Ready To List In The Spring? The spring is a crucial time of the year in real estate. Even with the current economy there will be buyers who are ready to look for a new home or land in our beautiful North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee mountains. For those who are looking to buy as well as sellers who said last year that they would list again "in the spring" -- when does the season actually get started? Although the official start of spring is March 20th, we would advise our clients to list their property no later than the end of February. Some sellers feel they want to wait until after Easter, but that might be a little too late, especially since this year Easter falls on April 12th. Spring is the time we start to see buyers beginning their search, requesting more information and pl... 01/26/2010

This winter of 2010 is shaping up to be the coldest I've seen since I moved to the mountains of Murphy, NC seven years ago. Last year I spent New Year's Day transplanting knockout rosebushes that had overgrown their home in the garden.   I was in a sleeveless shirt, the sun was shining and it was around 71.' This January the kids have already had 3 snow days and I'm not about to spend any time in the garden - not even to take the Christmas lights off the front porch! But I did stop to take a few pictures of these pansies I planted in November. Although they look a little sad right now, I've learned that the roots are busily burrowing deep into the ground and these plants will be much larger and bloom much better than any I plant in April...at least I hope so! The other hopeful sign in m... 01/26/2010

FREE CONCERT! Friday, January 29, 20107:30pmAdmission: Free, donations welcome Location: John C. Campbell Folk Schoolin the Community Room in Keith House The Frogtown Four have been playing fine bluegrass and mountain music in the Western North Carolina since 2001. Based in Macon and Jackson Counties, the band has expanded to five members (but who’s counting!): Will Putman bass & vocals, Mark Queen guitar & vocals, Peter Mosco, resonator guitar, banjo, & vocals, Barry Clinton mandolin & vocals, and Dan Andrews, fiddle & banjo. 1-800.FOLK.SCH (365.5724)  CONCERT SERIESJohn C. Campbell Folk School     01/25/2010

Here in Murphy, NC the story goes that once a young Cherokee Indian brave was out hunting with his dog and a flash flood came upon them and separated them. Later, when the young brave went back looking for his dog he came upon him high up in a tree, safely hanging on up in the branches. So this area was then called Hanging Dog Cherokee County, NC has roads, communities, bike trails, campgrounds and many other locations named after Hanging Dog. Many of the communities, lakes and rivers are named after Cherokee Indian names. see what the word Nantahala means HERE If you're planning on visiting the Murphy, NC area we'd be happy to show you around all the Cherokee, Clay and the surrounding counties have to offer you. Contact Lee & Carol Barbour at www.LeeAndCarol.com       01/20/2010

In the latter half of 1838, Cherokee People who had not voluntarily moved west earlier were forced to leave their homes in the East. The trail to the West was long and treacherous and many were dying along the way. The People's hearts were heavy with sadness and their tears mingled with the dust of the trail. The Elders knew that the survival of the children depended upon the strength of the women. One evening around the campfire, the Elders called upon Heaven Dweller, ga lv la di e hi. They told Him of the People's suffering and tears. They were afraid the children would not survive to rebuild the Cherokee Nation. Ga  lv la di e hi spoke to them, "To let you know how much I care, I will give you a sign. In the morning, tell the women to look back along the trail. Where their tears have... 01/17/2010

Not all birdseed mixes will suit all wild birds. Birds will often sort through mixed seed and discard what they do not want. Typically, less waste occurs if you provide only one type of food per feeder, rather than mixed birdseed. Experts recommend black oil sunflower seed as one of the best single seeds to attract a variety of birds to your feeder. Insect-eating birds, such as woodpeckers, chickadees and nuthatches, will benefit from additional suet in the wintertime. Suet cakes can be purchased at feed and garden stores. The location of the food is also important. Keep your feeder a safe distance - at least eight to 10 feet - from protective shrubbery where marauding house cats might lurk. Around your home you can grow plants in your yard that offer seeds and habitat through the winte... 01/16/2010

  Sellers and Buyers are already getting geared up for the upcoming Appalachian Land Company 2010 Spring Brochure! Murphy, NC has so many great properties to offer you and this 32 page; full color brochure will be filled with some of the best buys in real estate. Located in Cherokee County, NC we cover western NC, north GA and the eastern TN Mountains. So if you’re looking for a get-away cabin, retirement home, investment property or land for your future mountain chalet, we’d be happy to assist you in you search. Visit www.LeeAndCarol.com to register for more information and to receive your FREE brochure copy today! 01/15/2010

