School Crossing Zones in Waynesville, NC - 07/31/11 10:40 PM
School starts again soon, it's time to pay attention to school crossing zones.  With all the budget cuts the school districts are trying to juggle, there may not be enough money to hire crossing guards.  Waynesville, North Carolina may have found the answer...arming small children with axes.
 
I saw this sign on Main Street in Waynesville a couple of months ago.  I almost caused a collision turning around to get the photo, afraid someone would paint over the axe, but guess there's no money in the budget for taking care of grafitti!

 
So, interpret them as you will  … (3 comments)

Not Realty but a Reality Show...Really - 07/31/11 12:06 AM
This was a reality...not realty show. Really!
 
Okay, take a break. It's been a tough week and we should all just kick back. Lots of ActiveRain blogs dealt with quirky clients, tangled contracts and terminal closings.  Let it go, let it all go for tonight.
 
Most of you aren't old enough to remember "game shows" that weren't cruel, painful or humiliating.  Can you believe this...whole families would have dinner TOGETHER, talk about their day and then all watch something fun TOGETHER.  I hope that some of that still happens, although...I don't recognize the same type of television existing today … (7 comments)

Reblogging! - Shouldn't We All...Listen for the whisper? - 07/30/11 10:55 AM
I'm reblogging it! Jon Eliason from Colorado has only been in real estate since 2008 but obviously he gets it.  Leslie shared Jon's blog with me this morning and I really love the poetry of his writing.
 
He is so right - the houses will talk to you if you will just open your ears and mind to hear what it has to say!  Leslie is excellent at divining what people are looking for, even if they can't verbalize it themselves...yet.
 
Enjoy reading Jon's blog and then tell me why you enjoyed it...then go to Jon's blog and convey … (9 comments)

Common and Fertile Ground in the Real Estate Community - 07/29/11 08:33 AM
Points are like whipped cream on a dessert, an extra reward on top of an already luscious treat.  The real treat, the real substance of ActiveRain is a place to find common and fertile ground for open and frank discussions on a myriad of real estate and non real estate topics...among other professionals in our industry.
 

 
For whatever reason, it is rare to find any of these conversations taking place in our own communities.  We are learning so much from each other by participating in each other's choice of topics that the very exposure to all of these … (8 comments)

I'm in Love With Living & Working in Western North Carolina - 07/28/11 08:27 AM
Maybe its because the summer weather has been so hot everywhere, but it got me thinking about why I'm in love with living and working in Western North Carolina...I know the summer will end and morph gently into fall...which will ease silently into winter...which will then burst forward into spring - so there's always certainty of a change in seasons.
 
One of the other things I love about the mountains of Western North Carolina is that the curving mountain roads always, always, always hold a scenic surprise whenever I round the bend.  And the views are different from hour to hour, day to … (16 comments)

Is Print Media Still Relevant to Real Estate Marketing? - 07/27/11 09:32 AM
Since getting involved with the ActiveRain real estate community, I often wonder about the differences and similarities of real estate markets and marketing in our various regions. Is print media still a relevant way to market real estate?
 
 
 

 
 
Today is pickup day for the Buyer's Guide ads and that lead me to be glad that we haven't jumped on the band wagon proclaiming print is a dead medium for marketing real estate and only the internet has validity to buyers. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We have three contracts ready to … (58 comments)

Tricks For Getting a Home Loan - Part 4 Tips for Buying Real Estate in the NC Mountains - 07/24/11 05:06 PM
By now everyone should realize the trick to getting a home loan is to know there are NO tricks for getting a home loan!  Welcome to Part 4 of the Tips for Buying Real Estate in the NC Mountains (or anywhere).
 
If you've read Parts One, Two and Three - we have come to the part in the home buying process where we find out WHAT price range you are qualified for and comfortable in.  Equally important is to know IF now is the best time for you to purchase a home.  You want to take care of this step BEFORE … (8 comments)

WE List?...YOU Service?...Can't Touch This! - 07/23/11 08:44 AM
Okay, let me get this right...WE list this and YOU service it??? Say...what? and add a double dose of ...huh? Can't touch this!
 
