The last two weeks, I have had the strange feeling that some sellers think it's still 2006.  We've been really busy lately so just in case, I double checked my calendar and sure enough, I was right. 2009 is winding down and 2010 is just around the corner.

In some respects, I can't blame sellers for wishing it was 2006. Three years ago, things were cranking! Business was good, prices were strong, and there were lots of transactions. But things have obviously changed. It took a while for the decline in real estate to hit the mountains of NC but by 2008, one by one, buyers started falling by the wayside, the number of transactions began to free fall, and frankly, life as we know it in the real estate business changed dramatically.

So why is it that so many sellers still think it's 2006? Have they not noticed that financing is harder to get and that there is a glut of inventory for sale? If they know those things, I'm really struggling to understand why a seller would cling to a 2006 pricing strategy.

This week one of our buyers made a cash offer (yes....CASH) on a high-end home that has been on the market for nearly three years. It's a nice enough home, but not without issues. When the home hit the market three years ago, it had a big shiny price tag. But it didn't sell. It has languished on the market since then and has been reduced a couple of times, but still isn't where it needs to be. So when we wrote up our buyer's offer, we knew it was a little low, but certainly enough to "get on the dance floor" so we could start the negotiating process. I was confident that we could find a happy place in the middle and in 45 days, we'd be sitting around the closing table. Less than 30 minutes after submitting our offer to the listing agent, we got a return phone call. There was no counter offer...just a flat NO. HUH? This offer wasn't out of line for the market and certainly warranted at least a conversation. If I was a seller who had been trying to sell for three years, and I got an offer of any kind, I do believe I would have at least returned with some kind of counter offer.

Frankly, I'm left with the nagging feeling that either the listing agent has done a disservice by not providing the seller with up to date market information...or the seller, with their rosy 2006 glasses, really don't want to sell. Either scenario is not good and everyone's time was wasted.

I'm afraid there are still too many sellers like this one who see their home through the same eyes as when they bought it...eyes that seem closed to what the market is now. Truth is, sometimes we go to listing appointments knowing that we may not get the listing because we can't tell the seller what they want to hear and that what they want for their house just isn't realistic in today's market.

In the meantime, our buyer has moved on to another property and "Mr. and Mrs. three-years-on-the-market" lost the chance to possibly sell their home. What a shame.

There's just nothing quite like having a place on the lake....Somewhere you can go to get away from the hurried hassles of everyday life. A place where you wake up to the sounds of nature, grab a cup of coffee, and take a short walk down to your private boat dock where you take in the splendor of the morning light glistening on the water, the mountains framing the background, and you think....ahhhh, this is good!

This home in Toxaway Point is located in beautiful western North Carolina on the shores of the famed Lake Toxaway and it's waiting for you. At Toxaway Point, you can relax and enjoy your time in the mountains knowing that everything has been taken care of. Your yard will be cared for, the tennis courts are swept, and the heated lakeside pool is there whenever you are ready for dip after a day on the lake.

Toxaway Point is centrally located about 20 minutes from Brevard, NC and Cashiers, NC. It's close to restaurants, hiking, waterfalls, and rivers for some of the best fly fishing in the southeast. But it's also the kind of place where you can sit on your porch swing and catch up on your reading if you choose. Cozy and convenient,  this home being sold furnished with few exceptions.

For more information on this great lake house for sale in Lake Toxaway, give us a call at 828-551-6290 or visit us online at BrevardNCProperty.com.

Which is the better deal for a buyer? A $10,000 price reduction or a full price purchase with a lower interest rate?  At first glance, a lot of buyers would jump at the price reduction. But that's not always the best choice if you are buying a home that you plan to live in for awhile.

Consider this home for sale in Brevard, North Carolina.  In this scenario, a buyer could pay full price for the home and still save nearly $45,000 more than if they bought it after a $10,000 price reduction. It's possible with a simple seller credit at closing that reduces the buyer's loan rate. In the case of this home at 5 Crestview Drive, Brevard NC, a buyer would save $123.84 a month on their mortgage payment or $44,582 over the course of a typical 30-year loan.

For information about this or other properties for sale in the Brevard NC area, contact the Clay Team today! Or, visit us online at BrevardNCProperty.com.

THIS HOME IN HENDERSONVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA WAS UNDER CONTRACT IN 47 DAYS AND JUST CLOSED FOR 92% OF ASKING!

If you are interested in buying or selling real estate in the Brevard or Hendersonville area of western North Carolina, visit us online today at BrevardNCProperty.com, or just give us a call at 828-551-6290 or 828-551-6291.  Be sure to ask for a copy of the most recent market report.

