Nestled at the base of the Hickory Nut Gorge amid breathtaking shoreline, mountain peaks, and rare plant and animal species, the town of Lake Lure in Western North Carolina is a nature lover’s dream. The town, which encompasses the famed lake of the same name, sits at an elevation of 1,000 feet and is surrounded by peaks topping out over [...]
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If you’re gearing up for a move, keeping the environment in mind is easier than you might think. The Asheville area offers plenty of resources for a green move, making the impactful life change less impactful on the environment.
Little things like opting for eco-friendly moving containers and supplies can cut back on [...]
Mosaic Community Lifestyle Realty’s new responsive website was just ranked among the top 10 best mobile realty sites in the nation, according to REAL Trends’ annual review. With catered landing pages, one-click quick searches, and simple account creation to make the search process easy, especially on a mobile device, www.mymosaicrealty.com is the one-stop destination for clients looking to buy or sell property in Asheville and surrounding Western N.C.
REAL Trends – a trusted source of news, analysis and information on the residential brokerage industry since 1987 – examined sites from across the country to determine its annual rankings. The idea of responsive Web design is to make websites that easily adjust to fit multiple screen sizes, from desktop computers to mobile devices. Fluid layouts, flexible images and individually catered landing pages are the three technical factors for responsive Web design.
Seeking to streamline the real estate experience, Mosaic created its new responsive website using the same strategies it implements to help its clients: listening to customer needs and taking action on their feedback. People most often start their home searches online. As a shift to mobile phone use grows, the importance of responsive Web design is greater than ever.
Accessing www.mymosaicrealty.com on a mobile device reveals a user-friendly experience, with large tabs, streamlined menus, and simple forms for creating personalized searches. Mosaic’s mobile site also offers homebuyers easy-to-use quick searches by listings, neighborhoods, lifestyles and price. Users can dig deeper, with quick links to advanced search options like green builds, newly listed or featured properties, and affordable homes. And with a click of a button, potential clients can go beyond real estate listings to learn all about life in Asheville and the surrounding areas.
For more information about real estate in the Asheville area and Western N.C., contact us at Info@MyMosaicRealty.com, or call us anytime at 828-707-9556.
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As more of the U.S. population settles into working remotely, real estate migration patterns are shifting. So-called “Zoom Towns” – places that boast urban amenities, access to nature, and a lower cost of living than larger cities – are experiencing an influx of interest. Asheville is one such town, as many people from major metropolitan areas who can now work remotely consider the popular Western N.C. mountain destination as a place to call home.
After the coronavirus pandemic sent many American workers into remote-only mode, one survey by MIT researchers estimated the share of virtual workers in the U.S. quadrupled to nearly 50% of the workforce. An Upwork Future Workforce Report, which polled 1,500 hiring managers, found that 56% of hiring managers felt the shift had “gone better than expected,” with more than 60% noting their employees will be working remotely moving forward.
Remote employment is also spurring homeowners to take a closer look at workspace possibilities in their potential home. Factors that best support remote working situations, such as Internet connectivity, home size and affordability, and urban amenities, place many Southern cities, including Asheville, in a desirable position.
Low interest ratesAt the same time that migration patterns are accelerating interest in Asheville, low interest rates are driving buyers who have been waiting for just the right moment to make a move.
According to Freddie Mac, September logged the lowest rates ever, with an average 30-year fixed rate of 2.86%. Rates aren’t expected to rise much anytime soon either: A survey by the Mortgage Reports of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Mortgage Bankers Association found the 30-year fixed rate mortgage is likely to average 3.18% through 2020.
Recent home sales in Asheville lend validity to the “Zoom Town” migratory trend. During the third quarter, home sales in Asheville showed a strong uptick, with 457 home sales in the city and 952 home sales in Buncombe County. The county had the highest number of home sales per quarter by 16%, and the city had its second-highest quarterly home sales. This was a sharp departure from the second quarter, where there were fewer sales happening because of the initial COVID-related slowdown in both demand and supply.
If you’re interested in relocating to the Asheville area or Western N.C., or listing your Asheville-area property, contact us at Info@MyMosaicRealty.com, or call us anytime at 828-707-9556.
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From a quaint Main Street to ideal proximity to outdoor adventures, Marshall, N.C., is home to a range of rich experiences. A short 28-minute drive from Asheville, this idyllic town in Madison County, with easy access to trails along the French Broad River, features a downtown lined with historic buildings, including a century-old [...]
Waynesville, Haywood County's biggest town with about 10,000 residents, has been a favorite North Carolina mountain retreat since the early 1800s. The reasons for its popularity back then – cool, clean air and water and spectacular scenery – still exist today, but add to its modern allure a quaint, urban charm, a walkable shopping district, a vibrant farm-to-table restaurant and craft beer scene, and amazing proximity to exhilarating outdoor activities.
Waynesville sits about 25 miles west of Asheville, off of I-40, between the Great Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge Mountains. The town of Waynesville was founded in 1810 by Colonel Robert Love, a Revolutionary War soldier. He donated land for the courthouse, jail and public square, and named the town after his former commander in the war, General “Mad” Anthony Wayne. Waynesville boasts a number of historic places, including the Boone-Withers House, the Haywood County Courthouse, the Dr. J. Howell Way House and the Masonic Hall, among many others.
