I love sharing this information with my clients. This is a snapshot of our current market conditions in Western North Carolina based on the data from the Western North Carolina Multiple Listing Service. I focus mainly on Henderson, Buncombe, and Transylvania Counties. If you would like information about other surrounding counties, let me know and I will be glad to provide.

Henderson County
96 – Total Number of Units Closed
Here is the breakdown:
78 – Single Family Residence
8 – Condos
8 – Townhomes
2 – Pre-Construction

For Single Family Residences in Henderson County
The average list price for December in Henderson Co. was $272,364
The average sales price for December in Henderson Co. was $241,945
The median list price for December in Henderson Co. was $189,950
The median sales price for December in Henderson Co. was $182,500
The average days on market were 185. (Please remember this number is calculated from the list date of the current listing. This does not calculate total days on market if the home was listed with multiple agents).

Buncombe County
187 – Total Number of Units Closed
Here is the breakdown:
160 – Single Family Residence
18 – Condos
8 – Townhomes
1 – Pre-Construction
0 – Residential Auction

For Single Family Residences in Buncombe County
The average list price for December in Buncombe Co. was $291,166
The average sales price for December in Buncombe Co. was $270,422
The median list price for December in Buncombe Co. was $224,500
The median sales price for Decembe in Buncombe Co. was $215,500
The average days on market were 161. (Please remember this number is calculated from the list date of the current listing. This does not calculate total days on market if the home was listed with multiple agents).

Transylvania County
31 – Total Number of Units Closed
Here is the breakdown:
28 – Single Family Residence
3 – Condos
0 – Townhomes
0 – Pre-Construction

For Single Family Residences in Transylvania County
The average list price for December in Transylvania Co. was $243,514
The average sales price for December in Transylvania Co. was $214,452
The median list price for December in Transylvania Co. was $221,450
The median sales price for December in Transylvania Co. was $180,000
The average days on market were 199. (Please remember this number is calculated from the list date of the current listing. This does not calculate total days on market if the home was listed with multiple agents).
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This information is critical in understanding our local market. It is important as you make decisions about buying and selling.

I love sharing this information with my clients. This is a snapshot of our current market conditions in Western North Carolina based on the data from the Western North Carolina Multiple Listing Service. I focus mainly on Henderson, Buncombe, and Transylvania Counties. If you would like information about other surrounding counties, let me know and I will be glad to provide.

Henderson County
73 – Total Number of Units Closed
Here is the breakdown:
65 – Single Family Residence
6 – Condos
2 – Townhomes
0 – Pre-Construction

For Single Family Residences in Henderson County
The average list price for November in Henderson Co. was $308,013
The average sales price for November in Henderson Co. was $272,231
The median list price for November in Henderson Co. was $188,850
The median sales price for November in Henderson Co. was $182,000
The average days on market were 174. (Please remember this number is calculated from the list date of the current listing. This does not calculate total days on market if the home was listed with multiple agents).

Buncombe County
137 – Total Number of Units Closed
Here is the breakdown:
113 – Single Family Residence
15 – Condos
9 – Townhomes
0 – Pre-Construction
1 – Residential Auction

For Single Family Residences in Buncombe County
The average list price for November in Buncombe Co. was $306,371
The average sales price for November in Buncombe Co. was $285,096
The median list price for November in Buncombe Co. was $224,900
The median sales price for November in Buncombe Co. was $214,000
The average days on market were 151. (Please remember this number is calculated from the list date of the current listing. This does not calculate total days on market if the home was listed with multiple agents).

Transylvania County
28 – Total Number of Units Closed
Here is the breakdown:
27 – Single Family Residence
1 – Condos
0 – Townhomes
0 – Pre-Construction

For Single Family Residences in Transylvania County
The average list price for November in Transylvania Co. was $362,556
The average sales price for November in Transylvania Co. was $318,789
The median list price for November in Transylvania Co. was $274,500
The median sales price for November in Transylvania Co. was $268,000
The average days on market were 180. (Please remember this number is calculated from the list date of the current listing. This does not calculate total days on market if the home was listed with multiple agents).
——
This information is critical in understanding our local market. It is important as you make decisions about buying and selling.

