Beaver Lake /Asheville, NC

Here is a little history of Beaver Lake in North Asheville** In the early 1900’s, prior to being Beaver Lake the pasture land was known as Baird Bottom which was used for grazing cattle. There was also a trolley service that carried people to and from the transfer station that was located near Grace's Church on Merrimon Ave. The trolley went from Asheville to Weaverville so the city dwellers could escape the busy life they were living in Asheville. As time went on( around 1923) the trolley rails and the pasture land were flooded when they made Beaver Lake Dam. Right around this same time Merrimon Ave. became part of the eastern branch of the Dixie Highway system which extended down towards Georgia and Florida. The Lake was turned into a hub for people to picnic and swim. With the mountains surrounding this Lake it was the perfect place to gather the family and cool off in the summer. 

The Lake today is not a place to swim, but with a permit you can kayak, paddle board ,canoe or walk your pup. The trail is fairly flat and it is approximately a 2 mile walk around the lake and through the woods. It’s  a great spot to play frisbee or picnic and catch the last rays of the sun going down. There are fees for boating, fishing and dog walking which are reasonable as these fees help maintain the trails and park area. (human walking is free)

On the Marshy side of the lake is the Bird Sanctuary. Its is about ⅜ of a mile of boardwalk within a 10 acre space. There are multiple sitting areas to bird watch or to just sit and ponder. When life feels a little crazy this area is a calm place to walk and clear your mind. Take care of yourself and enjoy every moment.

New Local joint NANIS has opened from the owners of CHAI PANI RESTAURANT GROUP AT at the Grove Arcade.

Serving delicious brined, rotisserie chicken rubbed with Spicewalla herbs de provence and for a spicer version their peri -peri blend spice. You can also get a choice of different sides with this bird that are worth writing home about. Order online and get it TO GO. This pandemic friendly local joint will not disappoint. The staff is professional and masked up ready to take you orders.  We are all in this together. Support LOCAL and don't forget to tip !!

https://www.nanischicken.com/

Preparing your house for winter is never on any ones to-do list. (Because it's so fun!) Most of us would rather be sipping on a big latte, eating our weight in Christmas cookies or eating stollen, prepared by our favorite German baker while watching the snow fall. But, the reality is that your favorite baker has moved and this list of things will save you a headache in the future if you do them.

Cold weather, ice, and snow can do serious damage to your home, unless you take the time to prepare it before the winter chill takes hold.

Here is a great checklist of things to do to keep your Home cozy for the months to come.

Insulate Windows

Winter drafts can drive up your energy bill — and detract from the cozy vibe you want inside your home when it’s cold outside — if your windows have any air leaks. But by reducing drafts you can lower your home’s energy costs by up to 20% per year, according to the U.S. Energy Department, while also making your living space more comfortable.

Here are five simple solutions that will allow you to insulate your windows quickly

1. V-seal weather stripping. Add this plastic weather stripping along the sides of the sashes. Windows can open and shut evenly with the V-seal in place. (Pro tip: Weather stripping also works wonders on doors.)

2. Rope caulk. This soft, sticky stuff can be molded to fill the gap — and the caulk removes easily at the end of the cold season.

3. Shrink film. Applied with double-sided tape, this clear plastic sheeting shrinks drum-tight when heated with a hair dryer. The film seals off drafts and captures an insulating buffer of air. Use rubbing alcohol to help release the tape in the spring to avoid stripping off any paint.

4. Nail polish. If carefully applied, clear polish fills the crack almost invisibly. Once hardened, it will stabilize the glass until you can replace it in the spring.

5. Draft snake. If the bottom of your window is letting in cold air, buy a foam-and-fabric draft snake kit. Cut the 36-inch foam tube provided to length and slip the washable cover over it. Then place the snake on the sill, and shut the window on to seal the deal.

Trim Tree Branches

The last thing you need is a winter storm losing the wrath of that mighty tree whose branches are angling over your roof. Not to mention, overhanding limbs can cause excess water to seep into cracks in your home’s roof or siding, which is why you want to make sure any tree limbs or branches surrounding your home are at least 3 feet away from the house.

Inspect Your Fireplace

A visual inspection, both inside and outside your home, can ensure that your wood-burning fireplace is in good shape for the burning season.

During an outdoor inspection, make sure:

• A chimney cap is present and in good condition.

• There is no bird nest or debris buildup on the cap.

• There are no tree limbs above or near the chimney.

• The mortar and bricks on the chimney aren’t crumbling or missing.

• The chimney rises at least 2 feet above where it exits the roof.

• The chimney crown — the sloping cement shoulders at the top of the chimney — is beveled, which helps air flow.

