Hendersonville, NC

Taking the right steps in the right order is how you get the best results when selling your house, but it doesn't always happen that way. Instead, here's how it often goes: You decide to sell and call a real estate agent who looks at the house and makes a few basic recommendations on getting it ready. Then the agent compares similar houses in the area and proposes a marketing plan and listing price. Once you sign the listing agreement, North Carolina law requires that your house go on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) within three days, allowing very little time to be certain it looks its best. Pictures are taken anyway and the listing is published on MLS, the internet and in the newspaper. What's wrong with doing things in this order? Isn't it the way everybody sells their house?

The traditional sequence of steps works against smart selling in several ways. Real estate agents can only price and market your house as it exists, not as it could be, and their impressions can negatively affect the recommended listing price. They're experts in real estate marketing and negotiations, but many agents are not necessarily specialists in applying design principles to the preparation of a house for sale. As a result they don't always know what to suggest. There are diplomatic issues, too. Your agent may feel reluctant to be candid about potentially sensitive topics like cleanliness, odors, or work they feel is needed, so they spare your feelings, protect the relationship with you and say little or nothing about these problems. It's understandable, but as a result, your house often isn't presented in its best light, so you risk a longer selling time and a smaller profit. In today's market that's a major misstep.

We recommend a different sequence of events. Begin by educating yourself about the local market and the competition you can expect. Then evaluate your house in terms of repairs and cosmetic issues and enlist the help of objective professionals such as a home inspector and a stager, before calling your agent. These specialists are trained to give you the candid, objective assessment and guidance you need. Their goal is to help you, so listen to their recommendations with an open mind.

Smart Selling Tip: By taking the right steps in the right order, properly preparing your house and pricing it correctly, you can increase profit potential and decrease time on the market.

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

The Henderson County chapter of the American Red Cross is holding its annual blood drive at Grace Lutheran Church in Hendersonville on June 25th all day long (7am-6pm). All donors will receive a free Operation Blood Drive T-shirt and will be eligible to win a cruise for two in a special drawing. The summer is an especially hard time for blood banks because many people are out of town on vacation. Donors become scarce. To put the importance of this event in perspective, the American Red Cross needs to have 1600 people donate blood as well as platelets every weekday to supply hospitals in the Carolina region alone. You can give blood every 56 days and platelets every two weeks as long as you are in good health, weigh 110 lbs or more and are at least 17 years old (16 with a parent's permission). To schedule your appointment to donate blood or platelets, please call 693-5605 or visit http://www.membersforlife.org/cbsr/ and use code #6304 when logging in. While walk-ins are welcome, we encourage you to make an appointment for less waiting time. Make sure to give life by giving blood on June 25th (or anytime) in Hendersonville.

SMART SELLING

If you're buying a house today, conventional wisdom is that you're in the driver's seat. Interest rates and

prices are at record lows, and there's a large inventory of new, existing and foreclosed homes from which

to choose. It's a highly competitive environment with many sellers vying for the attention of a relatively

small pool of buyers. But what if you're a seller? Do current conditions mean that you're powerless? The

answer is no, you're not powerless, but you do have to be smart. In this series, we're going to offer

straight talk and practical information about the home selling process so that you can be a smart seller-in

any market.

First let's look at the local picture. According to the Henderson County Board of REALTORS®, during

the first quarter of 2009 there were 1,626 homes on the market, approximately twice the number than

one year ago. The average selling price was $214,596, a slight increase from 2008, and local MLS listings

averaged 137 days on the market, an increase of 35 days over last year. The most active price range was

between $100,000 and $300,000, with 1,004 listings. Although there were over 600 listings above

$300,000, there was much less traffic and significantly fewer sales, partly because buyers from other areas

aren't able to sell their existing homes, and some have more difficulty qualifying for a mortgage.

Changes in interest rates and mortgage financing have affected the local market. Favorable rates and

incentives such as first-time buyer credits are helping to improve conditions, but financing requirements

are more stringent. Banks and lenders are active, but the approval process can take longer, partly due to

the large number of homeowners who are refinancing. What does all this mean to sellers? Expect more

competition and a longer time on the market than in the past. It also means that you must get your home

in order. With a large inventory available, many buyers are demanding a home in "move-in" condition,

meaning they won't have to clean, paint or make repairs. Does your house create that impression?

