Asheville Real Estate Homes, Asheville Downtown

DuPont State Forest - Asheville Adventure

Jason Pastucha (Realtywnc.com - Keller Williams Asheville) — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 15:34:07 -0500

Asheville Real Estate Homes Land - www.Realtywnc.com

DuPont State Forest has 10,000 acres of forestland for recreation and is located in western North Carolina between Hendersonville and Brevard. There are eighty miles of roads and trails in the forest. Hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding are allowed on designated trails. There are also several waterfalls to enjoy. The forest is registered as North Carolina Game Lands. Fishing is permitted with a North Carolina Fishing license. This is an incredibly beautiful area to visit and spend the day exploring the trails and waterfalls. Unfortunately, no camping is permitted.

Asheville real estate, Service

Jason Pastucha (Realtywnc.com - Keller Williams Asheville) — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 20:03:28 -0500

Asheville Real Estate and Homes, Asheville Downtown www.Realtywnc.com

Service Pledge - Great Service to clients means advancing and protecting their interests: I work to keep my clients fully informed and updated regarding their transactions. I will provide all relevant information, update with market changes and consult with clients to preserve their best options. I will respond to concerns and resolve problems/issues quickly. I endevour to make each real estate transaction a positive experience. In summary, I will keep a positive attitude to advance successful transactions for my clients by operating as a complete real estate professional at all times.

Asheville Downtown Vibe

Jason Pastucha (Realtywnc.com - Keller Williams Asheville) — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 19:46:58 -0500

Asheville Real Estate, Asheville Downtown www.Realtywnc.com

Asheville Downtown Entertainment Featured

Tressa's Downtown Jazz & Blues - Club with New Orleans elegance together with live music create an elegant hotspot for entertainment. Tressa's also has a non-smoking VIP area upstairs. The bar features a selection of fine spirits such as single malt scotches as well as their famous martinis.

The Flying Frog Bar at the Haywood Park Hotel - Modern bar on popular corner of Battery Park Ave. Spend an elegant evening here with a group of friends.

Broadways - A hole-in-the-wall club for working guys/dolls. The place for pool with occassional live Rock. Features an elevated outdoor deck beside Interstate 240.

Asheville Brewing - Pizza and Local Brews. Covered outdoor patio. Barleys - Pizza and Brews with live music most nights. Jack of the Wood - English style pub with live entertainment and decent food.

Asheville Downtown Real Estate, Condo Development

Jason Pastucha (Realtywnc.com - Keller Williams Asheville) — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 15:33:16 -0500

Black Dog Realty intends to build the nine-story Parkside condominium project adjacent to City County Plaza in downtown Asheville. The land was obtained from the County in a 2006 sale. George Pack granted the land to the county in "fee simple," meaning the County could sell it as it pleases--any notes about the intended use of the property contained in the deed are irrelevant "statements of intent" and not legally binding. Pack heirs are attempting to block development of this site by claiming that rights to the underlying land have reverted to the heirs under the terms of the original Deed to the County from George Pack since the County is no longer using the site for public purposes and sold the land to a developer. The greater City County Plaza is being transformed into a Park area in front of the Buncombe County Courthouse and the Asheville City Building.

Important is the Deed's statement that this is a transfer of rights by fee simple. The mention of the land's intended purpose on the deed from George Pack to Buncombe County has to be rejected as surplus. If Pack had wanted it to have conditions or title revert to his heirs, he could have clearly and decisively stated such in the granting clause.

Asheville Downtown Real Estate Sales

Jason Pastucha (Realtywnc.com - Keller Williams Asheville) — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:56:59 -0500

These numbers come from the 5 county WNC Regional MLS system and represent
total home sales in Buncombe, Madison, Haywood, Henderson and Transylvania counties.

