New Belgium Brewing Company is the producer of such famous brews as Sunshine Wheat and Fat Tire.  Currently, all New Belgium beer is brewed in one location in Fort Collins, Colorado.  New Belgium plans to start production at its Asheville plant in 2015, and complete full construction by 2020.  This east coast expansion is huge news- It will bring nearly 200 jobs to the area.  These jobs will be lucrative, paying an average of $50,000 in salary per year.  The brewery will be built on Craven Street on the site of the former WNC Livestock Market.

Contact NC Mountain Realty Group’s Lisa Grefe at (828) 337-6300 or email me  we have specialists focused on Asheville, NC foreclosure and short sale properties, golf communities, luxury homes, downtown condos and even small cabins in the woods.

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A short sale of real estate refers to the practice of homeowners sell their property for an amount lower than what is due on the mortgage.  This is an option typically exercised by homeowners in financial peril.  A third party purchases the property – not the bank – with all monies from the sale going to the lender.  After the sale, the bank holding the mortgage has the choice of either forgiving the difference between the sale price and what is actually owed, or seeking a judgment of deficiency against the original borrower (which requires the homeowner to pay the balance of the loan following a short sale).  However, in some states, the difference must be forgiven by law.  Find out which laws apply in your area.

It’s important to work with an experience Short Sale Real Estate Broker who is CERTIFIED in handling Short Sales. NC Mountain Realty Group has 2 certified Short Sale Brokers, a Short Sale Attorney working as a partner in handling our Short Sale transactions and a Former Bank Asset Manager who works with our clients.   Contact Lisa Grefe at (828) 337-6300 or email me for help with any questions that you have or for more information.

Most recently, the much-celebrated movie “The Hunger Games” was filmed here.  Known as the Land of Waterfalls, this North Carolina locale attracted producers with its acres of lushly green forest.  From month to month, the forest undergoes a complete metamorphosis, as new and different flowers come into season and bloom, and as the patterns of the waterfalls change due to the 90 inches of rainfall the area receives per year.  With otherwise perfect weather including moderate seasonal temps, it becomes a fantastic and well sought after place for filmmakers.

If you go, head over to Bridal Veil Falls or Triple Falls, or hike through DuPont  State Recreational Forest.  With its hidden nooks perfect for picnicking and trails ideal for hiking.   No matter what time of year you visit, you are sure to find something wonderful to explore in Transylvania County!

Contact NC Mountain Realty Group, we have specialists focused on Asheville, NC foreclosure and short sale properties, golf communities, luxury homes, downtown condos and even small cabins in the woods.

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The first option  would affect up to almost half of the 4.3 million mortgage borrowers who suffered loss due to bank mortgage abuses. The settlement calls for $26 billion to be paid out if you were foreclosed on between September 2008 and December 2011. Only a reported $5 billion will be hard cash payments to homeowners—perhaps $1500 to $2000 for each borrower—the rest for principal modifications and refis.

The second option, which preceded the $26 billion settlement, states that if you suffered a foreclosure in 2009 or 2010, you may be eligible to receive up to full compensation for “financial injury” from mortgage servicers including Bank of America, Chase, Citibank, HSBC, Metlife Bank, PNC Mortgage and Wells Fargo. A federal financial enforcement program that allows borrowers to request an independent review regarding how their mortgage was handled leading to foreclosure has been extended until July 31, 2012. This affects up to 4.3 million mortgage borrowers. To date, less than 100,000 have taken advantage of this early settlement.

Contact NC Mountain Realty Group and please let us know any questions we can assist with.

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Here are the the major points in the deal:

Principal Reduction

Servicers must pay $17 billion to homeowners in the form of principal reduction and other foreclosure relief mechanisms. Since servicers may actually benefit from modifying many of the loans (modification often reduces the risk of default), they will not receive 100 cents on the dollar in credit for many of the principal reductions. As a result, the $17 billion could translate into an estimated $32 billion in relief, the National Association of Attorneys General says. Servicers must pay the $17 billion within three years or face cash penalties.

Refinancing for Underwater Homeowners

Servicers will commit $3 billion to refinance underwater mortgages. A homeowner is underwater if he owes more on a mortgage than his home is worth.

Limited Eligibility for Principal Reduction and Refinancing

The relief conduits outlined above — surely to the frustration of many homeowners — mostly apply to bank-owned loans. Only 20 percent of mortgages fall into this category. The rest of loans in the country are mostly owned by investors, and by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, who buy mortgages from lenders. Some experts, like Jack Guttentag of The Mortgage Professor website, argue that this is unfair because it’s up to banks to make the choice to own mortgages that they originate or to sell them to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. Homeowners have no say. The Federal Housing Finance Agency, which overseas Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, has repeatedly stated that it will not allow principal reductions on any mortgages guaranteed by the two mortgage giants. The agency says mass principal reductions would cost the government-sponsored companies $100 billion.

$2,000 for Foreclosed-On Borrowers

Servicers will pay about $2,000 to homeowners who lost their homes to foreclosure during the period from Jan. 1, 2008, to Dec. 31, 2011. The payment is not reserved strictly for borrowers who were illegally booted from their homes. All homeowners who were foreclosed on by the five banks are eligible for the cash award. In total, servicers will fork over $5 billion to states and the federal government to fund the payments. To receive the payment, borrowers must complete an application and undergo a screening process. Borrowers do not forfeit their right to sue servicers by taking the payment.

