A second-generation real estate agent with 22 years of experience, Mosaic broker Justin Mitchell knows how to make the most of life in Western North Carolina as an avid cyclist and outdoor enthusiast. Drawing from his adventure-seeking savvy, along with his skill as a seasoned videographer, Mitchell can be trusted to give both buyers and [...]
Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina, the town of Mars Hill (pop. 2,000) in Madison County wows with its beauty and ease of living. Residents and visitors alike enjoy quick access to all manner of mountain sports and family activities. In addition, Mars Hill is only about 15 miles north of Asheville via I-26, which [...]
Mosaic broker Alyssa Augustine landed in Asheville’s luxury home sector five years ago, growing a reputation as a highly skilled adviser to her clients, and it’s no surprise. With a 20-year background in corporate marketing, communications and IT for a Fortune 500 company, coupled with a deep understanding of high-quality home construction [...]
For most Asheville homeowners, curb appeal begins with beautiful landscaping. But just as important as beautification is the preservation of the natural Western North Carolina ecosystem that surrounds us. With the use of native tree species in yards and gardens, Asheville homeowners can integrate the two goals, to great [...]
Mosaic Realty broker Stephanie Caldwell is that Asheville rarity: a native who has spent her entire life (save a brief stint in Chicago) in the Asheville area. Her years of experience with all things Asheville – first growing up here, then as an investor spearheading several house building and renovation projects, and finally as a real [...]
With so few homes on the market in Asheville, it can be intimidating to plan a move if you need to sell your current home first. Working with Mosaic Community Lifestyle Realty’s experienced real estate agents can help ease the transition, ensuring consistent communication and minimal setbacks during the entire [...]
Planning a vacation puts the focus on the destination, but it’s important to also remember what you’re leaving behind: your home. Safely securing your property promises peace of mind so you can fully enjoy your time away. Here are some important pre-travel home-prep tips:
Give the illusion of occupancy – Break-ins are less likely to happen if it looks like someone is home. Leave a few lights on, put lamps or sound systems on timers, or invest in a smart-home system where you can program lights to turn on and off. (These systems can also do things like raise and lower window shades remotely for an added illusion of occupancy.) Motion sensor or programmed lighting on the exterior of your home and in the driveway is also a good idea.
If you can, leave a car in your driveway. Or better yet, ask a neighbor to park there: The activity in your driveway will likely prove a strong deterrent to would-be intruders. Just make sure any vehicles parked there are securely locked, with no valuables left inside.
Lock in your spare-key plan – While you’re away from your home, it might be helpful to have a trusted neighbor or friend at the ready to enter in case of emergency. However, it’s never a good idea to leave spare keys in obvious outdoor locations (under doormats or in potted plants). Rather, give the friend a spare key, or consider storing that key in an exterior lockbox with a security code.
On the topic of locks, it may seem obvious, but make sure all doors and windows are securely locked, even upstairs ones. And don’t forget garages and sheds that may hold valuables.
Deter damage – It’s important to ensure your home will be in the state you left it when you finally return from holiday. Prevent flooding from pipe bursts by insulating those located in vulnerable areas like attics and basements. In temperate climates like Asheville’s, where frozen pipes are less of an issue, it makes more sense to turn off your home’s main water supply valve while you’re away.
Power surges can strike at any time, frying your home’s pricey electronics. Before you leave, disconnect computers, televisions, stereos and other electronic items. Alternately, you can safely leave your electronics plugged into outlets or power strips equipped with surge protectors.
Keep up appearances – If you’ll be gone for an extended period, hire a landscaping service to keep the lawn mowed and trees and bushes trimmed. Avoid an overflowing mailbox by temporarily suspending your postal deliveries. Ask a neighbor to retrieve any packages left on your front porch.
It may be tempting to document your daily travel adventures on social media, but doing so also broadcasts the fact that no one’s home. Because you can never be sure who’ll end up seeing your status, wait until you get back home to post those vacation photos.
To learn more about real estate in the Asheville area, email us at Info@MyMosaicRealty.com, or call anytime at 828-707-9556
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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