• The flue liner is visible above the chimney crown.

• The chimney is plumb and not leaning to one side or the other.·      

• The roof flashing is tight against the chimney.

Inside your home, confirm that:

• The flue damper opens, closes, and seals properly.

• There are no combustible materials, such as animal nests, or other foreign objects in the flue.

• The fireplace surround, hearth, and firebox have no cracked bricks or missing mortar.

If you spot any damage, order a professional fireplace and chimney inspection. .Gas fireplaces require less maintenance, but you should still:

• Inspect the glass doors for cracks or latch issues.

• Check that the gas logs are in the proper position.

• Turn gas off at the shut-off valve and test the igniter.

• Ignite the fire and look for clogged burner holes. If present, turn off gas and clear obstructions with a pin or needle.

• Check the Roof

You certainly don’t want to find out you have a leaky roof after the first snow hits. A roof inspection can help you spot any potential issues.

Work your way around your house, looking for these defects:

• Cracked caulk or rust spots on flashing.

• Shingles that are buckling, curling, or blistering.

• Missing or broken shingles.

• Cracked and worn rubber boots around vent pipes.

• Masses of moss and lichen, which could signal the roof is decaying underneath. Black algae stains are just cosmetic.

Some roofing fixes are easy to do yourself, such as repairing shingles or caulking flashing, if you’re comfortable working on a roof. If you’re not, you’ll want to consult a specialized roof inspector.

Clear Out Gutters and Downspouts

Clogged rain gutters or downspouts can damage your home’s foundation or cause ice dams, which can lead to expensive repairs. So, after the leaves have fallen, clean your gutters to remove leaves and twigs. Also, make sure the gutters aren’t sagging and trapping water, tighten gutter hangers and downspout brackets, and replace any worn or damaged materials.

Bundle up and enjoy the cold weather!!

Here are a few Thanksgiving day quotes to start off your HOLIDAY week!!

• “Thanksgiving is one of my favorite days of the year because it reminds us to give thanks and to count our blessings. Suddenly, so many things become so little when we realize how blessed and lucky we are.” -Joyce Giraud

• “The roots of all goodness lie in the soil of appreciation for goodness.” -Dalai Lama

• “Gratitude turns what we have into enough.” -Anonymous

• “I love Thanksgiving because it’s a holiday that is centered around food and family, two things that are of utmost importance to me.” -Marcus Samuelsson

• “Forever on Thanksgiving day the heart will find the pathway home.” -Wilbur D. Nesbit

• “Each day I am thankful for nights that turned into mornings, friends that turned into family, dreams that turned into reality and likes that turned into love. Most importantly though, I am thankful for you today and everyday.” -Anonymous

• “You are my pumpkin pie. I love you and am so thankful to have you in my life.” -Anonymous

• “Thanksgiving after all, is a word of action.” -W.J. Cameron

• “Thanksgiving Day is a jewel, to set in the hearts of honest men; but be careful that you do not take the day, and leave out the gratitude.” -E.P. Powell

• “Celebrate the happiness that friends are always giving, make everyday a holiday in which you celebrate just living.” – Amanda Bradley

• “Family isn’t always about the people in your life who are blood relations. It’s about the people in your life who want you to be in theirs. It’s about the people in your life who accept you for who you are, support you in the things you choose to do and no matter what, are there for you. It’s the people in your life who love you, respect you and who you can depend on. Now that’s family!” -Anonymous

• “We may not have it all together, but together we have it all.” -Anonymous

• “We have so much to be thankful for. One day a year hardly seems adequate…”-Anonymous

• “An optimist is a person who starts a new diet on Thanksgiving Day.”-Anonymous

As we all know the housing market ebbs and flows in Asheville and the surrounding areas . Right now it's a seller's dream to get top dollar for their home. For buyers it can be frustrating, from getting out bided to not being able to find anything that suits your needs. That perfect home seems like a dream to many. Remember to try to be flexible with what you really need in a home, as compared to what you want. You can't change the location of the home but you can update, add on or even build something new.

If you are serious about buying a home it is always best to get pre qualified first. Get your finances in order and pay off as much debt as possible before you try to get a loan. Your credit score and debt to income ratio all come into play when getting pre-approved for that dream home. 

Having a knowledgeable real estate broker that is on top of things hitting the market is a buyer's best bet. They will not only help you find that perfect home but also help you negotiate the best deal possible. It's a big deal buying a home and having someone you can trust makes a difference.

Give us a ring we would love to help.

