Oh Deer Me, how much should be cleaned out? When we help people get ready to list their houses, one of the suggestions we usually make is De-clutter, De-clutter, De-clutter (actually, is that three suggestions?) and minimize the amount of “personal” décor. The goal is not to hurt the seller’s feelings or pass judgment on how they choose to add focus to their walls, refrigerators or bulletin boards. The goal is simple, some buyers have a great deal of difficulty visualizing themselves and their own decorative demons in a house if there is no place for the eyes to rest and contemplate. Once in a while though, I’m really glad someone didn’t remove all of their personal touches because it can add depth to the “spirit” of the house. Someone took the time to transfer their emotions about a s... 12/30/2011

I'm thankful for all of the farms, barns and silos standing as monuments in Western North Carolina for all of the hardworking people who've come before us and those who continue to work their fields in spite of the overwhelming number of corporate farms who threaten to swallow them up.   10/06/2011

Sometimes I can't believe our good fortune to live and work in these mountains of Western North Carolina.  Most people have never heard of little known Fines Creek in Waynesville and I suppose some of the neighbors there are just fine with that.  I'd heard of it of course, but had never had the chance to check it out.     Funny how opportunity will sometimes present itself.  For us, it came in the form of a referral in a very roundabout way.  We have listers who live in Asheville but own a historic farmhouse property in Dillsboro that we represent.  Our clients happened to engage someone in Asheville in a conversation about farmhouses.  Turns out that this person has a cousin in Colorado looking for a farmhouse here in the mountains.  Our sellers of course suggested their property and ... 09/29/2011