2007 Total Sales		2008 Sales through August 11
Single-Family Homes Sold	7471	Single-Family Homes Sold	3312
Average Days on Market	103	Average Days on Market	120
Average Selling Price	$278,000	Average Selling Price	$258,000
Median Selling Price	$220,000	Median Selling Price	$212,000
Average List Price	$286,000	Average List Price	$272,000
Median List Price	$230,000	Median List Price	$220,000

July 2007 Sales		July 2008 Sales
Single-Family Homes Sold	713	Single-Family Homes Sold	506
Average Days on Market	95	Average Days on Market	114
Average Selling Price	$304,000	Average Selling Price	$264,000
Median Selling Price	$232,000	Median Selling Price	$215,000
Average List Price	$316,000	Average List Price	$278,000
Median List Price	$234,000	Median List Price	$225,000
Sell price volume	$216,725,000	Sell price volume	$133,535,000

Asheville Adventure, Asheville Downtown Living

Jason Pastucha (Realtywnc.com - Keller Williams Asheville) — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 20:11:11 -0500

Asheville is recognized for many Top Ten travel and living designations. www.Realtywnc.com

Asheville - Top Ten for U.S. Cities to Live, Asheville - Top Ten for America's Arts Destinations, Asheville - Best Southern Town, Asheville - Top Ten for Best Places to Retire, Asheville - Top Five Best Biking Towns, Asheville - Top Ten for Travel Destinations, Asheville - Top Ten for Adventure Towns

There is a lively Downtown, a vibrant Arts Scene, Historic Neighborhoods, Outdoors Adventure for Cycling-Rafting-Climbing, Craft-Brewing, Mountain Scenery, numerous entertainment and dining options. It's a great place to have a second home or your primary residence.

Asheville Downtown Development, Asheville Real Estate

Jason Pastucha (Realtywnc.com - Keller Williams Asheville) — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 09:38:51 -0500

Asheville Real Estate, Asheville Downtown www.Realtywnc.com

Eagle-Market Street Redevelopment site: Eagle Market Renaissance, LLC, proposes a 10-story building with 46 for-sale residential units over 3,600 square feet of retail space and 27 on-site parking spaces.

Haywood at Civic Center Redevelopment site: McKibbon Hotel Group, Inc., proposes a 10-story building with a 140-room upscale hotel and a 2-story building with 13,500 square feet of street level retail with potential office space above and an integrated 350-space parking deck.

Overview
The City of Asheville is currently pursuing redevelopment of city-owned properties to advance Council's and the community's strategic goals for Asheville. The City expects to be in negotiations for development of the sites in 2008, with construction expected to begin in 2009.

Guiding Principles for the Redevelopment Process
City Council expressed guiding principles for the redevelopment process that include:

Redeveloping properties in a manner consistent with realistic market opportunities.

Supporting a reasonable and path to redevelopment in next two to four years.

Keeping the process transparent to avoid special interest conflicts.

Involving local business and citizen interests in design, construction and utilization.

Limiting the direct and secondary impacts on tax payers.

Asheville Downtown, Asheville goals

Jason Pastucha (Realtywnc.com - Keller Williams Asheville) — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 09:10:30 -0500

Asheville Real Estate www.Realtywnc.com

The Master Plan for Downtown Asheville will address concerns for housing, transportation, economics, and the physical environment in downtown. The goal is to strengthen downtown Asheville as the social, cultural, and economic center of the Western Carolina Mountain region, while preserving the unique characteristics that residents enjoy and attract tourism.

During the last 15 years, downtown Asheville has experienced significant business and residential growth. As downtown Asheville has developed, characteristics such as building height and design, maintaining small independent businesses, infill development and development of key areas have emerged as focus issues. In April 2007, the Downtown Commission formally requested that City Council fund a Downtown Master Plan. Asheville City Council agreed with the commission's recommendation and approved funding for the plan in the city's 2008-09 budget. www.Realtywnc.com

Asheville Real Estate Update

Jason Pastucha (Realtywnc.com - Keller Williams Asheville) — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 20:30:48 -0500

Asheville Homes Asheville real estate www.Realtywnc.com

What's the market like in the Asheville area? If it's priced right and marketed well, it will sell! There is however abundant inventory out there to compete for Buyers' attention. Use a Realtor and get it sold!

As of August 13th, looking back 6months:

Closed sales $200,000 to $249,999 = 110

Closed sales $250,000 to $299,999 = 91

Closed sales $500,000 to $749,000 = 26

Closed sales $750,000 to $999,999 = 12

Buncombe County Active listings as of August 13th:

Active $200,000 to $249,000 = 383 (20months of inventory)

Active $250,000 to $299,999 = 365 (20+months of inventory)

Active $500,000 to $749,000 = 345 (70+months of inventory)

Active $750,000 to $999,999 = 170 (80+months of inventory)

Building Value through Analogies

Jason Pastucha (Realtywnc.com - Keller Williams Asheville) — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:56:32 -0500

Keller Williams Asheville Realty Asheville Homes

One way to make your point to potential clients about the value of REALTORS is through the use of analogies. Comparative analogy creates a picture and story to demonstate a difference between options.

