Hurrah Ridge Lots in the summer
I would like to say that prices are at the bottom, but neither I nor anyone else can say that with any certainty. However, the number of properties on the market has increased while the number of buyers has decreased so it is definitely a buyer’s market. The Highlands, NC area has not been hit as hard as some locations across the country, but it is feeling the pain.
While everyone wants to know about the timing of the bottom, this post is more about the time of the year. Searching for property in the mountains is always fun, no matter the season, but winter is the prime time to view all of its attributes. The cold temperatures also rid the area of insects, irritaking plants and slithering reptiles.
A property can not be throughly inspected without getting out of the vehicle and taking a walk. The temperature may be more conducive to hiking in the spring, summer and fall, but the lush growth that attracts people to the area is very thick during these seasons. This vegetation can make it difficult to walk and see what may lurking below. A heavy coat and gloves provide protection from the cold during an inspection of the potential home site.
Most properties in this area offer long range views. To assess the view a clear sky is needed; however, during the warmer months of the year perfectly clear skies are few due to the naturally occuring “smoke” of the Smokey Mountains. So, by looking at property in the winter months you are more likely to have a clear view of its potential.
Lastly, the most obvious reason to view property in the winter is the clear view provided by the lack of leaves, which also provides a more accurate assessment of the topograhy of the land.
I enjoy showing property any time of year, but the winter months always seem the most productive. This winter may be the time to come to the Highlands area and look for the perfect piece of property. However, prices may be nearing the bottom so it may be wise to visit right now and enjoy a walk in the woods surrounded by all that The Highlands has to offer. Either way, there is nothing I like better than walking property.
I may have left the wrong impression about the snakes in the area. I walk property and jobs site regularly and I've only seen one snake this year. This particular black snake lives between the stones on our front porch and is considered a pet.
Does your pet snake have a name?
My daughter has named it Blackie.
Winter is clearly the best time to understand topography of the land and the surrounding views. Having purchased mountain land, I have learned that any time of the year is a good time to observe what is living on the land.
I have owned forested mountain land for 10 years and every season of every year I am still finding plant and animal life that I have not previously seen. The diversity of plants that thrive in the southern Appalachians and the animals they support are much talked about but still amazes me. Just in the past two weeks, we discovered a hummingbird moth visiting our bee balm. At first I thought it was a baby hummingbird, continuously hovering on clear wings, and feeding from the red bee balm along with butterflies and hummingbirds in the sun. Upon closer examination, we saw that the 1 to 2 inch body had attenae and was yellow with a black band around its body. We identified it as a Snowberry Clearwing Hummingbird Moth (Hemaris diffinis) and learned that its host plant is the coral honeysuckle, a native honeysuckle that we had planted in the spring.
If long range mountain views is the goal, then shopping for land in the winter is best. If the land and what is living on it is of more interest, then the other 3 seasons will allow for a better understanding of the plants and animals supported by the land.