Get ready to kick up your heels at the Cashiers Mountain Music Festival!  This year’s event will be held on Saturday, July 2^nd and Sunday, July 3^rd in the Village Green Gazebo and will feature musical acts by a variety of talented artists including Balsam Range and Doc Watson.   

In addition to the top-notch performances, you can enjoy delicious food and beverages, a car show, a kids’ zone, an arts and crafts show, plus a vendor area for local merchants.  The Cashiers Mountain Music Festival offers fun for the whole family to enjoy!

One of the other wonderful things about this great event is that the Cashier Mountain Music Festival is the chief fundraiser for the Cashiers Preservation Foundation.  This non-profit foundation was started in April of 2009 with the Help of the Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce.  With its mission to work towards enhancing and encouraging the continued success of the local schools and area non-profits, money raised by the Cashiers Preservation Foundation goes directly to those organizations.

 The Cashiers Mountain Music Festival is currently seeking sponsors for the event.  There are sponsorship levels ranging from $100 to $15,000 which all come a number of privileges.  Additionally, the festival is also looking for local vendors who would like to sell their wares at the event.  Booth sizes are 10’ x 10’ and are available for $100.  If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or a vendor, please visit the festival website at http://www.cashiersnorthcarolina.com/cmmf/index.htm.

Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased on the festival website.  Ticket prices are $25 in advance and $30 on the day of the show.  Children 12 and under are admitted free.    

For further information about this exciting event, please visit the Cashiers Mountain Music Festival website at http://www.cashiersnorthcarolina.com/cmmf/index.htm, or call the Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce at 828-743-5191.

Over six years ago, the churches in the Cashiers community came together to combine their outreach efforts to provide food to those in need in the area.   The Fishes and Loaves Food Pantry is the result of that collaborative effort.  The organization is run totally by volunteers and is made possible by the generous donations from individuals, churches and community service organizations. 

The Pantry spokesperson, Carole Stork says “We average over 2,000 family visits annually, distributing approximately two and a half tons on food per month.”    She goes on “The people we serve are a mixture of local residents and Latino immigrants who are out of work primarily in the winter months, plus a number of senior citizens.”  

On July 2nd, the group will host their Annual Big Ol’ Mountain Country Breakfast to benefit the Pantry.    The proceeds from this popular event will support efforts to feed the hungry throughout the year.   Join them from 7am until 11am at the Cashiers Community Center on Highway 64 (the Highlands Road).   The breakfast organizers are looking for another big turnout this year serving generous portions of food prepared with care and time-tested recipes.

If you cannot attend the breakfast, but would like to donate to the Pantry, send your contribution to Fishes and Loaves Food Pantry, P.O. Box 865, Cashiers NC 28717.

1. Get help from a short sale expert

Not all real estate agents today have worked with properties that are offered as a short sale. An agent experienced in short sales can identify which homes are being offered as short sales, help you determine a fair purchase price, and advise you on what to include in your offer to make the lender view it favorably. Ask agents how many buyers they’ve represented in short sales and, of those, how many successfully closed the transaction.

2. Build a team

Ask agents to recommend real estate attorneys knowledgeable in short sales. Your attorney can do a title search to identify all the liens attached to any property that peaks your interest. You must understand that because each lien holder must consent to a short sale, a property with multiple liens, like first and second mortgages, mechanic’s and condominium liens, or homeowners association liens, will be harder to purchase. Although you will have to pay for the title search up front, but it can also help weed out less desirable properties requiring multiple approvals.

3. Know the home’s fair market value

By agreeing to a short sale, lenders are consenting to take a loss on the loan they made to the sellers to purchase the home. The goal of the lender is to keep those losses as low as possible. If your offer is substantially less than the home’s fair market value, it may be rejected. Your agent can help you identify the price that’s good for you. The lender will determine whether approval is in its best interest.

4. Expect delays

There are two stages to a short sale. First, the sellers must consent to your purchase offer. Once you have come to an agreement with the seller, then they must submit it to their lender, along with documentation to convince the lender to agree to the sale. The lender approval process can sometimes take weeks or months, even longer if the lender counteroffers. Expect bigger delays if several lienholders are involved; each can make a counteroffer or reject your offer.

5. Firm up your financing

Lenders will weigh your ability to close the transaction. If you have a pre-approval letter from your lender for a mortgage, have a large downpayment, and can close at any time, they’ll consider your offer stronger than that of a buyer whose financing is less secure.

6. Avoid contingencies

If you must sell your current home before you can close on the short-sale property, or you need to close by a firm deadline, your offer may present too many moving parts for a lender to approve it. Also, consider ordering an inspection so you’re fully informed about the home. Keep in mind that lenders are unlikely to approve an offer seeking repairs or credits for such work. You’ll probably have to purchase the home “as is,” which means in its present condition.