 
This happened a few days ago and we still haven't gotten the hairs to lay down on the backs of our necks.  We received an email from a good real estate buddy four counties and 65-70 miles away.  "I've referred you to someone in our office for a co-list".  This was the sum total of the email.  I wrote back and thanked him for the volume of information and expressed our wishes that it be either a useless vacant lot, … (92 comments)

Gargoyles Can Be Found in Tuckasegee, NC - 07/22/11 11:09 PM

 
Who would ever have guessed that gargoyles can be found in Tuckasegee, NC? This one and its mate stand atop twin seven foot concrete pillars and are surrounded by expensive wrought iron gates. From Cullowhee take 107 to 281, head north and go about 8 miles.
 
 
The weeds are tall and scraggly, having not been attended to in a couple of years. What could these gargoyles be guarding?
 
 
Don't you think these are the ancestors of Pekingnese dogs?  But really, gargoyles in Tuckasegee?  Really?
… (4 comments)

Reblogging! - It Was My Choice To Take It In The First Place..Right??? Yep Yep Yep - 07/20/11 10:48 PM
 
Do you remember Art Linkletter's "Kids say the Darndest Things"?  There sure could be a show called "REALTORS say the Darndest Things"!  Both Patricia Kennedy and Martha Brown have written excellent posts about this very subject.
 
Except for embezzling the trust account, there is nothing worse than an agent ignoring their fiduciary duties to their clients.  Can you even imagine them in a Dual Agent role if they haven't grasped the simplest concept of Seller or Buyer Agent?
There have been many occasions when we've been employed as Buyer Agents that finding out the Seller's motivation and bottom line … (10 comments)

DON'T CALL THE CORONER - I Think They Are Still Breathing! - 07/20/11 12:25 AM

That's right, don't call the coroner yet - I think they're still breathing!   Are we the only agency who's felt like their contracts needed life support to get them to the closing table?   Now, more than ever, agents need Real Estate First Responders training added to the Continuing Ed curriculum.  If we survive this Buyers' Market - we will rule the world in the next Sellers' Market!   All of a sudden, everyday commonplace issues like shared roads, shared wells and propane heaters can sound a death knell for an otherwise healthy contract.  Heroic measures must be taken … (60 comments)

Reblogging! Viral for Good Reason "Senior Living Cary NC is like this!" Michael Bauble - 07/19/11 08:20 AM
 
Everyone needs to find 6 minutes to stop and watch this video. It went viral for a good reason.  Don't you dare tell me you weren't smiling the whole time, but do tell me that you enjoyed humming along.
Nellie posted this yesterday and I'm still grinning.  If senior living can be like this in Cary, NC ---why not everywhere else?
Take some time to check out Nellie's other posts, she picks out the best music and I love having a subscription to her blog.
 
 
 
Via Nellie Lytvinenko 919-210-9992 Raleigh - Cary NC Real Estate (Homes by … (9 comments)

Reblogging! Welcome to Harry Smith, Jr. "There's nothing to it but to do it" - 07/19/11 06:59 AM
 
The other day I was visiting a post from Joseph in Florida, turns out it later was featured and deservedly so.  Knock, Knock was the title.
Just goes to show you...always read the comments that follow the post.  Hidden in the middle of 50 or so comments was one by a young man from my own home town (ha ha town) Detroit, Michigan.  I followed the link to his site and he had posted an incredibly moving video documentary by some young people in Detroit that truly brought tears to my eyes.
In my opinion, the best REALTORS are those … (6 comments)

