About Jackson County, NC

Chatooga wild and scenic river and a round of golf at Cashier's High Hampton helped re charge my batteries this week. Our family did a "staycation" this summer as our travel funds were depleted by college expenses and a dwindling revenue stream. So we headed to the mountains of nearby Western Carolina for some R and R.

Cashier's North Carolina was our base of operations and we took full advantage of the outdoor activities the region has to offer.

Tim and I spent the first afternoon trout fishing on the Tuckasegee River near Culowhee, NC, Played a round of Golf at the High Hampton Inn Course and also went trout fishing on the Chattooga River (paddle faster, I hear banjo music).

A little time away from our regular routine gave us the break we needed to re charge our batteries.

Renowned as the "lowest density private Club community in the western North Carolina mountains," Balsam Mountain Preserve is an exquisite 4,400 acre piece of heaven on earth.

"In addition to all the wonders of nature, members enjoy a spectacular array of Club amenities, including Arnold Palmer signature golf, an Equestrian Center, hiking trails, stream fishing, soft surface tennis courts, a heated junior olympic pool, private family camping, and much more."

Approximately 40 highway minutes from downtown Asheville, and just 5 to 10 minutes from the charming "main street" towns of Waynesville and Sylva, you can live in the privacy and seclusion of a park-like community where every one of the 354 homes touches a portion of the 3,000 acre Preserve (comprising 70% of the community) that is protected for future generations in a permanent conservation easement.

To say I feel very fortunate to spend 4 hours horseback riding (you'll see the Thoroughbred owned by Scott that I rode in the video) Sunday afternoon, at elevations of 4,000 feet, with Balsam Mountain Preserve's resident horseman, Scott, is quite an understatement.

Cowboy Scott, Balsam Mountain Preserve’s resident horseman.

• Balsam Mountain Preserve Equestrian Center.
• Balsam Mountain Preserve’s Golf Course “Best New North Carolina Golf Course of 2009.” (Can you say Arnold Palmer?)

www.RickStrohm.com

Rick & Rick Strohm, Jr.

Ok so does this not seem like a GREAT time to be a homeowner? How about a 1st time home buyer?? Thought you might be interested in seeing some "National Homeownership" statictics:

• Nationally, the median existing-home price increase for all housing types from February to March was 4.2%, much higher than the typical 1.8% seasonal increase between those two months.
  
• The National Association of Home Builders recently announced that half of all U.S. households (55 million to be exact) can now afford to buy the median priced $200,000 new home. That's up 45% in the past 24 months!
  
• Home-builder confidence was in "double digits" in April for the first time in 6 months.
  
• First-time homebuyer activity has surged. In March, first-time homebuyers accounted for 53% of transactions.
  
• The average price of a home in March 2009 has increased approximately 20% when compared to March 2000.
  

It's time we quit listening to the National News programs that keep talking about a "crisis" - and it's time to start acting! This is the prefect time to purchase a home - or - land here in the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina. The "smart" homebuyers are 'acting' now with national interest rates at an all-time low and $8,000 "down payment" at the closing table for 1st time homebuyers...it's no wonder our housing market is on the incline!

For more information just contact me - I'd be happy to share more fantastic news about our housing market with you.

Rick, Jr.

Tips for finding luxury North Carolina Mountain Real Estate

Some tips for finding the best Luxury North Carolina Real Estate:
Before you travel, search the internet, look for design ideas on building your luxury mountain cabin or find the best luxury North Carolina mountain properties. Most luxury communities are located in the high elevation areas Cashiers, Lake Glenville and Highlands areas of NC

If you are looking for a pre-existing home, as you travel through the many mountain communities you'll notice there may not be any for sale signs as they are not allowed in most developments. You'll want to engage the services of a Buyer's Agent Realtor who will have access to the local MLS home searches. You probably will want to contact a Realtor in advance, as October is one of the busiest times of the year. Let them know what you are looking for so they will have time to prepare a list especially for you and your particular criteria.

About The Carolina Plateau Group....

The Carolina Plateau Group located in Cashiers, North Carolina is a developer sales, marketing and real estate team specializing in large tracks of land, new developments and investment properties and second homes.

We use the latest blog computer technology to bring you the best daily entertainment, up to the minute news and real estate information on our top rated weblog.

We are focused on providing a full service experience for our clients before they get here, as well as when they arrive. From finding a rental home, to suggestions on restaurants and things to do in the area, as many of the best places are off the beaten path. Finding rentals can also be challenging, especially if you are staying less than 1 week.

There are many art festivals in the area, some of which feature the best blue grass music in Western North Carolina. If you are traveling to see the brilliant fall colors of the leaves changing don't forget your camera. Another big draw to the Cashiers, Highlands N.C. area are the many private and public golf courses.

For more information on Mountain Real Estate and Market Trends and please contact us at 828-226-8837 or send us an email

HOW CITIFIED ARE YOU ???

'a Funny thing happened...on the way to a sale.'

A fellow Realtor was showing property to some "City Folks", so she saved the best for last. ( As you are probably aware, here in the Western Carolina Mountains the water literally flows out of the rocks. Some of the most valuable property here is waterfall property with its calming, but visible and audible sounds. Folks just literally love to shut the whole world out with this sound; all levels, depending on the size of the creek and the fall itself.)

All homes, the agent said, are in your price range, but this one is unique from the others; as she was opening the front door, because of this.....(the sound of the waterfall was gently cycling through the walls. The agent opened the door to the porch overlooking the fall; with its magnificant beauty and sound). The husband was aghast and in awe simply admonished how nice that it was and beautiful to look at. The wife, looked at the agent in all seriousness and asked; "what time do they turn it off?"

HOW CITIFIED ARE YOU ???

Two news anchormen were reporting that a cow truck had a flat tire and had to unload; "Black and Gus", to change the tire, so to be aware if you were going to be on this section of the road. To slow way down. He continued that he didn't know how they could honestly tell which one was "Black" and which one was "Gus", as they were both black, but he guessed the farmer knew.

The second anchor man reading along the telepromter with his fellow anchor said more slowly; Black an Gus. Hmmm, Black An Gus. Hmm. Black Angus. Are you sure you don't mean "Black Angus" cows? Both anchormen roared with laughter as they buried their red faces and heads in the papers.