Yes, you can own on the golf course in one of the most desired clubs in Highlands NC under $500,000.     Located in the heart of the club within walking distance to the Swim and Tennis Center and the Clubhouse, this one level home has only had two lucky owners.    Both of these owners have lovingly cared for and improved the home over the years.   Tucked behind a thicket of lush rhododendron, the cottage is bright and airy with cathedral ceilings in the greatroom, kitchen and master.   Anyone who enjoys cooking will appreciate the open kitchen complete with a breakfast table which looks out to the front gardens.   The large, partially covered deck is the perfect place to entertain, watch the golfers on the 16th green or  just relax and enjoy the cool mountain air.  

The master bedroom boasts his and her closets and baths plus a cozy sitting area that is great for watching your favorite movie and working online.     Guests can enjoy their own privacy in the guest wing with bedrooms that open onto the deck.   In addition, there is a two car garage plus a golf cart storage garage.

Highlands Falls is a gated, private country club just two miles from Main Street Highlands NC, offering a Joe Lee designed 18 hole championship golf course, practice facilities, state of the art fitness center, swim and tennis center plus a stunning full service clubhouse.   Golf or Social Membership in the club is by invitation, but not required for property ownership.

For information on this home or any properties in Highlands Falls Country Club or Highlands NC, call any of the brokers at Meadows Mountain Realty at 828.526.1717 or email us at info@meadowsmtnrealty.com.      We can help you with market information on Highlands NC or Cashiers NC real estate or answer your questions on properties for sale on The Highlands Plateau.

Hard to find combination!!!   A home in pristine condition, under $500K with incredible long range mountain views.   This great one level home is located in a sweet neighborhood just three miles from Main Street Highlands.     The living room has vaulted ceilings and opens onto a covered deck where the views will take your breath away.   Enjoy your morning coffee or a good book where the peace and quiet is only disturbed by the array of songbirds that land on your bird feeder or  the hummingbird that buzzes in and out to sample the nectar of the flowers in your hanging baskets.      There is an unfinished lower level that would make a great playroom for kids or could even be a fourth bedroom.   This lower level also has a private deck with a hot tub. 

For more information on this special home, please visit our website at www.meadowsmtnrealty.com.   Any of our broekrs would be happy to provide addtional information or schedule a private showing.    Just give us a call at 828-526-1717 or send an email to info@meadowsmtnrealty.com.     Expert real estate advice on the Highlands NC and Cashiers NC area is just a phone call away. 

When you own a Highlands vacation property it is important to recognize the value of a property manager or property management company.  The idea behind property management is to keep an eye on properties so that any issues that may arise can be dealt with.  This is extremely helpful for second home owners in the Highlands area.

A property manager can do as little as expedite a walk-through of your property once weekly or as much as oversee renovations or handle short term rentals.  A weekly walk-through should include a visual check of the mechanical room, verification of the temperature in the home, insuring that windows and doors are secured, checking for visible water damage, confirming that the alarm system is activated and a general check of the home so that it appears to be in order.

Additional services provided by a property manager or management company could include:

• Airport shuttles
• Auto detailing
• Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning
• Catering Arrangements
• Restaurant Reservations
• Dry Cleaning Pick Up & Delivery
• Stocking Firewood and Supplies
• General Maintenance & Repairs
• Household Supplies & Grocery Stocking
• Holiday Services
• Hot Tub & Pool Maintenance
• Housekeeping
• Interior House Plant Care
• Landscape & Irrigation Maintenance
• Package Shipping & Receiving
• Snow Plowing & Snow Removal
• Trash Removal
• Window Washing

Owning Highlands real estate is an investment and having someone to keep an eye on your home.  Property management can help avoid burst pipes, broken windows, leaky roofs, plumbing issues and a whole slew of other unwanted problems.  Contact us today for recommendations of experienced Property Managers in our area, as well as to have access to all Highlands and Cashiers real estate that is currently listed for sale.

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.

Owners of Highlands NC real estate should be prepared, tax time is just around the corner.  Home ownership has many benefits many of which appear in savings come April 15th.  Two important homeowner tax tips are a deduction for private mortgage insurance and a deduction for property taxes.  The property tax deduction has always been available as an itemized deduction and now may qualify for a standard deduction.  The benefit of being a standard deduction versus an itemized deduction is that some people do not have enough itemized deductions to exceed the standard deduction amount, the ability to claim these deductions as a standard deduction can prove to be a benefit come tax time.

If you own or have recently sold Highlands real estate there are other tax benefits available as well.

• Many energy efficient improvements are deductible.
• Mortgage interest paid is deductible.
• If you sold your real estate up to $250,000 for an individual and $500,000 for a couple of capital gains is tax-free income.

Owning Highlands property has benefits, many of which make owning a better opportunity than renting.  Please contact us today to learn more about Highlands real estate and have access to all properties that are currently listed for sale.

