Enjoy the twinkling evening lights and the train whistle from the valley below from the deck of this newly listed Montreat home. This 3-bedroom home, located on a larger than average Montreat lot, has exquisite landscaping including stone walls and walkways as well as a perennial garden with a small, man-made waterfall. With this [...]
In another sign of steady real estate growth in the Asheville area, statistics for land sales and residential building permits rose for the first three quarters of 2013. These figures, when matched with the recent local residential sales figures in a recent Greybeard blog, indicate that the market continues on its positive trend.
Asheville area land sales on the rise.
In the Asheville area, land sales increased 74% over the same period last year. That number shows strong growth but still lags 44% behind the land sales peak of 2007. The 420 units sold today account for $45 million in sales, a 68% increase over last year this time, but, again, still 57% below the 2007 peak. At present, there is a 3% increase in the number of units on the market.
In Black Mountain, the number of units sold is much smaller, 22 so far in 2013, versus 23 in 2012 which accounts for a 4% increase. This figure is well below the 70 units that sold in the peak year of 2007. The $1.7 million in dollars sold year-to-date represents a 2% increase over sales in 2012. Again, this figure is well below the peak of $8 million in sales in 2008, the peak year. At present, there is a 15% increase in the number of units on the market. The figures used for land sales were provided by Western NC MLS.
For residential building permits year-to-date, Buncombe County saw an increase of 566 permits over the 460 pulled for the same period last year, an increase of 23%. These statistics are provided by The Market Edge. Of interest is the number of residential permits taken out for units more than 4000 sq ft or with permit value of more than $400,000. Statistics provide numbers for the total 2012 residential permits, 75, while numbers are only available for year-to-date for 2013, 58. It will be interesting to track that statistic to the year end to see if permits for larger, more expensive homes will increase at year's end.
To stay on top of land sales and residential building permits, as well as area real estate sales, please see our market reports which are updated regularly.
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.
Greybeard Realty often tells potential buyers in Black Mountain and other local communities to spend some time in the towns they're considering purchasing real estate in, perhaps attend an event. Tomorrow's Rockin' Around the Square Concert in Black Mountain, June 1, is one of those community gatherings that will capture the essence of this small mountain town.
Greybeard Realtor Rocks!
Playing at the free concert will be the local band, The Hackbirds. This free event, from 2-4 pm on the site of the future Black Mountain Town Square, will have food and drink; all you'll need to bring is a chair or blanket to sit back and enjoy the music. The planned Town Square will be a community gathering spot that will include public parking, a market area, and open space.
We at Greybeard are particularly excited about the concert as The Hackbirds include Adam Johnson, one of Greybeard Realty's Realtors. A resident of the Black Mountain area for more than 10 years, Adam epitomizes what makes Greybeard Realtors and Rentals agents so knowledgeable. Adam attended Montreat College and is passionate about fly fishing in the area. It's hard to find anyone in the area more familiar with the vast outdoor activities available in the NC mountains.
So if you are looking at the Black Mountain area as a possible new home location, or if you just enjoy some fantastic music on a beautiful afternoon, come on over to the future site of Black Mountain Town Square. And if you're too far away to join us to hear the Hackbirds, we are sorry to hear that. Don't forget you can check out the Greybeard Black Mountain Webcam anytime to see what you're missing in town.
Imagine a log cabin, four acres of beautiful land including pasture, two creeks and a pond all within easy access of Asheville. Now view the listing on our website for MLS #53995 and see that image in your mind become [...]
If you want to explore the flavor of a particular western North Carolina community prior to purchasing a home, there may be no better way than hitting a few arts and craft festivals to see what each NC mountain town has to offer. Whether it's a Montreat cabin, a Black Mountain home or a mountain vacation rental for sale that you are looking for, you will have a better idea of how each town feels just by walking the streets and viewing the area [...]
While much is made about the outdoor adventure activities in the area, there's also a lot to be said about the city life available to those people living in downtown Asheville. With its eclectic arts scene and its various and varied dining spots, Asheville city residents have the experience of city living in a very tranquil, mountainous [...]
If buying a vacation cabin now for a later Asheville retirement is on your to-do list, you may appreciate knowing that Greybeard Rentals, the rental arm of Greybeard Realty, just passed a major milestone. Greybeard, a home-grown company that only lists homes they would like to rent themselves, just surpassed the 30,000th reservation mark.
Retire or retreat, Asheville can't be beat.
