Currently, the High Country/Boone has 5,487 active listings as of December 2, 2009, these are all property types, but does not include businesses for sale. Active houses, condos, and town homes total 2,294. 1,005 properties have sold since January 1, 2009 with an average of 219 days on the market. Sold volumes since January 1, 2009 is $247,492,766 with an average sale price of $246,261 and average listing price of $277,497.
The number of homes that are for sale are 1,814, and 564 have sold this year. This excludes all condos, town homes, and manufactured homes. The average days on the market is 215 days with an average list price of $327,026 and an average selling price of $292,465.
HOUSING TRENDS UPDATE: First-Time Homebuyers Help Drive Sales As Housing Market Continues to Stabilize (copied from Campbell Surveys)
In October the housing market continued to stabilize, according to respondents to the Campbell/Inside Mortgage Finance Monthly Survey of Real Estate Market Conditions. Real estate agent survey respondents reported increasing short sales, decreasing REO sales, and a rapid ramp-up in transactions by first time homebuyers.
First-time homebuyer demand for properties was strong in the month of October. First-time home buyers accounted for 47% of home purchase transactions in October, as compared to 42% in September Survey respondents reported that first-time homebuyer traffic- an indicator of future transactions- rose slightly in October while traffic for current homeowner traffic fell and investor traffic remained flat.
NATIONAL NEWS (copied from Realtor Report, NC Association of Realtors)
Bernanke: Housing in the Coming Year is Going to be a Relative Bright Spot
Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke put out a forecast last week that included some important observations on housing. Speaking to the Economic Club of New York, Bernanke predicted housing in the coming year will be a helpful driver of national economic growth.
Home Sales Rise to Highest Level in Over Two Years
Home sales surged for the second month in a row in October, climbing to the highest level in over two years as first-time home buyers rushed to take advantage of what was expected to be an expiring tax credit. Home sales nationwide are now up nearly 36% from their bottom in January.
IT'S FALL: TIME TO PREPARE YOUR HOME FOR WINTER (copied from Old Republic Home Protection)
Fall maintenance is important because it helps make homes more energy efficient during the winter months, and will safeguard homes against potential seasonal 'disasters' such as leaking roofs or home fires caused by neglected chimneys. Here are ten tips to a safer, warmer winter.
Tip 1: Check the heating system. Check the filter, pilot light and burners in a system fueled by gas or oil. Fireplaces, boilers, water heaters, space heaters and wood burning stoves should also be serviced every year. Have the specialist inspecting your unit show you how to change the filter and then you should change it at least once every 2 months. Clean ducts in the heating system. Clean and vacuum dust from vents, baseboard heaters and cold air returns. Dust build-up in ducts is a major cause of indoor pollutants. Ducts should be professionally cleaned about every three years.
Tip 2: Have the chimney inspected by a qualified chimney professional. Chimneys should be checked and cleaned, if necessary, on an annual basis. If you are using a wood stove this season, be sure that the stovepipe was installed correctly according to the manufacturer's recommendations and local codes. If there is any doubt, a building inspector or fire official can determine whether the system is properly installed. If you have a chimney that will not be used, consider having it sealed shut.
Tip 3: Test fire alarms, smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, and vacuum out the dust. Batteries should be checked every six months to ensure that they're working.
Tip 4: Remove excess leaves and damaged branches from trees surrounding the house. Dead branches have the potential to break and fall, ruining roofs, decks, or vehicles and the possibly causing injuries to people.
Tip 5: Maintain gutters. Remove all debris that can slow or impede the ability of water to drain effectively from the roof. Trapped water can be destructive not only to the gutters themselves but to the adjoining roof as well. Make sure gutter water drains away from your home.
Tip 6: Inspect the roof. Look for damaged or loose shingles, gaps in the flashing at joints with siding, vents and flues, as well as damaged mortar around the chimney.
Tip 7: Inspect exterior walls, doors and windows. Check walls and window sills for damage such as cracks, gaps, loose or crumbling mortar, along with splitting and decaying wood. Caulk exterior joints around windows and doors, which helps keep the home weather tight and lower heating bills. Check windows and doors to make sure locks work properly and that they are in good condition. Clean tracks and lubricate hinges. Repair or replace any cracked windows.
