Western North Carolina Real Estate

7 ways to improve your home's sell-ability

2010-01-12T10:21:00.000-05:00

In a tough real-estate market, it’s more essential than ever that your home stand out, but in the right way.

By Tisa Silver of Investopedia

7 ways to improve your home's sell-ability (© Simon Jarratt/Corbis)

more on Investopedia

* Home renovations that don't pay
* 6 tips on selling your home in a down market
* Cheap home renovations that pay off

In this economy, houses aren't selling like they used to. If you have a house on the market, or are considering selling yours, there are some ways to improve your chances. Here are seven tips that will make it easier to sell your house and make a smooth transition from one owner to the next.

1. Maintain neutrality
This policy has worked for Switzerland, and it can also work in real estate. Customizing your home is great if you plan to stay there, but extreme colors and themed rooms can scare off potential homebuyers. If you have customized every room with extremely bright or dark colored paint, wallpaper or wall fixtures, you may want to consider toning it down a bit. Using neutral colors on the walls can help prospective buyers create their own vision for the house, and will also leave them with less work to undo if they buy the house.

2. Less is more
Even though you have not moved out yet, removing some of your furniture can help the house move off the market. If you take pictures for your listing, having less furniture can help the home appear more spacious. When potential homebuyers arrive, having less furniture can also provide clear walkways.

* Video: 5 tips to sell your home fast

3. That new house smell
Honestly, the new house smell isn't always the most pleasant, but at least it is new. In preparing to show your home, you should avoid strong smells. To avoid odors, make sure to take out the trash and clean the refrigerator regularly. It’s also good to be mindful of what you cook in the days leading up to a showing; certain foods have strong scents. If you have pets, keep an eye on the litter box. Any smell that is too strong could send potential homebuyers running out the door.
© Sami Sarkis/Getty Images

Bing: Search & decide

* Pricing tricks to sell home faster

* Learn how to host an open house

* Housing predictions for 2010

4. Pay attention to the details
It’s not a good idea to make major renovations when you are ready to sell your home; you may not recoup your investment. If you never got around to starting or completing that total kitchen or bathroom makeover, then you can make some small, inexpensive changes to spruce things up. Replacing the hardware on cabinets is a quick way to improve the appearance of older looking fixtures. Upgrading small items such as light switch and outlet covers can add a nice touch.
$3 million home selling for $10
View more MSN videosGo to Money Talks News

5. Maximize your "curb appeal"
The front of your home is the first thing prospective homebuyers will see, so keeping it presentable is a must. If there is a yard, keep the grass to a reasonable height and, if there are trees, be sure to keep the branches under control. The path to your front door should be a clear and welcoming one, not an obstacle course.

6. Don't get too personal
Upon entering your house, everyone will know it is lived in, but they do not need to see all the evidence. Get rid of excess clutter such as newspapers, magazines and mail. Be sure to put away your laundry and shoes. It may also be a good idea to put away some other personal belongings, like pictures on the refrigerator or mantle. For you, the pictures may make a house a home or display your personal touch. For the new homeowner, it may appear too personal.

7. Take care of repairs
Waiting to make repairs until after you find a buyer can be tricky. Depending on the nature of the repairs, you may not be able to find a buyer. Depending on how fast the buyer wants to close on the house, you may not have enough time to make the repairs. Save yourself some time and potential trouble by making repairs before you list your home. The repairs will have to be made anyway, so it is better to get them out of the way sooner rather than later.

First impressions can make the difference between a sale or no sale. Keeping things simple can give you a leg up on similar houses on the market.

Obama Signs Homebuyer Tax Credit Extension

2009-11-16T08:46:00.000-05:00

RISMEDIA, November 9, 2009—President Barack Obama has approved the first-time homebuyer tax credit extension which will extend the tax credit until April 30, 2010.

The extension is part of a $24 billion economic stimulus bill that will extend the $8,000 tax credit for homebuyers who are purchasing their first home from the current November 30 deadline and expands the program to offer a credit of $6,500 to homeowners who have lived in their current home for at least five years and are seeking to relocate.

