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?

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.

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 30,000^th 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 homes have long been valued for retirement. Now, the area is receiving national recognition from Forbes which recently named Asheville as one of the 25 best places to retire in 2012. The list cites Asheville's abundant physicians and good climate as just two of the reasons to choose our area.

Retire to Asheville

There is an excellent variety of homes for sale in Asheville that would be perfect for anyone considering retiring to the area. Greybeard has several long term rentals which can give potential home buyers a chance to sample our communities before making a commitment to purchase a piece of Asheville real estate.  In addition, long term rentals or vacationers can enroll in a retirement workshop and get some professional advisement on what to consider before retiring.

If retiring to Western North Carolina is on your bucket list but not on the immediate horizon, why not purchase an Asheville rental home.  Greybeard Rentals, an award-winning property management firm, can manage all aspects of renting your new home until you are ready to move here yourself.

While the Forbes article focused on Asheville, several other local communities offer a more low-key, small town flavor while still providing access to Asheville's amenities such as the Biltmore Estate and the Asheville Art Scene.  Why not take a look at Black Mountain real estate or a Montreat  property which each have a flavor of their own. Our real estate agents know the area well and are happy to answer your questions about retiring to Western North Carolina.  Contact us today!

Anyone considering relocating to Asheville NC should consider the River Arts District, a very eclectic, arts-oriented neighborhood in Asheville.  An industrial center in the late 1800s, this historically significant area along the French Broad River is one reason that Asheville made American Style Magazine's list for the [...]

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.

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.