                  The "Perfect Storm" has arrived in Murphy, North Carolina !   No, I'm not talking about that snow we had last week.  We've all heard the reports of the downturn in the real estate market nationwide. But like the title of that legendary movie, three major events have now come together to make conditions right for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for buyers. Here's why this year is THE YEAR to buy YOUR dream mountain property in Murphy, North Carolina.               1.  Historically low interest rates For the past few months, 30 year fixed mortgages have been available at local banks at interest rates BELOW 5%.  In fact, I haven't ever seen rates this low in my lifetime.  Economists all agree that rates will be heading up starting in the second half of 2010.  Local banks... 01/13/2010

   IF YOUR MOUNTAIN HOME IN MURPHY, NORTH CAROLINA ISN'T LISTED FOR SALE THIS WINTER -  YOU'LL MISS ALL THE FIRST TIME BUYERS AND MOVE-UP TAX CREDIT BUYERS!  And later this summer, buyers won't have up to $8,000 extra in Federal tax credits that they can use to help pay for your house.    The Federal Housing Tax Credit has been expanded and extended and now includes move-up and repeat home buyers as well as first time buyers. Repeat buyers entering into a purchase agreement between now and April 30, 2010 and closing before June 30, 2010 can claim up to a $6,500 tax credit and first time buyers can still get up to $8,000 from Uncle Sam to help them buy your house.  Repeat home buyers DO NOT have to buy a home that is more expensive than their previous home to qualify.  What this means to... 01/12/2010

    Bear Paw Lakefront Resort is a unique mountain community on the shores of Lake Hiwassee in Murphy, North Carolina and 2009's sales figures point out that fact.  Unlike the rest of Cherokee County, only one home in Bear Paw sold for under $150,000.  All the rest were higher than the average sale prices elsewhere in our area.  And with 7 lots and 6 homes sold, the ratio of home sales to land sales was reversed too. Here's a breakdown of the sold transactions in Bear Paw for 2009, along with current properties for sale in each category:  Homes Lakefront homes for sale - 8 Lakefront homes sold - 2 Condos and cottages for sale - 6 Condos and cottages sold - 0 Interior homes for sale - 8 Interior homes sold - 3  Land Lakefront lots for sale - 11 (including 2 on a cove) Lakefront lots sold... 01/12/2010

  Interest rates as of Dec 1, 2009          Interest rates as of  Jan 1, 2010 40 Year Fixed Rate                          40 Year Fixed Rate 5.25% with 0.0 discount points           5.625% with 0.0 discount points 5.125% with 0.5 discount points         5.5% with 0.5 discount points 5.0% with 1.0 discount points             5.375% with 1.0 discount points 30 Year Fixed Rate                          30 Year Fixed Rate 4.625% with 0.0 discount points         5.25% with 0.0 discount points 4.5% with 0.5 discount points             5.125% with 0.5 discount points 4.375% with 1.0 discount points         5.0% with 1.0 discount points 20 Year Fixed Rate                          20 Year Fixed Rate 4.5% with 0.0 discount points             5.125% with 0.0 discount points 4.375% with 0.5 discount... 01/10/2010

Even with a view like this off our porch we still ventured out today and headed to the Verizon storeand IHop for pancakes in Ellijay, GA. I know we're all having a lot of colder weather and lots of snow,but before you know it Spring will be here so lets enjoy this beautiful winter scenery while we can.If you're looking for a get-away cabin in the mountains contact us at www.LeeAndCarol.com   01/10/2010

9472 RUSHING CREEK FRONT PROPERTY! 15 +/- acres features 1200’ of rushing Hothouse Creek, and several small branches. Gentle laying wooded land with easy access just off paved road in Murphy, NC. It's hard to find land and a creek like this anymore! JUST REDUCED to $270,000. NC MLS #108080For more info on this property and others in NC, GA and TN mountains CLICK HERE 01/10/2010