The Smartest DIYers Know to Avoid These 6 Amateur Mistakes

The savings. The personal satisfaction. The increased resale value. Taking on your own kitchen remodel  can deliver countless financial and emotional perks, if done right. But done wrong, yikes! Poor-quality workmanship can easily decrease a home's value, earn your bragging rights and keep your home's value intact (and rising) by avoiding these telltale signs of DIY gone wrong:

#1 Gaps Around Cabinetry

Why it happens: Because homes aren't perfectly level. And when you hang cabinets to be level (which you should), that leaves gaps next to the wall.

How the pros do it: For a finished look, you have to go the extra mile, Fill the gap with wood shims. (If you've ever wedged anything under a table leg to stop it from rocking, you've used a shim. The same technique works here, except you can actually buy ones that work better than a folded napkin.) Then cover the shims with the same molding used in the rest of the room.

#2 Misplaced Light Fixtures

Why it happens: Whenever light fixtures don't line up over a sink or a kitchen island, that indicates a DIY job that wasn't well planned or often forget about lighting, or don't think about it soon enough to budget for it, then end up having to live with the old lighting.

#3 Cracked Floor Tiles

Why it happens: Usually because the subfloor is uneven or the underlayment is wrong. If the subfloor is uneven, or has too much "give," it leaves room for the rigid tile to crack and shift.

How the pros do it: They test to make sure the subfloor is level, then secure it to the floor joists, and then (this is crucial) install the appropriate underlayment for your specific tile type, such as a liquid one in the case of concrete or porcelain tile. Your tile supplier can help you figure that out. The key is to do it. It helps cushion against any unevenness that may happen as you use the floor.

#4 Sloppy Paint

Why it happens: Because inexperienced painters usually try to take shortcuts. Uneven transitions, paint on light switches, thinly veiled cracks, dents, and bumps. All are marks of a paint job that lacked proper preparation and cleanup.

How the pros do it: They spend more time prepping than they do actually painting:

• Repairing wall surfaces

• Removing outlet covers

• Covering light fixtures with plastic wrap

• Use masking tape to cover hardware

• Using painter's tape along the ceiling and molding

To get clean lines around the ceiling and molding, remove painter's tape before water-based paint has dried completely, then go back and touch-up any smudges.

#5 Poorly Spaced Tile

Why it happens: There's a good chance the design wasn't fully planned prior to ordering materials or beginning installation. Grout-filled gaps and oddly pieced-together tiles, whether on the edge of a backsplash or in a corner of the floor, are dead giveaways of novice work,

How the pros do it: Use grid paper to make sure the design covers all bases: include all obstacles, whether they be electrical outlets or door frames. Then, use this model to lay out your tile design, starting in the center. Then double-check your calculations and do a test run in an inconspicuous spot.

#6 Gaps Between the Floor and the Wall

Why it happens: The baseboard or shoe molding probably wasn't removed before adding the new floor, making it impossible to not have a gap, even if it's just a tiny one.

How the pros do it: Always remove any molding. Install new flooring so that it gets as close to your walls or cabinets as recommended by the manufacturer. Then install a baseboard or shoe molding to cover the wall and floor's meeting place.

When you are thinking of doing a remodel yourself, take your time .Slow and steady wins the race. Take pride in the work you do and you will get years of enjoyment out of the space you created.

We would love to help you find that perfect place.

Selling your home?

Selling a home is more complex than ever. You need an experienced real estate agent that can help you navigate the rapidly evolving real estate markets and help you overcome complicated regulations, contractual obligations and timelines that you will inevitably encounter throughout the process of selling your home.

We expect mortgage interest rates to remain low in 2020 and 2021 as a result of Coronavirus, housing inventories will likely remain constrained. If you need to sell your home, we would love to assist you in this process. Give us a call so we can do a free market analysis on your home. It's a sellers market right now, don't miss out on the perfect time to sell and get top dollar for your home!!

Now is a great time to consider cleaning out your closet. It's getting colder and with season changing so will your wardrobe. Take this opportunity to go through all the clothes that don't fit anymore, the sweaters with moth holes in them and shoes you haven't worn in years and let them go. You can pack up your summer clothing into bins with a cotton sheet in the bottom of it, this will help keep your favorite clothing fresh through the winter. Store them until late Spring, giving you more space for your winter attire. Also make sure you clean off those sandals and dirty flip flops before storing them as well.

Dust off those shelves and clear out the old cobwebs to make room for something new. You can even take it a step further and totally up fit your closet. If you're looking for a great local company https://www.facebook.com/WNCCabinetSolutions can help you with your organizational needs.

Organizing your closet will in turn help you organize your life. It's the little things we can do for ourselves that can make our lives better. As the saying goes.... Out with the old and in with the new. We can always improve and we can always be better!