tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-387510332011-11-23T10:57:21.768-05:00Asheville Mountain Real Estate BlogAsheville, NC real estate for sale. Information for buyers, sellers and mountain homeowners, without pressure. Rich content for those who are far away about what it is like to live here through the generous use of media.
And some nostalgia with our, "Baby Boomers' Fun Stuff", Thanks for stopping by.Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.comBlogger3451100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-76159629674427354012009-09-03T11:13:00.002-04:002009-09-04T10:41:07.701-04:00Labor Day in the MountainsIt is labor Day weekend, the unofficial end of summer, a time for BBQ's, the outdoors, and travel. Greater Asheville has no shortage of events tinged with inimitable local flavor.Driving to Asheville?The NCDOT now has a feed on all road construction projects, apparently updated frequently. Readers may click here to get a report by region.Things To Do*The Lexington Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-68385737259940271322009-09-01T15:27:00.001-04:002009-09-01T15:33:02.877-04:00Asheville: More Best Of DesignationsWe have written any number of times about the various "Best Of" lists that greater Asheville has graced. Today we look at some more recent honoraria.Top Ten Trout TownsFrom Ashvegas, we learn of yet another outdoor oriented nomination, this time from Forbes Magazine. Trout fishing is quite prevalent here in Madison County, just north of Asheville. In fact, Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-22282547865574616352009-08-17T12:21:00.003-04:002009-08-17T12:39:02.331-04:00Monday: Media DayAs the guy at the feed store said this morning, the day is "gray and groggy". So, let's just engage in a little local roundup and start the week in an upbeat way.Asheville in The Wa PoThe Washington Post had an article about Asheville this past weekend. Entilted, "Asheville, NC Has a Song in its Heart", the focus was not so much on local music as it turns out.The overview did Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-72938125291352299952009-08-12T16:48:00.004-04:002009-08-13T10:37:59.979-04:00Uniquely AshevilleAn occasional installment of ours covering what makes our fair city the hip and eclectic place that it is.Friday, August 14Arts 2 People, and The Lexington Avenue Arts and Fun Festival brings us the First Annual Freaks of Asheville Calendar with a photo exhibit at at Pack Place downtown.Ashvegas has the details for this event which is designed to "capture the power and Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-10328490349254318522009-08-07T12:10:00.000-04:002009-08-07T12:13:31.401-04:00Baby Boomers: August 7, 1955Coming into the weekend with a significant day in baby boomer history, the birth of the transistor radio in 1955.Our streets, beaches and backyards would never be the same after rock and roll went mobile. The sound was glorious mono, with those earphones, as opposed to headphones.To commemorate and entertain, here are The Everly Brothers, performing the # 3 song of Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-74151355955517823782009-07-31T10:55:00.005-04:002009-07-31T11:25:53.913-04:00Of Beer, Budgets, and the WeekendTime for another local post, some news bits and stuff for the weekend.Best Beer City, SquaredBack in May we noted Asheville's designation as the Best Beer City in America.July has brought another accolade in that vein, this time Best Craft Beer City, by way of Imbibe Magazine. Be sure if you are in town to check out and support Asheville's local breweries.In OtherBlack Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-82019740653177722632009-07-30T11:40:00.004-04:002009-07-30T14:34:36.568-04:00New Home Sales: June 2009New home sales were reported earlier this week. Both of the following statements are true.New home sales in June, 2009 were at their highest level since November 2008, but it was also the second lowest June since 1963, when record keeping began. Barry Riholtz notes that the worst June on record was 1982 and offers the following:Then, 34,000 new homes were sold. There Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-63730959168153729692009-07-28T14:31:00.003-04:002009-07-30T10:32:09.871-04:00Existing Home Sales: June, 2009Released late last week, let's examine how the market fared with respect to sales of existing homes. In few words, less bad than it was.Existing home sales increased 3.6 % in June, 2009 vs the prior month, as well they should if anything resembling a normal seasonal pattern is in place. This segment of the market however remains 0.2% less than one year ago, which Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-55996723368851162802009-07-24T11:01:00.000-04:002009-07-24T11:06:16.237-04:00Bele Chere: 2009It's the last weekend in July, and Bele Chere, the largest street festival in the Southeast returns to Asheville.Essential Resources*Official Site*The Citizen Times outlines the three decade evolution, and changes for 2009.*Overview from The Citizen Times, complete with video and recent articles.*Mountain Express Bele Chere Guide: Music is on the main page, right sidebar for otherBlack Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-20073721879923617852009-07-23T11:15:00.001-04:002009-07-24T09:38:41.128-04:00Baby Boomers: Peter and GordonIt's been a long while since we took a break from real estate and posted a Baby Boomers feature.It was last weekend, that we learned about the sudden passing of Gordon Waller, one half of the 60's duo Peter and Gordon.P and G were the first British band after The Beatles to garner a US # 1 hit, a distinction in itself. They had quite a decent run between 1964 and Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-77745859718752083302009-07-22T12:52:00.003-04:002009-07-22T13:19:19.473-04:00Housing Starts, June, 2009The Census Department released its monthly series on housing construction late last week. Let's go behind the headlines and see what happened.Calculated Risk notes that new permits, starts and completions were down 56%, 46%, and 27% respectively from one year ago.Paper Economy examines the all important single family segment where we see permits, starts and completions Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-53998075385183075922009-07-15T13:15:00.001-04:002009-07-15T13:22:45.580-04:00Asheville Metro Economy OutlookLast evening was the 10th Annual Asheville Metro Economic Outlook. We were unable to attend, and to our disappointment, there is scant reporting online.The Economic Development Coalition For