Silver Creek Real Estate BlogNews and views on the Cashiers-Highlands Plateau — Cashiers, Highlands, Sapphire, Lake Glenville and Lake Toxaway, North Carolina

Spring is Already in the Air at this Distinctive Luxury Mountain Community

With Spring’s official start not set to arrive until March 20, you may be surprised to learn that things are always in bloom in the distinctive luxury mountain community of Cedar Hill. Nestled between the historic mountain village of Cashiers and the popular family resort escape of Sapphire Valley in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina, the gated community of Cedar Hill offers its residents an exquisite private sanctuary of custom estates and home sites providing some of the most beautiful vistas imaginable. A nature lover’s paradise combined with the modern convenience of underground utilities and easy access to an abundance of resort-quality amenities, Cedar Hill represents a one-of-a-kind mountain retreat for you and your family.

Comprised of 500 stunning acres of Carolina hardwoods, meandering mountain trails, rolling hills and mystic waterfalls – this established community on the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau offers up a rich blend of the very latest elegant new construction homes and one-of-a-kind estate-sized lots providing spectacular panoramas of Whiteside, Hogback, and Bald Rock Mountains. From magnificent sprawling multi-million dollar estates with extraordinary luxury appointments to meet the standards of the most discerning resident to a painter’s canvas of excellently priced home sites where the view and your imagination will determine the size and scope of your dream home. Residents of Cedar Hill enjoy easy access to the exciting shopping, dining, and culture of the nearby resort village of Cashiers and all of the excitement, entertainment, and wide variety of amenities at the renowned Wyndham at Fairfield’s Sapphire Valley Resort. Resort amenities include the 50-acre Sapphire Lake, the 18-hole PGA Sapphire National Golf Course, 9-hole golf course, one indoor and two outdoor swimming pools, ten tennis courts, health club with state-of-the-art fitness equipment, boating and fishing on the lake, horseback riding, game room, massage services, miniature golf and more. Membership to the nearby prestigious Country Club of Sapphire Valley is by invitation only, and presents the member with exclusive access to their newly renovated valley golf course, the beautiful new clubhouse, state-of-the-art fitness center, tennis center, and swimming pool. Directly across the street from the community lies the Cedar Creek Racquet Club – THE premier tennis club of the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau offering even more opportunities for fun for the whole family.

Silver Creek Real Estate Group is particularly proud to represent what we consider the most beautiful “flower in the Cedar Hill garden” and it’s yours for the picking. This stunning 3 bedroom/4 bathroom classic mountain home features a spacious interior – ideal for hosting parties, entertaining weekend guests or accommodating family gatherings. Stacked stone and timber accents enhance the feeling of a true mountain get-away – immediately conveying the message to sit back and relax. Guests can enjoy libations from the wet bar, supper in the elongated dining room, a good book or lively conversation in the library, and breathtaking long range mountain views set to the sound of a crackling fire from the home’s lovely screened-in porch. A bonus room over the garage offers extra space for even more friends and family, and is ready to finish for a fourth bedroom, additional office or media room. This entertainer’s dream is offered at an incredible price of $1,375,000 – making it one of the most stylish and well-priced homes in Cedar Hill! To learn more about this fantastic real estate opportunity, click here. 

To view other homes for sale in the Cedar Hill community, please follow this link . Are you more interested in selecting the ideal lot on which to begin building your dream home within this unique mountain community? Click here to view available home sites. To schedule a tour of the Cedar Hill Community or view any of these homes/home sites firsthand, simply call the team at Silver Creek Real Estate Group at (828) 743-1999, drop by our offices conveniently located just west of Cashiers Crossroads in the Shoppes at CreekSide, e-mail us at info@ncliving.com or fill out our online contact form. For more information about Silver Creek Real Estate Group and our talented team of brokers, we invite you to visit our website at www.ncliving.com.

YOUR Family Belongs in the Mountain-Lake Community of Trillium!

