With springtime emerging in Asheville, it’s time to focus on prepping your home’s outdoor spaces for maximum warm-weather enjoyment. Here are a few tips for outdoor cleaning, sprucing and setting up for spring.

Reseal exterior wood

Outdoor wood on areas such as decks, fences and railings should be stained and sealed regularly, especially ahead of the heavier use warm weather will bring. Doing so will ensure that the woodwork lasts longer and stays in better condition.

Clear gutters

Removing all of the leaves and other debris that have accumulated in your gutters and downspouts over the winter months is an important early step. Doing so helps to prevent damage from spring rains, protects wood trim from rot, and diverts rain properly so water doesn’t collect around your foundation.

Prep for yard care

Now is the time to sharpen mower blades, check sprinkler systems for leaks, and make sure other yard-care equipment is in working order. If you have perennials planted in your yard, sprinkle fertilizer, spread mulch and cut back dead growth in preparation for new blooms. If you’re looking to spruce up your patio, adding planters or hanging flower baskets is an easy and inexpensive way to welcome spring.

Clean or update outdoor furnishings

If you’ve got patio or deck chairs or couches, give them a good cleaning to remove debris that’s accumulated over the winter months. Toss removable cushion covers in the wash. If you’re looking to update or add outdoor furnishings, look for pieces that are weather proofed: Think aluminum, teak or specialty outdoor synthetics, including fabrics that are UV-protected. Add umbrellas or retractable awnings to create shady spots. 

Get ready to entertain

Warm weather invites backyard gatherings. To create the ideal outdoor entertainment spot, start by adding festive lighting: Consider string lights hung around a patio, or in-ground solar-powered lighting along pathways. Fire pits are easier than ever to install, and even come in smokeless designs. Al fresco dining can be enhanced with an outdoor grilling or cooking system.

For information about real estate in the Asheville area, connect with us at Info@MyMosaicRealty.com, or call anytime at 828-707-9556

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The North Carolina Arboretum is featuring “Thanks FLO: Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Frederick Law Olmsted,” coinciding with the 200th birthday of the “father of landscape architecture.” The indoor portion of the exhibit about the great mind behind both New York’s Central Park and the grounds at Asheville’s Biltmore House wrapped up in [...]

At the heart of Mosaic Realty is its commitment to supporting the many Asheville-area events and organizations that advocate for the vitality of our local and global community. Spring is an especially exciting time as community events around the region ramp up. Mosaic is proud to sponsor a range of spring events, from speaker series to [...]

The unincorporated community of Bat Cave, in Henderson County, boasts more than just a unique name. Sitting along the scenic banks of the Broad River within the Hickory Nut Gorge, the Bat Cave area is home to waterfalls, wineries, hiking trails – and of course the one-of-a-kind cave for which it’s famed.  

Located 22 miles southeast of Asheville, Bat Cave features the largest known granite fissure cave in the world, with the main cave chamber more than 300 feet long and 85 feet high. Although the cave, home to the endangered Indiana bat, is off limits to protect its inhabitants, the community offers plenty of nearby spots to explore. 

One-of-a-kind establishments in Bat Cave, NC

Eclectic shops, inns and restaurants are a hallmark of the Bat Cave area. Everything from apple-themed groceries to vintage and antique wares to unique knick knacks and gifts can be had in Bat Cave. A range of restaurants, cafes and breweries just a short drive away in Chimney Rock offers something for everyone.

Properties for sale in Bat Cave come in a variety of options: everything from rambling farmhouses to mountain cottages to wide open acreage for creating your dream home. The Henderson County Public Schools system has 23 schools in four districts, with the student population growing to over 13,500.

Bat Cave's popular nearby attractions

Just a short drive from Bat Cave is a number of popular attractions. The town of Chimney Rock, named for the large granite rock anchoring the eponymous state park, sits 2.7 miles from Bat Cave and features historic inns, delicious farm-fresh food, eclectic shops, and views for miles. Spend the morning kayaking the Rocky Broad River or exploring the state park, then enjoy an afternoon soaking in the old-time feel of Chimney Rock’s Main Street.

Lake Lure, 11 minutes from Bat Cave, offers many spots for enjoying the area’s beauty and natural features. Most prominent is, of course, the lake itself. Lake Lure beach, open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, is the perfect place for cooling off, with lifeguards, a water slide, and other fun water sports. You can also kayak, rent a boat, or take a tour boat. Hiking and mountain biking options are also plentiful in and around Lake Lure. 

For more information about real estate in Bat Cave, contact us at Info@MyMosaicRealty.com, or call us anytime at 828-707-9556.

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Whether you’re visiting the Asheville area for the first time, or you’re an Asheville resident looking to learn more about the city you call home, these tours will take your Asheville exploration to exciting new [...]

