Episode 7 - Living Local with Shepherd Benson of United Contracting & Roofing

Date: 11/6/25

Duration: 23:41

Guest: Shepherd Benson

Website: United Contracting & Roofing Greenville

Listen on Spotify:

Episode 7 Summary:

Special Guest Shepherd Benson with United Contracting & Roofing

In this episode, Ed Frisbee sits down with Shepherd Benson from United Contracting & Roofing, serving Greenville, Asheville, Hendersonville, and North Georgia. They talk about what homeowners should know before replacing a roof, how to tell when it’s time for an inspection, and why roofing is one of the most important investments in your home. Shepherd shares his path from working at Chick-fil-A to construction sales, his passion for helping people, and what makes this region such a great place to live.

The conversation also dives into local favorites—from Campfire Grill and White Duck Taco to Brooks Tavern—plus outdoor spots like DuPont, Pisgah, and the Blue Ridge Parkway. It’s a relaxed, insightful chat about homes, community, faith, and life in Western North Carolina and the Upstate.

📞 Contact Shepherd: 864-660-3529 | sbenson@roofingunited.com

Keywords: roofing tips, home improvement, Hendersonville NC, Greenville SC, Asheville homes, United Contracting & Roofing, real estate podcast, local business spotlight, Western North Carolina living

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Episode 7 Transcript:

Ed Frisbee (00:22)

Hey, it's Ed and we're excited to have our special guest shepherd Benson with United Contracting and roofing out of Greenville, South Carolina. They also service the

Hendersonville Asheville market as well and in Georgia I've learned but I'll let Shepherd tell us all about that. Shepherd thanks for joining us. It's my pleasure. Give us a quick overview and then have lots of questions for you. Yeah oh boy. So United Contracting Roofing started in Clarksville Georgia about nine years ago and then they started growing a lot more and so they moved up into the Greenville area and so that's where I've been. a Hendersonville native though so I was you know raised in Hendersonville been here my whole life.

I just got married a couple months ago and so hoping to move down towards the Greenville area. But I asked my bosses and everything, I was like, well, what do you guys think about Asheville and Hendersonville markets and stuff, like if I have jobs up there? And they said, man, go ahead. If you've got people up in Hendersonville, we'll service them as well. And so it's a growing company, but they've been really good. And have you had many opportunities in this area to do roofing? I've had a couple opportunities. So there's been people that I knew just from growing up.

and they would give me a call. And so I've gone and done a couple of inspections and things like that. Awesome. I'm amazed at how many South Carolina plates I see from different ⁓ vendors that are in the area. I mean, it's been happening for years, but especially since I think Helene, a lot more have moved this direction. Yeah, for sure. definitely like a lot of crossing over from, you know, North Carolina and South Carolina. And it's funny because oftentimes when I'm doing a job for somebody in South Carolina, they see that I have North Carolina plates because I live here.

at the moment and they're like, you're from North Carolina, what are you doing here? And I'm like, guys, I promise I'm like 30 minutes up the road. Like I'm still from this area, I'm not running out on you, not a carpet bag or anything. You can trust me. So yeah, there's a lot of crossover for sure. Which is crazy in real estate because I don't think many people look at a map and realize the proximity ⁓ for Hendersonville to Greenville. mean, it's...

Depending on which part of metro Greenville you consider, but if it's travelers rest or something then it's 30 minutes away Which is basically the same distance to Asheville. Mm-hmm. So which is a great position to be in So what have you learned since you've been in roofing man? I've learned quite a lot. I came from the service industry I came from Chick-fil-a and so this was the very first thing that I did and kind of construction Contracting that kind of industry and so I learned a lot about

roofs in particular, because that's what we specialize in, and mostly just how important a roof is. It's the number one investment that you make in your house, because if the roof is leaking, everything underneath is not protected anymore. And so it seems like kind of a boring upgrade or like a boring thing to work on or to get replaced, but in actuality is the number one most expensive and most important part of your house. So all roofs are not created equal? No, no, there's definitely some like lower grade ones.

There's some higher grade ones. The lower grade stuff costs around like $400 a square. And when you say stuff, meaning shingles, right? Yeah. Okay. Yeah. Cause we go all the way up to metal. There's even like slate that you can put on your roof. And so like the lowest stuff is about, um, $400 ish a square. And then a square is just, you know, a hundred feet square. So $400 a square. And then the top stuff is like a thousand a square, something like that. 2000 even.

And does it change by appearance or just by quality and longevity? That's good question. It changes a lot of different things. So the higher end stuff that you get is going to increase the lifespan of it because nowadays we've got metal roofs and those don't wear and tear at all. know, like unless a tree comes down and runs all the way through it, then you really don't need to replace it, especially if it's something like standing seam roofing. There's a lot of them that

look like shingles, but they're actually metal roofing. And it's called stone coated steel. And so it looks like it's an asphalt shingle, but it's actually metal. So there's a lot of cool options coming out. There's even, they're even working on stuff like solar powered shingles. And so it's like- even tell it's a panel? Well, you can a little bit. It's not like, wow, I wouldn't even know, you know? But instead of putting a solar panel on top of the roofing system, you're just, whole roof is a solar panel.

Essentially, so that's really interesting So you've been on roofs? Yeah a couple of them and do you ever get nervous or wear special ropes or anything? yeah, definitely we on roofs that are pretty steep I mean, I've got my special boots called cougar paws and it's like foam pads on the bottom. They're called what cougar paws? ⁓ and they legit that's yeah It is and so it helps you stick to the asphalt shingle

really really well. Do they look like those big slippers I've seen advertised with paws? No I wish that would make them really cool but no they just look like work boots but they've got this weird like membrane on the bottom and so it helps you climb a lot safer and then we've also got ropes if it's really steep so I mean I grew up doing rock climbing and stuff so it definitely was freaky at first to trust your equipment because

When you put the cougar paws on, it doesn't seem like you should be able to stand on that steep of a roof. And so your brain is like freaking out, like you need to put like all hands on deck. Like you should be freaking out right now. But once you trust your equipment, then it's like, ⁓ they really do work. Yeah, they really do. That's really interesting. I've never heard of that. Yeah. Maybe that's what Spider-Man wears. It's possible. I think he's got something like that for sure. So, ⁓ gosh, if you're on steep roofs or roofs in general, and here it is in the fall, do y'all hang Christmas lights?

That's a great, you know for the right price I'd do about anything Ed. That's good to know. That's for sure. So I have more roof questions, but since people are listening and might be wondering how do they reach you? So if they like what you said already. Well that's the ticket. So my work number is an 864 number that I use. It's 864-660-3529 and then they can also just email me. It's sbenson at roofingunited.com. Gotcha. There's a couple ways.

And so not to be confused, there is another roofing company in the Greenville area with United, but they're called something different. They're just United Roofing. But you are United Contracting and Roofing. That's correct. Gotcha. Yeah. And y'all do commercial as well or just residential? Yep. We do commercial and residential. I'm on more of the residential side, but I definitely know the people on the commercial side. So if you got questions. And same for this area, Asheville, Hendersonville area. Yep. Commercial or and or residential.

So what made you jump into roofing? Because you've kind of been all over the board. Shepard used to help me with social media. He's great with photography and drone work, and he's creative mind. And as he said, he recently got married. He has a big heart for missions. He's kind been all over the board. But yeah, what brought you to roofing? So yeah, that's an interesting question. ⁓ Like I said, I grew up in Chick-fil-A. And so I knew, like, my heart wasn't

completely locked into that industry, like the food and beverage industry. And so I was like, you know what, I gotta try some other things. And God led me to Mexico where I was a missions director for a church down there. And that's where we got to know each other a little bit better when you came and visited me. we had a trip together. And then I came back, I worked for a hotel doing their in-room dining for a little bit. And it came to the point where I was like, you know, I really need to try...

something different, like a different style of thing. And at that hotel, I was making some tip money. And I really liked it because I was like, man, if I do my job really, really well, and I put on a really good face and people really like me, they end up tipping more. And I can make more doing the same amount of work if I do it with all my heart and I put my all into it, like I normally do, because I like to do things with excellence. And so I just did a couple tests to see what I might be good at, and sales is something that popped up.

And so I took, I just researched a bunch of jobs on Indeed, found one in sales and I was like, well, might as well try it. And what do you know, I like it a lot because it gives me lot of freedom of schedule and it also equates like how much I make is how, depends on how good I am at the job. And so because I have a conviction to do everything with excellence, I'm able to make a little bit more than if I was just doing an hourly job or a

salary position or something like that. So I really love connecting with people as well and I love getting to know new people and I just love the I guess the sales space. It's fun for me. fits in do well at it. You speak well. You look at people. You're a good looking young man. So those are all positive for you. I don't mean that in a creepy way. So yeah, so I never thought about this till as you were talking about it, but you grew up in the

Hendersonville area you keep mentioning Chick-fil-a because your family has a Chick-fil-a or two in the area. Yeah Your siblings have worked in Chick-fil-a. So I Asked this for personal reason and I'm not jabbing at any of my children But it's natural for them to get out of this area because it's a smaller area, right? Yeah, did you ever have those struggles? And if so, what brought you back to the area? Yeah, that's a really that's a really good question because

I mean, I did leave for a little bit and I went to Mexico and I kind of was able to try some different areas. What I really love about this specific area is just, it's a good home base. know, like it's hard to leave the Appalachian mountains and not want to come back. You know, we have the mountains, we have the ocean that's pretty close. We have four seasons. That's, that's something that you don't get a lot of other places. And so this is definitely home for me and I want to build, you know, a home base and put down roots in this area.

⁓ It was good to get away for a little bit just to kind of find out who I was outside of my family and just kind of grow up and be my own person, if that makes sense. And so I would say at the end of the day, the biggest thing that brought me home wasn't all of that. was God. Like God brought me back to this area and I didn't know why. And because I thought, you know, there's this is a small town, like what is there for me here? You know, I don't know what I'm doing here, but God brought me back.

and I didn't know why, so I just started getting involved in anything that I thought God would want me to be involved in. So I started going to Young Life, volunteering with them and a lot of other things and that's actually how I found my wife. He brought us together through that. And so now looking back, I'm like, ⁓ well, he brought me back because he was trying to get me together with my wife. Had you ever known her before? No, which is crazy. this small town? Yeah, 10 years. We both lived in the same...

city of Hendersonville, small town, 10 years, never ran into each other. We have the same friend groups and everything and never crossed paths. So that's encouraging for people out there that are looking for a spouse. like, I need a bigger pond. No, no you don't. You just need to meet everybody in your small town. You know, was talking with someone earlier and they came from, they call Tri-Cities Johnson City, Tennessee area, right? And just because the shape of North Carolina, you know, we think of

People from not from the area always think gosh Greenville, South Carolina must be far away or Knoxville or Johnson City must be far away. And really it's not. You know, we think of Hendersonville and Asheville area kind of our area, but again, Greenville's 50 minutes away. Johnson City's our way. Unless you're in Asheville, then it's 40 minutes away. Right. So I don't think people have a good understanding the geography of this Western North Carolina area. But so when Shepard's talking about a home base, at least I hear him say.

It's kind of that big circle vicinity. It's not necessarily Henderson per se, it was within a driving distance. Yeah, for sure. There's quite a bit to offer in this area. Yeah. Topography, climates, of entertainment, foods and all that. Food. Let's talk about food, Shepard. I like talking So if you have some, like, visiting the area, do you have some places you recommend, hey, you got to try out? yeah. Dude, I definitely, I've been making a list of like me and my wife's favorite places to.

Because of the podcast you've been making a list or just in general? No, I didn't know this was going to be a question. This is off the dome. So, uh, top one that me and my wife would love right now is Campfire Grill. Have you been to Campfire Grill? It's right over there in Flat Rock. I know where it is and I've never eaten there. I've met somebody there, but I did not eat. watched them eat. Yeah. Yeah. You need to hear great things about it. You're the first to tell us that. I appreciate that. Yep. Okay. Maybe I'm divulging a secret and I'm going to crowd the place.

It's already pretty crowded. What's your favorite dish there? Man, I've been trying everything. So their burgers, fantastic. What ⁓ is it that I had this last time? Their queso. It's not just queso. Really? ⁓ it's really good. Wow, and you've lived in Mexico and El Paso. Yes, I have. That's a lot to say. is. Yeah, they hand make their own chips that you dip in the queso, put their own seasoning on it. my gosh. Gosh. it's so good. I didn't know. Yeah.

I'm gonna interrupt you said burgers you have to try it's a acoustic cafe. They're smash burgers delicious Yes, I had that the other week acoustic cafe is one of our favorite spots. Okay, right there on the acoustic trail You know get your coffee ride a bike It's good. I interrupted so your number one was yeah number one fire grill campfire grill We do love the classics, you know white duck taco can't go wrong with white duck Do you like tipsy taco tipsy tacos also very good?

You white duck better. I guess, right? This is controversial. I definitely like white duck better. My wife likes tipsy better, but here's why. She loves their queso. And so the queso has, it's got more weight to it. You know, it's a weighted kind of test. So she weighs the queso heavier. I weigh the tacos heavier. See, like tipsy better than white duck, personally. Really? Yeah. They're both great, but for whatever reason. All right. So number three.

Number three, man, I'm going to have to say Brooks Tavern. It's a local spot. I don't know if you've been to Brooks Tavern. Their bacon is fantastic. Oh my gosh. They let you order a of forgot about their bacon. Yeah, yeah, I mean, it's huge. There's not a lot of places that will just let you order a pint of bacon. And I do it about every time. That's funny. It's good stuff. And then obviously Chick-fil-A. So yeah, Chick-fil-A. What about in Asheville or Greenville? Do you have some places?

food. Asheville and Greenville. You don't have to, just curious. You didn't have to Kendersville per se. Biscuit Head, fantastic. In Asheville. Good place. And they've expanded. They have, yeah. They've got a few locations now. Just like Tupelo Honey expanded. And then Greenville.

Man, we haven't been to like a ton of places in Greenville yet. We're still like trying all these different, you know, spots. One that I really want to visit though is called Pickle Park. I don't know if you've heard about Pickle Park. They got pickle ball, they got food, and we're just trying to clear our schedule one night so we can go down there and hang out. I've heard- They probably serve pickles. I would hope so. Yeah, nothing like a good pickle. Right? So, you're outdoorsy.

Right? So, but if you have friends, family visit, what are some of your top places you tell them, Hey, you got to do this while you're in town. would say definitely got to go to, you know, DuPont, Pisgah. Those are some beautiful mountain views. You get to see the waterfalls. You get to, you know, have a good time. Definitely got to see the fall colors for sure. Blue Ridge Parkway. Got to go up there. Me and my wife are just up there. I guess this past week. And how do you get to the Blue Ridge Parkway?

So I go up all the way to like the Biltmore house exit and then we get on there and then we actually go towards like the Pisgah direction. towards Brevard and get off that that'd be west. Yeah, Brevard. And it's really pretty. There's some good pull offs up there. It's very vibrant. And we got like a week or two left. I know we're getting towards the end. Did you still see damage from the hurricane? Right? While I was up there? Not on the parkway? No, not a whole bunch. No, we didn't drive for like a whole long period of time.

But I know they definitely had to rebuild some spots because you could tell though. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. But I think it was good. The colors are good this year because in my opinion, we haven't had like a giant downpour because normally when it gets to its best, we get a giant downpour. It knocks all the leaves off. But this year we haven't had that. You know, we had a little bit of rain, but it wasn't heavy rain. So it's been a light, steady rain. It's been good. Kind of like a Seattle rain. Exactly. I think you're right about that. Thanks. So you said

DuPont. ⁓ Golly, I went blank. Pizga. Thank you. Parkway. Anything else? Let me think.

Man, the downtowns in this area are fantastic. Like downtown Hendersonville, downtown Brevard, cute little downtowns. Just go walk downtown, go to a coffee shop, eat some food. It's a good day. I'm thinking about some bacon. telling you. A pint of bacon. I'm sorry, I'm going back to that in my head. How big is a pint of bacon? So last time I went, they brought it out in like...

know what they would normally use this for. You know, sometimes they put fries in like that conical basket. It's like that but just bacon. Is that on the list? Like on the menu? Yeah. It's as I've never seen it as a side. As an appetizer? ⁓ yeah. Or like an appetizer. Wow. That's fantastic. If you get a burger there, definitely got to replace because they have the special bacon and then they have the regular. It's like peppered bacon and then the regular. Definitely got to substitute the peppered bacon on any burger you get there.

So you like the peppered bacon? yeah, that's the that's what's in the that's the pine of bacon is peppered. Got it. It's so good. Speaking of bacon, have you ever had a bacon and peanut butter sandwich? No, Ed, I've not. That's got to be one of my favorite sandwiches. Honestly, my dad did it growing up. I'm to have to walk out and I thought it was disgusting, but I love a bacon and peanut butter sandwich. OK, so how does that work? Is it like strips of bacon? Yes.

or crumbles, it strips. Yeah, it's slabs of bacon. It strips of bacon on toast and peanut butter and it's warm. The peanut butter is warm because of the toast, right? Right. Put the bacon on it, the bacon's warm. Golly, it's delicious. You hear people like bacon and mayonnaise sandwiches or some random stuff. No, peanut butter and bacon. Absolutely delicious. You know, I might have to try that. You try it and let me know. When my wife's out of town. Sure. Because she would...

never let me hear the end of that. like bananas and peanut butter, right? I've never done that, but I have. Weirdest thing I've done with peanut butter is eggs, eggs and peanut butter. Yeah. Sounds crazy. If you put a little bit of peanut butter in it though, it's almost like Kung Pao chicken. You know, how's that kind of little nutty taste? Yowzer doing the eggs like scrambled eggs. Yeah. Really? Yep. You put the peanut butter in, you scramble it with the eggs. Yeah, I did it. I did it when I was like

get one of the gems super consistently and I just needed more protein and everything and I was like peanut butter has protein and I just slapped it in there and wow it wasn't bad I'll try that if you try the bacon and peanut butter sandwich. a deal. I'll do it. Just let me know like back to Shepard used to have me do stupid stuff on social media try to get more views it was nasty we don't even have to talk about that it's probably still up there I guess yeah it's out there you gotta look at the videos those were horrible days

Alright, so I think we have to wrap it up soon. We've talked about restaurants, we've talked about United Contracting and Roofing, how to reach you, how do they reach you again? They call you? Yeah, phone number, email. Phone number is usually best. I pick up my phone for any call I get. Wow. Yeah. Even if it's spam. Exactly. Yeah, I get like probably 20 spam calls a day and I pick it up and they say, hello, this is business listing verification or something. I'm like, I'm sorry.

How do you answer your phone? This is Shepard with United Contract Roof or just a Shepard? just say hello. I'm just like, Hey, this is Shepard. How's it going? And what's the number? 8 2. 8 6 4. Yeah. Business number 8 6 4 6 6 0 3 5 2 9. Awesome. United Contract Roof commercial or residential. You can not do free estimates. Yeah. So if you're, especially if your roof is over 10 years old, usually between 10 and 15 years old. Mine's 40, I think.