The following details apply to the homebuyer tax credit expansion:

Who is Eligible
-First-time homebuyers, who are defined by the law as buyers who have not owned a principal residence during the three-year period prior to the purchase, may be eligible for up to an $8,000 tax credit.
-Existing homeowners who have been residing in their principal residence for five consecutive years out of the last eight and are purchasing a home to be their principal residence (“repeat buyer”), may be eligible for up to a $6,500 tax credit.
-All U.S. citizens who file taxes are eligible to participate in the program.

Income Limits
Homebuyers who file as single or head-of-household taxpayers can claim the full credit ($8,000 for first-time buyers and $6,500 for repeat buyers) if their modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is less than $125,000.
-For married couples filing a joint return, the combined income limit is $225,000.
-Single or head-of-household taxpayers who earn between $125,000 and $145,000, and married couples who earn between $225,000 and $245,000 are eligible to receive a partial credit.
-The credit is not available for single taxpayers whose MAGI is greater than $145,000 and married couples with a MAGI that exceeds $245,000.

Effective Dates
-The eligibility period for the tax credit is for homes purchased after Nov. 6, 2009, and before May 1, 2010. However, home purchases subject to a binding sales contract signed by April 30, 2010, will qualify for the tax credit provided closing occurs prior to July 1, 2010.

Types of Homes that Qualify
-All homes with a purchase price of less than $800,000 qualify, including newly-constructed or resale, and single-family detached, townhomes or condominiums, provided that the home will be used as their principal residence. Vacation home and rental property purchases do NOT qualify.

Tax Credit is Refundable
-A refundable credit means that if the amount of income taxes you owe is less than the credit amount you qualify for, the government will send you a check for the difference.

-For example:
-A first-time buyer who qualifies for the full $8,000 credit who owes $5,000 in federal income taxes would pay nothing to the IRS and receive a $3,000 payment from the government. If you are due to receive a $1,000 refund, you would receive $9,000 ($1,000 plus the $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit).
-A repeat buyer who owes $5,000 would pay nothing to the IRS and receive $1,500 back from the government. If you are due to get a $1,000 refund, you would get $7,500 ($1,000 plus the $6,500 repeat buyer tax credit).
-All qualified homebuyers can take the tax credit on their 2009 or 2010 income tax return.

Payback Provisions
The tax credit is a true credit. It does not have to be repaid unless the home owner sells or stops using the home as their principal residence within three years after the purchase.

The www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com site is being updated. Check the site next week for more detailed information on the new tax credit.

For more information, visit www.nahb.org.

Gary Player's Cliffs at Mountain Park home

2009-11-11T09:15:00.001-05:00

As custom home construction starts continue to be relatively strong amongst many of the Cliffs Communities developments across the Western Carolinas, we thought you would enjoy seeing a brief snapshot of one custom home project that is wrapping up and almost finished.

Gary Player’s new home in The Cliffs at Mountain Park is near completion. The Gary Player Group North American headquarters are based out of the Village at Mountain Park and now the most-traveled athlete in the world is about the put the wraps on his new home in the same community.

Click on the link below to see the news story along with a video of parts of the home and a picture slideshow! http://www.wyff4.com/news/21300044/detail.html

It is exciting to see such an ambassador not only of the sport of golf but also for the spirit of well-being and the wellness experience will soon be counted as one of the residences at The Cliffs at Mountain Park!

Biltmore Lake receives Association of the Year Award

2009-11-10T10:40:00.000-05:00

Western North Carolina is flush with beautiful communities, so it comes as no surprise that one Asheville community was honored as the recipient of the Association of the Year award, which is given annually by the North Carolina Chapter of the Community Association Institute (CAI). Biltmore Lake, located minutes from downtown Asheville, received the prestigious award as a reflection of their past achievements and a look at what is to come. Biltmore Lake embraces the atmosphere of Asheville with its many outdoor amenities, including a 62-acre lake, miles of hiking trails, campsites, and athletic courts; and with its emphasis on the beautiful surrounding natural landscaping,” notes Bob Duffy, Vice President of Home Building for Biltmore Farms. “The community is home to several hundred families, and we look forward to remaining an important part of the region’s fabric in the years of come.”

