The Real Estate Book of Asheville/Hendersonville & NC Blue Ridge Volume 10, Issue 4

Cover Story

377 Old Gait Dr, Hendersonville, NC 287391

This exquisitely designed home graces nearly an acre of picturesque level green space with panoramic mountain views. Upon entering the home you will be immediately captivated by the impeccable craftsmanship and attention to detail. Main level luxury living boasting open floor plan, hardwood floors, high ceilings, plantation shutters and custom blinds, great room with wall of windows, gas fireplace flanked by built-in bookcase, chef’s kitchen equipped with high-end appliances, island with breakfast bar, coffee bar, breakfast area and prep nook- ideal haven for entertaining, open dining room, spa-like primary suite with custom walk-in closet, dual quartz vanities, soaking tub and walk-in tiled shower, den creates a cozy and stylist retreat, 2 guest bedrooms, guest bath, mudroom with powder bath, laundry with sink. Upper level bonus room, den and flex space. Outdoor living options abound with fantastic deck area with retractable awning, lovely screened porch and the covered front porch.

MLS# 4057025 | $845,000

Essential Steps for Sellers

When selling a home, one crucial step in the process is the home inspection. A thorough inspection helps potential buyers assess the condition of the property and identify any underlying issues. As a seller, preparing for a home inspection can significantly impact the outcome of the sale. By taking proactive measures, you can ensure a smoother inspection process and potentially increase the value and desirability of your home. In this article, we will outline essential steps for sellers to prepare for a home inspection.

Address Maintenance and Repairs

Before the inspection, it’s important to tackle any outstanding maintenance and repair tasks. Fix leaky faucets, repair cracked tiles, replace burnt-out lightbulbs, and address any visible damages. Taking care of these issues beforehand demonstrates to potential buyers that you have maintained the property well and instills confidence in the condition of your home.

Clean and Declutter

A clean and clutter-free home not only leaves a positive impression but also allows the inspector to access key areas more easily. Clear away any clutter, organize storage spaces, and ensure all rooms are thoroughly cleaned. This will help the inspector navigate through the property and provide a better overall assessment.

Provide Documentation

Gather all relevant documentation related to the property, such as permits, warranties, and receipts for repairs or renovations. This information can provide valuable insights to the inspector and potential buyers, showing that the property has been well-maintained and any work performed was done professionally.

Check Safety Features

Inspect and ensure that all safety features in your home are in proper working condition. Test smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, and security systems. Replace batteries if needed and make sure these essential safety devices are easily accessible and meet current safety standards.

Clear Access to Essential Areas

Inspectors will need access to various areas of your home, including the attic, crawl spaces, electrical panels, and HVAC systems. Clear away any obstructions or personal belongings that might impede their access. It’s also a good idea to provide clear pathways and remove any items that may block or hinder their examination of important features.

Check Plumbing and Electrical Systems

Inspect and address any issues with your plumbing and electrical systems. Fix leaky faucets, ensure proper drainage, and replace any faulty electrical outlets or switches. The inspector will thoroughly examine these

systems, and ensuring their proper functioning can alleviate concerns for potential buyers.

Service HVAC Systems

Schedule a professional HVAC service before the inspection to ensure that your heating and cooling systems are in good working condition. Replace filters, clean vents, and address any known issues. This proactive step demonstrates that you have taken care of routine maintenance and can provide reassurance to buyers.

Leave Keys and Remotes

Provide keys, remotes, and access codes for any locked areas or security systems. This includes sheds, garages, gates, and alarm systems. Easy access to all areas of the property will facilitate a comprehensive inspection and instill confidence in potential buyers.

A well-maintained and prepared home sends a positive message about your property’s condition, potentially leading to a successful sale. Remember, a little effort in preparing for a home inspection can go a long way in showcasing the value and desirability of your home.

“Preparing for a home inspection as a seller is an essential part of the selling process.”

Beautifully updated 2BR/2BA Kenmure condo! Great view, just bring your toothbrush! All contents included except artwork. Granite countertops in the well planned kitchen, luxury vinyl flooring, spacious rooms, and fabulous screened porch to sit back and relax!!!