40 years old, man. You might not have a roof on there anymore. It feels like it is, but it probably isn't. Yeah. So before 10 years old, you're probably going to be okay, unless you've had like a tree fall on it or you had a bunch of hail, like big, big hail. Normally they're pretty resistant to everything up until 10 years. 10 years is when it starts breaking down, getting a little bit more brittle. So between 10 and 15, that's usually where we find some degranulation, a little bit of damage up there, things like that. And then...

That's usually when insurance will come in and they'll be able to pay for some stuff. So normally if it's your, if you're in that range of 10 to 15 years, that's like the sweet spot of getting your roof replaced. That's the cheapest time to do it. Gotcha. So it's like 20 or 30 year old roof. Yeah. actually insurance companies have started, uh, pro rating the roof after 15 years. And so it goes from paying for a full replacement at 14 years.

to now they're only paying 50 % of the roof's value. Wow. 15. So not You should have asked this earlier. Yeah. It's a very important thing to note because people are like, man, I've got like a 30-year roof on my house. Like, it's going to be completely fine. It's like, yeah, that's true. It might last 30 years. We get a lot of inclement weather up here in this area. And so oftentimes, it doesn't last 30 years. And so the best time to get it replaced is that 10 to 15-year mark because then that's hopefully.

If you have any damage up there, insurance would pay for it. ⁓ Sounds like Shepard's coming to visit our house. Hey, there we go. Awesome. All right. Well, we're going to wind it up. Anything you can think of we missed? I don't think so. Awesome. So we've learned about some favorite spots to eat, favorite spots to visit, where to get your roof repaired. You have any questions for Shepard? He's giving you his number 864. 660.3529.

Awesome. Feel free to call or text him. He loves talking to people. That's right. Well, thanks again, Shepherd, for taking time. Thank you all for listening and watching and keep living local. Yeah. Thanks for having me. I appreciate it.

Need a steady hand as you think through a move in Hendersonville or anywhere in Western North Carolina? I’m always glad to help you sort it out. Let's talk

Episode 6 - Living Local with Kelly Baker of PuroClean South Asheville

Date: 11/3/25

Duration: 22:13

Guest: Kelly Baker

Website: PuroClean of South Asheville

Listen on Spotify:

🎙️ Episode 6 – “The Paramedics of Property Damage” with Kelly Baker of PuroClean South Asheville

In this episode of Living Local with Ed Frisbee, we sit down with Kelly Baker, Business Development Manager and partner at PuroClean of South Asheville — the team known as the paramedics of property damage. Kelly shares how her franchise helps homeowners and businesses recover from water, fire, mold, and biohazard damage, available 24/7 emergency response.

We dive into:

• What PuroClean does and how they’re different from larger national chains like ServPro

• How their local South Asheville team gets to homeowners within two hours, even at midnight

• Kelly’s fascinating career path — from NASCAR marketing to automotive advertising to restoration

• The passion behind helping families through disasters with empathy and urgency

• Favorite Asheville restaurants, food trucks, and hidden gems in Mills River and High Vista

• PuroClean’s community commitment and opportunities for those who want meaningful local work

Whether you’re a homeowner, real estate agent, or just love local business stories, you’ll enjoy this down-to-earth conversation packed with energy, heart, and great local insight.

📍 Guest: Kelly Baker – PuroClean South Asheville
🌐 Website: puroclean.com 
📞 Call: 828-974-8408

🎧 Tune in to learn: Why Kelly calls PuroClean the “paramedics of property damage” and how her team is helping Asheville recover — one home at a time.

Watch on Youtube:

Transcript:

Hey, it's Ed and thanks for joining us on Living Local and today our special guest is Kelly Baker.

with Pure Clean in South Asheville location. Kelly, thanks so much for taking time to talk to us today. So tell us, give us a quick overview. This is something we ask everyone. Just give us a quick overview of what you do with Pure Clean and how long Pure Clean has been here. All right. Thank you for having me. I love this office. I'm so excited to be here. So a little bit about Pure Clean and how we got started. This is a, ⁓ it's basically the paramedics of

Damage so if there is an emergency situation, we want to be your first call and help you in any situation whether it's water mold fire or even biohazard damage ⁓ Biohazard, what would that mean? So think of a school or ⁓ More commercial Not necessarily or you have estate situations where someone has got it. Yep ⁓

So a little interesting there. Didn't think about that before we got in the business, but it happens every day. my gosh. And you don't know who to call. I mean, do you know who to call right now if something like that was to happen? 911. Right. Right. So that's what we do. We... That's horrible. Sorry. I know. I know. But that's part of it. Yeah. Wow. That somebody's got to do it. And you've got to have somebody that has, you know...

Passion and empathy with the community to take care of things like that at a very, you know Empathetic matter. Yes ⁓ We just got an office here off Airport Road and the business has been around for 20 plus years there is corporate PuroClean and then it has its franchises We have a partner who has been in business for 28 years out of the Tri-Cities who has serviced this area

But we felt like Puro Clean as a whole is growing and we wanted to be part of that growth. So here we are. That's awesome. Yep. So how long have you been at this location or in the area? we're brand new. So we'll open our doors ⁓ November 1st. Wow, that's exciting. And we've been working on this for about six months. But we are ready to go. And like I said, our partners already service this area for a long time. So we have things in place to make things happen.

done a few claims so far. So our goal is just really to get infiltrated with the community, kind of share our mission statements and what we're about and help where we can. That's awesome. So if people still aren't tracking what you do, I would assume some of your competition would be like Serve Pro? Sure. That's kind of along those lines. Because people would know that.

Yeah. before I got in this business, I don't know that I would have known who to call because this doesn't happen every day. One of my jobs as the business development manager and partner is to kind of educate the community on who we are and what we do. For example, if you come home from vacation and your garage is flooded, who are you going to call, Ed? Ghostbusters. Right. Right. But before, I wouldn't have known who to call. Nope.

So we want to get out there and meet with our insurance agents, meet with our real estate marketers, ⁓ even plumbers, and let them know that we should be your first call. Because a lot of times consumers or the average day person may put in a claim online and that claim doesn't go to the office like a Serpro office because they're corporate at midnight. Nobody's going to come out at midnight. They're not going to see it till eight o'clock in the morning. This is the...

The biggest difference in the two of us is you're gonna call me at midnight and I'm gonna have somebody there within two hours. To help clean it 24-7. 24-7, seven days a week. That's impressive. So if somebody is listening to us and has that problem, I'll put a plug in for you real fast. It's pureclean.com, P-U-R-O-C-L-E-A-N.com, and then you search for the South Asheville location. Or you can call the 828-974-8408 number.

You're super good at this, Ed. I'm trying. Absolutely. So have did you grow up in the area or you're from the area? I am close to growing up in the area. I grew up in Johnson City, Tennessee, Tennessee. Yes, I forget that we're not everybody's from here. So so you're Rocky Top fan. 100 percent. OK, go Vols and go Bucks. I went to ETSU and cheered there briefly. My husband went to Western North Carolina. So

You know, we're, in the Western North Carolina area. also from Johnson City? He is from Gastonia, like, ⁓ High Shoals area in North Carolina. We met in Charlotte. So let's see. I'm from Johnson City, but I lived in Kentucky and Charlotte and now here. Wow. And where's your favorite place to live? ⁓ here. 100%. Mills River, High Vista. Is that where you are? That's a great area. Favorite place on earth.

favorite place. Mills River is great and it's exploding. It is. is. I think they need more. Well, when I say this, they need more commercial though. And I think they're working on it. We need more restaurants. Yes. That's what I was about to say. ⁓ yeah, those are lacking. Yeah. There's plenty of breweries. Yeah. Grocery stores are coming. Now the food trucks that they've moved into the area are phenomenal. I just had one the other night. I can't think of the name of it.

That would have been a good plug for them too, because it was the best grilled cheese sandwich I ever had in my life. Wow. so gooey. Is that their specialty or that's just what you chose? that their specialty is like these dumplings. ⁓ Man, after we get done, we'll have to plug them later. They were good. My wife found one. It's greasy spoon wagon or something like that that had dumplings and she loved it. Well, since we're talking about food, then.

Just tell me one of the popular questions is, uh, what are your top three favorite restaurants to go to? Or if you have people visiting in town, where do you go? Okay. we like to eat. Obviously we love Asian food, but I will say there is a lack of Asian food in this area. True. For sure. Um, if we have guests in town who's never been here before, we definitely visit Sierra Nevada because one, the atmosphere is beautiful. It's good for kids.

their wings are out of this world. But we can't frequent that too much because you get, you know, tired of the same food. So that's number one. For date nights, like Brian and I going out to a nice dinner, Corner Kitchen. Oh, in Astro? The Chestnut, which is owned by the same folks. are our two favorite go-tos. Corner Kitchen just opened back up. I heard. And then...

Gosh, you know, the one thing we haven't chestnuts downtown in case Asheville in case people are wondering. Yeah. ⁓ I mean sushi downtown Hendersonville. That's, that's the third for sure. That's our three go-tos. Well, I can't, gosh, some people in our family like Asian and they like Chompas in Hendersonville. I've not been there on main street and Boonchu out on upper road. ⁓ those are

and Thai spice. are some. Oh, I like Thai spice. Yes. I sometimes just go there for lunch. They probably think I'm crazy all the time. I just sit by myself and eat lunch there. Chompas is actually very good. OK. On Main Street. There's one in Brevard that's really good too. But I can't think of their name off the top of my head. Not far from here. So before Puro Clean, since that's new. you do anything exciting? Oh, yes, Ed.

I've had quite the career. ⁓ How far are you able to tell us some highlights of that career? far do you want to go back? So let's just, let me see if I can condense this a little bit. So right out of college, I went straight to NASCAR, worked in NASCAR for a little while. Wow. Worked at Kentucky Speedway and then worked for an advertising agency where we took the marketing part of NASCAR to country music. Napa auto parts was one of my clients and we took, ⁓

their brand to Alan Jackson's tour. So I did that for a couple years and then local marketing for the next 10, 15 years. And then we were in Asheville one day playing golf. Me and my husband loved to play golf. And we were like, man, I wonder why nobody's bought these Napa stores in Asheville. It's so pretty here. And Brian at the time was working for Napa Auto Parts Corporate. I had done Napa advertising for 15 years.

And we said, let's buy those stores. So we did. That was in March and we moved here in December. Caroline was just a year old. So that was 10 years ago. And then flying in and out of Asheville became challenging at the time. If you think back 10 years ago and trying to fly to Asheville, was very limited.

And so I had to shift career goals because I couldn't travel all over the country and do marketing. So I got into automotive and by automotive I mean auto trader, Kelly Blue Book, did some Capital One financing, advertising for auto dealerships. So I know all your auto dealerships in the area. I love them all. We've got a great group of good leaders in that industry here that taught me a lot.

That's what I did before I got into PuraClean. So that was a very short, condensed. Yeah, it was. Do you still have Napa auto parts? We do not. During COVID, it got a little crazy. So we got out, but just, you know, just happened to be around and be, you know, still close with those folks is all we needed. Do you know anything about cars? Oh yeah. Oh wow. Yeah, I know quite a bit. Prior to joining them?

yeah, because I advertise, I mean, I was on the national campaign team. So trying to get consumers to buy auto parts was a very hard feat ⁓ in the advertising industry. So, ⁓ yeah, I learned quite a bit. I don't know that I would change my own oil, ⁓ but, I know what spark plugs are and, know, I know a little bit about everything, and breaks and I try not to, ⁓ I just.

find a local place I like and trust them. Yeah, well that's important too. I mean that was a big part of our business. So the auto care centers out there, they have a big feat as well, trying to get consumers to trust them. So didn't they used to have a theme song or some? Napa know how. Is that what it is? Did that release when you were there? huh. Were you part of that? I was. That's exciting. Yeah. But you can't...

There's probably some disclosure statement. can't say anything else. All right. We'll move on. Sorry. So back to PuroClean. Yes. You've had some jobs already. That's exciting. So a friend of mine reached out and he was like, ⁓ he had been in the industry for, you know, 20 plus years. He was like, think you and Brown would really enjoy this industry and it's, moving. It's, it's growing. They want to expand. ⁓

to 500 locations, which they've already reached that from a national level. They want to get to 750. ⁓ And having that comparison of a Napa franchise to a PiroClean franchise, we knew what we were looking at. And ⁓ our partner, Donnie, had ⁓ kind of opened up what all that looked like. And Brian looked at it he was like, this looks a lot different than a Napa Autoparts P &L. ⁓ And then we started looking at

what the franchise ⁓ offers as far as resources go. And they have a ton of training. They really set you up to be successful. It's very rare that any of these franchises have failed. ⁓ They have, you know, a good motto. really believe in their franchise owners. They work for their franchise owners. There's two guys out of Michigan who own Puro Clean that also own a larger

corporation that kind of takes care of the big corporation. ⁓

Like if you had a big government project or complex that had like specialty marble that need to be dry out, they're attached to them. So it's a good partnership for them to pass along to their local franchises. It's a really neat company. Two great guys, smart guys. We don't have time to go into their history, but definitely look them up. So it sounds like you're a great resource, not only for locals who...

need help but even somebody who's considering a franchise in another part of the country. Oh 100%. a lot to offer. Yeah. That's interesting. It's um I'm really surprised by the amount of resources they have available and great people. Great people. Well that's exciting. I wish you all much success. Um so any any crazy stories with the job you've had so far?

Or what's your biggest fear of potential jobs? don't have time for all those crazy stories. I'm going to have to come fear would obviously be the biohazard. Yeah, I haven't seen anything crazy yet. I'm sure I will. I would quit. Sorry. Literally, somebody asked me to I will share this. You know, when Helene happened, we were both working in different industries and we were just kind of numb.

We couldn't help anybody or do anything. We didn't know what to do. And when we started talking about this business, I was like, what a wonderful thing to be a part of, to be able to help somebody in need and that be your job. ⁓ know, so it kind of at this age of life and career, you get to the point where you have done a lot, but to do something that's meaningful and

to give back to your community and work in your community. ⁓ You and I just sat there on ⁓ Tuesday or Wednesday and we heard of ⁓ a lady friend of ours that needed some assistance and it broke my heart. Like, yeah, we're gonna help her. We're gonna get that taken care of right now. Yeah, it's a year out from Helene and the damage she still has at her home. Yeah, so I think that's exciting. I'm still looking for people to help us.

be a part of that passion. You know, we're looking for technicians every day. So if you know anybody, Ed, that's passionate about helping people or helping their community, certainly pass them along. How do they get in touch with you? That number? Yes, just call that number. 828-974-8408. I feel like I'm like a fundraiser or something. I like it. I like it. That's what you got to do. That's part of advertising. got to it three times. We got to get it in there one more time. Yep.

You know, I think that's going to be. Could you tell my wife that? Because I think if she hears me repeat one thing in the name of advertising, she thinks it's too much. Right. Pushy. No, baby, this is you have to remind people. We're all too busy to remember anything. Well, it is. mean, with technology, you you should get hit on all faucets for sure. But yeah. So you're still looking for technicians. We are every day. We're looking not just for technicians, but for people who have a passion to help people.

I could hire anybody off the streets tomorrow, but I want someone who's gonna stay around and be loyal and be sympathetic to our customers, handle their stuff with care, because it's a very hard time for people when they have a house that's burnt down or they've had a flood and they've lost all their valuables ⁓ or mold has creeped in and they just don't have the physical ability to take care of it themselves.

So these are very touching times in someone's life and it maybe only happens once in their life and hopefully it doesn't happen at all. But you've got to come to the table with a little bit of empathy, right? Absolutely. That's challenging because yeah, if you don't have the empathy, then a bad review can, that affects you big time, unfortunately. Exactly. we're very careful on who we're looking for. It's not me.

Oh yes it is. happy to promote. I've already met your family and they seem like the best people on earth. That's kind but if there's a biohazard we're not the team to call. That's all I'll say. We are. Make sure you call Pure Clean. Pure Clean and that number is 828-974-8408. Also at pureclean.com and look for the South Asheville location. I love it. I love it. Good. So I didn't ask if you have friends visit

Do you have any special places you'd like to recommend? You must go see, must go do. So Brian and I are huge golfers. And most of the time, if our friends are coming over, I like to show them a new golf course. We recently, living in High Vista over the last couple of years, have revamped our golf course with a new name, new investments, and it's become a real fun treat to see that.

golf course, just do a 360. That's good. Cause it was failing. It was, it was. And there's a crazy story behind that. It's, it's weird how it's all infiltrated, but a finance company owned the golf course and really and truly the heart and soul of the neighborhood come in and put their time and sweat equity into rebuilding that course for no money. I mean, they dug up pumps and

cut trees and fixed water pumps in the creeks and cut back woods. mean, all with their own blood, sweat and tears. so we convinced the finance company that, we're not going anywhere. We want this to be successful. And we rebranded the course. I did the logo for the course. It's really cute. It's got a little bear and a falcon on it. Yeah. Does that mean it's open to?

non-residents? It is. It has been public for a while now, especially since Helene because we didn't get any damage much to the golf course, but we like to bring people home to our golf course. Nice. And we're not big hikers, which we should be. I'm not a hiker or a camper. I want to be. I feel you. But that's just not my thing.

I don't like bugs and heat and humidity. Get my feet wet. Now we did go to, ⁓ sliding rock this summer, which we haven't been before. And the kids had never seen that. That was super fun to see cold as ice. in the 90 degree weather, it was cold as ice. But you know, we're golfers. We like to shop. We like to eat. So you can find me at a restaurant or at the pool.

you know, they're playing golf. There is a pool at High Vista. Sorry I had to think about that when you said that. Yeah. It's a nice pool. And we have a pub, a little restaurant. It's a great place to live. You don't have to leave if you don't want to. Always forget about it honestly when people ask about areas and the places to live. and we have great neighbors. Like we just had a fall festival the other day and all the kids came out. We had face painting and bounce houses and

I personally wanted to do Bobbin for Apples, but you know, you can't really do that anymore. It's a little germy, guess. ⁓ yeah. That's interesting. Yeah. mean, we didn't we didn't worry about that when we were kids. No, I never did it, but I didn't worry about it. I totally did it. Yeah. Stuck my whole face in there. Just drowned it. Wow. Like a dog. I'm a germaphobe. So, okay. That makes no. Yeah. Unless I was the first one.

Definitely makes sense with the biohazard situation. See? Yeah. If I did the apple thing, I'd be putting my head in the water, bubbling water. That's probably not best for the podcast. Yeah, it's okay. All right. Well, thank you, Kelly, very much. I think you've answered all of our questions. So we need to plug PuroClean. That's it? That's all we got. South Asheville. You and Brian. Look forward to meeting Brian one day. And if people have a biohazard need, flooding, fire.

Heck, mold. Call puroclean.com. P-U-R-O-C-L-E-A-N.com. And you can call the number local 828-974-8408. I might have that memorized by now. I like it. Well, tell all your friends. Absolutely. And we're here to help. Awesome. Thank you, Kelly. Thank you. And you all for listening and watching. Keep living local.

