About Jackson County, NC

No, I don't have the most techy office in the world, nor do I have the busiest office either. Nor is it in the best 'location, location, location' one could ask for, ... But after spending twenty years in 'other people's offices', I decided I'd go on my own.

...to my farm.

You gotta love animals to enjoy my office as when you enter thru the gate, you'll be warmly, affectionately greeted by 5 purebred rescued dogs. 'The Full House'. Three bassets and two whites. One white german shepherd and one white boxer. (But, they're not allowed to jump up on you): Yep, you gotta love dogs...or the cat that adopted us that thinks he's one of the dogs. He'll entertain you with his fence walking prowess, wanting to be admired but not really held, as he can't do his tee-tottering sprints on the 5/4" fence rail, if he's held.

Then there are the equine. Three horses and one 'tall drink of water' black, riding mule named 'Betty Boop'. She'll love for you to massage those long black ears, but then she'll turn that butt around to you, you'll think she's gonna whack you with both hooves, but really what she wants is for you to now scratch her butt. Ahhhh !!! she loves that.

When the contract is drawn up in my warm office, with its gas logs and wicher furniture and it's time to reflect on your decision, it's now time to go have a cappuchino, cola, or a drink of sorts on the swing by the waterfall only steps away. My husband (a builder) surprised me with an above ground curved walkway from the house or office to 'the swing by the falls.' I do spend alot of time there with or without clients in 3 seasons of these mountains. EVERYONE comments on the serenity of the place. Mountains all around us, with Mill Creek running through it down here in the valley, but still at 4000'. C-o-o-l ! & Blessed !!!

Then, if you need to take a stroll, I'll walk you through the pasture, with horses, dogs and cat , close behind, and we'll feed the fish in the pond. Four Koi all named after ice cream flavors; Orange Sherbert, Vanilla, Lemon and the largest of all, Pistachio. I DO love my office and its location. It may not be everybody's 'cup of tea', but it suits me and mine, just fine. And the city dwellers all seemed to relax and come down from their high pressured, fast paced lives, to breath some clean mountain air and watch pristine water in a stream. Yes, it IS almost Heaven, and I know that we are only caretakers over it for our time, but in that time, we share what not everyone can have. So, I no longer care if I'm not the biggest or the best or the most successful or the highest money maker...afterall there are more important things then money or power or prestige anyway. Heatlh, being loved, enjoyed and enjoying others. Life is just too short for the other stuff. I know that in 'my office', our clients are able to relax enough to know that we are sincere, genuine and fun. That we can be trusted and have professionalism even if I am in cut-off jeans and flip-flops. 'Cause my office is where the hope will soon come to that client, as well, as I want them to have it too. Who knows? We might even have a bon-fire with weiners and samoa's.

Looking for a place to get away from it all? A place where you can come for some peace and quiet.....maybe just for the summer....maybe during the leaf season....maybe for the rest of your life? The wonderful home in Cashiers, North Carolina is just the ticket.

A stone fireplace, hickory floors, and cathedral ceiling create a cozy cabin feel that melts your stress away as soon as you step in the door of this 3 bedroom, 2 bath in Cashiers, NC home. It is perfect for a seasonal or year round residence, or it can be used as a vacation rental property. New updates include new carpet and updated kitchen. The master bedroom and bath are on the main floor and two additional bedrooms and living area for guests are on the lower level.

Best of all, you're only minutes from all the things that make life here in the mountains so enjoyable. Enjoy your summers swimming and boating on beautiful Fairfield Lake at the base on the spectacular Bald Rock Mountain. Or lace up your hiking boots and take off on one of the numerous nearby hiking trails. There's also a fitness center, a children's play area, dining, golf, tennis and so much more that is all included in your annual association dues.

Western North Carolina is truly a four-season area where you can enjoy cooler temperatures in the summer, beautiful blooming trees and flowers in the spring, spectacular color during leaf season, and a moderate winter with just enough snow to make it interesting.

For more information about this home for sale in Cashiers, NC...or any other property in the Sapphire, Cashiers, or Brevard area, contact the Clay Team online. Or give us a call at 828-551-6290 or 828-551-6291. We'd love to hear from you.

The mountains called....it's time for you to come home!

Recently I was previewing some $125,000.00 and below properties for some clients and my search came up with 8 that could be promising. It took me all afternoon to drive in all directions and I did find a couple of really, cute, adorable cottages here in the W. Carolina Mtns .; well worth the money they were asking. Any of you that know the Highlands and Cashiers, NC area, know that it is has some of the most expensive homes in America or in close competition with....beach front property and islands, etc. (Yes, we even have an island with homes for sale on it, high-end homes.) You boat there to get home.