The Most Unusual Trees are in Western North Carolina - 07/18/11 08:08 AM
 
The most unusual trees I've ever seen are here in Western North Carolina. They really seem to be able to see into your soul.  They are old, wise and loaded with character.   I've lived in a lot of states in the U.S. -  Michigan, California, New Mexico and Florida - plus traveled many more, but nowhere have I encountered trees with more personality.  Before everyone bristles with indignation that I might be slighting their states' trees, let me be the first to admit that it could be me...maybe I wasn't mature or in tune enough to see into the hearts … (9 comments)

Deliciously Cool Here in Balsam, NC - 07/17/11 11:12 PM
The morning started deliciously cool here in Balsam, NC making it easy to greet the day.  The weather inspired me to complete another full day with a lot accomplished.
Two sets of buyers, paperwork almost completed for a price change on a contract that's gone almost 4 weeks past settlement date, appointments made for tomorrow and even a little time worked in for "down" time!
According to the weather guessers meteorologists hot weather returns tomorrow and will be with us all week.  Not to worry for now though, this evening is ending with a gentle cool rain.  You know what that means...perfect … (4 comments)

Re-blogging! - It's Sunday, find some inner peace. - 07/17/11 10:07 AM
 
Clint McKie sometimes presents quirky posts and they are always worth checking out.  I met Clint during the exhausting but fulfilling 31 Days of May Challenge.  We were loyal to each other's posts for 31 days.  You really get to know someone like that...don't you?
 
Clint's post today is getting re-blogged because he is the second blogger today to make me out and out smile big.  Savor and scroll slowly when you read this and then stop at Clint's blog and give him his very own comment too.
Via Clint McKie (Desert Sun Home Inspections/ Energy Audits):
It's Sunday, find … (13 comments)

Re-blogging! Knock, Knock... Hello, I’m a Realtor. My Client Would Like to Buy Your Home. - 07/17/11 08:20 AM

I read this post 10 minutes ago and I'm still smiling.  If reading this doesn't put huge grins on your faces, we need an AR intervention for you.
Joseph and I have never met, I don't think we've ever even read each other's posts but I noticed his clever title and his cheerful photo and couldn't resist the allure.  When I read that he has the same first name as my father, I clicked on it. 
The reasons we click on each other's blogs are varied and numerous...sometimes it's just plain good luck.  Go visit Joseph's blog and wish him a … (6 comments)

Planning the Day in the Mountains of Western North Carolina - 07/17/11 08:03 AM
Another beautiful cool morning today here to be planning my day in the mountains of Western North Carolina.  Such a treat to be able to sit with the sliding glass doors open and the blogging muse is free to wander in.  There's some kind of crow conference going on outside and it seems to be a pretty spirited conversation.  Has anyone else noticed how big crows are getting?  Here they seem to be as big as ducks but with shorter necks.
Ever since the apple tree next to the deck fell a month ago, the view to the rest of the … (2 comments)

A Typical Day Off for a Real Estate Agent - 07/16/11 11:56 PM
What's a "typical" day off like for a real estate agent? Here in Balsam, mine started at 5:55am today.  I actually had the electric blanket on, can you believe it? The open window was letting 55 degee cool breezes in and after the heat wave we've had, the air felt pretty darned delicious.
After walking and feeding the dogs, I turned on the computer to check email and AR.  Sitting in the inbox was a notification from our MLS that the last listing we entered last night was marked to "45274(219 Indian Hills Drive WHITTIER) marked to not show for lack … (10 comments)

How Buyer Agents Get Paid - Part 3 Tips for Buying Real Estate in the NC Mountains - 07/16/11 01:36 PM

It is imperative that the way Buyer Agents get paid be clearly explained during the initial review of the Buyer Agency Agreement. Here is Part 3 of the Tips for Buying Real Estate in the NC Mountains series.
 