Asheville & Buncombe County has its economic snapshot up for May, 2009 at any rate.Since that page does not appear to get archived, we will recap the numbers here vs. May, Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-56647448251802120552009-07-14T12:10:00.003-04:002009-07-14T13:02:24.744-04:00Tuesday NumbersWe're keeping a close eye on economic news lately, spurred by the notion that things are down, but not by as much. Not that this should be a basis for calling a bottom.But still, the news bears watching for any turnarounds, and then, like any good commodities trader, to look for confirmation in the next month as new numbers get released.Economic News of The Day: June, 2009 Retail Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-82827596519908331622009-07-13T16:08:00.000-04:002009-07-13T16:13:52.794-04:00Monday: Things We ReadJust a collection of items from online publications, no deep analysis.Department of Odd JuxtapositionsThe Wall Street Journal reports on declining divorce rates, apparently caused by the recession.A May survey by the Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts, a national organization for financial professionals who work on divorce cases, found that the recession was delaying Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-1913775910839825372009-07-10T11:40:00.014-04:002009-07-10T16:07:26.367-04:00Travel & Tourism in a Resort MarketToday we look at travel and tourism for its particular importance to greater Asheville real estate.The BasicsLike many resort, retirement, or vacation areas, our real estate market, especially in the adjacent counties, is traditionally fueled by buyers from outside of the region.Today's visitors are tomorrow's buyers. Real estate and tourism are thus linked. Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-74346040851796192122009-07-09T12:18:00.001-04:002009-07-09T12:23:27.505-04:00Asheville EventsLet's get away from statistics and trends for a while. Here's a quick roundup of some events of note for the coming days.Opening Friday July 10From The Asheville Travel Blog: Nantahala Gorge Canopy Tours. Let's explain.One of the peculiarities of weather in a mountainous region such as ours is that certain areas get a lot of rain. In fact, some portions of Western NC are Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-71907761694434903032009-07-08T14:30:00.003-04:002009-07-09T16:38:00.305-04:00Real Estate Statistics: May, 2009The May, 2009 numbers were reported over the last portion of June. We covered them individually at the time, but round them up here in one place each month. A little late this time around, but nevertheless.The Quick SummaryNew homes remain a very troubled sector. Existing homes, if not exactly showing signs of recovery, are at least less bad. A whole slew of Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-16303425716366293712009-07-03T10:40:00.004-04:002009-07-03T12:52:57.855-04:00July 4th WeekendYep, the peak of summer is upon us.Here is quick round up of things to do on the holiday weekend if you plan to be in the area. The weather looks to be pleasant, in the low 80's as this is written.Friday July 3Check out the Pritchard Park Drum Cirlce from 6PM until 9:45PM, for a taste of something uniquely Asheville. For those unfamiliar, check out this 47 second video to get a Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-49006087981333729792009-07-02T11:48:00.027-04:002009-07-03T14:38:53.224-04:00What They Mean By Faint Praise?Here is a little quote, it seemed funny at the time, on home prices from yesterday's Charlotte Observer, (emphasis added):All 20 urban markets measured by the index remain in negative territory, but April was the third consecutive month that the index's overall decline didn't set a record.This notion has popped up often in recent media, ranging from commentary on Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-51502406456017504382009-07-01T11:15:00.005-04:002009-07-03T14:43:34.155-04:00Pending Home Sales: May, 2009The PHSI, (Pending Home Sales Index), for May rose 0.1% from April, and stands 6.7% higher than one year ago.The ContextPHSI, as the name implies, represents contracts signed not sales that have closed yet. Historically, (probably pre-2006), the index was a reasonable predictor of future sales. The subsequent distortions in the market have made it notably less Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-31946489909691797582009-06-30T09:52:00.012-04:002009-06-30T11:52:26.994-04:00Spotlight AshevilleIn some ways it is the age of lists, but still, Asheville makes more "top tens" than we can count.Recent designations range from best outdoor towns, to best places to retire, best arts destinations, the ultimate best places to live, and so on, ad infinitum. And now...From The Asheville Travel Blog: We are now a Top Ten Dog Friendly Resort Region.From Good Morning America Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-27535425599181616652009-06-26T12:07:00.007-04:002010-06-19T09:09:10.399-04:00Home Warranties: Newly PopularSome observers have noted that the home warranty industry is experiencing a boom, no doubt. In 2008, 42% of existing homes conveyed with a warranty in place.A home warranty is different than its more familiar cousin, the builder's warranty which is associated with new home sales. The home warranty is an instrument applied to the sale of existing homes.Home Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-71996460370181499912009-06-25T12:43:00.009-04:002009-07-01T15:52:11.898-04:00New Home Sales: May 200932,000 new homes were sold in May of 2009. This is 35% less than a year ago, and 75% less than the peak in 2005.Sales were 11% less than the previous record low for May, (1982), and now represent the lowest number of new homes sold since record keeping began in 1963.Inventories remain high at 10.2 months of supply, something more like 6 months of supply is seen as normal.Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-83851917220405324072009-06-24T13:59:00.004-04:002009-07-02T09:51:26.442-04:00Existing Home Sales, May 2009Reported yesterday with headlines such as, May Existing Home Sales Continue Rising Trend, or similar ones at Yahoo News, as a sign of stabilization.The headlines compare May with April, 2009. A number of articles noted it was the third consecutive month of increases. One has to dig a little to see that existing home sales were around 3.6% less than 2008, and that Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-30686119066135822442009-06-23T12:33:00.001-04:002009-06-23T12:54:37.495-04:00Asheville White Water Rafting: 2009 EditionSummertime is upon us, and before the year is out more than 400,000 people will take a white water rafting trip somewhere in greater Asheville, one of the best white water towns in America.The NC Drought Monitor looks better than it has in more than 30 months, so the exceedingly low water which plagued the industry moves to the sidelines for the Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-50914306880933154432009-06-22T14:05:00.002-04:002009-06-22T14:28:25.220-04:00Greater Asheville Real Estate Market at Mid YearWell, almost mid year.A couple of weeks back The Asheville Citizen Times ran a story under the headline, Home Prices Decline Slight in Buncombe. Buncombe is Asheville's home county. (ED Note: Citizen Times articles eventually disappear from their locations).A couple of pertinent quotes will summarize:The number of existing homes sold in the countyBlack Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-70739158118723188162009-06-17T14:38:00.004-04:002009-06-25T13:31:51.267-04:00Behind The Headlines: Housing Starts-May, 2009There was noise this week about a 17% "surge" in housing starts. Our reaction was like, "Wait a second, that makes no sense, new home inventories are huge already, must be some quirk in the data."So What Really Happened?Single family starts are but one component in the larger data series that was reported, although it is the most important segment Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-25018487176512575962009-06-11T11:45:00.005-04:002009-06-11T12:32:52.556-04:00Greater Asheville News BitsNew Construction is NiceThe blog Ashevegas fills us in on a local development in The River Arts District that had escaped our notice.An actual groundbreaking during tough economic times. This is welcome news for any neighborhood.Phish ConcertAs testament to the vibrant live music scene here, the city was abuzz this week for the long awaited and first ever Asheville Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-34138761262726696992009-06-05T14:28:00.003-04:002009-06-06T10:10:13.818-04:00Asheville on the WeekendYes, it's that time, here is our latest collection of things to do.Friday June 5Check out the evening drum circle, a downtown tradition that begs to be called uniquely Asheville.Saturday June 6Speaking of uniquely Asheville, one simply does not visit here without taking a walk on Lexington Ave downtown. No better excuse to do so than this Saturday for the Lexington AvenueBlack Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-26879996454240110222009-06-02T13:52:00.008-04:002009-06-25T09:58:48.168-04:00Things We Read: Economic SnapshotsNo deep analysis here, just a somewhat free form roundup of recent articles from online newspapers and blogs we read in a typical week.Real Estate Week In ReviewFrom The Wall Street Journal's Real Estate Blog: Personal items of note would include, a 3 month high for mortgage rates, though mostly fueled by refinancing applications, and some not so good news on theBlack Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-36693769381066491622009-06-01T13:28:00.009-04:002009-06-02T09:38:40.476-04:00Real Estate Statistics: April, 2009As we do every month, all the major numbers, rounded up in a single place.The Quick SummaryWe hear rumblings of a real estate bottom here and there in the media. We do not see support for this notion anytime soon.Supply IndexesNew Homes Permits, Starts, and Completions, (PDF): Declined from one year ago by 50.2%, 54.2%, and 15.0% respectively. April, 2008 Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-19896465071887802422009-05-28T12:13:00.003-04:002009-05-28T12:34:21.847-04:00Uniquely Asheville: The WeekendUniquely Asheville is a modifier we've used in the past to encompass the eclectic nature of the region. Activities for the weekend ahead exemplify this quite well.Friday May 29: The Drum CircleNot so long ago, this Friday night tradition was under scrutiny, even a bit controversial. Times change though, and it now occupies an official place on the events calendarBlack Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-71103626032282973342009-05-27T14:46:00.004-04:002009-05-27T15:37:31.301-04:00Asheville's DroughtIt seems like ages since since North Carolina, or greater Asheville, have seen a drought map that looked as good as this.The Winston-Salem Journal noted the drought status with these words of context:The drought of 2007-08 is considered the worst in North Carolina since record keeping on such conditions began in 1895. The drought began Feb. 13, 2007, moving from the mountains Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-78744299383468009512009-05-20T13:24:00.002-04:002009-05-21T09:32:10.722-04:00Local Food: Greater AshevilleWe touched upon local food last week with respect "pick your own" organic farms in the region. This week let's delve into some other aspects of Asheville's vibrant local scene.One of the most comprehensive resources we can find would be The 2009 Local Food Guide from The Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project.The same organization is coordinating a Family Farm Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-4718983973528523282009-05-18T15:05:00.001-04:002009-05-19T09:38:46.771-04:00Asheville Economic Roundup: March, 2009The Economic Development Commission of Asheville and Buncombe County delivers its March Economic Update. This is a regular feature from the EDC and is worth the 5 minute look.The first two and one half minutes, as always, look at various economic sectors. The real estate data begins around 2:30. Depending on the month, sales in the region remain 4 times Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-39464273150839241312009-05-13T13:13:00.001-04:002009-05-13T13:23:42.156-04:00Uniquely Asheville: Best Beer CityWe have always referred to greater Asheville as "the hip, artsy, and eclectic hub of the region". There are many elements in such a description. How else can a place claim to be eclectic?Just a few aspects we have covered range from Best Arts Destinations, to the notable concentration of working artists, designation as one of America's Best Outdoor Towns, or asBlack Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-74812433846300137322009-05-07T12:25:00.000-04:002009-05-07T12:44:46.137-04:00Greater Asheville: "Pick Your Own" Organic FarmsWe had a recent inquiry about "pick your own" organic farms in the area.It seemed like a perfect way to learn some things we did not know and to highlight this part of the greater Asheville economy at the same time.Sifting through a few pages of Google results we were able to come