True to its credo – “Where Families Belong” – Trillium is among the most exciting, family-friendly properties on beautiful Lake Glenville. Striking homes featuring Arts and Crafts and Adirondack style architecture line the community’s streets, showcasing special characteristics such as stone and timber accents, poplar bark siding and exposed beams. Each home is designed to exist in harmony with the awesome show of nature that can be found throughout Trillium. The same holds true for this delightful dollhouse with the heart of a luxury estate. Silver Creek Real Estate Group is pleased to present this charming 2 bedroom-2 ½ bath bungalow in one of the sought-after mountain-lake communities in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The home’s mountail tudor-inspired exterior offers a small taste of the delights that await you just beyond the front door. Distinctive touches such as coffered wood ceilings, warm hardwood flooring, and gourmet kitchen with tile backsplash & granite countertops are the signatures of an interior befitting a luxury mountain manor. A floor-to-ceiling dual-sided stone fireplace serves as the home’s striking centerpiece. The expansive “rocking chair” rear porch overlooks a tranquil nature preserve, offering the peace and serenity you’ve been craving.

When you’re ready for a little adventure, Trillium offers it up in spades. The award-winning 18-hole championship golf course, designed by Morris Hatalsky, is as challenging as it is beautiful. Clinics and private lessons are available with the full-time pro on site. The less challenging par three Garden Golf course is a terrific amenity the entire family can enjoy without the worry of tee times and scorecards. A day of fishing in any one of Trillium’s stocked ponds, picnicking at the Lakeside Pavilion or playing a game of croquet on the Arbor Lawn will bring new meaning to the word “carefree.” Set at the heart of the community, Trillium’s clubhouse is an architectural masterpiece, combining mountain laurel accents with dry stacked stoned for an inspired gathering place that gives the feel of luxury housed within an old, rustic lodge. The clubhouse is an integral part of life at Trillium, offering residents casual dining in the Grille Room overlooking the 18th fairway, a wrap-around porch for world-class dining with a view and an expansive lawn for hosting special community events on holidays like Easter, Fourth of July and Labor Day. Gourmet dining is also available at The Landings, set at the tip of Lake Glenville, with opportunities for a romantic view of the sunset and dinner by candlelight. Apple Orchard Park is Trillium’s wildly popular fitness and wellness center, boasting three indoor clay tennis courts and state-of-the-art fitness equipment, as well as services like fitness classes and spa treatments. Central to it all lies Lake Glenville. Trillium has a fleet of boats available for rental – canoes, kayaks, fishing boats, deck boats, runabouts and pontoons. Water ski equipment and other water sport items are also available to rent. A short drive to nearby Cashiers provides family members with a fun-filled day of shopping and strolling the streets of an historic resort village. There is no shortage to the number of adventures a family can have while living at Trillium.

This amazing home situated in this amazing community is newly priced at just $425,000! Hurry!  It won’t last long at this price.  To schedule a tour or learn more about this home and surrounding community, contact the dedicated team of brokers at Silver Creek Real Estate Group by calling 828-743-1999, e-mailing your questions to us at info@ncliving.com or dropping by our offices, conveniently located near the Cashiers Crossroads in the Shoppes at CreekSide.  We look forward to hearing from you soon and are eager to present you to the neighborhood where we know you’ll belong!

Why wait any longer to reach for the home of your dreams? Silver Creek Real Estate Group invites you to join the growing number of families and investors who have discovered the natural beauty of the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau, as well as the lasting value of homes and property in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina. If you currently own a home in Cashiers, Highlands, Sapphire, Glenville or Lake Toxaway – and are considering making a move to another corner of the world – we encourage you to select Silver Creek as your listing partner. We take great pride in successfully matching buyers with sellers and dreamers with dream homes.

For your convenience, we have compiled a list of this week’s home and land sales. Property sales for the week of March 1:

A 3 bedroom/3.5 bath home in Holly Forest II sold for $370,000
A lot on Highway 64 West (across from Wildcat Cliffs Country Club) sold for $240,000
A lot in Lake Toxaway Estates sold for $187,500

** Please note that we have included links to subdivisions with additional property and homes for sale within the communities of Cashiers, Highlands, Sapphire, Glenville and Lake Toxaway.