MLS# 4057577 | $449,000

Chalet style home has 2BRs + loft, 2BAs, in a totally open design. Lower level family room has a wood stove, as well as a main level fireplace with stove insert. Separate oversized 2 car garage with bonus space above on over 2 acres!!!

MLS# CAR4050479 | $489,900

PRICE REDUCED!!! 3+BR/3BA, spacious home comes with this gorgeous pool and long range mountain view!!! Main level has 9’ ceilings, hardwood floors, “gourmet” kitchen and primary bedroom, all with lots of light and storage! Huge front porch overlooking the pool + large rear deck for lots of outdoor living, on 1.54 acres just minutes to shopping and dining.

MLS# 4011255 | $724,900

0

Flat Rock- over an acre!! 1.64 acres in Shadow Brook subdivision! Beautiful building lot with lots of rhododendrons, large trees, and a stream!

MLS# 3923827 | $64,900

Beautifully updated and move-in ready home in St John’s Woods! So much to love about this particular home on an extra deep lot. Enjoy the newly enclosed sun porch while looking towards the private and nicely-landscaped backyard, or take a dip in the brand new (never used) 2-person therapeutic hot tub under the pergola! Peaceful and private during the day, beautifully lit up at night.

MLS# 4056550 | $569,000

Kathy Watkins 828-674-3517 • Debbi Merker 828-606-7601 • Katherine Fox 828-817-0755 • Bruce Benton 828-692-2332 • Oscar Ody 828-331-1131 • Amy Genao 386-490-3268

644 SALISBURY RD | HENDERSONVILLE, NC 28792

301 GOLFSIDE DR | FLAT ROCK, NC 28731

9 SHUFORD MOUNTAIN RD | PENROSE, NC 28766

SHADOW BROOK DR #3 | FLAT ROCK, NC 28731

Listed by Debbi Merker, ncdebbi@gmail.com

58 REGENT DR | FLETCHER, NC 28732

Serving

Western North Carolina For 45 Years

Lake Toxaway Estates - One of a kind 4 BR, 6.5 BA lakefront home with a large stone patio adjoining the water, and a separate pool house with heated indoor pool. Offered fully furnished including a like-new pontoon boat. $3,500,000. MLS 4058432

Lake Toxaway EstatesBeautiful lake and mountain views from this 4 BR home. $1,650,000. MLS 4010579

Chasewood - Lovely new home offering 3 BR, 5½ BA, and great room with fireplace. $1,888,888. MLS 4024710

Lakefront - This extensively renovated home in Lake Toxaway Estates overlooks Lake Cardinal and offers extensive outdoor entertaining space and privacy with a rare opportunity to own two lakefront lots. $2,250,000. MLS 4050373

Custom Home on 4.95± Acres - 4 BR, 4½ BA home with mountain views. $1,590,000. MLS 4053913

Two Houses - Situated on a 3.67± acre lot with a 2 BR home and 1 BR guest house. $699,000. MLS 4037908

39.5± Unrestricted Acres - With an older home. Many possibilities. $975,000. MLS 4030733

Pine Shore Lake - Updated 3 BR, 3 BA home with office overlooking the lake. $699,000. MLS 4032460

Connestee Falls - 3 BR, 2 BA home close to clubhouse, pool and tennis courts. $370,000. MLS 4052834

Connestee FallsOverlooking the 15th fairway, this 3 BR home is a must see. $546,250. MLS 4044702

10 Park Place West | Brevard, NC 28712 | (828) 883-9895

House Cleaning Tips to Steal From the Pros

When it comes to spring cleaning, or housekeeping any time of the year, nobody knows how to make it more efficient than professional home and hotel cleaners. Try these tips from the pros in your own home.

Stock up on gloves and microfiber cloths. Rubber gloves can help you through a variety of messy tasks without soaking your hands in water or chemicals. Microfiber cloths can be used wet for kitchen and bath cleaning, or dry for thorough dusting.

Simplify your cleaning products. You should not need more than three or four products, including a mix of vinegar and water in a spray bottle, to tackle every cleaning job in every room of your house.

Keep cleaning tools handy. Having products and rags in a moveable carry-case, and brooms and a vacuum in a central spot, saves time and energy. In a two-story home, keep a second vacuum upstairs for quick and easy pick-ups.