up with the set of online resources below.Pick Your Own: Organic FarmBlack Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-10851147324393688662009-05-04T11:49:00.006-04:002009-05-29T12:24:12.796-04:00March, 2009 Real Estate DataThe Quick SummaryThere are a number of 45 or 50 year lows being touched in the different market segments. It is our belief that any calls for a market bottom, however timid, are premature.The huge overhang in inventories and the dominance of foreclosed and distressed sales are huge and unhealthy factors that will take perhaps the rest of the year to work off. Local Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-83879205994461340942009-05-01T12:40:00.001-04:002009-05-01T13:01:36.374-04:00More Festival Info for Greater AshevilleWe wrote last week on a selection of upcoming festivals around greater Asheville, and a quick perusal of the local blogosphere yields more information, some for this very weekend.12th Annual French Broad River Festival: May 1-3held in the great river and hiking town of Hot Springs, full info can be obtained from their website, however Mountain Express givesBlack Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-34476838470521991952009-04-28T13:05:00.002-04:002009-04-29T09:21:12.245-04:00Asheville: More Best of ListsIn recent years, Asheville and its surroundings have been named to enough "best of" lists that we stopped counting around 50 or so.It might be said that we live in an age of lists, but still, we find it notable. In the past week, we became aware of two more best of designations.First, from The Asheville Business Blog, we read that our fair city was again ranked as Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-52208788231089960272009-04-24T11:13:00.002-04:002009-04-24T12:39:55.790-04:00Asheville: Spring Festival CalendarThe Citizen Times clues us into the fact that it is spring with a list of upcoming festivals, through approximately Mid May.Here is a small list of some personal favorites.Hot Springs Trailfest: April 24-26The small resort town, which really does have natural hot springs, gears up for the 14th Annual Trailfest. Hot Springs is one of perhaps just two towns that Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-90364686665254316732009-04-21T10:39:00.001-04:002009-04-21T11:01:14.320-04:00Bank Stress Tests ExplainedA lot of headlines and talk are out there as to the upcoming stress tests for the banking industry. Summarized here in a 2 minute and 24 second video from The Wall Street Journal.Thanks for stopping by,Black Bear Realty Website828 689 2055Anti Spam Graphic: info AT BlackBearRE DOT comFiled Under: National ItemsBlack Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-44488352745321611472009-04-20T14:35:00.000-04:002009-04-20T14:43:43.775-04:00Earth Day Events in AshevilleThe Asheville Citizen Times today lists Earth Day events in our fair city which will run all week. A couple that stand out include:Tuesday-“Who Killed the Electric Car?” In honor of Earth Day, the UNC Asheville Society of Automotive Engineers invites the public to a free screening of “Who Killed the Electric Car?” Following the film, hybrid electric vehicle engineer Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-47690695077543295802009-04-16T13:20:00.004-04:002009-04-30T09:59:26.254-04:00Asheville: Of Walking, Weather, and WeekendsIt is mid-April, and the weather forecast for our fair city is gorgeous this weekend. Why not come by and take a walk?WalkabilityWe have written from time to time about how an area's walkability, can be a desired trait in real estate markets. The last couple of years have even given rise to online methods for far away buyers to measure a region's walkjazznoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-60726447264495117712009-04-15T10:40:00.005-04:002009-04-25T12:40:44.677-04:00February, 2009: Real Estate Market DataThe Quick SummaryBuyers and sellers should be wary about month to month comparisons that may show deceptive increases when reported in the media. The market is still quite bearish.What we all want to really know, among other things, is how does one number or another compare with some meaningful time of normalcy, not last month.Supply IndicatorsNew Homes Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-47087477702473517542009-04-09T12:41:00.003-04:002009-04-09T12:58:59.167-04:00Easter Weekend in AshevilleMost folks travel home for the Easter Holiday, but if home is greater Asheville, or if you are planning a getaway, here are a few links of note.*AAA Carolinas says that gasoline prices will be $1.20/gallon than last year.*The Asheville Citizen Times notes that highway construction will cease at 4:00 PM today in order to facilitate driving.*The NC DOT always keeps a pageBlack Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-64782951372260629262009-04-03T11:27:00.001-04:002009-04-03T11:45:25.344-04:00Asheville Economic Roundup: February, 2009The Economic Development Commission of Asheville and Buncombe County delivers its February Economic Update, a nice feature that we hope continues.The high points would be rising unemployment. Statewide, North Carolina now ranks 4th in the nation at around 10.3%. Locally however numbers are around 8.7%, though this is twice the rate of one year ago.The Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-65068078393515618162009-03-30T13:40:00.002-04:002009-03-30T13:48:46.277-04:00Public Service Announcement: Online Advertising ScamFrom two sources, about online advertisements for people who may be looking to rent a property. The ads claim that The National Association of Realtors will handle the transaction.That is not the case. It is somewhat like the famous Nigerian scams, involving wire transfer of money. Greater Asheville has a significant number of renters and Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-48378444250224960182009-03-30T12:09:00.000-04:002009-03-30T12:25:49.437-04:00Asheville and The ArtsAsheville, "the hip, artsy, and eclectic cultural hub of the region" is how we have always referred to the city in our materials. The blog Ashevegas reminds us of that meme again with a couple of recent articles.Asheville is "an amalgam of mountain culture" points us to a profile out of Richmond that captures the diversity here. Painting Asheville as a place where one is Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-37253843219635460202009-03-26T11:10:00.000-04:002009-03-26T11:12:19.560-04:00Asheville: The Weekend and The NewsA little, late week roundup of local interests for those who may be visiting.Things To DoMountain Express, continues with its topical Weekend on a Shoestring. The weekend picks there focus on local music from bluegrass to metal and jazz.The Asheville Citizen Times gives equal exposure for those who might prefer stage and theater over music.The 2009 US White Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-55855163536297677992009-03-20T14:45:00.001-04:002009-03-20T15:15:20.078-04:00Asheville: The Friday News DumpHere's a whole slew of news around greater Asheville of late.On The Bright Side*From the blog Ashevegas, we learn about several grants from the County Tourism Development Authority. Our Friday afternoon favorite would be money for an expansion at The Orange Peel, which was named in April by Rolling Stone Magazine, as one of the top 5 rock venues in the country.*Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-82870482235349987952009-03-09T15:15:00.004-04:002009-03-10T10:43:34.034-04:00January, 2009 Real Estate StatisticsOk, a few days late this month, but here we go with the national numbers.The Quick SummaryLarge year to year declines in prices and new housing starts, yet inventories have again climbed in terms of months of supply. For a long time, the story might have been framed as excess inventory. At the risk of making an understatement, it is by now a lack of Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-32281764599955032262009-03-03T00:13:00.003-05:002009-03-05T12:15:26.215-05:00Asheville: Economic Development Update January, 2009The Economic Development Commission of The Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce now has, as far as we know, a new feature online.In a nice presentation, they offer a video report of various economic indexes in the region.Below is the update for January, 2009. It runs approximately 4 minutes and 25 seconds. The real estate data begins around 2 Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-28562367283932097872009-02-24T12:24:00.005-05:002009-07-02T15:53:15.822-04:00Greater Asheville's Shadow Inventory?John Boyle of The Asheville Citizen Times had a column yesterday that addresses some pertinent questions. (ED Note: Citizen Times articles eventually disappear from their original locations).He examines the growing number of new mountain lifestyle communities that have fallen on hard times lately:Every time I read another story about a high-end real estate Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-51279381045892011002009-02-19T11:45:00.000-05:002009-02-19T12:01:21.326-05:00Thursday News Roundup: Asheville and Beyond*The City of Asheville is now posting current street and sidewalk closures online.*Asheville area home development is alleged as a ponzi scheme.*Another upscale development enters Chapter 11:Creditors have forced the upscale residential development Versant into Chapter 11 bankruptcy and a minority partner is accusing the majority partner of embezzlementBlack Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-54365327447513383902009-02-18T12:29:00.001-05:002009-02-19T11:59:18.652-05:00Property Taxes: Finally Explaining The ParadoxWe have addressed the continuing anomaly of falling values and rising tax assessments in the past, here, and also here.For today, we offer a more lighthearted view which finally seems to explain it clearly. It's all a matter of perception.Your home as seen by you:Your home as seen by your buyers:Your home as seen by your lender:Your home as seen by Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-63155776397521957062009-02-09T12:35:00.005-05:002009-02-09T14:53:20.646-05:00Household Odors? Might be Chinese DrywallNot so long ago we wrote about the possiblitiy of radon emissions from granite countertops. Some say as much as 10% of granite in homes might be effected.The culprit in the granite/radon issue was that huge demand in recent years made supply less uniform, and granite from some new sources may well emit radon. Blame the boom.And Now....Chinese DrywallOf Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-48109088137351030472009-02-06T09:15:00.001-05:002009-02-06T09:36:33.211-05:00Baby Boomers: February, 1959Our occasional baby boomer feature...February 3, 1959, known as The Day the Music Died just passed its 50th anniversary.This of course is the day of the fatal plane crash which claimed the lives of Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, (Who was only 17), and JP Richardson, a.k.a., The Big Bopper.Most of this fate ridden story is well known. Not to be irreverent, there are some Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-32904240376585585872009-02-02T10:55:00.004-05:002009-02-02T13:56:16.158-05:00Real Estate Data: December, 2008A couple of days late this time around, but some good detail.The Quick SummaryInventories in terms of raw numbers continue to fall, but demand falls at greater rates. This has been the major battle for a long time, even before the credit crisis, and now, the wider recession.Supply and InventoriesPermits, Starts and Completions, (PDF): Declined from one year ago byBlack Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-36362155625038768942009-01-22T07:48:00.001-05:002009-01-22T07:50:29.960-05:00HiatusThis blog will be on a short hiatus for the next eight days, see you then!Thanks for stopping by,Black Bear Realty Website828 689 2055Anti Spam Graphic: info AT BlackBearRE DOT comFiled Under: Asheville Real Estate NewsBlack Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-50501958316924201812009-01-22T07:47:00.001-05:002009-01-22T07:48:24.025-05:00Quick Thursday RoundupAshvegas points to an interesting article on second home sales and trends.The Citizen Times reports on a missing real estate developer, impacting yet another mountain subdivision in the region.Federal regulators say hedge fund manager Arthur G. “Art” Nadel, of Sarasota, Fla., misled investors and overstated the value of investments in the six funds by about $300 Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-55431094447017607202009-01-15T10:02:00.005-05:002009-01-15T10:50:15.842-05:00Baby Boomers: Patrick McGoohanBaby boomer fun is a semi regular Thursday feature where we leave real estate behind, at least on the blog!Patrick McGoohan, a two time Emmy Winner died on Wednesday at the age of 80. Readers will remember him as the star of a short lived TV Series, (though a cult classic), entitled The Prisoner. There were only 17 episodes produced from October, 1967 through Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-2511719906143326442009-01-14T12:57:00.003-05:002009-01-14T13:51:13.154-05:00News Bits: On and Off The RadarOff the Radar *Some Good News! Subaru had a good year, from Time Magazine.