Hendersonville, NC

After you're done doing your early morning shopping to get in on those Black Friday "deals" at the stores, Hendersonville will be bringing Friday Night Lights to town. The annual Downtown Lighting Ceremony will be taking place at the gazebo in downtown Hendersonville beginning at 5:30pm. Bring the family down for free carriage rides, caroling, thousands of twinkling lights and a special appearance by Santa himself. Anyone can participate in the Christmas caroling if they want to. Song sheets will be available upon request.

Not only will Santa be available to listen to all the kids Christmas wish lists and pass out candy canes, but he will be flipping the switch to start the lighting ceremony. Make sure to bring your cameras! Even Hendersonville residents will be allowed to participate in the lighting ceremony in a "hands on" way for the very first time ever. But, you'll have to come to the Downtown Lighting Ceremony to see just how this will happen. Just like past lighting ceremonies, four evergreen trees will be planted on Main Street for everyone to enjoy throughout the year. Local nonprofit organizations have also decorated Christmas trees that will be visible around Main Street, with lots of lights in the flowerbeds and planters as well. Make sure to bring your family to downtown Hendersonville when they bring Friday Night Lights to town on November 27, 2009.

The Henderson County Swine Flu Clinic is scheduled to take place this Saturday, November 21, 2009 from 8-11:30am at the Henderson County Department of Public Health in Hendersonville. Due to the limited availabilty of vaccine, only available those people in the designated priority group* will be allowed to receive vaccinations, which will be provided for free. Vaccinations are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The Henderson County Health Department will continue to provide H1N1 vaccine clinics as vaccine is available Mondays through Thursdays from 9am-12pm by appointment only. For more information and to make an appointment, please call the Hendersonville Flu Hotline at 694-4040. Bilingual nurses are also available upon request.

*People in the priority group are pregnant women, people who live with or care for children ages 6 months or younger, healthcare and emergency medical personnel, children and adults between the ages of 6 months and 24 years and those people ages 25-64 who have health disorders or compromised immune systems that would make them at higher risk for adverse affects from the H1N1 virus.

Rich Cooke, your Hendersonville real estate specialist

Ranch home 3 BR 1.5 BA with NEWLY RENOVATED KITCHEN, including new oak cabinets, appliances, flooring, new light fixtures throughout, living room, dining room, full basement with den and laundry room, large deck and large workshop in spacious, private back yard. To directly access this property, use this shortcut: http://www.fizber.com/north-carolina-buy-single-family-home-11648426.html

Sellers should know about the health risks associated with radon, a naturally occurring gas you can't see, smell or taste. Radon can be found anywhere, and the Surgeon General has issued the following Health Advisory: "Indoor radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and breathing it over prolonged periods can present a significant health risk... It's important to know that this threat is completely preventable. Radon can be detected with a simple test and fixed through well-established venting techniques."

Radon trapped in soil typically enters indoor air through cracks or holes in the foundation, or through well water. Local geology, construction materials and how the house was built are all factors that affect radon levels, which can vary widely in the same neighborhood. The EPA suggests mitigation when the indoor level is 4 pCi/L (picoCuries per Liter) or more. Because of rock formations prevalent in the area, Henderson, Buncombe and Transylvania Counties are rated Zone 1 (red zones) with a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L.

Consider having your house tested by a qualified individual or company before putting it on the market. If you don't test, it's likely the buyer will. Have the test done in the lowest level of the house that could be used regularly. If an unacceptable level of radon is found, it can be reduced by installing a simple venting system. The right system depends upon the design of your house and other factors, and must conform to EPA requirements. There is a potential conflict of interest if the same person or firm performs the testing and installs the mitigation system. Obtain more than one estimate, and after the mitigation is done, have your house re-tested by an independent qualified radon specialist.

Answers to your questions about radon can be found in a publication from the EPA, "Home Buyer's and Seller's Guide to Radon" (EPA 402/K-09/002). You also can visit the EPA website for more information: http://www.epa.gov/radon.

Smart Selling Tip:

Because of local rock formations, radon issues are a fact of life in our area. Before putting your house on the market, consider having it tested by a qualified individual or company and install a mitigation system, when needed. If you don't test, the buyer likely will. Use a clean radon report as a marketing and negotiating tool.

©2009 Sandy LeRoy and Mary Stephens

Smart Selling is a collaboration by two local businesswomen whose work is directly connected with the real estate industry: Mary Stephens of Prudential Lifestyle Realty (ronstephensproperties.com) and Sandy LeRoy of Sterling Property Services (sterlingpropertyservice.com). Questions and comments invited.