Meadows Mountain Realty, Highlands real estate

Highlands real estate listing: 250 Zermatt Circle.  If you have been looking for mountain elegance, close to town yet offering the privacy you desire in a second home then look no further.  This stunning Highlands home has plenty to offer, with attention to detail at every turn, room to entertain and space to simply relax and enjoy your surroundings.

This immaculate two story home boasts 3 bedrooms and 3 and a half bathrooms.  Accents like reclaimed timber and heart pine flooring, cathedral ceilings with post-and-dowel beams, and a native stone fireplace with rustic built-ins from reclaimed barn wood will undoubtedly catch your eye as you tour the home.  Of course the great room offers a picture perfect mountain view from its large windows.   An open and covered deck complete with fireplace and a grilling area make entertaining a breeze.  

A short walk to town makes the location of this Highlands home ideal. Contact us today to schedule a showing of this home or any other property currently listed for sale in the Highlands area.  It’s a great time to be a buyer and there are some amazing homes available at the moment.

Meadows Mountain Realty, Highlands real estate

When selling Highlands luxury homes it is essential to prepare for showings.  Luxury homes come with expectations and these expectations involve showcasing your home and showing off its finest qualities.  This means going an extra step to attract a savvy buyer.

Luxury homes in Highlands have a separate standard than other homes.  Every little detail needs to sparkle.  This means from the exterior to the interior, down to the smallest detail, your home needs to look taken care of in order to appeal to a discriminating buyer.  Of course extra steps don’t hurt either.

While your Highlands luxury home may appear clean, neat and organized consider preparing for a showing by placing fresh cut flowers in areas around your home like the entry, kitchen, dining room, living room and perhaps even the bedrooms.  Attention to small details like this will get buyers to notice your home and its luxurious touches.  In addition consider the finest features of your home.  Perhaps a fire should be going in the fireplace and the windows showcasing your stunning views should be crystal clean.

The Highlands real estate market has a number of beautiful homes listed for sale.  It is important for you to set your home apart from the pack.  Contact your Highlands REALTOR® today to learn more about the selling process and learn what you can do to catch a buyer’s eye.

Highlands real estate, is your price too high?  This might be a question you are asking yourself if your home has been languishing on the market and this is a very good question to ask.  Price matters to buyers and the Highlands NC real estate market is no exception.

Examining local market conditions is essential when pricing your home for sale.  The truth is that a home is only worth what someone is willing to pay and looking around at what Highlands homes are selling, and what homes are not is a good indicator.  An experienced Highlands REALTOR® will conduct a CMA (comparative market analysis) before suggesting a price at which to list your home.  This will look at prices of homes which have sold recently and prices of homes currently listed for sale.

While you certainly do not have to heed the advice of your REALTOR®, you should accept the fact that the recommended price is coming from experience and knowledge of the market.  If you are holding out for a higher price than your Highlands home is worth you will get fewer potential buyers walking through your front door.  Price matters and if you want to capture higher than market price you need to be prepared to wait.

Click here to read “Your Home Isn’t Selling Because…” from Realty Times.

Meadows Mountain Realty

Highlands real estate, 15 year rates are low.  It’s hard to believe that we can continue to hit historic lows with mortgage rates but the word on the street is that we have.  This time the rate that is making headlines is that of the 15 year term.  The past couple of weeks have shown a drop, leaving 15 year loans at historic lows.  Currently the 15 year rate is hovering at 2.61%, an absurdly low rate.  This news is great for buyers of Highlands homes, as well as those wishing to refinance.

The question facing many buyers today is whether a 15 year loan makes sense.  While the monthly payments can be significantly higher, the end result is a drastic reduction in interest paid over the lifetime of a loan.  In fact up to 75% can be saved on interest payments alone, not to mention the added bonus of having your home paid of in half of the time of a 30 year loan.

Choosing a loan is an important part of buying Highlands real estate.  Contact us today to learn more about current market conditions and let us refer reputable local lenders who can answer your questions and get the ball rolling on a home loan.  There has rarely been a better time to buy a home and our goal is to help clients find a home that suits both their needs and their budgets.

Click here to read “Refinance now for big savings” from Yahoo Homes.

Meadows Mountain Realty, Highlands real estate

If you are selling your Highlands real estate it is important to realize that condition matters.  If you have obvious flaws like a ripped screen door, a broken window, or mildew stains you can expect buyers to notice and leave your home unimpressed.  Take care of these issues before listing your Highlands NC home so that it looks its best.

The old adage “you never get a second chance to make a first impression” is especially true when selling real estate.  A home that is not in great shape should be reduced in price, leaving a buyer to wonder whether he is willing to buy cheaper and make repairs and upgrades on his own.  Many homeowners are selling Highlands homes as a result of not being able to afford them any more, in which case they may not be able to afford necessary repairs, a real estate catch 22.

