Thornton Realty Blog

Asheville Nationally Recognized for its Great Food

2011-12-05T14:40:00.000-08:00

Asheville was recently recognized as a Top-Ten Best Food & Wine Destination. TripAdvisor rated Asheville high on their list due to Asheville's focus on eating locally and supporting sustainable agriculture. The mountain land surrounding Asheville is productive due to its longer than average growing season and milder weather.

New Land Tract for Sale near Asheville, NC

2011-12-02T05:05:00.000-08:00

100

100-Acre mountain land tract for sale near Asheville,North Carolina lies flat with a few ridges for optimal long-range views!
This real estate has end of road privacy with paved state-road entrance.
Call Thornton Realty at 828-230-5734

Land Near Asheville, North Carolina

2011-11-26T04:27:00.000-08:00

In Asheville from late fall to mid-spring is an excellent time to look at real estate, especially land. The leaves are off the trees and it is much easier to see the lay of the land, including views.

Asheville Named Best Town to See Fall Color

2011-10-22T05:28:00.000-07:00

Check out Livability.com to see why Asheville was chosen as the top place in the nation to view fall colors !

The above picture was taken from a home site from the 102-acre tract Thornton Realty has listed.

102 Acres on Blackberry Road--More pictures and satellite images!

2011-10-19T14:04:00.000-07:00

Visit my album to see more pictures and satellite images of the 102 acres for sale.

Asheville is Beautiful in the Fall !!

2011-09-26T18:12:00.000-07:00

Its hard to stay inside with all the wonderful weather we have been having in Asheville.
Also a great time to look at land!
Leaves are starting to fall off trees and it's easier to see what you're looking at....

Asheville Urban Trail

2011-09-05T05:54:00.000-07:00

Come visit the Asheville Urban Trail and you will not be disappointed.
And along the way, be sure to check out the "Third Wave" coffee shops, micro breweries, and delicious chocolate shops. (What more could you ask for??).

Summer Comes Early to Asheville,NC

2011-05-26T02:52:00.000-07:00

We had an early spring this year, some folks in the know say almost three weeks early!

If you have land for sale, make sure to keep it mowed to optimize showings. Land is like a house, it needs to be kept spruced up for the curb appeal factor.

Indian Pink

2011-05-16T05:20:00.000-07:00

Keep an eye out for this wonderful wildflower, due to bloom soon.

Indian Pink, Spigelia marilandica

This beautiful native perennial wildflower performs best in a loose loamy well-drained acidic soil in sun to part shade. It is a tender herb that grows up to two feet tall. Each stem of Indian Pink may bear two to twelve colorful tubular flowers on a one-sided spike-like cyme, and the flowers open from bottom to top. The flowers are upward facing buds that open to show off the star-like creamy yellow throat. Blooms are produced in large clusters. This is a clump forming perennial that dies back in the winter and emerges in the spring. Extracts of the root contains an alkaloid that has been used to get rid of intestinal parasites. Indian Pink is sometimes called Pink root, Carolina pink or Worm grass. (From Asheville Botanical Gardens).

Asheville Botanical Gardens

2011-04-25T05:07:00.000-07:00

The Asheville Botanical Gardens (ABG) is one stop you should definately make while in Asheville!

The ABG is located in the Southern Appalachian Mountains, one of the most diverse temperate ecosystems in the world with the mission to preserve and promote the native plant species and habitats of these mountains. The ABG hopes to increase public awareness of this region’s unique botanical diversity by maintaining gardens for the enjoyment of the public and by providing educational programs and research resources for the community. Memberships are available by following above link.

The grounds of BGA are open year round from sunrise to sunset for the enjoyment of the community, and no admission is charged for entrance--though donations are greatly appreciated!

Wild Yellow Iris

2011-04-23T13:57:00.000-07:00

"Thou art the Iris, fair among the fairest,
Who, armed with golden rod

And winged with the celestial azure, bearest

The message of some God."

-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

(1807-1882)

Found this wildflower today while hiking property near Lake Lure!

Full Moon Tonight is Bigger and Closer to Earth !!

