Currently, the High Country/Boone has 5,655 active listings as of November 4, 2009, these are all property types, but does not include businesses for sale. Active houses, condos, and town homes total 2,421. 910 properties have sold since January 1, 2009 with an average of 212 days on the market. Sold volumes since January 1, 2009 is $224,498,510 with an average sale price of $246,702 and average listing price of $277,830.
The number of homes that are for sale are 1,927, and 564 have sold this year. This excludes all condos, town homes, and manufactured homes. The average days on the market is 209 days with an average list price of $325,637 and an average selling price of $291,778.
COLDWELL BANKER HONORED BY J.D. POWER & ASSOCIATES!
Coldwell Banker was ranked as having the "Highest Overall Satisfaction for Home Sellers Among National Full Service Real Estate Firms" by JD Power & Assoc. in their 2009 Home Buyer/Seller Study.
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.
REALTORS URGE FIRST TIME BUYERS TO ACT QUICKLY, TAX CREDIT TO EXPIRE SOON (copied from RISMedia)
Realtors are encouraging those considering buying a home for the first time to act quickly, as there is very limited time to qualify for the $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit. As of August 1, there were only 121 days for first-time purchasers to take advantage of the credit. In order to qualify, the transaction must close before 11:59 p.m. on November 30, 2009.
Prospective buyers, particularly first-time buyers, should factor in the following steps that are typically involved in the purchase of real estate: shopping for and securing a mortgage, finding a Realtor, creating a list of preferable features for the home, searching for homes that fit that criteria, settling on a home, presenting an offer, obtaining a home inspection, shopping for homeowners insurance, and closing. Buyers should factor in extra time to allow for unforseen circumstances and any additional steps that may be necessary in their particular transaction.
HOME OWNERSHIP STILL PAYS (Copied from REALTOR Magazine, June 2009)
Many Americans have taken a hit to their home equity over the past couple of years, and some may wonder if it's really the smartest financial decision to own a home. Good news -- a recent analysis of Federal Reserve data by the National Association of Realtors shows the answer is yes.
In comparison with renters, home owners have much greater household wealth, says NAR's April commentary on the Fed's Survey of Consumer Finances. Owners' wealth exceeds that of renters by a factor of 50-to-1: a median of $205,200 versus a median of $4,200. The main wealth difference between the two is home equity, of course.
Times are tougher for home owners in a handful of economically struggling markets like Detroit and other parts of the industrial Midwest. In all 50 markets tracked by NAR, including hard-hit markets, households who've owned their home for 10, 15, and 20 years have uniformly enjoyed strong equity gains despite the recent downturn.
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.
