Cashiers homes for sale, Lake Toxaway, Highlands, Glenville

Mountain Properties For Sale & Sold

merry — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 20:35:04 +0000

Mountain properties are for sale and they are selling. There is a lot of talk about the economy. One of the silver linings is that people who want to invest in a great buy in real estate can do it right now. So if you were wondering when was the right time to buy mountain properties for sale, the answer is simple: Right Now!

Merry Soellner has sold 2 condominiums and one house in the last couple of weeks alone. I’m Merry’s husband, Rand Soellner. I’m an architect. She and I were at a dinner party at one of her client’s houses a few days ago and at least two different acquaintances mentioned during casual conversation that they are buying up bargain mountain properties and homes right now.

They said that they don’t trust Wall Street and aren’t sure about the commodities markets/precious metals, and aren’t comfortable with the stingy return from CDs and the similar instruments available from banks. I asked them what they are doing with their investment funds and they said: “We are buying up mountain property and homes.” When asked about their motivations, they said that they could not think of any other tangible entity that is so under-valued at present, that is poised to return to a higher price in the coming months and years.

The real estate brokers around here (Cashiers, Highlands, Glenville, Lake Toxaway, Sapphire, North Carolina) have this saying that you have all probably heard, about high-quality land: “God ain’t making any more of it.” This is could not be any truer for the southern tip of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Cashiers-Highlands-Lake Toxaway area is a high plateau around 3,000 to 4,600 feet Above Sea Level. It is the absolute end of the Appalachian Mountain chain. People from Atlanta, Florida, Texas, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and other places flock here to enjoy God’s air-conditioning during the summer and also to enjoy the spring and colorful autumn. It is typically about 15 to 20 degrees cooler here than in Atlanta. So if you’re in the Buckhead area just north of Atlanta and you are sweltering at 95 degrees F, rest assured that it is probably around 75 degrees F in the Cashiers area.

Also, there is the scenic beauty. Unless you are in Rockies, the only other bona fide mountain range in the USA, you can’t match the tall granite cliff faces, steeply sloping mountain sides and vast valleys between rumpled mountain ranges. Highlands – Cashiers – Lake Toxaway and Glenville have more waterfalls than just about any other location in the United States, with the possible exception of Hawaii. And there are mountain lakes here. It is a paradise. No wonder so many people want to retire here.

So if you are thinking about what to do with your investments, you may want to talk to your accountant and consider taking advantage of the distressed housing and real estate market right now. The time was never better. All around us, there are whispers of a resurgence approaching in the housing market. After it happens, it will be too late. Even Warren Buffett has predicted a healed housing economy by early 2011. When you are in the middle of history being made, it is often hard to see the forest for the trees, when you are in the middle of them.

Now that you know that some of the most desirable real estate and homes in the USA can be bought right now for bargain basement prices, you may want to give some serious consideration to that option. Many other people are doing this right now and when the bargains are gone, new construction will renew and that will be the end of the bargains.

Great Buys in Cashiers Homes for Sale

merry — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 20:40:36 +0000

There has never been a better time to purchase a wonderful mountain home in Cashiers, Highlands, Glenville, Sapphire or Lake Toxaway, NC. Why? The stability of homeowners in this area has historically been rock solid. There is now evidence of INstability in some areas, of financial deterioration. The evidence is shown in the upward spiral of properties that are foreclosures or short sales. As a side effect, the foreclosures have forced sales prices down somewhat to a very affordable level for most folks. Although these distressed sale properties are bad news for the people who are the former owners, they really represent opportunity for those who have money to invest. The investment can be for personal enjoyment or could be held for several years to become a great re-sale property. We must also realize that the amount of foreclosures and short sales in our beautiful mountain area is NOTHING compared to metropolitan areas hard hit by down-sizing companies and other dilemmas being experienced by our larger employers. So, be sure to ask your favorite realtor (and I hope that’s me!) about foreclosures and short sales in the Highlands/Cashiers area to find the best deals around for mountain properties!!

The Time is NOW

merry — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:32:01 +0000

For those people who are still under the impression that it’s best to wait before making a property purchase (whether it’s a home or vacant land), think again. The Fed is discontinuing their purchase of mortgage-backed securities, effective 3/31/2010. What does that mean for those of us that intend to borrow money to close on a home or land? It means that interest rates ARE GOING TO RISE.