Need a steady hand as you think through a move in Hendersonville or anywhere in Western North Carolina? I’m always glad to help you sort it out. Let's talk

What Can I Afford? Loan and Finance Options in Hendersonville NC

Buying a home in Hendersonville, NC means figuring out what you can truly afford—financially and emotionally. Most buyers here look at homes priced between 2.5 to 4 times their annual income, but it all depends on your debt-to-income ratio, down payment, and the current interest rates. Right now, those rates are averaging about 6.27% for a 30-year fixed mortgage in the area.

Affordability isn’t just a number; it’s a mix of monthly income, debts, credit scores, and whatever you’ve managed to save for a down payment. If you don’t look at each of these, you might end up with unrealistic expectations before even starting your search.

There are quite a few financing choices in Hendersonville—conventional loans, government-backed programs, and some alternatives you might not have thought about. Each comes with its own set of hoops to jump through, perks, and costs that can stick with you for years. Knowing what’s out there (and what you actually qualify for) is key if you want the best deal for your situation.

Determining What You Can Afford in Hendersonville NC

Before you get lost in listings and mountain views, it’s smart to set some boundaries. Look at your income, debts, savings, and credit score—trust me, it’s better to know your limits than to find out the hard way.

Evaluating Your Monthly Payment Comfort Zone

The monthly payment is usually the biggest chunk of your housing budget. Lenders have this “28% rule”—basically, they don’t want your housing costs to be more than 28% of your gross monthly income.

So, if you’re making $6,000 a month, you’ll want to keep your payments under $1,680. That’s not just the mortgage; it’s principal, interest, taxes, and insurance (PITI).

Key monthly payment considerations:

• Property taxes in Henderson County
• Homeowners insurance premiums
• Private mortgage insurance (PMI) if down payment is less than 20%
• HOA fees for certain neighborhoods

Don’t forget about maintenance and utilities. It’s no fun to be house-poor, so leave some wiggle room for unexpected repairs or just enjoying life.

Assessing Your Income and Debt-to-Income Ratio

Lenders use your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) to see if you qualify for a loan. DTI is just your total monthly debt payments divided by your gross monthly income.

Most conventional loans want to see a DTI below 43%, though there are exceptions. To live comfortably in Hendersonville, a family should have at least $71,280 in annual income; singles, at least $45,600.

DTI calculation includes:

• Current mortgage or rent payments
• Credit card minimum payments
• Auto loans
• Student loans
• Personal loans

Lower DTI usually means better interest rates. If your ratio’s high, paying off some debt before applying can make a big difference.

Factoring in Upfront Costs and Savings

You’ll need more than just a down payment saved up. Upfront costs can add up to 3-5% of the home’s price, and you don’t want to be caught off guard.

Essential upfront expenses include:

• Down payment (typically 3-20% of purchase price)
• Closing costs (2-3% of loan amount)
• Home inspection fees ($300-500)
• Appraisal costs ($400-600)
• Moving expenses

It’s a good idea to keep an emergency fund with 3-6 months of expenses after closing. Life happens, and this can be a lifesaver if something unexpected pops up.

First-time buyers might catch a break with down payment assistance programs, which can really help with those upfront costs.

The Importance of Creditworthiness

Your credit score is a big deal—it affects both whether you get approved and how much you’ll pay over time. Higher scores mean better rates, plain and simple.

Credit score ranges and typical rates:

• Excellent (740+): Best available rates
• Good (670-739): Competitive rates
• Fair (580-669): Higher rates, limited options
• Poor (below 580): FHA loans may be only option

It’s worth checking your credit report for mistakes before you apply. Paying down balances and not opening new credit cards can help bump up your score.

Some loan programs work with lower scores, but you’ll probably need a bigger down payment or more paperwork. An experienced lender can help you figure out what’s realistic for your situation.

Key Factors Influencing Loan Affordability

What you can borrow—and at what rate—depends on a few things. Credit scores, steady income, and your existing debts all play a role in what lenders offer you.

Credit Score Requirements for Buyers

Your credit score isn’t just a number; it’s your ticket (or barrier) to different loan types and rates. Most conventional loans want at least a 620, but FHA loans go as low as 580 if you have 3.5% down.

Credit Score Ranges and Loan Options:

If your score is above 740, you’re in the sweet spot for rates. If it’s lower, you’ll face fewer choices and higher costs.

Understanding your credit score's impact can help you prep your application and maybe even improve your odds.

APR, Loan Term, and Total Interest Explained

APR isn’t just the interest rate; it’s the rate plus fees, so it shows the real cost of borrowing. A 30-year loan at 7% APR racks up a lot more interest than a 15-year loan, even if the rate’s the same.

Common Loan Terms:

• 15-year loans: Higher monthly payments, less total interest
• 30-year loans: Lower monthly payments, more total interest
• ARM loans: Variable rates that adjust over time

Here’s an eye-opener: a $300,000 loan at 7% APR costs about $279,000 in interest over 30 years, but only $120,000 over 15 years. That’s a huge difference.

It’s a balancing act—do you want lower payments now or less interest in the long run? Shorter terms build equity faster, but they’re definitely a bigger monthly bite.

The Impact of Credit History on Loan Approval

Credit history isn’t just about your score. Lenders look at your payment habits, how you handle debt, and how long your accounts have been open. They want to see you’re responsible, not just lucky.

Recent late payments matter more than old ones. If you’ve had a bankruptcy or foreclosure, you might need to wait 2-7 years, depending on the loan.

Red Flags in Credit History:

• Multiple recent late payments
• High credit card balances
• Recent collections or charge-offs
• Frequent credit inquiries

If you’re worried, focus on paying down debt and making payments on time. A steady history shows lenders you’re a safe bet.

Popular Loan and Mortgage Options Available

There’s no shortage of loan programs in Hendersonville. From conventional to government-backed, knowing the pros and cons can help you pick the one that actually fits your life.

Conventional Mortgages in Hendersonville

Conventional loans are the go-to for buyers with solid credit. You’ll need at least a 620 score, and down payments can be as low as 3% if you qualify.

Key Requirements:

• Credit score: 620+ (better rates at 740+)
• Down payment: 3-5% minimum
• Debt-to-income ratio: Under 43%
• Private mortgage insurance if less than 20% down

You can play around with the loan term—15, 20, even 30 years. The better your credit, the better your APR will look.

Advantages for Henderson County buyers:

• No income limits
• Property type flexibility
• Can finance second homes
• PMI removal once 20% equity reached

Conventional loans are a good fit if you’re buying above USDA limits or don’t fit into government-backed programs.

FHA, VA, and USDA Loan Programs

Government-backed loans open doors for folks who might not qualify otherwise. FHA loans only need 3.5% down if your credit’s at least 580.

FHA Program Benefits:

• Down payment: 3.5% with 580+ credit
• Credit scores as low as 500 accepted (10% down required)
• Mortgage insurance premium required
• Competitive fixed rates available

VA Loans for Military Personnel:

• Zero down payment required
• No mortgage insurance
• Competitive APR rates
• Certificate of eligibility needed

USDA Rural Development:

• 100% financing available
• Income limits apply
• Property must be in eligible rural areas
• Many Henderson County locations qualify

VA loans can save you a lot by dropping mortgage insurance, and USDA loans are great if you’re buying in a rural area. Most of these programs offer 15- or 30-year terms, so you’ve got some flexibility.

Fixed Rates Versus Adjustable Rates

Choosing the right interest rate can really shape your loan payments and the total amount you’ll pay over time. Fixed-rate mortgages keep payments steady for the entire loan.

Fixed-Rate Mortgage Features:

• Interest rate never changes
• Predictable monthly payments
• Protection from rate increases
• Available in 15, 20, and 30-year terms

Adjustable-Rate Mortgages (ARMs):

• Lower initial rates for set periods
• Common structures: 5/1, 7/1, 10/1 ARMs
• Rate adjustments after initial period
• Payment caps limit increases

The APR calculation bundles interest and fees for a clearer cost picture. Rate locks usually last 30-60 days, protecting your approved rate while you close.

Alternative Financing and Personal Loan Choices

Personal loans sometimes fill the gap for homebuyers who need flexible funds. Bringing in a co-signer or applying jointly can help if your credit isn’t perfect.

Personal Loans for Homebuyers

People use personal loans for all sorts of things during a home purchase. Down payments, closing costs, or even quick home fixes after moving in—they all come up.

Common Uses:

• Down payment assistance
• Closing cost coverage
• Moving expenses
• Immediate repairs or renovations

Credit cards and home equity loans are other go-tos if a personal loan doesn’t quite fit. Credit cards can be handy for smaller stuff, like inspections.

Most personal loans have fixed rates from 6% to 36%. The amounts you can borrow run from $1,000 up to $100,000, but it all depends on your credit and income.

Payments stay the same through the loan’s life. Lenders usually want your debt-to-income ratio under 40%, counting the new loan.

Financing with Bad or Fair Credit

Not everyone has great credit, but that doesn’t mean you’re out of luck. There are a few alternatives if you can’t get a standard personal loan.

Bad Credit Options:

• Secured personal loans
• Credit builder loans
• Peer-to-peer lending platforms
• Credit union loans

Credit unions can be more flexible, especially if your score falls between 580 and 669. They’ll look at your relationship with the bank and your job, not just your score.

Secured loans require collateral, but the tradeoff is lower rates. Using collateral makes lenders a bit less nervous, so your odds go up.

Interest rates for rougher credit usually fall between 18% and 36%. Shorter terms can keep total interest lower, even if the payments sting a bit more each month.

Co-Signed and Joint Loan Options

Getting a co-signer can really open doors if your credit history’s thin. Their good credit can help you snag better rates and a bigger loan.

Co-Signer Benefits:

• Higher approval odds
• Lower interest rates
• Larger loan amounts
• Better repayment terms

Joint applications let you combine incomes and credit—pretty useful for couples or partners buying together.

But remember, co-signers are on the hook if you miss payments. That shared responsibility sticks around until the loan’s paid off or refinanced.

Both people’s credit reports will show the loan. Pay on time and both scores go up; miss a payment and both take a hit.

Preparing Your Finances Before Applying

Getting your finances in shape really matters for mortgage approval and the kind of loan terms you’ll get. You’ll want to focus on building savings, lowering your debt-to-income ratio, and working on your credit profile.

Boosting Savings and Investments

It’s not just about the down payment—you’ll need extra reserves, too. Emergency funds should cover three to six months of expenses, stashed in a high-yield savings account for easy access.

Down payment requirements jump around a lot. Some conventional loans only ask for 3-5%, but if you can swing 20%, you dodge private mortgage insurance and likely get a better rate.

Closing costs are another chunk—usually 2-7% of the purchase price. That covers stuff like appraisals, title insurance, attorney fees, and loan origination.

Investment Options for Down Payment Funds:

• Money Market Accounts: Better rates than standard savings
• Short-term CDs: Fixed returns, principal guaranteed
• Conservative Bond Funds: Slightly more yield, still pretty safe
• High-yield Savings Accounts: FDIC-insured, competitive rates

Honestly, it’s smart to avoid putting your down payment in stocks. The market could dip right when you need the cash.

Some employers even help with down payments. First-time buyers can pull up to $10,000 from an IRA penalty-free—though you might owe taxes.

Managing Debt and Improving DTI

Lenders really care about your debt-to-income ratio. Most want it below 36%, but some programs let you go higher.

DTI Calculation Components:

• Monthly gross income (before taxes and deductions)
• All recurring monthly debts (credit cards, auto loans, student loans)
• Projected housing costs (mortgage, taxes, insurance, HOA fees)

Ideally, your housing costs should eat up just 25-28% of your gross monthly income. That leaves a bit for other debts and keeps you under the 36% DTI mark.

Debt Reduction Strategies:

• Snowball Method: Pay minimums everywhere, but throw extra at your smallest debt
• Avalanche Method: Attack your highest-interest debt first
• Debt Consolidation: Roll debts into one payment, hopefully at a lower rate
• Balance Transfers: Move credit card balances to a 0% promo offer

Try not to take on new debt while you’re in the mortgage process. Even buying a new couch can mess with your approval.

Building a Strong Credit Profile

Your credit score really drives your mortgage rate and loan choices. Most conventional loans want a 620 or better; FHA loans can go down to 580.

Credit Score Improvement Tactics:

• Pay all bills on time: This is 35% of your score—don’t let it slip
• Reduce credit utilization: Keep balances under 30% of your limits, or even better, under 10%
• Maintain older accounts: Longer history helps, so don’t close old cards
• Limit new credit inquiries: Too many hits on your credit can drag your score down

Grab your free credit reports every year and check for mistakes. Disputing errors can bump your score up pretty quickly—sometimes in just a month.

Credit Score Ranges and Impact:

If you need to boost your score fast, timing matters. Paying down cards right before the statement closes can give your score a quick lift in a month or two.

Next Steps for Homebuyers in Hendersonville NC

Getting pre-qualified gives you a ballpark budget, but pre-approval carries more weight with sellers. Shopping around with different lenders can help you snag a better deal, too.

Getting Pre-Qualified and Pre-Approved

Pre-qualification’s a quick estimate based on your income, debts, and assets. It’s not a guarantee, but it’ll give you a sense of what you can afford.

Pre-approval digs deeper—lenders check your job, tax returns, and credit. It does mean a hard credit pull, but you’ll get a conditional commitment letter in the end.

Pre-Qualification Requirements:

• Recent pay stubs
• Bank account statements
• Estimated credit score
• Monthly debt obligations

Pre-Approval Documentation:

• Two years of tax returns
• W-2 forms or 1099s
• Complete bank statements
• Employment verification letter

Pre-approval letters usually last 60-90 days. It’s best not to make any big purchases or open new credit during that window, just to keep your status solid.

Having your paperwork ready speeds things up. Sellers often lean toward buyers who’ve already got pre-approval in hand.

Working with Local Lenders and Realtors

Local lenders know Hendersonville’s quirks and property values better than the big national banks. They’re usually quicker and a bit more personal, too.

Credit unions in Henderson County can offer great rates, especially for members. Community banks might be more flexible if you’re self-employed or have a less typical financial profile.

Benefits of Local Lenders:

• Faster closing times
• Knowledge of local appraisal values
• Direct communication with underwriters
• Familiarity with area-specific programs

Good realtors help you navigate North Carolina’s first-time homebuyer programs and keep everything on track. They’ll work with your lender and help you find homes in your price range.

Realtors who know Henderson County can point you toward trusted mortgage folks—makes the whole process less stressful and helps avoid hiccups along the way.

Comparing Loan Offers and Terms

It's smart for buyers to get quotes from at least three different lenders. Try to do this within a 14-45 day window—multiple inquiries in that period only count as one credit check, so your score won't take a hit.

Interest rates can swing a bit between lenders, even when buyers have the same credit profile. Honestly, even a 0.25% difference in your rate might save you thousands over a 30-year loan. Wild, right?

Key Comparison Factors:

• Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
• Closing costs and fees
• Loan term options (15, 20, 30 years)
• Down payment requirements
• Private mortgage insurance costs

Lenders have to give you a loan estimate within three business days of your application. These forms are standardized, so comparing offers actually feels doable.

Some lenders will let you lock in your rate for 30-60 days while you shop. It's a relief to know your rate won't creep up while you're still house hunting.

Don't forget to tally up total monthly payments—principal, interest, taxes, and insurance all matter. The loan term you pick will really shape both your monthly bill and the total interest you pay in the end.

What Is the Median Home Price in Flat Rock NC? 2025 Market Insights

The Flat Rock, North Carolina housing market is a bit of a moving target. Depending on where you look, the median home price ranges from about $620,000 (Redfin) to $478,347 (Zillow), which really says a lot about how unique this mountain community’s real estate scene is.

Recent trends? All over the place. Some reports show prices dropping year-over-year, while others point to solid increases.

The housing market in Flat Rock is classic small-town: a handful of big sales can swing the median pretty far in either direction.

If you want to make sense of these price swings, you’ve got to look at the usual suspects—local market quirks, seasonal ups and downs, and whether luxury homes or more standard places are dominating the listings at any given moment.

Current Median Home Price in Flat Rock NC

Depending on the data source, the median home price in Flat Rock, NC floats anywhere from $460,000 up to $620,000. Some reports show prices creeping up, others point to a dip.

Overview of Recent Market Data

Market data is a mixed bag lately. Redfin says the median sale price was $620,000 last month, which is actually 17.4% lower than last year.

Meanwhile, Zillow’s average home value is $478,347, up 3.7% in the past year. Another estimate puts the median at $460,995—so, yeah, a decent spread.

The median sale price per square foot is $293, barely changed from last year. That’s interesting—maybe home sizes are shifting, or people are just paying for the land.

Homes are spending about 56 days on the market now, a little faster than last year’s 60. Only 10 homes sold in August, down from 13 a year ago.

Median Sale Prices by Neighborhood

Flat Rock actually spans a few counties, so prices jump around. Most of the action is in Henderson County.

Some areas are at $272 per square foot, but it really depends on the neighborhood and what kind of house you’re looking at.

There are pockets, especially in other counties, where prices look totally different. Forsyth County’s Flat Rock area has a median of $79,900, but that’s a tiny slice of the market.

It’s a real mix: you’ve got everything from luxury mountain retreats to more modest homes packed into the same zip code.

Comparison With Previous Years

Look back a year and the story changes again. Redfin says prices are down 17.4% compared to last year—ouch.

But then, in February 2025, prices were up 42.9% year-over-year, with the median hitting $1.0 million. Wild swings, honestly.

The median over the last 12 months was $471,500, which is 14% lower than the previous year. It looks like things are cooling off from last year’s highs.

Back in July 2024, the median was $604,999 and 78 homes sold compared to just 27 the year before. So, even with the price drops, more people were buying.

Factors Impacting Home Prices in Flat Rock

There are a bunch of factors shaping Flat Rock’s home prices: property details, neighborhood perks, and Flat Rock’s spot in the bigger North Carolina market all matter. Median price here jumps around because of all these moving parts.

Home Size and Property Features

Size definitely matters. Median listing price per square foot is $266, so every bit of space counts.

Bigger homes with nice upgrades—think new kitchens, modern baths, energy-saving systems—tend to fetch more than the average.

Outdoor stuff matters, too. Decks, gardens, mountain views? Those will bump up the price, no question.

Age and condition are a big deal. New builds or freshly renovated homes usually move quicker and at higher prices than the fixer-uppers.

Popular Subdivisions and Community Amenities

Neighborhoods with more to offer naturally see higher prices. Proximity to parks, community centers, and recreation spots is a big plus.

Places near trails, golf courses, or the Flat Rock Playhouse tend to be more desirable. Buyers love those extras.

If you’re close to downtown—shops, restaurants, that sort of thing—expect to pay a premium. Walkability is a selling point.

Flat Rock’s reputation as a retirement spot means age-friendly communities stay in demand. Those subdivisions usually hold their value pretty well.

