If you already live in NC or if you just think you might like to, check out this list we ran across of "The 21 ways to know you're a real North Carolinian." The list mentions Andy Griffith and James Taylor which are fairly self-explanatory. For a few of the other items listed, you really do need to have at least visited here to know what it's all about.

Cheerwine makes the list.

If, for example, you've never been to North Carolina, you probably haven't enjoyed a cold Cheerwine on a warm day, used to wash down a moonpie, but they forgot to mention the moonpie. They talk about getting rained on during Merlefest, another event you sort of have to live here to know about. And they also make the observation of the obvious: If you are from NC, "you think 'sweet tea or unsweetened tea' is the dumbest question ever". We couldn't agree more!

But what really caught our eye at Greybeard was #21 on the list. It claims you know you're from NC if "you've reminded people that you saw the Avett Brothers at the Orange Peel." Whoa, the Orange Peel! We talked about the Orange Peel and the Asheville Music scene a while ago, and we appreciate the high quality music they bring into the Asheville area. We were still proud to see an Asheville-based music venue made the list.

If you're ready to make your home in western NC and live the NC dream that is detailed in this 21 item list, then check out the Asheville Real Estate listings on the Greybeard website. If you just want to come for a visit, Greybeard Rentals vacation listings are worth checking out. And don't forget to see what's happening at the Orange Peel while you're here.

Greybeard Rentals Management Team Receives Recognition

How many of you enjoyed your western NC vacation this summer so much that you're ready to purchase your own vacation home in the Asheville area? If one obstacle that makes you hesitate is managing your property, Greybeard Rentals can help you with that.

Greybeard's management team was recently recognized again by FlipKey and Trip Advisor as one of their most outstanding companies. In addition, Greybeard Rentals received their "Rated Excellent" badge which is awarded based on past guests' reviews. And while some awards are given based on reviews by a few people, the "rated excellent" is based on reviews by more than 1000 guests, indicating a consistency of service by our management team.

At Greybeard Rentals, we carefully select our rental homes, only listing those we would vacation in ourselves. And we pay careful attention to details as well. Each home is inspected prior to our guests' arrivals, a freshly-baked loaf of pumpkin bread is awaiting each guest, and a Greybeard Rental management team member is on call 24/7 to personally answer each call from our guests who may have an issue or a pressing question.

Another unique aspect of Greybeard Rentals property management is our Guest Services division. The vacation packages and a la carte offerings offered on our guest Services webpage caught the attention of the NY Times, as noted in our 2010 rental blog. So check out our vacation homes for sale listings at Greybeard Realty and find the home of your dreams. When you've made your home selection, we can assist you with the rest. Leave the rental details to us.

The Asheville area has a large number of road races and trail runs coming up, and runners will tell you that training for those events is a great way to get to know different neighborhoods. If you're into running, either on the road or on the trails, it's hard to beat Asheville as a place to [...]

If you read the recent Greybeard blog on the increase in local construction permits, you may have wondered where all these new residential permits are being put to use. If the July MLS statistics on land sales are any indication, we may have found the [...]

A recent readers' choice survey in Conde Nast Traveler rated Asheville one of the friendliest towns in the United States. The survey asked readers to rate US cities on a number of qualities including "friendliest", and Asheville placed fourth in the survey.

Won't you be our Asheville neighbor?

Asheville visitors who participated in the survey not only ranked the cities but also provided comments as to their choices. Glancing over their observations, it is very difficult to disagree with their statements.  One reader observed the city has "hidden treasures around every corner." Another credited the high scoring with Asheville's great combination of "free thinkers and Southern hospitality." The magazine itself points to our remarkable local art scene and local microbreweries as another compelling reason to visit the city.

With our own experiences in the River Arts District and our research for our blogs on microbreweries in the area, we have to say we agree. The magazine goes on to talk about our "great locally sourced food and friendly people".  And while the survey respondents were Asheville visitors, the greatest attraction seems to be the city residents. According to Conde Nast, "above all, it's the "conscientious locals" who truly make this "welcoming" metropolis a "fun, quirky place to visit."