The brokers at Meadows Mountain Realty have the knowledge and experience to help you with a short sale.   Give us a call today at 828.526.1717 or send an email to info@meadowsmtnrealty.com.     For a list of short sale and foreclosure properties in Highlands, Cashiers, Sapphire and Glenville North Carolina, visit our website.    

This article includes general information about tax laws and consequences, but isn’t intended to be relied upon by readers as tax or legal advice applicable to particular transactions or circumstances. Consult a tax professional for such advice.

Ferns are beautiful, lacy, green, delicate, natural… pick your adjective.     Many are native to our Highlands Cashiers Plateau and can provide a great natural addition to your landscape. They are said to impart a calm grace, yet they are tough, durable and adaptable.

I became fascinated with ferns after moving to North Carolina from California in 1998, and must confess that I was not aware of them until I moved here.

The Hay-scented Fern figures prominently as the Meadows Mountain Realty logo, both in its pale green summer colors and its golden tan fall tones. An “invasive” species, this one is easy to grow, but can take over your garden, and I am having some difficulty removing my excess plants. it spreads by underground root rhizomes or runners. This fern grows in “drifts” which appropriately describes the pattern. It can be used to hold soil on sunny slopes, but you must be  conscious of its growth habit.

This list presents the ferns I have liberated from the wild and transplanted successfully in my gardens.

If you wish to start growing ferns, but prefer not to capture them in the wild, they are available in most of our local nurseries.

There you will find many kinds of ferns, not all of which will survive our winters. If you want perennial ferns, it is important to ask the nursery personnel which ones will survive here. Remember that ferns have been on this planet for over 240 million years, and are found in all hemispheres, but they can be very selective about the environments they choose to accept.

For instance, my favorite is the Southern Maidenhair, but it has to be replaced each year.

The Autumn Fern, from Asia, is very hardy here, as is the Japanese Painted Fern. Both are notable for their unusual colors. the Autumn Fern is a reddish brown when it unfolds in the Spring, and the painted fern is an unusual bluish-gray color.

If you wish to explore the enchanted world of ferns, just Google Ferns. The images that come up on the Connecticut Botanical Society website  http://www.ct-botanical-society.org/ferns/index.html   are particularly useful, and The Brooklyn Botanic Garden paperback  Ferns..Wild Things Make a Comeback in the Garden   is a good practical handbook.

For more information on ferns in the mountains or real estate in the mountains of western North Carolina, give Bill Peavey a call at 828.526.1717 or email Bill at billp@meadowsmtnrealty.com.

Despite the doom and gloom the media portrays regarding today’s real estate market, several unique opportunities exist for home buyers, in particular, luxury home buyers.

While home prices across the country have dropped or stabilized to varying degrees, luxury home prices have been slashed, in many cases, as the market for such high-end properties has dwindled in challenging economic times.  This presents a great opportunity, for those who have the financial resources, to purchase a luxury home that might have been completely out of their range six years ago.

Purchasing a luxury property, however, is unlike a standard home purchase. I advise all my luxury-home clients to consider the following before embarking on their search:

1. Weigh the finances carefully.
Even if you’re ready to pay cash for your luxury home, you still want to ensure you’re getting the best possible value and potential return on investment from your home purchase. Make sure you truly have the financial wherewithal to remain in the home as long as you’d like. Consider the stability and growth potential of your future income before moving forward.

2. Have your documentation in order.
Many luxury home buyers derive their net worth from a variety of sources and investments. Given the high-end purchase price of a luxury home, along with today’s unstable economic climate, prequalification is often necessary when it comes to luxury purchases.

3.Investigate alternative search methods.
The best luxury property deals might not be found through traditional real estate search engines but rather through word of mouth. Make sure you’re working with a professional real estate agent who is well connected and networked in the communities your are considering

4. Seeing is believing.
Expansive square footage, sprawling property, and a bevy of incredible views often make luxury homes difficult to completely capture in photos, videos or virtual tours. A visit in person is an absolute must to make sure you’re not missing any potential details and, conversely, to make sure the property lives up to its image.

5.Consider the future.
Your luxury home investment needs to be carefully considered for the future, in particular your expectations in terms of your return on investment. Most luxury home buyers are buying a lifestyle and don’t intend on flipping their home anytime soon. Given the volatility that still exists in today’s market, make sure you’re not headed into your luxury purchase with unrealistic thoughts of financial gain but rather to enjoy a spectacular home for many years to come.

We would be happy to share more insights and strategies for buying a luxury home.   Please feel free to email us for further information.     There are many opportunities in the Highlands NC and Cashiers NC real estate markets right now.     Prices are as low as we have seen in years, mortgage rates are still historically low and sellers are motivated.     Call any of our brokers at 828-526-1717.