2011-03-19T05:14:00.000-07:00

A supermoon rises beside the Jackson Building tower, the building glowing a bright orange from the setting sun. A supermoon is when a full moon makes its closest approach to earth, an event that only happens once every 18 years. On Saturday, March 19th the moon will be only 221,567 miles from earth. The last supermoon was in March, 1974. / Bill Sanders/wsanders@citizen-times.com

Trout Lilys are up at lower elevations--1100-1300 ft

2011-03-04T16:52:00.000-08:00

Asheville named Top International Destination !!

2011-01-28T06:25:00.000-08:00

The Asheville Citizen-Times ran an article today in the local paper that Fodor, a well known travel guide, just named Asheville the top destination for 2011!

Winter Again in the Mountains

2011-01-10T13:09:00.000-08:00

Snow is falling
and
the woods are quiet
with a New Years blanket
that
is much like a new dress
to an aging debutante.

Birds are nestling
and
bears are sleeping
but
Hi Ho, Hi Ho
this old mountain gal
is going out.

Pretty Leaves are Still Here But Dropping Fast!!

2010-11-05T13:51:00.000-07:00

Forbes Ranks N.C. Third Best for Business

2010-10-18T13:08:00.000-07:00

North Carolina ranks No. 3 in the latest Forbes magazine ranking of best states for business, up from No. 5 a year ago. Forbes ranks states based on business costs, labor supply, regulatory environment, economic climate, growth prospects and quality of life. http://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/stories/2010/10/11/daily58.html?ana=e_du_pap

Trees

2010-07-13T11:29:00.000-07:00

This old Grandfather tree lives with me in Asheville and has several dead limbs that woodpeckers loves to ravish!

You are pulling my leg!!

2010-07-05T15:10:00.000-07:00

Took this picture while hiking on the 46-acre tract for sale on the Bull Creek property.

Turks Cap !

2010-06-30T07:01:00.000-07:00

One of the most exciting wildflowers in WNC is the turks cap, as pictured above. It is now in full bloom and can be found along roadsides in the higher mountains.

Summer Solstice

2010-06-22T07:22:00.000-07:00

Monday, June 21 was the summer solstice, the first day of summer and the longest day of the year. The summer solstice occurs at the exact moment when the Earth's axial tilt is most inclined towards the sun. This year it was at 11:28 a.m.

New Banner

2010-05-24T23:03:00.000-07:00

New Logo

2010-05-06T09:20:00.000-07:00

Ralltlesnake Lodge

2010-05-02T09:48:00.000-07:00

Rattlesnake Lodge is an historic area located along the Blue Ridge Parkway just east of Asheville, North Carolina. A trail starts on the Parkway and winds through beautiful lush woodlands and ends up at the remains of the lodge (see http://www.rattlesnakelodge.com/introduction.htm for more info).

During the months of April and May, many visitors like to hike this trail because of the numerous varieties of wildflowers!

Ramps are Here!

2010-03-29T13:49:00.000-07:00

To some of us in the mountains, eating freshly picked ramps is somewhat a spiritual adventure.

You either love'em or not.

My favorite way is cooked with small red taters (that's potatoes to some of you), salmon and covered with eggs sunny-side up.

Mmmmm good!

Oconee Bells

2010-03-25T17:33:00.000-07:00

This little beauty, Oconee Bell, is in bloom right now and is one of the first wildflowers here in the Southern Appalachians. Shortia galacifolia, known commonly as the Oconee Bell, is one of the rarest wildflowers in the United States and is found in only seven counties in Georgia and the Carolinas (total).

Spring is Here!

2010-03-19T00:37:00.000-07:00

Spring is here when the trout lilies first poke out their beautiful heads, as seen above. This wildflower is one of the first flowers I find every year and after a particularly cold and snowy winter, this sighting could not come too soon!

Green Building in Asheville

2010-02-15T06:45:00.000-08:00

An exciting green home is being built in Asheville, NC called the Asheville Nauhaus.

What is the Nauhaus?

