Jayne Williamson, REALTOR, Broker, GRI

The 63rd annual NC APPLE FESTIVAL HAD RECORD ATTENDANCE this past weekend in Hendersonville. The total numbers aren't in yet, but the feeling among the vendors was that the crowds were larger and their profits were bigger than in years past. Everything from home-churned apple ice cream to fried apple pies and caramel apples were offered up for sale. The streets were packed with vendors selling unique handmade crafts in between the apple grower's booths.

North Carolina ranks seventh in apple production in the United States and Henderson County produces the most. Hail, too much rain, frost and the spring freezes took a bite out of the apple crop. The yield this year is down about 40% but the apples overall are sweeter and bigger because of it.

The crowds enjoyed live music throughout the four-day event at the Historic Henderson County Courthouse that was completely renovated in recent years and is now a museum for all to enjoy. Downtown Hendersonville comes alive during the summer months with Music on Main and Monday Night Street Dances.

The rest of the year there are car shows, gallery strolls and antique shows as well as other events to bring people downtown. You never know who will show up. Even Elvis (Impersonators) occasionally visit to perform.

If you missed this year's NC Apple Festival, make plans to attend next year. It's held every year on Labor Day Weekend in downtown Hendersonville.

What was your favorite thing about this year's Apple Festival? Food? Music? Crafts?

Mountain Pie Company held their grand opening a few weeks ago and it was a roaring success! The name is new, as it was formerly known as The Front Porch Sweetery, but Merri Tyndall is still the owner and baker. See what they are all about here.

The menu is extensive for their breakfast selections and the pies and cakes are almost unlimited. If you don't see it on the list, just ask and Merri will magically come up with a recipe for you.

It's hard to imagine that there isn't anything that is already in the case that wouldn't appeal to you. From crepes to cookies, the ovens are cranking everyday...except on Mondays.

If you need a place for club meetings, birthday parties or tea; the Mountain Pie Company will be happy to accommodate your needs. For details click here.

Located at 3400 Asheville Highway, just North of Hendersonville, NC the Mountain Pie Company is expanding their selections with ice cream and music on the new outside deck.

Enjoy the mountain views from the new rear deck as you devour your pie, cake or ice cream.

For more information, to make a reservation or place an order, call 828-693-0501. You'll be glad you did!

I represent a number of LAND INVESTORS in a gated community where the lots were sold out in 2004 without any payments due until a year or so back. The underground utilities are in, the roads are paved and curbing is set; the onsite clubhouse with pool and spa are also in and one house has been built. The community consists of 70 Estate-Sized lots ranging from .87 acres to well over 4 acres with incredible mountain views located near an interstate, shopping and medical care. These lots were sold in a one-day event with lots of fanfare and special financing.

Since this was speculative buying there have been no improvements to the lots and some have gone into foreclosure and are now bank owned and back on the market. Only one lot has been sold in the past 2 years and it was for much less than the owner paid for it in 2004.

I am looking for some ways to move these lots. As of today there are 23 on the market for resale and I have 12 of them. They have been advertised in the MLS, Internet, Homes and Land and local newspaper ads. Still they are not moving, but last year land sales in Henderson County were down about 65-70% from 2007 and residential sales were down about 40%.

This area is a desirable retirement, relocation, and outdoor recreation area. We have a great quality of life here and close to metropolitan areas. The developer has filed bankruptcy.

Has anyone else run into this situation and were you able to market it successfully? I do appreciate the Active Rain Community! I have had the answers to many of my questions answered even before I knew the questions...thanks for sharing!

2008 ended with some out-of-state Buyers finding a house they loved and me writing an offer and submitting it to the listing agent. New Year's Eve was spent verbally negotiating the offer and finally settling on a few changes by 9 PM. Still time for ringing in 2009! After making the changes and getting with my clients before they left town on New Year's Day I emailed the offer to the listing agent. The earnest money check was safely locked in our office awaiting a signed contract.

A week later the offer appeared in my inbox...missing a few signatures on a couple of pages. I called the agent and asked that he get with the Sellers to have this signed off so that we would have a contract; he assured me he would. We had been having verbal communication on a regular basis up until this time. A week goes by and several voicemails still have not been returned. The agent has gone MISSING!

Frustrated that in this market I can't get a couple of pages back to firm up a contract and have a deal I call the BIC and explain that I am concerned that this agent has not returned my calls and want to make sure that the agent is okay and find out what the deal is. That's when the BIC drops the bomb...the listing agent owns the firm! Then the BIC assures me that the listing agent/owner will call me back. Another week goes by with no reply.

By this time I have pulled out most of my hair and am afraid to take my blood pressure reading as my Buyers and the earnest money check are still doing the limbo. What's a girl to do?????

I want to know if this is going on elsewhere or if this is an isolated case? What is the next step? I would love to hear your stories or suggestions.

The Blackwater Grille's Natural Rainbow Trout with Rosemary Honey Cream and Wild Mushrooms dish was not only a finalist last year in the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Best Dish in NC competeition, but received First Runner-Up on the Food Network's "Paula Deen Show."

This year's recipes include Blackberry Summer Salad and Hunter's Style Mountain Rabbit, topped off with Napoleon of Mountain Berry Ice Creams and Nut Cakes. The contest encourages restaurants to create flavorful dishes using local products.

Blackwater Grille is in the Laurel Park Village, 1.5 miles from downtown Hendersonville, NC on US Hwya 64 West. It specializes in Appalachian cuisine and casual dining. For more information, call 828-693-0856.