Monday, September 25, 2023 / by Amy Brown
Monday market in minutes: In which mountain county can you get the most bang for your buck?
I’ve noticed that when a lot of you register for information on homes in the area, your go-to location is Asheville. And while that’s a solid choice, you are missing out on a lot of great areas where you can get more home for the money, maybe the extra land that you desire, and perhaps a different lifestyle that suits you better.
Asheville is located in Buncombe county and is the MOST EXPENSIVE county in the entire state of North Carolina. It is also the largest city in the mountain region with a population of approximately 92,000 people. In a city that is over 100 hundred years old, that means charming older neighborhoods…but houses that need a remodel, skinny mountain roads…tons of traffic congestion, and a city that is in a constant state of revitalization.
But what if you desire a quieter way of life? Maybe a bit of land? A small town Main Street USA kind of existence where you can wave at your neighbors on the sidewalk? A local hardware store, bakery, and coffee shop?
Then you need to expand your horizons a bit! True Appalachian charm is found in the outer towns and counties surrounding the Asheville area and not inside the city center. Smaller towns like Weaverville (my hometown), Marshall (film location of The Peripheral), Waynesville, and Hendersonville offer all of the city conveniences in a “Mayberry” type package that may suit your mountain dreams much better. There is something to be said for a quieter way of life and I have to admit, the friendliness, safety, and quiet definitely suit my taste.
If you are looking for your own little slice of mountain farmland, you will want to look in the agriculture territories of Candler, Leicester, Alexander, Clyde, and Barnardsville. Bring your horses, cows, and chickens and start your own little homestead.
So let’s take a look at what is available in these outer counties as compared to Buncombe county.
You can expect about a $100K drop in the average home price IF you purchase outside of Buncombe county.
That bidding war scenario that we all are getting a bit tired of…there is much less competition for homes in the outer counties because they simply haven’t been explored yet.
And if you notice Buncombe county has the FEWEST days on market. The outer counties have a little bit longer hold time giving you more time to look and choose the home that is right for you.
Market summarization:
Average sales price:
Highest - Buncombe county at around $610K
Lowest - Haywood county at $420K
Pending sales:
Highest - Buncombe county at 2900
Lowest - Madison county at 400
Average days on market:
Highest - Buncombe county at 30 days
Lowest - Madison county at 50 days
There is a ton of opportunity out there if you are willing to expand your reach and reconsider your options. Give me a call and we can talk about what lifestyle options are available for your nearby and what might suit your family the best!
Asheville is located in Buncombe county and is the MOST EXPENSIVE county in the entire state of North Carolina. It is also the largest city in the mountain region with a population of approximately 92,000 people. In a city that is over 100 hundred years old, that means charming older neighborhoods…but houses that need a remodel, skinny mountain roads…tons of traffic congestion, and a city that is in a constant state of revitalization.
But what if you desire a quieter way of life? Maybe a bit of land? A small town Main Street USA kind of existence where you can wave at your neighbors on the sidewalk? A local hardware store, bakery, and coffee shop?
Then you need to expand your horizons a bit! True Appalachian charm is found in the outer towns and counties surrounding the Asheville area and not inside the city center. Smaller towns like Weaverville (my hometown), Marshall (film location of The Peripheral), Waynesville, and Hendersonville offer all of the city conveniences in a “Mayberry” type package that may suit your mountain dreams much better. There is something to be said for a quieter way of life and I have to admit, the friendliness, safety, and quiet definitely suit my taste.
If you are looking for your own little slice of mountain farmland, you will want to look in the agriculture territories of Candler, Leicester, Alexander, Clyde, and Barnardsville. Bring your horses, cows, and chickens and start your own little homestead.
So let’s take a look at what is available in these outer counties as compared to Buncombe county.
You can expect about a $100K drop in the average home price IF you purchase outside of Buncombe county.
That bidding war scenario that we all are getting a bit tired of…there is much less competition for homes in the outer counties because they simply haven’t been explored yet.
And if you notice Buncombe county has the FEWEST days on market. The outer counties have a little bit longer hold time giving you more time to look and choose the home that is right for you.
Market summarization:
Average sales price:
Highest - Buncombe county at around $610K
Lowest - Haywood county at $420K
Pending sales:
Highest - Buncombe county at 2900
Lowest - Madison county at 400
Average days on market:
Highest - Buncombe county at 30 days
Lowest - Madison county at 50 days
There is a ton of opportunity out there if you are willing to expand your reach and reconsider your options. Give me a call and we can talk about what lifestyle options are available for your nearby and what might suit your family the best!