Clean the kitchen every day that you cook. Not the whole kitchen, but the range, the counters to the side of it, the refrigerator handle and the sink. New kitchen dirt is easy to clean, but old kitchen dirt can harden into rock.

Don’t get bogged down with clutter. Spend some time once or twice a month sorting and putting clutter where it belongs. In between, just pick up those light piles of mail and magazines and clean under and around them.

Keep your pets brushed. It will minimize the time you spend dusting and vacuuming.

Have a cleaning path. Whether it’s back of the house to the front, or tougher rooms first, know the route you will take. In any case, clean from the top down, ceilings first, so floors that catch the dust and debris are the last to be swept and/ or vacuumed.

Start with the worst challenge in a room. In the kitchen, it’s the range. In the bathroom, it’s the shower. In the dining room, it may be the chandelier. Once you complete the main challenge, the rest of the room is easy.

Enjoy

character of the home when you walk in the front door, from the beautiful hardwood floors, fresh paint and new kitchen and bath flooring. Need storage space? The unfinished basement provides ample storage and laundry area. Not to mention the detached carport with attached building that has electricity,need a home office, studio space, or storage space? All of this and within walking distance of downtown, schools, coffee shops, breweries, shops, restaurants, etc. Just Imagine walking to festivals and community events and no need to pay for parking!

719 OAKLAND STREET HENDERSONVILLE, NC 28791

Fully-Furnished Short-Term Rentals for any Lifestyle, Including:

Fully-Furnished Short-Term Rentals for any Lifestyle, Including:

Between Homes • Temporary/Contract Job Assignments Relocation • Traveling Nurses & Doctors

Between Homes • Temporary/Contract Job Assignments

Relocation • Traveling Nurses & Doctors

SUITE 2

Studio guest apartment sleeps three and features queen bed plus futon, comfortable sitting area, desk, kitchen/dining area and private bath.

AMENITIES

AMENITIES

Fully-Furnished Units Include New Furniture, Fire TV with Wi-Fi, Full Kitchen with Range/Oven, Microwave and Refrigerator. Private Entrance & Private Parking. Utilities Included.

Fully-Furnished Units Include New Furniture, Fire TV with Wi-Fi, Full Kitchen with Range/Oven, Microwave and Refrigerator. Private Entrance & Private Parking. Utilities Included.

•19 Miles from Mission Hospital

YOUR NEW PATIO PERGOLA

the home three years before, and Dr. Larsen and his wife trusted me. Little did they know, I had no clue how to build the three simple walls needed for the small new bathroom.

By Tim Carter

DAo you want to build a new wall inside your home? Perhaps you're trying to create a new small space for a home office or hobby room, or maybe you have a bigger appetite and are transforming a dank basement into a finished living space. But you have no idea where to start. I've been there. I've experienced your anxiety.

few days ago I took my American Dirus dog for a walk in the southern New Hampshire town of Hudson while my wife was shopping for plants with my son. Willow and I went to Benson Park, an old zoo that is now a marvelous municipal park.

The place was alive with the laughter of children, and I could sense the bygone excitement of the thousands of people who had walked the same pathways over the past seven decades. All those years ago, they were about to see camels, alligators, bears, elephants and many more exotic animals.

I survived with the help of a few phone calls to my boss. It was a humbling experience as I discovered you don't know what

You can't always do this in an existing home, especially if the ceilings in the room are finished with drywall or plaster. As you tilt the wall up, it binds against the ceiling. If you're challenged by a finished ceiling, you'll most likely have to install your top and bottom plates, making sure the plates are

Park benches were plentiful, but one in particular caught my eye, as it was nestled under a weathered, simple yet elegant pergola.

Every now and then it's interesting to go back in time. I clearly remember having to build my first partition wall inside a house. I was a soaking wet-behind-theears carpenter working for a small remodeling company. One of my college professors, Dr. Larsen, had asked me to install a half bathroom in his home. I had no idea what to do, so I told him that my boss could do the job.

