$5,850,000

MLS Number: 50913

City: Valle Crucis, NC
Stories: 2
Bedrooms: 4 Baths: 4.5
Area: Boone-Blowing Rock, NC
Year Built: 1990
Plus Five fully furnished 1,400 sq. ft. Rental Cottages. Each built in 1996 on approx. 1/2 acre sites. Current cottage average annual rental income $150,000.

39.4 acres with 360 degree view of Blue Ridge Mountains.

5,200 sq. ft. main house built in 1990 on 1.24 acres.

No restrictions and no zoning offer many other options:

* Family compound
* Corporate retreat
* Religous retreat
* Horse farm / Dude ranch
* Recording studio
* Cottages can be sold separately
* Land can be further subdivided if desired

Contact Elizabeth Carter, 336.973.5594 or Greg Stikeleather, Broker, 704.880.5247 or email eacarter@charter.net

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search for : Valle Crucis, NC, Blowing Rock, NC, Blue Ridge Mountains

This Christmas season, there’s a backlash brewing against over-the-top holiday displays. With community associations ramping up holiday decorating contests and manufacturers pitching an increasing variety of yard decor some homeowners and cities have had enough.

Disgruntled neighbors complain of everything from traffic to wasted electricity. In some locales, people called for the city to crack down on loud music or decorations that linger after holidays. Police in some areas of the country even report that the growing number of blow-up Santas adorning people’s yards are targets for stabbing and other forms of violent deflation.

Police in some areas are also saying that the large inflatables — which can range from 4 to 12 feet tall — are attracting the attention of vandals who like to poke holes in them and deflate them. (more…)

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The Energy Policy Act of 2005 specifies federal tax credits for homeowner who make energy efficiency upgrades to their home or condo. Consumers employing energy efficient products in their homes enjoy multiple benefits. At home, these benefits include lower home energy bills, increased indoor comfort and reduced air pollution.

The energy-efficient products eligible for federal tax credits lower the amount of federal income taxes that these taxpayers must pay the IRS. However, consumers don’t receive an income tax credit when the product is bought, like an instant rebate. Rather, those purchasing certain energy related items can claim the credit on their federal income tax form at the end of the year. The credit then increases the tax refund received or decreases the amount of tax owed. (more…)

search for : Energy Policy Act of 2005, income tax credit, federal income tax

The U.S. Department of Energy indicates that those who heat their homes with heating oil could see heating costs rise 25.6% this winter, compared with last winter. Those who use propane could see their costs rise 20.2%, and those who use natural gas could see a 10.7% rise. As a result, people who have put off home improvements to keep heating costs down are taking steps to indentify their property’s energy loss areas.

To help homeowners lower their heating bills, Energy Star recently released an online tool, the Energy Star Home Advisor, which can help homeowners decide which improvements to make. Consumers enter information including their zip code, how the home is heated and the type of water heater in the home.

The tool can be found at nergystar.gov. (more…)

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The Charlotte NC housing market is booming as jobs continue to outstrip the supply of homes. The U.S. Department of Commerce ranks Charlotte number one in 2007 in its affordability index for cities with population between 400-thousand and 1-million. Housing permits have skyrocketed year after year. In 2006, residential building shot up 33 percent to more than 18-thousand single-family and apartment units.

The inventory of new homes on the market remains relatively lean and building moratoriums in some surrounding areas are keeping a relatively tight lid on new supply. Even though Charlotte is one of the nation’s largest financial centers, the city has largely escaped a direct hit from the housing slump and mortgage market troubles.

(more…)

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Some buyers perceive this slow market as an opportunity to secure a bargain priced home. The inventory of unsold listings continues to grow giving buyers more choice than is the case in a hot seller’s market when listings sell quickly. In a high-inventory market, there are usually fewer multiple offers so buyers can cut a better deal with the seller. However, it pays to be careful about what property is bought and how it is financed.

Buyers, particularly those that have never before owned a home need to give careful consideration about financing the purchase. If at all possible, stay away from mortgages that have short due dates and balloon payments. If the market stays soft for longer than anticipated, a mortgage holder doesn’t want to be caught having to refinance at a time when the property might not appraise for the price needed to complete the transaction. (more…)

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Christmas is the time for giving. For that avid do-it-yourselfer on your holiday shopping list, nothing says holiday’s gifting more than home improvement tools. Just some of the items you might consider are listed in this article in order of price. All are well worth considering.

One of our favorites (from personal use) is the DeWakt 18V Compact Drill/Driver Kit. This item features a compact size that fits into the tightest conditions, a lightweight design (5.2 lbs.) to minimize user fatigue, a high performance motor delivering maximum power of 380 unit watts out, a dual speed range: 0-450/0-1,500 rpm delivering optimal performance and comes with a 1/2″ single sleeve keyless ratcheting chuck for a tighter bit grip. (more…)

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