The Federal Government has been involved in purchasing mortgage-backed securities for the past while in order to be able to stabilize interest rates and the housing market in general.

Most MBSs are issued by Ginnie Mae or Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, which are US government -sponsored enterprises. Ginnie Mae guarantees that investors receive timely payments. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac also provide certain guarantees and have special authority to borrow from the US Treasury.

If you’ve been considering the purchase of property, the time is NOW. Most real estate is going to be the highest priced investment any of us make. Add an extra percent or percent and a half to the cost of the property. Now, you have an additional investment of potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars over time.

An investment in Cashiers homes and land, Highlands Homes and Land or Lake Toxaway Homes and Land is still one of the best investments anyone can make.

Contact Merry Soellner, your Cashiers, Highlands Real Estate Professional for information on YOUR property purchase! Call 828 399 1580.

Extended Home Buyers’ Tax Credit

merry — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:45:54 +0000

Many of us interested in buying a home have been put off by the uncertainty of these economic times and the housing market itself. Frankly, the time to buy a home is NOW! Not only is housing inventory high right now, but there has been an extension of the government incentive of First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit. In fact, it has been expanded to include current homeowners as well.

The definition of a first time homebuyer is somewhat liberal. The purchase must occur between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010 and the maximum allowable credit for first time homebuyers is $8,000. In order to qualify, the buyer (or spouse) must not have owned a home in the past three years. Single buyers with incomes up to $125,000 and married couples with incomes up to $225,000 may receive the tax credit. If income exceeds these amounts, some buyers may still be eligible for the credit. The amount of the credit decreases for buyers who earn between $125,000 and $145,000 for single buyers and $245,000 for homebuyers filing jointly. The amount of the tax credit decreases as his/her income approaches the maximum limit. Homebuyers earning more than the maximum qualifying income – over $145,000 for singles and over $245,000 for couples are not eligible for the credit.

There’s also good news for current homeowners, wishing to purchase a new or existing home between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010. If those current homeowners have used their home being sold or vacated as a principal residence for five consecutive years within the last eight, they are also eligible for up to a maximum $6,500 in tax credit.

Not only is the tax credit available on single family homes, but also on other primary residences such as condos, townhomes and co-ops purchased for $800,000 or less. As long as a written binding contract to purchase is in effect on April 30, 2010, the purchaser will have until July 1, 2010 to close and still qualify for the credit. The credit does not have to be repaid if he/she occupies the home for three years or more. However, if the property is sold during the three year period, the full amount of credit will be recouped on the sale.

The above information should instill enough confidence in some of us to help us get off the fence we’ve been sitting on. The buyers’ market we’re in right now won’t last forever and neither will the enticement of the Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit. Now, more than ever, is the time to consider that home you’ve wanted or needed!

Having Fun in Cashiers, Sapphire, Lake Toxaway, Highlands, Glenville

merry — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:35:35 +0000

Here's one of the most fun things I can think of!

In Cashiers, Highlands, Sapphire and Lake Toxaway, Highlands, Glenville, there are so many wonderful things to do, it’ll amaze you! Just being here is a wonderful thing in and of itself. This is one of the things I am most amazed by. I LOVE the wildlife! This past summer, we had a family of bears living somewhere around our house. There are two cubs and a mother that have entertained the entire neighborhood during their evening walks!

My Friend...the Llama!

Here, we have mountain waterfalls, lakes, wildlife

I guess you wouldn’t expect to see llamas in this neck of the woods! There is a family who has a llama farm in Glenville Homes for Sale. They are such friendly critters. They seem to want to get close to people just for the heck of it. I guess you just never know who or what you’ll run into in these mountains! Always surprises, and always good!!!

Cashiers Homes, Sapphire Homes, Lake Toxaway Homes – Additional Tax Credit and Extension!

merry — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:08:23 +0000

Cute, Clean and Cozy 3BR/1.5BA home in quiet neighborhood in Sapphire, NC

The news is out…Congress has voted on and passed a bill just today (11/6/09) that will not only extend the first-time homebuyer tax credit of $8000 per family, but will also give additional tax breaks to certain homeowners trading up. Passed overwhelmingly by Congress, the bill would provide a $6500 tax credit to homeowners who are buying a new, primary residence beginning December 1st. The language mandates that to get the credit, the homeowner must have owned their home for five consecutive years of the previous eight. BUT there are caps on the tax credits. They only apply to individual buyers who make no more than $125,000 and $250,000 for couples annually. There is also an anti-flipping provision: Any homeowner who collects the credit and sells within three years must return the money. The FTHB was extended to cover consumers signing a contract by April 30 and closing by June 30.

