of Forever Plaid, our boys are back to do their Christmas Special. The Forever Plaid sequel is a show for the whole family. Christmas with your favorite four Plaids will feature pop songs from the 50's along with Christmas standards that have all been "Plaid-erized,"

The Polar Express At The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

November 04, 2011 - December 24, 2011
Location: Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
Address: 226 Everett Street, Bryson City, NC 28713
Admission: Multiple levels of tickets are available. Check website or call for ticketing.
Contact Info: 1-800-872-4681

Get into the Christmas Spirit by enjoying a 1 hour and 15 minute round-trip journey to the "North Pole" Read along with the magical story and meet Santa himself! Guests will receive warm cocoa and special treats. First Class Upgrade for The Polar Express™ will receive warm cocoa in a POLAR EXPRESS souvenir mug and other treats, all served up in our premium first class seating coaches. Ride The Polar Express™ Christmas Eve Limited for an unforgettable evening and recieve a special Christmas souvenir.

A Dickens Christmas In The Village

December 02, 2011 - December 04, 2011
Location: Historic Biltmore Village
Address: 7 All Souls Crescent, Asheville, NC 28803
Admission: Free
Contact Info: 828-274-8788

The stage will be continuously filled with musicians, choral groups, singers, dancers, and the Montford Park Players performing scenes from Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. This year the Festival will feature more than 300 performers who, after their stage segment, will rove throughout the Village entertaining on the streets and in the shops and restaurants. And when dusk turns into evening, the more than 250,000 white lights outlining the historic buildings will combine with the streetlights to enhance the ambiance. Shops will stay open both evenings until 7pm with many of the shopkeepers dressed in Victorian-era garb. The Village will be decked out with Fraser fir holiday wreaths on each streetlight, on the entrance doors to the shops and for sale in locations throughout the Village.

National Gingerbread House Competition & Display

November 16, 2011 - January 01, 2012
Location: Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa
Address: 290 Macon Avenue, Asheville, NC 28804
Admission: Free Community Viewing Days are Monday-Thursday only.
Contact Info: (800) 438-5800

Contestants from across the country will bring their culinary masterpieces to The Grove Park Inn this holiday season. Delight in the imagination shown in these sugar-and-spice creations, strolling through the competition display is a sure way to be swept up in the holiday spirit.

The Grove "Bark" Inn Gingerbread Doghouse Competition & Display

December 04, 2011 - December 07, 2011
Location: Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa
Address: 290 Macon Avenue, Asheville, NC 28804
Admission: Free
Phone: 800-438-0050

Celebrate the holiday season with a fun event that will give you something to "bark" about! New for 2011, The Grove "Bark" Inn Gingerbread Doghouse Competition & Display! Similar to The National Gingerbread House CompetitionTM, contestants are invited to build a doghouse, but there's a twist - entries must be constructed and composed completely of dog-edible materials. A panel of judges will select winners in each category and display attendees will each vote for the "People's Choice" award. Visitors are invited to view the houses and help local animals in need!

Home Sales Increase Across The Country

2011-11-29T07:10:00.001-08:00

The National Association of Realtors recently released their 2011 3rd Quarter Housing Report. In the report, they showed that combined sales of single family homes, condos and co-ops increased in EVERY state as compared to the 3rd quarter of last year. Here are the state-by-state numbers.

Click HERE to see the full sized image

Beautiful Mountain Estate w/ 7+ Acres in Fletcher

2011-11-21T09:44:00.001-08:00

10 Duncan Creek Rd.

Fletcher, NC 485575

4 Bedroom / 2.5 Bath

2100 sq. ft. (+900 sq. ft. finished basement)

7.75 Acres

Offered at $375,000
MLS Number 485575

19th Century Classic! Carter-Swain House

2011-11-21T09:24:00.001-08:00

131 Holcombe Branch Rd.
Weaverville, NC 28787

Motivated Seller! $297,900
MLS Number 481463

Remodeled Home in Hendersonville

2011-11-21T08:15:00.001-08:00

3128 Florida Drive
Hendersonville, NC 28792

Offered at $194,500
MLS # 486552

Restored Victorian Home in Central Asheville

2011-11-21T07:41:00.001-08:00

19 Washington Rd.
Asheville, NC 28801

Offered at $565,000
MLS Number 488525

4 Bedroom / 4.5 Bath

3171 sq. ft.