When you seal your pergola, or any outdoor wood, always try to use a penetrating sealer made with synthetic resins. You also want one with a medium color. The color pigments act like sunscreen, sacrificing themselves to the ultraviolet (UV) rays that contain photons. Keep in mind that penetrating wood sealers don’t peel like film-forming sealers that seem to dominate the marketplace.

you don't know. Keep in mind this was decades before the Internet and YouTube. You have no idea what an advantage you now have when you have to educate yourself about how to repair and build things around your home. Count your blessings!

thought to the furniture you’ll need, and make sure it fits with ease under the structure. You don’t want to be bumping into the support posts.

plumb in the same plane. You'll then cut each wall stud to fit snugly between the plates and toenail them in place. Drill angled pilot holes in the ends of the wall studs for the nails. Use no less than 3-inch-long 16d sinker nails to connect the wall studs to the plates.

I can’t stress enough the importance of this planning step. All too often, folks think a certain size will work because the space seems so large. But as you start to move furniture in, the large space shrinks.

While Willow was using her nose to make a mental note of all the other dogs who had been to the same spot, I used my eyes to take in the beauty of this structure. I thanked the architect or carpenter who had come up with the idea for the pergola’s interlocking 5/4 x 10 rough-sawn cedar used to create the shade screen that measured 12 by 16 feet. It was the perfect size, in my opinion.

Once the simple plans were drawn and the contract signed, I was sent to my professor's house to start the job. I had painted the outside of

As strange as it seems, the first thing that I noticed was the extra simple trim lumber that had been used to fatten the four support posts. While it was unnecessary, this small touch created both visual appeal as well as a subliminal message of strength. Think about an elephant’s lower legs compared to a gazelle’s. The elephant telegraphs sturdiness, power and stability.

Fortunately, no one had ever painted this masterpiece. I’m sure it had been stained at one time, but that was years ago, as the cedar wood now sports a distinctive gray color much like my own hair. It’s vital the park staff clean and seal the wood soon, in my opinion. Water and sunlight will eventually take their toll and the majestic pergola could end up as dumpster fodder or kindling wood.

Building a new interior wall in an existing house can be much different from doing it on a new home job site. When we carpenters build a wall for a new home, we typically build it flat on the floor. Once all the studs are nailed to the bottom and top plates, we tilt the wall up and secure it so it doesn't fall over.

If you plan to build a pergola this summer you only need a few tools. But before you buy any lumber, you need to visit your local zoning office to see if you’re even allowed to build one.

The cynic in me thinks the sealer manufacturers promote film-forming sealers because when they fail, your deck, pergola or outdoor wood furniture looks horrible faster. This means you need to buy more sealer in fewer years.

If you plan to build a pergola this summer like the one I saw at Benson Park, you only need a few tools. But before you buy any lumber, you need to visit your local zoning office to see if you’re even allowed to build one. Some cities, towns and even HOAs have very rigid and restrictive codes that limit what you can do on your own land.

Once you know you’re allowed to construct your pergola, it’s time to think about its primary purpose. Will it be simply decoration or will it be functional? What will you do under it? Sip an iced coffee, read a book, play harmonica, set up your outdoor amateur radio, play chess? Give

If there is no ceiling, you can tilt the wall up so long as you orient the wall in the same direction as the floor joists above. You simply make sure the top of the wall rises up in between two parallel floor joists. Once the wall is vertical, you can then slide it into position under

Spend the extra money to use stainless-steel nails, screws, bolts and nuts. Beware of cheap electroplated galvanized hardware. It looks great but that ultra-thin coating of zinc wears off faster than a two-week honeymoon. Once the metal begins to rust, it can permanently stain your expensive cedar or redwood.

Don’t underestimate the power of wind. You’ll thank your lucky stars that you attached the pergola to concrete piers using hold-down anchors when you get an alert on your phone about an approaching severe storm packing wind gusts of 50 mph or more. The last thing you want is to see your pergola lift up off the ground and float or tumble into a neighbor’s yard.

opening you just My recommendation your new it at your rough opening measurements Measure of the where attached the door. measurement. of your much the frame the door. be trimming when you you want between the top You height just one-quarter the factory Trust me, install over drywall gap between and the ©2021 Tim Content Agency,

My best advice is to go hunting for pergolas near your home. You might find them at garden centers, city or county parks, or in public gardens. Take your tape measure and notebook with you. When you spot one that makes you melt, it’s time to take measurements and photos, or even sketch it so you can recreate it in your backyard. Don’t try to reinvent the wheel, it’s better to just copy one or tweak one that you already love.

