Highlands NC real estate and Meadows Mountain Realty

When it comes to buying Highlands NC real estate there are a number of steals and deals available at the moment. Many factors have combined to create the ideal buyers market that exists today; low mortgage rates, higher than normal inventories, and lower home values being the key ingredients. Whether you are looking for a small cabin in the woods, a high end estate, or a simple condominium, you can find value in buying real estate in Highlands North Carolina.

A sampling of the “Steals and Deals” that we currently have listed in Highlands North Carolina area include:

• A 5 bedroom home in Highlands Falls Country Club.
• A 2 bedroom home, plus guest house, located on almost 1.5 acres in the Webbmont area.
• A 4 bedroom home on nearly 5 acres in Sapphire in the Bald Rock subdivision.
• A 3 bedroom home in River Walk.

Each of these Highlands NC homes has something special to offer and each are listed for sale by highly motivated sellers. There could not be a better time to buy Highlands NC real estate. Contact us today to schedule a showing of one of these fine Highlands properties or any other real estate that is currently listed for sale in our area.

For more information about Highlands and Cashiers North Carolina, and for access to the HighlandsNC/CashiersNC MLS, contact Meadows Mountain Realty today, 866-526-3558 or email us today at info@meadowsmtnrealty.com.

Most people will never venture to the local building department; much less submit themselves (and their blueprints) to the bureaucratic process of obtaining a building permit, scheduling periodic inspections and complying with building codes.

That, of course, is a builder’s job… and one that construction professionals take pride in making efficient and hassle-free for their clients. To be sure, working through the red tape takes experience, savvy and patience. Those who know the drill are able to navigate the approvals and inspection process with confidence.

Consider the potential mine field of regulatory issues that most contractors must map out and manage to ensure their projects are in full governmental compliance.

Plan Check. Before a set of blueprints or house plans can be used to build or remodel a house, the building department must review them to make sure the drawings comply with applicable building codes. The plan checker looks at structural design, weight loads, plumbing, heating, and electrical layouts and specifications, and other details in the plans. If everything is in order, the drawings are approved for construction.

Prior to plan check, however, an experienced and professional builder will review the drawings and make any adjustments to speed the process. Before submitting the plans, he or she may contact trade contractors or building materials suppliers for their input, as well. Such refinements and attention to detail help avoid “red-lining,” causing a return of the plans unapproved and marked by the plan checker (in red pen) for necessary changes … thus delaying the building process.

Permitting. A building permit — a required document in most municipalities for almost any construction project — is the document that a building inspector will review and refer to when he or she visits the building site as the project progresses toward completion. The building department will only issue a permit for an approved set of blueprints or plans, and the inspector will rely on the permit and plans on the job site to compare what’s drawn (and approved) to what’s actually being built. It is imperative, then, to submit a complete and comprehensive set of plans for approval and permitting … and then follow those plans to the letter to avoid confusion, questions and potentially costly compliance issues that can stop the job cold until they are resolved.

Inspections. Inspections at key points of a project’s construction are necessary to make sure the approved plans are being built as drawn. Professional builders and remodelers have a talent for managing their own work crews, trade contractors and suppliers. They seek to keep the project on schedule. A tight schedule, in turn, reliably and accurately pinpoints those key milestones so that an inspector can be called with plenty of time to schedule his or her visit and, once on site, make a thorough review of the progress and approve it to continue.

Other red tape. Increasingly, builders are required to submit reports regarding the environmental impact, energy use, zoning or land-use variances, and other regulatory compliance issues. Professional contractors are familiar with what’s current in this respect, and can shepherd clients and their projects through the red tape to make sure their vision for their home becomes a reality.

This post was contributed by Zac Koenig of Koenig Homebuilders in Highlands NC.   

We have reached the midway point of the year.   Today, we want to look back over the first six months and give you what we believe were the five items that have had the biggest impact on the real estate industry so far this year.

The Government Wants Out of the Mortgage Business   From the original outline of the Dodd-Frank regulations to the talk of closing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to the proposed Quality Residential Mortgage (QRM) guidelines, the government has made it very clear that they want to dramatically limit their involvement in the mortgage industry. What will come of this? Will private industry step up and fill the void created? What will be the increased cost to the consumer? Only time will tell.