Whether you are looking for your family’s vacation home or primary residence, Silver Creek Real Estate Group welcomes the opportunity to help you find the ideal home to fit your vision. If you wish to place your Highlands-Cashiers Plateau property on the market, we invite you to contact Silver Creek and speak with one of our talented and experienced brokers. To get started as quickly as TODAY, simply call us at 828-743-1999, drop by our offices at the Shoppes at CreekSide near the Cashiers Crossroads, fill out an online contact form at www.ncliving.com or e-mail your questions directly to me at jlucke@ncliving.com. We look forward to discussing how Silver Creek Real Estate Group might best serve you and your family!

Terrific 1+ acre Lakefront Lot Makes its Debut with Silver Creek Real Estate Group

Over 100 years ago, Pittsburgh entrepreneur E.H. Jennings transformed the rugged terrain of a portion of the Blue Ridge Mountains into an exquisite 6.14-acre mountain lake. Today, it appears as though it has been here since the dawn of time – tranquil, majestic, and timeless. Named by its creator, Lake Toxaway was the first artificial lake built in the Appalachians. Jennings quickly began building his legacy along with the community by erecting The Toxaway Inn at the lake’s shoreline. He was certain that visitors would become as enamored with the area as he was. The Toxaway Inn quickly became a well-known retreat among the nation’s most well to do citizens, including Thomas Edison, Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone.

While on vacation at Lake Toxaway, socialite and Savannah native Lucy Camp Armstrong fell in love with the area. She bought 40 acres around the lake and built an estate, lavish gardens, and riding stables. During heavy rains in the summer of 1916, the area experienced flooding and a dam gave way, emptying Lake Toxaway completely. Armstrong’s estate and the Inn held fast, but with no lake, the area soon lost its appeal for the vacationing jet set. This event eventually led to the demise of The Toxaway Inn, which stood empty for 30 years before being demolished in 1948. Ms. Armstrong remained captivated by the area, took up permanent residence at her estate, and lived long enough to see her dream realized when the lake was restored to its original beauty in the 1960s. After her death in 1970, Ms. Armstrong’s estate was transformed into The Greystone Inn, the crown jewel of the Lake Toxaway community.

Vacationing families, young professionals, and empty nesters continue to be drawn to the area just as Jennings and Armstrong once were. Today, Lake Toxaway Estates is the largest community on the lake, made up of a network of individual neighborhoods and outstanding amenities. Amenities at this premier vacation home destination include access to the state’s largest private lake, as well as the highly revered Lake Toxaway Country Club, featuring fine dining, tennis, swimming, fitness center, and golf on an 18-hole championship golf course, designed by Kris Spence.

Silver Creek Real Estate Group invites you to follow in the footsteps of visionaries Jennings and Armstrong and begin building your legacy on Lake Toxaway. We are pleased to debut a delightful 1+-acre lot that features a rich bounty of Carolina hardwoods, gently rolling hills and breath-taking views of the lake and the mountains beyond. An incredible value at just $179,000, Silver Creek brokers are happy to match you with the ideal team of architects and builders to help you realize your vision of the perfect mountain retreat to fit your family’s distinctive needs and personalities. Just think – within weeks, you could begin breaking ground on a one-of-a-kind “legacy” home, a cherished heirloom property that you can enjoy with your family, then pass down from generation to generation. To become truly inspired, we invite you to join us for a personalized tour of the home site and community. Call us TODAY at 828-743-1999 or e-mail us at info@ncliving.com to schedule your tour or request more information on this or other terrific lots available for purchase along the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau.

Don’t Miss Your Chance to Stake a Claim on This One-of-a-Kind Real Estate Opportunity.

140 years ago, fortune seekers descended upon Sapphire Valley in Western North Carolina in search of the gems for which the valley had been named. Today, Silver Creek Real Estate Group is pleased to announce that we, too, have found hidden treasure in this beautiful and amenity-rich community set high atop the Blue Ridge Mountains. Buried just within the gates of Sapphire’s Whitewater Ridge Subdivision lies a true “gem” of a property. Recently declared a bank foreclosure and priced at an unbelievable $195,000, we’re fairly certain it won’t be long before some wise investor stakes a claim on this amazing 3+ acre home site. Perhaps the only thing more unbelievable than the price is the view! Enjoy clear, picture-perfect panoramas of Whiteside Mountain and the valley below. This heavily wooded and level lot is the ideal setting for anyone’s dream mountain retreat. Located right across the street from the lovely Sandy Gap Pond, adjoining Nantahala National Forest and a stone’s throw from the magnificent Whitewater Falls – adventure lurks at every turn!

