Almost 14,000 Houses Sold Yesterday

by The KCM Crew on May 3, 2011

One of the biggest misconceptions in today’s housing market is that homes are not selling. That is simply not true. Last month’s Existing Sales Report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) showed that homes were selling at an “annual rate of 5.10 million”. That’s an average of 13,973 every day – 365 days a year!
And the monthly Pending Sales Report, which measures the number of houses going into contract each month, has showed increases in six of the last nine months prompting Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist to say:

“Since reaching a cyclical bottom last June, pending home sales have posted an overall gain of 24 percent and demonstrate the market is recovering on its own. The index means modest near-term gains in existing-home sales are likely.”

We realize that 40% of the sales are distressed properties and that 22% of buyers are investors. Yet, that still doesn’t negate the fact that homes are in fact selling… and 60% of them are NOT foreclosures or short sales.
And Yun believes this uptick will continue:

“Based on the current uptrend with very favorable affordability conditions, rising apartment rents and ongoing job creation, existing-home sales should rise around 5 to 10 percent this year.”

Bottom Line

Homes are selling. You probably will need to offer a compelling price if you put your house on the market. But if you do, it will sell.

Dreams a Reality at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove

Working in real estate, we are continuously amazed at the beauty, design, and architecture of homes across Western North Carolina. Every home has its own unique style and personality. The Cliffs at Walnut Cove houses some of the most magnificent homes in the area and this marvelous 4 bedroom, Tudor style retreat is no exception!

 

 Character is a perfect way to sum up this spectacular home. Bright and airy rooms coupled with a spacious and open floor plan make this the ideal mountain getaway. Incredible mountain ridges set the backdrop for spectacular views. The Cliffs at Walnut Cove also offers a championship golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus. This stunning home overlooks the 7th green & 8th tee box. The lower levels of the home lead right onto the course to cap off a truly magnificent property.

Open and airy foyer.

Beautiful stone fireplace and custom cofferd ceilings.

Detailed trim work and spectacular lighting set off the dining room.

State of the art Kitchen with stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops, and beautiful cabinetry.

Bright, spacious, and colorful bedrooms.

Sensational spa-like master bath.

Open living space with beautiful fireplace and views of the golf course.

Spectacular views of the mountains, golf course, and pond.

More Details and Photos: 26 Linkside Court

Call Molly McNichols today!
(828)-277-5551
26 Linkside Court
$1,495,000

Old European Beauty tucked away in The Ramble

 

 The mountains of Western North Carolina have something to offer everyone. This is a unique and beautiful place that is the result of natural beauty and an eclectic mix of styles the world over. The same can be said for the design and architecture of homes and businesses in the area. This beautiful home located in The Ramble, Asheville's premier gated community, blends old world European influence with modern mountain living.

This 6 bedroom, 7500 square foot home features a spacious floor plan and the finest attention to detail and craftsmanship. Highlights include hardwood and marble flooring, custom kitchen, coffered ceilings, Italian granite counter tops, full size bar, exercise room, private terraces, a 3 car garage, and one of a kind appointments.

Coffered ceilings and stunning hardwood flooring highlight the Great Room.

Kitchen features Italian granite counter tops, beautiful cabinetry, and stainless steel appliances.

20 ft vaulted ceiling and marble fireplace highlight a magnificent master bedroom.

Custom marble flooring, custom cabinetry, and a beautiful jet tub.

Custom designed closets

Unique full size bar

Full size bar featuring custom cabinets and granite counter tops.

 

Private terrace featuring wrought iron railings and custom designed epie wod.

Details and Photos: 6 Vaux Court

Call Brian Etheridge today!

(828)-277-5551

6 Vaux Court

$2,200,000

WNC Spotlight: Catawba Falls

Located just outside of Old Fort, a small town 20 minutes east of Asheville, NC off of I-40, Catawba Falls is a spectacular waterfall and gem of McDowell County. The Catawba river flows down from Grandfather Mountain and runs deep into South Carolina. The river has carved through the mountain where Catawba Falls are found creating a very beautiful, serene hike up to the falls.

The hike to the falls is roughly 30 minutes and is very nice.

The trail is very well kept and is full of distinct features that make it very memorable. The winding river creates some beautiful scenery as well as several smaller waterfalls, each very unique and interesting. Cawtaba Falls itself is breathtaking. Various boulders and ledges create different waterways giving these particular falls a very unique look. One of the highlights of Catawba Falls is the accessibility of the falls all the way up to the top. The trail gets significantly tougher but also yields multiple overlooks and some

beautiful views of the valley the Catawba River flows through. The basin of the falls is also very nice. The clear spring water pools at the bottom of the falls and several large boulders and logs allow visitors to sit and watch the falls.

Catawba Falls offers a perfect day trip for residents of Western North Carolina and guests alike. Whether you are looking for a nice hike, a day of exploration, or a new waterfall to experience, Catawba Falls is the ideal choice! For more information on Catawba Falls and many more of Western North Carolina's beautiful waterfalls click here!

