Tina Cone\'s Blog

Foreclosures in the Highland/Cashiers Mountains of NC

tinacone — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 19:43:08 +0000

I am very thankful that there have only been a few homes and a couple of lots that have been foreclosed on in our area. This is good for many reasons. First and foremost, the values of our properties are not seeing the decrease that is experienced in an area flooded with foreclosures. Our average sales price for the past 12 months was down 10% from the previous 12 months which is not bad considering we are in a shifted market. As a listing agent, I’m also glad for my Sellers. While I have had a few that were struggling, most are in a position to ride out the storm. There are 6 homes currently on the market that are bank owned ranging in price from $275,900 – $1,100,000. Several are in gated communities and are one of the best buys out there. There is also two lots available. Both are located in gated communities, are 3-5 acres and at least one of them is priced well below value for the community it is in. If you would like a list of these properties, email us at CarolinaConeTeam.com and we would be happy to send it to you.

Trading Up in Sapphire Valley, NC

tinacone — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 16:14:39 +0000

In this market shift, Sellers and Buyers are getting creative. We have several Sellers who are willing to take properties on trade for their homes. Several of the homes we have available for this type of swap are brand new homes and others are well maintained. We have thousands of owners in our area that bought raw land with the idea of building their retirement cabin or a place to bring the kids for the summer, but life happens and for one reason or another they haven’t made that move yet. That is where these folks can make their dream a reality by trading the property they have in on a home that they can enjoy now. The interest rates are still low and the prices are still right. Houses range from $284,900 – $2,100,000. Every owner is different. Some don’t mind taking property that is not within our area on trade and others would prefer to take a lot that is in Sapphire Valley. If you would like to get a list of homes available or want to discuss how this all works, call Alan at 828-507-1522.

Have a great week!

Tina Cone

Keller Williams

Sapphire, Cashiers & Highlands, NC

Highland-Cashiers, NC 2009 State of the Market

tinacone — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 12:59:35 +0000

Kelly Jan. 2009

One of my New Year resolutions was to start posting a blog every week to give stats on the market with a dash of what makes our area so unique which is the laid back life style. Last week I reported the end of year figures for 2008 so this week I would like to catch you up on what the market looks like as of Monday January 19, 2009. First there has been 5 residential closing to date for 2009. We currently have 27 homes pending in which 5 of those are over $1,000,000, 6 are listed between the $600,000 – $995,000 and the other 16 are $599,000 and under. There are currently 10 vacant land parcels pending ranging in price from $17,500 up to $475,000 with no sales to date. There are 3 commercial pending and no closings. There is currently 6 Condo/Townhomes pending with no closing to date. We just put one of our residential listings under contract last week and have two verbal offers going back and forth between our clients on two other homes. We expect one of our lots to close this week. Real Estate is still moving in the mountains. Watch the interest rates this week as they usually trend down after Inaugurations. There are some great programs available for people who want to buy land and then build within a year. You can lock in the rate for residentialnow and still have the option to float down if rates go down before the home is completed. You only have to close once. I know of one beautiful view lot that is in a prestigious gated community that is priced well below value (bank owned) that would make the perfect investment to build your dream home on. So call Alan today for information 828-507-1522.

Now for our snow report……We are on the 7th snow of the season! I’m excited because when you grow up in Indiana and then live in Florida for years, you miss the seasons that the north offers. The mountains of North Carolina are the perfect balance. The snow usually last for about a day or two which is just enough time to slow things down to a crawl so you can enjoy the beauty that surrounds you. As you can see from the picture, Kelly (our dog) loves it too!

