Greybeard Realty welcomes Realtor Jean David who has joined the full-service real estate company. Jean brings the total number of Realtors at Greybeard Realty to 14, each of whom has a special connection to western North Carolina. In addition, Jean and his wife, Morgan, manage Greybeard Second Home Care, a new division of Greybeard Realty and Property. Greybeard, a home-grown company committed to providing individualized care to its clients, continues to seek new ways to provide quality service to its clients.

Greybeard welcomes Realtor Jean David

Jean David, a Louisiana native, notes that his love of western North Carolina grew along with his love for his wife, an Asheville native. After more than a decade of vacationing in the Blue Ridge mountains, the couple, along with their two children, relocated to the area two years ago. Jean, who is also Director at Cheshire Racquet Club, describes himself as an avid long-distance trail runner as well as a supporter of everything local. Jean is a passionate supporter of local charities and businesses, and his experience with in-home rehab projects has motivated him to take on the responsibilities of Greybeard Second Home Care. Launched this fall, Second Home Care provides homeowners with quality property care including emergency weather checks and monthly maintenance reports

"Greybeard's Second Home Care is a special offering for our homeowners, providing them with top quality home maintenance, and we are very proud to have Jean David managing this new division," says Chip Craig, president and company founder of Greybeard Realty. "From the start, Greybeard has strived to provide special services to our clients, and Jean David's passion for Western North Carolina and his renovation expertise makes him well-qualified to oversee this new endeavor.

Greybeard Realty and Rentals, with offices in Asheville and Black Mountain, has 173 total property listings and manages 339 rental properties, including 170 long-term homes and 169 vacation rentals. Greybeard Realty, founded in 1999, has offices at 204 E. State Street in Black Mountain (828-669-1072) and 4 Olde Eastwood Village Blvd, Suite 207G in Asheville (828-298-1540).  For more information, please contact Greybeard Realty.

When was the last time you took a cruise on the Blue Ridge Parkway for sightseeing? With the recent ranking by The Weather Channel placing the Parkway at the top of the list of top 10 scenic drives, it may be time to take another look.

Capture fall foliage photos from the Blue Ridge Parkway

The Top 10 List includes Sonoma and Napa Valleys and the Red Rock Scenic byway. The Blue Ridge Parkway, the longest of the drives, stretches 469 miles, through the Southern Appalachian Mountains. The Parkway history is worth a glance as well, as much of the work was done by workers previously unemployed due to the Great Depression. Construction on the parkway, which links Virginia's Shenandoah National Park with NC's Great Smoky Mountain National Park, began in 1935 and wasn't completed until 1983.

A recent Greybeard Rentals blog talked about the multi-seasonal aspect of the Parkway. While often seen as a leaf-peeking conduit, the Parkway really does offer much more including spring wildflowers. The majestic beauty of the Parkway is one more example of what makes western NC such a special place to live. If you're thinking of relocating to the area, take a drive along the most scenic drive in America. And then contact Greybeard Realty to start searching for your new home.

This Black Mountain land, which has gated community amenities, offers quiet solitude with proximity to Black Mountain and Asheville. If you want a property where you can build your dream home, this 2.67 acre lot may suit the [...]

Greybeard Realty welcomes Annie Singletary, a Realtor, who joins the full-service real estate company this month. A 14-year Black Mountain resident, Annie becomes part of Greybeard Realty and Rentals, a home-grown realty company committed to providing individualized, personalized care to its [...]

Well, the votes are in, and Asheville has again risen to number one on another top ten list. This time, it's Travel+Leisure readers who have ranked hundreds of towns for their main streets, coffee bars and eco-friendliness, among other things. And, yes, Asheville won the title of Quirkiest Town in the US.

Quirky or cool, Asheville is our number one pick.

In their assessment, voters approved of the Friday night drum circle in Pritchard Park as well as the numerous local beers. Mentioned in the article are the beer/moonshine "hoptails" from the Grove Park Inn's Great Hall Bar as well as the BROO shampoo from Earth Fare. Of note, Asheville also ranked in the top 10 for great bakeries.

All of this ranking and rating got us to thinking. Exactly what is it about Asheville that makes it so special? Is it the so-called quirkiness? Or is it more about the coexisting diversity within this comfortable community? For those of you who live here or visit here, what do you consider to be its real appeal? Let Greybeard Realty hear from you. We would love to compile our own list of the top ten best qualities of Asheville that makes it number one in our hearts.

