Real estate buyers in Asheville can benefit from a few simple steps to ensure that when they find the house of their dreams, it won't become a nightmare. For every handful of happily-ever-after buyer stories, there is one house-that-got-away tale.  To be sure a buyer is prepared for house hunting, Greybeard Realty has assembled The ABCs for Buyers, six simple steps to get ready for a home purchase.

Simple steps to assist buyers.

In short, buyers should know what they need and what they can afford.  Very often, house hunters set off without taking into account they need a first floor bedroom or can only afford a fixer-upper home. Doing a brief assessment of needs and assets can shorten the list of homes a prospective buyer needs to check out.

Also, home buyers in western NC should do their homework about where they want to live. Are they heart set on city life in a home in Asheville or do they crave a peaceful mountainside home in Montreat? Regardless of the home's location, buyers can benefit from having a Realtor they know and trust to show them the various options.

For more information about how to prepare to buy a home, check out our buyers' notes.  To meet Greybeard's Realtors and get more information about the Asheville real estate market, please contact Greybeard Realty.

As indicated in Greybeard's 2012 mid-year market report blog, Western North Carolina Real Estate has begun to show signs of recovery. This month features a blue moon, meaning two full moons in one month, a very rare occurrence. Similarly, the Asheville market, with near record low interest rates available and a good supply of homes, may offer buyers an unusual chance to buy that perfect home.

Asheville Real Estate in August's Blue Moon

It continues to be a good time to consider purchasing an Asheville home. If a small-town atmosphere appeals, be sure to consider Weaverville homes, Black Mountain homes, or Montreat homes when searching for that special second home. One option when trying to decide which Western North Carolina community is right for you is to consider an Asheville long-term rental which will give you the opportunity to tryout an area prior to making a purchase commitment.

While the Asheville real estate market has not been as hard hit as some other housing markets, Greybeard Realty does have a listing of Asheville foreclosures presently available.  As described on our foreclosure page, buying a foreclosed home takes a few extra steps, but Greybeard Realty's staff can guide you through the purchase process if you find the home of your dreams.

With the seasonal nature of the Asheville real estate market, now is a good time to find that second home in Western North Carolina. For assistance in making your home selection, please contact Greybeard Realty.

The Asheville Real Estate market has not experienced the large number of foreclosure properties  that other areas across the nation have. Despite that, Greybeard's Asheville foreclosure properties listings offer a wide range of homes, and our Realtors understand the special considerations a buyer needs when purchasing a distressed property.

In the last few weeks, several articles have discussed the impact foreclosed properties has had on the national real estate market. As more people lose their homes and move into rental properties, the number of rental properties available has diminished which in turn has increased rental rates.  Also, mortgage rates continue to hover at record low rates, making becoming a home owner more affordable.

Asheville Foreclosures Benefit From Rising Rents

More people are finding that, if they have solid employment and an excellent credit rating, they actually can lower their housing costs by buying a home. In many instance, particularly if they can find a foreclosed property that appeals to them, buyers can spend less money monthly if they own their home rather than renting.

Again, while there are financial benefits, buyers need to understand the complexities that can accompany buying a distressed home. For more information on Asheville foreclosure properties or to get more information about the process of buying a distressed property, please contact Greybeard Realty.

Asheville real estate market followers understand the seasonal nature of our area real estate sales.  At Greybeard Realty, we encourage buyers and sellers to do some spring cleaning as they enter the Asheville market.

For sellers, a literal spring cleaning of the home can be very useful in preparing a home to go on the market.  Clutter and personal items in a home have been noted as two factors that can affect potential buyers who have a more difficult time seeing a home as their own if it's still chock full of the present owners' belongings.  Hiring a professional to conduct a home inspection can save the sellers from getting deal-breaking surprises at closing time. And be sure to showcase your home in its best light with a professional photographer like Greybeard Realty's choice, Gary Leive, photographer.

Sellers and Buyers can benefit from a good spring cleaning

For buyers, spring clean your credit report.  Take advantage of the free reports everyone is privy to annually and see if there are mistakes.  Know your price limit and have your financing in order so you will know whether to seek a high-end home or a small fixer-upper Asheville cabin.

If you are a buyer of a second home as a potential Asheville rental vacation home, understand the expenses and perhaps delegate the management of that property to Greybeard's award-winning property management team.  If you presently own an Asheville rental vacation cabin, we can arrange for your spring cleaning and have it ready when the first guests arrive.

For more information about Asheville real estate, contact Greybeard Realty.

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.

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.

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.

If you're headed to visit your own Asheville real estate or want to know if it's a nice day to property hunt, be sure to check out the Greybeard Webcam and see Black Mountain in action.  Located atop My Father's Pizza, the webcam captures daily life as it's happening which enables viewers to see current weather conditions and observe traffic right on Cherry Street. 

Check out real time weather at Greybeard's webcam

With the arrival of the autumnal equinox comes varying weather in the Asheville area.  Greybeard's webcam lets you see road conditions in real time.  As a property owner, do you need to know when the cold hits so you can winterize your home?  Are you worried about whether roads are passable? As a potential buyer are you eager to see what winter means in Black Mountain?  If so, tune in to our webcam and vicariously enjoy a beautiful mountain day.

For more information or to explore real estate offerings in the Asheville area, please contact Greybeard Realty.

This Montreat retreat, one of the most pristine mountain properties on the Asheville area real estate market, abuts a preserved wilderness property bordered by streams and waterfalls. This impeccable log home, built in 1994, sits on a private 3 acre lot.  In 1999, the home site became the first Montreat home designated a National Wildlife [...]

There are several signs that larger homes, often known as McMansions, may be headed the way of the dinosaur...or at least the albatross.  The American Institute of Architects survey in 2010 indicated that close to 60% of respondents noted that homes were getting smaller while the remainder reported that home sizes were staying the same.  [...]