Saluda, N.C., has been drawing visitors to its picturesque Main Street and accessible forests since the late 1800s. With established restaurants as well as shops and galleries set against a stunning backdrop, this tiny town – 35 miles southeast of Asheville – offers lots of picturesque quaintness coupled with exhilarating outdoor adventure.

Straddling Polk and Henderson counties, Saluda sits atop the Norfolk Southern Railway’s Saluda Grade, which was the steepest railroad grade in the country during its use. The city has a population just over 700, with Polk County Schools, as well as a handful of private and parochial educational institutions, serving the residents. Homes in Saluda encompass everything from snug log cabins to rustic ranches to sprawling mountainside estates.

Eclectic eateries and shops of Saluda

Saluda’s Main Street features an eclectic selection of established restaurants, shops and galleries. Most of the buildings that line downtown are part of the National Register of Historic Places. Among the popular spots to stop in are M.A. Pace General Store (founded in 1899), as well as restaurants such as The Purple Onion (famed for Mediterranean fare and live music), Azalea Bistro (featuring a French lowcountry menu), and Green River BBQ.

Sandwiched between 18,000 acres of the Green River Game Lands and the Greenville Watershed, Saluda offers a variety of outdoor adventures, including whitewater kayaking, stand-up paddle-boarding, tubing, fishing, seasonal hunting, camping and waterfall rappelling. Saluda is also a premier destination for road biking. A quick drive from Saluda is the world-famous Tryon International Equestrian Center, as well as the Tryon Foothills Wine Country.

Saluda festivities: art, horse races and dog days

Several festive events add excitement to the area every year. The Tryon Block House Steeplechase, held every April, captures the thrill of horse racing, with the longest running steeplechase in North Carolina. The Saluda Arts Festival, held in May along Main Street, features hand-picked regional artists from a range of backgrounds, as well as Americana, blues and folk musicians. The Coon Dog Day Festival, held in July, is a street fair for pups and their fans, featuring live entertainment, food, street dancing, dog competitions, a parade and more. 

For more information about real estate in Saluda, or anywhere in Western N.C., contact us at Info@MyMosaicRealty.com, or call us anytime at 828-707-9556.

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Valentine’s Day inspires unique gift ideas, and Asheville is full of one-of-a-kind options for that perfect home-grown gift. Here are a few ways to make your honey happy and spread the (local) love.

Sweet sentiments

Chocolate is the quintessential go-to for that special someone, and Asheville’s chocolatiers offer some of the most delectable [...]

Ready to start your home search in Asheville or the greater Asheville area? There are many factors to consider. Of course, the obvious – size and price – are likely to be driving forces in your search. But other features, like style, neighborhood and nearby amenities, are also key in finding the perfect Asheville abode. Here are some ways you can hone your home search, and land on just the right fit for you.

Consider size and budget

The greater Asheville area offers homes in a range of sizes and prices to fit a variety of needs and desires. Everything from small starter homes to expansive estates can be had. Typically, homes and condos close to hip commercial corridors (think Haywood Road in West Asheville, or downtown Asheville) will offer a more urban feel, subbing commercial conveniences for home and yard size. Looking for acreage and space to spread out? Widen your radius and consider tucked-away spots in places like Woodfin, Swannanoa and Arden, just a few miles from downtown Asheville. 

Mosaic Community Lifestyle Realty boasts knowledgeable agents familiar with every part of Asheville and the surrounding area – just give them your home-search parameters. Or visit Mosaic’s award-winning website (www.mymosaicrealty.com), which makes it easy to search within your budget and size requirements to yield a comprehensive list of available properties in the region.

Consider design

While specific architectural designs are not limited to any one neighborhood, certain parts of Asheville offer a high concentration of singular styles that may appeal to you as you undertake your home search. Historic districts like Montford boast homes rich in historical detail; meanwhile, new builds populate many parts of West Asheville, which has gained in popularity in the last decade; and stately manors are a mainstay of the North Asheville, Beaver Lake and Biltmore Forest areas. 

Decide which neighborhood and home styles most appeal to you, and relay these to your broker. Mosaic’s website offers detailed lifestyle searches that include tabs for historic homes, luxury homes, green builds, new construction and the like, so you can see at the click of a button what the Asheville area has to offer within these categories.

Consider lifestyle

When you’re looking for the perfect home, it can be beneficial to consider how easily you can incorporate favorite activities and interests into your surroundings. An avid cyclist or mountain biker? The Asheville area has neighborhoods situated close to some of Western North Carolina’s most popular paths – trails, greenways, even the Blue Ridge Parkway – so convenient that you can bike directly from your home. If green living factors into your interests, finding a home with environmentally sound features will likely be foremost on your list. Green homes remain a popular choice around Asheville; focusing your search on such builds will produce plenty of options.

Mosaic’s website offers a unique lifestyle tab search, so that you can target a property that checks all the boxes, whether that includes things like park proximity, homestay potential, or 55+ communities. 

