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Looking hard for a nice smaller ranch west of Asheville proper.
Why are there so many high dollar houses (over a million dollars) for sale in areas such as Cashiers, Highlands, Sapphire, etc. Pages after pages of them for sale on Realtor.com
Maybe that's it. People just can't afford the big stuff anymore.
Any suggestions for a good area. Well built smaller year round house away from Asheville like taxes. Want to avoid high HOA fees/shared well, etc. Enjoy hiking, nature.
Maybe that's it. People just can't afford the big stuff anymore.
Any suggestions for a good area. Well built smaller year round house away from Asheville like taxes. Want to avoid high HOA fees/shared well, etc. Enjoy hiking, nature.
Many thanks.
Understand your dilemma. If you let us know what your price range is per criteria: size of home, land area, etc., we will be able to give you suggestions.
Nature, outdoor activities, etc. are all here and within easy drives.
Well built
Away from Asheville-like taxes
Avoid high HOA fees
Avoid shared well
There's an adage in home building (and applies to many things in life) Everyone wants high quality fast work and low cost. Pick 2. Fast work and low cost won't get you high quality. High quality and low cost takes a long time in sourcing materials and workers, high quality and fast work won't come cheap and you'll pay for that privilege.
From your list and our personal experience over 3 years of house hunting, the most difficult item on your list here is well built so we're building. That said, the type of construction you're probably used to in NJ is along the lines of what we're used to in Chicago - that is not the norm here and for good or bad, people here live quite happy lives in houses that construction-wise would never pass muster in Chicago (and I assume NJ). So you can lower your expectations a bit on what constitutes quality built and assume that if the house isn't in obvious distress a good inspector will cue you in to important details. I'd seek out an inspector who is a transplant from the midwest or east - they'll get your concerns. It's a beautiful place to live and we love it here. When it comes to houses, remodeling, construction etc, get used to the phrase "that's not how we do it here" if you specify things you're familiar with. There seems to be a tremendous amount of deferred maintenance in homes here because of the economy.
Why are there so many high dollar houses (over a million dollars) for sale in areas such as Cashiers, Highlands, Sapphire, etc. Pages after pages of them for sale on Realtor.com
Many of them were sold as second homes to people from Atlanta, etc. Perhaps they can no longer afford them, or the developers over-built in the boom years.
Why are there so many high dollar houses (over a million dollars) for sale in areas such as Cashiers, Highlands, Sapphire, etc. Pages after pages of them for sale on Realtor.com
Those specific towns have been high-end for decades. A lot of movers and shakers from Atlanta have second houses in those towns.
Steve Martin has a house in Lake Toxaway if that gives you an idea.
IMO, retiring baby boomers, for the most part, are not looking to purchase mega-mansions as a retirement home, and that is who is moving into Western NC.
I can understand the issue of finding quality construction. As DLM states, IL and NJ hold to a higher standard than many other states. And in NJ and I am sure IL the state mandates responsible development practices.
Is it possible to find a nice smaller ranch (3/2 or 2/2) on an acre or more in the 300s? Open to just about any part of western NC or western VA. Have had first hand issues with HOAs and would like to avoid them. A well run HOA is an asset but if idiots run it it can be a hassle. Have heard about issues with shared well, would like to avoid.
Would like a safe area. Basic medical within an hour. Good/better grocery not too far. Year round living. Stay at home guy, no need for airport or long distance travel. No need for a lot of social stuff. Hiking, birding, fishing.
Not pumping either MV or W'ville, I simply live here, so that's what I plugged into Realtor.com site.
Above "$300Gs" and there are even more...few ranchers, as many homes were/are built on some slope, as flate lots in Haywood County are like finding sharks teeth here. Some down in the town area, hollows and flats.
GL, mD
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If you let us know what your price range is per criteria: size of home, land area, etc., we will be able to give you suggestions. 
