Bubble in Asheville (Henderson, Hendersonville, Weaverville: crime, house, neighborhood)

[Steve Hazzard]

Originally Posted by smalltownusa

Yes, the drawback being, we are all going to take a hit for this failure to see the Emperor had only his under garments on.....

This emperor is buck nekid, yet many see only fine silk robes.

Hey, I didn't know that this was the "adult" forum, but I'll take what I get.

[Researching Retirement]

Well, there's a lot I agree with in the last posts by vandemusser, smalltownusa, and asheville native and I think the current administration has not been good for a lot of reasons.

But, the thing that scares me about the current political climate is that people will look to the government to bail them out. The politicians will decide the easiest way to do that is to TAX all of us that have put some money away by not living beyond our means and then give it to all those people that were somehow taken advantage of by those mean old financial companies loaning them too much money......

Sorry, but that answer doesn't hold individuals responsible for their decisions and it's one of the biggest gripes I have about the bloated federal government and the growing state of entitlement and handouts they live by. So, as much as I don't like this administration, the big government, increase taxes, and redistribute the wealth approach advocated by some of the opposition is not a viable answer either.

(ok, the soapbox is now free for others to use)

[Zooropa]

this election may end up being picking the lesser of 2 evils. I'm still undecided and am not officially offiliated with either party at this time

[autumngal]

You all need to keep the posts civil please. This is the last warning.
And please keep the discussion local to Asheville and lets not let it veer off to a national discussion .

From the TOS:

Be civil, no personal attacks, flaming, or insults. We may attack ideas (politely) but we do not attack the speaker of the idea. Be careful with your words, there is a point where being direct crosses a line into blunt, in-your-face hostility. Please, report bad posts instead of engaging in flame wars on the boards.
If you disagree with something, say so, but explain WHY.

[gottogetfishing]

I completely agree with Flat2Moutain and NCBND and alos have been keeping a keen eye onte WNC market. You can note from other threads that I have purchsed a building alot in Black Mountain with the inetnesion sof building. But, I'm now reconsidering and have thought that an existing home may be a better way to go once the market slides some. I've noticed jus this week a change in prices for listings that I've watched over the months. I talked with realtor in BM who remains upbeat and I understand that's her job and I also think the market may no be adjusting as much as other places across the country (don't know anything about FLa). But, it's my impression from keeping tabs on realtor.com etc. that the numbers are slipping. I also get the Black Mountain Times delivered to my home in Maryland I noticed this past week that some sellers are offering incentives to buyers. I haven't seen that before.

[LauraC]

How is the gas cost situation impacting Asheville?

I don't live in the town. I'm not a fan of the town. But, I do know it's a tourist/snowbird town. If the people don't come to Asheville this summer/Fall, my thoughts are that businesses that depend on them may fold and the people that run the businesses and work for the businesses may not be able to make payments on their own overpriced homes.

I would ask the same question of any snowbird/tourist town but I just happened to see this thread and I'm curious if you've seen a dip in tourism since Memorial Day and if businesses that depend on part-time residents/tourists are worried.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by LauraC

How is the gas cost situation impacting Asheville?

I don't live in the town. I'm not a fan of the town. But, I do know it's a tourist/snowbird town. If the people don't come to Asheville this summer/Fall, my thoughts are that businesses that depend on them may fold and the people that run the businesses and work for the businesses may not be able to make payments on their own overpriced homes.

I would ask the same question of any snowbird/tourist town but I just happened to see this thread and I'm curious if you've seen a dip in tourism since Memorial Day and if businesses that depend on part-time residents/tourists are worried.

Hard to say - but the market seems to be picking up - we recently sold our modest home there after 5 mo. on the market. Downturn is not hitting this area as hard as the rest of the country, in fact it was one of the few places to actually show appreciation last year.

Anyway, here is an article from the Citizen-Times about tourism and the economy, basically they think it will stay strong, and personally, I do too - it's a wonderful place to vacation.

Tourism will likely stay strong despite economy | CITIZEN-TIMES.com | Asheville Citizen-Times

[WeavervilleNC]

No we like the area! A lot. Love the Weaverville area.
We just want to be closer to town.
We're more toward Barnardsville right now (even though we have a Weaverville address.)
We've still got our house for sale.
We took off the market for 6 weeks to do about $20,000 in more upgrades - and it's
just beautiful with everything in bloom and the new deck and pergola.
This go around (I'm a licensed real estate agent - so I listed my own house), I have decided NO sign in the yard, 24 hour notice on showings....and our price is FIRM.
We have absolutely no expectations.....and we are happy to just stay put if that's
how it plays out.
I'm no longer going to just sit around and feel like I have to 'give' my house away in order to move. I'm enjoying life....living in the moment...
Kelly :-)

[jstubbspt]

Asheville came late to the housing bubble party and will be hit as hard as Fla or Ca. if not more so. Last I looked there was a 17 month inventory of houses for sale, a number that will only grow as more houses come onto the market. The high end is toast and grossly overbuilt across the country; sadly that's what the majority of development in the mountains has been. Honestly how many people can afford a $500,000+ home using normal financing?

Ah well, let the newbies to the area keep deluding themselves that "Asheville is different, and special...it won't be hurt like those other places." Look to Bend, OR, for parallels as to what is going to happen in the mountains of WNC. You're toast...you just don't know it yet.

[Asheville Native]

WNC home sales fall again | CITIZEN-TIMES.com | Asheville Citizen-Times