When I post my market reports, I feel an obligation to follow them up quickly with something pretty! Our numbers will no doubt change and improve as time goes by, as will the beautiful landscape of Western North Carolina as we approach fall. If you are starting to think about fall food and festivities, and the changing of the leaves in the mountains of Western North Carolina, the 2008 Apple Harvest Festival, with over 125 different vendors to tempt you, is a premier one-day festival held during the prime time of the changing leaves. Mark your calendars! October 18th in Downtown Waynesville, 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Want to know more? Here's the site. Want a great place to stay when you visit this fall? Plan your next affair here. Here's another beautiful flower from a drive up Sheepback Mo... 08/01/2008

North Carolina's Official International Festival, FOLKMOOT USA, on Main Street in beautiful Downtown Waynesville, got off to a wet start yesterday, but the day ended up dry with a twist of barbecue and fried turkey leg. My friend Bonnie Williams and I wandered around and enjoyed the vendors, Folkmoot participants in their international garb, fresh hot Kettlecorn, and Holy Smoke Barbecue. We tried to eat internationally in honor of FOLKMOOT! See my Photos of the Day. Search the Haywood County, NC MLS. Broker/(REALTOR®) BuckingtheRealEstateTrend.com COLDWELL BANKER Kasey & Associates Maggie Valley, Waynesville and beyond Cell: 828.550.3767 Email: susieblackmon@msn.com 07/27/2008

Boyd Mountain Log Cabins and Tree Farm in Waynesville, North Carolina, has so many flowers right now that it is hard not to ride out there every day to see what has bloomed. Here is another photo of the beautiful flowers bedded amidst the trees and authentic log cabins. More photos of the grounds and some of the authentic cabins at Boyd Mountain are available here. ©Susie Blackmon Photos See my other Photos of the Day. Broker/(REALTOR®) BuckingtheRealEstateTrend.com COLDWELL BANKER Kasey & Associates Maggie Valley, Waynesville and beyond Cell: 828.550.3767 Email: susieblackmon@msn.com 07/17/2008

There are 603 active listings this morning in Waynesville, NC. Waynesville's active residential real estate market profile, as of 07/18/08, is charted below. You may view Maggie Valley's 07/17/08 profile here. Closed transactions in Waynesville for the month to date (12) reflect a Median Selling Price of $208,985, and an Average Selling Price of $200,748 - - significantly lower than the median and average listing prices noted in the chart. The 12 homes that sold were on the market an average of 77 days (as opposed to the average DOM for active listings of 178 days). Do we need more cowbell? See the Haywood County, NC Archive of Market Reports. See the Maggie Valley, NC Archive of Market Reports. See the Waynesville, NC Archive of Market Reports. Search the Haywood County, NC MLS. Broker... 07/17/2008

The Boyd Mountain Log Cabins and Tree Farm property in Waynesville, North Carolina, is not only covered with Christmas trees in all stages of growth, but also flowers of many beautiful varieties to marvel at, some of which I have never seen before. The beautiful bloom below, amidst the trees and authentic log cabins, seemed to me to be trying to expose every nook and cranny to the late afternoon light of the setting sun. See photos of the grounds and some of the authentic cabins at Boyd Mountain here. ©Susie Blackmon Photos See my other Photos of the Day. Broker/(REALTOR®) BuckingtheRealEstateTrend.com COLDWELL BANKER Kasey & Associates Maggie Valley, Waynesville and beyond Cell: 828.550.3767 Email: susieblackmon@msn.com 07/14/2008

The photos posted recently of the log cabins at Boyd Mountain Log Cabins in Waynesville, North Carolina, were just the tip of the iceberg of all the beautiful sights to be enjoyed around the Boyd property.  The flowers growing around Boyd Mountain Log Cabins and Tree Farm are a gardener's (and photographer's!) dream.  Oh, by the way, the Boyd family also has a landscaping business.  Their grounds are a testament to their knowledge and talent.  Wait 'til you see the rest of the flowers!  ©Susie Blackmon Photos See my other Photos of the Day. Broker/(REALTOR®) COLDWELL BANKER Kasey & Associates Maggie Valley, Waynesville and beyond Cell: 828.550.3767 Email: susieblackmon@msn.com 07/13/2008

  Click on photo to view Tour. Waynesville is a historic village of shops, galleries and restaurants. Park your car and walk the streets for an entertaining afternoon. A visit to Haywood County needs to include a trip down memory lane in the quaint village of Waynesville. Directions: From the 19/23 bypass go south on Hwy. 276 (Russ Ave), go through 'Burger Alley' until you dead end on Main Street - turn right and enjoy. 07/13/2008