Selling a home involves a great deal of patience at time.  Contact us today for selling advice.  We would be happy to walk through your home and offer our opinion on its overall appearance. An experienced Highlands REALTOR® can be extremely helpful in getting your home sold in a timely manner.

Click here to read “Your Home Isn’t Selling Because . . .” From Realty Times.

Meadows Mountain Realty, Highlands real estate & community information

The Rotary Club’s Annual Golf Tournament in Highlands NC is less than a week away. A charitable event, proceeds from this year’s tournament will go toward supporting a number of projects throughout the year. The golf tournament will take place at the Highlands Country Club on Monday, May 6th, with an 11 am shotgun start.

The Highlands Country Club is the oldest golf course in the Highlands area and considered one of the most prestigious as well. There will be great prizes for accomplishments like “closest to the pin” and a long drive competition. Call (828) 526-0501 to register for this year’s tournament.

Golf is a passion in the Highlands area and this is a great fundraiser that combines charity with a favored pastime. The Highlands Country Club is but one of many golf course communities in the area.  Golf course living allows for easy access to your favorite sport in a setting that is truly stunning in our mountain area.  Contact us today to learn more about Highlands homes, whether you would like to live on a golf course or somewhere in town we can locate the best property for your needs.

Meadows Mountain Realty, Highlands NC real estate

When buying Highlands real estate market knowledge is extremely helpful.  If you are buying a second home the chances are pretty good that our local market differs from that where your primary residence is located.  Having an experienced and knowledgeable Highlands REALTOR® to work with can make buying a home in our area a much smoother process.

A Highlands REALTOR® can update you on current market conditions, offer insight on where the best bargains are located and help you find a property that has exactly what you are looking for.  Buying a second home is a big investment and the more knowledge you have about the local market the wiser your decision will be.  Real estate is local and having knowledge on your side is instrumental to buying success.

Contact us today to learn more about Highlands NC real estate.  We can get you started on a home search, recommend local lenders and help you put together a contract once you have found the home of your dreams.  There has rarely been a better time to buy and our goal is to help you make a great decision.

Click here to read “Don’t Be Fooled By These 3 Real Estate Myths” from Zillow.

Meadows Mountain Realty, Highlands NC Real Estate

Deck maintenance for Highlands homes is essential for general upkeep as well as the avoidance of future problems and issues. While some decks may be constructed of artificial wood, which requires far less maintenance, the majority of decks in the Highlands area are made of wood.

Annual maintenance is recommended for wood decks to keep them in shape and help them last. This involves a thorough power washing and an application of a treatment each year. A deck is an addition that recoups a great deal of its value and as such should be taken care of. While deck care and maintenance is not particularly difficult and can be completed by a homeowner, many prefer to hire out the work.

Contact us today for recommendations on who to hire for your deck maintenance. Taking care of your home from far away does not have to be daunting if you know who to call. We can also update you on current market conditions and help you learn more about Highlands real estate opportunities.

Click here to read “Care and Maintenance of Your Deck” from House Logic.

Good news for Highlands NC real estate, vacation home sales are making a comeback.  A feature article from Realty Times last week reads “Welcome Back Vacation Homes” and refers to an uptick on vacation home sales, noting a rise in sales in 2012 compared with 2011.  An improving economy, low interest rates and low home values helped many would-be vacation buyers jump off the fence over the past year which is positive for Highlands NC and popular vacation spots around the country.

While distressed properties in vacation destinations are the most attractive for investors location remains king.  Here in Highlands NC we offer a lifestyle that is attractive to home buyers who are looking for an active and attractive escape.  People buy Highlands vacation homes because they want to come back more often.

Contact us today for information related to current market conditions.  We can get you started on your home search and help you fulfill your dream of owning a mountain home.  Let us help you find a way to enjoy a lifetime of vacations here in the Highlands area.

Click here to read “Welcome Back Vacation Homes” from Realty Times.

Meadows Mountain Realty, Highlands NC real estate

Light is an extremely important asset when selling Highlands homes.  Lighting can set the mood of a home and when your home is being shown you want a positive, upbeat tone in your home.  Dark and dreary has the potential to turn buyers away.

If you are working with an experienced Highlands REALTOR® she will undoubtedly prepare your home for showings if you are out of town.  Opening the curtains, turning on lights and brightening your home is essential before a buyer walks into your home.  You want a potential buyer to want to walk in, feel at home and see more.

Contact us today for tips on preparing your Highlands home for sale.  From cleaning and de-cluttering to staging, your home needs to place its best foot forward from the first showing.  We will give you a complimentary listing presentation and help you understand why experience matters when selling.  Our goal is to sell your home in a timely manner.

Click here to read “10 home staging tips from a TV designer” from MarketWatch.