Since we moved from Florida way back in 1997 we’ve enjoyed every moment of living here in Murphy, NC. One of our favorite things is enjoying the changing seasons together and this was our first snow in Murphy. Brandon was just nine years old when we moved and it was his first snowman too.   Now Brandon’s 21 years old and Lee and I aren’t out building snowmen this year, but we’re enjoying the beautiful views from our home on Wolf Mountain and relaxing by the fire. We enjoy walking in the snow with the dogs chasing snowballs now, and ever so often we’ll go snow tubing – a little easier on the body with all that air cushion. Enjoy living in the mountains! 01/10/2010

  Most buyers begin their search for the perfect mountain view lot in May or June, sweating and swatting their way through mountain laurel and blackberry thickets, squinting through the foliage to catch a glimpse of that elusive  "long range view"  promised in the ads.  But savvy buyers know an important secret - winter is the BEST time to buy mountain land and THIS winter offers once-in-a-lifetime opportunities here in the mountains.  Here are 5 key reasons why you need to buy mountain land in the winter:  1.  You can really SEE the potential for mountain views.  When the leaves are off the trees, you can get an idea of future views from potential building sites without  "scalping" the mountainside as some developers have done.  Mature trees are a valuable resource and there's no reaso... 01/06/2010

                                                                                                 December‘s sales results are in and one Murphy, North Carolina family saved almost $10,000 at closing with Country Homes & Land's Flat Fee Listing Program.                                                                                           Country Homes and Land                            Flat Fee Listing                         Sold Dec.21, 2009       Here's what they had to say about their experience:  "After having our home on the market with another company in Murphy for months with no results, we decided to try the Country Homes Flat Fee Listing Program.  As promised, Country Homes and Land provided more Internet marketing advantages than our previous listing company - including p... 01/05/2010

Year-end results are in for home sales in the mountains of Murphy, North Carolina and Cherokee County.  Despite the economic downturn, home sales are on the rise with a 12% overall increase in sales over 2008.  The last 4 months of 2009 were especially strong, showing a 43% gain in total sales over the same period in 2008.              Home sales 2008 - 264 Home sales 2009 - 297 With a total of 297 homes sold in 2009, the combination of bargain prices and home buyer tax credits is producing solid gains in the overall sales figures for this popular vacation and retirement home destination.  In 2008, February was the strongest month for sales, with a total of 33 homes sold.  Even the traditionally busy months of August and October did not equal February's results.  However, in 2009, the r... 01/03/2010

Well, at least all restaurants and bars will be smoke-free starting Saturday. For the few remaining restaurants and bars in Cherokee County that haven’t already made the change over to a smoke free environment come Saturday, January 2, 2010, they and the rest of North Carolina will be. North Carolina will become the 32nd state and the first entire “tobacco state” to adopt such a law, according to the Americans for Nonsmokers Rights. Many establishments have designated outdoor areas for their smoking patrons. Non-smokers are encouraged to celebrate “Tasty Tuesdays,” throughout the month of January by going out and eat at our local establishments to support and thank them for the smoke-free dining atmosphere. This new year is bringing many new changes and this one will benefit many.   12/31/2009

Come to the 15thAnnual New Years Eve Opossum Drop This year's festivities start at 10 pm and will last until the possum is lowered at midnight and then the fireworks display begins as we’ll usher in 2010. This year the possum will be escorted in by The Blues Brothers and the reigning Miss. Possum Queen. This year they’ve also added a new event, the Hillbilly Rodeo so we’re all looking forward to what surprises that will bring. The most exciting thing that we do in Brasstown, besides going to the John C. Campbell Folk School and dance with the pretty Danish girl, is "Lowering the Opossum on New Year's Eve." If New York can drop a "Ball", Georgia can drop a "Peach", then we can lower the Opossum" said Clay Logan, proprietor of Clay’s Corner. There will be standing room only so get there e... 12/31/2009

Brrrr…it’s cold outside! Today it was 16 degrees on Wolf Mountain in Murphy, NC. We’re all bundled up and have the fire burning, but don’t forget your beloved pets need to stay warm and have special needs as the weather changes too. Pets - especially the young, old and short-haired - need extra shelter, warmth and water during cold weather. It’s best to bring your pets indoors, but if that isn’t possible make sure they have a warm bed and shelter from the chilling winds. Fresh water is a must and an electric heated bowl will ensure their water doesn’t freeze. Everyone needs a nice warm sweater and your pet will not only look very stylish, but stay warm too. For more helpful tips for your furry friends CLICK HERE   12/11/2009