The celebration of St. Patrick’s Day dates back over a thousand years. For centuries, the Irish have observed March 17th as a religious holiday where families would traditionally attend church in the morning and celebrate in the afternoon.

While the celebration of this holiday may have originated in Ireland, did you know that the first St. Patrick’s Day parade took place in the United States? Irish soldiers serving in the British military marched through New York City on March 17th, 1762. From that point forward, Irish patriotism among American immigrants flourished so much that the parade which takes place in New York each year is not only the world’s oldest civilian parade, but it is also the largest in the United States with over 150,000 participants.

Today, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated by people of all backgrounds across the US, including here in Highlands, NC. The Old Edward’s Inn and Spa has planned events that will help you get into the spirit and make your St. Patrick’s celebration last through the weekend:

• Special Irish Cocktails and Beers will be served in Hummingbird Lounge and Madison’s

• The Hummingbird Lounge will feature Steve Wohlrab live on Friday and Saturday from 8 pm

• Special Irish Dishes in will be featured in Madison’s throughout the weekend.

Guests of Old Edwards will enjoy:

• An authentic Irish Whiskey Tasting Friday, March 18 and Saturday, March 19 4pm to 5pm in the Hummingbird Lounge

• Irish Coffee Making Experience on Saturday, March 19

A Pot O’ Gold—including an overnight stay at Old Edwards—awaits the winner.

• Complimentary Irish Hors D’oeuvres in the Hummingbird Lounge Friday and Saturday evening from 6 pm to 7 pm

• Complimentary Irish “after party” hors d’oeuvres in the Hummingbird Lounge Friday and Saturday evening from 10 pm to 11 pm

• Special turndown amenities throughout the weekend

Come to Highlands NC and make this St. Patrick’s Day one to remember….and don’t forget your green!

For more information about Highlands and Cashiers North Carolina, and for access to the HighlandsNC/CashiersNC MLS, contact Meadows Mountain Realty today, 828-526-1717 or email us today at info@meadowsmtnrealty.com.

Highlands NC has long been noted for it’s extraordinary restaurants and talented chefs.    From regional Italian and German cuisine, to down home southern cooking, dining is a delightful and varied experience at any of the wonderful restaurants in and around Highlands.      

On Saturday, March 5th, four of the top local chefs will face off in a “Iron Chef” competition that will feature a dual competition of two chefs with the winner facing off in the finals.   Chef Nick Figel of Cyprus Restaurant will defend his “King of the Mountain” title against last year’s runner up Johannes Klapdor of Madison’s Restaurant and Wine Garden plus two other invited chefs.   

Make your reservation by calling 828-526-4419.   This culinary event starts at 3pm and runs until 7:45 pm at Cyprus Restaurant, located at 470 Dillard Road across the street from Dusty’s.  Tickets are limited.   The competition plus dinner is $118; coveted counter seating is $159.   

For more information on all aspects of life on the Highlands Plateau, call any of the brokers at Meadows Mountain Realty.   We know Highlands NC like the back of our hand.   Call us today.   828-526-1717.

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.

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.  

In 1960 after spending time in the Air Force in Japan, Ralph deVille decided to fulfill his dream and opened a shop specializing in Japanese antiquities. For 50 years the Stone Lantern has stood as an icon on Main Street in

Just a few steps to The Old Edwards Inn

Highlands NC weathering a variety of economic times and changes in trends while never wavering from the vision of providing the customer with superior service.  Over the years the shop has moved toward more Chinese antiques, fine jewelry and a large selection of accessories for the Ikebana enthusiast.  It is truly a rare shopping experience and as one long time customer said “Coming into the Stone Lantern is like passing through a portal into another world.” Last year they celebrated their 50^th anniversary in the same location and we all hope to see them standing in the same location for another 50 years! The Stone Lantern is open year round, weekends in the winter months.     

Contributed by Elizabeth Campbell of Meadows Mountain Realty.   Elizabeth was a real estate agent in Spain for many years.   She moved to Highlands to be close to family and joined Meadows Mountain Realty in 2010.   For information on any aspect of living in Highlands NC, including properties on the Highlands Plateau, please contact Elizabeth at Elizabeth@meadowsmtnrealty.com.