Whitewater Ridge is located atop Waddle Mountain and is bordered on three sides by the Nantahala National Forest. The majestic Whitewater River can be directly accessed from the community. Aside from the natural splendor, residents of Whitewater Ridge enjoy paved roads, underground utilities and a private community water system. To learn more about this incredible real estate investment opportunity, click here.  To schedule a tour of Whitewater Ridge or discuss other great foreclosure opportunities and amazing home sites, call Silver Creek Real Estate Group’s dedicated team of brokers at 828-743-1999 or e-mail any questions you may have to info@ncliving.com. We’d love to introduce you and your family to this amazing view firsthand. Hurry! Opportunities like this come along ONCE IN A LIFETIME! Don’t miss out on the chance to stake your claim on this very special property.

Real Estate Opportunities Abound in This “Civilized Wilderness”

People are drawn to the Blue Ridge Mountains and, more specifically, Western North Carolina for a wide variety of reasons. Some come for the beautiful change of seasons and the temperate year-round climates. Some come for the majestic views and awesome display of natural splendor. Some come for the peace and quiet that only a mountain retreat can provide. Still others come with a sense of adventure, ready to take on all of the fun and exciting challenges that Mother Nature has to dish out. Residents of Sapphire, North Carolina’s Bald Rock Community are afforded front-row seats to each of these elements – no matter what may have first drawn them here.

Silver Creek Real Estate Group featured community

A self-described “civilized wilderness,” this 776-acre private gated community prides itself in combining luxury mountain living on estate-sized lots with the magnificence of a beautiful and unspoiled natural setting. Bald Rock is located adjacent to the U.S. Forest Services’ Panthertown Valley, providing 6,700 acres of preserved forests, a rare Appalachian bog, 20 miles of trout streams, waterfalls, and miles of walking trails offering plenty of opportunities for hiking and exploring. The brainchild of Westmark Development, Bald Rock’s home sites in vary in size from three to an astounding twelve acres, and offer incredible views of the valley, the forest and the mountains beyond. The community features an equestrian center, stables, riding arena and a network of trails for sightseeing by horseback. In addition, residents of Bald Rock have access to all of the resort-quality amenities available through Wyndham at Fairfield’s Sapphire Valley Resort. These amenities include the 50-acre Sapphire Lake, the 18-hole PGA Sapphire National Golf Course, 9-hole golf course, one indoor and two outdoor swimming pools, ten tennis courts, health club with state-of-the-art fitness equipment, boating and fishing on the lake, horseback riding, game room, massage services, miniature golf and more.

Silver Creek Real Estate Group is proud to represent several incredible properties in this unique mountain community. Our crown jewel is the epitome of “rustic refinement.” This 3 bedroom, 3 ½ bath home represents the perfect marriage of nature and luxury. The exterior features authentic log and stone accents, expansive front porch plus several levels of rear decks for lots of al fresco entertaining possibilities, patio with outdoor gas log fire pit and striking long-range mountain views. The interior has all the bells and whistles, and showcases a stacked stone hearth, spiral staircase, soaring ceilings, walls of windows, and a beautifully designed gourmet kitchen. Tucked away on nearly 7 private acres and offered at an incredible price of just $1,395,000 – you must see this home to believe it! To learn more about this exquisite luxury log cabin, click here. Hoping to build your dream home from the ground up? Silver Creek can help! We currently have six Bald Rock home sites in our inventory – ranging in price from $139,000 for 3+ acres on a pond to $595,000 for 6.5+ acres with spectacular views of Chimneytop and Whiteside Mountains. To view all Bald Creek properties in our inventory, click here. Silver Creek is also aware of some rare but incredible foreclosure properties available within the Bald Creek community. Take a peek at the hidden treasures we’ve found by clicking here.