These are just a few of the many ways to refine your home search in the Asheville area. To secure a home in this competitive market, you will need to connect with one of Mosaic’s expert agents to ensure you are well represented and best positioned to win an offer. To get started on your search, or for more information about real estate anywhere in Asheville or Western N.C., contact us at Info@MyMosaicRealty.com, or call us anytime at 828-707-9556.

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Sometimes injecting new life into your home’s aesthetic requires a professional and a big budget, especially when it comes to kitchen overhauls. But there are many ways to give your kitchen a fresh makeover on a mini budget – all it takes is a little time and creativity. Following are a few relatively inexpensive ways to add some punch to this high-traffic space. 

Make a (back)splash with tile – Play with color and pattern to create a unique backsplash with tile. Consider taking the tile all the way up the walls to the cabinets, or extend even higher for added drama.

Switch out hardware – Often, dated drawer pulls, cabinet knobs and faucets can bring down your kitchen’s appeal. But it’s easy, and inexpensive, to change out such hardware; make sure to keep the style and finish consistent throughout the kitchen for a seamless, updated look.

Add paint or wallpaper – A change or pop of color can do wonders for your kitchen, whether you choose to upgrade all the walls or concentrate on accenting with a vibrant hue or unexpected wallpaper pattern.

Fresh flooring – Adding a durable rug or runner can be both practical and pleasing to the eye, especially when you choose a pattern or color that stands out. If you’ve got a little time and a slightly bigger budget, you can play with tile or other flooring to give your kitchen a fresh look.

Shelf this idea – Hanging open shelving not only expands your storage options, but offers plenty of opportunities to display decorative elements. Use open shelves to park prized plates, special stemware, and other kitchen items too pretty to put away.

See the light – One easy fix for a dated kitchen is to change lighting. Whether hanging new fixtures over a bar, installing a focal-point chandelier, or simply switching out old bulbs for a brighter set, upgraded lighting adds lift to both small and large kitchens. 

Small appliances, big panache – Small appliances have gone from simply utilitarian to conversation piece. Amp up your small-appliance stock by incorporating items like toasters, blenders and coffee makers that boast modern features, cutting-edge design and unexpected colors.

Open doors for your cabinets – If your wood cabinets have seen better days, there’s no need to spend hundreds to replace them. Consider lightly sanding and repainting them in a classic white or soft gray.

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

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Hendersonville, N.C., located 22 miles south of Asheville in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, boasts a gentle climate, breathtaking views, rich culture and history, and lots of outdoor recreational attractions. The Cheers! Trail showcases 16 craft beverage producers, including Sierra Nevada, plus wineries and cideries in the area.

Chartered in 1847 as the county seat of Henderson County, Hendersonville (pop. 14,150) is traditionally known as “The City of Four Seasons.” Filled with historic buildings and vibrant streetscapes, Hendersonville’s downtown – the largest in Western N.C. outside of Asheville’s – offers many outdoor dining options, as well as unique shops and galleries, along Main Street. Hendersonville’s downtown is part of the Main Street Program, aimed at revitalizing central business districts across the country through historic preservation, attention to design, and thoughtful recruitment of businesses. 

Hendersonville is optimally situated, with I-26 running through the east side of the city, and routes 25 and 74 running concurrently. The city is a 17-minute drive to the Asheville Regional Airport. High schools in the city and surrounding area include Hendersonville High School, West Henderson High School, North Henderson High School, and East Henderson High School.

Hendersonville Cultural and Outdoor Activities

The culturally rich area offers many options for an afternoon of entertainment. The Mineral and Lapidary Museum of Henderson County features giant geodes, minerals and dinosaur eggs; Hands On! Children’s museum boasts a fun, safe environment for learning; the Henderson County Heritage Museum, in the 1905 county courthouse downtown, features a gallery of regional Carolina history. North of Main Street is the Historic (1878) Johnson Farm, a summer retreat for tourists as early as the 1920s. The Western North Carolina Air Museum, featuring vintage airplanes, is near the small Hendersonville Airport.

Outdoor adventures abound as well: Five miles west of downtown Hendersonville in the town of Laurel Park is Jump Off Rock atop Jump Off Mountain. This overlook provides a panorama of the Pisgah and Blue Ridge Mountains. Pisgah National Forest and DuPont State Forest, replete with hiking and biking trails, waterfalls and stunning scenery, sit less than 30 minutes away from Hendersonville.

Festival Fun in Hendersonville

The heart of apple country, Hendersonville hosts the extremely popular annual North Carolina Apple Festival, a four-day Labor Day weekend celebration that culminates in the Apple Parade. Main Street is home to other annual festivals and special activities throughout the year, including the Garden Jubilee Festival (Memorial Day weekend), the July 4th parade with free live music and fireworks, Fiesta Hendersonville (September) featuring the best of 20 Latin American countries’ music, art, food and culture; and Home for the Holidays, with many events from Thanksgiving through New Year's including ice skating, lights and carriage rides.

For more information about real estate in Hendersonville, or anywhere in Asheville or Western N.C., contact us at Info@MyMosaicRealty.com, or call us anytime at 828-707-9556.