I just love happy endings!

CALLING ALL INVESTORS.  This 8.83 acre parcel is located in the Sims Valley development in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina. Perched high in the mountains at 4,000+ elelvation, it feels like you're above the clouds and far, far away from the hussle and hassle of city life...because you are!

Sims Valley is convenient to Lake Glenville and located approximately 20 minutes from the mountain community of Cashiers, NC.

For details, contact the Clay Team at 828-551-6291.

Say good-bye to summer! Fall is officially here and in western North Carolina that means leaf season has begun.

Peak leaf season runs from mid-October into early November although there is usually still plenty of color around as late as Thanksgiving as long as there are no heavy rains or winds to blow the remaining leaves to the ground. Sourwood and tulip trees traditionally kick off the season in late September with splashes of reds and yellows followed by the deep purple of the Bradford Pears (which aren't really pear trees, by the way). As we get into October, the birches, maples, oaks, sweetgums, and hickories join the party and everywhere you look is a blaze of color.

Naturally the higher elevations being to show color first. Around the Brevard area where the elevation reaches 3,000 ft., we're already seeing signs of fall in certain trees. Of course, pumpkins have been popping up at area tailgate markets and road side stands along with colorful mums and dried cornstalks, more sure signs that the season of crisp clear days, roaring fireplaces, and snugly sweaters is upon us.

Every year, I am confused about what truly determines whether or not we will have a good leaf season. Some experts say we've had abundant rain this year so the leaves aren't stressed and that will lead to a great season. Others say too much rain means there won't be as much color. I never know who to believe. According Wikipedia the color we see every year is actually there all year long.  During the growing season, chlorophyll is produced at a faster rate which keeps the leaves green. But as the growing season comes to a close and the days become shorter, chlorophyll is used up faster than it is being produced in the leaf and over time, the green begins to fade away...revealing the "fall" colors underneath.

The fall season is also a great time of year if you've been thinking about land for sale in the Brevard, NC area. During the summer months, when the trees are full, it can be difficult to appreciate the value and location of a property.  As leaves begin to drop, you have a much better idea about the "lay of the land", what is around it, and what kind of views are possible. It's also cooler and the summer bugs have gone where ever it is they go in the winter making the whole experience of walking land that much more enjoyable.

If you are planning a trip to the mountains, the Asheville Chamber of Commerce is a great source for tracking fall colors for the entire area. And if you're planning a trip to the Brevard area (only 30 minutes west of Asheville) be sure to check the new Visit Waterfalls website. It's chock full of great information about the Brevard area, the abundant outdoors activities, and more.

For more information about homes and land for sale in the Brevard, NC area, visit the Clay Team online, or call us at 828-551-6290 or 828-551-6291.

We live across from the Horsepasture River in Transylvania County...about 30 minutes west of Brevard. Even though we can't see the river from our front porch, we always hear it. It's typically a nice flowing mountain river that meaders through our community. Just down the street is a park where we can follow the river down to a waterfall.

All that has changed after days and days of torrential rain here in western North Carolina.  In the park, the river, which normally runs about 2 feet below the edge, is now spilling over at least 20 ft from where it usually is. And the water fall....well, see for yourself.

Champion Hills is a member-owned country club community in Hendersonville, North Carolina, located approximately 30 minutes from downtown Asheville.  At the center of this development is the Tom Fazio designed championship golf course that was just named as one of the top 5 golf courses in the entire state of North Carolina by Golf Digest magazine. Links Magazine also recognizes Champion Hills as one of America's Premier Properties for its perfect combination of mountain life style with world-class amenities.

Now, you can be a part of the Champion Hills community with the purchase of this amazing home.  The home was built by Morgan-Keefe builders, one of the areas finest builders, in 1999. The low country design with it's sweeping wrap around porches recalls you to days past when life was a little more simple, and moved a little more slowly. Inside you'll find soaring 32 ft ceilings, 5 fire places, a private library, and unmatched craftsmanship.  Equally special are the nearly 3 acres the home sits on. The level yard and mature trees creates your own private forest complete with a gazebo for enjoying the long range views.

This home is listed over $800,000 below the tax value. As a foreclosure property is represents a unique opportunity for the right buyer. Call today for current pricing.

For more details, contact the Clay Team at BrevardNCProperty.com, or call 828-551-6290.

When I visit a small town like Brevard, whether I'm there for a vacation, or just passing through, I like to look for those small out of the way places where the locals go. Chain restaurants are fine in a pinch, but it's special when good food meets local charm. That's what you'll find at a new eatery in Brevard, NC called The Gate Keepers Table. You'll find it in the WalMart shopping center on the corner of Hwy 64 and 276 which is also the entrance to the Pisgah National Forest. If you're here to visit a while, the Hampton Inn is right across the parking lot.