As the green movement increases in popularity, many homeowners are exploring ways to become environmentally conscious within their own living spaces.   Greening your home is not only a responsible thing to do but can also boost your home’s value when it comes time to sell.

Unfortunately there are an increasingly wide range of products that profess to offer a variety of environmental values but fall short when it comes to style.   Here are some great areas to zero in on when greening your home …. while being mindful of design and good taste.

1. Carpet.   Did you know that one out of every four recycled plastic bottles is made into carpet? That’s more than 3 billion bottles each year!  Choose carpet made from renewable or recycled materials.

2. Paint.  Create a cozy space by painting an accent wall in a warm earth tone like cocoa or cinnamon.  Choose paint that is non-toxic and contains little or no volatile organic compounds.

3. Pillows.  Use certified organic fabrics to create window treatments or accent pillows.  These are not just plain jane fabrisc anymore.   You’ll be surprised at the variety of colors and patterns available.

4. Floors.  When choosing hardwood flooring, using reclaimed wood adds a touch of antique, natural beauty to your home.

5. Counters.  Look for those made from recycled glass, ceramic or sustainable bamboo.  Not only are these better for the environment, these can create great looks  in both your kitchen and your bathroom.

6. Accessories.   Don’t be too quick to throw away your older items — breathe new life into vintage pieces by pairing them with fresh accessories. Re-upholster that old arm chair or add an accent pillow to give it a fresh, more up-to-date look.

7. Lighting.  Install dimmable compact fluorescent or halogen lights, which can consume up to 75% less electricity and last 10 times longer than standard incandescent bulbs.

8. Bathrooms.   Something as simple as a new shower curtain can update the entire look of your bathroom.  Choose one that is nylon, which is one of the more eco-friendly materials available.

9. Faucets.   Bathroom and kitchen faucets have come a long way in design.   make sure your look for faucets with the WaterSense label, which can save the average household more than 500 gallons of water each year and hundreds of dollars in utility bills.

10. Bedrooms.   Give new life to your own bedroom with eco-friendly bedding.  Duvets, shams and linens are available in organic materials and recycled yarn.

Thankfully, manufacturers are answering the consumer demand for eco-friendly products that are also beautifully designed.

For more information or to share your ideas on great green products for the home, please e-mail us at info@meadowsmtnrealty.com.    For more information on real estate in the Highlands NC or Cashiers NC area, please visit our website at www.meadowsmtnrealty.com or give us a call at 828.526.1717.

If your home is on the market, or if you’re planning to sell your home in the near future, you might be discouraged by the national media’s rampant reports of increasing inventory and languishing sales.

While there is, indeed, plenty of inventory currently on the market, there are steps you can take as a home seller to ensure your home sells more quickly, while still garnering the maximum sales price possible.     The team at Meadows Mountain Realty has years of experience working with home sellers and have learned a few strategies that really work toward securing a buyer more quickly.

1. First, for your home to sell more quickly, it must be exposed to the maximum number of buyers possible, so make sure your home is listed with a local brokerage that has a comprehensive understanding of your market area and knows how to employ technology to increase exposure.  Find out how they will market your home online, what listing portals they will use, how they will utilize social media, how many pictures they will post, videos, etc.
2. While it’s understandable that you’d like the largest earnest money possible from a buyer, be willing to accept smaller earnest money, provided the buyer has been preapproved for a loan.   This can make a huge difference to cash-strapped buyers.
3. Do some legwork and ask your real estate agent for a tour of competitive properties. This will help distinguish what features of your home you should highlight or what small changes you can make to give your home an edge over the competition.
4. Choose your battles and understand where certain concessions might work in your favor. In a slow market, for example, it may be better to pay a “seller contribution” to help buyers offset closing costs than to lower the sale price. While a seller contribution may be smaller than a price reduction, it is often more attractive to buyers who need cash to close.
5. Consider including some value-added items in the sale of your home, such as yard tools, a gas grill,  or items of furniture that buyers fall in love with and/or really need.  A few freebies might be just what you need to close the deal.

If you would like to learn other ideas for selling your home more quickly, please contact any of the brokers at Meadows Mountain Realty at 828.526.1717.    We are the Highlands and Cashiers real estate experts.

Lead based paint was fairly common in homes built prior to 1978.    That year the when the federal government forced paint manufacturers to stop using lead in their paints.    As a result, in North Carolina, the seller of a home built prioer to that time must furnish a prospective buyer with a “Lead Based paint Disclosure.”  

While we’re all aware of the health risks posed by lead, you might not realize that even common renovation projects can be hazardous in terms of lead.   According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), activities like sanding, cutting and demolition can create dangerous lead dust and chips by disturbing lead-based paint, which can be harmful to both adults and children.   

To protect against the lead risk, on April 22, 2008, EPA issued a rule requiring the use of lead-safe practices and other actions aimed at preventing lead poisoning.   Under the rule, as of April 22, 2010, contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child-care facilities and schools built before 1978 must be EPA certified and must follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination.