The Nauhaus is a high performance natural building system that combines the best of cutting edge modern building science with the advantages of traditional building techniques and lifestyles. The Nauhaus system is designed to achieve:

1.A dramatic increase in comfort, long-term affordability, and sensory enjoyment while fostering a healthier lifestyle through an increased connection to nature.

2.Fulfillment of scientifically established benchmarks for residential construction defining a drastic reduction in emissions that contribute to our present global warming crisis.

3.A solid contribution to a sustainable solution for our present economic crisis by focusing on local materials and workers while creating opportunities for the creation of a variety of local green construction businesses.

Source: The Nauhaus Institute

Houses Shrink, But Some "Must Haves" Remain

2010-02-02T06:17:00.000-08:00

Houses are getting smaller, according to data released last week by the National Association of Home Builders. The association said that the average size of a new home in 2009 was 2,480 square feet, down from 2,520 square feet in 2008.

"The era of easy money is over. You really have to think before you go out and decide you need that five-bedroom, five-bath home," said Rose Quint, the organization's assistant vice president for survey research.

Despite smaller home sizes and tightening credits, there are still some features that are expected in new houses. Builders say the following are most likely to be standard in homes built in 2010:
* Walk-in closets in the master bedroom.
* Laundry rooms.
* Insulated front doors.
* Great rooms.
* Energy-efficient windows.
* Linen closets.
* Programmable thermostats.
* Energy-efficient appliances and lighting.
* Separate shower and tub in master bathrooms.
* Nine-foot ceilings on the first floor.

Source: MarketWatch, Steve Kerch (10/22/2010)

Tax Credits for 2010

2010-01-27T08:52:00.000-08:00

If building a new home, you can qualify for the tax credits for geothermal heat pumps, photovoltaics, solar water heaters, small wind energy systems and fuel cells, but not the tax credits for windows, doors, insulation, roofs, HVAC, or non-solar water heaters. (Source: EnergyStar.gov)

Wildflower Lovers: Be on the look out for Spicebush

2010-01-25T08:48:00.000-08:00

Spring is right around the corner for some of us!
I always look forward to one of the first blooms of the year--the perky Spicebush (Lindera benzoin).

A Spicebush is a shrub that can bloom as early as February in WNC and is found in rich, low-altitude woods. Occasionally it can be found at elevations up to 2800 ft.

The flowers are small, fragrant, and bright yellow. The pointed, oval-shaped leaves are 2-5 inches long and come along after the bush has finished blooming. When crushed, the leaves give off a pleasing lemonlike odor, as do the smaller branches and twigs.

Local Land Trust in Asheville, NC

2010-01-22T08:47:00.000-08:00

"A land trust is a nonprofit organization that, as all or part of its mission, actively works to conserve land by undertaking or assisting in land or conservation easement acquisition, or by its stewardship of such land or easements.

A conservation easement is a legal agreement between a landowner and a land trust or government agency that permanently limits uses of the land in order to protect its conservation values. It allows you to continue to own and use your land and to sell it or pass it on to heirs."

Source: The Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy.

Great Solar Opportunities in Asheville, North Carolina

2010-01-21T06:30:00.000-08:00

Building a solar home in western North Carolina is a smart choice. We have plenty of sunshine and the summers and winters are relatively mild. I live at about 3000 ft in Asheville and do not need air conditioning except to dehumidify my home for a few weeks in the late summer/early fall.

We also burn wood from our property which helps to keep us warm and to augment the winter sun.

As our society moves toward the day when photovoltaics and solar water heating are standard features, the high-efficiency all-electric home is a smart strategy to keep soaring energy costs to an absolute minimum.

"To Do" items for Getting Ready to Sell

2010-01-08T06:33:00.000-08:00

Getting ready to place your property on the market?

Land is like a house in that it requires a certain amount of effort to ensure maximum curb appeal.

Below are a few actions which could not only help bring offers faster to your kitchen table, but could also help to get you closer to your asking price:

Remove any unsightly items such as piles of discarded fencing, junk vehicles, piles of vegetation matter, etc.
Know where your property lines and corners are. If you do not know where they are, hire a registered surveyor to mark these important property details. I have found that buyers are much more likely to purchase when they know exactly what they are buying.
Clean up any litter that may be near your property, such as on the road leading up to your entrance.
Keep open areas (such as pastures) mowed along with internal roads on the property. If buyers can't walk/drive the property, how will they know what they are buying?
If your property has a particularly great view, make sure to keep the vegetation sufficiently cut back in order for a potential buyer to appreciate this fact.