©2023 Tim Carter. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Building a new interior wall in an existing house can be much different from doing it on a new home job site. When we carpenters build a wall for a new home, we typically build it flat on the floor.

BREATHTAKING VIEWS

Spacious 4BR/3BA Luxury Villa. State-of-the-art upgrades throughout! Designed for views of Mount Pisgah & Blue Ridge Mountains from every room. Natural gas log fireplace, beautiful built-ins. Primary BR w/ensuite. Office/4th BR option or hobby space. LL w/Den + Stone Fireplace, Guest Suite w/bath. Screened Porch/ Patio. MLS 4055194 $824,000

LOVELY TOWNHOME

This 2BR/2BA home features large wood-beamed great room w/beautiful stone fireplace. Enjoy the great outdoors from your covered deck w/long range mountain views, also seen from great room & large primary suite w/his & her walk-in closets. Spacious guest BR w/bath. Granite countertops, hardwood floors, walk-in laundry/mud room + much, much more! MLS 4012900 $615,000

Three years old, like new! One level 3BR/2BA Duplex with many upgraded features, 1650 sq. ft. open floor plan, vaulted ceilings, great room, hardwood floors, Cambria quartz kitchen countertops, floor to ceiling cultured stone fireplace, two car garage. Prime location within walking distance to sports complex. Must see! MLS 4055689 $549,000

One of the last remaining easy-build lots available with a great northern mountain view, level driveway situated at the end of a cul-de-sac street. MLS 4021213 $165,000

Come build your "Dream Home" on this great building site with southern mountain exposures on this cul-de-sac street. Easy driveway, level lot, southern views. MLS 3603101 $150,000

BOOST YOUR CURB APPEAL BY PAINTING YOUR EXTERIOR

When you put your home on the market, one of the best ways to pump up interest in your home is to boost its curb appeal. While installing a new mailbox or keeping the lawn well-manicured are great for maintenance, nothing boosts curb appeal quite like a fresh coat of paint on your home’s exterior.

Summer and early fall are a great time to pull the trigger on repainting your home. Ideally, you want warm, dry days. While there’s always a chance of thunderstorms in the summer, a simple check of the weekly forecast will alleviate any risk there.

Summer is also a good time because there aren’t big temperature fluctuations from day to night. If you’ve got perfect temperatures during the day, but then a big drop after the sun goes down, the paint will react and won’t cure properly.

Once you choose your painter, the next step is to start choosing your colors.

First, choose the main body color of your home. This color is what most of your home will be painted, and it will set the tone for the rest of the home. Normally, you would choose something neutral like white, cream, gray, etc. If you have a change in material, such as an entry feature or second roofline, or any other secondary main material feature, include a second main color to complement the first.

Then, choose a complementary accent color that will highlight smaller details, such as doors and shutters. For example, if you paint your home an offwhite color, such as cream, choose a blue hue such as navy or a red hue like burgundy to complement it. Finally, tie everything together with a trim color around the windows and eaves.

If you’re not ready for an entire exterior paint job, you can still give your house a facelift with some practical touch-ups on accent pieces. Fresh, bright paint on the front door, stair rails, balconies, shutters or window sashes can vastly improve the look of your house. Plus, it’s easy to change the color on these smaller details every year or two so you can constantly update and boost that curb appeal.

If you’re putting your house on the market, look into a fresh coat of paint or doing some touch ups. It’ll go a long way towards a great first impression when it comes time to show your home.

Cathy Diepholz

828-699-0224

I love my job

DIEPHOLZ REALTY

cathyd.realestate@gmail.com

Welcome Home

and have based it on honesty and service to my customers and clients.

Spacious home, in Chanteloupe, great for entertaining or just relaxing. Primary Bedroom on Main level and 2 Bedrooms, each with full bath, on the 2nd floor. The finished portion of the basement could be a 2nd Primary Bedroom, with full bath, or could be used as guest quarters. Floor to Ceiling Fireplaces in the Living Room and the Family Room. Relax in the Screen Porch or Bar-b-cue on the expansive back Deck. Call to see this beautiful property.