New Listing in Biltmore Park!

2011-11-16T13:30:00.001-08:00

107 White Ash Drive East
Asheville, NC 28803

Offered at $389,000

4 Bedroom / 2.5 Bath

1932 sq. ft.

Click HERE for more information!

Reduced! Amazing Home in Biltmore Park!

2011-11-15T06:00:00.001-08:00

22 Rosebay Lane
Asheville, NC 28803

Now Offered At $649,000

MLS Number 485683

Bedrooms: 5
Baths: 3

3647 Sq. ft.

Amazing home in Biltmore Park with views of Mount Pisgah year round! Great location at the end of a cul-de-sac. Home includes gourmet kitchen with granite, cherry cabinets and a large island. This home has a great floor plan with hardwood, tile and carpet flooring. Sit back and relax on the deck off of the sitting area, enjoying the beautiful mountain views! Den & master bedroom wired for surround sound. Cathedral ceilings & walk in closets.

Clear up your schedule! Weekend activity report for 11/18 - 11/20

2011-11-14T12:28:00.001-08:00

65th Annual Asheville Holiday Parade

The 65th Annual Asheville Holiday Parade will be held on Saturday, November 19 at 11:00am. This year’s parade theme —“Days Gone By” — pays respect to the history of our community and parade… to times past when life was less fast paced... and the best memories shared by all of Christmas and other seasonal holidays of the past. We know we’ll see some creative entries. Our judges’ scoring will be based on creativity, entertainment factor and best use of theme.Prizes will be awarded in a number of categories.

Date: Nov 19, 2011

Time: 11:00 AM-02:00 PM

Cost: Free

Location: Downtown Asheville

Lykke Li

Channeling the demise of The Shangri La’s leader of the pack, women under the influence, ladies and gentlemen of the canyon, a Kung-fu Marianne Faithful and an armed Nancy Sinatra on peyote, Lykke Li made music. Out of her head came voodoo drums, a few aching chords, churning and unholy, staggering and lolloping, and a voice that had suddenly turned from yearning to demanding, from fragile to undressed.

Date: Nov 19, 2011

Time: 09:00 PM-11:45 PM

Cost: $28 advance / $30 door

Location:

The Orange Peel101 Biltmore AvenueAsheville, NC 28801

The Bloodroots Barter

The buckwild Southeast Kentucky American Mountain Macabre band, The Bloodroots Barter, will make their debut Jack of The Wood performance on Friday Nov. 18th. This year in Asheville The BRB has played Brewgrass Fest and the Barley's Brewgrass Afterparty, Westville Pub, and most recently The Bandwagon art space with River Whyless. Their Jack of The Wood show is in the middle of their 6 week fall tour through TN, WV, VA, NC, SC, GA, and KY in their veggie oil powered tour (school)bus. Come see the band that everyone in Asheville is talking about. Boot stomping and booty shaking will certainly ensue.

Date: Nov 18, 2011 to Nov 19, 2011

Time: 08:00 PM-01:00 AM

Location:

Jack of the Wood
95 Patton Ave
Asheville, NC 28801

Lighting Celebration in Town Square

Join Biltmore Park Town Square for our Holiday Lighting Celebration. This free event includes strolling carolers, magicians, a horse-drawn carriage, visits with Mr. & Mrs. Claus, and much more! At 7 p.m. Santa Claus will lead a countdown to illuminate the 25 foot Christmas Tree along Town Square Boulevard. Bring your camera, all photos with Mr. & Mrs. Claus are complimentary throughout the evening.

Date: Nov 18, 2011

Time: 06:00 PM-09:00 PM

Cost: Free

Location:

Biltmore Park® Town Square
Town Square Boulevard
Asheville, NC 28803

3rd Annual Asheville Christmas Show

Featuring our very own Asheville Lyric Opera soloists to enchant your evening. In addition, the Asheville Choral Society, the Greater Asheville Gospel Choir and the Western North Carolina Rockettes will perform. Opera, madrigals, holiday music and more will be performed at the show to delight any audience.

