We have a fabulous mountain estate listed for sale in Highlands NC. Abutting National Forest land, this wonderful 6 bedroom, 6 1/2 bathroom home is situated on 6 acres and has everything you are looking for in a mountain getaway. Privacy, luxury, views, and an exceptionally appointed home make this Highlands NC property a must-see.

Highlights of this Highlands home include:

• an impressive grand foyer
• a kitchen made for entertaining
• a master bedroom with his and hers bathrooms
• a wine cellar
• your own Irish pub
• a wrap-around deck
• an outdoor fireplace

These are but a few of the highlights of this wonderful Highlands NC estate, a home to truly escape to. The access to National Forest Land adds to the private feel and allows for access to countless acres of trails to enjoy. Well appointed and truly majestic, this home is one of a kind and well worth a look. Contact us today to look at this home or any other Highlands NC 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.

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.   

When it comes to Highlands and Cashiers Real Estate, is now the time to buy a vacation home?  Leading indicators say that it just might be.  An article in Saturday’s Wall Street Journal, “Vacation Homes: Why It May Be Time to Buy” by Jessica Silver-Greenberg, demonstrates that while vacation areas may be far from boom time activity there is movement.  The article points out that desirable areas represent areas where real estate is moving, less desirable areas not so much.  Highlands real estate and Cashiers real estate has a lot to gain from this simple factor, after all where is there a more desirable place to call “second home”?

Factors that make it a great time to buy a Highlands vacation property or a Cashiers vacation home include affordability, inventory, and timing.  First and foremost it is a buyers market and buying real estate in Highlands and Cashiers today you can be assured that you are not buying at the height of the market.  In addition, taking advantage of today’s low mortgage rates can save a great deal of money over the lifetime of a loan, adding to a home’s affordability.

There are some great values with regards to vacation homes in Highlands and Cashiers.  Please contact us today if you have been dreaming of owning a second home in our unique area.  We know the local real estate market, where homes are selling, where the best bargains are located, and can help locate a Highlands property or Cashiers property that best suit your needs.

Click here to read “Vacation Homes: Why It May Be Time to Buy” by Jessica Silver-Greenberg, from the Wall Street Journal.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Sitting regally atop a small knoll overlooking the seventeenth fairway of the course which was first played by legendary golfer, Bobby Jones, the 4th Cottage combines the charms of yesteryear with the comforts of today.

Family and friends eagerly gather on the large front porch to enjoy the gentle breezes that stir the uppermost branches of decade old trees.   You are deep into your favorite book, but it is hard not to break away for a glance at the graceful swans that swim in Club Lake just a few hundred yards below.  Throughout the spring, summer and fall, the meticulously manicured grounds are ablaze with color. The combination of native and cultivated plants dresses the landscape in eye catching splendor.  The gently rolling lawn reminds you of homes found in your favorite movie.

From its first days in 1928 until today each owner has sacredly guarded the homes integrity. Wainscot paneling of pre-blight chestnut warm the walls of the Great Room with its massive stone fireplace and beamed cathedral ceiling. Built-in library book cases installed when famed author-psychiatrist, Corbett Thigpen, best known for The Three Faces of Eve, owned the home from 1955 to 1980, provide the perfect repository for your cherished books, photos and family memorabilia.    In 1999 the current undertook to renovate the cottage with the help of local architect Dennis DeWolf.    Paying careful attention to preserve the integrity of the original cottage, they set out to update the home with all of the features that families expect in a twenty-first century home.

Visitors to the home following the renovation marvel at the finished product.  A large stone fireplace on the expanded porch closely resembles the original one that anchors the Great Room.  Even the most finicky chef would feel at home in the updated kitchen.  The master suite with its his and her baths provides the perfect escape for a busy couple to rest and recuperate from a day filled with all the activities that Highlands has to offer.  Adjacent to the bedroom is a room which is an idyllic spot for a small office or library, or dressing room.  Use your imagination to personalize this space to your specific needs.  Throughout the house your eye is drawn to carefully thought out design details that you seldom find in homes built today.

When family and friends come for a visit, they will enjoy their own privacy in one of two guest cottages.   In addition, there is a workout studio and a two car garage.      

The 4th Cottage might just be the perfect mountain home.     For more information, contact Michelle Muraco at Meadows Mountain Realty at 828.526.1717 or by email at michelle@meadowsmtnrealty.com.

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.

Imagine waking up to the sounds of a rushing stream, then lounging on the screened porch with your morning cup of coffee enjoying the sights and sounds of the birds as they flock around your feeder.    This great cottage is not only streamside – it is an easy stroll to all that Highlands NC has to offer including wonderful dining, great shopping, theatre and other cultural activities.   

With three bedrooms each with a private bath, this home offers two master suites – one on the main and one upstairs.   The greatroom has cathedral ceilings, laminate wood floors and a floor to ceiling fireplace.    The large kitchen with eating bar will become the perfect gathering space when friends or family visit.    

Easy maintenance exterior with minimal landscape care, this home could be the perfect place to spend your summers in Highlands NC.      Offered fully furnished and ready to move in.    $550,000.   For more information on this home or others in the Highlands NC or Cashiers NC area, please give one of the well qualified brokers at Meadows Mountain Realty a call today.  828.526.1717 or email at info@meadowsmtnrealty.com.