Click here for a great list of tax tips for home owners from BankRate.com.

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.

Highlands luxury real estate has a lot to offer.  Most people who are looking for luxury real estate are looking for a well designed home that offers a lot to its residents in the way of entertaining and lifestyle, as well a surrounding that has a lot to offer.  There are many incredible Highlands properties for sale that offer luxury living in spectacular settings.  The surrounding community of Highlands upholds the standard of luxury living by offering amazing dining, shopping, spa and recreational opportunities.

When considering buying Highlands real estate it is important to examine priorities.  The number of bedrooms and bathrooms a person needs in a vacation home are important as are the bonus rooms of the home.  Do you want or need a recreation or media room?   Is a big, well-equipped kitchen important?  What do you want from the outside of your home?  Do you want to be in the woods or on a golf course?  Do you want to be walking distance from town or next door to a tennis court?

At Meadows Mountain Realty we have access to some wonderful Highlands properties.  As experienced Highlands Realtors we know how to find our clients the ideal vacation property and make it our mission to help all of our buyers get to know the Highlands 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.

When selling Highlands real estate, buyers are attracted to homes in optimal condition.  The buyers market is being driven by buyers that want the absolute best bang for the buck.  Today’s home buyer is looking for a home that is in move-in condition as opposed to wanting to buy a remodel opportunity.  What does this mean for a home buyer looking at Highlands real estate?  The better condition your home is in the better chance you have of attracting a buyer.

The reality is that people are less inclined to part with their money these days, which means that when a potential home buyer locates an ideal property the last thing he wants to do is face the idea of pouring additional funds into it to make it livable.  If you are selling a Highlands home you will be better off fixing items that must be fixed if you want it to sell quickly and for as much money as possible.

With a large inventory of homes for sale in Highlands NC and Cashiers NC, competition for buyers is keen.   Contact us today for a complimentary consultation on selling your Highlands real estate.    Beverly Tate of Meadows Mountain Realty is not only an Accredited Home Stager, she is an interior designer and can assist you in making choices for your home that help it show off.    You can contact Beverly by email at bevtate@bellsouth.net.    A Highlands Realtor is an invaluable resource in preparing your home for sale. 

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.

Conventional wisdom has always been to wait until the ‘Spring Buying Season’ to place your home on the market, hoping for a fresh start when buyers begin to look. That has seemed to make sense in the past and is widely accepted as a good strategy for anyone wanting to sell their home at the best possible price.

What we have come to realize, is that the “past” wisdom of Real Estate 101 doesn’t necessarily fit today’s real estate market Here are some good reasons why?

1. Interest Rates Are On the Rise

If you have not had been on vacation in BoraBora with no internet service, you must be aware that interest rates have spiked up rather dramatically over the last ninety days. From unheard of rates below 4%, interest rates nationwide are now over 5%. Usually an increase in rates has a positive effect on the market because it forces buyers off the fence. Unfortunately, it also cuts into a buyer’s purchasing power. As rates increase, the amount of a mortgage for which a buyer can qualify also decreases. Ultimately, this can have a negative impact on prices.

2. Your Dream Home Will Never Be Cheaper

If your goal is to sell your current home and take advantage of the tremendous selection of properties currently available to buy the property you have always wanted, DO IT NOW! Although prices may continue to soften in many markets, if you are buying, COST should be more important than PRICE. What does that mean? You not only need to consider what you can pay for a home (PRICE), you need to look at what the payment will be (COST). Cost can be dramatically impacted by rising mortgage interest rates. Do the math!!

3. Buyers Are Out Early

There is good evidence that buyers are coming out earlier this year. The belief that now is a good time to buy coupled with the increase in interest rates has started the buying season early.

According to Pete Flint, the CEO of Trulia: “We’re seeing a national resurgence of buyer and seller activity on Trulia.com. In January alone, we experienced an unprecedented level of site traffic including 11 million unique visitors – which is more than 70 percent year-over-year growth. We’ve are now experiencing 100,000 property views per minute.”

The National Association of Realtors just reported that the number of house sales increased 12.9% over last month.

4. Inventory Increases Every Spring

Every year there is an increase of inventory which comes to market as we approach the spring. For example, last year the number of listings available for sale increased each month:

• February – 3,531,000

• March – 3,626,000

• April – 4,029,000

There is no reason to think that a similar increase will happen in 2011 as there is a pent-up selling demand created by the weak market of the last few years. Getting you home on the market ahead of this increase will certainly increase the exposure of your home to prospective buyers.

5. We Are in the Eye of the Foreclosure Storm

While banks are trying to rectify their foreclosure procedures, there is a large supply of discounted properties which has been delayed coming to market. The expectation is that this inventory will be released sometime in the next few months. Foreclosures sell on average at a 41% discount. When released they will be competing with your house for the buyers in the marketplace. If you are looking to sell in 2011, you want to sell before this inventory becomes your competition.