Date: Nov 18, 2011

Time: 07:30 PM

Cost: Adults: $21-$36/ Students: $13-$26

Location:

Diana Wortham Theatre
2 South Pack Square
Asheville, NC 28801

19th Century Carolina Christmas

Celebrate Christmas the old-fashioned way. The Smith-McDowell House Museum's time-line of authentically decorated period rooms showcase the evolution of Christmas celebrations and decorations.

Date: Nov 16, 2011 to Jan 01, 2012

Time: 10:00 AM-04:00 PM

Location:

Smith-McDowell House
283 Victoria Rd.
Asheville, NC 28801

Live From WVL Radio Theatre: It's a Wonderful Life

It’s Christmas Eve, 1945, and only a handful of radio actors have braved the blizzard to perform that evening’s broadcast of It’s a Wonderful Life and keep the radio station afloat. This clever stage adaptation breathes new life into the poignant story of George Bailey and Bedford Falls. A co-production with North Carolina Stage Company.

Date: Nov 16, 2011 to Nov 27, 2011

Cost: TBA

Location:

North Carolina Stage Company
15 Stage Lane
Asheville, NC 28801

National Gingerbread House Competition & Display

Contestants from across the country will bring their culinary masterpieces to The Grove Park Inn this holiday season. Delight in the imagination shown in these sugar-and-spice creations, strolling through the competition display is a sure way to be swept up in the holiday spirit.

Date: Nov 16, 2011 to Jan 01, 2012

Cost: Free Community Viewing Days are Monday-Thursday only.

Details: Resort Guests may view the display at anytime.

Location:

Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa
290 Macon Ave.
Asheville, NC 28804

Biltmore Candlelight Christmas Evenings

As daylight fades into dusk, candlelight and firelight accent Biltmore House’s extravagant holiday décor, accented by live entertainment and outside illuminations.Candlelight Christmas Evenings tickets are available by reservation only, and include an evening self-guided candlelight tour of Biltmore House, next-day visit to the gardens and Biltmore Winery. Advance reservations are required.

Date: Nov 11, 2011 to Dec 31, 2011

Time: 05:30 PM-09:00 PM

Cost: A special ticket is required. Visit website for details.

Details:

Biltmore is open to guests from 8:30a.m.–8:00p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and from 8:30a.m.–9:00p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Biltmore House closes at 4:30p.m. for daytime visitation and opens back up at 5:30pm for Candlelight.

Location:

Biltmore Estate
1 Approach Road
Asheville, NC 28803

New Listing - Cute bungalow in Cherry Blossom Cove!

2011-11-14T09:24:00.001-08:00

38 Woodcreek Circle

Swannanoa, NC

Offered at $184,900

MLS # 509469

3 Bedroom / 2 Bath

Click HERE for more information!

What to do this weekend 11/11 -11/13

2011-11-11T10:28:00.001-08:00

TEDxAsheville 2011

November 13
Doors - 1:00 PM
Event - 1:30 PM

TEDxAsheville provides a platform for inspiring ideas and community action by sharing great ideas, great performances and new technologies --in Asheville, for the world to see. With a multidisciplinary line-up shaped to inspire and transform, it's a workout for your mind and a charging station for your heart with talks, performances and tech demos presented by great minds from all over, with a special focus on Asheville. Presenters include Jeffrey Kluger, Leah Quintal, Joyce Roush, Justin M. Purnell, Michael Hayes, Adam Baker, Amie Tracey, Chris Yura, Mariam Matossian, and The Urban Arts Institute.

Tickets: Full Price $35

VIP $100 (Limited availability)

VIP package includes: premium conference seating and introductions to select TEDxAsheville presenters. Mingle with select presenters, sponsors and TEDxAsheville organizers.

Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe

Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe will perform a soulful rendering of the Rolling Stones Sticky Fingers in its entirety this fall with special guests Anders Osborne and more. New Orleans-based, songwriter and guitarist, Osborne has been a stalwart progenitor of rock and rhythm and blues, recording and touring over the past 20 years under his own name. In this new collaboration, Denson and Osborne will share the vocal duties backed by Denson’s Tiny Universe. Denson notes, “I was inspired to perform Sticky Fingers being that it’s my favorite Stones record because of the sheer number of great tunes in one place.”