If you or anyone you know is interested in taking advantage of this unprecedented attempt to give a “shot in the arm” to the otherwise slagging real estate market, you now will have the opportunity to do so! What a great way to end the year, with your own personal first home or home up-grade!!

Please be sure to let me know if I can help you in any way…I would be pleased to discuss the possibility and would be delighted to assist you with Cashiers homes, Sapphire Homes or Lake Toxaway Homes! Even here, in the mountains of Western North Carolina, we have very good buys that would be appropriate for first time home buyers or those folks looking to upgrade their current home!

Top Ranked Cashiers Homes and Land, Highlands Homes for sale, Lake Toxaway Homes Website

merry — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 06:27:56 +0000

Merry Soellner’s www.cashiersncland.com website recently earned the title of Google’s

Top Ranking Real Estate Website for Sapphire NC homes and land, Glenville home for sale, Franklin NC real estate, Brevard NC land, Cashiers NC homes for sale, Highlands NC homes and land, Lake Toxaway real estate

This ranking changes up and down daily. The most solid spot seems to be Cashiers Homes and Land. Merry Soellner was delighted to see her efforts paying off for her providing responsive, professional and friendly real estate services to a growing clientele from all over the United States and the World. The coveted title of top real estate broker for the Cashiers, Highlands, Brevard, Lake Toxaway, Glenville, Franklin and Sapphire areas changes daily. Even so, Merry was pleased to see that the number of votes (or clicks) obtained from her clients and new visitors to her informative website seem to be stimulating her real estate business.

Merry Soellner recently received a major vote of confidence from her fellow realtors, having been elected to a 3-year term as a new in-coming Director for the Cashiers-Highlands Board of Realtors. Merry Soellner has the distinction of being a member of the Brevard-Asheville Board of Realtors as well, something in which few realtors in the Cashiers-Highlands-Lake Toxaway participate.

When asked why Merry seemed to be enjoying such high rankings, she said that her website traffic has increased dramatically, due to her increased showings of homes and land in the Cashiers real estate, Highlands real estate and Lake Toxaway real estate markets. She also has continued to conduct exhaustive previews for new clients for Glenville homes for sale, Sapphire homes for sale and Franklin homes for sale. “I think the fact that I really work hard, previewing as many as 20 homes in just 2 days, makes sure that I hit the mark assigned to me by my clients is part of it,” Merry said.

Merry can offer the following properties: Cashiers homes for sale, Lake Toxaway Estates homes for sale, Bald Rock, Burlingame, Catatoga, Pine Forest, Spring Forest, Highlands, Stillpoint, Trillium, and dozens of other locations. She also is a member of the Brevard and Asheville real estate board, giving her the ability to provide access to her clients to that entire section of western North Carolina.

Cashiers Homes for Sale, Highlands Real Estate, Glenville Homes, Sapphire Land, Lake Toxaway Homes

merry — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:53:08 +0000

Homes for sale, homes for sale! Inventory everywhere!

You’re probably asking yourself, “Why would I want to buy a home now? The housing market CAN’T be as low as it’s going to go!”

Looking for a Home on the WNC Plateau? Come Here for Cashiers Real Estate, Lake Toxaway Homes for Sale, Glenville Land and Homes, Highlands Homes for Sale

Well, I would ask you to consider where it is you want to purchase…for example, if you’re thinking about buying in the Cashiers – Highlands – Glenville – Sapphire – Lake Toxaway area, the truth is that inventory is now moving at quite a brisk rate. Think about it…Once the current inventory is gone, it’s gone!!! New inventory, as it enters the market, isn’t going to be priced the same as inventory that has been on the market as long as the recession has been in effect. If you had a house and wanted to sell it during the past 2-3 years, you know what I’m talking about. People waited and waited until most folks that needed to sell their property gave up and drastically reduced their prices just to get the property sold. When looking for Cashiers homes for sale, Merry Soellner, North Carolina licensed real estate broker can help you find your mountain dream home. Looking for Lake Toxaway homes for sale or Glenville homes and land, or Highlands homes for sale? She can help you find those special places, too.

