Blowing Rock Real Estate-Boone Real Estate-Meris Gantt-Buyer's Agent

Numbers, Numbers, Numbers...I've never been a math person but the more I run the numbers for different aspects of the market the more I actually find it addictive. There is so much value in analyzing the facts now when most people are wading in a sea of vast generalities pertaining to the real estate market. Now that I'm really looking at the stats I don't know how I ever spoke intelligently about the market before now.

Last month in my Market Report I predicted that this years May would start to break away from May 2009. Up until now, the early part of 2009 has followed in early 2008's footsteps across the board. It's looking like this is still very much the case. That isn't the end of the world since Boone and Blowing Rock are resort areas and therefore our market hasn't taken as big of a hit as other areas. We've slowed but stayed relatively steady through out the whole downturn.

May 2008 saw 54 home sales while this May saw only 33. I was surprised by these numbers because to me it feels like there is a lot more buyer traffic this year but I think we're just going to have to see how the rest of the summer plays out. I am still very optimistic. We only saw a slight increase in days on the market when comparing the two years and also only a slight bump this year in the percentage of list price that homes sold for (93% May 08 and 92% May 09)

I decided to focus mainly on what price ranges were selling as seen in the charts below. The under 300k range overwhelmingly takes the lead on both, followed by the 300k-600k range. I'm sure that this comes as no surprise but it puts things into perspective when you see the percentages mapped out.

I hope that this helps demystify the current real estate market in the "High Country". Please feel free to contact me directly for more detailed information. Also, if you're on Facebook, I've created a Blowing Rock Real Estate page where I add market updates and things going on in the area if you become a "fan".

Thanks for reading!

(This article is copied with permission from Scott Nicholson of the Mountain Times)

Sections of U.S. 321 will be closed Mondays
Motorists traveling off the mountain toward Lenoir and Hickory will need to steer clear of U.S. 321 on Monday nights.
The N.C. Department of Transportation is adding another closure to help with blasting for the widening project. The additional closure will be on Monday nights between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m., beginning on June 1.
The regular closures, taking place from from 12 noon to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, will continue, though NCDOT engineer Lee Hammer said the Monday-night closings may reduce the number of Tuesday closings as crews will be able to blast and remove larger sections of rock with the expanded window of time.
“The one good thing about this is they should be able to pull off a much larger blast, which should move the project along faster,” Hammer said.
The complete project is already more than half a year late. The $64 million widening of a 6.6-mile section from Caldwell County to Blackberry Road was due to be completed by Aug. 15, 2008. It is currently about 80 percent complete, according to Hammer. He anticipates the Monday-night closing will remain in place for at least several months.
The detour from the Boone area follows U.S. 421 to Wilkes County and then detours west on N.C. 18 to Lenoir, reconnecting with U.S. 321.
The third phase of the road widening, originally scheduled to start in 2008, was delayed because of a lack of funds. The right-of-way acquisition is under way in Blowing Rock, with the contract scheduled to be granted in October 2010.
The U.S. 321 widening through the Green Park historic district will be a narrower four-laned highway with no median, while the route near the town of Blowing Rock will include sidewalks, medians and other amenities.
The right-of-way acquisition is under way in Blowing Rock for the third phase of the widening, with the contract scheduled to be granted in October 2010. Pettyjohn said the right-of-way purchases had stalled due to lack of funding.
The route will run from Blackberry Road to Possum Hollow Road near the Tanger Outlet Shoppes on the Parkway. The final 4.3-mile section of the widening project through the town will cost about $46 million.

Our office went on a caravan yesterday and I couldn't resist posting pictures of these really cute homes in the Blowing Rock Area. Everything has just turned really green here, it's the best time of year to take pictures. (Except October of course when all of the leaves change).

Enjoy...

Thanks to my sister Melissa for snapping a few photos for me. I meant to go to Grandfather Mountain in April because it only costs a dollar but every day I was planning on going it rained! Anyway, here are a few pictures. Everything is really starting to green up FINALLY. I really do think that the beginning of spring is my favorite time of the year up here in the high country.

On another note the real estate market is really picking up as well. I need to sit down and do a full market report comparing this year so far to last year from Janurary to May just to see the different but home sales are up around 30% from March this year. I think that a lot of people are sick of waiting and ready to jump in while the market is still soft...at least that's the vibe I've gotten lately from prospective buyers...lets hope!

Enjoy Spring everyone!

1. Have a tall margarita on the deck at Canyons and watch the sunset - best view in the "High Country".

2. Walk downtown Blowing Rock and check out all of the unique shops. While you're there spring for some ice cream at Kilwin's.