Video of 2009 Fall Colors - Click PHOTO to play!

2009-11-09T13:06:00.006-05:00

NC Mountain Realty Group participates in the Hilton Head Concours d'Elegance Festival

2009-11-05T12:22:00.003-05:00

The Hilton Head Island Concours d'Elegance & Motoring Festival was an excellent venue for NC Mountain Realty Group to reach buyers interested in Western North Carolina during its annual event held October 30 – November 1, 2009. The Asheville Chamber of Commerce and Biltmore Farms partnered with NC Mountain Realty Group for this event and invited the participants to visit Asheville in the near future. Over 10,000 people attended the events with approximately 70% from outside of the Hilton Head /Savannah area.

For additional information regarding the Concours de http://www.hhiconcours.com/

Tiger Visits The Cliffs at High Carolina® Golf Course Planned Opening in late 2011

2009-10-05T10:23:00.000-04:00

Tiger Woods and Jim Anthony, founder of The Cliffs, give a walking tour of the golf course being designed by Woods at The Cliffs at High Carolina near Asheville. (John Fletcher/jfletcher@citizen-times.com)

SWANNANOA — The same competitive spirit that has enabled Tiger Woods to win 14 major championships and a total of 71 times on the PGA Tour is apparent when he discusses his work as a course designer.

Woods conducted a walking tour for selected members of the media on Saturday at The Cliffs at High Carolina, his first American design. While the project is still in its infancy, several areas have been cleared where fairways will be built.

He already has redesigned the ninth hole three times to take advantage of optimum sunlight. In the end Woods wants a course that players won't forget.

“You can create something that people will remember and want to come back to; that's the whole objective as a designer — to create something fun and challenging but something where people say, ‘Hey, I want to come back and do this again,'” Woods said Saturday morning after arriving at the top of the mountain in a helicopter.

“Not all golf courses are like that, but that's something I want to be able to deliver to all of my golf courses.”

Woods also emphasized the importance of having breathtaking views, which this course won't lack. At one point during the tour Woods stood in the middle of what will be the 18th fairway and looked at distant mountains.

“I keep saying I'm from L.A. and you don't see 50-mile views,” he said.

John Nachreiner, construction superintendent of High Carolina, said the scenery is very important to Woods.

“Tiger will do everything he can to enhance those views throughout the course,” Nachreiner said.

Woods' design company has routed the course 30 times so High Carolina has southern exposure on every hole, which would allow for earlier start times after a frost.

Jim Anthony, founder of the Cliffs Communities, accompanied Woods on his walk. The two later entertained prospective buyers in a covered tent just off the18th green. Anthony said he is still holding out hope for the course to be completed in fall of 2011.

Woods said building a course similar to links courses where players don't have to worry about long carries is important to him because it will appeal to players of all skill levels.

Asheville featured in U.S. News & World Report

2009-10-03T17:57:00.001-04:00

America's Best Affordable Places to Retire

Soon-to-be retirees are resetting their expectations for their golden years

By Emily Brandon

Posted: September 28, 2009

Much of that activity revolves around the University of Michigan, whose 40,000 undergraduate and graduate students account for about a third of Ann Arbor's population. And needless to say, the retiree population includes plenty of voluble Wolverine fans. Bill and Janet Cassebaum met in Ann Arbor in the 1950s, when he was a law student at Michigan and she was an undergrad. They married in town, then moved to eastern Pennsylvania, where Bill practiced law for 40 years. They finally returned to Ann Arbor after retiring in 1998—and still haven't had their fill of college sports. The couple regularly takes in baseball, basketball, and of course football at Michigan Stadium, which seats more than 100,000 and is known as the Carnegie Hall of sports. The games (and tailgate parties) help draw their two teenage grandsons for a visit. Their 5-year-old granddaughter prefers the local parks and the Hands-On science museum.

The Cassebaums also spend time behind the scenes helping to organize some of the local activity. Janet, 75, is active in the Ann Arbor City Club and recently ran a fundraising campaign to help renovate a historic building in town. Bill, 78, volunteers as a timer for college track meets, a pleasant reminder of his days as a high-jumper. "It's low-level," he says, "but I can still participate in athletics."