You could say that Silver Creek’s talented and experienced brokers are all local experts. Not only do we understand the intricacies of buying and selling real estate on the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau, we know every nook and cranny of this little slice of Heaven nestled high atop the Blue Ridge Mountains. We welcome the chance to learn your specific needs and wishes as they relate to the mountain retreat of your dreams, and we pledge to search high and low to find the home or property that best fits with your vision. Whether that ideal property lies within the gates of Bald Rock or any one of Western North Carolina’s distinctive communities, we will work tirelessly to see that your dreams and the dreams of your family are realized. We believe this is a pretty amazing place to live, and we look forward to the opportunity to call you “neighbor.” To begin the quest for your ideal mountain retreat or home site, call us TODAY at 828-743-1999 or e-mail us at info@ncliving.com. We also invite you to drop by our offices – located in the heart of Cashiers – in the Shoppes at CreekSide. We look forward to the opportunity to introduce you and your family to Bald Rock and other fine communities along the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau.

Mountain Living at its Finest – Inside and Out
Lake Toxaway Estates

Invoking the feel of a classic mountain home, this stunning 3 bedroom, 3 ½ bathroom home showcases a fine collection of cozy interior and exterior living spaces. Perfectly matched as either a fun family mountain retreat or a year-round residence for a couple of nature lovers, the home’s sprawling interior boasts vaulted wood ceilings, hard wood floors, walls of windows, and a gorgeous floor-to-ceiling stacked stone fireplace flanked on either side by built-in bookcases. The entertainer in the family will love the open gourmet kitchen with stainless steel appliances and lower level family room with wet bar. Recently renovated to reflect the latest interior upgrades and highlight what is perhaps the home’s best feature – the breathtaking long-range mountain view – the home’s exterior flaunts rear decks running the entire length of the house. Sit back, relax and enjoy many a spring and summer evening with friends and family in the glow of a roaring fire in the outdoor hearth on the spacious screened-in porch. Exquisitely maintained and tucked away on 2.74 private acres in the Lakeside Mountain subdivision of the popular Lake Toxaway Estates community, this terrific home is located in close proximity to the 614-acre lake and the golf & fitness center. The highly revered community features access to the beautiful and historic Lake Toxaway, 18-hole championship golf course, fine dining at the country club, swimming, tennis and many other outstanding amenities. Membership in the sought after Lake Toxaway Country Club is available with home ownership.

To schedule a tour of this incredible real estate opportunity in the mountains of Western North Carolina, call Jochen Lucke at Silver Creek Real Estate Group at 828.743.1999 or email her at jlucke@ncliving.com TODAY! For a list of other homes available in Lake Toxaway please click here.

Southern Charmer in Trillium

Oozing with quiet southern charm, this timeless 3 bedroom/2 bathroom farmhouse- inspired cottage represents classic mountain living at its finest! The expansive wrap-around porch virtually welcomes guests “ to pull up a rocking chair and sit a spell.” Just beyond the front door lies an equally inviting, warm and cheery interior, with soaring wood ceilings and crackling fire in the striking floor-to-ceiling wood burning fireplace – beckoning to all who enter “Make yourself right at home!”. As in any southern home, the kitchen is truly the heart of the main level as it opens up to the dining area – allowing the host and hostess to entertain while they prepare the evening’s meal. This level also encompasses two guest bedrooms and full bath, while the upper level is home to the private master retreat, elegant master bath with garden tub and open loft. The loft serves as the ideal space for an office, sitting area or cozy space for additional guests. Located in the Trillium Village portion of the popular gated community of Trillium in Glenville, NC – home ownership affords one membership in what is arguably the area’s most family-friendly clubs and access to nearby Lake Glenville. A short drive to nearby Cashiers provides family members with a fun-filled day of shopping and strolling the streets of an historic resort village. There is no shortage to the number of adventures a family can have while living at Trillium. Don’t wait any longer to begin YOUR family’s adventure – this home is priced to sell at $499,000!

To schedule a tour of this incredible real estate opportunity in the mountains of Western North Carolina, call Lesley Howard at Silver Creek Real Estate Group at 828.743.1999 or email her at lesley@ncliving.com TODAY!

Why wait any longer to reach for the home of your dreams? Silver Creek Real Estate Group invites you to join the growing number of families and investors who have discovered the natural beauty of the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau, as well as the lasting value of homes and property in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina. If you currently own a home in Cashiers, Highlands, Sapphire, Glenville or Lake Toxaway – and are considering making a move to another corner of the world – we encourage you to select Silver Creek as your listing partner. We take great pride in successfully matching buyers with sellers and dreamers with dream homes.