MLS# 4020770 | $911,235

Serving Hendersonville, Asheville and Surrounding Areas

235 Estate Dr Hendersonville, NC 28739

Text Listing Codes To 52187

TEXT: RBJWKDW

Welcome home to your Waterfront retreat on Lake Adger! This lovely home is nestled on 1.23 acres in peaceful Southcove on Lake Adger with long range lake & mountain views.

TEXT: RBJVQWW

Two houses on 11.77 acres with mountain views & close to downtown Tryon...Yes, please! The original home, built in 1929, has all of the character of the era. It's nestled in the trees with beautiful views (year round & more in the winter). Call Stewart

Once operated as The Foxtrot Inn & Guest Cottage this majestic property is ready to be returned to its grandeur. 'The Inn', built in 1915, along w/ 'The Cottage' rest atop 6.11 beautiful ac w/ winter mtn views all within the Tryon city limits. Call Stewart

This is your opportunity to live in the very desirable Diamond Ridge Condominiums! Skylight in foyer allows for a light and bright welcoming entry. Charming 2br, 2ba and very well maintained. Open floor plan with large living and dining room space with a wood burning fireplace. Call Holly

TEXT: RBJTNDW

Looking for a beautiful, peaceful place to build your private mountain retreat? Rixhaven is the perfect place for you! This 3.8 acre corner lot offers a few great potential homesites and access areas.

Conveniently located between Columbus & Tryon, you will find this 1.20 ac lot tucked into the woods off Cherokee Circle, a paved drive in what was originally Silver Ridge Estates. This lot is buildable and has a gravel driveway roughed in to the building site.

Paradise Found! Welcome to Mountain Laurel Estates, a gated community located near Lake Lure, NC. Immaculate 2.68 ac parcel which offers a couple great building sites, one of which is on the elevated slope above the creek. 3-bedroom septic permit on file. $69,900 Call Cindy

Great long range, winter mountain views! Perfect building spot for that getaway you've been seeking. Located in the White Oak Mountain Community which features ponds, picnic area, and green space for your enjoyment. Waterfalls and lookout points are a couple of other treats to explore. $27,000 Call Stewart

TEXT: RBJJDRQ

TEXT: RBJCRPJ

UNDERCONTRACT!

(Outside NC)

Homesites starting at $175,000 with views and $70,0000 (WOODED) New low-maintance cottage homes. Call us for more information!

150 POPLAR LOOP DR

Beautiful updated home in the prestigious Kenmure community in Flat Rock. Owners have updated with new kitchen cabinets and appliances, new exterior and interior paint, updated master bath with added steam bath, new back deck with composite decking, over 1000 feet living space added in lower level, fenced back yard just to name a few of the updates. Located close to the clubhouse, golf course, indoor/outdoor pools, tennis and fitness center.

4015609 $1,050,000

143 POPLAR LOOP

Distinguished, thoughtfully crafted, custom built Kenmure home. Enjoy luxury mountain living while taking in the mountain views from the expansive windows of this home. Open floor plan with split bedroom suites on the main level. Primary suite has it's own fireplace. Great room with vaulted ceilings and stacked stone fireplace. Gourmet kitchen with high end appliances. Screened porch and open deck to entertain and dine with guests. Upper level is a private get away perfect for a den, craft room or office. Lower level has a third en-suite bedroom, family room and bunk beds. Two half baths, one located on the main level and one on the lower level. Plenty of storage. Gas generator installed. 4027323 $1,800,000

Late Summer Projects to Complete Before Fall

If you’re still enjoying the lazy days of summer, there are some projects you can be doing to prep your home for fall. Knocking out some small projects now will not only lessen the workload down the road but will also help you avoid the stress and expense of emergency situations in the thick of cooler weather.

1. Have your furnace inspected.

While the thought of heating your house in August probably isn’t at the top of your list, August is a great month to have an HVAC pro come in (before they get much busier in the fall and winter) and check for leaks, heating inefficiencies, and change your furnace filter.

