Entries by Carole McKay

2021 Significant Sales in Real Estate

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Significant sales in real estate in Lake Lure and surrounding areas started and ended strong. With properties selling at record prices, it looks like this real estate trend will continue into the new year. 

This rustic mountain cabin set in Three Creeks, a secluded gated community, sold in January for $1.2M. This significant sale was the highest priced home sold in Three Creeks in 2021. 


This stunning lakefront home is located in Rumbling Bald on Lake Lure, has close to 7,000 SQ FT and sold for over $1.5M.


This mountaintop home in Gateway Mountain boasts some of the most magnificent views around. On a clear day you can see Mt. Mitchell, the tallest mountain in North Carolina. This significant sale was the second highest priced home sold in Gateway Mountain last year.


This home in Tryon’s Hunting Country shows off its old world charm with beamed ceilings, along with hardwood floors and four wood burning fireplaces. 


Deerwood is Lake Lure’s most sought after neighborhood, known for the best views on the lake. This home has the added benefit of privacy and lots of surrounding landscape to enjoy.


This prime lakefront property with majestic mountain views was the highest priced lot sold in Lake Lure in over 25 years. 


Southwest influences mixed with mountain charm brought this significant sale in as the second highest priced home sold in Lake Lure in 2021.

There are still lots of beautiful homes for sale. If you are looking for your dream home we would love the honor to help.





Contact us

 If you looking to list your property now or in the future we can help you on that journey as well.





List with us

Don’t just get it on the market.

 Get it the attention it deserves.

Let us show you how Sotheby’s International Realty differs from the rest. 

SELL WITH US  

22 Good Luck Items to Bring Into Your Home in 2022

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Are you looking to have better luck in 2022? If so, here are 22 items you can add around your home that may bring you good luck this year!!

1. Painted Door

Depending on which way your door faces, painting certain colors are said to bring good luck. In Fung Shui;

  • South-Red or Orange represents warmth, passion, and inspiration.
  • North- Blue or Black represents wisdom and depth
  • West -Gray or White
  • East – Brown or Green

2. Elephants

Elephants symbolize good luck, protection, and strength and are known as wise and intelligent animals. (Just make sure the trunk is facing up)

3. Citrus Fruit

Bring in good luck with a bowl full of citrus because it is supposed to attract wealth and bring positivity into your home.

4. Horseshoe

Hang over the entrance of your home to bring good luck and protection.

5. Fish 

Fish symbolize good health, prosperity, happiness, wealth and power. Go a step further and build a koi pond to enhance your good fortune.

6. Mirrors 

Placing mirrors in spots where it will reflect a beautiful view such as a garden or backyard will fill your home with positivity. On the other hand, keeping a clean mirror in your cash drawer is said to improve your financial situation.

7. Bamboo 

Use bamboo throughout your home to bring focus, tranquility, and good fortune.

8. Turtle 

Placing a turtle in your home or yard symbolizes longevity.

9. Essential Oil  

Not only do they make a space smell wonderful, these powerful oils such as lavender repel misfortune and calm the mind while peppermint helps ward off negative energy and will keep the home in perfect harmony. 

10. Cricket on the Hearth 

Ever heard the expression “to find a cricket on the hearth is the luckiest thing of all”? These small insects are considered a sign of eminent good fortune in China. It is said they would keep them as pets inside tiny cages. We think just a small trinket will suffice!  

11. Peacock Feather 

The “eye’ pattern on a peacock’s feather represents openness vision and believed to represent good luck, wisdom, and beauty.

12. Fountain

Place a fountain in or outside your home to draw good fortune and positivity.

13. Clock

Hang a clock on a North, East, or West wall to bring in positive energy.

14. Crescent Moon

Considered lucky for children and mothers; display a crescent moon wall hanging in your child’s bedroom for good luck.

15. Keys

Some cultures believe keys hold the power to send prayers. Furthermore, if you give your love a key it symbolizes unlocking the door to their heart.

16. Acorn

Carrying an acorn is believed to protect your health, thus, keeping you from illness, aches and pains.

17. Dreamcatcher

Hang one over your bed to catch bad dreams. Ultimately, the first sun rays that touch it in the morning will destroy the trapped bad dreams.

18. Four-Leaf Clover

Those who find a four-leaf clover are destined for good luck, as each leaf in the clover symbolizes good omens for faith, hope, love, and luck for the finder. It is also said that as Adam and Eve left the Garden of Eden, Eve picked a single four-leaf clover as a souvenir of paradise.

19. Wishbone

Unbroken is a promise of a wish, consequently, for the wish to come true it must be broken.

20. Jade Plant

Also called the money plant, aside from being lucky jade plants bring in natures energy and will clean and purify the air.

21. Pair of Ducks

A pair of mandarin ducks, swans or doves are an exemplary symbol of a happy couple so place in the bedroom to intensify luck in love.

22. Horse Statue

Horses symbolize freedom, determination, beauty and majesty among other things. Likewise, the beloved horse is considered good for happiness and prosperity and should be placed facing a door or window.

