Where to rent and buy in north Asheville and Black Mountain (Henderson: new home, buying)

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by the Parkies

We definitely don't want to build (been there, done that), lovesMountains. At this point in our lives, building would involve too much stress and too long a wait. We want very much to find a move-in ready place by this spring. And you voiced my concerns better than I did. We don't want to have to move out some day just because we can't handle the staircase any more. And no one can predict who will find themselves in that predicament--or when! We're just trying to be realistic.

I understand. Building IS very stressful! I would hope then that since you have a bit more time on your side now that you will just continue to search till you find that home of all homes I know stairs and steps are more common in mountainous areas, but I feel sure there must be a few out there built without them, or at least with minimal amounts. My sister recently had to find a vacation rental in a mountainaous area with no steps because her husband had recently had surgery and was unable to be weight-bearing on that leg - there was no way he could do stairs. She did find just the cutest little newer rental after much searching. This says to me that newer homes are more likely to have been built with this stairs issue under consideration. So maybe one answer for you is to be looking in areas of newer construction?

[the Parkies]

Newer construction may be the ticket, if it's available in the area of our search. The idea is one more kernel for the popcorn machine.

Thanks, lovesMountains!

[lorriem]

Originally Posted by the Parkies

Enjoyed your story, mmccool. Thanks very much for sharing. Black Mountain is easy to fall in love with, and I work there, and our closest friends are there. I think I have an idea how you feel!

Thanks, everyone! You guys are all very kind to post here and send us private messages as well. Some of us, at least, are going to meet, and soon, I think!

GOOD NEWS. If you've been following our story, the last you heard was that we were told we had to leave our Hendersonville rental by March 31 or commit to six more months. Since we may close escrow on our San Diego house within a month (please, God), we were between a rock and a hard spot.

Well, we offered the owners significantly more money (through their property manager), and they just accepted our proposal! We get to stay month-to-month indefinitely! We just need to give 30 days' notice from the first of any month. What a relief!! I swear I heard that guardian angel's wings fluttering again this week!!!

We are now searching for that special house to buy, either in north/east Asheville (close to town), Black Mountain, or somewhere in between those two spots--like Riceville Forest, Buffalo Mountain, Eastmoor.... Our realtor (and yes--we're working with only one! thank you!) has searched the MLS for hours with us by her side, and then has taken us to five houses so far. Among those, we loved one--terrific house and neighborhood made to order for us, parklike setting, mountain views (though not long-range), a price we can afford, and only a mile out of Black Mountain. However, you have to walk from garage through a short entry and up 14 steps into the living space. We had hoped to take groceries and other items directly from car to kitchen. But if everything else about the place is perfect, we're wondering if we shouldn't overlook the staircase. It's at least wide, open, inside, and comfortable.

Do you think it foolish for healthy people in their sixties and seventies to buy houses with a staircase from car to kitchen, given that so many seniors develop hip or knee problems?? Bill already has significant arthritis in his lower back, but he's not worried about the staircase. I just don't know.... I mean, it's one thing to grow arthritic in a house you're already living in. It's another thing to buy a house with 14 steps knowing you're already stiff and only growing older and stiffer.... Bill laughs at me. "When we can't handle 14 steps, Jan, we'll be ready for assisted living!" I'm not at all sure that's true!

AHHHHHHHHHH.............

Jan

To me that sounds like my elyptical.I hate using it but it is good for the heart.BTW I will be 63 tomorrow so I am no spring chick. The house sounds great so don't let the stairs stop you. Think of it like the house is also good for your health.

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by lorriem

To me that sounds like my elyptical.I hate using it but it is good for the heart.BTW I will be 63 tomorrow so I am no spring chick. The house sounds great so don't let the stairs stop you. Think of it like the house is also good for your health.

Lorrie, that sounds great if all you are doing is using your stairs for a cardiac workout. But what about people with arthritis, or folks who end up needing to use a wheelchair for whatever reason (even if just temporarily)? Not to mention as we age we aren't as sure-footed as we were in our younger years - falling and breaking hips becomes a much more common occurance after a certain age. The truth is, stairs just become a liability to live with at some point - though of course that point is different for different people. But still...if I were like Jan looking for a home to live in that would be my last home to ever live in, I would be concerned about the stair issue too. You can't just blow it off like it doesn't matter, at some point it most likely WILL matter. Just being practical...