Despite Early Headlines, Sales are Increasing    Headlines earlier in the year announced the total collapse of the housing market. To those in the know, it was obvious that comparing sales numbers in the first four months of this year to the same period last year made absolutely no sense. The largest tax credit ever given to home buyers expired on April 30, 2010. Large numbers of transactions were dragged forward last year so buyers could take advantage of the credit. Pending home sales (transactions going into contract) on the other hand have done quite nicely and many institutions (ex. Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, NAR and Moody’s Analytics) are projecting good sales numbers throughout the rest of the year.

Amid Warnings of a ‘Double-Dip’, Prices Began to Stabilize  Prices continued to retreat for the first few months of the year and brought the bears out. Some called for another major fall in prices (15-20%) and almost all recalculated their projections to show continued depreciation. Just as these new projections were made available, some pricing indices announced that values actually increased (though by a rather minimal percentage). Again, those with the best understanding of the market were quick to explain…

Foreclosures Were Delayed Longer Than Originally Projected   Distressed properties (foreclosures and short sales) have a major impact on the values of all properties in an area. Because of paperwork challenges, the flow of these properties to the market was virtually shut off. At the beginning of the year, most experts believed the banks would correct these challenges by the end of the first quarter. That didn’t happen and therefore many of these properties were delayed coming to the market. This is a major reason why prices seemed to recover: there were fewer discounted properties available for sale. Most now believe that the banks are within 60-90 days of releasing this inventory and that prices will again begin to soften.

Main Stream Media Begins to Announce “Now Is the Time to Buy!”   With prices and interest rates at historic lows and the chance that mortgages will become more costly as the private sector steps in, many in the main stream media are announcing that buying a home now makes sense. In the last 45 days, the Wall Street Journal, Forbes Magazine, National Public Radio (NPR) and CBS Money Watch have all ran articles calling for the readership to consider buying now!

If you would like more information on real estate in Highlands or Cashiers NC, give on e of the brokers at Meadows Mountain Realty a call today at 828-526-1717 or send us an email to info@meadowsmtnrealty.com.

Catch summer in bloom in Highlands NC this weekend with the Mountains in Bloom Garden Festival that runs through Sunday, July 10th.  This is the weekend that gardening enthusiasts gather to ooh and aah over a plethora of plants and flowers, with the chance to view five majestic gardens in Highlands Country Club.  In addition there will be a flower show, garden luncheon, photographs on display, and lectures.

• Catch the Garden Tour on Saturday at 9 am, 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m.  Shuttles will depart from the Highlands Civic Center.
• The Flower Show will take place at the Bascom from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

There is no doubt that summer brings out the best of Highlands, offering a wealth of activities and opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.  The Mountains in Bloom Garden Festival, celebrating its 13th year, is but one of many festivals that take place in our unique area.

Please contact us today to learn more about Highlands real estate opportunities.  Highlands offers exceptional vacation ownership opportunities as well as a lifetime of memories in the making.

Click here to visit the website for the Mountains in Bloom Garden Festival.

For more information about Highlands and Cashiers North Carolina, and for access to the HighlandsNC/CashiersNC MLS, contact Meadows Mountain Realty today, 866-526-3558 or email us today at info@meadowsmtnrealty.com.

Rarely in Highlands can you find a mountain cottage under $500,000 with a Whiteside Mountain view.    Although this delightful home was originally built in the early 80s, the past two owners have completed renovotions including a new kitchen.  The greatroom features a floor to ceiling stone fireplace and vaulted wood ceiling.   There are wood floors throughout the cottage, new vanities in the baths and a one car carport.   The owners have also completed an extensive makeover of the low maintenance landscaping.  

Imagine your mornings with a cup of coffee watching the sun rise over the mountain and enjoying the crisp air and the sound of birds all around.   If the morning air is a bit too chilly (even in the the summer months), there is a fireplace on the screened porch to warm your bones!!    In the evening this will also be the perfect spot for entertaining family and friends.     .

Located in Apple Mountain, this two bedroom, two bath cottage is only 4 miles from Main Street Highlands and just moments from three of Highlands best country clubs.   The neighborhood boasts a common area with a playground for children and residents can enjoy launching their canoe on Lake Ravenel.   