Morning Glow

I recently woke up to one of the most breathtaking mountain views I have ever seen and thankfully had my camera to capture the moment. The sun beaming off the mountain tops and the clouds settled in the valley was absolutely beautiful. Each and every day delivers something new and astonishing here in Western North Carolina.

One of the great advantages to living in Western North Carolina is the year round beauty. Whether its snow covered mountains in winter, flowers in bloom at the Biltmore Estate in spring, gorgeous summer sunsets, or the changing of the leaves in the fall, the beauty of the area never fails to capture the imagination. There are countless mountain hikes, parkway overlooks, and daily drives that deliver awe inspiring views and breathtaking beauty.

The Asheville housing market has significantly increased over the last few months. There are many beautiful, custom homes available that offer terrific views and fabulous mountain living. These properties are being purchased very quickly and at exceptional prices! If you are considering Western North Carolina for a new home, second home, retirement, investment property or a custom homesite, now is the time to make that dream purchase.

Carolina Mountain Sales is ready to serve you and help make the purchasing process exciting, fun, and stress free. Contact us today to begin the process of turning Your Dreams into Your Reality!

Asheville: Sample Arty Appalachian Culture

Asheville: Sample Arty Appalachian Culture

Recently www.Fodors.com named Asheville, North Carolina one of the top destinations in the entire world.

http://www.fodors.com/travel-photography/21-places-were-going-in-2011-216.html

About Asheville

Consistently ranked by as a top city for living, retiring and visiting, Asheville, North Carolina, maintains its small town charm while offering a degree of sophistication normally only found in large cities. The temperate climate emphasizes the beauty of every season and unites outdoor adventure with leisure.

Downtown Asheville holds the nation's third-largest collection of Art Deco buildings, it is also a welcoming nexus of eclectic restaurants, galleries, bookstores, shopping and a thriving arts community. Part of Asheville's elegance lies in its history as a resort town and in George W. Vanderbilt's decision, at the turn of the nineteenth century, to locate his magnificent Biltmore Estate here, bringing with him his artisans from Europe.

With its mountain scenery, rivers, waterfalls and forests, Western North Carolina is an outdoor enthusiast's dream. The region's abundance of national parks means that hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding are readily available popular activities. The French Broad, one of the world’s oldest rivers, runs through the heart of Asheville and is a favorite spot for kayaking.

One of the greatest adventures you can have in Asheville is in George W. Vanderbilt’s magnificent Biltmore Estate http://www.biltmore.com/

Visit ExploreAsheville.com and Asheville Chamber of Commerce www.ashevillechamber.org/ to learn more about Asheville, "The Paris of the South."

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When you have a free minute click on www.ashevillechamber.org/ just to watch the pictures pass and you will see what I love about this great city in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Real Estate: GOLDen Opportunity of This Decade

by STEVE HARNEY on MARCH 30, 2011 · 4 COMMENTS

in FOR BUYERS,PRICING

Everyone wants to comment on the current real estate market. They want to talk about how now is not the time to buy a home. Some even argue owning a house has never been a great investment. Most say it will be a long time before real estate again begins to appreciate. It all sounds so familiar to me. It was just a decade ago that many made the same arguments about gold as an investment.

Gold had dropped from over $400 an ounce to $250 an ounce (a 40% decline) from February 1996 to August 1999. People ran from gold as though it was a plague.

Lord William Rees-Mogg, the current Chairman of The Zurich Club, in 1997 said:

“No investment has been so thoroughly exploded as gold; most people think that there will no more be another gold boom than there will be another boom in tulip futures in The Netherlands.”

Two years later in 1999, Don Wolanchuk author of the Wolanchuk Report explained:

“Everybody hates gold. You can’t have a bottom until everybody is out. And everybody is out of the gold sector.”

Everyone knows what happened next. The proclamation of gold’s death was rather premature. Gold rose from $250 an ounce to over $1,400 an ounce in the next twelve years. I see the same situation with real estate today. I am not predicting that real estate will see the same levels of appreciation. I do believe however that the market will rebound strongly.

Those who continued to believe in gold as an investment were rewarded. Those who continue to believe in real estate as a sound investment will also be rewarded.

Here is what Adam Hamilton wrote in October 2000 in an essay titled Is Gold Dead?

The road for gold investors has been long and parched in the last five years. They have wandered through a seemingly endless desert, occasionally tempted by what proves to be an illusory mirage. Many have fallen beside the sun-cracked path, their white bones picked clean by buzzards and gleaming in the sun. Nevertheless, a brave contrarian core continues to march forward. They have studied history, currency, gold, investments, economics, and finance. They understand the timeless value of gold, the cyclical nature of the markets, and the vagaries of human psychology. They realize it is darkest before the dawn, and the journey most difficult right before the homestretch is reached. Gold is in an INCREDIBLE position, and it will have its day. Nothing goes up in price forever, and nothing goes down in price forever. Investments are cyclical. Gold is NOT dead, it is simply biding its time, waiting for its next earth-shattering mega-rally. The spoils that go to the few remaining gold investors when that day inevitably arrives will be fantastic. The stunning victory will quickly blot out the painful memories of the long struggle…

You could replace the word ‘gold’ with the words ‘real estate’ throughout this essay and it would apply today.