It was a fairly steady month on the Sapphire housing market, according to the most recent real estate data from Trulia.

For instance, the average listing price remained fairly level week-over-week.

Continue reading to learn more about recent market activity, and how it may affect you as a Sapphire home buyer.

Sapphire NC Properties

Here’s an overview of the current state of the Sapphire real estate market:

• Currently there are 580 resale and new homes on the market.
• During the week ending on December 21, the average listing price for Sapphire homes was $486,525.
• When compared to the week before, the average listing price has increased by 0.8 percent, from $482,798 the week before.
• The average listing price for a 1-bedroom home in Sapphire during the week ending on December 21 was $107,241.
• The average listing price for a 2-bedroom home was $253,180.
• And the average listing price for 3- and 4- bedroom homes in Sapphire were $480,082 and $889,926, respectively.
• Here’s how nearby cities compared in terms of average listing price:
• • Highlands: $853,103
  • Scaly Mountain: $583,519
  • Cleveland: $166,500
  • Otto: $245,843

Investing in Sapphire, NC Real Estate

Sapphire is a charming mountain community affectionately referred by many as “Little Switzerland.”

Yet this N.C. Mountain community sure does pack in a lot of natural beauty.  From the world-class fishing to the beautiful hiking trails, this is definitely the kind of community that will leave you breathless every time you look out your home window.

If you’re ready to take the next step toward owning your own Sapphire home, then contact me, Dorothy Swearingen.

As your N.C. Mountain real estate expert, I’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have as well as provide you with such helpful home buying tools as:

• Listing of the week
• Home buying process
• Home finder assistant

Until next time,

Dorothy

As I mentioned in a previous blog, wintertime may be an ideal time to sell your Western NC home since home buyers during this time of year are typically more eager to buy a home than any other time of the year.

But since it’s also true that there are fewer home buyers are the market, it’s important to stage your home in a way that leaves a lasting impression.

One thing that many home sellers do is create curb appeal.  This includes trimming the bushes, sweeping the front porch and cleaning the shutters.

After all, many home buyers will first judge a home by its exterior.  Thus, it’s critical that your Western NC home has plenty of curb appeal.

Continue reading to learn more tips on what you can do to increase your chances of selling your home in a reasonable amount of time.

Homes for Sale in Cashiers, Highlands, Sapphire and More

Here are some suggestions for preparing your home for upcoming showings:

• Mentally Let Go of Your Attachment to Your Home: This is something that’s easier said than done for many home sellers.  After all, your current home may very well be where you started your family, and certainly where you made many precious memories.  But trust me, mentally preparing yourself now for the day when you hand over your house keys to another family will save you a lot of heart ache and stress in the long run.  Because that day will come and you don’t want to be blindsided when it does.
• De-personalize Your Home: As I’ve said in a previous blog, you want home buyers to be able to see THEIR family in your home, not your family.  Thus, remove distracting details like the dozens of family portraits on the walls and tables.  While a few accents will create a warm ambiance in your home, too many can prove to be overwhelming and off-putting for interested home buyers.
• De-Clutterize: Remember, you’re not selling the items in your home, you’re selling the home itself.  So remove excess clutter that distracts from your home’s rooms and layout.  A good rule of thumb is to get rid of anything you haven’t used in more than a year. You may also consider reorganizing furniture in a way that maximizes a room’s space and makes it look bigger.
• Organize Your Closets and Cabinets: Home buyers are often judging every little detail of your home, maybe without even realizing it! And disorganized storage areas suggest to potential home buyers that you may have not taken the best care of the rest of the house.  Avoid sending that message by cleaning and organizing closet and cabinet space.  One way to start is to make sure all your closets are hanging the same way in your closet.
• Store Irreplaceable Items: Buyers and sellers will often negotiate throwing in certain items and appliance with the home sale. So if there’s something in your home that you would never want to see end up on the negotiation table, then put it away so the home buyer doesn’t even know about it.  Otherwise, you risk giving the home buyer a reason to pull out on a deal just because you won’t throw in the item they want.
• Address Minor Repairs:  Remember, home showings are all about leaving a lasting first impression on home buyers.  So you want to make sure your home is in the best shape possible.  Help get it in tip-top condition by addressing minor repair issues, such as a leaky faucet or a cracked bathroom tile.  While making these repairs may not cost much money, it can mean a world of difference on how a home buyer sees your home.

