Presently used as a five bedroom home, the home has a lower level that can be used as a self-contained apartment.  The first level features a master suite and an open floor plan with large gathering rooms and a deck. 

Pristine mountain home in Montreat on the market.

 With the intercom/alarm systems and top of the line appliances, this uniquely built, half-log-construction home offers mountain simplicity with modern amenities on a gently sloping site. 

In addition to the visible external eco-friendly elements, this home also has a geothermal heating/cooling system that utilizes the property’s well water. In addition, the log-structure-enclosed generator provides power to selected appliances including the gas fireplace heater, ensuring that residents remain safe and secure in the event of a power loss.

To experience the special tranquility of this superior home, please contact Greybeard to arrange a showing. 

2010 was a bounceback year for the Montreat homes market.  Nine homes were sold throughout the year, compared to only 3 in 2009.  Such a number of homes sold had not been seen since 2007, before the downturn hit the area.  Even in the very peak of 2006, the number of homes sold was 9.

One reason for the increase in sales in 2010 may be the variety of options available to buyers.  After the stock market decline of 2008, many buyers remained on the sideline in 2009.  But since the stock market began to increase and other economic indicators normalized a bit, buyers began to re-enter the market.  And homes that had been on the market in 2009 were more ready to negotiate, as seen in the 2010 Sales/List Price ratio.

To see details and photos of all 9 sales in 2010, click here.

The Montreat land market may have also begun a turnaround.  Of course, Montreat’s land market is small, but 2010 saw as many sales as 2007 and 2008, and far more sales than in 2006.

Even with improved buyer confidence in 2010, there are still more homes and lots available at great prices.  To see the currenty inventory, use the links below.

1-Click Property Searches on Greybeard Realty’s Website

• Montreat – Homes for Sale

• Montreat Lots for Sale

Setrock Creek Falls in Black Mountain

For company founder Chip Craig the new website improves the service his company has striven to provide since its inception in 1999.  “We pride ourselves on being responsive to our clients, and we think this new website will give them more options and more information, which will make it even easier to choose the right rental home.”

Asheville NC Vacation Rental Homes

Greybeard Realty’s rental staff manages more than 150 vacation rental homes in Asheville and surrounding towns, and more than 100 long-term rentals in the Asheville area.  Amenity categories include pet-friendly homes, secluded homes, romantic homes, and homes with hot tubs.

Craig notes that his company just reached a milestone when they surpassed the 20,500^th reservation in their rental division.  A survey conducted of Greybeard’s rental guests last year indicated that 99% of them would recommend the company to their friends and family.  With the launching of the new website and the positive feedback from past renters, Craig predicts that the number of rental reservations will continue its steady increase.

Greybeard Realty is a full-service real estate company with 11 brokers and 6 guest service employees.  For more information on Greybeard Realty contact Chip Craig at 828-669-1072.

 

 

 

Beautiful Day at Lake Susan

Built in the 1920s and completely renovated in 2009, the Lancaster House boasts period charm with high ceilings, tall windows and vintage bead board.  With a new second floor and all new kitchen appliances, renters can experience a fresh, updated home that still has the mountain character they want. 

 Just a 10 minute walk from Lake Susan, this charming home sleeps 14.  In this home, you can quiet the everyday buzz of electronics and really enjoy the solitude of Montreat.   Contact us and we can give you more details on this and other rental homes from our extensive listings.

NC Mountain Views

Cooper Cottage represents old Montreat.  This charming, rustic home has a wonderful view of Big Piney Mountain, yet it is within walking distance of the Montreat Conference Center. This home sleeps 11.

Linton’s Mountain Top, perched high on a ridge overlooking Black Mountain, has views from all sides.  This 4,800 sq. ft. home features six bedrooms and five baths, making it an ideal home for large gatherings.  Just a five minute drive from Black Mountain, this wonderful home sleeps 18, and linens are provided.

For other homes with a mountain perspective, please contact us for more information.

Porch Rockin'

Log Cabins features an authentic log cabin and bunk house right in Montreat. The 100 year old main cabin has the porch and rockers. The smaller cabin has an efficiency kitchen. The two cabins combined sleep 13.

Ransford’s Roost, an updated colonial, offers plentiful natural lighting through its skylight and features a large stone fireplace. Its large front porch has rockers and a porch swing. There is also a stone patio with a picnic table and grill. This rental sleeps 14. For more information on these cabins or to hear about other rentals where you can rock and relax, please contact Greybeard.

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 days on the Market, hardly a number you would like to see going up.  Even the increase in homes sold, while positive, is fairly small.

