Jody Whitehurst

Keeping it simple.

News & Blog

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Home Sales Rebound

asheville home sales rebound

It’s nice to be a month into this fine New Year. I hope you, your family and friends are healthy, happy and living well.

Folks often figure that winter is a slow time for real estate sales. Statistically, maybe. Generically and nationwide, sure. But, for several years in a row, I’ve been just as busy during the winter months as I have during the rest of the year. This winter, I’m exceptionally busy and I’m having a lot of fun.

I’m working alongside several homebuyers. We’re waiting in anticipation of the perfect property to hit the market. We’ve searched through, toured and dismissed the entire MLS inventory and now we wait. We are set up with automatic email notification for the very moment any matching property goes online. Often we are able to get in to look and make an offer before anyone else. It’s exciting to jump at these opportunities!

I’m working alongside homeowners to develop strategies to sell their properties. We’re comparing recent sales and active property listings for value and we’re staging their homes for perfect presentation. Currently, demand for quality homes far outweighs supply. Thus, homeowners are selling for prices much higher than they would have just 6 months ago.

If you or someone you know needs help with real estate, please give them my name or give me a call! I’ll simplify the experience through hard work, thorough research and thoughtful communication.

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Winter Curb Appeal Made Simple

Whether you are preparing to sell your place or just want to keep your abode the envy of the neighbors, it’s simple to improve your winter-time curb appeal. Remember, first impressions are very important!

Tidy upTidy up your driveway, walkway, porches and deck. The absolute best bang for your buck is removing clutter, sprucing up a bit and giving everything a good scrub.

  • Rake the autumn leaves and cut back dead perennial growth.
  • Trim shrubs, redefine edges of planting beds and add fresh mulch.
  • Clean out your gutters and wash the outside of them.
  • Wipe down porch, deck and patio furniture. Add colorful cushions.
  • Keep driveway and walkways swept and repair any cracks.

Create interest with colorCreate interest with color. Just a few minor touches can make a major difference,  especially  when it’s gray and cold out. Spend a weekend focused on the little things.

  • Paint your front door to offer an instant pop to a plain or drab exterior.
  • Use the same color with doors on the garage, shed, playhouse, etc.
  • Update your house number. Add matching door and mailbox hardware.
  • Give a fresh coat of paint to entry trim, porch railings, steps and floors.
  • Plant pansies and other cold weather annuals in pots and flowerbeds.

Go ever-greenGo ever-green with plants that look healthy year-round. Your landscape offers insight to the caliber of your home and how you care for it. This is your first opportunity to make an impression.

  • Soften corners with slow growing shrubs like Emerald Green Arborvitae
  • Remove overgrown shrubs that cover windows or that have just seen better days. Replace with Rhododendron, Ewe or other evergreens.
  • Fill empty beds with evergreen herbs like Rosemary and Lavender.
  • Tame slopes or hard to mow areas with groundcover like Juniper or Ivy.
  • Consider native plants on this list from Asheville Botanical Gardens.

Warm upWarm up with glowing light. In the dark of winter, you can utilize lighting to create interest. A house glowing at night seems so warm and inviting. These are touches too simple to be missed.

  • Replace outdated fixtures with ones that match your door hardware.
  • Add a dimmer to your porch light to create a warm & inviting ambiance.
  • Accent architectural details with low-voltage landscape lighting.
  • Use solar charged lighting to illuminate a safe path to your door.