Greybeard Rentals has received recognition for its fine quality property management and strives to prepare each Asheville rental cabin with meticulous care for its guests. Prior to each new guest arrival, each rental home is given a personal inspection to ensure it is in pristine condition. To welcome each guest, Greybeard Rentals leaves a loaf of freshly-made pumpkin bread. Their commitment and attention to detail are only one aspect of Greybeard's property management plan.
So, why would a real estate buyer want to know this information? First of all, as noted before, renting an Asheville home is a great idea if you are considering buying a home to help you assess each community's assets. In addition, if you have been thinking about buying a home in Asheville for retirement later, now could be a great time to do so. As these Asheville real estate market statistics indicate, the market is solid and headed upward. It's a great time to consider buying an Asheville home.
So why does it matter that Greybeard Rentals has reached this milestone? It shows that Asheville renters appreciate Greybeard's quality rental homes. And it may just be the impetus you've been looking for to head on up this way and buy a piece of property in the happiest city east of the Mississippi. Come see what 30,000 other renters have already come to learn: Asheville and its environs are a great place to be.
For more information on renting an Asheville home or to speak with a member of our property management team, please contact Greybeard Rentals. And if you're ready to invest in your own Asheville home, then contact Greybeard Realty.
Western North Carolina real estate offerings vary as much as the various mountain views in the changing sunlight. To get an idea of the wide range of Asheville area homes for sale, all you need to do is take a quick sampling of Greybeard Realty's listings.
Newly built 8 Robin Ridge Lane in Black Mountain has southern and western views with one level living possible. The master suite is located on the main level, and the views are some of the best in town. The two lower level suites offer a screened porch and an office. This three-bedroom, three-bath home with more than 3,000 sq. ft. has impeccable details including the kitchen tile work. Add the natural landscaping and the flat driveway in the small mountain community, and you could have the house of your dreams.
Lovely new cabin with traditional touches.
Or consider another newly-built cottage listed by Greybeard Realty. 29 Rhododendron Road is in Christmount within Black Mountain and offers many special touches including hardwood flooring, concrete counters, and meticulous landscaping. This two-bedroom, three-bath home with more than 2,000 sq. ft. includes a finished basement with a separate entrance. The beautiful mountain cottage also has an unfinished second floor with expansion possibilities. The stone fireplace and wooden beams in the living room create the mountain ambiance making this home a very special offering.
In nearby Ridgecrest, 2 Knox Drive has the charm and character one expects from a century-old mountain home. The wood paneled walls, stone fireplace and narrow stairway to the second floor make this an ideal mountain getaway, reminiscent of olden times. The quaint kitchen and claw-foot tub in this four-bedroom, two-bath home are elements that will appeal to anyone looking for the perfect mountain escape.
While each of these homes provides something special and different, they also demonstrate the range of offerings and price range of Greybeard Realty's listings. Greybeard appreciates that home buyers are not looking for cookie-cutter homes. For more information about these homes or any of our other western North Carolina real estate listings, please contact Greybeard.
Asheville real estate sales show strength in numbers.
Even a quick glance at the Asheville real estate numbers for 2012 indicates positive signs for the western NC market. In Buncombe County, the number of homes sold increased 21% for the year while in Black Mountain homes sold moved up 8%. In addition, total sales volume increased 25% for the County and 17% for Black Mountain. These numbers confirm what Realtors in our market have been feeling all year. The Asheville real estate market is back in business.
It is easy to see in the numbers provided by MLS that units sold and sales prices have bottomed out and are definitely rebounding. What's even more impressive is that, for the first time since 2007, sales volume, price and median price for Asheville area homes all improved. While still not at the peak of 2007, the picture painted by the 2012 real estate market numbers is certainly a positive one.
While the numbers show that 2012 was a very good, solid year, the statistics also bode well for the 2013 real estate market as well. One example to support this positive outlook is the sales to list price improving to 94%, indicating that homes are regaining value. In addition, inventories of homes on the market decreased which indicates that supply is tightening a bit which should lead to higher prices if that trend holds true.
In assessing the 2012 numbers, the only statistic not showing improvement is Days on Market, but it is anticipated that that number will improve in 2013, particularly with the decrease of homes on the market. For anyone waiting until the market bottoms out to enter into the buyers' market for Asheville, it's time to move forward.
Overall, the Asheville real estate market was very positive in 2012. For the most recent Asheville market numbers, check out our latest market statistics and trends. Yes, prices are still below peak prices before the recession, but almost all of the numbers indicate a very impressive upward trend. And with the decrease in number of homes on the market, the prices should continue rising. In short, with the basic economic theory of supply and demand as support, the market is well on its way toward recovery. For more information on western NC real estate listings, contact Greybeard Realty.
