Engel & Völkers Foothills Sponsors Local Charity Event
Engel & Völkers Foothills was honored to be the Snowflake Sponsor at the 3rd annual Morganton Snow Ball on December 2, 2023. The Snow Ball is a gala event, auction, and fundraiser held annually that directly benefits Southmountain Children and Family Services.
Since 1903, Southmountain Children and Family Services (SCFS) has been providing pathways for children, families, and the community in numerous ways. From basic education to a safe haven, to a multitude of life-changing programs, Southmountain has remained a solid rock for children and families. Headquartered in Morganton, NC, Southmountain Children and Family Services operates the State’s first and only foster community. Situated near Lake James SCFS also serves families and children through our Children’s Advocacy Centers serving 16 counties in North Carolina.
Engel & Völkers Foothills had a wonderful time supporting our local community and enjoying great food and entertainment.
274 West Camp Drive #39, Marion, NC
New Lot for Sale at Lake James!
Located in the gated community of Black Forest, this 4.75 acre lot with nearly 500 ft of shoreline would make a perfect permanent residence or vacation home! This dockable lot is located on the west side of Lake James with access to all Black Forest amenities including Lake Camp, River Camp, Community House and plenty of walking trails. Don't miss out on this one! View complete listing.
3598 NC 126, Morganton, NC 28655
Great opportunity to build a commercial business at Lake James. This would be perfect location for an outfitter, retail, kayak/bike rental, General store, campground, restaurant or boat and storage facility-so many possibilities in this quickly growing area of Burke County! Take advantage of being across the street from the Fonta Flora State trail, just 2 miles from the Linville Public access boat ramp and all of the Pisgah National Forest trails as well as beautiful Lake James. Adjacent to the Hawksbill Community. Zoning is Burke county General Business. 28+ Acres | Offered at: $359,000.
View Complete Listing
Listed by: Polly Leadbetter, Engel & Völkers Foothills
828.443.5407
Polly.Leadbetter@evrealestate.com
The Importance of Real Estate Buyer Agency
When it comes to buying a home, many people believe that they can handle the process on their own. They may think that they can find the perfect property, negotiate a good price, and handle all the paperwork without any professional assistance. However, this is not always the best approach, and in reality, working with a real estate buyer agency can be highly beneficial. I want to stress the importance of real estate buyer agency and how it can make the homebuying process smoother and more successful. One of the primary reasons why a real estate buyer agent is important is because it provides expertise and knowledge of the local market. Real estate agents who specialize in buyer representation have thorough knowledge about the neighborhoods, schools, amenities, and market trends in the area. They can provide valuable insights that may not be readily available to an individual who is not actively involved in the real estate market. This knowledge helps buyers make informed decisions when choosing a property and ensures that they are paying a fair price. Furthermore, real estate buyer agents have access to a wide network of industry professionals, including mortgage brokers, home inspectors, and real estate attorneys. These relationships can simplify the homebuying process and ensure that all necessary steps are taken care of in a timely manner. For instance, a buyer agent can recommend reliable professionals for home inspections and help facilitate the mortgage application process. This network of industry professionals is a valuable resource for buyers.
Another significant aspect of real estate buyer agency is the skilled negotiation provided by an agent. Negotiating the terms and price of a home purchase can be a challenging task for many buyers. Real estate buyer agents, however, have the experience and expertise to negotiate on behalf of their clients effectively. They understand the local market conditions, analyze comparable sales, and may have some understanding of the seller’s motivation. All of this information can be used to negotiate a better price and favorable terms for the buyer. By having a professional handle the negotiation process, buyers can ensure that they are getting the most value for their investment.
Real estate buyer agents also play an essential role in protecting the interests of their clients. They have a fiduciary duty to their buyers, which means they are legally obligated to act in their best interests. This duty includes confidentiality, full disclosure, and loyalty. Agents are required to present all available options to their clients, including potential drawbacks and risks associated with a property. This transparency ensures that buyers can make well-informed decisions and avoid any potential pitfalls. In addition to their fiduciary duty, real estate buyer agents are knowledgeable about the legal aspects of a home purchase. They can help buyers understand contracts, interpret complex legal jargon, and assist with required documentation. This expertise can be invaluable in ensuring that all legal requirements are met.