CNN Money quoted the leadership Of RealtyTrac on this issue: “We’ve now seen three straight months with fewer than 300,000 properties receiving foreclosure filings, following 20 straight months where the total exceeded 300,000,” said James Saccacio, CEO of RealtyTrac. “Unfortunately,” he added, “This is less a sign of a robust housing recovery and more a sign that lenders have become bogged down in reviewing procedures, resubmitting paperwork and formulating legal arguments related to accusations of improper foreclosure processing.” “We expect a spike in the first quarter,” said Rick Sharga, a RealtyTrac spokesman.

These are five strong reasons to sell now instead of waiting until later in the year.  Sit down with a one of the professionals at Meadows Mountain Realty today and decide the best options for you and your family.     Meadows Mountain Realty knows the market and can help you with all of your real estate needs.   Call us at 828-526-1717 or email at info@meadowsmtnrealty.com.

Midnight Farms is a very unique, family owned and operated home furnishings emporium located in Cashiers, North Carolina.  The owners/artists, Pat and Jim Grady, are probably the nicest couple you will ever meet. 

Honestly, they are also as briliantly artistic as they are nice.  Pat, who along with their daughter Rhesa handle all of the retail while Jim is in the wood shop designing and building custom furniture pieces that are “elegant rustic” works of art.  Jim says he gets his inspirations from the root of rustic style which originated in the Adirondacks as well as natural surroundings.  He incorporates burls, roots, bark, antlers, twig mosaics and just about any and every kind of Southern Appalachian organics.  Stop by and take a look at Jim’s one-of-a-kind creations and you just might be commissioning a piece for you!

Midnight Farms is located at 336 Hwy 107N in Cashiers NC or visit them online at www.midnightfarms.com.     The brokers at Meadows Mountain Realty love to tell folks buying homes in Highlands NC or Cashiers NC about Midnight Farms.   It’s a great place to find that perfect accessory for their mountain home.      For more information about any aspect of life in Highlands NC or Cashiers NC, give John Bynum a call at 828-526-1717.  John has years of experience helping buyers find their perfect place on the Highlands Plateau.

If you have been watching Highlands NC and Cashiers NC real estate you might have noticed that mortgage rates are on the rise.  While rates are still affordable they recently hit above 5% for the fist time in ages, a sign of stability on the horizon for the economy.  What does this mean for anyone thinking about buying property in Highlands or Cashiers?  When rates rise the long term cost of home ownership rises as well.

The question many people looking at Highlands property may be asking is whether home prices will drop any further?  The luxury market is definitely different from the lower end market in that listing prices have not dropped significantly.  That being said a home is merely worth what someone is willing to pay for it.

The real cost of real estate rises with interest rates.  Therefore, if you are thinking about buying Highlands real estate in the coming year there couldn’t be a better time to get out and look.  Contact us today to learn more about what is going on with regards to Highlands real estate.  We have access to all listings currently on the market and also know what buyers are truly motivated to sell.

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.

The 2011 American Cancer Society Relay for Life for Highlands NC will be held on Friday, August 19th at the Highlands Rec Park.

The Relay celebrates those who are fighting or have survived cancer and remembers those who have lost the battle against this devastating disease.

Relay got its start in 1985 when a Tacoma, WA surgeon ran and walked around a track to raise awareness and money for the American Cancer Society. From that one man’s passion, Relay has grown to become the world’s largest movement to end the disease. Now, more than 3.5 million people in over 5000 communities in the US, and additional communities in more than 20 countries worldwide, walk for the cause.

Because cancer never sleeps, the overnight events are up to 24 hours in length. Teams camp out and offer food or fun activities for participants and supporters throughout the night. At the event, teams are asked to have at least one member on the track at all times.

Teams are forming now for this year’s walk. So bring your friends, neighbors, co-workers and family and join us on August 19th for this life-changing event. The only requirement is a $10.00 fee, per person, upon registration.

Contributed by Colleen Fogle, who is a broker with Meadows Mountain Realty and a cancer survivor.

In May of last year, Meadows Mountain Realty decided to get involved with the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life which took place in Highlands in August. We formed a Relay Team and started raising money through our flamingo flocking and a Bark For Life. We had no idea at the time, how close to home our participation would take us. We all tend to take our good health for granted. But on June 29th, Colleen found out that she had Infiltrated Ductile Carcinoma Breast Cancer. The tumor was 6cm in size; in Stage 3 and very aggressive.    The Relay for Life is not only a great event for a great cause, it provided Colleen the love and support of other survivors.

She went through extensive chemotherapy and surgery last year and is now feeling great and back to work full time.     If you would like information on properties in the Highlands NC area, please contact Colleen at colleen@meadowsmtnrealty.com or call Colleen at 828-526-1717.    Colleen is also the Rental Manager at Meadows Mountain Realty and can help you plan your perfect Highlands NC vacation.