We first tried Gate Keepers for lunch which is when we met Lynley Todd, the owner. Lynley is a local gal and single mom of three teenage boys. She was busy that day serving tables and visiting with the growing lunch crowd.  The lunch menu is an eclectic blend of fresh home-made Mexican cuisine, vegetarian, and all American staples like hamburgers and sweet potato fries. Lynley will happily point out that they never fry beef or poultry in their vegetable fryers so vegans, or anyone who just doesn't eat meat, can be assured that no animal products were used in the preparation of their meal. Robert had the American hamburger that day ($6.50). It was a big 8 oz burger with all the fixings and it didn't stay long on his plate. I had the warm goat cheese salad ($8.95). Two hearty slices of goat cheese are breaded with sliced almonds and bread crumbs then lightly sauteed to create a warm crispy crust.They are served on a bed of greens, including spinach, sprinkled with dried cranberries, granny smith apples, and cucumbers, and topped with the restaurant's own honey-poppy seed dressing. That dish alone will bring me back for lunch any day of the week. Other lunch items we tried since that first visit include the warm cashew chicken salad, and the grilled chicken breast sandwich. Both tasty. Veggie lovers will find plenty of choices on the lunch menu including a veggie fajita burrito, open face veggie burger, and a fresh veggie sandwich. For south of the border flare, try taquitos mexicanos, spinach enchiladas, quesadilla de fajitas, or my favorite, the caldo de pollo soup. I haven't tried the desserts yet but with choices that include homemade roasted walnut-cranberry bread pudding topped with brandied granny smith apples, homemade REAL chocolate mousse, crepe of the day, and fresh grapefruit-mint sorbet, you can be sure I'll have a hard time choosing!

Gate Keepers has also become a popular spot for breakfast so one Sunday morning we stopped in with a group of friends to give it a try.  If breakfast is your favorite meal of the day, you'll have lots to love at Gate Keepers.  They serve only cage-free eggs, the grits are stone-ground and cooked with milk and cream and plenty of real butter, and their sausage is home-made. The specialty is their homemade southern buttermilk pepper biscuits. From our table, the omelets got high marks for fresh ingredients and plenty of them. The peppery buttermilk biscuits were tasty, but a little confusing for folks who like lots of jelly on their biscuits. But eat them simply with some butter or have them under some of the homemade sausage gravy and it's wonderful thing. If there was one item that came up short it was the pancakes. Personally, I like my pancakes big and fluffy and these were more like crepes. Tasty for sure, but next time I think I'll opt for the French Toast of the day which looked divine.

So the next time you're in Brevard and feeling hungry, stop by The Gate Keepers Table. It's only open for breakfast and lunch.  You can reach them at 828-877-2200. Tell them the Clay Team sent you! We give it 4 Spoons!

Photo Source: Flickr.com

Negotiating a deal with "the other side" is a fundamental part of this business. Whether it's the price, the repairs, or any other part of the offer, the process of going back and forth is expected, and for some people, it's the part of the game they like most. But why do some agents and their clients feel like the only way to "win" is by a knock out punch, leaving the other side feeling beat up and bruised?

I guess it's my nature, but in all aspects of life, I'd rather work towards consensus than conflict. I'd rather find that middle ground where both sides, including the agents, come to the closing table feeling like they've gotten a fair deal.

Lately I've been in negotiations where my ability to do my job has been questioned and buyers have asked for far more than I believe they are entitled to, and frankly, I don't like it. No matter what side I'm on, I take my fiduciary responsibility seriously and work hard to get the best deal I can for my client, staying professional and above board along the way. Unfortunately, that isn't the way all agents operate. Recently, a buyers agent actually asked me if I had pulled comps on one of our listings when we priced it. What I wanted to say was "Nope, I just pulled that number right of thin air"...but I didn't. The point is, there's a big difference between stating one's case then backing it up with facts....and questioning someone else's integrity and ability to do their job. And with buyers, here's a news flash....there is a point in the price negotiations where getting a good deal morphs into greed.

Maybe it's just the times we live in. It's a buyers market and those buyers and their agents feel like they have the upper hand...and they use it to try and clobber the seller side.

Luckily, not all deals are like this. We're headed to a closing in a couple of weeks where both sides have bent over backwards to be accommodating. When we all meet at the closing table, there will be friendly hand shakes all around and everyone will leave feeling like got what they wanted. Isn't that really the bottom line?