Finally, real estate buyer agents provide peace of mind for buyers. Buying a home is a significant financial and emotional investment, and having a professional guide them through the process can reduce stress and uncertainty. By delegating the search, negotiation, and paperwork to a buyer agent, buyers can focus on other aspects of their lives while a knowledgeable professional handles the details.
In conclusion, the importance of real estate buyer agency cannot be understated. From their expertise and local market knowledge to their negotiation skills and legal guidance, real estate buyer agents offer considerable value to homebuyers. By working with a professional, buyers can be confident that they are making informed decisions, getting the best deal, and protecting their interests throughout the homebuying process.
559 Dudley Shoals Road, Granite Falls, NC
For sale in the Granite Falls market! 559 Dudley Shoals Road, Granite Falls, NC
Charming arts and craft style home. 3 bedroom, 2 bath immaculate and move in ready. Many priceless features through out the home that reflect days gone by. Bead board ceilings, 2 inch hardwood floors, cast iron sink, cast iron tub. Arched entry and breakfast nook, glass door knobs. All closets are cedar lined. This lovely home has 2 additional bedrooms and sitting area upstairs, not included in heated square footage. Relax out back on covered porch or rock the day away on your covered front porch. This one is a charmer. List price: $274,999. View complete listing.
Contact Listing Agent, Lisa Griffin for more information.
828.430.1747
Lisa.griffin@evrealestate.com
A Moment of Gratitude for Morganton Teachers
Teachers and educators often go unrecognized for their unwavering commitment to education. Engel & Völkers Foothills wanted to express their gratitude to the hardworking educators at Freedom High School by providing 100 cups of coffee from the local Morganton coffee shop, Little Guatemala. By partnering with Little Guatemala, Engel & Völkers not only showed appreciation to the teachers, but also extended support to a local business. This small gesture shed light on the invaluable contributions that teachers make and provided a well-deserved moment of appreciation.
The event took place on Monday, November 6th and couldn't have come at a better time as teachers had an unusually long day for parent conferences. While teachers waited in line to place their orders, team members from Engel & Völkers shared conversation amongst one another. Engel & Völkers has proudly served the real estate needs of clients in Burke, McDowell, Caldwell and Catawba counties since 2003. Featured Engel & Völkers team members in attendance: Polly Leadbetter, Owner Laura Faria, Real Estate Advisor Loralie Clark, Real Estate Advisor
Contact Engel & Völkers Foothills today for your real estate needs.
www.foothills.evrealestate.com
828.584.9999
1429 Old Dry Creek Road, Morganton, NC
Stunning Waterfront Home at Lake James!
This stunning lake home is an equally perfect vacation or full time home. Spacious open floor plan with 2 primary suites on the main level, flex space, great room w/all new hardwoods & massive stone fireplace. Cooks kitchen with plenty of workspace & island w/seating for gathering. Laundry, dropzone & half bath off garage entry w/finished media room above for movie nights. Guests or extended family will have plenty of room in the finished lower level. Generous family room with full kitchen makes entertaining simple. Third ensuite bed/bath with tiled shower and soaking tub. Exercise room & additional room for sleeping/office space. Enjoy the view or entertain on the covered front and rear porches or lower level patio. Gravel path to the lake side w/firepit, deck seating & floating pier w/ lift. Quiet cove for floating & swimming. Short drive to Asheville, Charlotte and Blowing Rock. 15 minutes to Morganton shops/restaurants. Community pool & Fonta Flora MTB trail access in community. View complete listing.
https://youtu.be/IsA8iMEaIpI
Offered at: $1,450,000
Listing Advisor: Polly Leadbetter
828.443.5407
Polly.leadbetter@evrealestate.com
Foothills.evrealestate.com
315 Lakeview Trail, Nebo, NC
Come home to the NC Mountains!