Selling Your Home on the Western NC Real Estate Market

I hope these home staging tips help you to sell your home in less time and for a better price.  These tips have certainly helped plenty of other home sellers in the past!

To learn more about how you can improve your outcome on the Cashiers area real estate market as a home seller,  contact me, Dorothy Swearingen, today.

As your NC Mountain REALTOR, I’ll be happy to walk you through my comprehensive marketing plan for sellers as well as give you a number of home selling tools, such as:

• Price it right
• The Seller’s Institute
• 10 Seller Suggestions
• And more!

Until next time,

Dorothy

Activity has remained pretty stable on the Sapphire real estate market lately, according to recent data.

For instance, the average listing price has only edged up slightly when compared to the last year.

If you’re thinking about investing in some Western North Carolina real estate, I recommend you continue reading to learn more about home prices in Sapphire NC.

Sapphire Homes for Sale

Here’s a look at the current state of the Sapphire real estate market, based on the most recent information:

• Currently there are 658 resale and new homes on the market
• For the week ending on Nov. 16, the average listing price was $491,108 in this Western NC community.
• Compared with the week before, the average listing price has decreased by about 0.5 percent.
• During the week of Nov. 16, the average listing price for a 1-bedroom home in Sapphire was $106,000.
• The average listing price for a 2-bedroom home was $250,000.
• And the average listing price fora 3-bedroom and 4- bedroom homes in Sapphire was $469,000 and $900,000, respectively.

Relocating to Western North Carolina

For right now, the local housing market here in Sapphire looks like it’s fairly stable, although that can change from week to week.

The prices also suggest that it’s a good time to be a home buyer since prices are relatively low, and list prices continue to drop.

If you’re an interested home buyer ready to start searching for your dream home, then contact me, Dorothy Swearingen.

As your Sapphire area real estate expert, I’ll answer any questions you might have as well as tell you about available listings in our various mountain communities, including:

• Highlands NC real estate
• Lake Toxaway NC real estate
• Lake Glenville NC real estate
• Sapphire NC real estate

Until next time,

I can’t believe it’s already the end of October! It seems like just yesterday that I was seeing people set out Fourth of July decorations in the stores and now it seems like all the stores are focusing on Christmas before Halloween has even arrived!

If you’re an interested Cashiers home buyer navigating the Cashiers area real estate market, I’m sure that your year has flown by faster than most.  After all, it can be a rather time-consuming feat searching for your dream Cashiers NC home for sale in the price range you want.

Before you continue your search on the market, I recommend you take just a few minutes to check out the recent statistics on the Cashiers NC real estate market.  This information will prove invaluable to you as it will give you a realistic overview of market conditions.

Continue reading to learn more!

Cashiers, NC Homes for Sale

Here’s an overview of the current state of the Cashiers NC real estate market, based on data from the real estate website Trulia:

• There are currently 598 resale and new homes on the Highlands, NC real estate market.
• During the week ending on Sept. 28, the average listing price for Cashiers NC homes for sale was  $1,023,702
• When compared to the previous week, the average listing price for a Cashiers NC home for sale increased by 0.3 percent, or $3,128.
• For the week ending on Sept. 28, the average list price for a 2-bedroom Cashiers home for sale was $344,000.
• The average list price for a 3-bedroom Cashiers home for sale was $764,000.
• During that same week, the average list price for a 4-bedroom Cashiers home for sale was $1.35 million.

Cashiers, NC Real Estate

If you’d like help navigating the Cashiers NC real estate market, I’ll be happy to assist you with your Cashiers home buying needs.

As your Cashiers NC real estate expert, I’ll interpret the recent Cashiers NC real estate market data and tell you how it affects you as a Cashiers area home buyer.

Contact me, Dorothy Swearingen, today and I’ll also  be happy to tell you about the current state of other area real estate markets, including:

• Highlands NC real estate
• Lake Toxaway NC real estate
• Lake Glenville NC real estate
• Sapphire NC real estate
• And more!

Until next time,

Dorothy

The Sapphire real estate market really exemplifies why it’s so vitally important for interested home buyers and home sellers to stay abreast of the most recent market data.

That’s because in the last month, the average list price for Sapphire real estate has shot up from $496,000 to $506,000 and then back down to $503,000.

As your Sapphire real estate expert, I work hard to provide you with the most up-to-date information so you can feel confident when making decisions on the Sapphire real estate market.