*The number of wives earning more than their husbands has doubled in the last two decades.*Shopping online? a pretty obvious idea when you think about it. How to get better deals.On The Radar*The last index to be released in real estate each month is the Pending Home Sales Index, (PHSI). TheBlack Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-27312828718387155512009-01-13T12:10:00.001-05:002009-01-13T12:45:58.179-05:00Granite Counter Tops and Radon?Hmm...more than a few times in the past year we have seen references to granite and radon emissions.The bottom line seems to be that the boom in granite's popularity meant that sources of supply and types of granite became less uniform. Some granite, (some say about 10% of the market), might emit enough radon to matter.The issue is sometimes controversial and jazznoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-42449165461659006862009-01-13T10:18:00.001-05:002009-01-13T11:24:51.782-05:00Asheville Real Estate RoundupThe weather of late has been wild an wooly. We have seen everything from heavy rain and floods, including mudslides to 67 degrees F, and then 5 or more inches of snow in the mountains.The real estate news in greater Asheville has also been notable.In Real EstateJanuary 8:The lead story in the print edition of The Citizen Times detailed the Chapter 11 bankruptcy Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-23893889263041745162009-01-06T13:24:00.007-05:002009-01-06T14:02:52.877-05:00Mountain Weather: A PrimerMany an area of the country will boast, "If you don't like the weather, just wait an hour, it will change". The mountain counties around Asheville are no different.The fickle nature of our weather though just might be more true than elsewhere. The changes in elevation that we experience in our daily lives, and the slope of our terrain are important weather items as we Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-70428596655410066312009-01-05T13:33:00.003-05:002009-01-05T14:50:22.158-05:00November, 2008 Real Estate StatisticsNovember numbers have all been reported, so here is the roundup.The Quick SummaryInventories continue to climb while prices and demand fall. There are no statistical indications as yet that any kind of turnaround is nearby.Production and InventoriesPermits, Starts and Completions, (PDF): Declined from one year ago by 48.1%, 47.0%, and 22.8% respectively.This Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-1838264516241823342008-12-30T11:31:00.000-05:002008-12-30T11:55:07.043-05:00Lists of 2008Everyone else does it, let's make a list of some of the top moments and items from the year that is about to end. As the list goes on, we have some goodies down below for the more tech minded among us.Around AshevilleAsheville on Money CNN's list of best places to live.The Orange Peel is named by Rolling Stone Magazine as a Top 5 rock venue in the nation.Asheville Named as the Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-67447188654734432972008-12-23T12:11:00.004-05:002008-12-23T12:24:57.654-05:00No White Christmas in AshevilleThe Citizen Times fills us in on the chances for a white Christmas in Asheville. Not going to happen.Asheville proper in fact has seen snow on December 25, but 9 times in the past 67 years.Asheville sits at 2,288 ft above sea level. In the mountains here, where your elevation can vary by more than 3,000 feet in a day, your weather experience can be quite differentBlack Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-66371892856326208132008-12-22T12:27:00.004-05:002008-12-22T12:59:16.199-05:00Latest Carnival of Real EstateThe Carnival of Real Estate is a moderated event which showcases the best writing in the field each week. This week's edition was held at Northwest Indiana Mortgages.We were honored to be among those chosen for our article entitled, Why Can't Real Estate be Like Gasoline?, which is a short look at supply and demand in two different markets and how they relate.The Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-25619355504326663592008-12-22T12:05:00.000-05:002008-12-22T12:22:13.776-05:00Of Moisture and Skiing This Holiday WeekWe just came through more than a week of fairly wet weather, with temperatures in the 60's.Skiing This Week?In the ski business the warm, wet weather was a mixed blessing. On the one hand, the water available to make snow increased as holding ponds were sated, but a good deal of existing snow coverage was lost in the process.At Wolf Laurel, our local slopesBlack Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-41703393111417953262008-12-19T13:05:00.006-05:002008-12-22T13:18:06.563-05:00Asheville Real Estate: Market Recap For 2008It's the last month of 2008, and time for a year end roundup of greater Asheville real estate data.These numbers are dramatic, even brutal, but our aim is to provide empirical information from which to make good decisions.The DetailsYesterday, The Citizen Times reported real estate statistics for November, 2008. All that really matters is quoted below:Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-51045215987141327922008-12-18T13:02:00.000-05:002008-12-18T13:09:14.408-05:00Baby Boomers: Vintage Christmas Pop TunesBaby boomer fun is a periodic thing we do here, and with Christmas one week away, this seemed an appropriate topic.From a website called All But Forgotten Oldies, we found this list of Christmas songs over the decades. Everything from Vaughn Monroe, to Brenda Lee, and more recent artists. It's pretty difficult to pick just one to display.So let's go with Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-11808543604352107762008-12-17T12:30:00.008-05:002008-12-22T13:17:26.833-05:00Why Can't Real Estate Be Like Gasoline?Sometimes, the impact of supply and demand on gasoline prices is sharp, quick, and unpleasant. Just think of the price spikes that are now almost routine after a Gulf hurricane hits the right places.But wouldn't it be nice if supply and demand in real estate behaved just a little more like gasoline?When Gas Prices Were Up...For October, the latest month forBlack Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-45482107859072885542008-12-15T13:15:00.006-05:002008-12-17T14:03:24.608-05:00Greater Asheville: Assessing Local Real EstateThis is a broad overview of factors affecting Western North Carolina. For hyper local market reports, please contact us at: info AT BlackBearRE DOT com.Basic PremiseThe conventional wisdom around Asheville has long held that it is buyers from feeder areas who serve as the engine for our real estate market. We examined this in some detail a few Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-50978752386957527112008-12-10T12:15:00.001-05:002008-12-10T12:27:11.248-05:00The Anomalies of 2008 Property TaxesA few days back USA Today visited the anomaly of falling home values and rising property taxes. It turns out that property tax revenues have risen by 3.1% in 2008, despite double digit declines in home values.In fact, according the the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, property taxes have not fallen since 1934. The bottom line here is that sure, statutes Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-30174797532847435372008-12-05T13:27:00.003-05:002008-12-06T13:13:25.225-05:00Enthusiasm, Asheville, and the MountainsHow about an increasingly rare commodity, some upbeat news to end the work week?A while back, Scrutiny Hooligans, a leftish Asheville political blog of no small repute, was nice enough to summarize a survey that measured citizens' evaluations of our fair city.The results are extensive, and look at everything from fire services and the timing of stop lights,Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-88569699838349622042008-12-04T14:52:00.005-05:002008-12-04T15:22:25.203-05:00Department of Bailouts, Perspective, & PonderingWhat's it all add up to?We've been wondering about the various headlines this year. The ones listing pledges of so many billions here and there by The Fed, etc, in addition to the big $700 billion one we all heard about.It turns out that we are somewhere around $7.7 trillion in total bailout pledges to date. The San Francisco Chronicle though has Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-59651742003833993392008-12-03T15:01:00.001-05:002008-12-03T15:27:40.201-05:00Regional Energy Projects Focus on Renewables Not so long ago, with the onset of the winter heating season, we examined the costs of energy in greater Asheville. As a follow up, here are some recent regional developments on the electrical front.Wind Power Comes to Madison CountyWord of "the first rural wind power education program east of the Mississippi River" arriving in our own Madison County Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-89073043751203480202008-12-02T14:46:00.001-05:002008-12-02T15:10:53.334-05:00Real Estate Statistics: October, 2008A little late this month with our roundup, but here we go...The Quick SummaryThere were small suggestions of improvement in the September numbers. These have been eradicated since the fall of Lehman, and ensuing economic news. Caution and deliberation remain the bywords in real estate locally and nationally. Huge inventories without adequate demand are the Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-62844771154175438752008-12-02T10:38:00.002-05:002008-12-02T11:03:18.876-05:00Consumer Focused Real EstateOur thanks to Dan Melson, a prolific West Coast real estate blogger who also faithfully moderates the Consumer Focused Carnival of Real Estate.Our recent article which offered an array of tools to compare the costs of different heating fuels was among those chosen in the latest edition of consumer focused writing.Nice to be recognized.Thanks for stopping by,Black Bear Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-803276378482641062008-11-24T08:48:00.003-05:002008-11-24T09:05:24.356-05:00Thanksgiving WeekThis blog is essentially on vacation for Thanksgiving week.We have some wild weather in the forecast, (again), with snow beginning today, and becoming heavy tomorrow.Given the weather and snowfall so far this season, here is some ironic news. Buncombe County Schools will be forced to open later in 2009 because not enough snow days have occurred recently. Schools in NC cannot Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-40252358343773041492008-11-20T10:40:00.009-05:002008-11-20T11:31:30.493-05:00Baby Boomers: Joni Mitchell Turns 65A belated birthday wish to Joni Mitchell who turned 65 on November 7.For more than four decades now, this native of Canada, a self described painter who was sidetracked by circumstance to a career in music has been with us as a singer, songwriter, musician, innovator, and poet.Long categorized as a folk singer, this characterization, if we think about it, Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-15320295574678096342008-11-19T13:20:00.011-05:002008-11-19T14:34:24.704-05:00Asheville, Anywhere: Costs of Heat and UtilitiesWe write a fair amount about energy, it's an ever increasing factor whether owning or buying a home. We've had some recent snows, and this morning the blog Ashevegas informs us that Progress Energy is raising electric rates by 10% in December.Seems like it is time to take a look at the cost of heat and utilities, and hopefully provide home owners, Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-12640036655362791532008-11-18T11:54:00.004-05:002008-11-18T14:25:33.572-05:00A Notable EventOur friends at Carolina Mornings will be hosting a worthy event for the holidays on December 6 and 7 to benefit MANNA Food Bank.Full details are here, on their blog for any readers who have the resources to assist some of the 115,000 Western North Carolina residents who will seek food assistance this year.Thanks for stopping by,Black Bear Realty Website828 689 2055Anti Spam GraphicBlack Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-72613624311058844592008-11-10T10:55:00.003-05:002008-11-10T11:18:50.700-05:00Local Launches: REI in Asheville, WYQS in Mars HillREI OpensGiven the waves of bad news in the retail sector, the travails of such brands as Circuit City, or the closings of 600 Starbucks, (Asheville kept its 10 Starbucks), it is nice to see a new anchor business in Asheville.Outside Magazine calls Asheville one of America's Best Outdoor Towns, and this had to be a factor for national outfitter Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-43444523441667980092008-11-07T11:40:00.002-05:002008-11-07T14:11:05.472-05:00Asheville and the WeekendLet's run down some news and a few things for the weekend in greater Asheville.Department of Hmmm..Bridge repairs on US 19/23, future I-26 West for the next 3 weekends. This is for folks traveling from Asheville to Weaverville. Might want to plan some extra time if this effects you.Department of ElectionsYesterday we recapped how Asheville and the mountain counties Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-42624661919090261112008-11-06T09:55:00.002-05:002008-11-06T10:27:02.567-05:00Asheville and The Mountain Counties: How Did We Vote?Most real estate websites, especially those in vacation markets like greater Asheville, will offer a section of links about