If you are embarking on a home-improvement project, be sure to use certified renovators who are trained by EPA-approved training providers to follow lead-safe work practices.  Lead dust can form when lead-based paint is dry scraped, dry sanded or heated.  Dust also forms when painted surfaces bump or rub together.  Lead chips and dust can get on surfaces and objects that people touch. Settled lead dust can re-enter the air when people vacuum, sweep or walk through it.

Here are some easy, common sense practices that should be employed during a renovation project:

• Contain the work area
• Minimize dust
• Clean up thoroughly

According to the EPA, to permanently remove lead hazards, you must hire a certified lead “abatement” contractor. Abatement (or permanent hazard elimination) methods include removing, sealing or enclosing lead-based paint with special materials. Just painting over the hazard with regular paint is not enough.

Would you like to know more?   Please visit www.epa.gov, or e-mail me directly.     If you are planning a renovation project at your home in Highlands NC or Cashiers NC, please give us a call at 828-526-1717 and we will be happy to provide you with a list of qualified home contractors who specialize in remodeling projects.   Meadows Mountain Realty – looking out for your best interest – always!!

Just what everyone is looking for – a log home on a great lot with a mountain view.   Imagine all the good times you can have with your family relaxing on the covered front porch of this well built log home taking in the mountain view while your children or grandchildren play in the beautiful level front yard.   The property backs up to an eighty acre estate tract.  

The greatroom features vaulted ceilings, hardwood floors and a wood stove.   The open kitchen has custom cabinets and granite countertops.   The master is on the main with a deluxe bath.   Upstairs are two sleeping lofts which are perfect for kids.    In addition, there is a one bedroom/one bath guest house with a complete kitchen and gas fireplace in the cozy living room.   

The detached one car garage features an extra room for plenty of storage or a workshop.     This property is well located in close proximity to several country clubs including Old Edwards Club, MountainTop Golf and Lake Club and Trillium Links and Lake Club.    It is also just a quick drive to Lake Glenville, Highlands or Cashiers.

For more information on this property or other properties in the Highlands, Cashiers, Lake Glenville or Sapphire area, please give Meadows Mountain Realty a call at 828-526-1717 or email us at info@meadowsmtnrealty.com.    Visit our website for a complete list of properties.

Even though we had a minor blast of cold air this week dipping our overnight temperatures close to freezing, we are officially a couple of weeks into spring.   Just as you did when you left Highlands or Cashiers for the season, you’ll want to welcome the spring season with a bit of property maintenance and some minor adjustments (and repairs, if necessary).   Happily, the transition from the cold months to the warmer ones tends to be far more simple than getting ready for winter.

1. Throw open the windows.  If you have an older home with storm windows, which have been shut tightly during the winter months, welcome the sunshine by throwing them open. When the storm windows go up, the screens should go on—make sure that screens are installed properly and are in good repair. While you’re working on the windows, check for rotting along the window sills and make any necessary repairs.

2. Check air conditioning units.    Although the need for air conditioning is not as important on The Highlands Plateau as it is in the flatlands, we still occasionally like to crank it up, even if it just to dry out the house after a good  thunder storm. Take care of preparation work now by making sure all air conditioning systems are serviced and ready to go so that you’re ready for it. One item to check that often gets overlooked, but can cause the Ac to not work as well as it should is the outside condensing unit being out of level. Easy to check with a level and easy to adjust.

3. Do some spring time servicing.    Sunny weather is great for performing structural property checks and assessing any damage that may have occurred over the winter—this is especially important in the wake of winters such as this past one, which was particularly wet and snowy. Check for (and mend) damaged roofing and any structural rotting or wear and tear that may have occurred.

4. Replace batteries.    The recommendation is to replace the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon dioxide detectors twice a year, usually when the time change occurs. But now that those dates are somewhat unbalanced, just add this to your spring schedule as you open your mountain home.

5. It’s time for spring cleaning!    Spring is the perfect time to spruce things up. Clean your gutters (this should be done twice annually), the exterior (siding, etc.) of your property, all windows, and all mats and carpets that had sand and salt stomped deeply into them over the course of the winter. Additionally, you may want to take some time to spruce up your landscaping.

Even though it may seem as though you made seasonal updates just yesterday, remember: There’s a lot of room for damage to occur in the winter months. Not only will your property look great by the time you’ve finished spring maintenance, but it’s the perfect time to catch those little problems that occurred over winter before they turn into big problems down the line.

For more information on Highlands NC or Cashiers NC real estate, please email us at info@meadowsmtnrealty.com or give us a call at 828-526-1717.   The brokers at Meadows Mountain Realty are the experts when it comes to buying or selling on The Highlands Plateau.