Buyers searching the Asheville real estate market for a second home will find many suitable listings, and, with the Asheville real estate market on the uptick, now would be a great time to consider that investment.  A second home can be a great weekend/summer getaway spot for you.  It can also serve as an Asheville rental home until you are ready to make the move into the home yourself, perhaps after retirement to Asheville.

View From 98 Westminster, Montreat, NC

Greybeard Realty has many homes that have served as rental/vacation homes previously.  In addition, most homes within Black Mountain and Montreat can serve as vacation homes.  Greybeard Rentals offers three suggestions when choosing a home to use as a vacation property.  Our most requested Asheville vacation or rental home is a home with a view.  Timber frame and log cabins are also a high priority for our renters. Our vacationers often search for homes with hot tubs, which can be added to most homes quite easily.

If you are considering buying a second home as a rental property, please check out Greybeard's experienced rental management division.  Our award winning management team handles every aspect of your rental including marketing your home through our national marketing network and home inspections after each rental period to ensure the integrity of your home.  Contact us for more information on Asheville homes for sale and Greybeard's rental management team.

The Asheville real estate market should continue to grow, if I can trust the lessons I learned in Econ 101 of supply and demand.  With the tightening of funds for contractors building homes on speculation, fewer new homes are coming onto the market.  Without that option, buyers are turning to existing single family homes.  All of that means a tightening supply of available homes.

Charming Greybeard Realty Black Mountain Listing

In Buncombe County and Black Mountain, the supply of homes available for sale is down 15 percent compared to the same time last year.  Market watchers will know that our supply drops this time of year so it is crucial to note that this figure is compared with last year's number for the same period.

With the inverse relationship involved with supply and demand, it can be argued that with the supply decreasing, we should see rising sales and perhaps prices.  The question that remains, however, is the impact of the recent foreclosure agreement with the banking industry.  While that agreement was pending, many banks ceased or slowed foreclosures.  Some market analysts predict that foreclosures will increase again which could affect that market adversely.

It's interesting to note that nationally, one in four home sales the last quarter of 2011 were for distressed homes.  Asheville spring always seems to bring signs of hope.  The decrease in Asheville area homes for sale seems to indicate that the Asheville real estate market may be headed for brighter times.  For more information about Western North Carolina real estate including Asheville homes for sale, please contact Greybeard Realty.

The Asheville real estate market, which showed some promising signs last year, can take more hope in the most recent numbers from real estate in the South.  In the South, sales of single family homes rose 3.8 percent in January.  While the median price for existing single family homes decreased 2.6 percent in the region, compared to January 2011, the market still shows signs of promise.

Asheville Real Estate

Unsold listed inventory of homes in the South reached a record 4.04 million in July of 2007.  Overall, the total listed inventory has been headed downward, and the inventory now stands 20.6 percent from a year ago.

While it's still early in 2012, various market signs are pointing to a more positive real estate market in the South.  We have to expect that the Asheville real estate market will be leading the way. For more information or for help in navigating the Asheville real estate market, please contact Greybeard Realty.

The Asheville real estate market has varied commercial property offerings, but it is rare to find such a charmingly preserved property as Greybeard Realty's 101 Black Mountain Avenue. Located in historical downtown Black Mountain, this 8,800 sq. ft. renovated factory building features exposed brick, extremely high ceilings, and old-time character with modern updates.

Charming Commercial Real Estate

Recently renovated, this property sports new hardwood floors, new HVAC, wiring and plumbing, and off-street parking.  The potential possibilities for this prime piece of real estate are limited only by the new owner's imagination.

If you're seeking a new property that will blend in with the delightful ambiance of Black Mountain, you have found your location.  The property is ready and updated...just bring your own business plan. For more information about this property or other Asheville commercial property, please contact Greybeard Realty.

Pristine Mountain Cottage

This special Black Mountain cottage is pristinely maintained and offers its new owners an enviable location, just a five minute walk from the town of Black Mountain and Lake Tomahawk.

The three bedroom, two bath home features gleaming hardwoods and an up-to-date kitchen with granite countertops.

While it would make a wonderful second home or retirement home, it also can be used as an in-town rental property.  For more information on this cottage or other Asheville real estate property, please contact Greybeard Realty.

Several years ago, as the recession began, I wrote about the Asheville real estate market and looking for positives signs in a down market.  I noted that as we were one of the last markets affected, we should be the first to show signs of recovery.  The most recent numbers for the real estate market seem to give some bearing to that economic [...]

A 492-acre parcel of Laurel Ridge property, purchased by the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy (SAHC), preserves watershed headwaters located 19 miles outside of Asheville.  By protecting this land, the SAHC ensures that the majestic views from particular areas of the Blue Ridge Parkway will remain undisturbed and [...]

Those of you who got a chance to sample a few of our locally brewed beers at this year's Asheville Oktoberfest will be excited to learn the new buzz about Asheville's craft brewing market.  Rumors within the Asheville business community are swirling around the possible news that a second major American craft brewery may be relocating to the Black Mountain area.  If true, business leaders predict that the new company could bring as many as 140 new jobs to the Asheville business market.

More beer headed our way?

Rumored to be studying Black Mountain and Buncombe County very seriously, this brewery can only enhance Asheville's recognition as a premier beer community.  Buncombe County, home to 10 craft breweries already, has won the Beer City USA designation for the last three years.

Black Mountain already boasts of one major craft brewery, Pisgah Brewing Co.,  and that company's founder told a local journalist that adding another major craft brewery would increase local tourism. The new brewery, thought to be a West Coast business, would offer brewery tours and have a restaurant.

For more information or to check out local real estate offerings, please contact Greybeard Realty.

On day one of his three day bus tour, President Obama stopped by the Asheville airport and expressed optimism about job creation in Asheville and North Carolina. While promoting has job plan, he also expressed his love for Asheville.  Speaking before a primarily supportive crowd, he talked about the urgency for job creation not only in

President Obama at the podium earlier

Asheville and North Carolina but across the nation.  In his remarks, however, he paid special tribute to Asheville.

"I love Asheville," he told the crowd.  "Every time I meet somebody I say have you guys gone down to Asheville?  Our family has great memories of staying here, and it's always nice to get out of Washington and breathe some of that mountain air."

The President and Mrs. Obama last visited Asheville in April 2010 and made several stops at local hangouts.  It's always nice when someone recognizes what those of us who live here have known all along.  Asheville is a special place.

For more information about Asheville Real Estate, please contact Greybeard Realty.

The Asheville real estate market received a potential boost October 4^th when Buncombe County commissioners voted unanimously to change the current zoning ordinance for vacation rentals.  Since December 2009, residential rental restrictions have been in place, limiting new properties from entering the rental market. 

With the rental restrictions, many Realtors reported that homebuyers looking for second homes were often deterred by the rental restrictions.  It is not unusual for people planning to retire in Buncombe County to buy a home prior to retirement and put it into the rental market until they are ready to relocate to the area permanently.  The restrictions meant that was no longer a legal option.

Rental Restrictions for Buncombe County revized.

With the commissioners' action which allows rentals countywide, homeowners will now have that option restored.  In addition, visitors to the Asheville area will have more rental properties from which to choose.  Many tourists prefer to stay in a home and have a more authentic mountain cabin experience than a hotel room may provide.

For more information about Asheville area homes and rental properties, please contact Greybeard Realty.