At Greybeard Realty, we monitor Asheville market news, always looking for indicators of how the housing market is growing. In the last month, we've seen some very interesting numbers that may foretell of further area growth in the coming [...]

If you're looking for a gorgeous, 3-bedroom home in a place with small town charm and proximity to Asheville, look at this new Weaverville listing on Buckle Ridge. Located just minutes from Weaverville, this home has hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings, and just about everything else you could want.

Quiet beauty on Buckle Ridge in Weaverville

With its master bedroom on the main level, this western NC home could be a great retirement house. The beautiful landscaping around the home makes it an appealing home for any gardener or nature lover. And its location in the culturally rich community of Weaverville make it an attractive home for artists and art lovers alike.

Weaverville, less than 20 minutes from downtown Asheville, is home to an annual art event, Art in Autumn, which brings many area artists and craftsmen together. Whether it's a stroll down Main Street Weaverville or a quick trip into Asheville for its eclectic art scene, the new owners of this home will treasure the home's qualities and its location.

For more information on this property, please contact Greybeard Realty. And please browse through Greybeard's other western NC listings in Weaverville. Tap into your artistic spirit by relocating to Weaverville.

Admit it. Being in Asheville just brings a smile to your face. Apparently, you aren't alone. Results of Conde Nast's Annual Readers' Choice survey announced this month indicates that Asheville is a top ten choice as the happiest city in the US.

Asheville recognized as special happy place.

In addition to citing the friendly people and incredible beauty of the city, the blurb announcing the award also notes the arts, farm-to-table fare and the local beer scene. In receiving the recognition, Asheville joins some other great cities including New Orleans, Telluride, and Charleston. This survey only confirms the data collected in a research study reported in Greybeard's blog that Asheville is a happy place. For those of us who call the Asheville area home, it brings great pride to get some national attention for the special small-town feel that exists here.

For anyone considering Asheville as a relocation spot, we encourage you to come have a look around. See our recent blog on the Asheville spirit and view the video link. For an additional overview, we have a brief description of Asheville on our website. But probably the best way to truly experience the happy phenomenon that is Asheville is to plan an Asheville vacation to see for yourself. Visit Greybeard Rentals to choose an Asheville area rental cabin. If you're ready to consider a move, browse through Greybeard Realty's Asheville listings. We're willing to be that just seeing the possibilities will bring a smile to your face.

Greybeard Realty tries to convey the special qualities of Asheville and its environs. In our blogs we talk about art, food, and outdoor activities. If you want to hear more of the same message from a variety of people, check out this YouTube video we ran across.

Asheville Drum Circle

The video, first aired in 2009, shows the drum circle, a few local galleries and the gorgeous scenery around town. More than that, however, it also has the people of Asheville speaking for themselves about what makes this city so great. We can talk about Asheville's unique flavors, but there's nothing like hearing it from the people who live here.

If you've been thinking about making Asheville home, this video might just be what cinches it for you. And if you're not that familiar with Asheville and want to know more, consider renting an Asheville area rental to try out living here. Or perhaps you've been vacationing here and know it's where you want to settle. Please see our listings for western NC homes for sale. Isn't it time to get into the Asheville spirit?

If you've just spent an incredible week in a Black Mountain rental cabin and can't fathom the idea of leaving, why not buy? A charming mountain cottage has just come onto the Black Mountain sales market. With its convenient location and quality construction, 29 Rhododendron easily could become the home of your dreams.

Whimsical features give Black Mountain home charm.

While the 2 bedroom home is less than five minutes from town, it sits on a 1.03 acre lot in a quiet, private setting. It has an apartment/in-law suite downstairs and the potential for expansion by finishing the large second story area. Built in 2010, this beautiful house has special details that add whimsical charm, making it a unique home with high-end finishes. From the special railings on the entryway to the arched front doorway, this mountain cottage has character and charm.

As anyone who's visited knows, Black Mountain offers arts, culture, and a small-town community feel. Long known as the Front Porch of Western North Carolina, Black Mountain provides access to mountain hiking and numerous outdoor activities. To see more of Greybeard's Black Mountain listings or to learn more about 29 Rhododendron, please contact Greybeard Realty. Isn't it time to find a Black Mountain cottage where you have your own front porch?