More on Short Sales

2009-12-30T05:36:00.001-08:00

What is a short sale?
A short sale is a transaction in which the lender, or lenders, agree to accept less than the mortgage amount owed by the current homeowner. In some cases, the difference is forgiven by the lender, and in others the homeowner must make arrangements with the lender to settle the remainder of the debt.

Why is the number of short sales rising?
Due to the recent economic crisis, including rising unemployment, and drops in home prices in communities across the nation, the number of short sales is increasing. Since a short sale generally costs the lender less than a foreclosure, it can be a viable way for a lender to minimize its losses.
A short sale can also be the best option for a homeowners who are “upside down” on mortgages because a short sale may not hurt their credit history as much as a foreclosure. As a result, homeowners may qualify for another mortgage sooner once they get back on their feet financially.

**Information from the National Association of Realtors

Winter WonderLand

2009-12-17T13:11:00.000-08:00

Looking at land in winter time is great!!

The leaves are off the trees, enabling one to see the true "lay of the land". Also, springs, survey monuments and other such land characteristics are much easier to detect.

Insects, snakes, and other varmits are usually not around to cause problems.

So strap on your boots and call me now if you are thinking about buying or selling a tract of land.

Signs of Buck Activity

2009-11-30T05:03:00.000-08:00

I was walking a property yesterday (100+ acres) and came upon the sapling as pictured to the right. This is a sapling that has had its barked rubbed off by a buck.

Bucks rub their antlers on young, flexible trees to remove the velvet that initially covers them. It is a misconception that the drying velvet is itchy and they are trying to remove it; antlers have no nerve endings. Bucks rub their antlers on trees to attract receptive does and to mark territory and warn other bucks to stay away.

By the way, this tract was beautiful! It had several nice creeks, some flats that would make nice pasture, and plenty of pond sites. The forest was predominantly white oak that looked as if the larger trees were close to 50-70 years old! And being next door to USFS, this tract would make a great private retreat.

One Stop Permitting in Asheville

2009-11-21T17:32:00.000-08:00

I attended a luncheon last Friday at the Wolcott Public Works Building at 161 S. Charlotte St. where the city of Asheville now unites 71 workers from five city departments that review building proposals -- engineering, planning, building safety, fire and water engineering -- in one space on the first floor of this building. The idea is to create a more efficient route for developers doing business within the city zoning boundaries of Asheville.

Purdue: Land of the Boilermaker!

2009-11-04T15:29:00.000-08:00

Land 111: Autumn in the Hills of WNC

2009-10-19T15:30:00.001-07:00

Someone recently asked me why I liked living in WNC.

As a gardener, that was an easy question, as the Southern Appalachians contain more species of plants than most anywhere in the world!

WNC also has magnificent Springs that make you feel like a kid again. The first wildflowers poke out their heads towards the end of February and you realize that winter has not long to go!

Summers are pleasant without the mugginess that was an overstayed visitor in my hometown of Crawfordsville, Indiana.

But autumns in the Appalachians are my favorite! Low-lying plants turn shades of yellows and reds in late August and the show continues until nearly Thanksgiving.

All in all, winter does not last too long. At age 52, cold winters do not appeal to me like they used to.

But I still enjoy walking in the snow.....

Thornton Realty: Resident Forester

2009-09-22T04:45:00.000-07:00

Basically, you get two for one when you sign up with Thornton Realty.
Richard Price Thornton, "Rick", is a professional land manager and a North Carolina registered forester. His expertise includes the following:

* Boundary lines/corners identification
* Title searches
* Timber inventory
* Road design, construction and management
* Land security and management
* Erosion control

Rick is a native of the Asheville area, has a degree from NC State in Forestry, and has worked in the forestry/land field for thirty years.