Creating storage solutions for your home is important for both efficiency and aesthetics. Thinking outside the box will allow you to utilize novel spaces, create built-ins, and incorporate dual-purpose furniture to keep things tucked away, with easy access for the items you use most. And in the end, organized storage helps you to wrangle clutter, saves you time looking for things, and can add to the beauty of your home. Start with these handy tips for creating more storage in your home. 

Built-ins – Permanently incorporating shelving, cabinets and the like into underutilized spots throughout your house is a great way to create added storage – and added value – to your home. For instance, an alcove is the ideal spot for integrating a built-in desk, either traditional seated, or standing, with room for drawers and shelves. Under-window cabinetry takes unused space and turns it practical, at the same time creating the opportunity for an interesting focal point. And a built-in mudroom bench with storage is the perfect place to corral backpacks, shoes, umbrellas and other grab-and-go items.

Bathroom – Smart storage solutions are often necessary in the bathroom, where toiletries, towels and other personal items can easily accumulate. Such things as tower rolling carts and slim bathroom stands take advantage of the typically unusable space between toilets and vanities. Maximize more of your unused wall space by mounting towel racks that incorporate shelves or cubbies. More involved storage solutions can involve such things as mounting recessed mirrored medicine cabinets, or adding storage drawers under sinks (designs can even work around pipes). 

Garage, shed and workshop – These spots are magnets for clutter, but a few simple storage ideas can keep things under control. Peg board storage is one way to both utilize wall space and keep the items you use the most at arm’s reach. Hooks, shelves, shallow drawers and small bins easily attach to the boards; often you can find complete peg board kits with all of the storage components included. Attach weight-bearing hooks or track systems high up on walls to store shovels, rakes and other awkwardly shaped items. Large, sturdy wall hooks are also useful for bulky items such as folded camping chairs, umbrellas, bikes, extension cords and hoses. Vertical shelves, especially on wheels, help to keep things organized but easily moveable.

Closets – Shelving in closets often stops short of utilizing all the wall space. If this is the case in your closets, adding shelves all the way up can give you the perfect storage solution for boxes or items you may not need to access as often (think off-season clothes, holiday décor and the like). If you plan to store items in boxes, implement clear containers so you can easily see what’s inside without having to bring them out and open them. Baskets, rolling carts, and over-the-door racks can work in everything from bedroom closets to kitchen pantries, maximizing space while at the same thing making things accessible.

For more information about real estate in the Asheville area, contact us at Info@MyMosaicRealty.com, or call us anytime at 828-707-9556.

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Mosaic Community Lifestyle Realty is proud to announce that 12 of its brokers have been named among Movement Mortgages’ top 100 brokers in residential sales in Buncombe County for 2021. These top-producing brokers boast in-depth sales knowledge and experience, helping them to stand out among the hundreds of agents working in the Asheville area. They are Mike Figura, Stacey Enos, Carol Marin, LeAnn Bound, Caley Bowman, Vanessa Byrd, Eric Albee, Megan Shook, Alyssa Augustine, Laura Moye, Elizabeth Putnam and Trip Howell. 

Mosaic’s consistently high performance in Asheville-area residential sales is no accident: The agency’s brokers know what it takes to sell a home, from properly positioning it in the market to implementing grassroots promotions that engage potential buyers. Listening to, then acting on, a seller’s needs and desires is key – so whether a property is ideal for the first-time homebuyer, the green-build enthusiast, or the luxury property client, these top-selling agents have found success by implementing their keen knowledge and spot-on guidance.

Mosaic's buyers agents are adept at helping clients find the perfect home, negotiate the offer and coordinate the purchase. Finding a home in the Asheville area market is not an easy job, but Mosaic agents have the necessary skills to find you your dream spot in a tight market!

For more information about selling (or buying) real estate in the Asheville area or Western North Carolina, contact us at Info@MyMosaicRealty.com, or call us anytime at 828-707-9556.

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Nestled amid the breathtaking beauty of Pisgah National Forest sits Bear River Lodge, a picturesque Madison County community that offers amazing access to both exhilarating outdoor adventure and quaint mountain towns. Everything from trout fishing to river rafting to hot springs and spas surrounds Bear River Lodge, only 40 minutes from [...]

Mosaic agent Elizabeth Putnam is that rare Ashevillian, born and bred in this beautiful mountain town and first-hand witness to its intriguing evolution. That native perspective gives her an unparalleled understanding of Asheville market intricacies, and it’s that deep insight she brings to every real estate relationship she shepherds. Here, [...]

Being close to the Blue Ridge Parkway and the forests of Western North Carolina is a major advantage to calling many neighborhoods around the Asheville area home. Pisgah National Forest, a half-million-acre swath of forest land in Western North Carolina, and the Blue Ridge Parkway area are home to miles of hiking and biking trails, [...]