For more information on this great mountain home, view the visual tour at http://tours.tourfactory.com/tours/tour.asp?t=757496 or visit http://www.meadowsmtnrealty.com/default.asp?f=listing_details&listingid=259842&listingtype=1. or call 828-526-1717.    Reach us by email at info@meadowsmtnrealty.com or visit our website at www.meadowsmtnrealty.com for a complete list of properties for sale in the Highlands and Cashiers area.    

We have all heard the main stream media reporting on the dismal real estate market as though it were on a non-stop audio loop.  Despite these continuous reports, four major media outlets have come out this month with the same advice: if you are ever going to buy a home, now is the time! 

Here are the four articles each from respected news sources along with a summary of why their advice makes sense.

The Wall Street Journal:  Why It’s Time To Buy

CBS Money Watch:  Why The Time To Buy Is Now

Forbes Magazine:  9 Reasons To Buy A House Now

National Public Radio:  For Many, It’s Still A Good Time To Buy A Home

Considering that most news reports are saying home prices continue to depreciate in most regions of the country, you may be wondering why these four media outlets are suggesting that now is the time to buy.  Well, one of the things that each of these entities recognize is that the price of a property is not as important as the cost.  Even as prices fall, the cost of a house can actually increase.  Unless you are paying cash for the particular property, you must consider the expense of financing when calculating the full cost. 

Interest Rates:

Interest rates for home mortgages are currently at historic lows.  That being said, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, PMI and the National Association of Realtors are all projecting a 1% increase in those rates over the next year.  It is important to keep in mind that a 1% increase in mortgage rates negates a 10% decrease in prices!

Lending Standards

While we are speaking about mortgages, we also need to know that the government as proposed a tightening of the lending standards referred to as Quality Residential Morgtage (QRM).  If these changes are accepted as proposed, it will mean two things to the average home buyer:

1. Qualifying for a loan will become much more difficult
2. The cost of a loan will increase

The government has proposed a tightening of lending standards called Quality Residential Mortgage (QRM). If accepted as proposed two things will happen:

Bottom Line

So the bottom line for people currently on the fence about jumping in and purchasing a home is that now is definitely the time to buy.  The cost of purchasing a home is about to increase even if prices continue to fall.

For more information on the market conditions in Highlands or Cashiers NC, contact any of the professional brokers at Meadows Mountain Realty at info@meadowsmtnrealty.com or by calling 828.526.1717.

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.

In this day and age, people often ask if they need to hire a real estate agent to sell their home or if they should try it on their own as a For Sale By Owner (FSBO).  With the volatility we are seeing in today’s housing market, we feel this is an easy decision: you need an experienced professional!

An experienced agent can be your guide in this uncertain market

Whether it is giving you an honest assessment of where your home should be priced or it is finding a buyer who is willing to pay fair market value for your home when there are many competing short sales and foreclosures, an experienced professional can steer you through many of the pitfalls that exist in real estate today. 

A skilled negotiator is invaluable

In today’s market, having a skilled negotiator on your side during a real estate transaction could save you thousands of dollars.  Not only do you need someone who can keep the deal together until it closes, you need someone who can provide you with trusted advice and assistance from the initial offer right through the inspection and appraisal.  Until a deal closes and you have your money in hand, an inspection report or a financing hiccup can cause it to take a nose dive quickly.  An experienced agent can direct you through these situations and help you get your home sold even when issues arise.

When an agent is negotiating their own commission with you, remember that they are actually negotiating their own salary.  This is the salary that pays their bills and keeps a roof over their heads.  If your agent was quick to back down and take a lesser commission when negotiating with you for your listing, you should see that as a red flag.  If they would not negotiate well for themselves, what makes you think they will negotiation well for you? 

Bottom Line

As with anything else, you get what you pay for.  A good real estate agent, like a good attorney or a good accountant, will save you money not cost you money.     The Brokers at Meadows Mountain Realty are experienced and can help you get the most for your property in today’s tough real estate market.    Give us a call today at 828.526.1717 or email us at info@meadowsmtnrealty.com.

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.