3. Catch a play by the Blowing Rock Stage Company at the Hayes Performing Arts Center. Many times they have traveling acts as well (music, comedy, dance etc.) Always worthwhile and the venue is beautiful.

4. Go fishing at Grandfather Trout Farm. Rods are provided and bait and tackle are free! You only pay for what you catch... and they'll even clean 'em for ya. Can't beat that!

5. Go tubing. There are several local outfitters that will set you up, drop you off and pick you up. It's a great way to relax on a sunny day. We always put in on the New River in Todd but there are several other runs as well...depending on how high the water is.

6. Hike around Bass Lake. There's a nice flat walking loop around the lake that's .8 miles. There are also other trails to take once you get there.

7. If you want to make it a nice half day trip. Hike from Bass lake up to Moses Cone Manor. You can tour the 13,000 square foot estate and check out the Parkway Craft Center that has found its home there. (Moses Cone was a "prosperous textile entrepreneur, conservationist, and philanthropist"...in a nutshell). If you want to drive up to the home instead of walking it's mile post 194.1 off of the Parkway.

8. Go to the original Mast General Store in Valle Crucis.

9. Grab lunch at the Ham Shoppe on the way there or back on the corner of 105 and Broadstone Road. Great sandwich shop with no frills overlooking the Watauga River.

10. Tweetsie Railroad - If you have kids it's a no brainer. What's more fun than a "wild west" theme park. Tweetsie is open May-October.

11. After that, you'll want someone to watch the kids while you go out to eat at the Gamekeeper, a local and visitor favorite tucked away between Boone and Blowing Rock on Shulls Mill road. The eclectic mountain cuisine on their seasonal menu has just about any kind of wild game you can think of. There are vegetarian selections as well. It's sure to be a dining experience that you will remember.

12. Scream Time Zip Line in Vilas...this one speaks for itself?

13. Go gem mining.

14. Check out Mystery Hill if you have kids...it's hard to explain so just go and see for yourself what the mystery is.

15. "The Blowing Rock" is definitely worth seeing. You pay six dollars for adults and one dollar for kids. They have trails and an observation deck...the view is really something to behold; I don't know where a better one is except maybe the top of Mt. Mitchell (highest peak east of the Mississippi).

16. The Dragonfly Theatre has movies for cheap, it's laid back seating, and you can order beer and food. They sometimes have kids movies during the day.

17. If you're really getting desperate and it's a rainy day, we do have a TJ Maxx in Boone now (behind the mall). You could browse around there for deals or hit up Shoppes on the Parkway outlet mall located on 321 as you're coming into Blowing Rock (from Boone).

18. On the other hand if it's a nice day just cruise the Blue Ridge Parkway. There are plenty of places to pull off and have a picnic. Go to the Blowing Rock Market for a deli sandwich and a bottle of wine.

19. Take the Parkway North towards Sparta and tour the Omni Cattle farm located between mile markers 264 and 265. I don't particularly love cows but these Highland Cattle are so awesome. Go to their site and click on their pictures. They would be more than happy to give you a tour if you call ahead.

20. Another no brainer is Grandfather Mountain. The famous Mile High Bridge, Hiking Trails, and small zoo make this a perfect way to spend a day. If you go in April (with someone who lives here) it's only one dollar.

21. Walk dogs at the Watauga County Humane Society. Fun for the kids, fun for the dogs.

22. Buy a cheep fishing rod and go throw a line in one of our many streams. You can also plan a guided tour. Make sure you check the regulations on the NC Wildlife Website and have a current fishing license.

23. Appalachian State always has cultural events going on as well from student concerts and plays to acts that they bring in like symphony's and dance concerts.

24. If it's football season, definitely go see a football game. ASU fell short this past season the 3 years before, they were the National champs!

25. If you want to play golf, the Boone Golf Club is open to the public.

26. Boone Bowling

27. Bo's right down the mountain in Lenoir has food, an arcade, bowling, pool...and drinks. Brand new nice clean facility, I highly recommend it. (20 or 25 minutes from Blowing Rock).

28. The Library and the Children's Playhouse in Boone always have fun things to do with kids.

29. Art in the Park in the summers is always fun in Blowing Rock if you don't mind the crowd.

30. I know I'm writing a lot about food and drinks, but my absolute favorite place to eat in Blowing Rock is Bistro Roca. It's tucked away on a side street...get directions, but you can't beat the atmosphere. They have a unique menu with a wide range of selections and pricing. You can go all out with their unique entrees or just get a personal wood fired oven pizza and a salad. Whatever is on special is always good.