For your convenience, we have compiled a list of this week’s home and land sales. Property sales for the week of February 22:

A 4 bedroom/4 bath/2 half-bath home in Trillium Links sold for $1,350,000
A home in Wildcat Cliffs sold for $550,000
A 3 bedroom/2.5 bath home on Eagle Ridge Drive (Macon County) sold for $380,000
A 3 bedroom/2.5 bath home in Holly Forest II sold for $221,252
A 3 bedroom/2 bath home in Holly Forest I sold for $200,000
A lot in Wildcat Cliffs sold for $100,000
A lot in Holly Forest III sold for $10,000
A lot in Holly Forest VI sold for $9,000
A 1 bedroom/1.5 bath townhouse in The Woods sold for $120,000
A 2 bedroom/1.5 bath unit in Cashiers Village sold for $95,000
A 1 bedroom/2 bath townhouse in The Woods sold for $63,500

** Please note that we have included links to subdivisions with additional property and homes for sale within the communities of Cashiers, Highlands, Sapphire, Glenville and Lake Toxaway.

Whether you are looking for your family’s vacation home or primary residence, Silver Creek Real Estate Group welcomes the opportunity to help you find the ideal home to fit your vision. If you wish to place your Highlands-Cashiers Plateau property on the market, we invite you to contact Silver Creek and speak with one of our talented and experienced brokers. To get started as quickly as TODAY, simply call us at 828-743-1999, drop by our offices at the Shoppes at CreekSide near the Cashiers Crossroads, fill out an online contact form at www.ncliving.com/ or e-mail your questions directly to me at jlucke@ncliving.com. We look forward to discussing how Silver Creek Real Estate Group might best serve you and your family!

Make Your Home “Spring Clean” to Attract More Buyers
10 Easy Steps to Increasing the Marketability of Your WNC Property

With the official start of Spring just a few short weeks away, it’s time to start preparing for the steady return of potential buyers to the mountains of Western North Carolina. Like bumble bees to a flower garden, seasonal visitors will descend upon the distinctive communities of Highlands, Cashiers, Sapphire Valley, Lake Glenville and Lake Toxaway. Some will be discovering our unique corner of the world for the very first time, and some will be returning for their family’s annual escape from the hustle and bustle of life off the mountain. This Spring and Summer will mark the occasion that many will make the decision to put down roots of their own, just as families have been doing here for nearly two centuries.

What will you do to make your home stand out from the crowd? Aside from partnering with the talented team of brokers at Silver Creek Real Estate Group and taking advantage of their comprehensive blend of targeted advertising and strategic marketing plans, we recommend the following “Ten Easy Steps to Increasing the Marketability of Your WNC Property” . They are designed to help you increase the appeal of your home’s interior to potential buyers so that they view YOUR HOME as the “prettiest flower in the flower garden” this Spring:

1. Start your “SPRING CLEAN” a little early this year! It’s an annual ritual we all dread to a certain extent, but it is absolutely essential to making your home more appealing to visitors. If that potential buyer found your home’s exterior appealing enough to walk inside, this is your opportunity to really “hook them”. Make sure your wood floors are shining, your carpets are clean, your countertops are sparkling, and that the whole home smells clean and fresh. Don’t overlook smudges on windows and mirrors, and don’t forget to dust. It might be worth the expense of hiring a professional cleaning crew in order to get the home really spic and span.

2. Set a Mood Through Light – In the daytime, open curtains and blinds to let the sun shine in! Closed and covered windows can make a room seem dark and depressing to some potential buyers. Keep in mind, you’ll want to make sure the view through your open windows is as lovely as possible by tackling any necessary outdoor projects. In the evenings, set dimmers on your lights to create ambience and – if you won’t be far from home for long during the showing – light some candles to set a mood of romance and relaxation.

3. Open your Space in Order to Open Their Minds – If your home is “cozy”, make sure to de-clutter as much as possible in order to make the space seem more open. Remove bulky furniture and unnecessary knick-knacks. Adding a large mirror here and there will help make smaller rooms seem more spacious. Get rid of clutter on countertops, desks and dressers, especially personal family photos. Remember, uncluttered countertops give the impression of a cleaner kitchen and bathrooms. Resign your mind to the idea that you ARE moving. So why not go ahead and start packing some of these items away for your next home?