Mr. Client, who is likely to catch more fish at the end of one day? You fishing with a single line, or me fishing with a net? Thus, who is going to be more effective in capturing the interest of potential buyers in the real estate market?

Mr. Client, who could build a deck more efficiently? A person working with the proper tools who has experience building many decks, or a person without tools who built one deck five years ago? Would you consider paying someone a reasonable amount to do a professional job?

Mr. Client, what kind of results do you think you would get cutting your own hair? Would you consider hiring me to better your results in your real estate transaction?

It's usually a matter of demonstrating return on investment. People are willing to pay for service that benefits them personally. Lay-out how you are a competent professional who can protect their interests in preservation of their own time, money, and effort. Win-Win. www.Realtywnc.com

Positive Powers for Brokers

Jason Pastucha (Realtywnc.com - Keller Williams Asheville) — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 09:38:00 -0500

Asheville Keller Williams Realty Asheville Homes

Clients are much more likely to connect with Brokers who project positive energies, someone who is upbeat and respectful--SMILE. A postive attitude projected is more likely to receive a like-kind response from others. Remain confident in your ability to serve others and listen carefully to the expression of their needs/desires to help demonstrate your sincere concern and care. www.Realtywnc.com

Five Positive Powers:

1. Power of a maintaining a positive attitude to overcome obstacles.

2. Power of projecting positive energy, through confidence and passion.

3. Develop and maintain positive relationships in business and life.

4. Encourge/seek positive and supportive environments.

5. Focus your energies into a positive plan of action for success.

Strategic analysis, pursuing opportunity

Jason Pastucha (Realtywnc.com - Keller Williams Asheville) — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 09:14:15 -0500

Change cannot be controlled, through foresight can allow one to anticipate where change is taking us. Strategy allows one to continously improve his business through application of skill and knowledge to transactions over time. Moving to future success as a professional requires decisive action to address and resolve problems. Take time to analyze your situation, discover opportunities, and execute plans to capitalize on those opportunities. Continuously improve your business by maximizing your effectiveness in capturing leads and converting potential opportunities into completed business transactions. Success depends on your skill in turning problems into opportunities by investing in the appropriate solutions. www.Realtywnc.com

Strategy and Skills

Jason Pastucha (Realtywnc.com - Keller Williams Asheville) — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 09:03:03 -0500

It's nice when problems can be foreseen and avoided before they arise by proper planning. However, there will be situtations that arise that will complicate transactions and must be dealt with. It is best to "attack" such complications and address them immediately before they fester and grow into something more difficult to overcome. Investing your time and efforts into providing solutions is part of being a professional. When you commit to a solution, devote yourself to resolving the situation. Providing solutions, you can then move forward to future success. Turn problems into opportunities to demonstrate your skills. Strategy is the application of skills resulting in the consistent improvement of position. www.Realtywnc.com

Market Truths and Connections

Jason Pastucha (Realtywnc.com - Keller Williams Asheville) — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 08:15:42 -0500

There will always be buyers and sellers in the market who need assistance with real estate services. People will continue to move cross country, change jobs, retire, divorce, marry, have families, etc. These changes in lifestyle arrangements will require a residential ownership shift, which a real estate professional will have an opportunity to assist. Put yourself in front of opportunites to meet people and be remembered for your smiling face, winning personality, and professionalism. Hand out business cards and offer to be a source of information. Connect with people and make friends, be social. Build your market knowledge and professional skills. Refuse to be a "secret agent" who nobody has ever heard of. Connect with your community and strive to be compassionate person who will give without the expectation of return. www.Realtywnc.com

Making your own luck

Jason Pastucha (Realtywnc.com - Keller Williams Asheville) — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 07:10:50 -0500

How much does luck play into success? Luck is a byproduct of personal initiative and perserverence. Fortune will smile on those who attempt challenges and those who are not afraid of some rejection and failure on their way to success. Of course your probabilities for gaining a prospect as a client depend on your skills, knowledge, confidence, and ability to relate to the potential client. Though, your persistence in pursuit of leads can win out over a competitor's talent. Make your own luck by taking the initiative and never giving up. Mind your business by consistently projecting yourself into opportunity. www.realtywnc.com

