While previewing a property in the Greens Creek area of Sylva today for a buyer, I heard the oddest music. Because we have a pretty healthy eco-system here near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, I've heard frog songs before...but never anything like this!   09/18/2013

Even in Sylva, NC, real estate can be like a pressure cooker...no regular downtime, we have to grab it when we can. That's where Van Morrison comes in.   It's been like that for more than a month now and its all good. The buyers have been plentiful, intentional and interesting. That's all good but everytime we meet a new buyer, we make sure they understand what they are getting into. That means sharing the lender's information, the Agency Disclosure, and the Buyer Agency Agreement. Then we have a thorough conversation to understand what they are looking for, knowing full well that by the time they find what they really want - it may not resemble what we started out looking for!   Then comes the showing of the properties. We live in a rural area, things are spread out and road signs can ... 09/08/2013

      Really? You haven't been pre-approved yet for a home mortgage? You didn't know that was a first step? Don't worry, we can help with that.      We have so many fine lenders in our area with a wide variety of mortgage products to offer you.     What we really like about them though is that they'll make the loan process make sense. They are interested in the same thing for you that we are. Everyone on the MoonDancer Realty team wants a long term relationship based association with you, dedicated to helping you feel in control of your real estate destiny.       We know that so many buyers, whether they are first time or veterans often neglect that crucial first step of talking to a lender. We understand...no one walks cheerfully into a confusing and overwhelming situation designed to ... 08/31/2013

For sure it is nice to know that NC has a healthy water table because of all the rain this year, still...more rain today! So, for Monday Melodies I was looking for something to help me embrace the rain...or ignore the rain...but at the very least, not whine about the rain.   ZYDECO!!!!!!!!!! That does it!     Benefit 1: After several days of driving my newly washed car over half of the gravel roads in Jackson County, I've decided to celebrate that today's rain is rinsing all the dust off the car returning it to the "Inferno Red" that I really love. There's something about rain beading up on the surface of a car that presents a very satisfactory picture.   Benefit 2: It is raining just hard enough to keep me planted in the office and be productive.   Benefit 3: We continue to build up th... 08/18/2013

  During the recent economic crisis, a familiar question attached to telephone and internet leads from consumers is "Is the seller interested in owner financing?".       There is (I think) a misconception owner financing is plentiful, easy, a slam-dunk for buyers and a great deal for sellers. Not really. Most buyers I've spoken to in response to asking them, "how much shall I tell the seller you are able to put down as a down payment?" answer with a prolonged silence followed by a figure of $2,000 to $10,000. The callers rarely ask about vacant land or  cheap fixer-uppers.  They usually call about newly listed and modestly priced homes with 3BR/2BA, brand new appliances, newly painted and marketed to be in excellent shape with a price range from $150,000 to $200,000.   Occasionally we h... 08/17/2013

  Trying to ascertain all of the information about a vacant or unimproved piece of property before the buyer has even determined if the seller will entertain their offer can undermine the buyer's position. In real estate transactions, buyers are rarely in a position to know all variables about a property BEFORE they offer on that piece of property, that is why most states have some form of Due Diligence or Inspections period in the contract.   How can being well informed possibly undermine the buyer's position? At the right time, it can't. Pursuing inspections prematurely, before the buyer has even made an offer can waste valuable time and run the chance that another buyer will snatch up the property. Intense scrutiny of the property, involving other professionals such as excavators, su... 08/14/2013

Houses and Apartments for Rent in Jackson and Swain Counties NC, Impress Your Landlord By Allen Lomax There is a good selection of houses and apartments for rent in Jackson and Swain Counties NC but the rental market is by and large a landlord’s market.  That means that landlords with the best properties can keep their properties rented while still being selective as to whom they rent to.  Of course, all property owners are subject to the Fair Housing Act and cannot discriminate against any protected class: race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status (including children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women, and people securing custody of children under the age of 18), and disability. Fair Housing Compliance Nevertheless, in complia... 08/12/2013

Week Ending 8/10/13 Real Estate Market Analysis for North Jackson and Swain Counties NC Buyer Treasure Trove North Jackson and Swain real estate markets still remain a treasure trove of opportunities for buyers.  Residential property sells are at their highest levels since 2008 and homes are selling.  There still remains an adequate supply of homes for sale giving buyers choice and negotiation power. Sellers Entering the Market The last week shows sellers entering the market to take advantage of the up-surge in home sales.  In the last week 13 homes were brought onto the market.  New listing prices range from $92,000 to $799,000.  With this range there remains purchasing opportunities to meet the needs of a broad range financial situations. There were 4 residential homes sold this past ... 08/11/2013

