Rick Strohm

www.RickStrohm.com

Rick & Rick Strohm, Jr.

Ever wanted to know more about us? Well check out the YouTube link below - just click on the logo!

www.RickStrohm.com

Rick & Rick Strohm, Jr.

In the following blog posts I am going to "explore" the various town/cities in the Western North Carolina area. We always have clients/friends ask us "what towns are around you" - so I am going to start with Franklin, North Carolina.

Franklin, NC

With the possible exception of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Highway 64 near Franklin could be the most scenic route in the South. Once in Franklin, you will enjoy the museums, the kids will enjoy the Fun Factory, and everyone will love prospecting for precious rubies and sapphires. Wear work clothes - rock hounding can be a dirty, but rewarding adventure. While you are in the area, be sure to visit the Smoky Mountain Host Visitor's Center on Highway 441 South. The center has books, maps, gifts and other items to make your Smoky Mountain vacation as relaxing or exciting as you wish.

If you would like to know more information about Franklin, NC - just contact me.

Rick, Jr.

www.RickStrohm.com

Rick & Rick Strohm, Jr.

State of the Economy

After home prices have dropped for the past three years, they appear to be stabilizing. The National 'median' home price today is roughly $169,000, which is down almost 14% from a year ago and an estimated 30% from its peak. It is safe to say that we have reached the point where prices are justified by the fundamentals of the economy and may even represent an undervaluation.

Foreclosures and short sales comprise about 50% of transactions today, creating market distortions in otherwise stable neighborhoods. In determining valuations, we are capturing only transaction prices, and prices of those properties might be 20% below values of other homes.

For that reason, it's possible that widely cited projections that a third or more of home owners are "underwater" might be off the mark. The consequences of these 'missed projections' are very significant. Lenders are shying away from refiancing mortgages of otherwise creditworthy households on the basis that their homes are underwater. By not making these loans, lenders are exacerbating the financial hardship faced by these households.

yet there are encouraging signs on the horizon. The First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit, which Congress improved two months ago by eliminating the repayment requirement and increasing the benefit to $8,000, is working. That credit, coupled with all-time-high housing affordability and continuing low interest rates, is leading to solid inventory improvements in most markets. Yet when we look only at homes in high-cost ares requiring "jumbo loans", the months' supply is in the stratosphere - almost 45.

Conclusion: It is clear that the challenge today is getting credit moving again for everyone. Until then, markets will continue to be distorted by the disproportionate number of short-sale and foreclosed homes for sale.

If you'd like to know more - contact me.

Rick, Jr.

Source: Lawrence Yun - Cheif economist of the National Association of Realtors

www.RickStrohm.com

Rick & Rick Strohm, Jr.

I'm going to be writing this "post" to share some of the outdoor hiking trails that you can find right in our backyard - The Great Smoky Mountain National Park. To journey high above the fertile valleys you can hike, ride or bike, your way up to mountain ridges and get eye-to-eye with seemingly endless rows of mountains.

There are hundreds of miles of trails in the Smokies, including the mother of all trails - the Appalachian Trail. We get asked all the time, "Hey where are some of the best trails to hike in the area?" In response to that questions...you will find some of the most popular trails listed below:

• The Appalachian Trail to Charlie's Bunion - 4 miles - Moderate / Difficult
  • Trailhead: Newfound Gap parking area. This 4-mile stretch offers spectacular views of the Smokies.

• The Appalachian Trail to Wesser Bald - 2 miles - Moderate
  • Trailhead: Wesser Gap. This senic portion of the Appalachian trail is perfect for day hikes.

• Bartram Trail - 37.7 miles - Easy
  
  • Trailhead: The trail enters North Carolina just south of Highlands near Rabun Bald and joins the Appalachian Trail at two points. The trail ends on Cheoah Bald.

• Big Indian Horse Trail - 8 miles - Moderate / Difficult / Horseback / Fishing
  • Trailhead: Big Indian Creek. The Standing Indian Recreation Area west of Franklin offers many excellent hiking trails and lies in close proximity to the Appalachian Trail. The Big Indian Trail is designated for both horseback riding and hiking, and there is a horse camp close by at Hurricane Creek.

• Big Snowbird Trail - 12.7 miles - Difficult / Fishing
  • Trailhead: Big Snowbird Road. The first 4 miles are recommended for day hikes.

• Fires Creek Area Trails - 0.3 to 5.4 miles - Easy / Moderate / Difficult / Horseback / Fishing
  • Trailhead: Fires Creek Recreation Area. Offers a number of excellent trails, including a designated horseback trail and horse camp. Cover Loop is an easy 0.3-mile trail that is handicap accessible. Other popular foot trails include Leatherwood Loop Trail (0.7 mile), Leatherwood Branch Trail (3.5 miles) and Cover Trail, which follows Fires Creek for approximately 5 miles.

• Jackrabbit Mountain Trail - 2.5 miles - Easy / Fishing
  • Trailhead: Jackrabbit Recreation Area. Trail offers an excellent view of Lake Chatuge and provides lake fishing access as well.

• Joyce Kilmer Memorial Trail - 2 miles - Easy
  • Trailhead: Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest parking lot. Joyce Kilmer Forest, the last remnant of virgin forest in the Southern Appalachians, offers a spectacular 2-mile loop trail.

• Mallonee Trail - 5 miles - Easy / Fishing / Wheelchair Access
  • Trailhead: Balsam Lake Recreation Area. The Mallonee Trail provides barrier free access, with three wheelchair-accessible fishing platforms located along the trail.

• Maple Springs Observation Point - 800 feet - Easy / Wheelchair Access
  • Trailhead: Maple Springs Observation Area. Maple Springs offers an unparalleled view of the Smokies, especially during the fall color season.

• Mountains-to-Sea Trail - 8.75 miles - Difficult / Cycling / Horseback / ATV
  • Trailhead: Old Bald Ridge on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Highland's portion of North Carolina's Mountains-to-Sea Trail traverses breathtaking stands of old-growth forest and plenty of wildlife.

• Whiteside Mountain Trail - 2 miles - Moderate
  • Trailhead: Whiteside Mountain parking area. The loop trail features a view of the highest vertical drop in the Eastern U.S. at 750 feet. Sheer rock faces are popular for rock climbing and rappelling.

• Yellow Montain Trail - 4.8 miles - Difficult
  • Trailhead: Buck Creek Road (SR 1538). Traverse three of Highland's most scenic mountains. Beautiful views and a diversity of plant life.

If you want to know more...you know the drill...just contact me!

Rick, Jr.

www.RickStrohm.com

Rick & Rick Strohm, Jr.

So you ask...what is "The Dragon"? If you are a motorcyclists and/or sports car enthusiast you will want to read the following!

Riders and drivers from around the country come to the Great Smoky Mountains for the great riding climate and the endless ribbon of winding country roads. And, a must-ride for any motorcyclist is "The Dragon".

Officially known as Highway 129, The Dragon has 318 curves in just 11 miles. The adventure begins at Deal's Gap near Robbinsville, NC, and offers sections like "Little Whip," "The Slide" and "The Gravity Cavity", to name a few.

When you're ready for the ride of your lifetime, The Dragon awaits. If you want to know more - just contact me!

Rick, Jr.