All these qualities are exemplified on our Main Street, where many begin their day with coffee at Black Bear Coffee or with a pastry from McFarlan’s Bakery. For a full breakfast, at the corner of Main and 2nd Street you can visit Mikes on Main, an old-fashioned drug store-turned diner where you can have a root beer float with your eggs and bacon, if you would like.

While walking down Main Street you may notice something a bit out of the ordinary: full size ceramic bears painted with wild colors and designs populate every block. Don’t worry though, it’s just a small-town tradition that brings the town together to raise money for those in need when the bears are auctioned off every year. Last year it was giant apples; the year before, Billy Goats!

All of these “statues” are representations of our community. The Black Bears are obvious, we live in the mountains and in turn, we live with the black bears. The apples are because of our many apple orchards, a significant part of our economy and the inspiration for our annual North Carolina Apple Festival held every Labor Day weekend. A wonderful Street Fair, the Apple Festival draws thousands over four days of arts & crafts, performances, a parade, and of course, apples prepared in every way imaginable!

The Billy Goat statues are a nod to our wonderful State Park, Connemara -The Carl Sandburg Home. Located in Flat Rock, the Carl Sandburg Estate was home of course to the poet Carl Sandburg and is full of hiking and walking paths as well as the home of the Sandburgs. Around the corner from the elegant white house is a barn, populated with dozens of goats! Mrs. Sandburg loved goats and raised them at their estate. Now, visitors can enter the fenced goat-haven and pet and play with the very friendly goats.

In search of some outdoor adventure? Head in any direction to find sites like Dupont Forest and its waterfalls, Chimney Rock, Jump Off Rock, Pisgah Forest, and an abundance of rivers and trails perfect for hiking, camping, and water sports. In the fall the leaves burst with color, attracting many to the Blue Ridge Parkway to witness the foliage. In winter, the trees on Main Street twinkle with white lights and there’s a good chance you will witness some snowfall at some point during the season. As spring brings nature back to life, tulips bloom and invite summer to come. Summer in Hendersonville is filled with activity including an abundance of summer camps, Monday Night Street Dances and Friday night’s Music on Main. On Friday nights you will also find Main Street lined with classic antique cars and families and couples enjoying downtown restaurants and attractions. Don’t forget to visit the Black Bear Toy Company and Hands On!, our local Children’s museum.

While a smaller town than neighboring Asheville, but only 25 minutes away, Hendersonville has everything needed for a good time with its entertainment, outdoor activities, beautiful surroundings, and endless things to do. Residents love living here because Hendersonville represents a true sense of Americana and is still holding on strong to a sense of the importance of community. Many people move to Hendersonville to find a simpler way of life while still enjoying the amenities of a suburban city, while many more visit to catch a glimpse of our town, where we truly appreciate how lucky we are to call this place home.

Henderson County
107 – Total Number of Units Closed
Here is the breakdown:
89 – Single Family Residence
11 – Condos
7 – Townhomes
0 – Pre-Construction

For Single Family Residences in Henderson County
The average list price for May in Henderson Co. was $225,918
The average sales price for May in Henderson Co. was $212,833
The median list price for May in Henderson Co. was $189,900
The median sales price for May in Henderson Co. was $184,000
The average days on market were 156. (Please remember this number is calculated from the list date of the current listing. This does not calculate total days on market if the home was listed with multiple agents).

Buncombe County
217 – Total Number of Units Closed
Here is the breakdown:
173 – Single Family Residence
30 – Condos
14 – Townhomes
0 – Pre-Construction

For Single Family Residences in Buncombe County
The average list price for May in Buncombe Co. was $268,228
The average sales price for May in Buncombe Co. was $207,000
The median list price for May in Buncombe Co. was $222,000
The median sales price for May in Buncombe Co. was $250,662
The average days on market were 123. (Please remember this number is calculated from the list date of the current listing. This does not calculate total days on market if the home was listed with multiple agents).

