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November 21, 2023 As the CEO of the High Country Association of Realtors® and Multiple Listing Service (MLS), representing more than 800 members and 1,100 MLS subscribers, I felt it imperative to address the current legal landscape in our industry. While there are a number of cases being litigated across the country, none of which are in North Carolina or South Carolina, the outcome of these cases will negatively impact the consumer. By Cheryl Smith, Chief Executive Officer

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October 5, 2023 Welcome to October in the High Country, also known as the closest thing to heaven known to humans. It’s not just about pumpkin spice and sweater weather that accompany the dropping  temperatures. With the  leaves changing daily, every ride in sight of trees is a burst of glorious color that is different with every single trip. There is a golden quality to the light that kisses these slightly shorter days but it only lasts such a short time. By Karen Cleghorn, REALTOR

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September 7, 2023 The official, astronomical end of summer isn’t until Saturday, September 23, though the meteorlogical  summer ended August 31. While the mercury is still spending a lot of its time in the upper range of the thermometer, pumpkin spice has hit the coffee shops and if you look you will notice the leaves are beginning to change. We are 2/3 of the way through 2023 and it won’t be long before the temperature is dropping and the leaves are  displaying their most glorious season of splendor. By Sandi Dascoulias, REALTOR

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August 31, 2023 When most people think about “The American Dream,” homeownership is always a major component of that dream. But purchasing a home is just the first step of homeownership. Homeownership is a living investment, not a static one. It’s more than just making your mortgage payment. Well, theoretically, a homeowner could simply make their mortgage payment (along with taxes, insurance and utilities) and still maintain their investment. Theoretically.   By Breanna McKay, REALTOR

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August 24, 2023 While we look at statistics at least once a month, occasionally we like to take a look at what we call a “snapshot” of the market. Looking at three different homes in different areas in similar price ranges and compare their characteristics. By Stephen Holland, REALTOR

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August 16, 2023 During July High Country Realtors® have been busy. There were 187 closed sales on residential properties for a combined worth of just over $103 million in the four county High Country Association of Realtors® area of Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, and Watauga Counties.

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July 6, 2023 Lead is a naturally occurring element in the earth. It’s symbol is Pb on the Periodic Table of Elements and it’s atomic number is 82. It is a soft metal, dense, yet malleable, ductile but corrosion resistant. Lead has a relatively low melting point making it an ideal metal for industrial and manufacturing uses.  By John Thomas, REALTOR

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May 11, 2023 Quoting Ed Gianos, Founder of Domus Analytics, he says concerning statistics across the country: “In short: it’s still a market that’s changing rapidly and can’t decide what direction it’s going. Inventory is increasing until it’s not. Prices are falling until they don’t. DOM is increasing until it isn’t. The increasing mortgage rate environment seemed to put a damper on things over the winter, but rates wiggled, prices are still increasing in some markets, and sales and closings are still happening. A good listing priced fairly will still sell. As we head into the traditionally busy summer selling season, it will be interesting to watch where the market moves.” 

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May 4, 2023 If the old saying about April showers bringing May flowers is true, May should be one blossom after another this year! With April done and dusted, let’s talk about the real estate numbers… There were 139 residential sales in the High Country in April with a volume of $74,714,772. List prices ranged from $59,950 to $3,750,000 with an average list price of $560,126 and median list price of $424,500. By Karen Cleghorn, Realtor

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April 13, 2023 Last time, Real Estate in the High Country looked at the sales numbers for the first quarter of 2023. This time, as promised, we’re going to be looking at more than just pricing statistics for the same time period. All data is courtesy of the High Country Association of REALTORS and the High Country Multiple Listing Service.  By Bill Aceto

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April 4, 2023 It’s hard to believe, but the first quarter of 2023 is already in the history books. Despite the rise in interest rates and general concern over the economy, real estate closings in the High Country from January to March were still fairly healthy, with a total volume of $274,145,344 reported to the High Country Association of REALTORSⓇ. By Tracy Simms

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