Tina Cone

2008 Market Data for Highlands/Cashiers, NC

tinacone — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 14:14:54 +0000

Residential Sales 2005- 2008 Vacant Land Sales 2005-2008

Looking at the charts, in 2008 there were 252 residential sales compared to 417 in 2007. The average sales price for residential in 2008 was $627,919 while in 2007 it was $702,012. So what does this tell us? First it indicates that the buyers are opting to purchase in a lower price range and secondly the buyers are getting deals on homes that would have been priced much higher in the past. Buyers are also getting more house for the buck. Don’t let the average price scare you, there are brand new homes in Sapphire Valley (just 5 minutes to Cashiers) that can be bought starting at $299,000. If you are not familiar with Sapphire Valley, you are missing it. It is my favorite place to sell real estate. The amenities it offers, the wooded subdivisions (and I mean wooded) with the mild restrictions help to keep the area looking pristine. With interest rates in the mid 4′s and prices at an all time low, it is a great time to be buying your second home in the mountains. While not every lender can offer the primary mortgage rate for a secondary home,we have one that can. So call Alan today at 828-507-1522 and he can get you started on owning your own piece of heaven!

Now for land sales. There were 132 units sold in 2008 compared to 341 in 2007. Can you say OUCH! The good news is if you are not ready to build your home yet but want to get in on today’s prices (ah you are very wise), you have the best selection of beautiful mountain property to choose from. Like to be in the valley because the roads intimidate you? No problem. There are plenty of lots averaging about a 1/2 acre to choose from and a good building lot at about 3200 elevation can be bought for just under $30,000. Perhaps you are all about views and privacy, then we have a perfect parcel for you at a cool elevation of 4200 with exceptional views over the valley for $249,000.

Just an FYI, we do have town-homes and commercial property as well which are preforming about the same.

Investors know that it is a great time to buy, so I’ll leave you with a quote from Warren Buffet “You want to be greedy when others are fearful. You want to be fearful when others are greedy.” So what are you waiting for???? Call Alan today 828-507-1522.

A big thanks to Earl Walker a fellow KW Agent for the market charts.

Hope to hear from you soon!

Tina Cone – Owner/Broker

Keller Williams Realty – Sapphire Valley, NC

Serving Highlands, Cashiers, Toxaway & Sapphire Valley

Fall in the Mountains of North Carolina

tinacone — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 19:08:13 +0000

This has been one of the most spectacular falls I have seen since we moved to the Cashiers/Highlands area 11 years ago. Just when I thought the color had peaked in mid October, it continued on into November! It made me think of the postcard above that I had sent out to all of my real estate clients a while back and made me realize just how lucky I am to have landed here. This in turn inspired me to start my blog which is something I have been meaning to do since February. So here I am writing my first blog and what I want to convey to my readers is just how wonderful it is to have a place here in the mountains where the scenery is always changing. Each season has its perks. Spring brings us the beautiful flowering Rhododenrums, Mountain Laurel and Flame Azaleas. Summer is the reason most people find our area. They are looking for a place to beat the heat and with our average temperatures reaching on average in the low 80′s, there is no complaints. Fall of course brings us the gorgeous colors and reminds us that God has truly blessed us. Winter if we are lucky will bring us about 10 snow falls which quickly melt away. The best part of all is that it refreshes the scenery bringing to our attention views that were before hidden by the leaves. Winter is the best time of the year to buy vacant land when you can see your view potential and how the property lies. This year is especially a great time to buy as vacant land sales have been down due to an influx of homes on the market. In the past 18 months, we have seen many buyers who would have normally bought a piece of land to build on choose to buy an existing home because it was cheaper than building. The tables have turned so to speak with many builders looking for work and land prices being competitive, it is a great time to buy and build or buy and hold. Prices won’t get any better than this. Visit our website below to view all of the area listings in Highlands, Cashiers, Sapphire Valley & Lake Toxaway area and get in on owning your own slice of heaven!

http://www.carolinaconeteam.com/

Tina Cone

The Carolina Cone Team

Keller Williams Realty

828-507-5777

Welcome to Tina Cone’s Blog!

tinacone — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 11:50:45 +0000

Welcome to Tina Cone’s Blog! This blog will provide you with valuable information, tips, and general insight into the real estate market in Sapphire.