4. Black is the new… well, BLACK – Black is timeless and chic. By adding a touch of black to every room, you add an air of sophistication. This is easily accomplished through throw pillows, picture frames, lampshades, wrought iron decorative pieces, etc.

5. Convey a Feeling – Chances are, the people who are looking at your home are interested in the idea of a mountain retreat. It’s simple to express through your décor that your home offers a place of quiet and relaxation through overstuffed pillows and luxurious looking throws, but tasteful touches like area rugs, use of fabrics and the occasional decorative item can add to the feel of a tranquil cottage in the woods, as well. Be careful not to over exaggerate a theme – not everyone will appreciate bear-skinned rugs and moose heads over fireplaces.

6. Keep it REAL – Rather than use silk flowers around your home, consider investing in fresh flowers and/ or fruit. Not only will they add natural beauty to your décor, they will add a lovely Spring Garden aroma.

7. Stay on Top of the Latest Trends – Purchase a handful of current issues of home décor magazines and try to duplicate the trends that you feel will work best with your home’s interior design. It’s simple and relatively inexpensive to flow this season’s hottest colors into your kitchen or dining room by purchasing plates and table linens that reflect the trend and leaving the table set. Throw pillows, knick knacks, artwork and accent walls are other inexpensive ways to spice things up according to the latest fashions. According to Pantone, one of the hottest colors in fashion and interiors for 2010 is TURQUOISE. Use of natural materials is also all the rage.

Cedar Hill home offered for sale by Silver Creek Real Estate Group in Cashiers NC

8. Sleep Tight!  According to a recent U.S. Department of Labor’s American Time Use Survey, American adults spend an average of eight+ hours sleeping. You should pay special attention to your bedrooms, particularly the master suite. Make these rooms appear as luxurious and inviting as possible through the use of overstuffed bedding and uncluttered spaces. Cool colors or neutrals will add to the feeling of calm.

9. Use Creative Organization – There will be times when you’ll have a moment’s notice that your home is about to be shown. If you’re organized, it’s simple to make a quick sweep of the home to make certain it’s looking its best before you go into hiding. There are lots of neat tricks out there to storing items so that they are no longer an eyesore, but actually appealing. Pull out shelving under cabinets makes storage of your appliances and kitchen tools much easier – and uncluttered countertops give the illusion of a cleaner kitchen. Use handsome dispensers for soap and pretty clear jars or hurricanes to store cotton balls and q-tips in the bathrooms – they’re functional AND decorative. Become innovative in the ways you store your kids toys. Shoveling them into a closet doesn’t really work if your visitor is peeking at all the closets to get an idea of space – shoe organizers on the backs of doors become great impromptu storage containers for school supplies, dolls, cars and smaller toys they use regularly.

10. Make Sure Each Room Paints a Picture – Walk room to room and decide what each space’s function should be. Make each room appear as though it were lifted from the page of a magazine. The tables can be set for guests, a book and throw can be draped across the arm of a comfortable chair, a board game can be set out in the family room awaiting players, etc. Again, the latest home décor magazines will come in very handy here. Be careful not to take this concept to the point that it doesn’t appear homey and welcoming.

Spring is also a great time to check on any possible maintenance issues following the long, cold winter. It’s wise to have your roof, deck and foundation inspected for possible leaks or water damage. You’ll want to have those gutters cleaned out in time for those April showers. Schedule a professional air conditioning contractor to inspect your unit to make sure it’s functioning at an optimal level. By taking care of these issues now, you won’t have any nasty surprises once the buyer’s inspector has their run-through.

Silver Creek Real Estate Group welcomes the opportunity to become your listing agency. We would be happy to share more of our friendly advice and staging practices with you to aid in the swiftest possible sale of your Blue Ridge Mountain home. Our offices are located in the heart of Cashiers, North Carolina in the Shoppes at CreekSide – we invite you to drop by anytime. You can also call to speak to any one of our talented brokers at 828-743-1999 or e-mail any questions you may have to info@ncliving.com. Whether or not you elect to list your home with us, we wish you the very best of luck in the sale of your home and in the future.