Date: Nov 12, 2011

Time: 09:00 PM-11:45 PM

Cost: $20

Details: Performs Sticky Fingers in its entirety with Special Guest Anders Osborne, Ages 18+

Location:

The Orange Peel
101 Biltmore Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801

The Adam Growe Comedy & Quiz Showe

Love Cash Cab? Now you can win money in an uproarious night out at the theatre with your friends. Join the much-lauded host of Discovery Channel Canada’s Cash Cab, Adam Growe as he brings his delightful and clever wit to Asheville for the first time. Adam is one of Canada’s most accomplished stand-up comedians, starring in his own Just for Laughs Gala, as well as Comedy NOW! on CTV, and CBC’s COMICS!, and has been featured on Comedy Central’s Premium Blend in New York and CBS’s Star Search in Los Angeles. The Adam Growe Comedy and Quiz Showe is a highly entertaining blend of stand-up comedy and quiz show – where with the right answers, you might just leave with more money than you brought.

Date: Nov 12, 2011

Time: 08:00 PM-10:00 PM

Cost: Tickets: Regular $25, Student $20, Child N/A

Location:

Diana Wortham Theatre
2 S. Pack Square
Asheville, NC 28801

4th Annual Acoustic Corner Instructors Concert

Local music store Acoustic Corner will present its auspicious teaching staff onstage on Saturday, November 12, at 7:30 pm. Featuring Laurie Fisher (fiddle), Matt Kinne (guitar), Andy Pond (banjo), Lindsay Pruett (fiddle), Will Straughan (mandolin/dobro), and David Zoll (guitar), these strings master players, all capable of solo concerts, will group themselves into duos, trios, and more to play the evening away. The concert will be a one-of-a-kind combination of bluegrass, old-time, swing, jazz, and beyond. Acoustic Corner’s instructors cover a wide range of styles, instruments, and approaches to playing and teaching music. Most are full-time working musicians who have appeared in local and regional venues, both as headliners and sidemen.

Date: Nov 12, 2011

Time: 07:30 PM-09:30 PM

Cost: $10 donation at the door

Details: Doors open at 7 pm; no advance tickets; no reserved seats.

Location:

Black Mountain Center for the Arts
225 West State Street
Black Mountain, NC 28711

River Arts District Studio Stroll

The semi-annual Studio Stroll is your chance to tour the studios, meet with the artists and purchase artwork. Within just a few blocks you will find an eclectic mix of creative artists - from traditional to cutting-edge.

Date: Nov 12, 2011 to Nov 13, 2011

Time: 10:00 AM-06:00 PM

Cost: Free

Details: Various galleries in the River Arts District

Location:

River Arts District
Riverside St., Roberts St., Lyman St.,Craven St & Clingman Ave
Asheville, NC 28801

Live Painting Performances

Visit Jonas Gerard Fine Art during The River Arts District Studio Stroll and witness the creation of artwork as Jonas paints new works to the live music of The Billy Sea. After the show, meander through the 5000 square foot gallery and gaze upon the incredible inventory of work that Jonas has created throughout the years. View paintings, sculptures, art tiles and more. There is something for everyone!

Date: Nov 12, 2011 to Nov 13, 2011

Time: 02:00 PM-03:30 PM

Cost: $10

Details: Painting Performances will take place from 2-3:30 pm on both days of The Studio Stroll.

Location:

Jonas Gerard Fine Art
240 Clingman Ave
River Arts District
Asheville, NC 28801

Holiday Open House

Annual event to welcome the Holiday season. This November, we are celebrating our 5th year anniversary. We offer an unusual shopping experience with gardens and a miniature display outside and a beautiful array of ornaments, gifts and plants.

Date: Nov 12, 2011 to Nov 13, 2011

Time: 09:00 AM-05:00 PM

Location:

Thyme in the Garden
190 Weaverville Hwy.
Asheville, NC 28804

Classic World Cinema Foreign Film Series

"Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors" (Soviet Union 1965) by Sergei Parajanov. A young man, Ivan, falls in love with Marichka, the daughter of the man who killed his father, but he has to leave the village to work as a hired laborer to provide for her. Before he can return to her, she dies. The story then follows Ivan through his descent into despair, marriage to the sensual and sorcerous Palagna, and her inevitable betrayal.

