Sales Trends in Haywood County Real Estate

As 2020 was a banner year for real estate sales, I thought I would share some stats with you today.

In the year 2020 we closed a total of 1334 homes and condos in the county.  This compares with a total of 1159 homes and condos in 2019, for an increase of 15 percent year to year.

In December of 2020, we closed a total of 121 homes and condos in the county.  This compares with a total of 91 homes and condos sold in December of 2019, for an increase of 33 percent.

Our January 2021 sales county-wide of homes and condos was 74, compared with 74 in January 2020.  Sales were flat in January due to lower inventories of available homes.  In December of 2019 we had a 4.6 months supply of available homes for sale.  In December of 2020 we only had a 1.8 months supply of available homes for sale.  This represents a 60.9 percent decrease in supply.  In most real estate markets, a balanced supply is 4 to 6 months of sales.  Less than 4  to 6 months is considered a seller’s market.  More than a 6 months supply is considered a buyer’s market.  Real estate, after all, is a supply and demand market.  When supplies are slim, prices must go up.  The average price of a home in Haywood County increased by 17.6 percent in 2020, when compared to 2019.  ($256,450 to $301,606)

A couple of other factors drove home sales in our area.  First, the pandemic brought buyers from more populous areas to the less populous mountains.  Many buyers are now working from home, and decided they wanted to work from home in a more desirable setting than the city.  The other factor driving home sales was low mortgage interest rates.  Interest rates for homes are still at historic lows.  Many home buyers have taken advantage of these low rates before rates rise again.

If you have an interest in purchasing a home in our area any time soon, let us know.  If we know what you are looking for, we can set up a website for you that will automatically add homes that match your search criteria.  That way, you will see homes of interest to you the day they go on the market.

(All stats provided by Canopy Realtor® Association and Showing Time)

 

Questions a Buyer should ask when Buying a Home

When buying a home it’s easy to get wrapped up in the excitement of purchasing the home, not to mention taking care of all the details of moving to a new home; it becomes easy to overlook some basic questions that should be asked.

What is included with the home?  Are the appliances (refrigerator, washer, dryer, etc.)  included?  Normally in NC fixtures (any items attached to the wall) are included.  Also the range and dishwasher are normally included on NC contracts, unless otherwise specified.

Were there any additions to the home?  An addition to a home should have had a building permit and been inspected by a local building inspector.  The same should be considered for a basement that has been remodeled or finished.

Have there been any insurance claims on the home?  Has the home ever had flood or fire damage?  Is the home in a floodway, or a 100/500 year flood zone?  Flood insurance can substantially add to a mortgage payment, or to your yearly expenses.

Ask the age of the major appliances, the heating and air conditioning system, and the roof covering.  These items can represent a major expense if they fail after the buyer takes possession of the home.  In NC the Residential Property Disclosure that is completed by the seller will answer some of these questions.

Does the home have any safety hazards such as lead-based paint (on homes built prior to 1978), mold issues, or high radon gas levels?  A good home inspection by a licensed home inspector can apprise you of any hazard issues, as well as answer many of the questions above.  Home inspections cost from $350 to $600 or more, depending on the size of the home.  Most home inspectors can also do radon gas tests, which run an additional $125 or so.  Radon is colorless, odorless gas that is given off by radioactive particles often found in granite.  Radon gas can cause lung cancer.

Your real estate agent should be able to help with most of these questions, and with finding a local home inspector for you.  If your home inspector finds issues, your real estate agent will ask the seller to fix the problem issues, or negotiate the sales price to allow for repairs.

If you are looking for a home, let us know.  We are happy to help.

Stay Safe!

 

Our Covid-19 Numbers at Year-End

As of Wednesday, December 30th, here are our Covid-19 numbers for Haywood County.

The number of positive cases since the pandemic began is 2013.  Currently there are 351 people in isolation with 26 uncooperative positive cases who may be ignoring the advice to isolate from others.  (per the Waynesville Mountaineer Newspaper)

We have had 61 deaths in the county so far, many of those were residents of nursing homes.

Vaccines have arrived in the county with the first doses going to healthcare workers and first responders,

In the entire state we have had 526,000 cases of Covid-19, with 6,630 deaths.  The numbers have increased dramatically since Thanksgiving.  We are still under modified stay at home orders from the governor.  The orders limit certain businesses and activities for all North Carolinians during overnight hours.

In order to help restaurants who are struggling the governor has authorized the delivery or carry-out of mixed beverages as an alternative to on-site consumption.

We should all be wearing masks when in public, maintaining at least 6 feet of social distancing, and washing our hands often to prevent the spread of this virus.

Wishing you all a safe and hopefully better new year!

Mortgage Rates, Home Sales and Covid-19

I seem to have a mixed bag this week.  Below is an article on current mortgage rates from Realtor® Magazine.com.  After the article I have our local sales results from November and lastly a local Covid-19 update.

Covid Numbers in Haywood County

Today I wanted to take the time to give an update on Covid-19 here in Haywood County, and update everyone on current statewide restrictions.