To that, we at Greybeard Realty say, "hear, hear!" We couldn't agree more that Asheville locals are what make this place so special. For those of us who already live in this area, give yourselves a pat on the back for making Asheville such a friendly place to be.  And for those of you who are considering Asheville as an option for relocation, what are you waiting for? Come on! Won't you be our neighbors?

Ah, summer. Temperatures rise and so do home sales in the seasonal Asheville real estate market. That's why it is imperative that you consider equivalent months and year to date statistics when studying the area trends. Even a quick glance at the most recently released MLS numbers, however, indicates some very strong signs for 2013.

If you've enjoyed your western NC vacation, perhaps it's time to consider taking that next step and purchasing your own piece of tranquility. Greybeard Realty has a new listing for a furnished, ready to move in mountain retreat. With its high-end furnishings and impeccable attention to detail, this mountain home is unmatched in its quality.

Keep the home fires burning in this buncombe County home for sale.

Located on 1.2 acres in Fairview, this 4-bedroom, 3 bath home has 3 gas fireplaces and a gourmet eat-in kitchen. Constructed in 2005, the home has wood floors throughout, a large master suite, and a bonus room with office or bedroom potential. As spectacular as the inside of the house is, the outside offers its own perks. From the porch, new homeowners will be rewarded with gorgeous long-range, year-round views. For more views of this home, click on 39 Falcon Crest on Greybeard's website.

To get an idea of what's happening in the Buncombe County real estate market, look at Greybeard's real estate market statistics. The market has shown steady growth over the last year and indicates a strengthening of the housing market. It's a great time to buy into an incredible place to live. Browse through Greybeard Realty's residential listings and find your piece of paradise.

Black Mountain Camp Available

Greybeard Realty agent Scott Russell and Asheville professional photographer Gary Leive had their names in a Wall Street Journal story about camps for sale across the United States. Russell, the agent listing the Black Mountain camp property, mentions the tremendous potential for the property, and Leive gets credit for the photos that appear with the story.

The property, featured in a Greybeard blog earlier this year, was built in 2002 as a faith-based retreat but could easily be converted into a primary residence. Built on 83 acres, the main building with numerous cabins occupies only a small portion of the land. Because of that, the property has plenty of room for further development.

For more information about the featured campground, please see 66 Great Aspen Way. If you've always wanted to move to the Asheville area and start your own business, this may be just the property you've been looking for. And if you have something a little different in mind for your next career, check out Greybeard Realty's commercial real estate listings and see what else catches your eye.

In yet another sign of a recovering residential real estate market, residential building permits for Buncombe County are up 21.1% for year to date. The statistics, compiled by The Market Edge, indicate a continuation of the upward trend that began last year for the Asheville [...]

Finding a large land parcel for sale in a gated mountain community near Asheville is unusual. Finding a large land parcel in a gorgeous mountain setting with cascading streams on the property is priceless. Greybeard's listing, Tract 7 Winding Poplar, has limitless potential uses as well, from private estate to residential development.

Laurel Ridge land tract includes streams.

This Black Mountain property, located within Laurel Ridge, provides easy access and has numerous flat sites for easy home construction. And with its convenient location to downtown Black Mountain and Asheville, owners of this prime property will have access to all the local amenities with ease as well.

Within the 67 acres are large boulders and streams that give the property a natural mountain setting. Elevation ranges from 2500-3500 feet with varying terrain. Combine the untouched nature of the land with the easy accessibility to the property, and this land tract really does present a rare opportunity for the right buyer.

To appreciate this property, you really need to take a walk through it and see the incredible potential within the natural beauty. Greybeard agent, Scott Russell, would welcome a chance to show you this natural gem. Contact Greybeard Realty now to see this remarkable land tract for yourself.