Regional and Statewide Market Comparison

Flat Rock’s prices are a bit high for North Carolina. Median here is above the state average of $226,477.

But compared to the national median of $318,879, Flat Rock is actually a bit cheaper. That’s appealing for folks moving in from out of state.

Being in the Blue Ridge Mountains means land is tight and views are amazing, so prices stay strong. Mountain towns just don’t have as much room to build, and that keeps demand up.

Nearby cities like Asheville and Hendersonville also play a role, especially for jobs and overall market stability.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Flat Rock housing market is honestly a rollercoaster, with median prices ranging from the low $100Ks to over $600K depending on who you ask. Current conditions are a mix of competition and affordability challenges versus the state average.

What are the recent trends in home prices for Flat Rock, NC?

It’s a mixed picture. August 2025 saw a median sale price of $620,000, down 17.4% from last year. But back in February, prices were up 42.9% with a $1.0 million median.

Homes are selling a bit faster—56 days on average now versus 60. Only 10 homes sold this August, compared to 13 last year.

Median price per square foot is $293, barely changed from a year ago.

How does the cost of living in Flat Rock, NC compare to other nearby cities?

Flat Rock’s median house price is $284,608 by one estimate, under the national median but higher than North Carolina’s average.

The home price to income ratio is 5—about 51.5% higher than the NC average. So, housing eats up more of your paycheck here.

Rent isn’t exactly cheap either. Average rent is $1,709, with houses going for anywhere from $1,050 up to $2,495. Hendersonville’s about the same at $1,750.

Can you provide insights into the range of housing prices in Flat Rock, NC?

There’s a wide spread, honestly. Zillow puts the average home value at $478,347, up 3.7% year-over-year.

Other sources come in lower, some around $284,608, while recent sales have hit $620,000. So, the market covers everything from affordable to luxury.

You’ll find homes at just about every price point if you look around.

What factors influence the median home price in Flat Rock, NC?

Market competition is a factor—Redfin calls it “somewhat competitive.” Homes usually sell for around 4% under list and go pending in about 51 days.

Migration’s a thing, too. Lots of folks are moving in from Atlanta, Miami, and DC. Redfin tracked 399 people from Atlanta alone over three months.

And of course, being close to Asheville or Charlotte helps keep demand steady.

What types of properties contribute to the median home value in Flat Rock, NC?

The median calculations cover all home types, but honestly, there isn't much granular data breaking down each property category. From what you can see, single-family homes seem to dominate most of the sales.

Property sizes are all over the place. The median sale price per square foot sits at $293, which gives a sense of the kinds of homes buyers are finding here.

Flat Rock's a small town—just 1,141 people call it home. So, it's mostly residential, not really peppered with commercial buildings or big multi-family complexes.

Is there data available on the historical change in home prices for Flat Rock, NC?

There's some, but it's pretty limited. Real estate platforms track year-over-year changes, but it's not always the clearest picture.

The latest numbers show quite a bit of volatility. Some periods saw home prices jump over 40%, while others had decreases of around 17%.

Rental market data paints a similar story. Rents in Flat Rock dropped by $291 in the most recent year, which hints at a bit of cooling in housing costs.

Still, that's just a snapshot of one year, not really a full look at long-term trends.

What Are the Best Neighborhoods in Hendersonville NC for Families? Essential Insights and Top Picks

Hendersonville, North Carolina has a handful of neighborhoods that families really seem to love. If you're after mountain charm, good schools, and a sense of community, you're in luck.

Some of the top family picks include Laurel Park, Flat Rock, Mills River, and Valley Hill. Each one has its own flavor—maybe it's being close to downtown, bigger yards, or newer homes.

Parents eyeing Henderson County will notice neighborhoods that suit a range of lifestyles and price points. Some areas feel historic and walkable, while others have newer builds and more space for kids to run wild.

Picking a spot comes down to what matters most to you—maybe it's school ratings, safety, parks, or how long you'll be stuck in traffic. Knowing what each area brings to the table makes it a bit easier to figure out where you want to put down roots in this mountain town.

Top Family-Friendly Neighborhoods in Hendersonville NC

Hendersonville isn't a one-size-fits-all place. There are neighborhoods for every kind of family, whether you crave walkable streets or the quiet of the suburbs.

Mills River, just outside the city, has become a go-to for folks looking for a bit more space but still wanting that family vibe.

Downtown Hendersonville: Vibrant Community Living

Downtown Hendersonville is where urban perks meet small-town friendliness. If you want to stroll tree-lined streets and live in a historic home, it's tough to beat.

Parks like Fletcher Park and Jackson Park are local favorites. They're packed with playgrounds and spots to burn off energy, and they're close enough for an after-dinner walk.

Key Downtown Features:

• Walkable to schools and community centers
• Historic homes and established streets
• Main Street shops and restaurants nearby
• Festivals and community events year-round

The downtown core has a mix of Victorian houses and modern townhomes. It's not cheap, but the location keeps values steady.

Families here can walk to the library or the farmer's market. Less time in the car, more time bumping into neighbors—there's something to be said for that.

Historic Districts: Charm and Walkability

Just outside downtown, historic neighborhoods show off mature trees and houses with real character—think 1920s to 1950s builds. The landscaping's had time to grow up, too.

Historic District Advantages:

• Sidewalks and crosswalks for easy walking
• Shady, established neighborhoods
• Lots of long-term residents
• Architectural variety—no cookie-cutter streets here

These areas slow down traffic with their narrow roads and street parking. Kids can actually walk or bike to school or the park, which is a big deal for some families.

People take care of their homes here. Associations and city rules help keep things looking sharp and preserve the neighborhood's appeal.

Yards might be a bit smaller, but there are plenty of public green spaces and places to gather just a short walk away.

West Henderson: Suburban Appeal for Growing Families

West Henderson is all about newer subdivisions and planned communities. If you want something built in the last twenty years, this is where you'll find it.

There's Providence Crossing, which has close to 300 homes and a solid reputation for safety.

Suburban Features:

• Bigger lots and updated layouts
• Neighborhood amenities like pools and trails
• Cul-de-sacs for safer play
• Close to newer schools

Most places here have community pools, playgrounds, and walking paths. It's suburban living, but with a few perks thrown in.

Shopping and medical care are nearby, and it's a pretty easy drive to Asheville or other job hubs. That convenience is a big draw for a lot of families.

New homes are still popping up as more people move in. There's a range of prices and styles, so you can usually find something that fits.

Nearby Areas: Family Appeal in Mills River

Mills River keeps showing up on lists of best places for families in Henderson County. It feels rural but has the conveniences most people want.

Mills River Benefits:

• Lower population density
• Easy access to hiking and outdoor fun
• Modern school facilities
• Growing commercial options

If you need a bigger yard or just like having space, Mills River is worth a look. It's got that small-town feel but doesn't skimp on modern stuff.

Being tucked between Hendersonville and Asheville makes it easy to get to work or check out arts and culture in either city. That location is hard to beat.

You'll find everything from established neighborhoods to shiny new builds. The area's still growing as more families catch on to what it offers.

Key Considerations When Choosing a Neighborhood

Moving to Hendersonville? There are a few things you really can't ignore: schools, parks, how you'll get around, and whether you can actually afford the place. It's a lot to juggle, honestly.

Access to Quality Schools

Henderson County Schools cover most neighborhoods, but performance can really depend on your exact address. It's worth digging into which elementary, middle, and high schools serve the area you're eyeing.

Top schools are usually in Flat Rock, Mills River, and Laurel Park. Those districts tend to have the best ratings and more advanced programs.

Private schools are an option, too—there are a few Christian academies and prep schools around. Some families pick a neighborhood just to make the school commute easier, even if they're not going public.

It's smart to check out ratings and test scores, but nothing beats actually visiting the school. See how it feels in person before you decide.

And let's be real: getting kids to school is a daily grind. Some neighborhoods have bus service, but in others, you'll be doing the drop-off shuffle every morning.

Proximity to Parks and Recreation

Hendersonville's in the mountains, so outdoor fun is everywhere—but it's not spread evenly. If you want trails, lakes, or parks, pay attention to which neighborhoods are closest.

Pisgah National Forest is about a half-hour from most spots. Etowah and Horse Shoe are even closer if you crave the wilderness.

Parks and sports fields are mostly near downtown or in newer suburbs. Fletcher and Mills River have some of the best playgrounds and walking trails around.

Lake access is a big deal for some families, though those homes usually cost more. Still, year-round water activities are hard to beat.

Youth sports are everywhere, but sometimes you'll have to drive a bit for practices and games. It's just part of life here.

Transportation and Connectivity via I-26

I-26 is the main artery if you're commuting to Charlotte, Asheville, or anywhere else. If you need quick highway access, neighborhoods near Fletcher and Mills River are your best bet.

Being close to the interstate keeps property values up and makes the daily drive less of a headache. Anything within ten minutes of I-26 is usually in demand.

If you're working in Charlotte, look at southern Henderson County. The drive is still long—90 to 120 minutes on a good day—but it's doable from there.

Some roads wind through the mountains and can be slow, especially in bad weather. It's not all smooth sailing, so factor that in.

Public transit? Honestly, it's almost nonexistent. You'll need a car, so road access is non-negotiable.

Housing Types and Affordability

Single-family homes are everywhere, from cozy cabins to sprawling estates. Newer neighborhoods usually have bigger lots and the latest amenities.

Townhomes and condos are clustered mostly downtown or in select suburbs. They're a good fit if you want less yard work or a more lock-and-leave lifestyle.

Prices swing a lot—historic districts near downtown are pricey, while rural spots are more affordable. It's all about location and age of the home.

Property taxes are lower here than in bigger North Carolina cities, which helps balance out higher home prices in the most popular neighborhoods.

Lot sizes run the gamut—from tiny urban plots to multi-acre spreads in the mountains. If you want privacy, head to the outskirts; for convenience, stick closer in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Families thinking about Hendersonville almost always want to know about neighborhoods that balance safety, schools, and family stuff. The top concerns? Good schools and access to things that keep kids busy and happy.

What are the top family-friendly neighborhoods in Hendersonville?

Valley Hill is often named the best spot for families in the county. Balfour and Laurel Park aren't far behind.

Crooked Creek, Beaumont, and Wilson Farms are just a quick drive from Main Street—handy for anyone who wants downtown access without living right in the thick of it.

Carriage Park is a standout for families, and Champion Hills is another upscale option if that's your thing.

Which neighborhoods in Hendersonville offer the best schools?

School boundaries can get confusing, so it's worth checking which schools serve each neighborhood. Don't just assume—look it up.

Some areas are closer to great schools, but parents often weigh both public and private options before making a move.

What are the safest areas in Hendersonville for raising children?

Locals suggest steering clear of the Druid Hills area for family life. Most established neighborhoods have a good track record for safety.

Places with active neighborhood groups and watch programs usually feel safer. Well-kept streets and involved neighbors go a long way toward peace of mind.

How do family amenities vary between different neighborhoods in Hendersonville?

Established neighborhoods like Laurel Park and Flat Rock have mature amenities and services. You'll find developed infrastructure and shopping options close by.

Some newer developments might offer more modern facilities, though they often lack the same established community services. The age of a neighborhood really shapes what kinds of amenities you'll come across.

Where can I find parks and recreational areas for families in Hendersonville?

Fletcher Park provides excellent recreational facilities for families. Jackson Park also has a huge range of amenities and activities for both kids and adults.

There are plenty of smaller parks scattered around various neighborhoods. These local spots make it easy for families to get outside without traveling far.

You'll notice a mix of city-maintained parks and those tied to specific neighborhoods. Which ones you can access really depends on where you live.

What neighborhoods in Hendersonville are known for their strong community spirit?

Historic Downtown Hendersonville keeps things lively with regular local events. Folks seem to genuinely care about staying involved, and you can feel it just walking around.

The central spot makes it easy for neighbors to actually meet up and connect. It's one of those places where you wave to people you recognize on the street.

Older, more established neighborhoods tend to have tighter community networks. Homeowner associations in these areas usually put together community activities now and then.

Flat Rock and Etowah are both known for their close-knit vibe. People there seem to really look out for each other.

They'll often throw seasonal events, and the community groups stay pretty active. If you're after that "everyone knows your name" kind of feeling, those spots might be worth checking out.

Episode 5 - Living Local with Mario Yngerto with Genesis Wealth Management

Date: 10/23/25

Duration: 25:28

Guest: Mario Yngerto

Website: Genesis Wealth Management

Listen on Spotify:

Episode 5: “From Miami to the Mountains with Financial Advisor Mario Yngerto”

In this episode of Living Local with Frisbee Real Estate, host Ed Frisbee sits down with Mario Yngerto, a seasoned financial advisor and registered investment advisor (RIA) who recently relocated from Miami, Florida to Fairview, North Carolina. Mario shares his story of falling in love with the Blue Ridge Mountains and embracing the Hendersonville–Laurel Park area’s relaxed lifestyle, scenic beauty, and close-knit community.

The two discuss Mario’s latest real estate development project in Somersby Park, where he and a longtime friend are building four luxury mountain-view homes averaging 3,500+ sq. ft., priced around $1.4M–$1.6M. Mario also reflects on decades in financial services — navigating market cycles since 1987 — and offers insights into wealth management, retirement planning, and the importance of being prepared for market corrections.

Beyond business, Ed and Mario dive into local favorites — from top Asheville and Hendersonville restaurants like Cúrate, Ruth’s Chris, and Mezzaluna, to breweries such as Hillman’s, Burial, and Sierra Nevada. Mario also highlights his passion for hiking, especially along the Blue Ridge Parkway and Catawba Falls, and shares why he believes this area is perfect for anyone seeking a slower pace, mountain living, and a lower cost of living compared to big cities.

👉 Guest Website: GenesisWealthManagement.com
👉 Host: Ed Frisbee, Frisbee Real Estate — “Keep Living Local.”

Watch on Youtube:

Episode 5 transcript:

Ed Frisbee (00:00)

Well-respected financial advisor. I wouldn't go that far.

world renowned. No, not that either. Let's keep it on the low and low. You can go whenever it's recording. Hey, it's Ed Frisbee. Thanks for joining us on Living Local with Frisbee Real Estate. Our special guest today is Mario Younggarto, and he is a financial advisor that just recently moved to the area, and I had the pleasure of meeting Mario ⁓ about last year through various circumstances, and he's taken time to sit down with us and talk to us.

Kind of a different perspective about living in the area and new to the area and has some new finds I look forward to hearing about and just a different perspective. Mario, thank you for joining us. Hey, thanks for having me, Ed. Good to be here. not speaking in Spanish yet. That's all right. totally lost. Maybe I will. That'd be great. So tell us Mario, a little bit overview of what you do and what brought you here. Yeah, so I've been in the financial services business for about 35, 38 years.

You don't look that old. Yeah, since 1987. And personally, I own my own RIA, which is a registered investment advisory firm. And we do financial consultation and general wealth management. Awesome. Yeah. And how did you end up in this area? Yeah, so I've been coming to the Tennessee area for about, let's say, 12, 14 years.

and just fell in love with the area and I found myself wanting to come back more. It was predominantly ⁓ the Johnson City, Tennessee area. And then last year had a little mishap with where I was staying and had to find a place for two big dogs that was furnished and that led me to Fairview, North Carolina. And then a few weeks later, as you know, we had a storm. We did, we named it Helene. Helene.

And I was with no food and water or no power and water for about three weeks. And at the very end of that, ⁓ your ⁓ cousin introduced us and you were gracious enough to provide a generator ⁓ that I was able didn't even need. I needed it for like three hours. Three hours later, I got power. But that was very kind and that triggered our friendship, our relationship.

So yeah, I just fell in love with this area. I love the mountains, the cooler weather. ⁓ So here I am. So one thing I think we talked about a few weeks ago that you would talk about, but what's a project you're doing in the area? Yeah, ⁓ so two years ago when I was here in Johnson City for about two months, I have ⁓ a childhood friend who is a builder.

And he came up with his wife and he had, we had the pretty much the same attitude towards this area and he loved the area, fell in love with it. And just, you know, we just started a conversation about, you like to build up here, do something? He's like, absolutely. ⁓ to make a long story short, he, he's relocated up here and, we are, ⁓ we bought some, some lots and we're building some homes.

⁓ Not too far from here that you introduced us to. So we bought the raw land and as you know, he's the builder and he's building, we're gonna build about four homes for now. To start off and just kind of see where it goes. Well, our idea is to do more but we're getting our feet wet with local permitting laws, architectural rules, ⁓

soil testing, has, you know, building a home on a slope. Yeah. You know, it's Very different. So, yeah, so that's what we're doing. So can I ask questions about the home? Absolutely. So give us an idea what the homes, do you have an idea what they'll look like and can I say where they will be? Sure. So they're in Laurel Park. Yes. In Summersby Park. Yes. is a subdivision. And I think soon you're breaking ground at least on one or two of them.

Should be any day now. Awesome. As far as I know. It's very exciting. And the homes are, I haven't seen the final floor plans, but around, my guess is 3,200 square feet. More like 35, 3700. Awesome. They're pretty big homes. That's awesome. I didn't want them that big, but. This is an Oprah. So let's, uh, we can't talk about what you don't want. Okay. Cause your builder might listen. Um, that's a great area though.

Laurel Park just west of Hendersonville, in people don't know. Love that community. Yep. Everyone that's come here to visit me, I've taken them there and they're mesmerized with the views. It's a wonderful, beautiful community. The houses are spread out pretty far from one another. So thank you. Summersby Park is actually on the, well, on A side of Jump Off Rock, which is a lot of people go out there. Yeah.

who are visiting the area just to see the long range views. Thank you for introducing us to that area. never would have found it without, ⁓ you know, your expertise. That's very kind. You're very welcome. ⁓ The homes, though, I mean, heck, we might as well tell a little bit about it. How many bedrooms, how many baths? Looks like at least four bedrooms, like four bedrooms, a study, three to four baths. They'll probably retail or sell on the market for about one point five, maybe.

Maybe one six, one four, I don't know, somewhere in there. uh. So yeah, somebody's hearing this and wants to get in a few options early on on the, on a new build. They're going to be magnificent, beautiful homes, very spacious, uh, high ceilings, mountain views. Um, I don't know. I've seen some of the homes layouts. I may want to, you know, take one myself, but. And it's kind of a, it's different cause, uh,

your builders from not from the area and he probably has a little different take or different accent possibly on some build styles that might be different for the area possibly. I'm guessing. He's been a builder for 30 years so ⁓ we trust his expertise and what he's doing but you know I'm one of these people that I'll believe it when I see it and I can't wait to walk through the home and the rooms and

But there were a few of us that picked the layouts. ⁓ I think they're just going to be fantastic homes. I agree. A little bit I've heard and seen. I saw some early on plans and they looked really nice. So I forward to seeing how it comes along. We might need a good realtor to list those homes. you know of any. I will keep an eye out for a good realtor. I appreciate that, Mario. Recommendation on that.