315 Lakeview Trail, Nebo, NC
BREATHTAKING LONG-RANGE MOUNTAIN VIEWS!! This gorgeous craftsman home fully encompasses the word custom - tons of upgrades & the highest quality materials. Situated on 1.3 acres in highly desirable gated community Grandview Peaks, the split BR layout offers 2 large en-suites w/ main level living. High ceilings & picture Pella windows in Great Room look out to dramatic views of Table Rock & Grandfather Mountains. Primary BR/BA w/ custom tile shower & sunroom currently used as an office. Huge kitchen w/ handmade Birch cabinets, granite counters, 4'x8' island, built-in LG appliance, porcelain farm sink. Screened porch off kitchen w/ memory vinyl & marine-grade LVP floors. Covered back porch w/ double mountain views. Huge laundry room w/ pet shower; 2 car garage. Huge guest suite. Rosewood floors & porcelain tile throughout. Custom Graber shutters on all bed/bath windows. James Hardy Dream Collection siding w/ lifetime warranty. Gorgeous landscaping, fenced front yard, Don't Miss This One! Offered at $749,900. View complete listing.
Offered at: $645,879
Listing Advisor: Cory Coady
704.682.2924
Cory.Coady@evrealestate.com
Foothills.evrealestate.com
1331 Paddys Creek Road, Nebo, NC
If you love the Lake James area but want a little space from neighbors, this is your place! Very private home on 38 acres just minutes from Lake James. This 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath one level home is perfect for full time living or a sweet vacation spot away from it all. Primary suite has zero entry shower and large walk in closet. Hardwood floors throughout the entry, dining area, living room and kitchen. Gas cooktop, double ovens, a large island and breakfast nook open to the living area. Separate laundry and mudroom. Wrap around porch and sunroom with woodstove & propane wall heater. Large shed for tools & detached 32x24 garage/shop w/office area, stub out plumbing for a bath and 3 covered wings on the exterior. Bring your horses or ATVs. Trails throughout and Shack Branch Creek runs through this property. Fabulous short and long mountain views with some tree trimming if you prefer. Enjoy established gardens, fig trees and blueberry bushes and all the privacy you could wan Offered at $749,900. View complete listing.
Contact listing advisor with Engel & Völkers Foothills, Polly Leadbetter to schedule your showing.
828.443.5407
Polly.Leadbetter@evrealestate.com
Real Estate Outlook
The real estate market in 2023 was expected to be more balanced and predictable than in recent years. We still saw home prices rising but at a slower pace than in 2021 and 2022. This is due to a number of factors, including rising interest rates, inflation, and a shortage of homes on the market.
● Slowing home price growth: Home prices are still expected to rise in 2023, but at a slower pace than in previous years. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) predicts that home prices will rise by 5.4% in 2023, down from 16.9% in 2021 and 10.7% in 2022.
● The National Association of REALTORS® reported that home prices continued to rise in the second quarter of 2023. National median prices fell 2.4% year-over-year to $402,600. Median home prices rose by 8.5% compared to the previous quarter.
● More homes for sale: The inventory of homes for sale is expected to increase in 2023, as more homeowners decide to sell and new home construction picks up. This will give buyers more options to choose from and could help to moderate home price growth.
● Rising interest rates: Interest rates have risen in 2023 as the Federal Reserve tries to combat inflation. This will make it more expensive to buy a home, but it could also lead to more sellers putting their homes on the market, as they become less affordable to hold.
● Current interest rates for a 30 year mortgage are hovering above 7.5% which is the highest they have been since early December of 2000.
● Affordability challenges: Higher home prices and interest rates will make it more challenging for first-time homebuyers and other buyers on a budget. However, there are still a number of government programs and other resources available to help these buyers purchase a home.
Buyers are likely to have more options to choose from, but they will also need to be prepared for higher interest rates and affordability challenges. Current trends in buyers include:
● Increased demand for sustainable homes: Buyers are becoming more interested in sustainable homes that are energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. This trend is likely to continue in 2023, as more homeowners and buyers become aware of the benefits of sustainable living.
● Growing popularity of remote work: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a surge in remote work. This trend is likely to continue in 2023, and it could have a significant impact on the real estate market. For example, more people may be willing to move to less expensive areas if they can work remotely.
● Rise of iBuyers: iBuyers are companies that use technology to buy and sell homes quickly and easily. iBuyers are becoming increasingly popular, and they could have a significant impact on the real estate market in 2023.
If you are thinking about buying or selling a home in the next 6 months, it is important to be aware of the
latest trends and developments in the real estate market. Working with a qualified and LOCAL real estate
agent can help you to make informed decisions and get the best possible deal.
Polly Leadbetter
Broker/owner
Engel & Völkers Foothills