Category Archives: Counties

Lake Toxaway, NC Real Estate Market Update

Residents of Lake Toxaway, NC wake up to two breathtaking sights every morning: the majestic arches of the Appalachian Mountains and the tranquil waters of the first man-made lake in the state.

Lake Toxaway is a wonderful community that offers its residents awe-inspiring vistas, quality public schools and fantastic recreational amenities.

If this sounds like the kind of place you’d like to call home, continue reading to learn more about the current state of the Lake Toxaway, NC real estate market.

Lake Toxaway, NC Real Estate

If you’re thinking about investing in Lake Toxaway real estate, I suggest you check out the following Lake Toxaway real estate data that was recently released by Trulia.com and Realtor.com:

  • There are currently 439 resale and new homes on the Lake Toxaway real estate market.
  • The average listing price for a Lake Toxaway home for sale $985,502 for the week ending on August 3, which is a 4 percent decrease when compared to the previous week.
  • During that previous week, the average listing price for a Lake Toxaway home for sale was $1,026,476.
  • During the week of August 3, the average listing price for a two-bedroom Lake Toxaway home for sale was $370,000.
  • During the week of August 3, the average listing price for a three-bedroom Lake Toxaway home for sale was $750,000.
  • During the week of August 3, the average listing price for a four-bedroom Lake Toxaway home for sale was $1,750,000.

 

Buying a Home on the Lake Toxaway Real Estate Market

Purchasing a home is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make in your life.

That’s why it’s so important to work with a Lake Toxaway real estate agent who will take the time to learn what you’re looking for in a home and then help you find that dream home.

Contact me, Dorothy Swearingen, today to learn more about how I help Lake Toxaway area home buyers navigate the Lake Toxaway real estate market every day.

And if you’re relocating to the Lake Toxaway area, please feel free to check out all of my helpful Lake Toxaway relocation materials, including:

Until next time,

Dorothy

Lake Glenville, NC Real Estate Market Update

As an experienced Western North Carolina real estate agent, I frequently talk with home buyers interested in purchasing a Lake Glenville home for sale.

This community, which was settled in 1827, is well known for its elegant homes, friendly neighbors and extraordinary natural vistas.

Continue reading to learn more about the current state of the Lake Glenville real estate market – and what to do if you’d like to purchase a Lake Glenville home for sale.

Lake Glenville Homes for Sale

Here’s a snapshot of the current Lake Glenville real estate market, based on data from Trulia.com and Realtor.com:

  • There are currently 247 resale and new homes on the Lake Glenville real estate market.
  • The average listing price for a Lake Glenville NC home for sale was $723,131 for the week  on August 3, which was a 0.2 percent decrease from the previous week.
  • During that previous week, the average listing price for a Lake Glenville home for sale was  $724,813.
  • During the week of August 3, the average list price for a two-bedroom Lake Glenville home for sale was $346,000.
  • During the week of August 3, the average list price for a three-bedroom Lake Glenville home for sale was $650,000.
  • During the week of August 3, the average list price for a four-bedroom Lake Glenville home for sale was $1,150,000.

Purchasing a Lake Glenville Home for Sale

The Lake Glenville, NC real estate market is a constantly evolving arena.  And if you’re a Lake Glenville area home buyer working with yesterday’s market information, it could end up costing you precious time and money.

That’s why I recommend that you work with an experienced Western North Carolina real estate agent like me, Dorothy Swearingen.  

Contact me today and I’ll provide you with the most up-to-date information on the Lake Glenville real estate market as well as with a number of invaluable Western North Carolina home buying resources.

These resources will make navigating the Lake Glenville area real estate market exponentially easier for you and your family.  They include:

Until next time,

Dorothy

Highlands, NC Real Estate Market Update

Founded in 1875, Highlands, NC is a beautiful Western North Carolina town in Macon County.  

Highlands, NC offers its residents the best of both worlds – easy access to natural wonders like the Appalachian mountains as well as to such major metropolitan cities as Atlanta, Georgia and Charlotte, NC.

If you’re thinking about investing in Highlands, NC real estate, I recommend you continue reading to learn more about the current state of the Highlands, NC real estate market.