Continue reading to learn more about how the Sapphire real estate market is looking this week.

Sapphire NC Real Estate

Here’s a look at the most recent data on the Sapphire real estate market, based on Trulia.com:

• During the week ending on August 31, there were 716 resale and new homes on the Sapphire real estate market.
•  During that week, the average listing price for Sapphire, NC homes for sale was $503,003, which was a 0.6 percent decrease when compared to the week before.
• During that previous week, the average listing price for Sapphire, NC homes for sale was $506,214.
• For the week ending on August 31, the average list price for a two-bedroom Sapphire home for sale was $256,000.
• For the week ending on August 3, the average list price for a three-bedroom Sapphire home for sale was $472,000.
• For the week ending on August 3, the average list price for a four-bedroom Sapphire home for sale was $934,000.

Sapphire, NC Homes for Sale

As I said earlier, the Sapphire NC real estate market – like many housing markets across the country – is a constantly evolving arena.

Thus, if you’re planning on entering the Sapphire real estate market as a home buyer or home seller, I recommend you work with an experienced Sapphire REALTOR who can help you to analyze the market data and to make the best decision for you and your family.

Contact me, Dorothy Swearingen, today and I’ll be happy to answer any questions you might have as well as discuss the Sapphire real estate market further with you.

And if you’re an interested home buyer, I recommend you check out some of my pre-defined Sapphire home searches, which have proven invaluable to other home buyers just like you!

These include:

• Sapphire homes between $300,000 and $400,000
• Sapphire homes between $400,000 and $500,000
• Sapphire homes between $500,000 and $650,000
• And more!

Until next time,

Dorothy

If you’re a self-proclaimed outdoor enthusiast, you might find the Sapphire, NC community to be the perfect match for you.

This gorgeous mountain community offers everything from 14 world-class golf courses to scenic hiking trails for all skill levels.

Before you decide to enter the Sapphire NC real estate market as a home buyer, however, I recommend that you first check out the current data on the market.

Continue reading to learn more.

Sapphire, NC Real Estate

If you’re interested investing in Sapphire, NC property,  then check out the recent Sapphire NC real estate market stats, which were released by Trulia.com and Realtor.com:

• There are currently 733 resale and new homes on the Sapphire, NC real estate market.
•  The average listing price for a Sapphire NC home for sale was $484,759 for the week ending on August 3, which is a  0.2 percent increased when compared to the previous week.
• During that previous week, the average listing price for a Sapphire NC home for sale was $483,750.
• For the week ending on August 3, the average list price for a one-bedroom Sapphire home for sale was $100,000.
• For the week ending on August 3, the average list price for a two-bedroom Sapphire home for sale was $250,000.
• For the week ending on August 3, the average list price for a three-bedroom Sapphire home for sale was $500,000.

Your Sapphire NC Real Estate Expert

The Mountains of North Carolina are a wonderful place to call home year-round.  From our vast array of recreational opportunities to our beautiful Western North Carolina residential communities, there are plenty of reasons to relocate to the Sapphire, NC area.

If you’re an interested Sapphire, NC home buyer, then contact me, Dorothy Swearingen, your Sapphire NC real estate expert, today.

I’ll be happy to answer any questions you might have about the Sapphire, NC real estate market as well as other area real estate markets such as:

• Cashiers, NC real estate
• Highlands, NC real estate
• Lake Toxaway, NC real estate
• Glenville, NC real estate
• And more!

Until next time,

Dorothy

Recently, a joint state legislative committee recommended merging the leadership of community colleges in the state that have fewer than 3,000 fulltime students.

But local and state officials in Western North Carolina have recently taken a stand against this measure, saying that it would hurt the education system in the area.

Continue reading to learn more about this developing story in the Highlands, NC area – and how it might affect Highlands NC area residents.

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The North Carolina mountains are well known for their scenic vistas during the spring and fall.

However, visitors will find that there’s plenty of reasons to journey to the North Carolina Mountains during the summertime as well.

One of those reasons: white water rafting.

This exciting sport gives you one-of-a-kind views of the North Carolina Mountains while giving you quite a workout and adrenaline rush.

A recent article in the Asheville Citizen-Times gave some tips on how to plan a whitewater trip in the North Carolina Mountains.

Continue reading to learn more about these useful tips.

Living in the Highlands, NC Area

According to the article, one of the first things you should consider when charting a whitewater trip is the minimum age allowed on a river.