Win-Win Connecting with Clients

Jason Pastucha (Realtywnc.com - Keller Williams Asheville) — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:05:16 -0500

What are you doing to demonstrate concern for your client's interests? I try to connect with clients by asking questions to understand their motives and lifestyle, since ultimately these will play into their choice of property to purchase. Listen, listen, listen to what they say and observe how they say it. Tuning-in to understand the totality of communication is really a skill, since it requires you to focus de-emphasize other outward distractions and personal thoughts. The greatest compliment is "Wow, you really listen and ask good questions". How else can a Realtor produce results for a client? Comprehending what the client really wants and motivates their decisions is essential. Part of this may include supressing your own personal opinion at times, to see through the client's eyes. Hopefully, your client is not presenting a "cold read" or purposefully being deceptive like they were across the table from you in a hand of "Texas Hold-Em". Express your true intent to help them and protect their interests, then hopefully the honest exchange of information and feelings can result in you the agent efficiently assisting their property search. Win-Win. www.realtywnc.com

Ten Great Neighborhoods in Asheville

Jason Pastucha (Realtywnc.com - Keller Williams Asheville) — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 10:39:07 -0500

www.realtywnc.com

1. Montford - Classic early 1900 homes with several Bed&Breakfast Inns in the larger homes.

2. Grove Park - Many homes surround the Grove Park Inn and Country Club

3. Kenilworth - Very close to downtown and affordable, starting around $200,000

4. Downtown - Condos, Condos, Condos, Restaurants and entertainment

5. Royal Pines - South Asheville's established neighborhood of homes at great value.

6. Oak Forest - Very near the Roberson district schools of Glen Arden, Valley Springs, and TC Roberson.

7. Lakeview Park - Including the North Merrimon Avenue areas of Beaver Lake and Asheville C.C.

8. Oakley - Convenient to Biltmore and Asheville.

9. Haw Creek - More of a suburban feel.

10. Beverly Hills - Charming community that surrounds the Buncombe County Golf Course. www.realtywnc.com

hawcreeknc.org

Eight Reasons to Love Asheville Downtown

Jason Pastucha (Realtywnc.com - Keller Williams Asheville) — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 10:32:42 -0500

1. Salsa's - Caribbean fusion cuisine at Pack Square/Patton Avenue. Inspired preparations of flavorful ingredients at a great value. 2. Architecture - Lots of Art-Deco, also look for finishing touches of gargoyles and copper roofing on various buildings. Also nice to see some old-school cobblestone (Wall Street) and brick streets (Market Street). 3. Jack of the Wood, Asheville Brewing Company and Barleys - Quality locally brewed beverages and entertainment. 4. Frog Bar at the Haywood Park Hotel - At the corner of Haywood and Battery Park Avenue, great for people watching. 5. Fine Arts Theater - Nice place for films downtown, foreign language and independent features. 6. The Orange Peel - The Asheville version of a House of Blues style music venue. Great stage and soundsystem for you and 900 of your closest friends. 7. Bistro 1896 - Nice place for Cajun kissed food at Pack Square. 8. Tressas - Upscale club for jazz/blues entertainment. www.realtywnc.com

www.theorangepeel.net

Difficult showings, stuff happens...

Jason Pastucha (Realtywnc.com - Keller Williams Asheville) — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 10:28:17 -0500

Have you had odd things happen or encountered difficult situations while showing properties?

1. Showed a vacant, ready to extensively renovate home infested with fleas, only realizing the fleas' presence after they were attacking your clients and covering your pants? Was not my own listing. Luckily the clients laughed at the situation.

2. Had showings with an alcoholic passed out in the property, with copious evidence of alcohol binging due to the presence of gallon sized Vodka jugs? Also, after closing the sale, the alcoholic seller had not managed to arrange his "move out" and the Sheriff was called to evict and institutionalized the seller for "treatment". Neither seller nor buyer were my client, occured before I was an agent.

3. Looked at residential properties that were so decrepit, filthy, outdated, and frightening that it seemed the property could have been featured in a "Blair Witch Project". What's worse is when such properties are currently occupied and you can only imagine who currently lives there in such conditions and hope they don't return before you can leave.