Tip 8: Maintain steps and handrails. Repair broken steps and secure loose banisters and handrails. Broken steps can cause a dangerous fall. Similarly, a person slipping will grab a handrail for support.
Tip 9: Inspect the attic and basement or crawlspace. Insulate voids in the attic - the entire attic floor above a living space should be insulated with at least six inches of insulation, except around electrical fixtures such as recessed lights that aren't rated for contact with insulation. Damp basements and crawl spaces can become mold and mildew problems. Watch for leaks from your water heater, plumbing system and seeping rain water from the roof. Locate and maintain a clear access to your main water shut off valve. If you have a sump pump, test, clean and lubricate it.
Tip 10: Shut down sprinkler systems and outside faucets. Homeowners can shut down outside faucets, however weatherizing the underground sprinkler system is best performed by industry professionals who will flush the system before the cold sets in, preventing cracked pipes.
ASU RISES IN U.S. NEWS AND WORLD REPORT'S BEST COLLEGES RANKINGS (Copied from High Country Press 8/27/09 edition)
ASU rose to the No. 8 spot in the "Best Universities-Master's in the South" category in US News and World Report's 2010 America's Best Colleges Guide. ASU tied with Mercer University for the eigth-place ranking.
The univiersity also rose to third place in the magazine's rankings for the top public master-degree granting universities in the South.
CURB APPEAL MATTERS NOW MORE THAN EVER!
Realtors report that exterior remodeling projects return the most money as a percentage of cost. On a national level, wood deck additions and all types of siding replacements, upscale fiber cement, midrange vinyl, and upscale foam-backed vinyl - returned more than 80% of project costs upon resale. In addition to wood decks and siding, window replacements and kitchen remodels also returned a relatively high percentage of remodeling costs on a national basis. Also, bathroom remodels, while still a relatively good investment, do not return as high a percentage as in previous years.
If you would like more information on remodeling Cost vs Value visit www.REALTOR.org/realtormag
WHY SHOULD YOU USE A REALTOR WHEN BUYING OR SELLING YOUR NEXT PROPERTY?
"REALTORS have chosen to follow a code of ethics established by the National Association of Realtors in 1913. A realtor must be honest in all their dealings with both the public and fellow realtors. Buying or selling a home is one of the most important decisions you will ever face in your lifetime." I believe you deserve the best service from me, a highly trained professional. Make a right choice - work with Mary Rupp, a member of the Avery-Watauga Association of Realtors.
THE INTERNET HOME BUYER VS. THE TRADITIONAL HOME BUYER...
72% of all home buyers were internet home buyers in 2007. They spent 5.2 weeks looking for a home. 3.9 homes were visited by an internet home buyer. Specifically, women make or influence 91% of all home buying decisions.
Referral Request:
One of the greatest compliments I have receive from a satisfied customer is a referral. Do you know anyone with a real estate need?
If you are planning a visit to the mountains or would like a market analysis of you property, please give Mary a call at home or in the office.
ZIP Codes: 28607, 28604, 28605, 28694, 28692 Approximate Location Boundaries: Northwestern NC including Blue Ridge Parkway into West Jefferson, Todd , Trade and Mountain City, TN
Location Characteristics: Mountainous, Home of Appalachian State University I-AA divison football champions; small towns with general stores, lots of outdoor activies, cultural events and family fun.
About Mary Rupp:
I am the most helpful and active realtor in the northwest corner of North Carolina! I have been involved in real estate here in Boone,Banner Elk, Seven Devils, & Blowing Rock since since 1986. I also have a Tennessee license and serve the Mountain City area. Many of my customers want cheaper properties and this is definately an excellent choice if they are living on a fixed income and like warmer Winters and Summers. I have a great understanding and patience with people and will go out of my way to give the best of service and advice. I have always been associated with Appalachian State University since my husband was formerly Dean of the Graduate School and later taught in the ASU English Dept. I am active with Appalachian Summer and this event is considered one of the Top 20 Events in the Southeast. So much happens during the Winter. The ski resorts are now open. Winter has arrived & we have snow covered mountains.Come and visit. While here call me. You can expect me to Exceed your Expectations!
These reports reflect the views and opinions of their authors and are not necessarily the views and opinions of Realty Times.
