July 16, 2006 N.C. Mountain town blends rustic charm, rich history by Ben Brown
Since this North Carolina town arranges itself on a ridge 4,000 feet above sea level, the "high" in Highlands is entirely justified. Yet it
has taken more than altitude to uphold this town's reputation as a favorite summer refuge for more than a century. It's the related gift
of remoteness that's key. Getting to Highlands requires intent. You don't pass through on the way to somewhere else.
On approach. You go slowly. You pay attention to the road as it narrows and winds upward. The air feels cooler. The light changes.
And when prudence allows, you take in the views: the pastures, the pines and towering tulip poplars of the Nantahala National
Forest, the dramatic drop-off into the Cullasaja River Gorge. Lake Sequoyah was created in 1927 by damming the Cullasaja, and its
tree-lined shores and vintage cottages suggest the Adirondacks.
The history
Its remote location has protected Highlands since it was founded in 1875 by a couple of Kansas developers who "took a map in hand
and drew a line from New York to New Orleans," writes local historian Ran Shaffner in "Heart of the Blue Ridge: Highlands, North
Carolina."
"Then they passed another line between Chicago and Savannah. These lines, they predicted, would be the great trade routes of the
future, and where they crossed would someday be a great population center."
has taken more than altitude to uphold this town's reputation as a favorite summer refuge for more than a century. It's the related gift
of remoteness that's key. Getting to Highlands requires intent. You don't pass through on the way to somewhere else.
On approach. You go slowly. You pay attention to the road as it narrows and winds upward. The air feels cooler. The light changes.
And when prudence allows, you take in the views: the pastures, the pines and towering tulip poplars of the Nantahala National
Forest, the dramatic drop-off into the Cullasaja River Gorge. Lake Sequoyah was created in 1927 by damming the Cullasaja, and its
tree-lined shores and vintage cottages suggest the Adirondacks.
The history
Its remote location has protected Highlands since it was founded in 1875 by a couple of Kansas developers who "took a map in hand
and drew a line from New York to New Orleans," writes local historian Ran Shaffner in "Heart of the Blue Ridge: Highlands, North
Carolina."
"Then they passed another line between Chicago and Savannah. These lines, they predicted, would be the great trade routes of the
future, and where they crossed would someday be a great population center."
April 24, 2006
Tax 101 for Home Flippers
Source: The Los Angeles
Times, Todd Stein (04/23/06)
Tax 101 for Home Flippers
Source: The Los Angeles
Times, Todd Stein (04/23/06)
April 21, 2006
The Most Expensive ZIP
Codes 2006
by Sara Clemence, 04.21.06,
12:00 PM ET (from
Forbes.com)
The Most Expensive ZIP
Codes 2006
by Sara Clemence, 04.21.06,
12:00 PM ET (from
Forbes.com)
April 17, 2006 Six-Year
Analysis of Highlands
Residential Market
Analysis of Highlands
Residential Market
April 13, 2006 Trends Starting
to Favoring Sellers
to Favoring Sellers
April 14, 2006 Long-Term
Mortgage Rates Highest In
Nearly Four Years
Mortgage Rates Highest In
Nearly Four Years
May 9, 2006 Buyers Agent what’s the Confusion?
I am sure that you know that in the world of Real Estate there are those who sell the real estate are know as agents. I think you know
that these agents can be classified as Buyer’s Agents, Seller’s Agents or Dual Agents. I am not sure you know that the state of North
Carolina is a “Buyer Beware” state, which means that the seller does not have to reveal information about the home they are selling.
that these agents can be classified as Buyer’s Agents, Seller’s Agents or Dual Agents. I am not sure you know that the state of North
Carolina is a “Buyer Beware” state, which means that the seller does not have to reveal information about the home they are selling.
It's Just My Blog
September 12, 2006 Radon - It Doesn't Have to Be a Deal Killer
Lung cancer kills thousands of Americans every year. The untimely deaths of Peter Jennings and Dana Reeve have raised public
awareness about lung cancer, especially among people who have never smoked. Smoking, radon, and secondhand smoke are
the leading causes of lung cancer. There is now more interest and concern in the levels of Radon in homes. More buyers are
becoming concerned and some walk away from contracts because of their concern over a Radon reading. Buyers need to read
more about the actual dangers of Radon and not jump too quickly before they understand all the facts. Sellers can remove a
potential impediment to sale by a simple test.
Buyers can eliminate their fear by understanding and Sellers by a little pre-listing testing.
awareness about lung cancer, especially among people who have never smoked. Smoking, radon, and secondhand smoke are
the leading causes of lung cancer. There is now more interest and concern in the levels of Radon in homes. More buyers are
becoming concerned and some walk away from contracts because of their concern over a Radon reading. Buyers need to read
more about the actual dangers of Radon and not jump too quickly before they understand all the facts. Sellers can remove a
potential impediment to sale by a simple test.
Buyers can eliminate their fear by understanding and Sellers by a little pre-listing testing.
October 16, 2006 Septic permit process gets easier for all
A tell-tale sign that growth and development are alive and well in Macon County is the continued flow of septic applications filed at
the health department. The backlog of septic permit applications that has plagued the Environmental Health Division of the county
health department for more than a year is finally dwindling. But an average of 110 permits a month is still considered the norm for
Macon County.