Asheville, North Carolina

America's Best Affordable Places to Retire

Nestled in a pocket of the Blue Ridge Mountains, two hours away from any major city, Asheville, N.C., might be assumed to lack culture and polish. Not so. On any given Friday night, you might stumble upon a street-corner bluegrass band, an art gallery opening, a festival (if you're lucky, the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival), and maybe even a mime. "Life is never dull here," says Sheila Murphy, who retired to Asheville in 2003 with her husband, Dennis, after moving 31 times (he worked in the oil business). "You can do things for free, for a nominal fee, or a donation, and see all kinds of plays, shows, and music should you desire."

Retirement is definitely not ho-hum for the Murphys, who hold cooking classes in their home. They teach slicing-and-dicing skills and sessions on making holiday dinners, using leftovers, and grilling. The classes are offered through the local North Carolina Center for Creative Retirement, which runs a sort of "college for seniors" in which members pay $115 for two months of unlimited classes. They're held at the center, members' homes, and on campus at the University of North Carolina-Asheville.

On Saturdays, you'll find Jan Moran—who recently came out of retirement and works as a marketing consultant—at one of Asheville's farmers' markets stocking up on veggies and grass-fed local beef. "It's the best-quality food, and it's also a social experience," says Moran, who moved to Asheville from Tucson, Ariz., more than two years ago after her husband, Paul Rollins, revealed a "secret desire to return to North Carolina," where he had grown up. (Jan was sold on the area after a visit.) The market's organic produce is often more expensive than at the local grocery, "but the meat I buy comes farm to market, and the people charge less than at the store," she says.

As visitors have discovered, a trip to Asheville's extravagant Biltmore Estate comes at an extravagant price: $55, and no senior discount. But if it's absorbing architecture you're after, the city is dotted with unique buildings, including the Art Deco city hall, the breathtaking Spanish Baroque Basilica of St. Lawrence, and the Jackson Building, a gargoyle-flanked, neo-Gothic masterpiece. Admission, of course, is gratis.

Real estate in this mountain enclave is pricier than in many cities of its size, but a drive down the winding Blue Ridge Parkway, a frozen custard at the Grove Arcade, or a lazy afternoon spent listening to drummers in Pritchard Park are reminders that everyday life in this laid-back town is easy on the wallet. The secret about Asheville may be out, with more and more retired people flocking to the city, but as retiree Fred Teach puts it, "Asheville's still a gem. It's magnificent."

Join us for Fall in the Mountains! Hotel Discounts!

2009-09-22T09:19:00.000-04:00

NC Mountain Realty Group has partnered with Biltmore Farms Hotels to provide hotel discounts
at the new Hilton Hotel in Biltmore Park, the Doubletree Hotel in Biltmore Village, the Residence Inn, Sleep Inn and Quality Inn & Suites. These hotels offer a variety of options based on price, amenities, location and pet services. Please contact us at info@ncmountainrealtygroup.com or at 828-337-6300 for more information. The fall leaf season is predicted to be spectacular and colors will be visible from late September through late October based on different elevations. We look forward to seeing you this fall!

2009-05-21T11:24:00.000-04:00

Open House

Saturday May 23, 2009
12:00pm to 3:00pm

If you are planning to attend the Cliffs 20th Anniversary event this weekend, we invite you to join us for our Walnut Cove OPEN HOUSE event. We are happy to answer any questions you have regarding the current real estate market or these beautiful homes.