New Protections

Homeowners will receive new protections, some crafted specifically to guard against improper foreclosure. Banks must now offer a single point of contact for borrowers and adhere to new review and processing requirements. The protections prohibit banks from negotiating a loan modification while simultaneously pursuing a foreclosure.

Limited Immunity From Lawsuits

Borrowers may still sue banks for the same improprieties that sparked the investigation. The settlement only grants banks immunity from prosecution by the government for foreclosure abuses. The settlement does not release the banks from claims relating to mortgage-backed securities — marking a win for several state attorneys general who feared that the deal would let banks off the hook for other improprieties committed in recent years.

Enforcement

An independent monitor will enforce the terms of the agreement. Joseph A. Smith, Jr., who formerly served as the North Carolina Commissioner of Banks, will fill the position. The monitor may enforce the agreement in court and impose penalties on lenders who stray from its terms, according to the Center for Responsible Lending.

Note: Under a different enforcement action, homeowners who believe they lost homes to improper foreclosure may seek redress by requesting a review of their case. If the assessment determines the borrower suffered “financial injury,” CNNMoney reports, the borrower could receive compensation.

Lisa Grefe is the first real estate broker in Western North Carolina to earn the FORCE designation. FORCE membership is recognized as a mark of distinction in the REO field and is awarded only to those REO agents and brokers who have demonstrated their commitment to ongoing training in REO and passed the Five Star Institute’s comprehensive REO Certification test.

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Source: AOLrealestate

Sinking your money into real estate makes sense when stock market volatility does nothing to create trust with investors. Around 40 percent of vacation homebuyers are cashing out and buying homes outright—and not fire-sale homes, either. If you’ve got the cash to pay in full—all the better to pick up high-end homes at bargain prices.  Even the famous are touting that it’s time to buy. Warren Buffett’s secretary, Debbie Bosanek’s ears perked up when she said that Buffett told her that buying her sunbelt home was the opportunity of a lifetime.

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Nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Pisgah National Forest provide ample opportunity for outdoor recreation including miles of hiking and biking trails and cool mountain streams for fabulous fishing and kayaking. In addition to being an outdoor mecca, Asheville is a major arts destination, with numerous galleries and working art studios and was named Number One Small City for Art by American Style Magazine for 2 years running

Another plus for Asheville on AARP’s list – its availabiliy of alternative health care treatments such as massage, acupuncture, and herbal medicine, in addition to its several hospitals and ample doctors.

In rating Asheville’s livability factor, AARP also considered its low crime rate and opportunities for lifelong learning. It’s no wonder Good Morning America recognized Asheville of one of 2011’s Most Beautiful Cities in the United States and AARP has listed it as one of the Best Places to Retire 2012!

Contact NC Mountain Realty Group, we have specialists focused on Asheville, NC foreclosure and short sale properties, golf communities, luxury homes, downtown condos and even small cabins in the woods.
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• Low-level median sales price of homes, close to prices last seen in 2002, are creating bargain opportunities for buyers.

• A varied and plentiful choice of homes and location due to the substantial inventory of foreclosed homes.
• Mortgage rates continue to be at historic low levels.

There are many foreclosures looming in Western North Carolina and NC Mountain Realty Group can help you locate them.  Contact Lisa Grefe, the first real estate broker in Western North Carolina to earn the FORCE designation and an REO/Foreclosure Specialist, I am dedicated to assisting clients in identifying the best deals in the top communities, including foreclosures.

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source:Foreclosure-support.com

Some of the real estate trends that we are experiencing in Western North Carolina are the following:

1) The number of master planned communities has decreased from a high of 180 a few years ago to approximately 50. Buyers are interested in communities that have completed amenities and communities that are in a strong financial position. There are great deals on lots and homes in these communities. Many bank owned lots are available at prices 50 – 70% of original sales prices and, sometimes, substantially less than tax value.

2) Currently, the 3 primary “feeder” markets for Western North Carolina are Coastal Carolinas (Charleston to Savannah), Atlanta and Florida.  Over the winter months, we plan to spend time in these locations.

3) Buyers are taking longer to make decisions, likely to limit risk, but also to evaluate whether Western North Carolina is where they want to buy.  Also, due to high affordable inventory, we are beginning to see investors (cash buyers) come back into the
market.

4) In response to increased interest, we are now offering luxury rental properties (3 months – 1 year) for those looking to spend more time in Western North Carolina prior to making a buying decision.  Also, we are working with local Hilton Head real estate agents to assist clients with possible trades.

Contact NC Mountain Realty Group and please let us know any questions we can assist with.

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Built in the 1890′s, the Biltmore Estate, situated on 8,000 acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains, was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1963. Boasting  250 elaborate rooms, the article says of this French château style mansion that “Among the domestic castles of the American Gilded Age, it reigns supreme, outshining the mansions of Newport and the estates of South Florida.”

The original owner of Biltmore, George Vanderbilt, unveiled his new home to friends and family on Christmas Eve in 1895 and the holiday season continues to be a special time of celebration at Biltmore. The mansion is decorated with dozens of Christmas trees, evergreen garland, thousands of ornaments, and hundreds of wreaths and bows. A variety of musical and dance performances take place as part of the season’s festivities as well, and this year Biltmore is host to a beautiful Tiffany glass exhibition featuring 45 stained glass lamps designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany.

Self-guided tours of Biltmore take place throughout the year, but Christmas is a particularly magical time to visit this “King Of Castles” at Biltmore Estate.

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Photo by Ken Atherton