"Development has slowed or halted everywhere in the country, even in south Florida," said Bany Patterson, county environmental
health supervisor. "But Western North Carolina and Northern California are booming." He said the Nantahala area is realty growing
"matching Highlands in land prices," he said.
At the Oct. 2 Macon County Commission meeting, Patterson had good hews to tell. "The back- log of septic applications as of Sept.
27 was 252, which represents an 8-10 week delay," he said. "The downward trend is continuing from the worst case of 559
applications which represented a 12-15 week delay early this past summer.
He said of the current back- log of 101 permits is due to the large June influx received in advance of the July I, 2006 increase in
application fee. "That more than doubled the normal monthly total and immediately put us behind an additional 4-5 weeks," said
Patterson.
the health department. The backlog of septic permit applications that has plagued the Environmental Health Division of the county
health department for more than a year is finally dwindling. But an average of 110 permits a month is still considered the norm for
Macon County.
"Development has slowed or halted everywhere in the country, even in south Florida," said Bany Patterson, county environmental
health supervisor. "But Western North Carolina and Northern California are booming." He said the Nantahala area is realty growing
"matching Highlands in land prices," he said.
At the Oct. 2 Macon County Commission meeting, Patterson had good hews to tell. "The back- log of septic applications as of Sept.
27 was 252, which represents an 8-10 week delay," he said. "The downward trend is continuing from the worst case of 559
applications which represented a 12-15 week delay early this past summer.
He said of the current back- log of 101 permits is due to the large June influx received in advance of the July I, 2006 increase in
application fee. "That more than doubled the normal monthly total and immediately put us behind an additional 4-5 weeks," said
Patterson.
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January 9, 2007 Results of the 2006 Sales Year in Highlands-Cashier, NC
There have been more stories on the downward turn of the Real Estate market this
year than in some areas there have been sales. In Highlands-Cashiers, North
Carolina the number of homes sold dropped from 633 units to 430 units; that’s just
68% of the 2005 volume. This would indicate that there is a drop in the Real
Estate market in Highlands-Cashiers and it is a “Buyer’s Market.” There are
however more aspects of “the market” to consider beyond the number of units
sold. The average sales price, the Days on Market (DOM), and the Sales to
Asking Price ratio should also be considered.
The chart below shows the number of units sold is down, but the Average Sales
Price is up. Just as important to the Seller and the Buyer, are that the Percent of
Sales to Asking Price is unchanged and the DOM is just slightly higher. So what
does this all mean?
Year Units Sold DOM Average Sales Price Percent of Sales to Asking Price
2006 430 257 $622,144 93%
2005 633 239 $549,196 92%
2004 552 279 $454,476 93%
2003 415 260 $450,272 93%
It would seem that the NUMBER of sales is down in the Highlands-Cashiers, North
Carolina market but the QUALITY of sales is the same if not higher. This all seems
to translate into the following:
- The Sellers of the Highlands-Cashiers area do not seem to need to “panic
sell” and drastically reduce prices to dump their investments.
- The number of sales are down, but JUST the number.
- Those selling homes seemed to be getting more for their money
All that seems to indicate that the Highlands-Cashiers Real Estate market seems to
remain a good financial investment.
year than in some areas there have been sales. In Highlands-Cashiers, North
Carolina the number of homes sold dropped from 633 units to 430 units; that’s just
68% of the 2005 volume. This would indicate that there is a drop in the Real
Estate market in Highlands-Cashiers and it is a “Buyer’s Market.” There are
however more aspects of “the market” to consider beyond the number of units
sold. The average sales price, the Days on Market (DOM), and the Sales to
Asking Price ratio should also be considered.
The chart below shows the number of units sold is down, but the Average Sales
Price is up. Just as important to the Seller and the Buyer, are that the Percent of
Sales to Asking Price is unchanged and the DOM is just slightly higher. So what
does this all mean?
Year Units Sold DOM Average Sales Price Percent of Sales to Asking Price
2006 430 257 $622,144 93%
2005 633 239 $549,196 92%
2004 552 279 $454,476 93%
2003 415 260 $450,272 93%
It would seem that the NUMBER of sales is down in the Highlands-Cashiers, North
Carolina market but the QUALITY of sales is the same if not higher. This all seems
to translate into the following:
- The Sellers of the Highlands-Cashiers area do not seem to need to “panic
sell” and drastically reduce prices to dump their investments.
- The number of sales are down, but JUST the number.
- Those selling homes seemed to be getting more for their money
All that seems to indicate that the Highlands-Cashiers Real Estate market seems to
remain a good financial investment.
January 16, 2008 Results of the 2007 Sales Year in Highlands-Cashier, NC
The Real Estate maket took a downturn across the country that's for sure.
Fortunately for the Highlands-Cashiers area we were not hit by that downturn. Due
to the clientel and the nature of our resort atmosphere we did very well. Home
sales in our MLS area were 93% of the level of last year. On the vacant land sales,
the report below does shows land resale have taken a significant downturn.
Fortunately for the Highlands-Cashiers area we were not hit by that downturn. Due
to the clientel and the nature of our resort atmosphere we did very well. Home
sales in our MLS area were 93% of the level of last year. On the vacant land sales,
the report below does shows land resale have taken a significant downturn.
| see 2007 Residential sales report |
| see 2004-2207 Land sales report |