If you are yearning for a rustic yet elegant place to stay in and around Maggie Valley and Waynesville, North Carolina, does authentic, hand hewn log cabins dated back 150 to 200 years, nestled in a cove on a 130 acre Fraser Fir Christmas tree farm sound inviting? What about being able to walk out your cabin door to enjoy ponds stocked with rainbow trout, bass, blue gill and catfish for free fishing, and birdwatching, badminton, hiking, and of course sledding in the winter? Welcome to Boyd Mountain Log Cabins and Tree Farm. The Boyd family has restored six authentic, hand hewn log cabins, and is in the process of restoring the seventh cabin now (pictured to the right). Cabins are very tastefully and comfortably furnished (including luxury bedding!) with antiques, central heat and air, ... 07/12/2008

Waynesville, North Carolina is soon finally to open its own 'retail hub' of big box stores! Asheville will miss us.  Construction of Waynesville's new Super Wal-Mart, located on the former Dayco site, is scheduled for completion in mid-July; i.e., any day now! The actual opening of the new Super Wal-Mart will be in September, once the parking lot is completed. Cedarwood Development, Inc. also has plans for a Home Depot store in the "big-box retail" development, called Waynesville Commons, and Best Buy has plans to build across the street from Wal-Mart. You can read more about the project plans on Cedarwood's website here. Cedarwood's Conceptual Site Plan (below) is also available on their website here. Can Target and Neiman-Marcus be far behind?  I hope not! Read recent local media cove... 07/08/2008

Here is the Waynesville chart to complete the Haywood County 3-year sales comparison statistics.  If you want to see the Maggie Valley and Haywood County comparisons that were previously posted, they are here. Whether you are a Buyer or a Seller, it is always important to keep an eye on the numbers. WAYNESVILLE 3-YEAR COMPARISON STATISTICS Source: MLS. Data deemed reliable but, not guaranteed. See the Haywood County, NC Archive of Market Reports. See the Maggie Valley, NC Archive of Market Reports. See the Waynesville, NC Archive of Market Reports. Search the Haywood County, NC MLS. Broker/(REALTOR®) BuckingtheRealEstateTrend.com COLDWELL BANKER Kasey & Associates Maggie Valley, Waynesville and beyond Cell: 828.550.3767 Email: susieblackmon@msn.com 07/07/2008

Waynesville, NC recorded 18 residential real estate sales in June 2008, and the average number of days it took to sell the 18 homes was 165. Very sluggish activity, considering the constant increase in the number of homes on the market. The most expensive home sold in June in Waynesville SOLD for $440,000; the least expensive home sold SOLD for $45,000. The number of homes on the market in Waynesville as of this morning (July 3) is 590, up from 568 on June 1. Source: MLS. Data deemed reliable but, not guaranteed. More about the Absorption Rate here. See the June Haywood County, NC Market Report. See my Waynesville, NC Archive of Market Reports. Search the Haywood County, NC MLS. Broker/(REALTOR®) BuckingtheRealEstateTrend.com COLDWELL BANKER Kasey & Associates Maggie Valley, Waynesville... 07/02/2008

Sarge's Animal Rescue Foundation is a wonderful "shelter without walls" here in Haywood County, NC. Sarge's currently saves animals that come from the Haywood County Animal Shelter by placing them in foster homes until their new homes are found. Their goal is "an Adoption Center with quarantine space, comfortable pens, outdoor runs, a cattery, areas for training and grooming." If you would like to donate money to help build their Adoption Center fund, or volunteer your time, please sign up here. June is National Adopt-A-Cat Month. Please stop by COLDWELL BANKER Kasey & Associates' 'Sarge's Cat Adoption' (address below) this Sunday to support Sarge's and find a special kitty that would love to go home with you. Bring a friend along with you!  Here's part of the Press Release for Sunday's... 06/25/2008

Last night I attended the induction ceremony for the new officers of the Rotary Club of Waynesville, of which I am a member. Cecil Yount is our new President. You may notice him in the photos (he is the one with the sweet tea and no hair)! The ceremony, with over 100 people in attendance, was held at the beautiful Laurel Ridge Country Club in Waynesville. Some of the attendees included Rotarians Brig. General W. Thomas Meredith, pictured with Rick Smith, Realtor (828.400.5119). Also pictured are Lyn Donley, Billy and Karen Case, and your’s truly, Susie Blackmon, Bloggess/Realtor. It is a very special honor for me to be acquainted with Brig. General W. Thomas Meredith, and I love his philosophy (and the title of his book…) “Lead, Follow or Get the Hell Out of the Way.” Not to mention, I ... 06/25/2008

Yesterday I reported on homes for sale in Maggie Valley, NC in the $190,000 to $200,000 price range. Today in Waynesville, NC there are 589 homes on the market. The statistics for these 589 listings are: Average Listing Price = $401,818; Median Listing price = $298,500; averaging 170 days on market; least expensive listing = $39,900; most expensive listing = $3,950,000.        ©Susie Blackmon Photos That being said, are you wondering what kind of home you will find in Waynesville if you want to spend between $190,000 and $200,000? According to my MLS search this morning, there are thirteen homes in this price range in Waynesville. Here are some of the great features that are mentioned in the listing descriptions for these 13 Waynesville homes on my MLS search this morning — secluded, vi... 06/24/2008