Featured homes are:

6 Raven Cliff offered at $2,100,000
To see a virtual tour click here.

581 Walnut Valley Parkway offered at $1,250,000
To see a virtual tour click here.

6 Foxbridge Way offered at $1,499,000
To see a virtual tour click here.

18 Hidden Hills Way offered at $1,425,000
To see a virtual tour click here.

24 Running Creek Trail offered at $1,795,000
To see a virtual tour click here.

24 Village Oak Drive offered at $1,675,000

2009-05-21T11:19:00.000-04:00

Asheville Featured in CBS Sunday morning show:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/05/17/sunday/main5021054.shtml

Hilton Head’s Adventure Radio “Live” from Asheville

2008-09-19T10:33:00.000-04:00

http://www.1079thecoast.com/

Monday September 22nd from 6:45 – 8:30AM Monty Jett will host the morning show on 107.9 "The Coast", “LIVE” from Asheville.
His focus will be highlighting the mountains and inviting his listeners to visit the mountains this fall. Our firm will be acting as a concierge for people from the Lowcountry visiting the Asheville area during the fall. Ron Storto, COO of Biltmore Farms is offering discounts at his hotels for the listeners (Doubletree Hotel, Residences at Biltmore, Sleep Inn). We will be providing advice regarding restaurants and activities to enjoy while in the area. And of course, offering the listeners real estate tours of homes and/or communities in the area. We have been running ads in the Hilton Head/Savannah market in the last 6 months that highlight NC Mountain Realty Group.

Cliffs at High Carolina

2008-09-01T10:25:00.000-04:00

We had the opportunity to spend several hours this weekend touring the property at High Carolina. With elevations over 4000 feet the temperature was a very cool 77 degrees and the views were unbelievable. Many roads have been cleared, the golf course is underway and lots are being marked. The golf course will have a southern exposure which will allow year round play. Its close proximity to Asheville and Tiger’s involvement are bringing people from all over the world. Contact us for more information at info@ncmountainrealtygroup.com.

AVL Airport bucks national trend

2008-08-31T09:32:00.000-04:00

Western North Carolina’s largest airport bucked national trends this month when they announced that Delta Airlines would add a flight to Atlanta and US Airways one to Charlotte. The airport anticipates this fall completing projects intended to enhance customer service, including a guest services center and an additional baggage carousel. The $7 million revamp will help bolster the airport’s marketing message of the value-added benefits of flying to and from Asheville. The airport in June added www.airfarewatchdog.com to its website www.flyavl.com .

Fall Foliage Forecast

2008-08-29T09:37:00.000-04:00

Experts are predicting a spectacular fall foliage season for Western North Carolina. Perhaps the most colorful leaf season in years. Predictions are based on climate indicators and mild weather leading up to fall. Every ones question is, "When will the fall foliage peak?" Due to Western North Carolina's varying elevations you can usually see fall color anywhere from late September to early November.

Relationships Matter...People You Trust

2008-08-19T20:43:00.000-04:00

Current market conditions are tricky. How do you determine facts from rumor? Many clients are calling and trying to determine how factual a real estate ad or marketing materials are. “These CDs are beautiful but there aren’t any pictures of what is actually completed at the community. Can you help me with this? I am in Florida and am not able to determine this. “ Due to situations like this, people are hesitant to make real estate decisions. We know how important it is to maintain our reputation even in the toughest of times. We choose to advise clients very conservatively. Our focus is currently on strong communities with completed amenities, unique properties based on price or other distinguishing features, new communities with strong financial backing and condo or smaller homes for people relocating to Asheville, but waiting to purchase their dream home.

Summer in the Mountains

2008-06-21T20:51:00.000-04:00

People are flocking to the mountains in the summer to beat the heat in Florida and in the Coastal Carolinas. Everyone is outdoors taking advantage of the perfect weather. We are often asked how hot does it get in the summer? Tough question. Why? Well it depends. With the varying elevations and exposures, the weather can be dramatically different within a short distance. Within 50 miles of Asheville you can have summer highs between 70-90 degrees. Most people think the greatest thing about summer in the mountains is the cool mornings and cool evenings no matter where you are.

What is Winter like in Asheville?

2008-03-08T06:23:00.000-05:00

Over the last several months, we continue to get requests from out of town clients for 30 day rentals. They want to spend time in Asheville to get a better understanding of it’s wide offering of new communities, the lifestyle here and the climate before they make a decision about buying real estate here. Many people want to spend 30 days during the winter to better understand how cold it will get. While our business does not offer rentals, we know that this is important to our clients. In an effort to offer this service, we spent many hours researching all short term rentals options for them. As a result of this exercise, we now have partnerships with hotels for deeper discounts, in addition to a partnership with a local resort rental company. Our desire was to find a business with people that have our same values: integrity, quality and a desire to exceed their client’s expectations. We will be providing more information about this and other partnerships that have been created as a response to the feedback we continue to get about what is important to the people looking at Asheville as their next home, getaway or real estate investment.

