About Henderson County, NC

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.

More and more sellers are choosing to get a home inspection before listing their house as a competitive tool and to help ensure that that the selling process goes more smoothly, with fewer surprises. This is by no means a complete list, but a typical home inspection includes an evaluation of the site, the exterior, the interior, the systems such as HVAC, electrical and plumbing and the building components. A home inspection does not include radon, septic system, termites, wells, mold or water quality issues, which must be evaluated by specialists. If you have concerns about any of these matters, rest assured the buyer's inspector will find the problem. It's smart selling to identify the problem yourself.

One of the major benefits of a seller's home inspection is that it provides an unbiased third-party report on the condition of the house. Other benefits include:

•§ Improves your ability to set a more accurate listing price reflecting the true condition of the house.

•§ Justifies a higher listing price if the house is in superb condition.

•§ Creates a powerful marketing tool that makes your house stand out from the competition and increases buyer confidence from the outset.

•§ Gives you the choice of making repairs or selling "as is".

•§ Controls the cost and timeframe for making repairs.

•§ Demonstrates your good faith by publishing the report.

•§ Prevents the buyer from using inflated costs as a negotiating tool.

•§ Streamlines the negotiation process.

•§ Prevents closings from being delayed or deals from falling through when the buyer's inspector finds a problem.

•§ Demonstrates your due diligence in completing the mandatory disclosure forms.

•§ Helps the buyer make a faster, better informed decision about your house, with less likelihood of buyer's remorse.

•§ Prevents small details from disrupting or derailing otherwise smooth negotiations.

•§ Allows you the opportunity to make corrections in the inspection if needed, and attach invoices for completed repairs.

The cost of a home inspection is based on the age and square footage of the house, but generally is between $300 and $400. If you have any suspicions or concerns, a seller's inspection and specialty inspections worth considering. The confidence and peace of mind they can provide is priceless.

Smart Selling Tip:

Even if the house is in superb condition and has been diligently maintained, smart sellers consider the benefits of a seller's home inspection as a competitive and negotiating tool.

Fabulous Fun Getaway in Flatrock, NC.


Flat Rock is a village in Henderson County, North Carolina, United States. It is part of the Asheville Metropolitan Statistical Area. The village is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as Flat Rock Historic District. The author, Carl Sandburg, actually lived in the Village of Flat Rock. This week will be a beautiful drive to the western part of NC,22 miles south of Asheville.


VisitNC to enter the drawing for an overnight trip for (2)at The Mill House Lodge in Flat Rock. In addition to the overnight stay, the winner will receive (2) tickets to the Flat Rock Playhouse, (2) tickets for brunch at Seasons Restaurant, (2) tickets for breakfast at Flat Rock Village Bakery, (2) for lunch at Hubba Hubba Smokehouse, (2)for dinner at The Back Room, (2) $25 gift certificates, and photo session by Expressions.Photography and photographer Bill Elder and (2) one year subscriptions for Western NC magazine.

The leaves in NC have not reached their peak and the fall fishing is at it's best. This is a great opportunity to visit the great state of NC for a fun filled weekend.

Check back for week 7. Next week will be SPOOKY: Mysteries and Monsters.

I had the pleasure of sitting down with John Myers and Jane Lawson the developers of the Hickory Nut Forest GREEN/conservation community near Asheville, NC not long ago. We talked about what it takes to create such a community- their philosophy and how they designed and developed the land. Here is a segment of our conversation.

HOW ONE COUPLE ENVISIONED AND REALIZED THEIR DREAM OF AN ECO-FRIENDLY MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY

Q. How long has it taken to create the Hickory Nut Forest eco-community?

A. We have been involved in the process of creating community for nearly five years. It has been an amazing journey that has taken on a life of its own. We started out with a vision to conserve some beautiful land in the mountains of North Carolina.

We wanted to be stewards of this sacred place with its amazing forests, waterfalls, living plants and animals. As we have come to know the land intimately, we feel guided to keep expanding our vision.

Q How have you expanded on your vision to conserve this gorgeous land in the mountains of North Carolina?

We created homesites for up to 34 green-built homes, added an organic apple orchard and heirloom vineyard, placed a conservation easement on the mountain and built miles of hiking trails.

(photo shows John and Jane at one of the many waterfalls on the property the are developing near Chimney Rock just outside of Asheville, NC. )

Q How do you see the growth of Hickory Nut Forest into the mature "Green Community" you envision, and will it be a "Private Mountain Community"?

A. As new people have arrived, they have brought their enthusiasm and dreams to the community. [One of the first to arrive] Ryan was inspired to develop a community garden and with student interns created a veggie patch, an herb circle, mushroom logs, and added beehives and free-range chickens.

Folks wanted to have a gathering place, so we started building a community center at the ruins of an old gristmill. This vision has grown into creating Laughing Waters, a retreat site for year-round classes, workshops and student internships that we hope to have open by spring.

We are allowing the community to grow slowly and naturally through sharing this magical place with all who come to visit. Our free monthly events have included a bluegrass concert, apple fests, hikes, herb walks, bonfire/potlucks and kids' educational programs. People have initially come for a visit and then decided to live here.

Q. What is your guiding principle or intention?

From the beginning our guiding intention has been simply to approach everything and everyone with love and respect: our neighbors, all the people working on various projects, our visitors, the land and the water, the plants and animals, and each other. We feel such a powerful healing energy from this land. Our role is simply to make it possible for people to come here and experience it for themselves.

FURTHER READING on how to recognize an eco-friendly development

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