Thoughts for a Rainy Sunday

2009-09-20T05:26:00.000-07:00

Everything I Need to Know about Life,
I Learned from Noah 's Ark

One: Don't miss the boat.
Two: Remember that we are all in the same boat.
Three: Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark.
Four: Stay fit. When you're 600 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big.
Five: Don't listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.
Six: Build your future on high ground.
Seven: For safety sake, travel in pairs.
Eight: Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.
Nine: When you're stressed, float a while.
Ten: Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.

Now is a Great Time to Purchase Land!!

2009-09-11T04:58:00.000-07:00

Now is a great time to buy land because the leaves are falling and the vegetation is dying back, allowing a better view of what's on the ground and the view from the property!

Sometimes " benches"--flat spots on mountainsides, can can be easily spotted once the leaves drop. These benches make wonderful homesites because they are a naturally occurring flat area and require little, if any, grading for a house pad. Sometimes benches lie on a finger ridge, which are small ridges that extend out from the main ridges of a property.

Other items which can be more easily viewed with the leaves off are springs, creeks, boundary lines, property corners, easement roads, etc.

Land 110: Encroachments

2009-09-03T12:22:00.000-07:00

When purchasing a tract of land, be sure to look for existing encroachments. An encroachment can happen when part of one tract of land extends beyond its property lines into the adjoining tract--examples are driveways, fencing, structures, etc.

Encroachments are usually found while performing a boundary inspection of the property or by a surveyor hired to perform a boundary survey.

Land 109: Deed Restrictions

2009-09-02T04:46:00.000-07:00

Deed restrictions (also referred to as covenants or conditions) are agreements placed on a parcel of land that will run permanently with the land. These conditions are typically placed on the conveyance deed by the grantor of the property before the deed is recorded. Deed restrictions can substancially affect the value of the property.

There are many reasons why an owner would place deed restrictions on his/her property. Sometimes the seller (grantor) will only sell his/her property to the new owner if deed restrictions are placed on it at closing. Commonly, the owner is an adjoining neighbor and will require deed restrictions such as "No trailers", "Only one single-family home per acre", etc.

Wildflower of the Week: Pink Turtlehead

2009-08-24T15:44:00.001-07:00

Pink Turtlehead is a delightful wildflower that blooms in the "dog days of summer".

Right when it seems that most of the wildflowers in my woodland forest are a milky white to a pale yellow, the turtleheads come out to save the day in a bright and perky pink!!

Turtleheads grow up to four feet here in the Southern Appalachian Mountains and they like moist and rich loamy soils with a partial shade orientation.

Land 108: Tax Deferment Programs

2009-08-20T16:09:00.000-07:00

Most counties in North Carolina (if not all) have some sort of a tax deferment program based on how the land is used. A prime example is a large dairy farm. The owner of the land could possibly place this land in a land-use program which would reduce taxes. Other uses include foresty and other forms of agriculture.

To learn more about these programs, contact your county tax office and make an appointment to discuss these programs with knowledgeable staff.

Land 108: Utilities

2009-08-19T02:21:00.000-07:00

When thinking about purchasing a piece of land, be sure that the tract you are desiring to buy has good access to power. Usually a septic system and well can be placed on the land, but power is not so easy.

The neighboring parcel may have a power pole on it and you might think, "I can come off that pole". Wrong. In order for the local power company to hook you up from your neighbor's pole, the neighbor must first sign a right-of-way to allow the power company access. Can be tricky business, especially if the neighbor does not want a new neighbor!

Another unfortunate experience is assuming if you buy a lot in town that "of course I can hook up to the local water or sewer lines." Wrong again. These municipal lines may cross private properties and again, a right-of-way would need to be signed by the owners whoose property is being crossed.

The take home message: check out these issues before you close on the property. Most agents versed in land will help you out with these "due diligence" items. What are "due diligence items" ? Stay tuned :)

Land 107: Short Sales

2009-08-16T06:52:00.001-07:00

Was recently asked: "What is a short sale?"According to a variety of real estate sources, a short sale happens when a sale of real estate property is sold (which the lender still holds the deed of trust) for less than is owed to the lender.The lender becomes a big factor in the closing of this sale, because the lender's permission is usually required for the closing to happen. Sometimes the lender will "write off" the financial loss or sometimes the lender will require the original owner to carry a mortgage on the difference between what is owed and what is paid for the real estate at closing.Short sales can be tricky.