Why Asheville?

2008-03-04T07:02:00.000-05:00

It is hard to watch TV, read a magazine or newspaper without reading something about Asheville. It is being called “the Paris of the South”, one of the happiest places to live and photos abound that show the charm of this city with the beautiful mountains in the background. There is a lot of concern in Asheville among its citizens about the need to maintain its charm while accommodating the new developments taking shape. We are often asked about this and our answer is always “we are fortunate to be having this growth during this particular time”. We have learned what doesn’t work from the overdevelopment of some areas in Florida and other coastal areas; AND we have learned what matters to people, including what amenities they desire. We have discovered that the needs of our clients vary greatly. The new communities are reflecting these differences. Now, within a mere 50 miles, you are able to evaluate a wide assortment of options related to amenities and prices.

Developers - GOOD and BAD

2008-03-01T06:55:00.000-05:00

Our involvement with clients looking at property across this area is always best at the earliest possible time. This positions us to introduce them to what we feel are the RIGHT communities to match their interests and prior to them establishing a relationship with a particular sales agent at a community. Recently, a client from Boston called and wanted us to support her decision to purchase a lot in a community 40 miles southeast of Asheville. I was soon bombarded by PowerPoint presentations and marketing literature regarding this particular development. After a series of conference calls and another visit to the community, I annoyed her by refusing to give my endorsement. My comments on our first conference call, were “I will not give you the answer you want to hear. I will give you my opinion based on what I know”. In community advertisements and marketing materials, the truth is often exaggerated. Developers have reputations, both good and bad. Some of them think that if they focus on out of town buyers, they will not have the opportunity to hear the stories that the locals know.

How are we paid????

2008-02-10T10:36:00.000-05:00

So, the question always arises….. IF, I involve you as my buyer’s real estate agent, how much does that cost me? When we always respond, NOTHING, they seem a little perplexed. The reputation that many real estate agents have as nothing more than a used car salesman is always looming somewhere in their head…… We offer a unique experience for buyers in that we receive no compensation from the people we represent. If one of our clients decides to purchase a property, we are paid a referral commission by the seller/developer. Further, we are not paid any marketing or presales fees by any of the developers we represent, hence we have absolutely no bias. By remaining independent we believe we are positioned to offer our clients an objective and impartial evaluation of alternatives.

Restoring Ethics in Real Estate

2008-01-08T10:00:00.000-05:00

We continue to hear “war stories” about real estate transactions that result in less than optimum results for the buyer involved. For the members of our team who have corporate backgrounds, these stories drive us crazy. The foundation of our business was to restore ethics and integrity to the real estate market. A recent example concerned a buyer who was coerced to make a quick offer because there was a bidding war. In the past decade those situations did exist, but are rare today. While working with clients spending $200,000 to over $2 million, we carefully evaluate the entire situation for them prior to making any offers. We make sure that our client understands the ENTIRE situation of what they are proposing to buy. This often includes the history of a house for sale: when it was bought and the price, what is the current market of the neighborhood and what the best price we might be able to negotiate for our buyer. We also want to understand our client’s motivation. Is this their dream home they have finally found or is this a potential investment that they can easily walk away from if a very low bid is declined?

Introduction

2007-10-09T11:44:00.000-04:00

Our blog is intended to give our views on the current real estate market in Western North Carolina, as well as, offer advice for our large client base that is located outside of the area. It seems the farther we travel from Asheville, we always hear the same thing “What a cool place to live….Can you tell me more about what is happening there?”. Today, buyers are more cautious before making real estate investments and while sales in this area are strong, many of our clients are waiting until they sell their home in Florida, New York or Michigan. We are a buyer’s consulting agency focused on putting our clients’ needs ahead of our own. We know that this approach will ultimately grow our business.