 
 
Why do some agents gloss over the Buyer Agent compensation in the Buyer Agency Agreement? Maybe it comes from a societal perception that discussing income is something only ill-bred people do, maybe they don't know how to tell the buyer that there is a SLIM chance that the BUYER may have to pay the compensation or most likely, maybe the agent doesn't … (7 comments)

Buyer Agency Explained - Part 2 Tips for Buying Real Estate in the NC Mountains - 07/14/11 12:46 AM

 
This series may be titled "Tips for Buying Real Estate in NC Mountains", but most of the articles have direct bearing on ALL buyers. In particular, today's installment, The Buyer Agency Agreement Explained, speaks to the importance of an advocate working on behalf of all buyers.
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
Working with a Buyer's Agent as opposed to a Seller's Agent or Seller's Subagent is primarily a matter of higher levels of service & loyalty to Buyers.  All agents (Seller's Agents & Subagents included) owe Buyers honesty, fairness and material facts about properties.  In addition to those … (5 comments)

Vacant Houses Don't Have More Radon-A Myth Busting Reblog - 07/12/11 07:47 AM

 
Thank you to Reuben Saltzman, a Home Inspector in Maple Grove, MN (how cool is that town's name?) for posting one of the most informative articles I've ever read about radon.
I'm really pleased to have an opportunity to re-blog this article and provide some clearly written myth busters for our clients.
Here in the mountains of Western North Carolina we have a lot of rock under our houses.  Radon is something that many home buyers are just marginally aware of as a concern, but they really don't understand how it is tested for and where the best places … (5 comments)

1st Steps, Protect Yourself - Buying Real Estate in the NC Mountains - 07/12/11 12:28 AM
Tips for Buying Real Estate in NC Mountains is the theme for my next several blogs and what could be more important than telling the buyer how to Protect Themselves in a real estate transaction?
Western North Carolina has long been a favorite destination for vacation or second home buyers.  Typically the buyer started out falling in love with our area when on vacation or perhaps they have fond memories of having camped here as children.  Usually they start out renting a cabin for years and then one day they make a decision to own a little part of a mountain dream.  That's … (8 comments)

Pass the Word and Share the Value - An Opinion on Re-Blogging - 07/11/11 12:21 AM
Can I share with you my thinking about the matter and manner of reblogging?  I've only been blogging since February and honestly, I didn't get the whole reblogging thing.  It seemed odd to me to "borrow" someone else's work.  Now, I'm seeing it as a way to pass the word and share the value.

 
There are a number of ActiveRain people who not only blog regularly, but they reblog regularly.  I haven't done much of it up until now because frankly it felt kind of hinky to me.  This morning though, I had sort of an epiphany today about reblogging … (11 comments)

Learning to live with less. It’s not such a bad thing after all. - 07/10/11 09:20 AM

I hope you all have taken the time to read Richard Weisser's blogs and enjoyed his incredible photographs.  There's something about his writing style that is really relaxing and an antidote to the rushing and scrabbling we do on a daily basis.
This post is especially good because the content is a surprising answer to the title.  When I saw the title (if it had been written by anyone else) I would have expected something along the lines of tightening the belt due to the economy, business is slow, blah blah blah.
When I saw Richard's smiling photo along side the title though … (8 comments)

A Peculiar Odor - 07/10/11 08:57 AM

Really good home inspectors are a crucial resource for home buyers.  Most of us (agents and consumers) are not knowledgeable of the myriad of systems built into or added onto the homes we are considering purchasing.  Very few of us are willing to consider crawling through the dank and scary crawlspaces or climbing up into the sweltering cobweb festooned attic spaces.
I've never read James Quarello's posts before but I'll be checking in regularly now.  Look how informative he is describing the wheres and hows of those bizarre odors we sometimes encounter in a house.  A good home inspector can sometimes … (0 comments)

Do You Take Where You Live for Granted? - Thoughts From Western North Carolina - 07/10/11 08:17 AM





Western North Carolina attracts a high number of out of state buyers who can't wait to move here. I like to think I will never take the magnificence of where I live for granted, but the buyer's eagerness to locate themselves and their families here keeps it all fresh in my mind to always be thankful for my surroundings. 