Date: Nov 11, 2011

Time: 08:00 PM-09:45 PM

Cost: Free

Details:

Presented by Courtyard Gallery. Doors open at 7:45 / close at 8:15. Film begins at 8:00 pm. Come on in, get comfortable, have some refreshments and enjoy great films from around the world! Check our website for the film schedule or Cranky Hanke's Reviews under Special Showings. Donations appreciated.

Location:

Phil Mechanic Studios
109 Roberts Street
River Arts District
Asheville, NC 28806

Julie Fowlis

“There are some voices that carry much more than a melody. They transport you to another place, give you goose flesh and make magic out of thin air. Julie Fowlis has just such a voice” (Evening Standard, London). Julie Fowlis is a remarkable performer whose pure, crystalline vocals merit her place in the Eva Cassidy-songbird echelon. The theatre delights in landing a spot on her first-class ensemble’s limited tour of the United States -made especially appropriate as she plays instruments made by The Abell Flute Company of Asheville. Named BBC Radio 2’s Folk Singer of the Year in 2008, The Daily Telegraph’s prediction that “Julie Fowlis could be the first Scottish Gaelic crossover star in the making” is increasingly prescient.

Date: Nov 11, 2011

Time: 08:00 PM-10:00 PM

Cost: Tickets: Regular $30, Student $25, Child $12

Location:

Diana Wortham Theatre
2 S. Pack Square
Asheville, NC 28801

All Time Low plus The Ready Set, Paradise Fears & He Is We

All Time Low has emerged as one of the most popular new bands in recent memory, beloved by an increasingly fervent fan following for their fast-paced and fizzy brand of pop-punk. Now, with the hugely anticipated “NOTHING PERSONAL,” the Maryland-based band has exceeded all expectations with a collection of effervescent new songs, marked by unstoppable hookiness and a newly discovered knack for exploration and invention. Where other bands might have played it safe by rehashing established hits, All Time Low instead opted to push the envelope by collaborating with a veritable who’s-who of producers, each with their own unique sonic stamp. Unified by singer/guitarist Alex Gaskarth’s clever lyricism, songs like “Weightless” and “Therapy” are marked by a range of diverse musical approaches, all the while retaining the patented All Time Low energy and enthusiasm.

Date: Nov 11, 2011

Time: 07:45 PM-11:30 PM

Cost: $20 advance / $23 door

Location:

The Orange Peel
101 Biltmore Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801

Biltmore Candlelight Christmas Evenings

As daylight fades into dusk, candlelight and firelight accent Biltmore House’s extravagant holiday décor, accented by live entertainment and outside illuminations.Candlelight Christmas Evenings tickets are available by reservation only, and include an evening self-guided candlelight tour of Biltmore House, next-day visit to the gardens and Biltmore Winery. Advance reservations are required.

Date: Nov 11, 2011 to Dec 31, 2011

Time: 05:30 PM-09:00 PM

Cost: A special ticket is required. Visit website for details.

Details:

Location:

Biltmore Estate
1 Approach Road
Asheville, NC 28803

Asheville International Children's Film Festival

AICFF raises the curtain on a world of wonderment certain to enchant cinema enthusiasts both young and young at heart. November 4-13, 2011! marks the third annual Asheville International Children’s Film Festival. Aicff is the largest children’s film festival in the Southeast, The Festival celebrates the best and brightest in international children’s cinema with a 10-day extravaganza of over 70 films from 25 countries. This year’s festival has a blend of programs including animation, features, shorts, historical films, and fantastic hands-on, interactive workshops for the filmmakers of tomorrow. The festival provides families with the opportunity to screen one-of-a-kind films not available on DVD. The festival is a great winter time event created especially for families in Western North Carolina and beyond. “I didn’t know these kinds of fun, creative and heartfelt films were created for kids” is the comment most heard from the attendees. You won’t want to miss the three very special events, the kick-off gala, costume pancake breakfast, and closing awards ceremony. We know you will have a great family experience and make memories that will live forever!

Date: Nov 04, 2011 to Nov 13, 2011

Cost: $5

Details: Multiple locations including Posana Cafe, and Tryon Theatre. Check website for dates and times of screenings.

