Archive for February, 2010

Greybeard Realty experienced a 14 % increase in home sales volume for 2009.  That figure in itself is impressive, but when it is compared with area sales volume overall it becomes even more dramatic.

Home sales volume declined 17% in Buncombe County in 2009.  In Black Mountain, home sales volume fell 8% for the same period.

Greybeard Realty, Black Mountain, NC

For Greybeard founder Chip Craig, his company’s increase in sales volume directly links with his company’s focus on advanced technology and expertise.  He notes that nationally 87% of home buyers use the internet while searching for new homes.  In the last year, he has noticed a strong increase in web visits to the Greybeard website with 65% of his company’s web traffic coming from outside of North Carolina.

“Our web traffic is up 85% for 2009,” he says.  “In terms of page views, we are up 137% which means visitors are exploring more of our site.  We have done quite a bit of search engine optimization to ensure that our site appears at the top of Google and Bing (two heavily used search sites).”

Greybeard utilizes the internet to market itself through paid website banners and has increased this exposure in the last year while other companies have had to reduce advertising expenditures. (more…)

Among the spectacular view is Asheville: the Blue Ridge Parkway

Asheville is known as the Paris of the Southeast

Anyone with an Asheville cabin hoping to keep Asheville’s special appeal a secret will be disappointed to learn that the fall issue of Ideal Living magazine cited the city as one of the top five retirement cities in the United States.

The article describes Asheville as “the Paris of the Southeast” and points to its appeal to artists, adventurers and romantics alike.

It highlights the Biltmore Estates and the Biltmore Village, as expected, but it also covers the city’s commitment to going green.  In particular, it discusses the discounted building permits the city offers for LEED buildings as well as the effort underway for Caterpillar to retrofit city buses.  In addition, it covers market analysis of the area as well as the unique architecture within the city.

For more information on annual events in Asheville such as “Shindig on the Green”, an annual summer ritual, and to read the article firsthand, click on contents on Ideal Living, a digital magazine.

Last month I cited my father’s advice in saying “if you can’t say something nice then don’t say anything.”  This month, I would like to point to the wisdom of Albert Einstein when I say, when considering the annual numbers for homes sales for Black Mountain, just remember, “It’s all relative.”

A quick glance down the column of percent change for the annual home sale statistics for Black Mountain homes in 2009 (provided by MLS) would seem to indicate a slow market.  The largest positive percent change is in (more…)

For some people, simply choosing an Asheville cabin for a romantic getaway is just the beginning.  For people looking for the ultimate romantic experience, Guest Services of Greybeard Realty now has a romantic vacation package that assembles all the elements needed for the perfect escape.  (more…)

The ground hog predicts more winter, but Spring is showing some promise in the Asheville Real Estate Market (photo RomanticAsheville.com)

Punxsutawny Phil is not the only one making predictions and prognostications this time of year. Industry experts  have noted the trends within the Asheville real estate market of the last few months, and for these observers, the future appears to be one of improvement.

A recent front page article in the Asheville Citizens-Times cites a 50% increase in monthly home sales in Buncombe County for December, marking the fourth straight month of sales increases over the previous year.  The dramatic increase is tempered by the knowledge that the fall and early winter of 2008 were economically challenging times for the area.  The four month trend upward, however, indicates that the market appears to be headed in a better direction.

“All my graphs are starting to point in the right direction,” said Chip Craig, owner of GreyBeard Realty in Black Mountain. From Asheville Citzen Times

For the specific statistics and to read the whole article which includes more comments from Greybeard Realty founder, Chip Craig.

The View - A vacation rental in the Asheville Area with the most amazing views

Looking for spectacular Western North Carolina mountain views? The View has got exactly what the doctor ordered.

Come and enjoy the spectacular views from this breath-taking vacation home!  You’ll want to bring to bring your best friend, four-legged or biped, to this pet-friendly retreat.

This 3-bedroom, 2-bath log home is a great place to get together with friends and family and kick back and relax.

Amenities include air-conditioning, deck/porch, DVD player, TV, washer and dryer, cable, dishwasher, a grill for entertaining, and some of the most beautiful views in the area.

The view from the deck at The View - an exceptional vacation rental in the Asheville Area

Enough said. A picture is worth a thousand of them; you’ll be at a loss for them as you recline and take in the best view in the Asheville Area. Contact Greybeard for more.