 
 

 
 
 
Once the dog family is fed and walked, I am aware every morning of the blissful serenity of the mountains, woods and birds. As I sit here typing I can hear crows cawing, squirrels chattering, … (6 comments)

She Works Hard for the Money, Real Estate in Western North Carolina - 07/08/11 10:24 PM
Clearly, today and everyday is a stellar day for epitomizing just how she works hard for the money.  Our whole profession would all benefit if the general public knew just how hard good REALTORS work on their behalf.
I was up until 12:30 last night prepping for two separate listing appointments today.  Not only do Leslie and I show listers Comparable Market Analyses based on sold listings, we also prepare CMAs based on active listings.  Residential listings in our area are so far removed from "cookie cutter" designs in "neighborhoods", there is no such thing as quick CMAs.  Lots of adjustments are … (12 comments)

Own a Mountain in Western NC - House At No Extra Charge! - 07/05/11 10:38 PM
 
Here is an opportunity to own a mountain in Western North Carolina, with a house thrown in! Perfect for someone seeking solitude, yet wanting to reside close to the glory of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Blue Ridge Mountains and the world class trout fishing waters of the Tuckasegee River. Located in Cullowhee, NC just 3 hours north of Atlanta, GA this property has easy drive times to Sylva, Franklin, Bryson City, Cherokee, Waynesville and Asheville, NC.
 
 

The design of the house is such that the new owner could live comfortably as it is, expand … (17 comments)

Happy Horse Paradise on 37.14+/- Acres in Sylva, North Carolina - 07/05/11 08:11 AM
Make your horses happy!


Consider this 37.14+/- acre tract located far enough from Hwy 74 to miss traffic noise, but close enough to easily drive to Sylva, Bryson City or Cherokee in one direction or to Waynesville or Asheville in the other.


Just 3 hours north of Atlanta, Ga, this tucked away rural beauty lies in the mountains of Western North Carolina, not far from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Blue Ridge Mountains and Parkway, the world class trout fishing waters of the Tuckasegee River and all the outdoor activities one could ever hope to have … (14 comments)

GoogleJuice Broadcasting - 07/02/11 12:32 PM
Somehow, I think some GoogleJuice has splashed on me.  I think the term "GoogleJuice" is probably synonymous with "effective broadcasting". Of course its only effective if I know how it happened!

My posts are showing up under the oddest search terms!  I did a search for Webster, NC and the post I did about gnomes showed up!  Have to admit, that's kind of funny if someone on the internet wants a little info on this historic town and then they learn there is a thriving gnome society.  I better check and make sure gnomes aren't a protected class.
I keep trying … (18 comments)

Generous Hearts and the Power of Reaching Out - 07/01/11 10:05 PM
Generous Hearts and the Power of Reaching Out 
Sharon Lee has a deep rooted connection with one of her best friends of 17 years, Lindsey.  Lindsey is her cat and in 17 years has been a witness and confidante to many changes in Sharon's life.
 
 
I've never had the fortune to meet Sharon personally, nor have I met her good friend Lindsey but I do know that on several occasions Sharon Lee has reached out with generous heartfelt comments on not only my blog but on many, many other ActiveRain community members' blogs.
 
Those of us who share our … (9 comments)

 
Mona%20800%20squared Ambassador_large

Mona Gersky, GRI,ABR~MoonDancer Realty~ Western NC Mountains

Sylva, NC

More about me…

Buyer & Seller Representation

Address: Sylva,Bryson City,Cullowhee,Balsam, Webster,Whittier,Waynesville, Dillsboro, NC, 28725

Office Phone: (828) 631-0077

Cell Phone: (828) 508-1107

Email Me

What job could possibly be better than bringing people together by sharing our common interests and learning new ones? Here's my opportunity to introduce conversations and photos of the area I feel so passionate about...the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina. This is one way to give you some background about me and our MoonDancer Realty company to help you make an informed decision about hiring us as your next REALTOR. I hope you enjoy the content as much I enjoy sharing it. I'm looking forward to reading your comments and hope to meet you soon.


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