So Mario, you told us, ⁓ we mentioned a few weeks ago back that something you might talk and I think would be a great opportunity is why you chose this area. Because some people are a little bit down on real estate right now. Yeah, well, we've had a big run up in prices and we've had a lot of demand over the last, you know, post COVID. ⁓ So I just think that more and more people ⁓

will discover the beauty of the mountains. And I think that the clientele that is gonna be looking at the kind of homes we're building are ⁓ people that want to get away from the city and just want a less populated area like myself. I'm from a big city and I just think that that's gonna be our clientele. But...

You know, everything is just so much slower here. It's less expensive. Cost of living is lower. That's funny you say that because I think locals for sure, you know, don't think that's true. But talking to people that come from other areas, especially big cities, they see the difference or other states. But do you mind telling us where you're from? I'm from Miami. OK. And the cost of living is very high. It's a little warmer there, too. It's a lot warmer. And the cost of real estate is very high.

We've had an enormous boom in the last, again, post-COVID, because of all the money printing, the easing of the money supply, easing of credit. People borrowed, they bought homes, and that elevated prices. so, now are looking for other areas. People my age or people moving into retirement.

⁓ are just, you know, selling their homes and moving to areas like, whether it's Fairview or Hendersonville or, you know, Johnson City. Right. So. you just made me think about this. I, know, a lot of people looking from out of town, looking for a place to retire or a second or third home. Some people want more options than what's typically available in Asheville, Hendersonville area.

just because they're used to bigger city. Bigger cities obviously offer more shopping opportunities and experiences. But I try to tell them, know, between Asheville and just jumping down to Greenville, South Carolina, which is less than an hour away, and with Amazon, you kind of have plenty of options. But what's your perspective on that coming from Miami? I think you have everything right here. And my friend, the builder, he...

He and his wife, I think they go down to Spartanburg, it? Is Spartanburg? Yep. They go down to the Costco. That's right. They go down to the Costco. Yeah. ⁓ Once every other week and they stack up and like you said, it's only 15 or 20 minutes and you can go down there and spend the day and, ⁓ you know, visit. ⁓ I understand that Spartanburg or Charleston, that whole area, Green, or is it? Yeah, Spartanburg Greenville. Okay. I heard that area is magnificent also. It's a great area. And.

What I find a lot of people like about this area is, you know, we're, you know, we're 20, 30 minutes away from Tennessee, right? Georgia's not far either. And we're in this, ⁓ you know, three, four state area. Virginia's not far either. ⁓ you know, there's just a lot in this area. Yes, true. And when Mario's all, no, not correcting, I'm just helping. He said 20, 30 minutes from Tennessee.

You could say you're that from the north side of Asheville, but right in Hendersonville at about another 30 minutes. Okay. Yes I know not far. I know where I'm at in Fairview. It's like you have 20 minutes. Yep. Yeah good shot easy shot. Yep, you're correct So Mario touch on a little bit about ⁓ what you do with your clients that you legally can touch on and ⁓ I realize you're probably not necessarily looking for new clients, but just in case the right person comes along and

be interested to talk to you? Yeah. So you don't have a website probably is my guess and I do. Well, okay. I do have a website. What is it? Genesiswealthmanagement.com. ⁓ well there you go. Can you say that in Spanish? ⁓ No. Okay. But you do speak Spanish. I do. That's awesome. I do. That's a little trickier. don't think you would translate ⁓ correctly, but it's Genesiswealthmanagement.com. That's easy enough to remember. Yeah.

But I will have to say I've been around Mario with some of his friends and who speak Spanish and it's entertaining to me because I don't speak Spanish and it's just it's it doesn't compute in my head how somebody that has multiple languages can just flip all of a sudden and speaking another language. I'm impressed with that. Well when you're around us there's Portuguese because David's wife is Brazilian. Yep, that's right. There's Spanish, English and whatever else in between. I think I heard German one time. It's possible.

It's possible. ⁓ So back to Genesis, welcome. Yeah. So, you know, I've been in a business, like I said, ⁓ since 1987. And yeah, ⁓ I know I don't look that old. No, not at all. So we're on the fiduciary side, meaning, you know, we were very independent. We're registered with the state, state of Florida as a fiduciary, as an investment advisor.

So, you know, we help clients with all sorts of financial matters, whether it's just a financial planning consultation or retirement advice or putting models and portfolios together for clients. So, so, gosh, since 87, you've probably seen a lot of changes in the financial world. 80 87. I was 22 years old and my first year in the business and I lived through

That whole episode of watching stocks rise and then crash, crashing. Multiple times. Well, the big crash in 1987 was October ⁓ 19th. known as Black Monday. as a young person seeing that, that was wild. The sky is falling. The sky is falling. Yeah. But you've seen it go up and down, right? Over time. Yeah. That's pretty cyclical.

Well, I mean, you get these big corrections maybe every 10 years, you know, we had the 2000, 2003, you know, correction bear market, which saw a peak to trough in the S &P about 50%. COVID, you know, the 2020 COVID drawdown was about 30, 35%. And then, you know, you had the 2008, the great financial crisis.

That was ⁓ very painful for a lot of people. That was about 50 % also. So yeah, you get these big corrections about every 10 years. So I think we're due for another one. I didn't want to ask, but you just said it. There you go. Yeah, I think so. ⁓ You know, sometime in the future, it's going to happen. It's not abnormal. ⁓ People just forget that those things happen. So just expect it versus freak out.

Well, I think people need to be prepared for it. So. So 2008 affected the housing market quite a bit. And, you know, different things I read, they don't see that happening again in the near future because things are set up a little different now. Do you agree with that or not agree? I think we when you don't expect something that is, you know, prime for it happening. Yeah.

And that's I think that's one of the challenges now. ⁓ You know, no, no. I know a lot of realtors ⁓ in Miami, in Florida that say, you know, equity or home prices are never going to go down here. This is a special place. People are moving here and it's just not going to happen. And I'm like, wow, OK. Yeah. And that's just prime for it's going to happen. Yeah. So. ⁓

Look, all asset prices fluctuate. So we've had a precipitous increase over the last five years. So what's wrong with 10, 25 % decline? ⁓ So that's a big word, Mario, precipitous. Yeah. I wonder if the AI transcription will get that correct. That'd be interesting. Sorry. I'm very distracted. So Mario, let's jump to food real fast. Do you like to eat? ⁓ What do you think?

Possibly. Yeah, tell me you've been I know you have four children once you was absolutely delicious. It was great Yeah, do you ever go out to you? Yes, say yes, thank you. So in the Asheville Hennessyville area have you do you have a like would you? Top three lists like her if you have friends visiting. Hey, we got to go try XYZ karate Where is that? It's downtown Asheville.

Maybe I'm pronouncing it incorrectly. C-U-R-A-T-E. I don't know. yeah, it's fantastic. What kind of It's a Spanish tapas place. It's just a great environment. They have a great kitchen. So I like that. I'm always in the mood for a good steak. Thanks for inviting me there. Absolutely. Okay. What's number two? Well, you know, I'm a big steak guy, so I love Ruth Chris. So I frequent...

Ruth Chris steakhouse. And then I have not been, there are others I just can't think of off the top of my head, but I want to go to the Biltmore Inn. They have a nice restaurant there that I hear is fantastic. So I have some friends coming in November planning on taking them there.

Nice. I've read reviews about it and I've lost the name of the place. Yeah. And Ruth Chris, we've enjoyed a nice brunch there in the past. ⁓ For some reason, I don't eat a lot of steak, which is unfortunate. I haven't been to... You turned me on to Posteiro here in Hendersonville? Yes, downtown. Okay. So I haven't been there yet, but I'm told it's wonderful. And Brandy's is really good for steaks too. Brandy's? On Main Street as well. It's been around a long time.

You know, recently I met you at a friend's house for steak and I was quite impressed. It was a top sirloin with just salt and it was delicious. I think they call that tip. It's called tip steak.

Yeah. Again, I'm not a big, I know much about steaks. In Brazilian terms, it's called picanha. That's what they call it. And it's a very high end sorrelina, which I believe it's called the tip, tip steak. Well, staying on the topic of food, know, people probably think the name Mario is Italian, but obviously not in your state. But do you like Italian?

I love Italian food. you like pizza? I love pizza. Have you found a pizza you like? See, ⁓ yes, there's a lot of good pizza places in this area. I love pizza. That's why I'm asking. Just curious see what... There's a great place that you turned me on to right here downtown ⁓ Hendersonville. was it Mezzaluna? ⁓ Maybe? Mezzaluna, yeah. Okay. And then there's... gosh, something with a V.

Uh, oh, can't think of that place, but I love their pizza. Victor's? No. Uh, I want to say Virikioni, but it's not that. Something like that. Um, yeah, my father named me after Mario Lanza. least that's what he told me later in life. So, uh, unfortunately I can't sing like Mario Lanza. Um, I'm still stuck on pizza. Sorry. Okay. It's all right.

We had another podcast recording the other day and we talked about pizza and they mentioned West First and I don't think I've ever told you about West First off of Main Street in Hendersonville. It was one of their favorite pizza places. What about coffee shops and breweries? Do you have any you suggest if people come to town? So I was going to say something wonderful about this area is the breweries. Yes, they're well known for that actually. Some people love that, some people hate it, but it is what it is. There's quite a few.

Even if you don't like beer, it's just a great place to visit, hang out. environment with family, friends, pets. Yes. I love Hillman's, Burial, downtown Asheville, The Green Man. These are all just breweries that I visit and I have a dog, as you know, the area is very, very dog friendly. So I love taking my dog and it gets him distracted and out.

Hillman's has a great kitchen. I think out of all the breweries, that's the best food. ⁓ But yeah, this area just I think there are about 65 breweries in this area. Sierra Nevada is delicious, phenomenal. And what's the one that's not far from here? We've gone a couple of times. Trailside is it trailside? Yes, I think it's right on the Acoustic Trail. Yeah, which is about an eight minute walk from here.

The podcast studio. Okay. Well, I think I'm gonna since I'm in this area today I I'm gonna once I leave here. I'm gonna take Maverick over there. Are you walking? No, I'll just drive. I'll walk with you I Think I'll drive I gotta take Maverick. got it. So since you mentioned his name Mario has a beautiful dog named Maverick He was in here earlier and if you're listening or watching depending on we have quite a few cords laying around so his tail ⁓

got into some of the chords and we're scared to let Maverick back in but... He wanted to be part of the podcast. He did. He's a beautiful dog. He's very well behaved. Thank you. Absolutely. So Mark, do think of anything else we need to share with people before we're done? This is a wonderful area and the mountain views are extraordinary. ⁓ The weather is phenomenal. You know, it's not Minnesota cold in the winter.

But it's it is it was ⁓ Cooler than I expected last year in the winter ⁓ But it's just wonderful. It's just such a magnificent Area, I agree. I don't know how anybody wouldn't want to at least At the very least have a second home here or ⁓ so ⁓ Yeah, I'm enjoying my time here

I forgot to ask you, I know you like hiking. Yes. Do you have a top place you recommend since you're a pretty avid hiker in my mind? Yeah, so I live close to the Blue Ridge, which is another scenic area around here that is magnificent. So I'm close to the mountains to the sea trail, otherwise known as MST. And I understand it's from this area as part of the Appalachian Mountains.

So it goes all the way up to Maine. So I kind of do that three, four times a week. There's also- Go to Maine. No. I wish. But there's also Kadaba Falls. And I know we've talked about this. That is an extraordinary hike with many waterfalls. And I think over the summer I went swimming and the water was quite cold, maybe 55, 65.

Might try to go in it with this cooler weather. You probably can't find that in Miami. No. No, you can't I'm tempted to test my You know ⁓ cold temperature Yeah, you know tolerance to see if I can do it, but it was cold in the summer Yeah, because it's had a what elevation and maybe 3,500 and the water is just Streaming from the top of the mountain. So it's cold. It's cold up there. That's real cold

Yeah. Take a towel. Yeah. All right. Awesome, Mario. I thank you for taking time. I think we could have future discussions on other things. I think so, too. We'll have to save it for another time. Yeah. You didn't say much in Spanish either. Maybe next time. Yes, that would be awesome. Maybe we'll try to get Maverick involved next time. Well, thanks for having me. He probably would take the whole show on. Absolutely. Will he be a big distraction? Yeah. He might eat a donut from the Krispy Kreme thing. It might just be a dog show.

Yeah, that'd be good. Probably getting a lot of views. Okay, sure. Thank you again, Mario. Check him out if you'd like to. GenesisWealthManagement.com. Mario Yngerto. I was a little off on that one. More or less. Thanks for joining us. Keep living local. Thanks for having me

Need a steady hand as you think through a move in Hendersonville or anywhere in Western North Carolina? I’m always glad to help you sort it out. Let's talk

Explain the Home Buying Process in Hendersonville NC: Steps & Local Tips

Buying a home in Hendersonville, North Carolina is a journey—one that usually takes about 30-45 days from offer to closing. This mountain town, just 20 minutes south of Asheville, pulls in buyers with its Blue Ridge views and a downtown that feels like a movie set.

The Hendersonville home buying process breaks down into eight steps: initial consultation, mortgage pre-approval, property tours, making an offer, under-contract period, appraisal, inspections, and closing.

Recent tweaks to real estate rules mean buyers need to sign written representation agreements before they even peek inside a house. So, it's more important than ever to know what to expect at each stage.

Essential Steps of the Home Buying Process in Hendersonville NC

The process here is a bit of a dance—financial prep, mortgage approval, finding a pro to represent you, and then the actual house hunt. Every step leans on the one before it, building your path to a home in these mountains.

Determining Your Budget and Preparing Your Finances

Start with a realistic budget. That means looking at your monthly income, debts, and everything you spend, then figuring out what you can comfortably handle for a mortgage payment.

Credit score matters a ton if you want good loan terms. Take a look at your reports, fix any errors, and pay down debts if you can. Generally, you'll want a 620 or higher for conventional loans, but FHA options dip down to 580.

Down payment requirements? Depends on your loan:

• Conventional loans: 5-20% down
• FHA loans: 3.5% minimum
• VA loans: 0% if you qualify as a veteran
• USDA loans: 0% for rural areas

You'll need to pull together key documents—recent pay stubs, two years of tax returns, and bank statements showing you have funds for the down payment and closing costs. Don't forget closing costs, which can add another 2-5% of the home's price.

Securing Mortgage Pre-Approval

Getting pre-approved gives you a leg up in this market. Lenders will dig into your finances and, if all looks good, give you a conditional green light for a specific loan amount.

The process means filling out a formal application and sending in proof of income, assets, and debts. Expect them to check your job, review your accounts, and crunch your debt-to-income ratio.

North Carolina has some helpful programs like the NC Home Advantage Mortgage. These offer down payment help and decent rates for first-timers.

Pre-approval letters are usually good for 60-90 days. Heads up: don’t make big financial changes during this time—new debt or a job switch could mess up your approval.

Selecting a Real Estate Agent or Buyer's Agent

Picking the right agent is huge. You want someone licensed who really knows Hendersonville—its neighborhoods, price swings, and quirks.

A good buyer’s agent brings a lot to the table:

• Market know-how and property insight
• Negotiation chops
• Handling contracts
• Coordinating with inspectors and lenders

Most agents get paid from the seller's side at closing, but new rules mean you’ll sign agreements that spell out how everyone’s getting paid.

Interview a few agents. Ask about their Hendersonville experience, recent deals, and which neighborhoods they really know. Go with someone who actually listens and gets what you want.

Searching for Homes and Making Offers

This is the fun part—sort of. You and your agent hunt for places that fit your wish list: location, size, price, and those features you care about. Tour homes, poke around, and try to picture yourself living there.

North Carolina does things a little differently with its due diligence system. When making an offer, you'll need both earnest money and a due diligence fee.

The due diligence fee (usually $500-$2,000) goes straight to the seller and isn’t refundable. It’s their compensation for taking the home off the market while you check things out.

You get a set window—typically 2-4 weeks—to inspect, appraise, and dig into the property. If you back out during this time, you get your earnest money back, but the due diligence fee stays with the seller unless they break the contract.

Finalizing Your Home Purchase in Hendersonville NC

Near the end, you’re juggling inspections, escrow, and a mountain of paperwork. You’ll need to tackle closing costs, title insurance, and all the last-minute loan details to seal the deal.

Inspecting the Home and Addressing Contingencies

A professional inspection is a must—nobody wants a money pit. Inspections catch problems, from the small stuff to big structural headaches.

Usually, you get 7-14 days after going under contract to get inspections done. This is your chance to ask for repairs or credits if something's off.

What tends to pop up in Hendersonville?

• HVAC quirks (mountain weather can be tough)
• Foundation issues (thanks, mountain terrain)
• Old wiring in vintage homes
• Plumbing or weak water pressure
• Roof wear from weather

If something major comes up, you can ask for fixes, a lower price, or even walk away. In North Carolina, your earnest money is safe during this period.

Before closing, all contingencies need to be handled—either met or waived. Go over inspection reports with your agent and don’t be shy about questions.

Understanding Closing Costs and the Escrow Process

Closing costs here usually run 2-5% of the home’s price. In North Carolina, buyers pay for their own attorney, loan origination, and a bunch of third-party fees.

Here’s what you’re likely to see:

• Loan origination (0.5-1% of loan)
• Appraisal ($400-600)
• Title search and insurance ($500-1,500)
• Attorney ($400-800)
• Property taxes and insurance
• Recording and transfer fees

Escrow handles all the funds and paperwork, with the closing attorney running the show. You’ll deposit your earnest money and down payment into escrow accounts.

Down payment assistance programs exist for those who qualify and can really help with upfront costs.

Escrow also takes care of things like splitting property taxes and switching over utilities. The attorney works with your lender to make sure every box is checked before money changes hands.

Reviewing Closing Disclosure and Title Insurance

The closing disclosure lands at least three business days before you close. It spells out your loan terms, monthly payments, and all the closing costs in a standard format—honestly, it’s a lot.

Compare this to your original loan estimate. If anything big changed, it could push closing back a few days.

Look closely at these sections:

• Loan terms: Rate, monthly payment, total loan
• Projected payments: Principal, interest, insurance, escrow
• Costs at closing: Down payment, all fees, cash to close
• Transaction details: Sale price, credits, adjustments

Title insurance is your safety net—it protects against disputes or old liens. In North Carolina, you'll usually buy both lender’s and owner’s policies.

The title search checks for any old claims or easements. Once you close, you get clear title and full ownership rights.

Title insurance is a one-time cost paid at closing, and the owner’s policy sticks with you as long as you own the place.

Completing the Transaction and Making Mortgage Payments

Closing day is a marathon of paperwork and signatures. You’ll sign loan docs, deed transfers, and all sorts of disclosures.

Once it’s done, you get your keys. The deed gets recorded at the county, and the home is officially yours.

After closing, a few things kick in right away:

• First mortgage payment due in 30-45 days
• Keep homeowners insurance active
• Pay property taxes (escrow or direct)
• Mortgage insurance if your loan requires it

Your monthly payment covers principal, interest, taxes, and insurance (PITI). Escrow accounts handle taxes and insurance so you don’t have to think about it all year.