It may be winter in Highlands NC but that does not stop the fish from biting, there is fly fishing all year round here.  In fact this Sunday novice and experts alike can partake in a fly fishing clinic put on by Headwaters Outfitters.  Whether you simply want to practice or learn from scratch, this is a great opportunity to wade into the water and absorb some of the beautiful scenery that Highlands is known for.

What can you work on?  All types of casting techniques, including a roll cast, sidearm cast, and an overhead cast to name a few.  The clinic will cost $30 and will include the rods, reels, waders, and boots.  Reserve your spot or find out more information about Sunday’s fly fishing clinic by calling 828-877-3106.

While many people consider visiting Cashiers NC or Highlands NC in the summer, our area is a wonderful destination at any time of the year.  Fly fishing is one activity that our area is known for and fly fishing enthusiasts can enjoy our rivers and lakes on a year round basis.

Contact us today to learn more about the Highlands/Cashiers area.  We have access to all homes that are currently listed for sale and can help you get to know the Highlands real estate market.

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

We have a fabulous custom home in Highlands NC listed for sale.  Located in the Highlands Falls Country Club, this five bedroom, four bathroom home offers seclusion and privacy only minutes from downtown Highlands.  This wonderfully built home is accented by an open floor plan and attention to detail.  Built for comfort and entertaining in style, the great room in this Highlands property features a built-in wet bar, custom cabinets, cathedral ceilings and a wall of windows that showcases a spectacular view.

The outdoor living in this Highlands home is equally spectacular with a patio, deck and views of Whiteside Mountain.  This home represents the best part of living in Highlands, the natural beauty, easy access to town, and the amenities that the Highlands Falls Country Club has to offer. 

Contact us today if convenience, privacy, views, and beauty are what you have been looking for in a Highlands home.  In addition we have access to all Highlands real estate that is currently listed for sale and can provide a list of homes that we could look at and compare.

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

Highlands NC is home to one of the most romantic hotels in the United States.  Trip Advisor recently compiled a list “Top 10 US Hotels for Romance: Travelers’ Choice 2011”, and the Old Edwards Inn and Spa was number two on the list.  Old Edwards Inn and Spa is located in the magnificent setting of Highlands NC.  Known for its relaxed luxury, the inn encompasses relaxation, recreation, wellness and more, offering unique activities, interesting events and romantic packages year round.

Of course the Old Edwards Inn and Spa may be recognized as one of the most romantic places in our area, but it is not the only romantic spot.  A quiet hike along a scenic trail leading to a stunning waterfall is one of our area’s most romantic ways to spend a day.  Visiting Highlands provides an instant romantic connection.

Highlands North Carolina represents the perfect mountain getaway, an ideal place to escape to.  Fine dining, exceptional shopping, fitness and luxurious spa treatments appeal to all five senses and make a weekend away complete.  As the season of romance kicks off with Valentine’s Day next month, Highlands North Carolina is just the place to get in the mood.

Click here to visit the website for the Old Edwards Inn and Spa.

If a romantic weekend in Highlands is wonderful, imagine what it would be like to own one of the Residences at Satulah, an Old Edwards Development within walking distance to the Inn and all of its amenities, as well as shopping, dining and cultural venues.   For more information about Highlands and Cashiers North Carolina, and for access to the Highlands/Cashiers NC MLS, contact Meadows Mountain Realty today, 866-526-3558 or email us today at info@meadowsmtnrealty.com.

There is a great Cullasaja Club home for sale in Highlands NC.  Looking over the Cullasaja River this four bedroom, four and a half bathroom home is attractive, inviting, and impeccably maintained.    This fabulous piece of Highlands real estate takes full advantage of its beautiful setting, with many windows letting in light and views.

The Cullasaja Club community offers exceptional golf, a large 26 acre lake, a clubhouse, fitness facility, swim and tennis facility, and a gorgeous setting.  If you have been looking for an ideal Highlands vacation property this home should not be overlooked.  This is a one owner home, built in 2000.  The listing price for this Cullasaja Club home is below its appraised tax value, priced to sell.

Contact us today to look at this beautiful home or any other Highlands real estate that is currently listed for sale.  There couldn’t be a better time to be a buyer and we make it our mission to know the market, what is selling, what is for sale and what price homes in Highlands and Cashiers are selling for.

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