living here. Often, this will include demographics. We have just such a page for ourselves.Let's expand this idea, and examine how our three mountain counties voted on Tuesday.As we write this, the final tally for NC Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-23421953295524606192008-11-05T09:53:00.004-05:002008-11-05T11:33:36.383-05:00Election: What's It Mean For Real Estate?We offered some graphic snapshots for a new President yesterday about where we have been and where we are. We will leave the future to analysts more expert than ourselves. It's bigger than just real estate.Business Week: Offers a three paragraph thumbnail of philosophies.The Wall Street Journal: In their Real Time Economics section lists the key issues, Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-81311861214135303072008-11-04T11:15:00.007-05:002008-11-04T15:21:02.123-05:00Graphically Speaking: Snapshots for the Next PresidentIn this century, housing was first an engine, but is now a drag on the economy. The story is well known.So, here are a set of snapshots for the next President, and for ourselves, lest we lose sight of where we have been, and where we would like to be.Basic Supply and DemandSupply and demand generally advises that markets with rising Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-89953926937748954752008-10-29T10:31:00.001-04:002008-10-29T12:09:09.951-04:00Real Estate Statistics: September, 2008Every month, we round 'em up here, the pertinent supply and demand picture.The Quick SummaryGlimmers of hope as inventories, the dominant issue of the past 2 years showed signs of decreasing. Sales for existing homes actually rose slightly, but this seems to be on the basis of foreclosures. Reaching statistical normalcy is still some months away.Supply Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-34186089566563005802008-10-23T10:39:00.003-04:002008-10-23T11:17:10.916-04:00Baby Boomers: Levi Stubbs from The Four TopsNo real estate on Thursdays...Sadly, some recent editions on our baby boomer days have noted the deaths of those we grew up with. Isaac Hayes passed away in August, while Norman Whitfield, the Motown Producer behind The Temptations died in late September.This past week, Levi Stubbs, a name most of us will not know, but a voice we will not forget died Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-32650302222827393792008-10-22T10:51:00.007-04:002008-10-22T11:28:10.626-04:00Christmas in October?The Citizen Times reports today that The White House Christmas Tree will once again hail from North Carolina. According to the NC Department of Agriculture, almost 20% of natural Christmas trees in the US are grown here in Western North Carolina, ranking second only to Oregon.This marks the 11th time that a North Carolina Fraser Fir will grace The White House, and is the Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-81360778717290520162008-10-21T12:32:00.002-04:002008-10-21T13:02:50.422-04:00Graphically SpeakingNot much narrative analysis today, just some snapshots, and a closing touch of humor.Graph of a BubbleThe graph below shows US housing prices from 1890-2006. Bear in mind that the last boom in prices occurred while production and inventories also moved upwards. That's the illogic of a bubble.Click here for the large view.Response by ProducersThe only logical response by the Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-70355707361980464512008-10-10T11:55:00.001-04:002008-10-10T12:07:18.095-04:00Asheville & Beyond: Friday Quick NewsJust some quick outsourcing for Friday, the weekend is upon us.Public Service Announcement: New Virus TacticIt is being reported by ABC, among others that, a clever virus is circulating via email which directs users to some bogus, but very convincing Youtube pages.In election season, chain emails are of course making the rounds, but be aware. Readers have Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-16335751039805944052008-10-06T11:21:00.005-04:002008-10-06T12:38:06.024-04:00Asheville and Beyond: Monday News RoundupObama in AshevilleAs you might imagine, a presidential candidate appearing in our neck of the woods is pretty big news.Here are some links recapping the day for those interested.*The Citizen Times reports 28,000 people in attendance. On Friday that paper had indicated the stadium could hold 10,000. They also supply an extensive slide show of the event, Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-7039130568192277042008-10-03T11:47:00.005-04:002008-10-03T12:23:46.769-04:00Asheville, Barack, and BascomLooking to the weekend, a couple of things of interest....Barack in Asheville SundayBlogasheville has all the details in a neat little package for the 2PM Sunday event. The Democratic candidate for President is spending time in Western North Carolina in preparation for the next debate.Bascom?Yep, Saturday marks the 41st Annual Bascom Lamar Lunsford Festival in our Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-9327977408664313412008-10-02T14:28:00.001-04:002008-10-03T09:26:38.461-04:00Baby Boomers: Time Mag Oct 2, 1964No real estate on Thursdays....Let's take a peek at the contents of Time Magazine on this date in 1964 and see what was up.*The Presidential Campaign was of course topical.*Cover Story: The Warren Commission had issued its final report on the assassination of JFK.*Color television shows were still in their infancy, but touted as the next big thing.*CBS unveiled Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-77658239868766755712008-10-01T13:19:00.001-04:002008-10-01T14:04:35.318-04:00Musings and Milestones In Interesting TimesWhether we are talking about Asheville's gasoline disruptions, the local housing market, or the national one, these are certainly "interesting times" as the old Chinese proverb says. Let's not delve into any great analysis today, and simply look at some musings and milestones.Department of Oh by the way...It turns out that there actually is not an old Black Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38751033.post-63170220143591069642008-09-30T11:45:00.002-04:002008-09-30T12:19:01.593-04:00Real Estate Statistics: August, 2008Every month we gather the major numbers here.The Quick SummaryAt the risk of engaging in understatement, the large overhang for inventories remains. When this is coupled with turmoil in financial markets, there is no reason to think this will change anytime soon.Supply: The Monotony of High InventoriesPermits, Starts, and Completions, (PDF): In a trend that isBlack Bear Realtyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991944332320237194noreply@blogger.com0