4. Run out of gas in while out showing properties--the client was driving her vehicle, I was only navigating.

5. Such terrible and misguided directions that you think the other agent is purposefully deceiving you as to location so that only they can show the home to buyers and thereby close both sides of the sale. More common in very rural locations. Can you say GPS?

Blogging for dollars$$$$

Jason Pastucha (Realtywnc.com - Keller Williams Asheville) — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 14:58:58 -0500

I'm sure many in the Rain community who actively blog must have received a few comments that were in essence more self-advertising rather than relevant to the blog subject. Relevant comments=good, comments left solely as advertising=somewhat tacky. There is debate as to what exactly crosses the line, since this whole blog and comments format is essentially informative self-promotion for the blogger, which the commentor may infringe on by leaving their own self-promoting comments and by leaving website links outwardly or imbedded in personalized signature graphics.

Personally, I don't mind links left in comments if they are to the commentor's own professional/personal website, especially if the promoter is outside my local market. I am not even all that concerned with non-relevant comments made for "shameless" self promotion since I appreciate the attention of someone visiting my blog and saying anything positive. This is after all an exchange among professionals in the real estate BUSINESS. If you met someone professionally, would you fail to exchange business cards? Is leaving a singular link in comments all that bad? Heck, all comments are registered to the commentor identified by their name and business anyway, which is ultimately linked to their ActiveRain profiles just a page click away. www.Realtywnc.com

Listing to sell for best net return

Jason Pastucha (Realtywnc.com - Keller Williams Asheville) — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 22:51:50 -0500

Why would someone exclusively shop properties for sale by owner? To get a bargain, to pay less than market price. Thus, by listing a property for sale with an agent, a seller should net an amount equal to or greater than selling on their own with a lot less work to complete the transaction. Listing with a real estate agent buys the seller the advantage of third-party negotiating, extensive marketing resources, agent advice/expertise, the power of the MLS database, and opportunities to reach the best qualified buyers in the real estate market through the cooperation of brokers in selling properties. www.realtywnc.com

Primary Residence Exemption $250,000/$500,000

Jason Pastucha (Realtywnc.com - Keller Williams Asheville) — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 22:36:02 -0500

Under the primary residence exemption, you can exclude the entire gain on the sale of your main home up to $250,000 individual or $500,000 married couple filing a joint return. To be entitled to the exclusion, you must have owned the home for at least two of the last five years and lived in the home as your primary residence for at least two of the last five years. There are special exceptions to the Two-year Requirements for changes in employment, health and unforeseen circumstances. www.realtywnc.com

High Quality Values

Jason Pastucha (Realtywnc.com - Keller Williams Asheville) — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 22:13:08 -0500

From the Wisdom of Mills Lane: Make no excuses! Strive to be honest. Cherish your fellow human beings. Never be afraid to say what you think. Get it done, step-by-step, do it! High Values for achievement: Perserverence, Responsibility, Integrity, Determination, Excitement. Push yourself outside your comfort zone to grow. Push through the wall of self-limiting beliefs and learn from the experience. Life is adventure or nothing! Be active! Take charge of your life. Take an active role in the world around you and enjoy the power of living. www.realtywnc.com

The Right Spirit

Jason Pastucha (Realtywnc.com - Keller Williams Asheville) — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 21:50:19 -0500

nolimitcharters.com

Living with the right spirit in mind and heart can be the full sail that will carry you across the wide seas. Galatians 5:22-26 The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, gentleness, goodness, faith. If we live in the spirit, let us also walk in the spirit. St Luke 6:31 As you would have that men should do to you, do you also to them likewise. St Luke 6:37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: Condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: Forgive, and ye shall be forgiven. Romans 14:8-9 Owe no man anything, but to love one another: For he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. James 1:19-22 Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. Let peace rule in your heart.

Service Action

Jason Pastucha (Realtywnc.com - Keller Williams Asheville) — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 21:29:46 -0500

www.realtywnc.com

Service of another is a great calling, demonstrates your love toward humanity and is a wise use of time. Ephesians 4:25-32 Put away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, sin not: Let not the sun go down on your wrath: Neither give place to the devil. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth. Let all bitterness and wrath, anger, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another. Proverbs 16:8 Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.