This minimum age will tell you how fast the river flows. For instance, while the Lower Pigeon allows individuals ages 4 and older,  the Cheoah requires rafters to be at least 16

Next step is to pick what paddle you’ll use.

After that, consider how much you want to spend on the trip.  While some places such as ones on the Nantahala charge just $19 to rent a raft, the Chattooga charges as much as $400 for a multi-day trip.

The paper notes that the average price for a half-day, guided trip is $45 a person.  That price includes a guide, transportation to the river entrance, gear and even lunch.

Here’s a brief list of some of the most popular rivers that whitewater rafters check out during the summer:

• Nantahala – A Class II-III river that many families with children and first-time paddlers use.  This river is located in Swain and Graham counties
• Lower Pigeon: A Class I-II river that is also good for families with children and first-time paddlers.  This river is located in Hartford, Tennessee.
• French Broad: A Class III and IV river in some sections, which means this river is for more skilled paddlers.
• Upper Pigeon: A dam-controlled river located in Hartford Tennessee.  This river is also good for families with children, as evident by the minimum age requirement of 8.
• Chattooga: A rapidly moving river near Cashiers in Jackson County.  This river is well known for its scenic beauty and thrilling tours.

Investing in Highlands, NC Area Real Estate

If you’re the kind of person who has a great appreciation for natural beauty, I recommend that you consider living in the North Carolina Mountains.

This area is overflowing with natural beauty, which locals make use of everyday through whitewater rafting trips, hiking, biking and more.

If this sounds like the kind of lifestyle that complements your interests, then contact me, Dorothy Swearingen.

As your Highlands, NC area real estate expert, I’ll let you know about available listings in the area, as well as provide you with such helpful Highlands, NC relocation materials as:

• Buying guide
• Listing of the Week
• The home buying process
• Mortgage Information
• And more!

Until next time,

Dorothy

To view Macon County’s landslide map, visit www.geology.enr.state.nc.us/Landslide_Info/MaconCounty.html.

A partial map for Jackson is expected to be posted soon to wfs.enr.state.nc.us/fist/.

Highlands, NC Area Real Estate

What do you think of state lawmakers’ decision to cut funding to the landslide hazard map-making unit? Let me know!

And if you’re thinking about entering the Highlands, NC real estate market as a Highlands area home buyer or home seller, then contact me, Dorothy Swearingen.

As a Highlands, NC REALTOR, I strive to keep up-to-date on the news that affects Highlands area home buyers and Highlands area home sellers so I can help them make educated decisions on the Highlands area real estate market.

Until next time,

Dorothy

The Smoky Mountain News recently reported on an upcoming discussion that will be held at the Highlands Biological Station on growth in the mountains of North Carolina and how that growth will affect farm and forestland in the area.

The discussion, which is part of the Highlands Biological Foundation’s “Think About Thursdays” speaker series, will be led by Paul Carlson.

Mr. Carlson will address such pressing topic in the N.C. Mountain region as:

• Steep-slope land values
• How local officials plan to keep up with road systems as the area develops
• How future development will affect the native flora and fauna in the area

For those interested in going to this event, here are the details:

• When: 6 p.m. on July 7
• Where: Highlands Biological Station, 265 N 6th St in Highlands, North Carolina
• Admission: FREE
• More Info: Call (828) 526-2602

Development in the Highlands, NC Area

One of the things that’s always impressed me about the Highlands, NC region is how the residents continually strive to strike a balance between development and natural beauty.

Thus far,  the region has  done a  great job of preserving that natural beauty, as evident by the numerous recreational amenities available to Highlands area residents.  These include:

• Fly-fishing
• Horseback riding
• Rafting
• Hiking
• Waterfall sites

With discussions like the one that will be held on July 7, Highlands area residents – as well as interested Highlands area home buyers – can be confident that that natural beauty will continue to be cherished and preserved for years to come.

Investing in Highlands, NC Area Real Estate

Have you been thinking about relocating to the Highlands, NC area? Then contact me, Dorothy Swearingen.

As your North Carolina Mountains real estate expert, I have years of experience working in various area real estate markets, including:

• Cashiers, NC real estate
• Highlands, NC real estate
• Lake Toxaway, NC real estate
• Sapphire, NC real estate
• Glenville, NC real estate
• And more!

Contact me today to learn more about how I can help make navigating the Cashiers, NC area real estate market easier for you and your family.

Until next time,

Dorothy