Wildflower of the Week: Cardinal Flower

2009-08-13T00:09:00.000-07:00

This WNC wildflower likes wet feet and is found growing near bogs, ponds, storm water run-offs, etc.

The cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) also likes part sun and grows to about three feet!

Land 106: Considerations Before You Buy

2009-08-12T04:03:00.000-07:00

When looking for land to build on, below are a few considerations:

Does the land have the correct solar orientation? Some folks want full southern exposure for solar energy applications, growing crops etc. while others might want more of a northern orientation for the shade and coolness during the summer days. That being said, I live on a north face of a mountain but still receive sufficient sunshine for gardens, solar thermal heating, etc.

Does the tract under consideration have any restrictions, easements, or encroachments that might negatively impact your property after closing? Usually a title check and a boundary survey will flush out many of these items. However, simply walking the boundary of the tract will provide good information, unless of course, the boundary lines are unclear.

More later.

Land 105: Littoral Rights

2009-08-01T05:15:00.000-07:00

A cousin to riparian rights is littoral rights.

A land owner has littoral rights who has land that is adjacent to a large navigable body of water, such as a large lake or the ocean. Rights include the use of the waterway but the land owner only owns the land up to the mean high-water mark.

Land 104: Riparian Rights

2009-07-31T04:59:00.000-07:00

Land that is owned next to water have "riparian rights". The owner of such land has unrestricted uses of the water as long as the owner does not harm owners upstream or downstream, change the water quality, or appreciatively alter the flow of the water (contact the North Carolina Department of Natural Resources for more info on this).

Land owners that border a nonnavigable waterway, such as a small creek, owns the land to the middle of the creek.

In North Carolina, land adjacent to navigable rivers is owned up to the banks of the waterway. Navigable waters are public waterways on which the public has a right to travel on.

Land 103: Right-of-Ways

2009-07-28T17:14:00.000-07:00

A right-of-way is also called an easement. Right-of-ways provide a landowner the legal access to cross another tract of land--usually from a public road to their tract of land. Right-of-ways can vary in legal width, or can even be "undefined", which does not express an exact width. The owner of a right-of-way may improve upon the land which the right-of-way crosses, but does not own it.

Land 102: Land Value

2009-07-24T04:36:00.000-07:00

One question I am asked frequently is "What is land going for nowadays?".
The price of land, especially in the Asheville area, is all over the map (no pun intended).
But my typical response is the price of land is hughly influenced by the Big Three:

Topography: This term refers to the elevation and contours of the land, i.e. flat, steep, rolling, etc. Other considerations which are generally thrown in include whether the property contains water features such as a creeks, springs, etc.
Access: This term refers to how the property is entered. For example, one of the most favored accesses is from a paved public road. Other entrances may be through an "easement", which is a right-of-way thru a neighboring parcel of land. (More on "right-of-ways" in the next post!)
Location: We have all heard how "location, location, location" is very important for choosing one's house. Well, the same applies to land! In fact, location is one of the most important economic characteristics of land. Being located next to the USFS (or other favorable uses such as a high-end development) versus next to the city landfill makes all the difference in the world!

Land 101 : Real Property versus Personal Property

2009-07-23T06:37:00.001-07:00

There are two major classifications of property; real property and personal property.

Real property is defined as the land and everything that is appurtenant to (or goes with) the land, such as rock walls, grapevines, or fruit trees.

Personal property is property that does not fit the definition of real property. The primary characteristic of personal property if movability. Items of personal property, also called chattels, include picnic tables, small bird baths, stacked firewood, etc.

Land, Land, Land !

2009-07-01T13:35:00.000-07:00

"All Realtors are educated and trained to sell homes, but not all Realtors are educated and trained to sell LAND, FARMS OR RANCHES" , Lou Jewell ALC.