Smart Selling Tip: Size up the competition. Visit open houses and compare them with the location,

age, condition and features of your house. This will help determine your selling strategy, including the

preparations needed to compete effectively, and the listing price. Be honest with yourself and be realistic.

Smart Selling is a collaboration by two Hendersonville businesswomen whose work is directly connected with

the real estate industry: Sandy LeRoy of Sterling Property Services (sandy@sterlingpropertyservice.com)

and Mary Stephens of Prudential Lifestyle Realty (mary@ronstephensproperties.com). Special thanks to

Lue Kirchner (keyassociates.biz) for her valuable insights on this topic. Questions and comments invited.

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During the warm summer months, the Visitor's Information Center in Hendersonville (201 S Main Street) will be hosting its "Music on Main Street" event every Friday evening from 7-9pm for free starting this Friday, June 5th, and continuing through August 28th. All you need to do is bring the family, your dancing shoes and a chair to rest in between musical interludes. No pets or alcohol are allowed. Enjoy music of all kinds, including classic rock, oldies, big band, pop, beach music and even an Elvis tribute. This year's festivities will begin and close with the great Tuxedo Junction band, who will be performing hits from the 1940's through the 1990's. The schedule for Hendersonville's summer music series is:

June 5: Tuxedo Junction (music from the 1940's-1990's) and Classic Car Show
June 12: Tom Brown-One Man Band (oldies rock)
June 19: Night Crawlers (classic rock)
June 26: Sound Investment (oldies rock) and Classic Car Show
July 3: Special Edition (oldies rock)
July 10: Capital Sound-Army Band (patriotic, big band and pop), Classic Car Show
July 17: Caribbean Cowboys (beach music)
July 24: The Crew (Top 40) and Classic Car Show
July 31: Night Crawlers (classic rock)
August 7: Asheville's Mix 96.5 House Band (dance)
August 14: Sound Investment (oldies rock)
August 21: Phil Urban & The TCB Band (Elvis tribute) and Classic Car Show
August 28: Tuxedo Junction (music from the 1940's-1990's)

So, put on your dancing shoes, kick up your heels and head on down to Hendersonville's Visitors Center every Friday this summer to enjoy real music with real people. I hope to see you there!

It's time to look at the communities and towns in Henderson County, NC. Hendersonville is the county seat and the main town in Henderson County. Hendersonville is a unique combination of slowpaced, tourist town and vibrant, growing town. Newly built communities populated with younger people vie for space with active

retirees. Walmart, Lowes, Home Depot and Staples on the edge of town contrast with antique shops, dress shops, restaurants and gift shops on a walkable Main Street. Hendersonville is 22 miles south of Asheville and accessed by I-26. It is the home of Blue Ridge Technical College and numerous beautiful Bed and Breakfasts. http://www.historichendersonville.com is a wonderful resource of everything that is available in Hendersonville. Check it out. You will want to come and visit. Henderson County has a population of 102,142 and Hendersonville 12,751.

Edneyville is a small town about 7 or 8 miles from I-26 east of Hendersonville. Known
primarily for the many apple orchards in the area. Apple packing houses and fruit stands
line the highway. On Labor Day week end all of Henderson county celebrates with an
Apple Festival downtown. The area is primarily rural. Lake Lure and Chimney Rock Park
are within a 30 minute Drive.

West of Hendersonville on Hwy 64 is an area know as Horseshoe which boasts its own
post office and a few businesses but is primarily rural. About 10 miles from Hendersonville is Etowah.
In Etowah life revolves around Golf. There is a golf course is the center of the town and there is a gated
golf community, a few businesses and restaurants and not much else but beautiful countryside.

A little north of Etowah and Horseshoe is Mills River - the latest incorporated town. It is primarily rural with a few small businesses. Mills River is perhaps the flatest area in the whole county.

South of Hendersonville is East Flat Rock and Flat Rock where Carl Sandburg's home Connemara is located. Nearby is the Flat Rock Theatre ( http://flatrockplayhouse.org ) which produces excellent plays. There are several golf communities also.

Laurel Park is an incorporated town adjacent to Hendersonville. It is primarily residential on a mountain with a small business area also. It is south and west of Hendersonville.

Eunice Pearson, ABR,CRS,GRI.ePRO
828-684-2640 Office
828-230-4894 Cell "I Care About You"
Eunice@AshevilleHome.com
http://www.AshevilleHome.com