Once again, someone has let the cat out of the bag, with the news that Asheville is one of the top three places in the US to retire. The Motley Fool website announced that Asheville shares the honors with Prescott, AZ and Sarasota FL. For everyone who already lives here in western NC, that does not come as a surprise.

Cited for its temperate yet variable climate, gorgeous surroundings, and cultural offerings, [...]

How many times have you wished you could just pack your suitcase and move into your own Montreat home? Well, here’s a listing at 122 Kanawha Drive that will let you do just that. This three-bedroom, 2-bath cottage comes furnished and move-in ready.  And with its low maintenance yard and easy accessibility, you won’t have much to worry about [...]

Well, the first quarter market statistics are in, and the recent trend of tightening supply seems to be impacting the real estate market in the western NC mountains. And fairly predictably, as the housing supply dwindles, land sales have surged for the first time in several years. The current numbers support the supply v demand theory so [...]

Are you ready to relocate to a secluded log home in western NC? This finely-crafted log home, located in Upper Hominy, provides the ultimate location with wooded privacy amid scenic natural beauty.

Constructed in 2006, this three-bedroom, two-bath home is located on 97 acres. The property has multiple streams, waterfalls, and rock formations offering a natural respite. And although the home offers privacy, it is not isolated from the nearby community. After passing through the security gate and climbing the gently-sloped driveway, homeowners will find a home with a large garden space with an irrigation system, covered porches and an open deck. With winter views of Pisgah and Mitchell, this home features a living area with a cathedral ceiling and a natural stone fireplace. For anyone seeking a traditional home in western NC with meticulous attention to detail, there’s really no need to look any further.

A log home with water features on the property is at the top of many people’s wish list for a western NC home. For more information on this special property, please contact Greybeard Realty. And if you are just beginning to consider the Asheville area, consider one of Greybeard Rentals’ monthly rental cabins to sample daily life in the area. We’re very proud of our local area and would welcome a chance to share what we know about it. If you want assistance in selecting the best rental home to try out the area or if you want more information on this home or another listing, please contact Greybeard.

As you may have heard, a fire this spring burned more than 740 acres of Black Mountain and Montreat  land. After a dryer than usual winter, the fire spread quickly and took several days to contain.  A photo, taken by a runner on the Toll Road just after the fire ended, shows the degree of [...]

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 [...]

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.

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.

If you'd like to tryout a Montreat home before you buy it, Greybeard Realty has just the home for you. Sabbath Rest sleeps eight and its convenient location an easy walking distance from Lake Susan allows its guests to really get a feel for Montreat and what's it's like to be a part of this small mountain community.

Special Montreat rental home for sale.

Sabbath Rest, recently listed for sale at Greybeard Realty, offers a unique opportunity for potential buyers. In this case, you really can try and then buy this home. With several outdoor spaces, a nearby creek, and a fully-equipped kitchen, this home is move-in ready. As mentioned in a Greybeard sales blog, trying out a town by renting a home there is a great way to get to know the character and feel of the community. And in this case, not only can you get to know the community, you can get to know the actual home!

The town of Montreat, just east of Asheville, is centrally located in the western NC mountains. Known by some as the front porch of the NC mountain area, Montreat has bike/walking paths, no traffic lights, and some of the finest walking trails in the area. With its proximity to Asheville, Montreat provides quiet, peaceful living with easy access to larger city life just 15 miles away.

If you want a chance to stay at Sabbath Rest for a week or so to see what it would feel like to be a Montreat homeowner, why not try this rental. If you've already been to Montreat and want a home that is ready to move into and has a rental history already, then contact Greybeard Realty. How often do you get a chance to try and then buy a Montreat home?

2014 First Quarter Statistics

For the past few quarters, western NC real estate numbers generally have been positive. The first quarter numbers of 2014 continue to show that positive trend. As a matter of fact, for the first time, average home prices in both markets have ticked [...]