If you compare the percent change from 2008/2007 and 2009/2008, however, I think you will see my point.  While the number of homes sold decreased dramatically in 2008, that number actually increased modestly in 2009.

In addition, if you compare Black Mountain homes sales with Buncombe County home sales for the year ending 2009, you will see that county-wide sales have actually fallen off 11%.  Again, that decline is not as steep county-wide as it was in 2008 (29%), but it is a negative number nonetheless.  The modest increase for Black Mountain illustrates to me that the housing market in our area is heading back in the right direction.

If you consider total sales volume for Black Mountain in 2009, you will see a decrease of 8% which on its own might be troubling. Compare that to the 39% decrease for 2008, and I believe you will see the reason for my optimism.  Also, compare Black Mountain sales volume for 2009 (-8%) with Buncombe County sales volume (-17%) for the same period which further illustrates my point.

An even more positive sign for the Black Mountain real estate market is the significant increase in sales for the latter half of 2009, indicating a marked improvement over the last sixth months.  In the last 6 months of 2009, total sales volume in Black Mountain was $16.3 million.  Contrast that with the $11 million during the same period of 2008; that’s a 48% increase in the last sixth months of 2009 versus the same period in 2008 which is a very positive sign.

There are still some pockets of concern. For example, the average home price of homes sold has declined 11% for the year.  I would anticipate, however, that with the reduction in the number of homes on the market, that figure will also begin to stabilize during 2010.

As usual when I reflect on the statistics I offer caution.  Yes, at first glance, it may look like there are more decreases than increases.  With a closer analysis, however,   I can glean some good news from less than positive numbers.

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The day kicks off with the Montreat Gait, a  5K race 7am at the Montreat Gate. The Parade begins at 10:30 and travels along Lookout Road, Assembly Drive and Assembly Circle.  Montreat’s own, Charlie Caldwell, is grand marshal for this year’s parade. Come early to find a great spot along the parade route.

A Barbecue lunch follows the parade. At 2:00, the Old Timers’ Softball game begins at Welch Field. Throughout the day there is Library Book sale at the L. Nelson Bell Library and free Boat Rides. The event wraps up with a Barn dance (by the post office).

Contact us for more about this sweet family event. For more photos and information, check out the Montreat Conference Center.

Montreat Real Estate Sales
While the national economy has impacted Montreat real estate sales, our mountain cove has been protected from most of the economic storm. Montreat Property continues to sell.

Click here for a complete list of closed home sales in the last 12 months.  Click here for the closed lot sales in the last 12 months.

For currently listed properties in Montreat, click for Montreat homes for sale and Montreat lots for sale.

Vista at Montreat
A must see when you are in Montreat. Only 3 lots remaining for sale. Located on Chapman Road off Lookout Road, Vista at Montreat has it all – lots that are 4 times the average Montreat lot, long distance views, easy to build on, water and sewer, close to Montreat Conference Center, and Rainbow trail passing through the property.

New Zoning Changes
Town of Montreat is implementing several new zoning ordinances that will impact the future of Montreat. It is very difficult to find the correct balance of preserving what we all love about Montreat and protecting individual property rights. Some of the changes include a Hillside Ordinance, Stormwater Ordinance, Open Space Conservation Plan, and utility (road, sewer, and water) requirements for building on lots.  For more information, visit the Town of Montreat.

Links to Montreat Information

• Town of Montreat
• Montreat Conference Center
• Montreat College
• Montreat Heritage Center
• Montreat Scottish Society

At first sight it is hard to see the opportunity in a difficult time, but more often than not we may find that it is the very time to reevaluate and make plans for the future. From the outset of the economic downturn, Greybeard Realty has intentionally used our time to do just that.

We are honing our website so that when we market your properties or you search for properties to buy, we are in the lead with user-friendly links for the seller and buyer.

One of our best characteristics is the personal service we offer buyers and sellers. We know that it is of utmost importance right now to give careful attention to our listings and to be creative in looking for the best options for our buyers. One way we do this is to communicate regularly with each other about properties we know about. And we are genuinely excited about the area we “sell.”

One of our buyers recently said, “Once again, you were so very helpful and so proud of your area it made us really not want to rule this place out.” We are seeing the results in the increase in market share that Greybeard Realty is experiencing.

In the first quarter of 2009, Greybeard Realty has sold 37% of the Black Mountain real estate market – up from 19% market share in 2008. 19% is the next largest of any other local firm.

If you include Montreat sales, Greybeard Realty accounts for 49% of the Black Mountain and Montreat real estate sales for the first quarter of 2009.

We hope you will take advantage of our “opportunity” in troubled times and make it yours as well. And give us your feedback…we want to hear from you!