Highlands, NC Homes

Here’s some data that Trulia.com and Realtor.com recently released about the Highlands, NC real estate market:

  • There are currently 904 resale and new homes on the Highlands, NC real estate market.
  •  The average listing price for a Highlands NC home for sale  was $822,306 for the week ending on August 3, which was the same as the week before.
  • The average price per square foot for a Highlands NC  home for the week ending on August 3 was $572, which was an increase of 8.7 percent when compared to the same period last year.
  • The median sales price for a Highlands NC homes between October 10 and December 10 was $425,000.
  •  Compared with  the same period in 2009, the median home sales price increased by 9 percent – or about $35,000

Thinking About Entering the Highlands NC Real Estate Market?

Then contact me, Dorothy Swearingen, today!

As an experienced Highlands, NC REALTOR, I’ll work hard to provide you with the most up-to-date information on the Highlands real estate market.

This information will prove invaluable as you navigate the Highlands NC real estate market and ultimately will save you both time and money.

To get the Highlands, NC home buying process started today, please feel free to check out some of my helpful N.C. Mountains real estate resources, including:

Until next time,

Dorothy

Cashiers NC Real Estate Market Update

Located at a cool 3,500 feet above sea level, Cashiers NC is a thriving Western North Carolina town with a distinctive culture.

And with a number of fantastic amenities and quality public schools nearby – It’s no wonder that Cashiers, NC real estate is constantly in high demand!

Continue reading to learn more about the current state of the Cashiers, NC real estate market and what it means for interested Cashiers NC home buyers.

Cashiers, NC Homes for Sale

Here’s a brief overview of the Cashiers, NC real estate market, based on data from Trulia.com and Realtor.com:

  • There are currently 622 resale and new homes in on the Cashiers, NC real estate market.
  • The average listing price for a Cashiers, NC home for sale was $1,053,786 for the week ending on August 3, which is a 0.5 percent decrease of 0.5%, or $5,002, compared to the prior week.
  • For the week ending on August 3, the average list price for a 2-bedroom Cashiers home for sale was $368,000.
  • For the week ending on August 3, the average list price for a 3-bedroom Cashiers home for sale was $750,000.
  • For the week ending on August 3, the average list price for a 4-bedroom Cashiers home for sale was $1.5 million.

Investing in Cashiers, NC Real Estate

If you’ve been thinking about entering the Cashiers, NC real estate market as a Cashiers home buyer, then contact me, Dorothy Swearingen, today.

As your Cashiers NC real estate expert, I’ll answer any questions you might have about living in Cashiers as well as let you know about available listings in the area.

To get the process started today, please check out some of my online Cashiers NC home buying tools, including:

Until next time,

Dorothy

Lawmakers Addressing Future of Community Colleges in Highlands, NC Area in Western North Carolina

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.

Continue reading

Cashiers NC Area County to Vote on Whether to Allow Alcohol Sales

The Smoky Mountain News recently had an interesting article about a proposed alcohol referendum for Jackson County during this year’s elections.

Jackson County, which is located in Western North Carolina, includes the Cashiers community.

Continue reading to learn more about this proposed referendum and what it means for Cashiers, NC area home owners and interested Cashiers home buyers.

Living in Cashiers, NC

According to the recent article,  four of five county commissioners in Jackson County told the paper that they would support an alcohol referendum – although no formal action has been taken yet to do so.

It remains unclear whether this referendum would be on the ballot during the May primary or during the general election in November.

Sylva and Dillsboro are the only two communities in Jackson County that have alcohol sales right now.  The referendum would open up the sales to all parts of the county.

Currently, Buncombe and Clay counties are the only ones in the western part of the state to allow the sale of alcohol countywide.  Henderson County residents will address the issue during their May primary.

Restaurant and store owners in Cashiers praised the proposed referendum because they say it will bring new energy to the local Cashiers economy.

Others are saying that it would help breathe new life onto the Western Carolina University campus, which is located in Cullowhee in Jackson County. Allowing alcohol sales near the campus would certainly stir economic activity, advocates say.

Investing in Cashiers, NC Area Real Estate

Voters in Jackson County will have much to decide on should the commissioners vote for an alcohol referendum.  They’ll have to address whether they want to allow beer, liquor, wine or all of them.  They’ll have to take a stand on whether to allow the sale in grocery stores or gas stations or simply keep it to sit-down restaurants.