  Realtors can be very valuable allies when you list your property for sale. Besides marketing, showing and selling their home, sellers expect that a Realtor will be able to help them determine a reasonable listing price. Usually we can do that, we pull recent sales from MLS and other places...compare the seller's house to the solds, analyze the difference, review current market conditions and are remarkably accurate when we offer a suitable price range for the seller to list their home. We can usually also predict roughly what we think the ultimate sales price will be. You did see I said..."usually"! Occasionally, a seller has an apple to sell and all we have at our disposal to compare their home to are oranges.   Whew, not so easy then. The smart and ethical Realtor will admit right ... 08/05/2013

Sylva NC Real Estate Market Analysis for July 2013 Buyer Treasure Trove The Sylva NC real estate market analysis for July 2013 reveals that there remains a treasure trove of opportunities for buyers. Sylva market analysis reflects the general trend found throughout Jackson and Swain counties. The number of residential property sells are at their highest levels since 2008. There still remains an adequate supply of homes for sale giving buyers choice and negotiating power. Sellers Entering the Market July shows sellers entering the market to take advantage of the up-surge in home sales. In July 24 homes were brought onto the market. New listing prices range from $119,000 to $949,000. With this range there remains purchasing opportunities to meet the needs of a broad range of financial sit... 08/05/2013

Mountain Homes For Sale in Toy Cove Sylva Jackson County NC You'd never guess from the splendor of the Mountain Homes For Sale in Toy Cove Sylva Jackson County NC that you are only 5 minutes from downtown. Toy Cove is one of my favorite neighborhoods because the people who are fortunate enough to have homes here seem to have it all -- peace and quiet, privacy, verdant forests, country mountain lanes, gurgling streams, placid ponds, all with the convenience of a downtown condo without elbow to elbow neighbors. Toy says it all – forget your everyday cares and come home to play. Wouldn’t you Like to Live in the Toy Cove Sylva NC neighborhood? You can find homes for sale in Toy Cove Sylva Jackson County NC neighborhood and comparable homes for sale in the Toy Cove Sylva NC area. Take a mome... 07/27/2013

  One of the very best deals on houses in Jackson County, NC could well be our listing at 42 Joe Pye Lane in the Holly Hills community of Sylva. The seller just reduced the price by $15,000 and it is now listed at $185,000.   The Holly Hills community has the distinct advantage of the combination of privacy and awesome access to town of any neighborhood I've seen in Jackson County. Within 5 minutes, one could easily be at either Western Carolina University, Southwestern Community College, the elementary school or Smoky Mountain High School. Equally convenient is the access to local shopping or restaurants in downtown Sylva or Dillsboro. There are four good grocery stores in close proximity to the house at 42 Joe Pye Lane. Take your pick from Ingles, Food Lion, Save More or the locally o... 07/10/2013

Nostalgic Joys of Homes For Sale in Sylva’s Fisher Creek Neighborhood Homes For Sale in Sylva’s Fisher Creek Neighborhood raise, in the corner of my mind, a nostalgia of an easier-going more laid-back time.  When driving Fisher Creek Road you can still feel the evidence of the farming community that once dominated this picturesque little valley.  In fact, several small farms still exist along the roadway contributing to the feeling of living in a less complicated world that in some ways, time forgot. One of the most delightful aspects of the mountain towns of Western North Carolina is how they are mapped out.  In these photogenic towns there is no east-west/north-south evenly laid out grid.  For the most part the streets and roads follow the graceful contours of the hills that define so... 06/28/2013

People Love Condos For Sale in Marion Forest in the Scotts Creek Neighborhood of Sylva NC Just off of Skyland Drive, one of Sylva's fascinating historical districts, is Marion Forest.  The community of Marion Forest is unique to Sylva because it is one our few condo neighborhoods.  It is not unique just because of condos though because Marion Forest also offers single family living.  This beautifully designed and immaculately maintained community seamlessly harmonizes condo living with single-family.  As you enter the community you are welcomed with spacious, rolling, and manicured lawns that speak of taste and eligance.  Pets and children are welcome in this charming piece of Scotts Creek.  When you need a break from the community you are just minutes away from downtown Sylva.  Plus, ... 06/27/2013