1087 people have tested positive through Friday Nov. 27th.

849 people have recovered.

40 people have passed away.

175 are currently in isolation.

331 are currently quarantined.

Smaller outdoor venues, movie theaters, conference centers, and bars are restricted to 30% occupancy or 100 guests, whichever is less.

Mass gatherings are restricted to 10 people indoors, 50 people outdoors.

Masks are now required in all public settings, both indoors and outdoors. 

Please, wear your masks, wash your hands, and social distance from others.

Remember to be kind to others, especially those front line workers in shops, restaurants and grocery stores.

Thank you.

Introducing Our Newest Agent

I wanted to tell everyone about our newest addition to the office.   Brittany Heathman (Paul’s daughter) has joined the office as our newest agent.  I am adding Brittany’s photo and bio below.  We are all happy and excited to have Brittany working with us as she is an exceptional young lady.

“While I’m originally from Lakeland, FL, we moved to western NC when I was six. I later moved to Knoxville, TN where I went to the University of Tennessee and received a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science with a minor in Biology. I also spent six years working at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine in the Large Animal Department. Wanting to be closer to family I moved back to Waynesville and went to Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College where I achieved an associates in Veterinary Technology and went on to receive my license as a Veterinary Technician. After 15 years in the veterinary field, I decided to join the family business and received my Real Estate License. I currently live in Maggie Valley with my Yorkie mix, Cecil. Outside of work I enjoy snow skiing, hiking, reading, and obstacle course races. I enjoy sharing my knowledge of the area and look forward to meeting each and every one of you.”

The next time you visit our office, say “Hello” to Brittany.

Covid and Cataloochee Ski Area

Cataloochee Ski Area has announced they will be opening for the 2o20/2021 season as soon as weather permits.  They are usually open sometime around Thanksgiving.  Due to the Covid-19 virus, the will be enforcing masks and social distancing when indoors at the lodge for the protection of their customers and associates.

For those of you who have never skied Cataloochee before, if you will click of the below link to a YouTube video that I recorded from a helmet camera a couple of years ago while skiing with Paul.  We are getting off the quad lift and skiing down Rock Island back to the lodge.  I hope you enjoy!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6wTiy_VNtU&t=68s

 

Fall Colors and Covid-19 Update

The Fall colors have begun!  From 4,000 to 6,000 feet elevations, colors are already on full display, and will be creeping down the mountains rapidly.  We are already seeing beautiful color here in downtown Maggie Valley.

This is a few days old from the Haywood County NC Health and Human Services Agency.  We have tested 17,265 individuals with 663 positive tests, 579 are recovered, 36 deaths, 26 cases in the last 7 days, with 28 currently in isolation and 83 in quarantine.

Just a reminder, don’t forget to get your Flu Shot!  ‘Tis the season!  Stay safe!

Covid-19 Update for October

As clients travel from Florida and other states to our area, I am asked about our Covid-19 restrictions.  So here goes:

As of October 1st, in Haywood County, NC, we have had 618 total cases with 31 deaths.  In the entire state of NC we have had 211,000  cases with 3565 deaths.

Friday, October 2nd at 5 PM, begins phase 3 of our statewide restrictions.  Masks and social distancing are always required in public.  The restrictions on businesses and gatherings have changed as below:

1. Outdoor venues with 10,000 + capacity may operate at 7% occupancy.
2. Smaller venues outdoors may operate at 30% capacity or 100 guests, whichever is less.
3. Movie Theaters and Conference Centers indoors may operate at 30% capacity or 100 guests, whichever is less.
4. Bars Outdoors may operate at 30% capacity or 100 guests, whichever is less.
5. Amusement Parks may operate at 30% capacity on the outdoor attractions only.
6. Limits on mass gatherings remain at 25 people indoors or 50 people outdoors.
7. The 11PM curfew on alcohol sales for in-person consumption in restaurants & outdoor bars will be extended through October 23rd.

If you are planning a trip to our area and have questions, please call us and we will try to help.  Also, it looks like we may have a beautiful fall color season this year.

Stay safe!

Covid Update for 9/14/2020

Currently our total count for Covid-19 cases in Haywood County is at 555 with 31 deaths so far.

On September 4th the governor issued a new phase of updated restrictions.  This order changed to mass gathering limits to  25 people indoors and 50 people outdoors.  Playgrounds are now open to the public.  Museums and aquariums to open at 50% capacity.  Fitness and competitive physical activity facilities can open at 30% capacity.  All employers are strongly encouraged to provide face coverings to their employees.

Bars, nightclubs, movie theaters, amusement parks, dance halls, and other entertainment facilities will remain closed.  Restaurants remain subject to capacity limits and other requirements for in-person dining.  Personal care businesses such as hair salons, nail salons, barber shops and more remain subject to capacity limits and other requirements.  Large venues remain subject to mass gathering limits above.  Wedding receptions and other private events remain subject to the mass gathering limits.  Face coverings are still required in public.

Please remember to wear your face mask when in public.

Thanks and stay safe!