Home styles in Waynesville run the gamut, from rustic log cabins to majestic mansions to compact townhomes. Many properties come with plenty of acreage ideal for spreading out and soaking in the beauty of Waynesville’s natural surroundings. Waynesville is part of the Haywood County Schools system. Residents also have access to a handful of private parochial schools.
Downtown Waynesville's restored historic buildings and brick sidewalks are the perfect backdrop for browsing the town’s many specialty stores, galleries and antique shops. And when you’re ready for a bite (or a beverage), there is no shortage of restaurants, coffee shops and breweries. There is plenty of free parking along Wall Street (parallel to Main Street).
Waynesville is home to a number of annual festivals: Folkmoot U.S.A. (July) is a 10-day celebration of world dance and music with performers from around the globe. Church Street Art & Craft Show (October), a popular juried art show, also features mountain music, clogging, entertainment and food. Apple Harvest Festival (October) celebrates all things apple – think cider, fried pies and donuts – and showcases mountain music, dance, craft and demo booths.
Maggie Valley, just 8 miles from Waynesville, is home to lots of fun winter destinations, including Cataloochee Ski Area and Tube World. Lake Junaluska, just 3 miles away, offers the perfect spot to spend a Saturday. There are 13 peaks above 6,000 feet in Haywood County, including the famed Cold Mountain. Take a scenic drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway to waterfalls, hikes and camping destinations. The Pigeon River section of the Great Smoky Mountains is home to plenty of outdoor adventures, including ziplining and whitewater rafting.
For these many reasons, you can see how Waynesville makes for a lovely place to live. For more information about real estate in Waynesville, or anywhere in the Asheville area, contact us at Info@MyMosaicRealty.com, or call us anytime at 828-707-9556.
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As people around the country consider relocating to areas with more space and less density, Asheville continues to attract attention as the ideal balance of city and country. Thinking of making a move to Asheville, but wondering about employment and business opportunities? The Asheville area is lucky to have both low unemployment and strong [...]
A quintessential small town nestled amid stunning scenery, Sylva sits an hour southwest of Asheville in the Great Smoky Mountains. Sylva’s Main Street is a popular downtown destination, packed with restaurants, specialty shops, galleries, bookstores and breweries. It’s the perfect spot to stroll tree-lined streets, and take in the crisp fall [...]
The small towns surrounding Asheville are the perfect spots to soak in the sights as you stroll through quaint downtowns brimming with historic buildings, restaurants, galleries and specialty shops. Following are a few of our favorite Main [...]
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Within minutes of some of the country’s most popular and picturesque state and national forests sits Mills River, N.C., a town in the northwestern part of Henderson County stretching northeast to the Buncombe County border and southwest to the Transylvania County line. Sitting 17 miles to the southwest of Asheville, Mills River offers expansive living against breathtaking backdrops, with close proximity to all manner of amenities.
Mills River was incorporated as a town in 2003, and has a population of around 7,500. Featuring rolling hills dotted with everything from rambling ranches to newly constructed homes, as well as lots ready for custom creations, the town is a draw for those seeking room to stretch out, but still be within arm’s reach of conveniences. The Asheville Regional Airport and I-26 are mere minutes away. The towns of Hendersonville (8 miles away) and Brevard (14 miles away) are also easily accessible.
Mills River is part of the Henderson County Public Schools system. In addition, families can choose from a number of private and parochial educational options. Brevard College, a small, liberal arts institution, is 20 minutes away from Mills River.
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When it comes to outdoor adventures, Mills River can’t be beat. For water activities, the French Broad River flows through the northeastern part of town, while one of its tributaries, the Mills River, flows through the center of town. Both Pisgah National Forest and DuPont State Forest are a short drive away, offering daytrips overflowing with waterfalls, hiking paths and mountain biking trails – you can even take a horseback trail ride. The area also boasts renowned destinations like Sliding Rock and the Cradle of Forestry.
For world-class music performances, Mills River is just a short drive from the Brevard Music Center’s Summer Festival, which features everything from bluegrass to classical to operatic productions. www.brevardmusic.org
A major boon to the town came in 2014, when Sierra Nevada opened a brewery – its second in the U.S. – in Mills River. The sprawling, state-of-the-art facility and Taproom and Restaurant draw thousands of visitors from all over the region and the world to enjoy tours, tastings and special events, as well as live music indoors and outdoors, in a relaxed family atmosphere. www.sierranevada.com/visit/north-carolina/
Other popular spots to visit in Mills River include the Mills River Creamery, offering a range of locally made milk, cheeses, ice cream (www.millsrivercreamery.com), as well as the Bold Rock Hard Cidery, which has daily tours, tastings, flights and food. www.boldrock.com/visit/mills-river-cidery/
For more information about real estate in Mills River, or anywhere in the Greater Asheville area, contact us at Info@MyMosaicRealty.com, or call us anytime at 828-707-9556.
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