Transylvania County
30 – Total Number of Units Closed
Here is the breakdown:
30 – Single Family Residence
0 – Condos
0 – Townhomes
0 – Pre-Construction

For Single Family Residences in Transylvania County
The average list price for May in Transylvania Co. was $383,901
The average sales price for May in Transylvania Co. was $336,997
The median list price for May in Transylvania Co. was $244,586
The median sales price for May in Transylvania Co. was $222,500
The average days on market were 140. (Please remember this number is calculated from the list date of the current listing. This does not calculate total days on market if the home was listed with multiple agents).
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This information is critical in understanding our local market. It is important as you make decisions about buying and selling.

Relocation Cost, Home Insurance, and Color Correction

Your Home Newsletter, June 2010

Continued on Page 2

Henderson County
98 – Total Number of Units Closed
Here is the breakdown:
80 – Single Family Residence
11 – Condos
7 – Townhomes
0 – Pre-Construction

For Single Family Residences in Henderson County
The average list price for April in Henderson Co. was $245,672
The average sales price for April in Henderson Co. was $227,152
The median list price for April in Henderson Co. was $202,400
The median sales price for April in Henderson Co. was $187,500
The average days on market were 229. (Please remember this number is calculated from the list date of the current listing. This does not calculate total days on market if the home was listed with multiple agents).

Buncombe County
235 – Total Number of Units Closed
Here is the breakdown:
203 – Single Family Residence
16 – Condos
14 – Townhomes
2 – Pre-Construction

For Single Family Residences in Buncombe County
The average list price for April in Buncombe Co. was $252,031
The average sales price for April in Buncombe Co. was $235,562
The median list price for April in Buncombe Co. was $199,000
The median sales price for April in Buncombe Co. was $187,000
The average days on market were 131. (Please remember this number is calculated from the list date of the current listing. This does not calculate total days on market if the home was listed with multiple agents).

Transylvania County
29 – Total Number of Units Closed
Here is the breakdown:
27 – Single Family Residence
2 – Condos
0 – Townhomes
0 – Pre-Construction

For Single Family Residences in Transylvania County
The average list price for April in Transylvania Co. was $303,530
The average sales price for April in Transylvania Co. was $265,448
The median list price for April in Transylvania Co. was $175,000
The median sales price for April in Transylvania Co. was $162,000
The average days on market were 150. (Please remember this number is calculated from the list date of the current listing. This does not calculate total days on market if the home was listed with multiple agents).
——
This information is critical in understanding our local market. It is important as you make decisions about buying and selling.

1. Instead of considering the home, they start asking questions “Is this a divorce?”, “Are they having money problems and had to move out?”, or “Have they already relocated without selling and now have 2 house payments?”. Especially in Hendersonville with the number of retires moving into assisted living or retirement homes, a buyer will think the seller is desperate and will make a low-ball offer.

2. This is not a just a real estate transaction, buyers are purchasing their next phase in life. This is an emotional purchase not purely business or investment. Buyers purchase on how they feel and it is hard to feel good about, imagine their life in or make an emotional connection to an empty house.

3. It is hard to visualize how furniture will fit. One of the most common questions on a vacant house is “Will a queen or king size bed fit in here along with everything else?”. A large living room without any furniture is hard to see how things would be arranged. This creates more confusion for the buyer and is one more objective to overcome.

4. It is easy to focus on the flaws of an empty house rather than the house. All the buyer is looking at are walls, floors, ceilings, doors and exaggerating any flaws. This drives the price down in the mind of the buyer.

5. Staged homes show and sell better than vacant homes. Whether it is the dust, the stale smell, or other signs of a vacant home, this means less time spent in the home by a potential buyer.

Hendersonville and Western North Carolina is currently a buyer’s market. This is a beauty contest that you need to win. Staging your home is a critical piece of the puzzle and staged homes consistently outperform vacant and empty houses. The best condition combined with a correct price will provide the best opportunity to sell your house regardless of the market.