Location:

Asheville Pizza and Brewing Company
675 Merrimon Avenue
Asheville , NC 28804

Four Listings Just Sold! 11/11/11

2011-11-11T08:07:00.001-08:00

Congratulations Brian Etheridge, Molly McNichols, Gig Gilbert and June Weitz!

Just Sold This Week!

129 Concord Rd.

20 Wood Lily Trail

12 Busbee Rd.

24 Northview St.

Just Listed! Home Sites in Ivy Cove

2011-11-10T08:02:00.000-08:00

33 & 41 Ivywood Rd.

Weaverville, NC 28787

Total of 3.06 Acres

Offered together at $119,900 or separately at $59,900 each.

Click HERE for more information!

Americans Still Believe in the Value of Homeownership

2011-11-09T08:56:00.000-08:00

Originally printed in the KCM Blog

Americans Still Believe in the Value of Homeownership

Last week, Fannie Mae released their National Housing Survey for the third quarter of 2011. They survey the American public on a multitude of questions concerning today’s housing market. Each quarter, we like to pull out some of the findings we deem most interesting. Here they are for the most recent report:

Most Important Reasons to Buy a Home

The study shows that the four major reasons a person buys a home have nothing to do with money. The top four reasons, in order, are:

It means having a good place to raise children and provide them with a good education
You have a physical structure where you and your family feel safe
It allows you to have more space for your family
It gives you control of what you do with your living space (renovations and updates)

When we talk about homeownership today, it seems that the financial aspects always jump to the front of the discussion. There is no doubt that families must justify a home purchase from a financial point of view today. However, the reasons they actually buy are the same reasons our parents and grandparents purchased their home – to create a better lifestyle for their families.

The Home as an Investment

Though most people purchase a home for non-financial reasons, everyone realizes there is a money component to homeownership. Here is what they said on this issue:

64% of the general population (and 69% of homeowners) believe that homeownership is a ‘safe’ investment.
55% believe that homeownership has more potential as an investment than any other traditional asset class.
68% think that now is a good time to buy a home

Rent vs. Buy

We are always interested in the difference people see in renting vs. owning.

63% of renters have aspirations to someday own their own home
70% of renters think that owning is superior to renting
96% of homeowners see homeownership as a positive experience (4% see it as a negative experience) while 83% of renters see renting as a positive experience (15% see it as a negative experience)
97% of homeowners live in a single family residence while 53% of renters live in a multi-unit building

Bottom Line

Even in these difficult times, Americans still realize the value of homeownership both from a financial and social standpoint.

Desirable Homesite in The Cliffs at Walnut Cove

2011-11-07T06:37:00.000-08:00

35 Rain Lily Trail
Arden, NC 28704

Listing Price $699,000

MLS # 509211

Beautiful homesite in the desirable community of The Cliffs at Walnut Cove! Cleared homesite, partially wooded, year-round, long-range views, adjoins forest, and views of the golf course - what more could you ask for?!

Potential 4 Bedroom / 4.5 Bath English Tudor home could be built by custom home builder, Pebble Dash Builders for additional fee.

What to do this weekend 11/4 - 11/6

2011-11-04T09:53:00.000-07:00

Christmas at Biltmore

George Vanderbilt introduced his new home to family and friends on Christmas Eve 1895 with a wonderful celebration that we continue today. Enjoy America's largest home decorated with dozens of Christmas trees, hundreds of wreaths, bows, and poinsettias, miles of evergreen garland, and thousands of ornaments.

Date: Nov 04, 2011 to Jan 01, 2012

Time: 09:00 AM-05:00 PM

Cost: Tickets start at $44 for adults

Details:

Christmas at Biltmore during the daytime includes access to Biltmore House, the Gardens and Antler Hill Village & Winery. The village links to the Winery, where visitors may take a complimentary guided tour culminating with a complimentary wine tasting. You'll also find Santa and Mrs. Claus each weekend at the Antler Hill Village Barn.