The best way to ensure good luck is work hard, be kind to everyone, celebrate life and freedom and find some quite time each day to be grateful and connect to the provider of all. We hope you have a wonderful 2022!!

  • If you are thinking of putting your home on the market in 2022 learn how we can Market Your Home at Pinnacle Sotheby’s International Realty.
  • Looking to buy? Visit our Properties page. 

6 Styles of Homes You Can Find in Lake Lure

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Ever wonder what types of homes are located on Lake Lure, North Carolina? Are you searching for the perfect lake home but not sure what you are looking for? Here are six of the most popular home designs found on the lake. What is your favorite style home?

1. ARTS AND CRAFTS

Arts and Crafts style homes refer to the late 19th Century British and American movement to revive handicrafts. Originally, it meant a home built from a plan in Stickley’s magazine. Now, Arts and Crafts style homes are built upon inspiration through nature, the beauty of the materials used and simplicity. Encompassing not only the architecture, but interior design, textiles, and art.


Arts and Crafts - This home is currently on the market. Click the photo to be directed to this listing.

2. CRAFTSMAN

Craftsman style homes focus on the value of handmade, well-constructed architecture. Inspired by Arts and Crafts style, craftsman homes are far from cookie cutter and some feature hand crafted wood beams, raw/exposed wood beams, large, tapered columns, and low-pitched gable roof lines. Covered porches are a must for craftsman homes and patterned windowpanes offer a unique perspective where imagination can shine. There are four types of Craftsman style homes but the most popular in Lake Lure is the Bungalow or Mission Revival.

Craftsman - This home is not currently for sale.

3. COTTAGE

Typically cottages are smaller and modest built by the lake, in the mountains or by a river and boast cozy features such as small stone fireplaces, hardwood floors and smaller separate rooms. Open floor plans were not popular because it was harder to heat in the wintertime. Many of the cottages in Lake Lure today were built in the 40s and 50s.  Moreover, they were less expensive to build and typically smaller as families used them as vacation homes.

Cottage - This home is not currently for sale.

4. CABIN

Originally cabins were small, typically stick built made from wood or logs by the same person that planned on dwelling there. Nowadays, cabins can range from small single story of one to two rooms, to massive multi-level ones with huge logs sometimes imported from the north. Cabins are rustic and many found on Lake Lure use forest themes for inspiration.

Cabin - This home is not currently for sale.

5. CONTEMPORARY

Contemporary began in the 1970’s and pays emphasis on geometric lines and modern architecture. These homes incorporate modernist styles using eco-friendly materials and design; focus on clean lines, neutral colors, and textures. Likewise, contemporary homes reflect a more streamlined approach and use materials such as concrete, soapstone, terrazzo, recycled materials such as glass and wood rather than more traditional mediums such as carpet, granite, and laminate. Open-floor plans and high ceilings are more the norm which let in lots of natural light. These styles are more open for imagination and design and can be easily spotted on Lake Lure.

Contemporary - This home is not currently for sale.

5. POST AND BEAM 

This style of construction shows off wooden beams and framing on both the interior and exterior of the home using a framework of upright and horizontal beams. Early timber frame techniques were developed thousands of years ago, and since iron was not readily available builders used woodworking joints. Nowadays, post and beam can be joined with iron and more modern components making post and beam homes unique and architecturally pleasing.

Post and Beam - This home is not currently for sale.

Are you looking to build your dream home?

We still have several lots available in Lake Lure. Click the link below to be directed to our page where you can browse all Lake Lure homes and land.  



Click here

Lake Lure Flip! 136 Neighborly Drive

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Built in 1945 and owned by one family until 2019, this beautiful vintage lake cabin has had a stunning makeover!

Imagine for a moment; summers spent jumping in the lake, playing tag in the yard, catching fireflies and nighttime campfires of hotdogs and s’mores. Now, families can continue making lasting memories at the lake for generations to come.   


BEFORE & AFTER

With a new coat of cobalt blue paint on the exterior and a deep clean of the interior, along with some necessary updates like new windows, doors and modern fixtures, this dark and dreary, ramshackle cabin has been transformed into a cozy summer retreat.

After a good scrub, white paint and new furniture, this cabin went from drab to fab! We love how you still get the cabin feel even after adding these modern touches. 

It’s all about the bathroom and this one does not disappoint. A tight squeeze in the old has been transformed to an ultra modern light-filled space. Look at the gorgeous patterned tile in the bathtub!

Wear and tear on the boathouse shows many years of enjoyment on the lake, however, a newly restored boathouse with access to sundeck will allow for lots more entertaining now!!

All in all, this well-loved cabin at the lake is now ready for new generations of lake jumping, freeze tag and campfires filled with lasting memories for years to come! 

Are you looking for your next flip? We are here to help! Get in touch to let us know what you are looking for and we can help you search out the property of your dreams. Check out “Our Listings” page for all Western North Carolina properties. Looking to sell, check out: List With Us. Click here for more info on how you can get connected or give us a call at 828.625.9600.