31. There's a disc golf course in West Jefferson. If you don't have discs of your own, you really just need a putter, mid-range and driver to get started. Get them new or used at Play it Again Sports in Boone off of Howard Street.

32. In the winter go skiing or snowboarding at Sugar, Beech or Appalachian Ski Mountain. If you're clumsy like me you might be better off snow tubing at Hawksnest snow tubing park in Seven Devils.

33. Go horseback riding.

34. If you aren't scared of heights climb the Footsloggers Tower outside of their store in Boone. If you don't like heights, get some coffee at Espresso News next door and watch your friends climb...best coffee in town in my opinion.

35. My favorite place for lunch in Boone - Reid's Cafe. It's a small, intimate gourmet deli with local/organic fare. It's reasonably priced with great cappuccino's and an even better beer and wine selections. I'm not much of a desert person but their home made deserts are to die for! The historic building formerly known as the "Old Jailhouse" is located on Water Street downtown.

36. Watauga Lake is located about 40 minutes from Boone just over the Tennessee line. There are a wide range of water activities to choose from at one of their many marinas.

37. In the summer's there's free music on the lawn of the Jones House downtown Boone.

38. Horn in the West - (an outdoor drama put on by locals and equity talent in the summer).

39. Daniel Boone Inn... It's like dinner at your Grandma's house on a Sunday. I'm not going to say any more about it, just go eat there!

40. Woodlands BBQ. Picnic tables, live music, good BBQ also a kids menu. Try the house wings! For an entree I never get anything other than the chop pork plate with double slaw, fries and fried okra. (Full bar as well).

41. I hear the Tapas bar (Zudza's) in Banner Elk is absolutely amazing but I can't get my husband to go with me. He's just not a mini servings kind of guy.

42. Another fine dining option in Banner Elk is the Louisiana Purchase. Cajun/Americana theme dishes and one of the largest wine lists in North Carolina. Seasonal menu and lots of local food included in the dishes (at least the last time I went).

43. The Lee's McRae Performing Arts Department does fantastic summer stock musicals. Check their site to see what's coming up.

44. Canoeing or Kayaking is a great way to spend a day in the summer. Wahoo's does guided tours for this as well as white water rafting.

45. Boone Saloon and Canyons are great places to see live music on the weekends. Stick to Canyons if you want a slightly older crowd.

46. Can't forget to mention "Taco Tuesdays" at Boone Saloon. $1.25 beef, chicken or veggie burger taco's and a great beer selection.

47. Go caving. I'm too scared to so let me know how it is.

48. Westglow spa if you want to relax and get a facial/massage etc.

49. Drive up to Howard's Knob in Boone. (If you go past Earthfare on King Street make a right onto Cherry Street and you should see signs. Amazing view of the city.

50. Browse around at the local Subaru dealership on 105 extension to find your mountain dream car...everybody has one... lol.

51. The general store in Todd (out hwy 194 from Boone) has live Bluegrass music on Saturdays in the summer.

52. On a hot day, jump in a swimming hole. There are two good ones, the first is down from the 105 Dam and the other is called "Snake Pit" out towards Tennessee. Click on this link for directions to both.

53. I almost forgot, my favorite place for gifts and fun home accessories is Neaco's in Downtown Blowing Rock.

54. The Glen Burney Fall's trail is definitely a moderate to strenuous but there's a big payoff at the end. The trail starts downtown Blowing Rock.

55. Jimmy Smith Park in Boone...watch this video on it.

56. For a night in, you can get movies for a dollar at any of the Red Boxes in town. (Lowe's Food, Ingle's and Harris Teeter all have them).

57. Julian Price Park has trails, camping and canoeing and it's just outside of Blowing Rock down hwy 221.

58. Linville Gorge has mountain biking, camping, hiking and backpacking trails and waterfalls.

60. Grandfather mountain profile trail. From what I understand if you do the whole trail it's moderate to strenuous and takes about 5 hours but you can also just do the beginning section if you want a more leisurely hike.

61. If you don't mind getting really far off the beaten path there's a state off roading park in Collettesville.

62. Fun N' Wheels off of 105 in Boone has go carts, bumper cars and an arcade.

63. Boone has several different city parks each with different amenities.

64. See a concert at the Convocation Center at ASU. They bring in big names such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, Willie Nelson and Charlie Daniels.

65.The park in downtown Blowing Rock also has tennis and basketball courts and a mini rock wall, jungle gym and swing sets for the kids.

66. Paint your own pottery at Paint Your Wings in Boone at New Market Center.

67. Finally, if you're thinking about moving here or buying a second home, give me a call or check out my website and email me. I'd love to show you around the area!

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