2. Seal drafts.

Check around windows and doors to see where leaks may be occurring. Now is a great time to take care of patching holes and caulking around windows while the weather is still warm - you’ll be able to feel some warm air coming through any holes.

3. Inspect trees and fertilize your lawn.

The end of the summer is a great time to do yard related tasks. Inspect the trees on your property and get rid of any dead limbs before storms hit. Also, take the time to fertilize your lawn now to help guard against winter damage.

4. Inspect your roof.

Before fall leaves and winter snow wear your roof down, take the time to have loose shingles replaced and any patches made.

5. Test home safety devices.

Use this time to test all your smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors or fire extinguishers. Replace batteries or install new ones so you’re ready to go once it’s time to fire up the fireplace. And, speaking of the fireplace:

6. Clean your fireplace.

Chimney sweeps get very busy once the fall season is in full swing, so make an appointment to have your fireplace professionally cleaned during this off-season.

So, while you take a break from relaxing and soaking up the last bit of summer, give your home that TLC to make sure it’s ready to take on the changes fall will bring. Consider hiring a home services contractor or handyman service that can help you tackle multiple tasks like those above, or reach out to a specific provider like a roofer or chimney sweep. Getting some of these things taken care of now will let you enjoy more of your fall.

BUYING IN THE FUTURE? START SAVING TODAY

By Suzanne De Vita

With inventory low and prices rebounding, affordability has become one of the foremost housing issues—both for buyers entering the market, and homeowners looking for a new, but practically priced property after selling. According to new research, accumulating enough for a down payment can take over seven years—and even longer in pricey spots.

If the average buyer earning the median national income saved 10 percent of it per month, it would take 7.2 years to amass a 20 percent down payment on the average home in the U.S., according to an analysis recently released by Zillow. Buyers in California are in for the longest savings stretch: 18.4 years in Los Angeles; 18.3 years in San Francisco; and 21.8 years in San Jose—the longest of the markets in the report. Buyers have an easier path in Pittsburgh, where it takes 4.8 years, and in Cincinnati, Indianapolis and St. Louis, where it takes 5.1 years.

The disparity between earnings growth and home prices is substantial, the analysis shows. Incomes have increased 52.6 percent in the past 20 years, while appreciation has hit 98.6 percent.

“The simple fact that home values have far outpaced income growth, lengthening the time needed to save for a down payment, contributes to millennials’ struggles to enter homeownership,” says Skylar Olsen, director of Economic Research at Zillow. “Saving up for a down payment can be tough, especially when the cost of everyday life outpaces the money you put into the bank. It requires good budgeting and long-term planning. It’s one reason why more and more first-time home buyers are looking to family and friends for financial help when coming up with their down payment.”

While 20 percent down is ideal by many measures, it’s not a requirement; in fact, borrowers can be eligible for as low as 3 percent, depending on the loan and their situation. For guidance, contact your REALTOR®.

“Even if you don’t have plans to buy a home in the next year or two, it’s not a bad idea to start setting aside savings for a future home purchase,” Olsen says. “It’s also important to remember that there are many options for mortgages requiring less than 20 percent down.”

EXPLORE MORE THAN COMMUNITIES IN ONE LOCATION.

With more than 200 communities in Western North Carolina, nding your dream home can be a daunting, time consuming task. Private Mountain Communities o ers the region’s most comprehensive Buyer’s Resource and Discovery Showroom where you can streamline your search for the property that is right for you. As real estate advisors, our experienced brokers work exclusively with buyers so their unbiased approach is focused on you, and ultimately helps you make a more informed decision. From mountain retreats and downtown condos to lake properties and golf communities, let the experts at Private Mountain Communities help you nd your perfect place.

At allentate.com, enter the address into the search bar for details on any property.

176 Elkwood Drive $3,800,000 | MLS# 4035125

151 Garner Drive $2,490,000 | MLS# 4057084

102 Havnaers Point $795,000 | MLS# 4026714

245 Bald Mountain Crescent 202 $659,000 | MLS# 4046943

331 Shumont Estates Drive $459,000 | MLS# 4001201

158 Stonecrest Court $365,000 | MLS# 4043084

545 Winesap Boulevard $715,000 | MLS# 4041501

415 Youngs Mountain Drive $420,000 | MLS# 4039244