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Nestled amid the Blue Ridge Mountains in the valley of Flat Creek sits the compact, secluded town of Montreat. The town (population 700), which is part of Buncombe County, is 18 miles east of downtown Asheville and features natural beauty untouched by commercial development.

Montreat was incorporated as a North Carolina township in 1967. Much of the property in the area is still owned by the Mountain Retreat Association, formed in 1897 by John Collins. Lake Susan, at the center of Montreat, is surrounded by historic stone buildings and offers paddle-boating, canoeing and fishing. Homes in the area allow for plenty of room to spread out: Everything from modern mountain retreats to quaint cabins dot the landscape.

Popular Montreat landmarks

Among the spots Montreat is famed for is Montreat College, a four-year liberal arts institution founded in 1916. The college brings many special events to Montreat, including symphonies, plays, community arts festivals, adult learning programs, community trips abroad and sports programs.Montreat Conference Center, one of three national conference centers affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, draws 35,000 visitors every year, and includes a hotel, guest lodges, and a stone auditorium. The Rev. Billy Graham and his wife called Montreat home, and lent significant support to the town and the college during their lifetime.

Montreat offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoor beauty for which Western N.C. is famed. In addition to a greenway, Montreat has five tennis courts, a playground, and plenty of hiking. The five-mile Greybeard Trail Hike leads to the top of Greybeard Mountain (elevation 5,480 feet). The trail starts on the edge of Montreat, following Flat Creek for a mile or two over rocky technical terrain before reaching a section of the trail called the Trestle switchbacks. 

From there, the trail climbs more steeply to the summit of Greybeard through many short, technical sections. The summit offers stunning views of Black and Craggy Mountains as well as the foothills below.

Montreat's nearby destinations

Montreat is a quick drive to the charming town of Black Mountain, an arts and crafts, furniture and music mecca. Formerly home to the renowned Black Mountain College, Black Mountain offers an array of restaurants, specialty shops and breweries, as well as enviable access to lakes, waterfalls and hiking trails.

For more information about real estate in Montreat, or anywhere in Asheville or Western N.C., contact us at Info@MyMosaicRealty.com, or call us anytime at 828-707-9556.

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Giving back to the community that has supported its growth has always been Mosaic Community Lifestyle Realty’s mission. Since the realty’s founding a decade ago, the number of [...]

Brevard, N.C., tucked in the heart of Transylvania County, boasts a unique mix of the eclectic and the enchanting: Unique boutiques dot its downtown, while mountain bike trails, waterfall hikes and epic views make it one of the most beautiful natural attractions in the [...]

North of Asheville sits the unique, scenic town of Weaverville, home to entrepreneurs and artisans alike. With a thriving downtown district offering an array of businesses and plenty of parking, Weaverville draws visitors from all around to its quaint, picturesque Main Street and lush public spaces. Living in Weaverville offers the best of all worlds: quiet country living just a stone’s throw from a thriving in-town commercial district, with a 15-minute drive to Downtown Asheville.

The Town of Weaverville, with its range of home styles – everything from stately colonials to rambling ranches – started as a community of farmers. John Weaver, the community’s namesake, was one of the first settlers in the region. Families steadily settled in the area over the next 70 years, leading to the construction of several churches and schools.

Outstanding outdoor activities near Weaverville

Residents and visitors to Weaverville can enjoy two public parks within its jurisdiction: Lake Louise Park and the Main Street Nature Park. Well-maintained areas prized for passive recreation, the parks offer walking paths lined with volunteer-maintained flower beds and educational information celebrating Weaverville’s rich heritage.

For those looking for nearby nature adventures, Weaverville boasts an entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway, miles of local hiking trails, cycling routes, scenic drives, wildlife, and native plants. In addition, the Town of Weaverville hosts several community events throughout the year celebrating its unique roots in Western North Carolina, including a Memorial Day Observance at Lake Louise, Fire on the Lake: July 4th Celebration at Lake Louise, a 9/11 Observance at Lake Louise, a Veterans’ Day Observance at Lake Louise, and a Town Christmas Parade downtown.

Eclectic, engaging downtown Weaverville

Residents and visitors can stroll the length of Main Street, enjoying the town’s unique shops, cafes and restaurants, as well as a range of art studios, where area artists welcome the public into their studios for events like the juried Art in Autumn and the Weaverville Art Safari. Some of the art galleries, shops, and restaurants that call downtown Weaverville home include: Miya Gallery, Mangum Pottery, Shop Around the Corner, Blue Mountain Pizza & Brew Pub, Well Bred Bakery, Aabani Salon & Spa, Glass Onion, Curtis Wright Outfitters, Allgood Coffee, Twisted Laurel Eatery & Lounge, Zebulon Artisan Ales and Maggie B’s Wine & Specialty Store.

For more information about real estate in Weaverville, or anywhere 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 has always been a proud sponsor of local nonprofit organizations in and around Asheville. In these unprecedented times, such support has taken on even greater importance; it has also inspired some creative thinking. 

Because the coronavirus pandemic has curtailed live events, performing arts organizations have taken a particular hit. Thanks to Mosaic’s sponsorship of the [...]