[gypsychic]

Jan, there IS one more alternative, one that my hubby and I have done a couple times (he is an architect) and that is to find the house in the LOCATION that you love at a price you can afford and add an addition/remodel to make it fit your needs. My neighbor across the street has lived in her home for decades. Her husband passed a couple years ago, but when he first became ill (heart trouble) he couldn't climb stairs, so they added a big room onto the back, with a second driveway, so he didn't have to use the basement. This is far less stressful, expensive or time-consuming as building from scratch; and that way, you can get into a neighborhood you love!

Just an idea from one who's done it (and may do it again!)

[the Parkies]

Lorrie, remember we're talking about lugging GROCERIES and TVs and COMPUTERS and RUGS and--gads, even a COPIER--and whatever else we purchase UP THAT STAIRCASE!! We don't usually lug that kind of stuff around on our cardiac workout equipment. I'm just trying to be realistic. We'll be getting older...

Speaking of which... HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Hope this will be a great year for you!

[the Parkies]

Originally Posted by gypsychic

Jan, there IS one more alternative, one that my hubby and I have done a couple times (he is an architect) and that is to find the house in the LOCATION that you love at a price you can afford and add an addition/remodel to make it fit your needs. My neighbor across the street has lived in her home for decades. Her husband passed a couple years ago, but when he first became ill (heart trouble) he couldn't climb stairs, so they added a big room onto the back, with a second driveway, so he didn't have to use the basement. This is far less stressful, expensive or time-consuming as building from scratch; and that way, you can get into a neighborhood you love!

Just an idea from one who's done it (and may do it again!)

Now there's a new angle on the subject!--thanks, Gypsy! We'll keep in mind as we consider each property whether it's "adjustable" should the time come that we need to "adjust." Good thinking!

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by gypsychic

Jan, there IS one more alternative, one that my hubby and I have done a couple times (he is an architect) and that is to find the house in the LOCATION that you love at a price you can afford and add an addition/remodel to make it fit your needs. My neighbor across the street has lived in her home for decades. Her husband passed a couple years ago, but when he first became ill (heart trouble) he couldn't climb stairs, so they added a big room onto the back, with a second driveway, so he didn't have to use the basement. This is far less stressful, expensive or time-consuming as building from scratch; and that way, you can get into a neighborhood you love!

Just an idea from one who's done it (and may do it again!)

I like the way you think Great idea!

[mmccool719]

Okay Jan.....here are my thoughts...our home (before we bought it) sat on the market for 6 months and the number one reason people didn't make an offer was they were retired age and there were too many stairs. You should REALLY consider this home before you fall in love with it. Also, consider who will be visiting you sometimes. There is a pretty good supply of homes for sale here. If you have to look at 15 more, do it, esp. if you plan to live here a long time. PM me if you want to bounce any areas off me. I studied the market (and still do) pretty hard before buying here so I have my bearings down. I am not a realtor, just enjoy observing the market. Good luck.

[the Parkies]

Originally Posted by mmccool719

Okay Jan.....here are my thoughts...our home (before we bought it) sat on the market for 6 months and the number one reason people didn't make an offer was they were retired age and there were too many stairs. You should REALLY consider this home before you fall in love with it. Also, consider who will be visiting you sometimes. There is a pretty good supply of homes for sale here. If you have to look at 15 more, do it, esp. if you plan to live here a long time. PM me if you want to bounce any areas off me. I studied the market (and still do) pretty hard before buying here so I have my bearings down. I am not a realtor, just enjoy observing the market. Good luck.

That's a very generous offer, mmccool! I'll pm you within just a few days. We have decided against that Black Mountain house because of its staircase. There will be better homes for us out there, especially as spring approaches and more houses come on the market. So we'll continue month-to-month with our rental while we make it our priority to "shop the market by keyboard" (Web) and drive all around the communities, time distances between them, notice views, look for one-level construction, find out home values... and you can give us a list of communities to consider, if you will, and tell us what you know about them. We'll do full-time homework til the cows come home. Don't want to buy the wrong house. Want to buy our LAST house, one we love. Thanks so much!

Man! you people on this forum are nice to us!!! THANK YOU!!!

Jan