Location:

Biltmore Estate
1 Approach Road
Asheville, NC 28803

65th Asheville Antiques Fair

Visit the oldest Antiques Fair in the Southeast. On Friday, November, November 5th, the Fair opens its doors for the 65th year at the Exposition Center of The Crowne Plaza Resort. The Fair is a three day event with forty antique dealers from across the country participating. This year's Fair will host the "Heirloom Road Show" with expert evaluations of antiques and it will include an expert lecture series and exhibition celebrating the heritage of the Appalachian Mountains. The Asheville Antiques Fair is a non-profit organization. The Fair is staffed by volunteers with proceeds donated to historical project within Buncombe County. The 2011 beneficiary is the Bascombe Lamar Lunsford collection at Mars Hill College.

Date: Nov 04, 2011 to Nov 06, 2011

Time: 10:00 AM-05:00 PM

Cost: $10

Location:

Crowne Plaza Resort
One Resort Drive
Asheville, NC 28806

3rd Annual WNC Fly Fishing Expo

The WNC Fly Fishing Expo is a two-day fly fishing extravaganza providing anglers a forum to learn the very latest news and innovations in their sport. For those who want to learn more about fly fishing, a distinguished roster of experts will hold programs and presentations throughout the weekend.

Date: Nov 05, 2011 to Nov 06, 2011

Cost:

Tickets are available at the door and are $10 for adults and free for children under 16.

Location:

WNC Agricultural Center
1301 Fanning Bridge Rd.
Fletcher, NC 28732

An Evening with Anthony Bourdain

Chef, author of Kitchen Confidential and host of The Travel Channel’s No Reservations Anthony Bourdain has been dubbed “the bad boy of cuisine” for his rock star look and blunt observations about the world of restaurants, chefs and cooking.

Date: Nov 05, 2011

Time: 08:00 PM-10:00 PM

Location:

Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
87 Haywood St.
Asheville, NC 28801

Todd Snider

Fans of rock ‘n’ roll, folk, country and Americana music have long been held in Todd Snider‘s sway. His 2006 Album “The Devil You Know” landed him on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno and Late Night With David Letterman, and it appeared on numerous year-end Top 10 lists including Spin, Blender and Rolling Stone.

Date: Nov 05, 2011

Time: 08:00 PM-11:00 PM

Cost: $18 advance / $20 door

Details: Ages 18+

Location:

The Orange Peel

101 Biltmore Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801

Asheville Chili Chow Down 3.0

Because nothing goes together better than firefighters and chili, Asheville Chili Chow Down 3.0 will honor fallen firefighter Captain Jeff Bowen and benefit the scholarship fund for his three children. Adding more excitement to the event is the inaugural Fire Truck Pull where up to 100 people will pull the truck more than 50 feet on Coxe Avenue. Event organizers will be filming the pull for submission into the Guinness Book of World Records.

Event date(s):

Nov 06, 2011 at 01:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Cost: $25 to enter.

Location:

Asheville Brewing Company
77 Coxe Ave.
Asheville, NC 28801

Reduced by $20K! Renovated home in Brevard, NC

2011-11-03T07:49:00.000-07:00

111 Udvawadulisi Court

Brevard, NC 28712

Now offered at $375,000!

COMPLETELY RENOVATED. This home has it all – great location, long range mountain views, golf course views and beautiful custom interior finishes. Located on culda-sac in desirable Connestee Falls.

Click HERE for more information about this gorgeous home!

Just Listed! Custom Built Log Home w/ Long Range Views!

2011-11-02T09:38:00.000-07:00

25 Crestwood Drive

Arden, NC 28704

$465,000

3 Bed / 3 Bath

2,348 Sq. Ft.

Too many upgrades to list! Please visit this link for more information about this gorgeous home for sale!

Open House 10/30/11

2011-10-26T06:06:00.000-07:00

115 Lakeshore Drive
Asheville, NC 28804

Listing Price $369,000
MLS Number 507279

Renovated Bungalow in Asheville!

3 Bedroom - 2 Bath

OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY

OCTOBER 30th, 2011 FROM 2 - 4 PM!

93 Old Cathy Rd - New Listing!

2011-10-25T13:15:00.000-07:00

Lovely, Custom-Built Home in Candler

Here are some highlights:

*3 Bed / 3 Bath

*Large covered front porch

*Custom kitchen cabinets

*Spacious, finished basement with 10 ft. ceilings!

*Open floor plan

*Hardwood floors

Asking $179,900

Please click HERE for more information about this beautiful home!