Legends and Lore – Footprints in the Gorge

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Footprints in the Gorge Nestled within the Hickory Nut Gorge is the towering monolith known as Chimney Rock. This iconic feature is enjoyed by thousands of visitors yearly, leaving behind their footprints in one of Western North Carolina’s most picturesque settings. It peaks the imagination to ponder the original footprints in the Gorge, undoubtedly left […]

Agent Spotlight – Greg Szabo

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Our agents are known in the community for their integrity and the exceptional level of service they provide. Greg is one of those agents and joined our team as a trusted consultant to his clients. After several years out west, he chose Lake Lure for its charm and serenity and to continue his real estate career. 

 

Greg’s talent is rarely found, a plus for his clients. He continues to diligently stay abreast of current market trends, and he can quickly assess whether an investment makes financial sense. His commitment has gone beyond the old standard of customer satisfaction to a new standard of customer elation, exceeding every expectation and in the process establishing lifelong relationships. 

When not supporting his clients in finding their dream home, Greg loves spending time outdoors, including working part time at Canopy Ridge Zipline.   

Here are some of Greg’s significant “Recently Sold” Homes on the buyer’s side.

View all of Greg’s listings HERE.

Agent Spotlight – Ken Williams

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Ken joined us in 2020 bringing with him expert real estate knowledge particularly in and around Rumbling Bald Resort. With over 25 years of experience, Ken is a huge assent to out team. 

Ken is incredibly talented and has a knack for helping his clients as evidenced by his list to sale ratio. Some properties even going to contract less than 24 hours after being listed. 

Our favorite thing about Ken is that he brought us our now resident furry friend, Edna. She brings joy and happiness to everyone she meets and we love her so so much!!

Here are some of Ken’s significant “Sold” Homes.

View all of Ken’s listings HERE.

5 Memorial Day Facts You May or May Not Know

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1. Memorial Day was Originally Named “Decoration Day”

In 1869 Major General John A. Logan established Decoration Day as a day to honor the graves of those who died in the Civil War. In 1971 Decoration Day was changed to Memorial Day, placed on the last Monday in May and declared a national holiday by an act of Congress. It also evolved to include all wars to commemorate our American military.

2. National Moment of Remembrance

Observance of Memorial Day takes place at 3pm local time and asks Americans to pause in silence to honor our fallen heroes.

3. Memorial Day Flag Etiquette

To honor our American military, a unique flag etiquette was created for Memorial Day. At sunrise, the flag should swiftly be raised to full staff then slowly lowered to half-staff. This is to honor all the men and women who have fallen in the line of duty. At noon, the flag is swiftly raised back to full-staff to salute all of those who have served.  

4. Tradition of Wearing Red Poppies

This tradition originated from John McCrae’s 1915 poem, In Flanders Fields. As a WW1 brigade surgeon, McCrae was struck by the sight of the red flowers growing on a ravaged battlefield. The red poppy symbolizes honor and remembrance.

In Flanders Fields

BY JOHN MCCRAE
 
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
 
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.
 
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

5. Fun Fact

818 Hot Dogs are eaten per second during the Hot Dog season which begins Memorial Day thru Labor Day. What are some of your favorite toppings? Have you ever had a Lured Dog? House-Made Pimento Cheese, Bacon, Super Food Slaw, Mustard on an All-Beef Hebrew National Dog on Duke’s® Mayo “Buttered” Bun -Check out Lured Market in Lake Lure, NC for some delicious, hand crafted hot dogs this summer!!  https://www.luredmarketandgrill.com/



LURED MARKET MENU


Happy Memorial Day from
Pinnacle SIR

Best Real Estate Website

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The votes are in and sothebysrealty.com has officially been named the Best Real Estate Website in the People’s Choice Category in the 25th Annual Webby Awards. Acclaimed as the “Internet’s highest honor achievement” by The New York Times, The Webby Awards is the leading international awards organization honoring excellence on the Internet.  

The Webbys honors excellence in seven major media types and presents two honors in every category-The Webby Award and The Webby People’s Voice Award. The People’s Voice Award  garners millions of votes from all over the world. 

 



Click here to view the Webby Award


sothebysrealty.com 

Not only is this website beautiful to look at it is incredibly user friendly. Filter exclusive Sotheby’s Realty listings by exactly what you’re looking for. Price point, lifestyle, rentals, etc…..or just browse through some of the interesting stories that are captured through the Brand News, Featured Blogs and Headlines. 

CREDIT THE TEAM

Behind the scenes, a group of dedicated individuals at sothebysrealty.com works diligently to provide their affiliates with an outstanding website that enjoys continual growth year after year. It truly does take a village, and we are honored to be a part of this incredible team.  

We congratulate Sotheby’s International Realty and all affiliates worldwide, on this well-deserved award!!

Agent Spotlight – Kevin Swerdlin

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  Kevin Swerdlin comes to us from Wellington, FL from Equestrian SIR and has been with us for over 5 years.  His knowledge of equestrian properties gives him an edge when working with clients. Kevin’s outgoing personality and charming character make him easy to talk to and fun to be around. His clients know that […]