  What Isn't there to Like about Homes For Sale in Cane Creek Ridge? There is lots to Like about Homes For Sale in Cane Creek Ridge Estates in the Scotts Creek community of Sylva, NC.  First there are the mountains and verdant forests but that's not all.  Cane Creek Ridge Estates is within minutes of highway 23/74, making it a breeze to get to the many local events in Sylva or any of the surrounding communities.  If you like mountains, and who doesn't Cane Creek has a lot to offer but if you tire of the views, the privacy, the cool mountain breezes, downtown Sylva is just minutes away.  Wouldn’t you Like to Live in the Skyland Drive Area of Sylva, NC? You can find all homes for sale in Cane Creek Ridge, Sylva, NC right here.  Take a moment to search and find the home that is right for y... 06/26/2013


What Attracts People to Homes For Sale on Skyland Drive in the Scotts Creek Neighborhood of Sylva NC? Skyland Drive is part of Sylva's fascinating history.  It was the original highway from Sylva to Waynesville.  Being the main drag to the outside world, for much of the 19th and early 20th century, it attracted a lot of diversity and that history is reflected in its unique charm.  The nostalgia of an age gone by is evident pretty much the length of the drive.  Not only is it nostalgic but it is convenient to downtown Sylva with easy access to highway 23/74, making it a breeze to get to the many local events in Sylva or any of the surrounding communities. Wouldn’t you Like to Live in the Skyland Drive Area of Sylva, NC? You can find all homes for sale on Skyland Drive in the Scotts Cree... 06/26/2013

  There are not many three bedroom, two bath "move-in ready" homes on the market in Sylva, NC for $170,000. This one at 812 Safari Drive in the Wildcat Cove development is going to be perfect for the buyer who doesn't want to do anything but move right in! This house is waiting for you!   This house was built in 2007 and the seller was the first owner. The low maintenance house allowed the seller to enjoy one of his favorite past-times...landscaping. The grounds are beautiful with a great combination of greenery and blooming plants. Since he bought the house he has made the large covered deck a real pleasure to spend time on. From the deck people can enjoy not only the gardens but also a very pleasant mountain view. With the proximity to the living room, this is an easy extension to the... 06/23/2013

Always Make a Plan and Stick to the Plan Realtors should always make a plan and stick to the plan.  This is good advice for real estate, for life in general, and for equine care.  Good advice but when unforeseen and never experienced emergencies arise the best of plans and best of intentions are never enough to prepare one for what may come. Good Realtors are planners and good Realtors stick to their plans.  Realtors are not unfamiliar with emergencies.  Frequently, some crisis or another pops up just before a closing.  By working the plan, most often, the good Realtor resolves the crisis and moves on to closing. Life is Uncertain Life though is very uncertain and the unexpected can sabotage the best of plans.  This story is not about real estate but rather a story about a beloved horse... 06/23/2013

Funny how one can be so busy with work during the week that there wasn't enough time to finish "work". Record keeping is vitally important in real estate, as important as working with people. People are in real time, they are right in front of you...sometimes in person, sometimes on the phone and they are always a primary focus in real estate. But then there's the record keeping...also high priority and demanding of attention. We'll go into the office for a few hours today and catch it all up. Then we'll see more people to create more records. The circle of real estate life.     It is time to get Saturday Started. Today won't be all work though...far from it! After I do a little hooping, I'll head out to the Historic Farmers Market in Waynesville. The bee farmers will have their honey a... 06/21/2013

There are bad times and than there are the terrible, horrible, awful, no-good times.  Not much else can be said for the times on the departure of a beloved.  Thursday May 30 began as just another normal day but ended in unexpected grief. At noon on that Thursday I turned Big Mac - Mack for short, my 17'2 hand off the track 19 year old thoroughbred, and Dolly, his companion, into the barn as usual to give them relieve from the sun and the heat.  All appeared normal.  Nothing seemed out of the ordinary.  I went about the rest of the day just like most other days.  When I returned in the evening around five o’clock for feeding, I could see before even entering the barn that this was not going to be just another routine time.  A portion of Mack’s stall wall was knocked down, a sight I’d nev... 06/17/2013