Tax time comes every year and it is nothing anyone looks forward to. It is always good to get a professional to help you navigate those taxes to get you the biggest deductions possible. We all work hard for our money and to be able to save even a little bit that tax bill feels great. “The U.S. Tax Code lets you deduct the interest you pay on your mortgage, your property taxes, and some of the costs involved in buying a home.” - REALTOR® Magazine

That’s just one great reason being a homeowner rocks!

When you Purchase a home you gain roughly about six percent equity in you home after the first year. “No more worrying about landlords, rent increases or the possibility your building will be sold and redeveloped. You’ll be in charge.” - homeadvisor.com Let’s take these worries and uncertainties off your plate by finding the home you’re looking for!

When you think of your ideal living room, do you think A - neutral zen or B - comfy cozy with your bestfriend? Which ever your style is make it your own. #thehelpfulagent #home #houseexpert #house #listreports #homeowner #realestate #realestateagent #thisorthat #homedecor #homestyle #decor #style #dog

It is important that when you are getting ready to list your home that you declutter it. You want to make your space pleasing to the buyers eyes and have it inviting as possible.  Buyers want to feel at home when they walk into a house. They want to imagine where all their furniture is going, where the can sit and enjoy their family or where their pets can play. Having great photos of your home makes a difference too. In the age of Covid it can also help having a virtual tour. People buy with their eyes first. If it looks good on line the buyers will be more intrigued to schedule a showing. Put some good intention into selling your home and in the end you will get top dollar.

In previous years most people selling their home would decide to *wait *until Spring or Summer when the tourist season ramps up in the Asheville area. 

Inventory is normally at its lowest point during the winter months as sellers would normally prefer to list before the Holiday season or wait until the weather is warmer. 

We are in a new *normal* these days in so many ways in WNC. As the past trends of waiting do not seem to be affecting the market in the Asheville area. The biggest problem we have is the low inventory. This can be a good thing for you as a seller but it does not mean that someone will overpay for your home. 

Make sure your home is listed with a great realtor who knows the market in the area your home is located.

There are so many factors in selling your home like accessibility, location, interior and exterior finishes these all make a difference when pricing your home and getting top dollar for it. Knowledge is power and having someone who is knowledgeable and up to speed on what is going on in the market is extremely valuable when listing your home for sale.

At the beginning of 2020 the housing market in Western N.C was incredibly strong...then the pandemic hit.  Every realtor in the area held  their breath wondering what was going to happen to the local market,  just praying the economy would not crash again. We rolled into the spring with a small dip in sales due to the fact many people were not traveling and as summer rolled around we were pleasantly surprised how strong the market was. This was due in part to the out-of-towners jumping on the bandwagon of the low interest rates and getting away from the more populated, bigger city life.

 Homes are getting snatched up as soon as they hit the market. It is so important to have an agent that watches the market and knows what is out there and really listens to what you are looking for.  BUYERS need to also understand that when homes hit some of these online sites they are usually already sold or under contract or been on the market longer than you think. Having an educated, savvy agent is ALWAYS your best bet as a buyer.

The market we are in continues to be a SELLERS market as our inventory in the area is extremely low causing an imbalance with supply and demand. Higher prices have caused a lot of local, hard working folks to buy out of the Asheville area as things are not as affordable as they used to be. Making Yancey and Madison County more affordable and in turn more desirable. Real Estate continues to be a great investment in the WNC area and as usual it is the best place to BE.

Christmas is over and for some of us its a big sigh of relief as the lights decorations get put away. Then there is always the question of what to do with that expensive Christmas tree dying in the corner of your living room. In years past we would use them for a New Years Eve bond fire on our friends property (To say the least the fires were massive and contained) while ringing in the New Year with some Holiday cheer. This year the majority of those gatherings are not happening...SIGH....

Why not do something generous for the birds and squirrels. You can use your tree as a little oasis for them by putting Fresh orange garland or string up whole peanuts and popcorn feed in the tree. Just did a hole and plop it in there for the little fellas. They will thank you for it as they store up food for the winter. (Just like the rest of us do after the Holiday Festivities) Hope you and yours had a very Merry Christmas. Cheers!

Happy Holidays from our Family here at Blue Ridge Properties Group to you and your loved ones. 

May the dawn of the New Year fill your heart with bright, hopeful days as you turn your dreams into a reality and your efforts into achievements.

Big Surprise! Christmas is creeping upon us. This year may seem a bit different for everyone. Getting through this last year has been challenging for everyone in one form or another, either physically, emotionally, or financially. Let's take this time and reflect not only on just our family, but the lives of all those individuals and family's in need. The best gift we could ever give ourselves is to give without any expectation of anything in return. To give out of LOVE and without judgment. You never know what a person or family has been through to get them to that point of needing help and most will not ask for help. We are ALL in this together, so let's come together as a community and help those in need. To quote a friend... "SEE a need FILL a need"

Any of the local food /book pantries that you see on the side of the road that local residents have graciously built. Fill those up as well.

Here is a small list of places that would love any donation to help out the local community need, or just  give to any of your favorite charities.

Thank you.

TOYS FOR TOTS**

https://asheville-nc.toysfortots.org/?nPageID=300&nPreviewInd=400&redirectInd=2

WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA AIDS PROJECT (WNPAP)**

https://wncap.org/merry-bright/

HAND ON ASHEVILLE-BUNCOMBE**

https://www.handsonasheville.org/need/detail/?need_id=153613

ELIADA**

http://www.eliada.org/get-engaged/giving/sponsor-a-child

If you are looking for something fun to do with the kiddos or the family. Go check out the spectacular Christmas Lights at the NC Arboretum in Asheville. 

Support your Local!!

Winter Lights at The N.C. Arboretum

November 20, 2020 – January 10, 2021

5:30 – 10:00 p.m. Nightly

Experience Asheville’s BRIGHTEST holiday tradition at Winter Lights at The North Carolina Arboretum. This year, guests are invited to take a dreamy ride through the Arboretum’s enchanted forest and attend Winter Lights safely within their own vehicles. In light of COVID-19, the Arboretum has converted its popular event into a drive-thru show with per-car ticketing, allowing guests to navigate through a one-mile stretch of the Arboretum’s campus and see unique exhibits covered in thousands of holiday lights. As the Arboretum’s largest fundraising event of the year, proceeds generated from Winter Lights will directly support the Arboretum’s mission-driven programming.