This photo came about on a visit to a beautiful Haywood County, NC mountain development. Do trout ponds, a barn, and an orchard appeal to your lifestyle senses? Living at The River at Cold Mountain might be just what the doctor ordered. "English country inspired Cottages and mountain and meadow homesites." According to their website, Cold Mountain Life.com, "Only 25 homesites are available, starting from the high $200’s. Cottages and Homes from $1 million. ...Western North Carolina’s newest and most unique mountain, meadow and river community, Cold Mountain." ©Susie Blackmon Photos See my other Photos of the Day. Broker/(REALTOR®) BuckingtheRealEstateTrend.com COLDWELL BANKER Kasey & Associates Maggie Valley, Waynesville and beyond Cell: 828.550.3767 Email: susieblackmon@msn.com 06/18/2008

Waynesville, NC's residential real estate sales in May 2008 totaled 23 as of 06/01.  The average number of days it took to sell the 23 homes was 178. The number of homes on the market in Waynesville as of this morning (June 3) is 567. Absorption Rate. Selling 23 homes per month with 567 on the market as of 06/03 equates to an absorption rate (i.e., inventory) in Waynesville of approximately 24.7 months, which is an increase from last month. More homes have gone on the market (April 30 there were 523 homes on the market in Waynesville; today there are 569 Waynesville homes on the market). We are not reducing our inventory. Price Reductions. See the average discount percentage for homes sold in May here. Source: MLS. Data deemed reliable but, not guaranteed. See the Haywood County, NC Mar... 06/02/2008

Our inventory is on the rise, and we need to lower prices and sell some homes in Waynesville, NC. There have been 19 homes sold in May to date, taking an average of 194 days to sell. Waynesville's inventory of homes for sale is, as mentioned, on the increase.  There were 514 homes for sale on April 26, and today (May 26th) we have 553 homes on the market. Source: MLS. Data deemed reliable but, not guaranteed. See my Waynesville, NC Archive of Market Reports. Search the Haywood County, NC MLS. Broker/Realtor BuckingtheRealEstateTrend.com COLDWELL BANKER Kasey & Associates Maggie Valley, Waynesville and beyond Cell: 828.550.3767 Email: susieblackmon@msn.com 05/26/2008

Waynesville, NC recorded 25 residential real estate sales in April 2008 as of 05/06, and the numbers reflect higher average listing prices and higher average selling prices than recorded since December, 2007. There were 523 homes on the market in Waynesville on March 31st. Absorption Rate Selling 25 homes per month with 523 on the market as of 04/30 reflects a 21-month inventory/absorption rate, which is down from a 24 month inventory at the end of March. That is a 'good thing,' and hopefully a great omen. Source: MLS. Data deemed reliable but, not guaranteed. See the archive of Waynesville, NC Market Reports.See the archive of Maggie Valley, NC Market Reports. Search the Haywood County, NC MLS.BuckingtheRealEstateTrend.com COLDWELL BANKER Kasey & Associates Maggie Valley, Waynesville a... 05/06/2008

The Seventh Annual Quick Draw Benefit supporting Art in Haywood County NC Schools, sponsored by the Waynesville Gallery Association, was held last night (April 26th) at the Waynesville Country Club. Local artists set up shop and were given one-hour to create a fresh piece of work while those in attendance were able to wander and watch the works in progress.  Being inspired by the artists, I enjoyed artistically dripping chocolate sauce all over my fresh strawberries and an apricot bar at dinner. Read more of the story HERE.  Mark your calendars for Quick Draw 2009, Saturday, April 25, 2009! Search the Haywood County, NC MLS. BuckingtheRealEstateTrend.com COLDWELL BANKER Kasey & Associates Maggie Valley, Waynesville and beyond Cell: 828.550.3767 Email: susieblackmon@msn.com 04/27/2008

As a follow-up to my Earth Day story the other day about spending several hours with members of our Rotary Club of Waynesville on Earth Day, giving out 1,000 free ‘green’ reusable bags at Ingles Grocery Store in Waynesville, NC, to replace the plastic bags that end up littering our streets, communities, highways and waterways, there was a story this morning about our ‘Earth Day Reusable Bag Giveaway’  that was featured on page 2 of our local newspaper, The Mountaineer. The article is not posted on the paper’s website yet, but I photographed the featured picture for posting… and not just because I was in the picture! Please click right here to see the  Earth Day SLIDE SHOW.Please read more about our Reusable Bags Project on the Waynesville Rotary Club’s website. Read the Citizen-Times A... 04/25/2008