What do you think of the proposed referendum?  Should alcohol sales be allowed in Jackson County or not? Let me know what you think!

Thinking about relocating to the Cashiers, NC area? I can help!

As an experienced Cashiers, NC area real estate expert, I pride myself on keeping up with the latest news in the area so I can help interested Cashiers area home buyers make informed decisions on the real estate market.

Contact me, Dorothy Swearingen, today to learn more about all of the helpful Cashiers home buying resources I can provide you, including:

Until next time,

Dorothy

Enjoy Summertime to Its Fullest in the Highlands, NC Area

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:

Until next time,

Dorothy

Fun Things to Do in the Highlands, NC Area This Month

During the summertime, it seems like there’s always a fun and exciting festival going on in the mountains of North Carolina.

From music festivals to antique fairs – there seems to be a festival for every interest and walk of life in this area.

Continue reading to learn more about the various festivals going on this month in the Highlands, NC area.  

Continue reading

Blue Ridge Parkway in the Cashiers, NC Area to Be Protected With Land Grant

The Asheville Citizen-Times recently had an interesting article about the area receiving a land grant from The Federal Highway Administration’s National Scenic Byways Program.

Evidently, North Carolina’s land trusts recently received federal funds to help protect about 20 of the state’s scenic byways, including the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Continue reading to learn more about this exciting development, and what it means for Cashiers area home buyers.

Cashiers, NC Area Real Estate

According to the recent article, this is the second time that North Carolina’s land trusts have received federal funding for land protection projects.

This time, the federal government gave $2.7 million to these area land trusts to help protect natural, cultural and historical resources along these scenic byways.

These land trusts will accomplish this noble goal by:

  • Educating landowners about conservation efforts
  • Acquiring property and conservation easements
  • Planning for conservation efforts on other area byways.

Some of the byways that will benefit from these efforts include:

  • Drovers Road Scenic Byway in Henderson County
  • 90 acres near the summit of Bearwallow Mountain
  • Six additional routes throughout Western North Carolina

Investing in Cashiers, NC Area Real Estate

I’m thrilled that the federal government is awarding our area more money to help keep out mountains beautiful.

After all, thousands of people all over the country flock to Western North Carolina each year because this area is known for its awe-inspiring natural beauty and breath-taking vistas.

If you’ve been thinking about making the Cashiers, NC area your permanent home, then contact me, Dorothy Swearingen.

As your Cashiers area real estate expert, I’ll answer any questions you might have about living in the area as well as let you know about available listings in our various communities, which include:

Until next time,

Dorothy

State Decided to Cut Landslide Hazard Map-Making in Highlands, NC Region

State lawmakers recently decided to cut the state’s landslide mapping unit, which was created to assess which mountain slopes are most likely to create a landslide.

The Smoky Mountain News reported that five state geologists who were working on the maps were laid off this week.

The state’s decision will save about $355,000 a year.

Continue reading to learn more about what this means for Highlands, NC area home owners and buyers.

Living in the Highlands, NC Area

Since the landslide mapping unit began working on the landslide hazard maps in 2005,  they have completed studying four counties:

The team was in the process of studying Jackson County’s mountain slopes when the state cut their funding.
The state’s landslide mapping unit has faced controversy since the beginning because many critics felt that mapping the landslide hazard zones would make it harder to sell property in those zones.

Critics of the mapping unit also questioned whether the unit’s conclusions were accurate.

But others thought that the landslide unit was a great public safety initiative – providing mountain residents with vital information about at-risk areas.

Since landslides typically follow predictable paths, proponents also said that the landslide maps wouldn’t hurt property values, but rather help people figure out on which side of a lot to build their home.

In fact, experts say that mapping where old landslides happen is the best way to predict where future slides will take place.

The geologists working on the landslide project relied heavily on old landslide sites to predict whether a slop was at a low, medium or high risk for a future landslide.

Macon County officials hope to use the findings by incorporating them into a new steep slope ordinance.  A handful of other Western North Carolina counties – including Jackson and Haywood – already have such an ordinance.

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