Setting up autopay is smart—nobody likes late fees. Most lenders let you manage everything online now, which is handy for tracking payments and escrow balances.

Sometimes your mortgage servicer will change after closing. If that happens, you’ll get a notice with new payment info—just keep an eye out.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you’re a first-time buyer in North Carolina, you’ll want to know what’s expected financially and legally before you start house hunting. The home buying timeline in Hendersonville usually runs about 45 days from your first search to getting the keys, with a few extra steps if you’re buying from out of state or using assistance programs.

What are the initial steps for a first-time home buyer in North Carolina?

Start by checking your credit, figuring out your debt-to-income ratio, and making sure you’ve got enough saved for down payment and closing costs. Next, get pre-approved for a mortgage so you know your price range.

Make a list of must-haves, nice-to-haves, and bonus features—think budget, location, square footage, schools, commutes, and whatever else matters to you.

Find a real estate agent who knows the North Carolina process, especially the due diligence system. They’ll help you navigate contracts and local quirks so you don’t end up surprised.

Can you outline the home buying process timeline in North Carolina?

The typical timeline spans approximately 45 days from start to finish. Home searching usually takes about a week or two if you’re working with an agent who really gets what you want.

Once you’re under contract, the due diligence period kicks in and lasts somewhere between 14 and 21 days. This is when inspections, appraisals, and mortgage approval happen—plus, you’ve got the flexibility to walk away if something’s off.

After due diligence wraps up, you’re looking at about 10 more days to get to closing. Cash deals can speed things up, but even then, attorney and title work usually take at least a couple weeks.

What are the legal requirements for purchasing a home in North Carolina?

North Carolina leans on a due diligence process instead of old-school contingencies. Buyers pay a due diligence fee straight to the seller, and if you back out during that window, you lose it—so it’s not something to take lightly.

There’s also an earnest money deposit, which goes into escrow with a third party—often your attorney. This deposit counts toward your purchase price at closing and shows you’re serious about buying.

Every real estate closing in North Carolina needs an attorney involved. You can’t officially call the house yours until the deed gets recorded at the courthouse.

How can an out-of-state buyer purchase a house in Hendersonville, NC?

If you’re buying from out of state, you’ll want a local agent who’s used to helping folks relocate. Many agents in Hendersonville offer video walkthroughs, which are surprisingly helpful for narrowing down your options before you ever set foot in town.

Thanks to technology, you can handle most of the process remotely—electronic signatures, virtual meetings, and digital document review keep things moving even if you’re hundreds of miles away.

Usually, you’ll only need to be in Hendersonville for the final walkthrough and closing. It’s a good idea to plan at least one trip to see your top picks in person and sign the final paperwork.

What strategies can be used for buying a home in NC with limited or no down payment?

North Carolina actually has quite a few down payment assistance programs for buyers who qualify. Some offer grants, while others provide low-interest or deferred loans to help with upfront costs.

VA loans are a solid option if you’re a military member or veteran—no down payment required. USDA loans also offer 100% financing if you’re looking in eligible rural areas near Hendersonville.

FHA loans need just 3.5% down and are a little more forgiving on credit scores than conventional mortgages. First-time buyer programs can sometimes sweeten the deal with lower interest rates or extra perks.

Is it currently a buyer's or seller's market in Hendersonville, NC?

The Hendersonville housing market shows homes with a median price of $375,000. Housing costs have actually dropped 22.5% over the past year, which is pretty significant.

This price reduction points to favorable conditions for buyers—at least for now.

Market conditions? They’re always shifting, thanks to things like inventory, interest rates, and even the time of year. If you really want to know what’s going on, it’s smart to check in with a local real estate pro who knows the latest pricing trends.

The time quality properties stay on the market says a lot about market conditions. When homes sell quickly, it’s usually a seller’s market, but if they’re hanging around a bit, buyers may have the upper hand.

Episode 4 - Living Local with Ian McKay with Strong Hand Fit

Date: 10/20/25

Duration: 27:08

Guest: Ian McKay

Website: Strong Hand Fit

Episode 4 summary:

In this episode, Ed Frisbee sits down with Ian McKay, owner of Strong Hand Fit in Hendersonville, North Carolina, to talk about health, fitness, discipline, and community. Ian shares his inspiring journey from powerlifting and Navy service to building a thriving local fitness business dedicated to helping people live stronger, healthier lives.

They discuss:

• Ian’s 40-pound weight loss journey and how he overcame stress eating

• The story behind his Navy nickname “Big Show”

• Life aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and his connection to the Captain Phillips rescue mission

• Transitioning from strength training to overall wellness and agility

• His plans for Strong Hand Fit’s new 24/7 gym and wellness center, featuring cold plunges, saunas, smoothie bar, and recovery spaces

• Favorite local Hendersonville restaurants for pizza, burgers, and steak

• How he’s helping locals stay strong — body, mind, and spirit

This episode captures the essence of Living Local — real conversations with people who are strengthening Western North Carolina through passion, perseverance, and purpose.

Episode 4 transcript:

Hey, it's Ed with Living Local with Frisbee Real Estate and our special guest today is Mr. Ian McKay with Strong Hand Fit here in Hendersonville, North Carolina. Ian, thanks so much for joining us for the next few minutes. Thank you for having me. Absolutely. So, Ian, I'll start off a little different than normal. ⁓ If people see you on our podcast, you're bigger than most of our guests. ⁓ So that might give them an idea of what you do, but go and tell us what you do.

So without getting too long winded on this, cause I can, ⁓ my background is in powerlifting, ⁓ but I've always been a larger human being, I guess. ⁓ And I say that with a little bit of reserve because there are much larger humans out there than I am, but you know, I'm ever six foot tall and I've been 330 pounds for the past five, six years until recently ⁓ I decided to make changes in my life and

Lose weight some down 40 pounds down to 290. Wow. That's huge. Yeah, no pun intended. Yeah, that's yeah. How'd you do that? Very very excited. Um, I learned that I was a stress eater. Oh, um, You know, know, we're gonna we've you introduced the gym. I'm I own the gym here in town strong hand fit We're moving in right across the street from y'all. Um And so I wanted to be sure that I looked the part um for years I

relied on my strength as my indicator for being in the gym world. I had to step away from strength because of my intentions needed to be focused on the business. So there I was, 330 plus pounds, not as strong as I used to be, and I've got young daughters that I want to be healthy for. So I started to make the commitment to myself and to my family to lose weight and be more active.

So I'm probably one of the most ⁓ agile 290 pound guys, because I've been so heavy for so long and I've still got a pretty good baseline of strength. So ⁓ I'm changed up my training to focus more on a little bit more athleticism and health. So I didn't know we were going to go down this rabbit trail, but it's great. So do you eat different too then? ⁓ I do. ⁓

I do, I try to intermittent fast sometimes. ⁓ And it's typically like two to three days a week, not every single day. It's not easy. ⁓ It's easy when I'm focused on things. ⁓ So if I have a busy morning, I can easily intermittent fast. And so that would be, if I know I have a busy morning, then that's gonna be my ⁓ fasting day. And really what that looks like is I just, don't eat from.

before I go to bed till one or two o'clock in the afternoon during the day, which is a pretty good substantial amount of time. I'm drinking water during that time. I do have an energy drink, which may set off some of the intermittent fasting people because it's caffeine. I have seen okay results with still having a caffeine drink in the morning. ⁓ But as long as I'm drinking water, I feel great.

⁓ But also changing up my training style. ⁓ I'm focused more on burning calories than on strength right now. I have lots of questions for you. Since we're talking about food though, I'll just jump to one of my favorite questions I ask everyone. And you grew up in the Hendersonville area, I believe. So do you have a favorite restaurant that you recommend to people or you choose to go to? Or maybe a top three list? We might have to do a top three. ⁓ it's safer.

It's because I love food. I have different categories. I love pizza. ⁓ But ⁓ I also love hamburgers. ⁓ So if I'm gonna choose a hamburger place, it would be the Baker's Box ⁓ over on Asheville Highway. ⁓ And then I think we've grown to really like Marco's Pizza.

It's not a local joint. I guess Let's dial that back a little bit. I we love Marcos, but I would probably want to on a show like this one of support local ⁓ And more so if I'm gonna go sit down and eat pizza It's gonna be West first West first has a great pizza. We tend to jump over to pi squared Yeah, sit down. So I'm just not a fan of the crust that they offer for like their

their New York style. But I've also found that I want, I need to eat more thin crust anyways. So I do believe they offer thin crust there. thin crust for me, feel I don't get bloated as, but like I have pretty bad responses to heavy carbs. Amazing pizza company out in the middle of the river. are really good. I stopped in there a few months ago with my daughters and they had really good pizza.

Well, good about pizza and burger. said Baker's box. Baker's box. They have great fries too. ⁓ they have great. I love their fries. The other burger place would be Buddha's. I haven't been there. Yeah. Definitely go check it out. They're right off of Main Street. ⁓ I think that's Barnwell. ⁓ Barnwell and Main Street. It's not Allen, right? Yeah, it's Barnwell. Or I guess they're more so Barnwell King Street. Yep. But no, they have amazing burgers there and you get the, can add, you know,

You can add enough stuff in there to make a 20 plus dollar burger. And it's worth it. And what was the third? So you said burgers and pizza. that it? Steak would be the third. And honestly, that's at home. Me making my own steaks. how do you make your steak? In a grill or oven? So I do like to do a grill, but there has to be a cast iron involved. And then I use ghee butter.

Instead of regular butter if I don't have ghee butter, I would use an Irish real butter ⁓ Kerrygold is good, but ghee butter is probably my favorite. I haven't tapped into ⁓ Using ⁓ Man I forgot the name of it, but it's a it's more of a fat than ⁓ Tallow I haven't yeah, yeah, I'll tell them. I've heard that's really good taste wise and for you but

The simple recipe that I like to do for steaks is ⁓ pull your steak out of the fridge, let it get to room temperature. ⁓ I poke holes into it with a fork. So I take the fork all the way across it and poke holes on both sides. I then ⁓ put salt on it and I make sure to salt extra the fat on the outside so that the fat can get to like a caramelized state. ⁓ And then I put ⁓

Ghee butter in the cast iron I cook it for depending on the thickness usually around one to two minutes on each side and then I've already got the oven or the the grill ready but the oven is about 425 and I put the whole cast iron in the oven for five minutes and Then it's done. Wow. It's amazing. That sounds delicious. Yeah, I can even smell it Yeah, you can get in some pepper in there too. If you like black pepper. I

don't really, I don't really notice whether I have pepper on there or not. I just want the salt on it. We had Topp's Heirloin at a friend's house last weekend and all they had was salt and it was delicious. Yeah, it's amazing. don't, my, ⁓ I'm very much like, if you need sauce for your steak, then the steak wasn't done right. But then like when you have daughters, I don't know if y'all deal with this or not, but they put steak sauce on it.

And I'm like, I just put my entire heart into this steak. And they're like, steak sauce right away. And I'm like, ⁓ man. ⁓ But I've grown to just let it go. That's good. I can enjoy it myself. then ⁓ my family likes to take the juices afterwards and pour it on top of the steak. And then we'll have ⁓ some sort of vegetable on the side. And they like to do potatoes. I like potatoes too.

Honestly, I typically just try to stay away from as many carbs as I, you know, I'm and I'm not in a athletic performance mindset where my carbs and my proteins are all based to fuel my workouts, which that's a pretty in-depth conversation we could have about my 6,500 calorie days back when I was powerlifting. Well, now you jumped to powerlifting. So I, I met you a few years ago and I think you have a

I don't know if it's a stage name or your handle on Instagram, but it's Big Show or Big Show. Yeah. It still exists? So my Instagram, my personal Instagram is still Big Show. Like just Big Show. Mm hmm. Like the wrestler. might buy that from you. Yeah. Yeah, right. I don't know if I could do that because the Big Show wrestler has that kind of on lock down and he's much larger than I am. I am so sorry. That's all right. As long as it's not a fire drill. No.

No, let me mute, let me put that on silent. I didn't even think about that. There we go. And I'm just gonna set that there. So I was in the Navy and if you have any interesting characteristics about you as a person, you tend to get nicknames. And I was one of the bigger guys, so, or I was the bigger guy. And so I got the nickname Big Show. And that was not short of being called tiny all the time, but.

you know, big show was the one that stuck. So I took that in and, you know, introduced it to my powerlifting, introduced it into my coaching and even my event promotion. And it's kind of on standstill right now as I focus on the gym. Oh, thank you for your service in the Navy. And when did you serve? From 06 to 14. Okay. I was in the Navy.

and I was a nuclear machinist mate, so I worked with nuclear reactors and steam propulsion. ⁓ So I got fully certified through the nuclear power program, the Naval Nuclear Power Program down in Goose Creek, South Carolina. And I went to my first ship, the Dwight D. Eisenhower, it's a carrier. ⁓ I was immediately put into the ⁓ secondary system, which if you know anything about nuclear, if you don't,

It's pretty simple. You've got a reactor that creates heat and that's the primary system. And then you have to have containment for anything that deals with radiation. So there's now a secondary system. Primary system heats the secondary system and that creates steam. Steam drives the turbine generators that create electricity for the boat. And it drives the main engines that create propulsion for the boat. And we also created water and ⁓ steam for the catapults on the flight deck.

So we were the, we provided the power to launch the aircraft off of the aircraft carriers. So I was in that for eight years, but I was on Dwight D. Eisenhower for four and a half years. I did two tours. First one in 08, 09. So we left in 09 and I got to the ship in 08. We left in 09. That was a short deployment. It was like five and a half months. And then my second deployment was almost eight months.

and that was ⁓ in 2010. ⁓ And that was ⁓ a deployment, I believe, that ⁓ we got approached by Somalian pirate ships. ⁓ We rescued Captain Phillips off the Maersk shipping containers. He was ⁓ captured by Somalian pirates. ⁓ And then ⁓ we supported the effort on the ground. ⁓

what we call putting warheads on foreheads. They made a movie about that, right? They did, yeah. Tom Hanks played Jackson Phillips. So it's a funny story because I didn't realize that was us until I watched the movie and I was sitting in the movie theater. was like. And so then I looked at the timeline and sure enough, it was I was over there. That's why they just they don't tell us anything. So did this storyline kind of line up with what really happened? So I've I've.

got a few friends that served with Reconnaissance and SEAL teams and ⁓ some of the movie talks about ⁓ them shooting the pirates from the bow of the Bainbridge, which is the ship that ⁓ was a part of my strike group. ⁓ And I don't think that happened, how that happened. I also ⁓ was told that Chris Kyle was a part of the effort and I'm not sure how, to what extent.

He was, that's American Sniper, they made a movie about him too. And of course they're gonna Hollywoodize it, but unfortunately I'm at the bottom of a ship and we were probably about 100 miles north of the event when it happened. That's really cool. I bet we could take a whole podcast talking about that. Well, I haven't even asked you about your business yet. So you have strong hand fit.

Which is across the street you moved to this location recently and you're in the process of building it out Yes, you have lots of big plans so big plan give everybody an update and sure kind of a timeline What all is going to be there? So originally, so I actually took over the space in February of this year ⁓ and so we're now in ⁓ October and we haven't moved in we haven't built it out yet ⁓

I have been thrown almost every hurdle that could be possibly thrown in this process, but equally and if not more, doors have opened up in this process too. you know, I know everything happens for a reason in our life and the space will open up when it's supposed to open up, but we are in the process of closing on

SBA ⁓ business loan right now. So that's supposed to close this month. And once that closes, then we'll be able to begin the remodel process. But in the meantime, we set up a tent in the parking lot, of ⁓ just making it happen, you know, and a testament to my... ⁓

Attestment to who I am as a business owner and how I'm going to serve my community This tent is making sure that people that want to support our business and want to work out with us because they love our community have a place and so I set it up and then got it going and people supported it hugely and I realized that as a business owner you you really have the freedom to do whatever you want

Not in a sadistic way, ⁓ in a, hey, I'm not, I actually am not bound to someone else's wills. Now, of course, you gotta go through the permit process and you gotta have everything safe and get fire marshal approval. But ⁓ if you have an idea and you have the willpower, the hardheadedness to pursue it, ⁓ owning a business or running your own,

space, you can do whatever you want and you can pursue whatever goal you have. that's what I learned through that process. Well said. And your customer base is growing. They left, they're staying the same during the transition. So we were very fortunate. Now the tent does not make as much money as the other place did.

It's a transitional period. ⁓ But we've had close to 40 people pause their membership and with every intention of starting it back up when we open up the new space. ⁓ But ⁓ we've signed up just as many new people since we've opened the tent. So ⁓ that's kind of been, I guess, a wash in a sense. But we've also had normal attrition.

⁓ We haven't lost a lot of people just because of the tent ⁓ other than the pauses ⁓ So very fortunate amazing membership base that we have awesome and we're excited to grow it even further in the new space So tell us how can people find out about strong hand fit website? So we've got a website it is strong hand fitness comm. Okay, it still has the old name I'm not sure how to change that ⁓ As as a business owner, I wear all wear all the hats right now

And so I am web designer, graphic designer, ⁓ social media manager, everything. I have a really good accountant now, so I'm not doing that anymore, which is nice. ⁓ But ⁓ my website is stronghandfitness.com. I do keep that updated pretty regularly. ⁓ Our main social media platform is Instagram, but we do carry over into Facebook and TikTok.

⁓ And everything there has been named strong hand fit got it And so if you search and in fact, I believe if you Google strong hand fit ⁓ It will come up Awesome. Tell us your plans with the new space. I know you've got some good ideas. Yeah, so I was born raised here was born at party hospital pretty local ⁓ And I want

my space to be Hendersonville's choice for where they seek out fitness and being healthy. The gym has kind of transformed over the past few years. I opened it up as a strength-based gym. I'm still pushing strength because just for example, if you go to a physical therapist, if you're hurt, their primary goal is to make you stronger. Strength has...

has an ability to carry over into anti-aging, defying gravity, and keeping you healthy at any point in your life. So with that being said, our focus is still strength, but we are going to be a 24-7 gym and wellness center. So we're bringing in cold plunge and sauna. So you'll have the ability to do some recovery. We'll have other recovery options as well. And then the gym itself is 18,000 square feet.

We are opening up phase one, which is about 14,000. 12,000 usable space for the gym and then the rest of its bathrooms, locker room showers, cold plunger sauna, and some sublet spaces for other health minded businesses. We're gonna have a smoothie bar. We're also gonna be renting out bikes for the Acoustic Trail.

So we'll have a plethora of options and fun stuff to do as well as staying in shape and being as strong as you can. Awesome. And do you have a timeline? Would you guess? What I've been telling people is January, February. that's great. We've got to get started on the remodel before I can really figure out the timeline. ⁓ My goal is to have...

a date set for the grand opening, a secondary date set for the grand opening, and then start preparing a month out, staffing and ⁓ training my staff. And then ⁓ I'd like to do some initial walkthroughs with ⁓ some like VIP style walkthroughs, because the goal is not only to create a good gym, but a beautiful space.