Well, there's still room for we that want to live here and be the 'working class' . Such was the friends/clients that I was searching for.

Aghast was not 'my' wording when I came to two listings right here in the heart of Cashiers for $100,000.00 each. The floors were like roller coaster rides, the walls were the 'wave of the future' and the almost fallen 'angels' were almost falling...a good wind would do it. All this 'doom and gloom' on less than a quarter of an acre with road easements within inches of the bedroom walls. Who put these prices on these beauties?

As having been in real estate appraising in the past, I reasoned that the ?comps? were what brought their prices up...or some inexperienced agent...or some Seller that thinks everything he owns is gold...or was there oil in the ground? I don't rightly know in my most Southern verbage, but the land, in my opinion wouldn't even be worth that with those easements right at 'heaven's door'. It would cost you $10,000.00 just to tear it down. My, oh, my. Even a good carpenter couldn't do right by these precious, little darlings...I know that they've got soul, and a wonderful history, but honey, sometimes it's just time to ...go.

I'm guilty. When you receive as many emails as we Realtors do, and as many blog posts that we try to answer to or learn from, I'm guilty, but maybe you do it too.

I have just come from 707 emails because I was 'out of pocket' for a week and WOW !!! When you're trying to catch-up, I confess that I first look at the title of the blog, and if it interest me, I click on it. But, the 2nd thing that I do, is look at the face of the person that wrote it. Hmmmm...No, I'm not going for the best looking, cutest title, not at all. What I am looking for in that face is genuineness, humility, respect, approachability. Life has a way of hardening us from hard times or a way of softening us from hard blows. Those are the faces that I want to 'approach'. The soft ones. Those that at least look like they understand.

I don't know what you see in my face and I can't look critically at myself to be objective, but I know what I see in your faces, at least most of you. Body language is one thing, but a photo? If I were a client looking for an agent, that face would really matter to me. Some I would gravitate to and others, I would quickly reject. I hope my face shows an approachability, a humor and softening humility from life's hardships...or goodness. I also hope it shows that I am ready, willing and able to laugh...a genuineness. And maybe if I don't yet know how to use widgets, that I do listen to what you are saying, and I do care.

Come Enjoy the SHOW!
Western North Carolina Residents Witness First Show of Fall Colors
(And Wish To Share the View)

September 22nd marked the first official day of Fall this year, and evidence of the change in seasons is just beginning to take place on the southern crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina. A rolling sea of green trees is slowly transforming to a rainbow of color as the leaves on the hardwoods begin to change. Unlike years past, 2009's leaf season is expected to be one of the most beautiful to date thanks to all of the rain during this year's spring and summer months. The rainfall should attribute to a more vibrant, longer lasting show of colors.

Fall Colors in Western North Carolina

According to Dr. Gary Walker, a professor at Appalachian State University, Western North Carolina has the highest diversity of tree species in North America. He explains that this diversity of trees, hardwoods in particular, lends itself to an extended display of color - lasting from early October through late November. Pair that with large tracts of protected land through our national forests and parks, as well as citizens, developers and builders dedicated to preserving the natural beauty of the region - and spectators are afforded stunning unmarred colorful panoramas that stretch for miles and miles.

For more than one hundred years, residents of the Highlands-Cashier Plateau have been afforded front row seats to this colorful spectacle of Mother Nature. This year, they wish to share this very extraordinary time of year with their neighbors from near and far. The Greater Cashiers Area Merchants Association has taken great care in planning their first annual Leaf Festival of Cashiers Valley for the weekend of October 8-10. The weekend's festivities will include live music, Artisan Festival, Tour of Homes, kid-friendly activities and so much more. For more information about this very special celebration of nature and community, click here. If you can't make it for that particular weekend, the historic villages of both Cashiers and Highlands offer dazzling scenery all season long, in addition to their unique brand of dining and shopping experiences. It's well worth the drive for an impromptu vacation weekend you won't soon forget! For more information about the Leaf Festival and area accommodations, contact the helpful staff at Silver Creek Real Estate Group at calling 828-743-1999 or via e-mail at info@ncliving.com.

* Cite: http://www.exploreasheville.com/what-to-do/seasonal-fun/fall-color-in-the-asheville-area/asheville-fall-color-report/index.aspx