Still Looking? Try Merry Soellner, Real Estate Broker, for Sapphire Homes for Sale, Franklin Real Estate, Brevard Homes for Sale

I think it’s safe to say that the bottom has been hit, and the deals that are out there now need to be seriously considered. Our market is not the same as other markets. We have a second home market, where a majority of people in the position of selling property don’t HAVE to sell their property. So, if you’ve been thinking about buying a home in the mountains, consider looking at Cashiers Homes for Sale, Highlands Homes for sale, Glenville Homes for Sale, Sapphire Homes for Sale and Lake Toxaway Homes for Sale!!! You’ll be glad you did! You may be thinking of Brevard homes for sale to the east of Lake Toxaway, NC , or Franklin homes off to the northwest of Highlands, NC. Merry Soellner can help you with either, because she is a member of two real estate boards: the Highlands- Cashiers board and the Asheville-Brevard board. Together, she can handle your western North Carolina real estate needs. And let’s not forget what’s in between: Sapphire homes for sale. She can help you find that special place in the middle. She actually has a listing there, right now and in other areas of WNC real estate.

Why Should I Spend Money on Home Staging for my Cashiers Home or Lake Toxaway Home?

merry — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 19:56:16 +0000

Merry Soellner - Broker, Realtor, Certified Home Staging Specialist

You only get a chance to make a first impression one time, right? In this challenging real estate market, you BETTER be ready when the buyers are! A Home Staging expert can come in to your home and give you advice on how to present your very best to the buyers. Many suggestions will cost nothing! It can be as simple as cleaning out your closets or garage and sweeping your front porch. Sometimes it can get a little more complicated, such as rearranging furniture, painting or professionally cleaning carpeting. If you’ve lived in a house for many years, the chances are that there will be a lot to do in order to get ready for the buyers when they come, even if you’re a person who takes really good care of your real estate investment.

Cashiers homes for sale can benefit from Home Staging (so can Highlands Homes for Sale and Lake Toxaway Homes for Sale)

Please be as objective as possible, when your home staging expert comes. They have YOUR best interest at heart. They aren’t there to criticize you or your home. They’re there to help you put your very best foot forward for the speedy sale of your home!

National Association of Realtors statistics show that a staged home sells for more money and quicker than one that hasn’t been staged. Imagine what that means in terms of today’s real estate market, no matter WHERE you live!

Many real estate agents today are now also certified home staging specialists, like me! What that could mean to you, the home seller, is free staging advice when you list your home. You may want to ask the real estate agent whether he/she does home staging and make your decision on whether to list your home with that real estate agent or not.

Don’t let your home sit idly by in this real estate market with no prospects. Put your best foot forward. Engage a home staging specialist, or hire a real estate agent that is also a staging expert. Do it for yourself, your family and a quick sale that means more money at closing.

Interest Rates are on the Rise for Highlands Homes, Cashiers Real Estate, Glenville, Franklin, Sapphire, Lake Toxaway

merry — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 17:53:51 +0000

Now is the time to make that real estate purchase in the Cashiers, Highlands, Glenville, Lake Toxaway, NC area! Home owners are lowering their prices in anticipation of lots of “lookers” during the summer season, which is short! But wait…Now interest rates are climbing!

The lowest interest rate I heard of here in this area was 3.99%. It was only last month that it was offered. Now that figure has increased to over 5%. My banker said that interest rates had risen every day last week, and we can expect more volatility in the days to come.

Lowest Interest Rates in 50 years for your WNC vacation home

If you’ve been sitting on a fence lately, trying to decide whether to purchase that perfect piece of real estate, don’t wait any longer! The rate you save may be your own!

We just re-financed our own home for 5.85 percent. And what a deal. We haven’t seen interest rates that low in years! We can help you locate just the right financial institution to get started on your own re-financing! Whether it’s for your main house, condo, vacation house, Cashiers Homes and Land, Lake Toxaway Real Estate, your Glenville Homes or your Highlands Vacation Home.

Come and Get It! Cashiers Homes for Sale, Lake Toxaway Homes and Land, Highlands Homes for Sale, Glenville Land and Homes, Sapphire Real Estate

Merry Soellner is a licensed real estate broker throughout the great state of North Carolina and can help you find your western North Carolina real estate and dream home in North Carolina. Help her help you! Call her now.

So, for us to help you, all you need to do is contact Merry at 828 399 1580 or at merryproperty@hotmail.com . Give Merry a call now!