And so I want people to experience that in a private setting before we open and then bring in some big names in the industry, but also be 100 % sure that our grand opening date can happen on that day. That means the CEO needs to happen the final fire marshal walkthrough. All of that needs to happen.

And so then we'll give ourselves about two weeks after that to train and prepare. Awesome. I look forward to it. Me too. I'm super excited. I bet it's been a long journey. Yeah. And it's with walk within walking distance of y'all. Yep. Maybe there's a special local business discount. There is actually. I do try to work with local businesses as much as possible. So, yep. Well, you know, as, ⁓ we, we have a VIP club for our clients, so maybe we work a deal out where our

clients can sign up for kind of discount. That's very possible. We'll talk about that out there. Sounds good. Would you be so bold to throw out your ballpark pricing just in case people are curious or just send them to the website? No, I've got it kind of posted everywhere. It's $45 a month. There is a registration fee that goes with that just like just about any other gym in the world. And we have discounts for veterans.

⁓ Fire veterans and first responders is the easiest way to say it. ⁓ And then active duty military that's not a recruiter station here, ⁓ active duty gets free membership. Wow, that's awesome. So if you're active duty and coming to town for a week, you can work out for free for a week or however long you're in town. That's a great idea. I'm trying to think of active duty people.

Yeah, there's not many around here where I mean, when I was recruited in the Navy, I had to go to Asheville because there was no Navy Naval recruiter here in town. ⁓ Did you learn the army? I was a I've been a fish all my life. I was on swim team at the Patton pool. Growing up, a little chunky kid in a speedo get like third place. Yeah, it was embarrassing. Especially when when I was ⁓

I ⁓ was there, you know, it's not, we're in the mountains, it's chilly mornings. ⁓ And swim practice was always in the morning at like seven in the summertime. And ⁓ my ⁓ crush's mom was playing tennis right next to us and she was like, hey Ian. And I'm just like, I'm so embarrassed.

I'm wearing a speedo, I'm wearing a swim cap and goggles and just so just out of my comfort zone. At least you didn't have one little snorkel things too. no. flippers or whatever. Yeah, definitely not. No, no, but I've been a fish. I mean, I've loved swimming, you know, I used to I used to practice how long I could hold my breath. And so I got up to I got up to like three minutes. Wow. Something seconds. Wow. That's impressive. Like this was like

super just weird Ian stuff that I would do on my own and would time myself. I heard one time that it was like my grandfather would talked about ⁓ deep sea divers, ⁓ the free divers that would and how they would train themselves to get past that ⁓ initial ⁓ fear of running out of oxygen and they would like make noises that would trick their brain into being okay.

Yeah, I don't think that ever worked for me, but I also didn't have a professional teaching me. So this was also the same grandfather that coming back from ⁓ Myrtle Beach, the traffic was on 26 was just dead stop and he drove on the median around everybody in her van and my aunt was yelling at him the whole time. Wow. Yeah. Well, I remember in high school, I tried to hold my breath in the pool and I think I got up to about a minute and a half. Yeah.

And today if I had to, might get 10 seconds. It's very different. ⁓ I don't know if your daughter's ever tested you, but ⁓ my oldest is always testing me. And we had a Hold Her Breath contest. And I started to scare her because I was like a minute and a half. And she's like, Dad, Dad, you can breathe now. It's OK. You won. I'm like, I'm good. good. I think the only time since my kids have

been born, we've had the Hold Your Breath contest, it's going through tunnels. yeah. Like going to Gatlinburg or somewhere. Well that's what I used to do too, and then there's a big bridge down in South Carolina, think it's the one in Charleston that they do the marathons on. yeah, yeah, I think I've been able to hold my breath across that. Wow. ⁓ Or most of the way, which is a really long bridge. That'd be fun to have a podcast holding our breath.

You can have me people would actually listen. Yeah, if you did like ASMR version where it's a very high Highly sensitive microphone, right? then you hear us dying All right. Well, thank you Ian very much. So check them out Ian McKay stronghandfitness.com or strong hand fit across Instagram Tick-tock that'd be fun to see on tick-tock and Facebook. So check them out and keep living local

Need a steady hand as you think through a move in Hendersonville or anywhere in Western North Carolina? I’m always glad to help you sort it out. Let's talk

Should You Buy or Sell a Home During the Holidays in Hendersonville NC? Insights for Buyers and Sellers

The holiday season brings both unique opportunities and, let's be honest, a few headaches for real estate moves in Hendersonville, North Carolina. Whether you should buy or sell during the holidays really depends on your situation, market conditions, and how well you can navigate less competition mixed with motivated folks on both sides.

Winter is usually slower for home sales, but lately, homes can still grab the attention of serious buyers—even with all the festivities going on. Holiday real estate here means tuning in to local market quirks and seasonal factors that don't always line up with national trends.

Buyers might see less competition and sellers who are ready to make a deal. On the flip side, sellers face a smaller crowd, but those looking are often pretty determined.

Evaluating the Hendersonville NC Real Estate Market During the Holidays

The Hendersonville market shifts during the holidays. Inventory drops, making things competitive for buyers, while sellers deal with a smaller, but usually more motivated, buyer pool.

Understanding these seasonal patterns is key if you're trying to time your move just right.

Seasonal Market Trends and Demand

Things slow down in Hendersonville when November and December roll around. Fewer families list because of holiday plans and, well, winter weather isn't exactly open house friendly.

The current Hendersonville market shows homes selling after 72 days on average, and that timeline can stretch even longer once the holidays hit. Buyers this time of year are often professionals relocating, retirees, or investors who don't have to worry about school schedules.

Key seasonal factors include:

• Reduced foot traffic at open houses
• Motivated sellers pricing competitively
• Buyers with flexible timelines
• Limited new construction activity

Remote workers and retirees make up a big chunk of Hendersonville's winter buyer pool. They're still house hunting while others are distracted with holiday plans.

Negotiations might tilt in buyers' favor. Sellers listing now usually have urgent reasons—maybe a job move or an estate situation.

Inventory Levels and Buyer Competition

Holiday inventory in Hendersonville drops a lot. Not many homeowners want to list in the middle of December.

The median home price recently reached $375,000, and with fewer options, buyers can still face competition—even in the so-called slow season.

Current market conditions:

• Available homes: Limited selection across price ranges
• Days on market: Extended showing periods
• Buyer activity: Reduced but serious prospects
• Price competition: Less aggressive bidding wars

Sellers get to stand out since there aren't many other homes to distract buyers. The folks showing up are usually genuinely interested, not just browsing for fun.

The Henderson County market moved toward balance in Q1 2025 as inventory increased, but during the holidays, new listings slow down again.

Mountain towns like Hendersonville have their own quirks. Weather and less tourism in winter affect both buyers and sellers.

Holiday Timing and Closing Challenges

Holiday season deals come with their own set of timing headaches. Lenders, appraisers, and attorneys all have weird schedules between Thanksgiving and New Year's.

Common timing obstacles:

• Bank holidays extending processing periods
• Inspector availability during vacation weeks
• Attorney schedule conflicts
• Title company holiday closures

Closing dates need to be juggled carefully around December holidays. Many professionals take time off, which can slow things down.

Selling now means being flexible with showings and closing dates. Buyers might ask for a little more time for due diligence, especially if they're traveling for the holidays.

Recommended timeline adjustments:

• Add 7-10 extra days for holiday delays
• Schedule inspections before December 20th
• Confirm lender holiday schedules early
• Plan closing dates avoiding major holidays

Honestly, a little extra planning goes a long way. Getting everyone on the same page early can help dodge some of those holiday slowdowns.

Pros and Cons of Buying a Home During the Holidays

Buying a home during the holidays? There are perks—like less competition and sellers who want to make a deal. But you’ll have to work around some tricky schedules and a smaller pool of listings.

The season usually means buyers have more room to negotiate and can get more personalized service from real estate pros.

Opportunities for Negotiation and Better Deals

Sellers listing in December are often looking to wrap things up fast. That urgency can help buyers score better prices or terms.

Motivated sellers during winter months will sometimes offer price reductions or more flexible closing dates. Nearly 19% of November listings dropped their prices, and December wasn’t far behind with 14% doing the same.

Key negotiation advantages include:

• Price reductions on 14-19% of holiday listings
• Flexible closing dates and terms
• Seller willingness to cover closing costs
• Reduced inspection repair negotiations

The median sale price usually dips 1.1% from October to November, and again from November to December. If you time it right, you might save a decent chunk.

Sellers this time of year often care more about getting it done than squeezing every dollar out. They'd rather not keep paying for an empty house all winter.

Advantages of Lower Competition Among Buyers

Most folks shop for homes in the spring or summer, so if you’re looking now, you’ll have less competition. That’s a big plus for buyers who don’t want to get into a bidding war.

Benefits of reduced competition:

• Fewer bidding wars on desirable properties
• More time to evaluate homes thoroughly
• Stronger negotiating leverage with sellers
• Increased likelihood of offer acceptance

Less competition during holidays means you probably won’t be up against five or ten other offers. Sometimes, you might be the only one.

Agents say serious buyers in December face hardly any competition. A lot of people just wait until the new year to start looking, so if you’re motivated, you could have the upper hand.

With fewer buyers, you can take your time with inspections and due diligence. Sellers are usually more willing to work with your timeline if there aren’t a bunch of other offers on the table.

Impact of Holiday Schedules on Transactions

Holiday schedules can be both a pain and a hidden blessing for buyers. Some service providers are out of the office, but others have more time for you since things are quieter.

Positive scheduling impacts:

• More personalized service from agents and inspectors
• Increased availability for showings
• Enhanced cooperation from sellers
• More flexible appointment scheduling

Potential scheduling challenges:

• Limited availability of inspectors and appraisers
• Possible delays with lenders and title companies
• Reduced hours for government offices
• Attorney and notary vacation schedules

Buyers usually get more attention from their real estate agent during the holidays. Agents aren’t juggling as many clients, so you might feel a little more taken care of.

Still, planning ahead is a must. If you want things to go smoothly, start lining up inspectors and lenders early and keep your schedule flexible for any hiccups.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Selling Your Home During the Holidays

Selling during the holidays has its upsides—think motivated buyers and less competition. But it can be tough keeping your home show-ready with decorations and busy schedules.

Motivated Holiday Buyers in Hendersonville

Buyers searching for homes during the holidays are usually serious and need to make decisions fast. They’re often driven by circumstances that just can’t wait.

Common reasons buyers shop during holidays:

• Job relocations requiring immediate housing
• Expiring lease agreements
• Military PCS orders and transfers
• Year-end bonuses available for down payments

Many holiday buyers in Hendersonville need to close before January because of work. They don’t have time to look at dozens of homes.

Most potential home buyers who are looking during holidays are ready to move quickly if they find the right place. They come pre-approved and know what they want.

Reduced Inventory for Increased Visibility

Lots of sellers pull their homes off the market in November and December. If you keep yours listed, you might stand out more to the buyers who are still searching.

Market advantages during holidays:

• Fewer competing listings in neighborhoods
• Reduced showing competition on weekends
• Higher buyer-to-inventory ratios
• Less pressure from new listings

January brings increased competition when everyone relists. If you stay active in December, you avoid that rush.

Listings that stick around during the holidays often get more inquiries. Buyers have fewer choices, so your home gets more eyeballs.

Challenges of Staging and Showing a Home

Holiday decorations can make staging tricky. The usual advice is to declutter and keep things neutral, but that's tough with wreaths and trees everywhere.

Staging considerations include:

• Tasteful decorations that enhance rather than overwhelm spaces
• Clear pathways around holiday trees and displays
• Neutral scents avoiding strong candles or potpourri
• Flexible showing schedules around family gatherings

Decking the halls can help sell homes if you keep it cozy and welcoming. But, too many personal or religious touches might not appeal to everyone.

Fitting in last-minute showings is tough when your calendar is packed with holiday plans. Sellers need a game plan to keep the place looking good, even with the chaos of the season.

Coordination with Lenders and Service Providers

Holiday schedules can throw a wrench in the availability of closing services. Banks, appraisers, and inspectors often cut their hours back in December.

Service limitations during holidays:

• Limited appraisal scheduling availability
• Reduced lender processing timeframes
• Inspector vacation schedules
• Attorney office closures

If you're selling, it's smart to check with lenders and service providers before agreeing to a quick closing. Some lenders might need extra time to process year-end closings—it's just how it goes.

Tax benefits for closing before year-end can really motivate buyers to push for December settlements. That puts pressure on everyone to make the puzzle pieces fit, even with the holidays in the mix.

Strategies for Selling Your Home Successfully During the Holiday Season

Selling a home during the holidays? It's definitely a different game. You need a plan that makes your place stand out when buyers are distracted or busy.

Targeted marketing, thoughtful staging, and flexible showing times matter more than ever. You've got to work with buyers' schedules, and your own, too.

Tailoring Marketing for Holiday Home Sales

Marketing in winter means showing off features that feel good when it's cold out. Got a fireplace? Cozy living spaces? Make those the stars of your listing photos.

Holiday buyers are typically more serious than the spring browsers. So, be sure your marketing mentions move-in readiness and that the home is available now.

Key marketing elements include:

• Professional photography showcasing warm interior lighting
• Highlighting energy efficiency features
• Emphasizing proximity to winter amenities
• Featuring covered parking or garages

People are online more during the holidays, scrolling through social media or property sites. Virtual staging can help buyers picture holiday gatherings without making the place look cluttered.

With fewer listings on the market, pricing gets even more important. If you want serious buyers, a competitive price is key—especially for those chasing year-end tax perks.

Effective Holiday Staging Without Overpersonalizing

Holiday staging should make a space feel inviting, but not like it belongs to someone else. The trick is warmth, not overload.

Recommended staging approach:

• Use neutral holiday colors like gold, silver, and white
• Add subtle seasonal touches like garlands or wreaths
• Keep decorations minimal and tasteful
• Maintain clear pathways and uncluttered surfaces

Holiday decor can help buyers picture their own celebrations—but skip anything too specific or religious. You want everyone to feel welcome.

Lighting matters a lot, especially with those short winter days. Warm white LEDs around windows or doorways can turn up the cozy factor for showings.

Fresh greenery or a few seasonal flowers add life without being a hassle. It sends the message that the home's cared for—something buyers always notice.

Leveraging Virtual Tours and Flexible Showings

Winter weather and holiday chaos mean that flexibility is your best friend. Virtual tours are a lifesaver for pre-qualifying buyers before you even think about cleaning for an in-person visit.

Virtual showing benefits:

• Reduces unnecessary foot traffic during holidays
• Allows viewing despite weather conditions
• Saves time for motivated buyers
• Provides 24/7 availability

Weekend showings with daylight let buyers see the home at its best. Early afternoons are usually the sweet spot for natural light in winter.

Holiday travel and family plans mean you may need to offer evening showings. Just make sure the lighting—inside and out—shows off your home, not its shadows.

Snow and ice? Not ideal, but manageable. Keep walkways safe, lights on, and the heat at a comfortable level for showings.

Widen your showing windows around big holidays. Some buyers bring family along or are only in town for a few days—don't miss that chance.

Key Tips for Buying a Home During the Holiday Season

December is usually slow for home sales, but that's not always a bad thing if you're buying. Motivated sellers and less competition can mean better deals and more room to negotiate.

Evaluating Property Listings and Opportunities

With fewer buyers in the game, you've got more breathing room to look at listings. Focus on homes that have been sitting a while—those sellers are often ready to talk deals.

Homes listed in November and December often come from people facing job moves, financial shifts, or estate sales. That can open the door to below-market prices if you play your cards right.

Serious holiday buyers can sometimes snag perks like mortgage buydowns or closing cost help. Fewer offers mean sellers notice yours more.

It might be worth expanding your search area. With limited inventory, homes that would've been snapped up in spring linger longer, giving you a shot you might not get otherwise.

Understanding Seller Motivations and Deadlines

Holiday sellers usually have a reason to move fast. Think job transfers, tax deadlines, or estate issues that can't wait for spring.

They're often more interested in closing quickly than squeezing out every last dollar. That's your opening for a lower price or more flexible terms.

Key seller motivations include:

• Corporate relocations with January start dates
• Tax planning strategies requiring December closings
• Estate settlements with year-end deadlines
• Divorce proceedings with court-mandated timelines

If you can offer flexible closing dates that work for them, you might just get a better deal. Try to find out their "why" before you write that offer.

Navigating Holiday-Related Delays

You need to be flexible with timelines around the holidays. Lenders, inspectors, and movers all work on weird schedules—and holidays can make everything take longer.

Get mortgage preapproval before lenders vanish for vacation. That way, you're ready to move fast if you find the right place.

Essential scheduling considerations:

• Book inspections early before contractors leave town
• Coordinate with title companies regarding holiday closures
• Plan moving services around peak holiday demand
• Allow extra time for document processing

Build some wiggle room into your contract. Delays are almost inevitable, but if you keep the closing date attractive for the seller, you'll have a better shot at a smooth deal.

Considerations Unique to Hendersonville NC

Hendersonville sits up in the mountains at about 2,200 feet, and that changes how the market behaves in winter. Holiday events and tourism here can shift buyer activity in ways you won't see everywhere else.

Local Weather and Its Impact on Buying and Selling

The climate in Hendersonville is pretty moderate—winters are mild compared to up north. December and January usually stay above freezing, at least for the most part.

Snow does happen, but it rarely sticks around for long. That means showings and inspections can keep rolling through winter, and buyers can actually see the property, not just a blanket of snow.

Mountain and rural homes are still accessible to buyers during the holidays. Sometimes you'll need a four-wheel drive for higher elevations, but main roads and subdivisions get cleared quickly.

Weather advantages during holidays:

• Homes show well without snow accumulation
• Inspection access remains possible
• Mountain views stay visible to buyers
• Outdoor features can be evaluated year-round

Heating costs are front and center in colder months, so buyers can get a real feel for energy efficiency and utility bills. It's not a bad thing—transparency is always good.

Community Events and Their Influence on the Market

Hendersonville's holiday season is packed with tourism and community events. Downtown lights up with festivities that can catch the eye of potential buyers.

Main Street's holiday celebrations draw visitors who might just fall in love and decide to move here. It's a great way to show off the community's character and walkability.

Key holiday events affecting market perception:

• Downtown holiday festivities
• Flat Rock Playhouse seasonal performances
• Blue Ridge Parkway winter scenery access
• Local holiday markets and shopping

Tourism spikes during holiday breaks as families head to the mountains. Some of those visitors end up turning into buyers after seeing what Hendersonville has to offer.

Sellers can benefit from this extra visibility, especially if their property is near downtown or local attractions. It's a unique seasonal boost you don't get everywhere.

Consulting Local Real Estate Professionals

Hendersonville's unique market dynamics call for agents who really get the seasonal quirks of mountain communities. Not every agent gets how holiday timing shakes up different neighborhoods, but the locals sure do.

