Rich Cooke

According to the North Carolina Association of Realtors®, home sales may be down overall across the state, but Hendersonville experienced a 2% increase in home sales from the same time last year. The 110 Hendersonville homes sold in June 2009 was a 2% increase from June 2008 figures and was a 31% increase from sales figures in May 2009. The average cost for a Hendersonville home was $219,362 (down 17% from June 2008's average cost of $264,559).

In comparison, Asheville home sales were down 7% from the previous year (June 2009 showed 217 units sold, June 2008 showed 233 units sold). However, June 2009 sales were up 45% from May 2009 figures. The average cost for an Asheville home was 6% less than the same time last year ($266,883 in June 2008, $253,852 in June 2009).

What do these figures mean for you buyers out there? These low prices aren't going to last long. Asheville real estate already seems to be experiencing what may be a bottoming out of the market, with home sales only slightly down from the previous year and the average price being only slightly less as well. Hendersonville real estate is not too far behind, with its home sales almost exactly the same as the previous year and up significantly from the previous month. You don't want to miss out on owning your piece of the American dream. With the expiration of the $8,000 tax credit coming quickly upon us, now is definitely the time to buy. Contact me today to let me know how I can make your Hendersonville or Asheville homeownership dreams come true!

As I told you in my blog last week, Laurel Park was ranked #3 in the country for most affordable places to retire in the country. As Town Commissioner, I was privileged to be interviewed about this announcement by BlueRidgeNow.com. NeighborhoodScout.com, the company that compiled the list, scoured its database of over 61,000 communities and determined its most affordable places to retire in the country by comparing information gathered from the US Census Bureau, US Geological Service, FBI, Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight and the state and federal departments of education. They also compared the median house prices, amenities offered, beautiful surroundings and crime statistics. Laurel Park is a small town (with 1400 year-round residents and up to 2250 in the summer) and wants to keep the homey, small town feel. NeighborhoodScout.com realized what I have known all along. Laurel Park is a wonderful place to live and retire. So, if you are looking for a beautiful, safe, affordable place to retire, please contact me. I'll be happy to show you all that Laurel Park has to offer.

As a resident of Hendersonville, this comes as no surprise. But, now the rest of the country will know what I've known all along. Laurel Park has been named as one of the Best Affordable Places to Retire in the USA, according to NeighborhoodScout.com. This online resource for buyers and investors across the country ranked neighborhoods around the United States according to the median home value and cost of living as well as other factors and gave them a score from 1-100 (100 being best). With its beautiful surroundings in the Blue Ridge Mountains, mild climate and its median home value of $346,100, the Laurel Park neighborhood of Hendersonville, NC was given a high score of 95 out of 100. The only two neighborhoods in the country to surpass Laurel Park were Brecksville, OH (who scored a 97) and Englewood, FL (who scored a 98). So, don't take my word for it. Listen to NeighborhoodScout.com and see why Laurel Park and the Hendersonville area were named as one of the Best Affordable Places to Retire.

Today is back-to-school day for students of Bruce Drysdale Elementary School in Hendersonville, North Carolina, making it only the second school in Henderson County to utilize the year-round system. This makes the start of the school year only four weeks after the end of the previous school year. Rotating tracks will now have 3 months of school for every 1 month break instead of the traditional 9 months on and 3 months off. Both teachers and janitorial staff have worked feverishly to get the school ready for the new year during the shortened summer break. Luckily, many parents have volunteered to help as well, making the transition a little easier.

The reasoning behind having students on a year-round track instead of a traditional school year is so that students will retain more of what they learned over the previous year during the shortened time between studies. Many school districts across the country are beginning to see the benefits of having a year-round curriculum for their students as opposed to the traditional school year. Now, Hendersonville has joined them. This should help our Hendersonville students be more successful in their academic careers.

Hendersonville will be showing its patriotic pride on Saturday, July 4th, in celebration of the birth of our country. If you are a car enthusiast, head to Jackson Park from 2-9pm for the Fourth of July Cruise-in of antique cars sponsored by the Hendersonville Antique Car Club. While you're at Jackson Park, you can enjoy food, beach music by The Embers, crafts and fun for the kids. Just make sure to bring a chair. Jackson Park events will culminate in a fabulous fireworks display at dusk.

The Independence Day Parade will be held on Main Street at 11am, too. Don't miss it! I'll see you there.

Rich Cooke - The Cooke-Knapp Team, Keller Williams Realty - Mountain Partners