Mountain view homes can look totally different in the winter. Sometimes the bare trees open up views you wouldn't see in July.

On the flip side, some places get tricky to reach during snow or ice. Agents who've been around know which homes are an adventure in bad weather and which ones are a breeze.

Questions for local agents:

• Which neighborhoods stay most active during holidays?
• How do tourist patterns affect showing schedules?
• What weather considerations apply to specific properties?
• How does holiday inventory compare to other seasons?

Local agents usually have connections with service folks who don't take the winter off. Need an inspection or a quick repair, even with the holidays going on? They can probably make it happen.

Henderson County specialists also keep tabs on pricing trends for all sorts of properties around the holidays. If you're wondering how long homes usually sit on the market between Thanksgiving and New Year's, they've got the numbers.

Episode 3 - Living Local with Will Roper of Roper Insurance

Date: 10/16/25

Duration: 21:32

Guest: Will Roper

Website: Roper Insurance Services

Listen on Spotify:

Episode 3 Summary:

In this episode of Living Local with Frisbee Real Estate, host Ed Frisbee sits down with Will Roper, lifelong Hendersonville native and co-owner of Roper Insurance Services. Will shares his journey from college football player to small business owner — including how returning home to the mountains of Western North Carolina inspired him to grow his family’s insurance agency and invest in his community.

Will talks about what makes Hendersonville such a special place to live — from its vibrant Main Street and outdoor recreation to its thriving local businesses. He dives into his love of mountain biking, pickleball, and the tight-knit community that keeps Hendersonville moving.

Listeners also get a sweet bonus: the story behind Bake Me House, the Asian-style bakery founded by Will’s wife, Emily. Discover what makes her desserts so unique — from Thai tea cake and matcha cheesecake to fan-favorite boba drinks.

Whether you’re a local resident, a small business owner, or someone dreaming about life in the North Carolina mountains, this episode delivers insight, laughter, and a true taste of Living Local.

Highlights:

• Will’s path from college football to local business owner

• Growing Roper Insurance into a full-service agency

• Why Hendersonville attracts so many new residents

• Top local spots for biking, dining, and coffee

• The story behind Bake Me House bakery on Church Street

Connect with Our Guests:

• 🏡 Roper Insurance Services — roperinsuranceservices.com

• 🍰 Bake Me House — Follow on Facebook @BakeMeHouse

Watch on YouTube:

Episode 3 transcript:
Hey, it's Ed again and here we are with special guest Will Roper. Will is with Roper Insurance here in Hendersonville. Will, thanks so much for taking time to sit down and talk with us. So tell us a little bit about yourself and about Roper Insurance, then I have plenty more questions for you. Okay, sure. Yeah, I'm from Hendersonville. I grew up here, went to Hendersonville High School, ⁓ graduated, went off to play college football. ⁓ Started off at Arizona State. Wow.

Had a little bit too much fun at Arizona State. Had to move a little closer to home. So a smaller Division I school, I was a place kicker, and South Carolina State offered me a scholarship where I finished my undergrad in three years and specialized in kickoffs and long distance field goals for them. Had my college paid for.

and I still had one year of eligibility left. So Mercer University, which is a private university in Macon, Georgia, offered me a one-year scholarship to work on my master's and play football for them as well. ⁓ I had no idea. That's interesting. Yeah, yeah. And I tried to make it work, know, living. After my master's scholarship ran out, I tried to just like stay in Macon, Georgia. I didn't want to move home to Hendersonville because I...

I don't know why, I just wanted to get out. And I got a job working in a funeral home and it was the worst job I ever had. I was terrible at it. I was a family counselor trying to make sales. And it was very bad. So one day I came home for Labor Day. Were you very bad because you're not sympathetic? No, I was bad because I didn't know the local lingo. Okay.

That's at least that's how I felt and I came home for Labor Day and I'm walking down the Apple Festival and like left and right people Hey, well, how you doing? How's how's the football career like people knew me because I played sports. Yep, and I thought to myself like man like doing sales in a community where people know my name would be a lot Easier like why am I making it hard on myself? Plus I'd get to live in beautiful Hendersonville and my parents also working at a funeral home. I saw

how finite life is, like people lose loved ones every day. It's just like, away from my parents, they're getting older every day. Like, why not move home and try to work with the family business, live in a beautiful area and be closer to my family. So I moved home in 2016. My dad started the agency back in 1980. It was only doing life and health insurance. I got a license to do home auto and commercial in 2016.

We got some contracts to write some business for Home Auto and Commercial. And I grew our book of business for the Home Auto and Commercial, just by, people would come in for health insurance and I'd just ask, hey, can I have an opportunity to quote on your auto insurance? See if I can save you some money. And just one by one, just kind of grew the book of business. And I don't have to ask people if I could quote them anymore. So yeah, that's how it all started and been doing well since. That's awesome.

So you like being an insurance then obviously? You know, yes, it's tough though. It is not an easy job. Growing up, I definitely thought I wanted to go to the NFL. I thought that's what I was going to do. That didn't work out. And I've always been outdoorsy and active. really, I always wanted a job working for National Geographic or something, like going on expeditions in the rainforest, things like that. Wow. Yeah, yeah, that's what I wanted to do.

I don't know, I just saw a good opportunity working with the family business and I know you can make a decent living doing it and being my own boss, I'd have time to take off from work and go have my own expeditions in the rainforest if I wanted to, which I plan on doing in 2026. yeah, insurance to me was boring. I never wanted to do it growing up. Yeah. So you've touched on several things I'm gonna ask about, but first.

You like being outdoors, obviously. So what are some of your favorite things to do around the area that are outdoors? When I moved home from college, I bought a mountain bike and I got really immersed in the mountain biking community. Western North Carolina has great mountain biking, some of the top in the country. hold on. So for someone that doesn't understand mountain biking like myself, do you purchase a bike like that at Wal-Mart?

Mountain bikes are ridiculously expensive. It is a ridiculous hobby. Don't do it if you're trying to save money. Got I mean, a decent mountain bike, you're looking at spending several thousand, about three grand to get started just for the bike. And then you gotta get the car rack and the knee pads, the riding shoes. And then I spend a ton of money driving back and forth through the trail heads. ⁓ So I started mountain biking. ⁓ That was my golf.

talk business with mountain bikers I met out there and do a lot of hiking with my wife. And recently as of the last year, gotten into pickleball a lot too. I love pickleball. I've made some good connections there. So where, all right, so you've gone to many places. Where do you play pickleball? Mostly at Patton Park. Okay. And that's a fun community. Like my mom started pickleball like two years ago and she's always like,

come play with me, play pickleball. I'm I'm not doing that. It's dorky sport. I'm not playing pickleball. And then sure enough, like when Helene happened, there was nothing else to do. So my wife and I would go out to the courts and just kind of hit the ball around, get a little competitive. We're like, hey, this is actually fun. We're getting good cardio. And now, like my wife and I, it's probably our favorite thing to do together. We play together two to three times a week against other couples. And we're actually going to play in a tournament together, first of November. Wow.

Yeah, so Patent Park that's where the pool was right off. Yes. Okay. Yeah, yeah, cuz our other family members go to Jackson Park So yeah, they have one there too. They have courts there too. Okay. Yeah, so back to mountain biking. Where are some of favorite places to ride? DuPont is if there's a lot of places to ride here, but if you're new to mountain biking DuPont is Great place like for family riding. There's nothing too treacherous there. It's pretty easy trails

I love going to Kanuga, which is a downhill bike park. Think of it like a ski resort, but for mountain biking, you just get up to the top and there's jumps and fun trails the whole way down. And then a lot of people love going to Pisgah, which is more like, rooty, technical trails. You get a lot of miles out in Pisgah. So have you ever hurt yourself mountain biking? Oh yeah. What's the worst? Without being graphic.

Yeah, I mean, I've definitely calmed down on some of the crazy jumping I used to do, but I mean, a year or so ago I had 11 stitches and my pedal, I wrecked on a jump and pedal came up and hit my shin. That happens all the time with mountain biking. I had 11 stitches there. Me and some friends took a trip out to Bentonville, Arkansas for mountain, believe it not, Bentonville, Arkansas.

known for having great mountain biking. The owner of Walmart, his son is an avid mountain biker, they'd Bentonville, Arkansas is the headquarters of Walmart. So they dump a lot of money into building trails out there. And anyways, like you maybe all see, I got a knot here. Like I broke my wrist. mean, I've done a lot, but mountain biking has also taken me some great places. Like I've gone mountain biking out in Arizona, Squamish.

⁓ Squamish British Columbia Yeah, it's just a fun reason to go places so when you go out of town you actually take your bike usually but sometimes you rent on just depends on how Far and how difficult it is I usually bring my bike. I got a suitcase for it. ⁓ that was my next question. It can actually go on a plane Yeah, okay. Yeah, that's impressive. That probably cost more too, right? It does

Alright, so you grew up in Hendersonville. You've seen it change a lot? Yes. For the good? Yeah. Yeah, I think so. I mean, it's just there's so many people moving here. Yep. Which is wonderful for the economy. And what do you think brings them here? I mean, I have the general idea answer. What do you think? I think our mountains and people want a slower pace of life. I mean, every single day with insurance, I'm helping people.

that move here from Florida, which most people moving here from Florida are originally from New York, so we call them halfbacks, ⁓ or California. And I think they just want a slower pace of life. ⁓ And we have such easy access to great outdoors here and beautiful landscapes. You go out on your back deck and you got Mountain View. It's a fun community too. mean, every Thursday, every...

Once a month in the summertime, they do the Rhythm and Brews on Main Street. People love that. Music on Main every Friday in the summer. And it changed though. Yeah. To like different locations which threw me off this year. Yeah. I don't know. don't go to them anymore. Same, but I've tried to go once and it was at a different location which threw me off. You think that's why people move here though? I think it's climate. I think it's topography, views, slower pace. I agree with that.

I've talked to others that just like the small town feel. I think Hendersonville's done a good job at the Main Street is a great attraction. It's diversity. It's offering. So, and in Main Street, I see you quite a bit out and about walking around. You, I guess you eat lunch out on Main Street often? Every day at 12, I take a break. Yeah. And I just go for a walk. So you're not always eating. You're just walking. I actually don't.

I pack my own lunch, but I see I always thought you're just walking to restaurants. No, no, I'd be spending a lot of money doing that. Yep. But my wife owns a bakery off Church Street. Bake Me House. Shout out Bake Me House. Yes. So I go during my lunch break to just do some dishes and help her clean up and maybe help with some customers when they walk in. So that's a great segue. Tell us about Bake Me House, how that happened. My wife is Thai from Thailand and she

is a foodie and she loves feeding people. And she's not only an outstanding cook, but also an outstanding baker. I think one thing she noticed when coming to the States is like, the desserts here are just so sweet. There's covered in icing, covered in sugar, don't feel good after you eat it. So my wife has opened a...

Asian style bakery called bake me house and in there you're gonna find like lighter fluffier desserts think like matcha Japanese cheesecake Thai tea cake Thai coconut style cake just things that you're not gonna find anywhere else around here And it's been doing really well so far and where it is she typically sells out

She sells out often. So if anybody wants to check out Bake Me House go earlier in the day so you can see more inventory. She has one baker there doing everything. So once an item is gone, it's just gone for the day. And then she rebakes for the next day. And they're on Church Street? On Church Street. Near the parking garage, right? Adjacent to the parking garage. Okay, well that's easy enough. What's your favorite item there without throwing you under the bus? Basked cheesecake, I think. What is it called? It's called a basked cheesecake. It's like a burnt top cheesecake.

It's creamy. It a really creamy texture. There's no crust on it. ⁓ Kind of more rich, but everything she makes is outstanding. But it is one thing, when I first tried it, I'd never had a Bass Cheesecake before and I put it in my mouth was like, what did I just eat? This is amazing. It's really, really good. I recommend it. And does she bake everything at the store or at Everything. Okay. So you get to smell it at home then.

No, but if something doesn't sell out, it comes home with me. So I did see a post recently where y'all were talking about a bake me house and she kind of took a jab at your stomach because she thought you ate too much. And for people that can't see will, I don't agree with that at all. Will's quite built and fit for being an outdoorsman. So built by bake me house. ⁓ I eat a lot of desserts, but I also do a lot of cardio and workouts. You burn it off. Yes.

So do they have drinks there too at Bake Me House? Yeah, yeah. I I read that. She does boba. She does a bunch of like sparkling sodas, green teas, and people love her matcha latte. Yeah, she's got a pretty nice drink menu. What's a matcha latte? Is that a coffee? It's matcha. Got you. it's latte. And the first thing you said, boba. There you go. What is that? Well, for one, I've never been much of a boba fan, but some people like love boba and it's...

Like maybe a fruit drink with milk tea. And at the bottom there's like, gosh, I think they're like tapioca, little, kind of like little gummies you suck up through your straw. Kind of like a dessert drink. Gotcha. I've never had that. But I think I've heard my children, my daughters speak of that and they seem to love it. The kids love it. Yeah. If I was drinking that and didn't know about the tapioca.

Like what is this exactly? Yeah concern. Yeah That sounds awesome. I've yet to visit bake me house. I've wanted to their hours or what? 11 to 4 Tuesday through Friday, Well, then we'll have to make time for that to make that happen. Yeah, man. So how do people find her on social media? Yeah, she does a lot of posting so just check out her social media page Facebook every day she posts what's on the menu

Under Bake Me House? Under Bake Me House on Facebook, yeah. So every day her menu changes, by the way. like, you know, today she may have items A, B, and C, and then tomorrow she'll make different items. So whatever you see in there on a Tuesday, on a Wednesday, she'd probably have something else. Gotcha. And it's all dessert-oriented, like you would go for lunch. Yeah, no. Yeah, she's not making food. It's just a bakery, dessert, and some drinks. Awesome. Yeah, man.

And that's where you typically are around noon. Yeah. somebody is looking for you, need a quote. That's it. Awesome. And how do people find ⁓ Roper Insurance? We are located off 118 East Caswell Street. Six minute walk from here, from this office. ⁓ If you're a fast walker. Fast walker, yeah. If you know where Wells Fargo is on Main Street, we're in that area. Are you also online? Yeah. Yeah, of course we've got a website too. And what's that? RoperInsuranceServices.com. Got it.

And how many people are there? It's just my brother and I and we have one ⁓ customer service rep, Alex. She's wonderful, but it's just a family business, me and my brother. And we split the work.

My dad used to work there, but he's kind of phased out, and now we handle everything. Awesome. So since you grew up in Hendersonville, you obviously like to eat out at times, right? So without throwing you under the bus, do you have top three recommendations of places to eat in Hendersonville? Oh my goodness. And you can't say Bake Me House because we've already... You know, we have so much Mexican food in Hendersonville. We do have It's like overwhelming Mexican food, isn't Lots of choices, yeah.

Is that where you're going? Mexican food? We eat at Mexican a lot because we usually only eat out once a week. It's after we play pickleball and we're usually sweaty. So you can't go find dining without wearing sweaty clothes. If you're at Patton Park, then I'm going to take a guess what you're going to say. But poppas and beer. They do a great job. Next two favorite restaurants. And Hendersonville? Well, you can go outside Hendersonville.

I mean, I'm gonna say Rocky's Hot Chicken Jack. Earlier we had a guess and they chose 12 Bones. 12 Bones is great. know, Mo's is good too for barbecue in Hendersonville as well. Yep, I agree. You know, I don't eat out much though because my wife is an incredible cook and she makes a lot of like Thai dishes. Oh, Boon Chu. Boon Chu, that's my sister-in-law's restaurant. How could I forget? Go to Boon Chu. Good call.

Thai cuisine is very, good. What's your favorite dish your wife makes then? She makes like a great, I don't even know what it's called. She makes like a noodle, beef noodle soup. I was never a soup guy before my wife, but she's so flavorful. Anybody that knows about Thai food is different. My daughter loves Thai food. Yeah? Yes. You guys go to Bunchu? We do.

But she also does Thai spice. You do go to Bhutan, don't you? You turned us on to Bhutan, I think, years ago. I used to work there part-time. I know. I think I ran into you. You might have done something to my food one time. Coffee shops? You drink coffee? I make coffee at home. Okay. So if somebody's visiting, you suggest any coffee places? I mean, I would have to on, Will, if you're out walking around, you gotta run across visitors and say, yeah, go... I mean, I feel like...

The most popular one that I'm aware of that I go to if I want coffee is probably Black Bear. On Main Street. They got a nice outdoor seating area. Outdoor seating makes it different, it? Yeah. Kudos to the restaurants that are able to do that and take the effort. For sure. think locals and visitors enjoy that, especially this time of year, fall or spring if it's not too hot outside. Another cool coffee shop, Jeter Mountain.

Jeter Mountain Apple Farm, been I haven't been to their coffee shop. Yeah, they got a... Well, I mean, the coffee shop is, you know, it's just a kind of a normal coffee shop, but the Amiens there, the whole Jeter Mountain... Mountain has done a great job. It's exploded. Yes. It's exploded up there. It's like Dollywood up there right now. It's crazy. They've done a super job. I need to actually get a hold of them and have them come talk with us. But kudos to them. They've really thought further out, I think. sure. Without throwing anyone else under the bus.

they've done well. Yeah. Oh yeah. Any other question you think of? One time we talked about roundabouts. What do you think about roundabouts? I don't know what's going on with this roundabout up here off Canuga. Like why did they have to take out? How big is this roundabout going to be? That's going to be big, I think. Yeah. Yeah, they're taking out a lot. I think roundabouts are good. I mean, I don't like them having to tear down buildings and everything, but I like roundabouts more than stoplights. We need a little...

A little thing, electronic says roundabouts. So far, roundabouts are winning. By the people that have been on the podcast. And I'm in agreement. For the same reason, you'd rather keep moving at a roundabout than be at a stoplight. But it's a controversial subject, so it's good to bring up. I vote for roundabouts. Anything else you can vote for that's controversial? No, you don't have to answer that. No. Awesome.

All right, well, I appreciate you taking the time. Will Roper with Roper Insurance. You can check him out at roperinsuranceservices.com. Yep. Or just walk it. They're all full on East Caswell. That's it. Right, right near Main Street and definitely visit Bake Me House off at Church Street in Hendersonville. Open Tuesday through Fridays. Am I missing anything? What's your wife's name? Just call her Emily. But her legal name is Tipyapa Tanyadokshinukhtek.

We'll never say that. Emily is good. I can't wait. Can you say that one more time? Just because the transcription for our podcast. Let's just see what happens. Say her name again. Tipyapa Tanyadokchenukde. Well, that'll be awesome to see the transcript. still have to look, I have to look it up to spell it. How many letters is that by A lot. It doesn't look like a word. It's just like, what is it? It's like a jumble of letters. Awesome. I look forward to meeting Emily one day.

Awesome. Thank you, very much for taking time. And as we like to say, keep living local.

Need a steady hand as you think through a move in Hendersonville or anywhere in Western North Carolina? I’m always glad to help you sort it out. Let's talk