A bus full of books is changing what a library can do. We sit down with Henderson County Public Library’s Trina Rushing—freshly named North Carolina’s 2025 Public Library Director of the Year—to explore how a mobile library, free digital tools, and hands-on classes are opening doors for every neighbor, from new readers to small business owners. Trina shares the early wins: 45 mobile stops in three months, more than 2,000 visits, and a growing list of requested stops at schools, community events, and mobile food pantries.

We go deeper into what modern access looks like. Free ebooks and audiobooks through Libby, streaming and movies with Hoopla, and practical classes on podcasts, online safety, and “beating the paywall” using library-funded news and periodical databases. Genealogy enthusiasts get a family roots research lab, while entrepreneurs tap premium market data, business plan tools, and training courses—without paying subscription fees. Add museum access via Zoom passes, and the library becomes a real equalizer for a county that values learning at every age.

Community stays at the center. The Kaplan Auditorium hosts author talks, music, health resources, financial classes, and playful nights like a Golden Girls tribute, all collected in the quarterly Illuminations newsletter. Trina’s journey from teacher to director threads it all together: remove barriers, go where people are, and make discovery feel welcoming and free. We also share a quick snapshot of the local real estate market, plus details on open houses and how to reach our team.

Subscribe, share this with a neighbor who loves learning, and leave a review with the library resource you plan to try next—Libby, Hoopla, a class, or the mobile library. Your ideas help us spotlight more hometown heroes and the programs that lift our community.

Wondering whether to wait, buy, or list now? We cut through the market noise with a grounded look at Western North Carolina real estate, sharing the numbers that matter and the choices that actually move the needle. Our conversation starts with a clear snapshot of Henderson County: around 500 active listings, an 8% rise in single-family sales over the past year, average days on market near 60, and mortgage rates settling in the low sixes. That mix shapes a steady, navigable market where buyers gain options and time, while sellers hold leverage when price and condition align.

We unpack the big three drivers—rates, inventory, and prices—and explain how each shows up locally. Expect fewer extremes: more room to negotiate, targeted price adjustments when listings miss the mark, and measured appreciation rather than spikes. We also address the human side of real estate. Moves still happen because life happens: new jobs, growing families, downsizing, multi-generational living, and the hard moments of loss or caregiving. That’s why demand remains durable even when headlines predict turbulence.

You’ll hear how national trends compare to our micro-markets, why local demand keeps prices firm, and what to do if you’re holding a 3% mortgage but living in a 0% fit. Sellers get a practical framework—price, condition, location—to win showings and offers without overreaching. Buyers learn how rate scenarios affect monthly payments, how to shop smart within budget, and when patience pays off. We also spotlight community stories through our Hometown Heroes series and share an upcoming open house in Flat Rock.

If you’re planning a move, start with your why, then build a plan around budget, timing, and the home that fits your life. Subscribe for more local insights, share this with a friend who’s debating their next step, and leave a quick review to help others find the show. Ready for a one-on-one game plan? Call 828-393-0134 or visit realestatebygreg.com.

New year, same truth: people move for life, not headlines. We open 2026 with a grounded look at Western North Carolina real estate—what’s actually selling, how long it’s taking, and why steady demand keeps prices firm even as buyers gain a little more time to decide. If you’ve been waiting for a perfect moment, this conversation offers a better plan: align your move with your needs, then use data and smart tools to execute.

We share a local snapshot you can use right now: single-family sales running about 134 per month, an 8% year-over-year lift in transactions, and fewer than 500 active listings as of early January. Prices have inched up, not down, while average days on market hover near sixty—a healthy pace for thoughtful preparation and decisive action. We also break down financing trends across conventional, VA, FHA, and USDA loans, plus where cash offers still show up and why. For first-time buyers, we outline practical steps to build equity without overreaching. For upsizers and downsizers, we map timing, logistics, and how to price or bid for today’s conditions. For investors, we touch 1031 exchanges, cap-minded underwriting, and using local lenders to solve unique scenarios.

Beyond tactics, we talk mindset. Deals don’t always follow a straight line, and the best outcomes reward patience, preparation, and persistence. From inspection curveballs to appraisal puzzles, the calmest voice at the table often wins. We share a favorite resilience story to remind you that progress comes from staying in the game, not from waiting on perfect conditions. And because real estate intersects with taxes and estate planning, we explain how coordination among agents, attorneys, CPAs, and lenders protects your bottom line.

If you’re ready to buy, sell, invest, or simply get clarity on timing, we’re here to help across Henderson and the surrounding counties. Subscribe for weekly market insight, share this episode with someone weighing a move, and leave a quick review to tell us what you want to hear next.

A steady market and a tougher kind of resilience share the mic today. We start with a clear-eyed look at Henderson County’s 2026 housing landscape—more inventory, firm demand, and the possibility of easing rates that could unlock moves for buyers and sellers who sat out the last cycle. Then we turn to the kind of move that isn’t about square footage at all: a neighbor firing up a truck at dawn to bring heat, hay, and hope where the maps still show broken roads.

Our guest, Sarah Morrow, didn’t wait for a badge to start helping after Helene. She and her son Devin cut trees, hauled generators, partnered with groups like Helene Rising and 72 The Mission, and installed 27 wood stoves for families facing cold nights in Mitchell, Avery, Yancey, and beyond. You’ll hear how a farmer who never accepts help opened his gate when the right help arrived, and how a door that seemed empty revealed a woman alone without heat until the third knock. These are the quiet stories that never trend but change everything for the people living them.

We also break down why real estate decisions aren’t just about rates. Life events—new jobs, growing families, need for single-level living—create real timelines. In a more balanced 2026 market, preparation, pricing, and local expertise matter more than hype. Whether you’re considering a move or considering how to help your neighbor, the same mindset wins: listen first, act with care, and keep showing up. If you have hands, bring them. If you have resources, share them. And if you’re weighing your next chapter, we’re here to help you move closer to what matters.

Enjoy the conversation, share it with someone who cares about community, and if a hometown hero comes to mind, tell us. Subscribe, leave a review, and nominate a neighbor we should feature next week.

Start the year with a cleaner story about your work and your home. We open with two simple, powerful truths: purpose reframes the ordinary, and consistency compounds in silence. From the NASA janitor who said he was helping put a man on the moon to the stonecutter whose quiet strikes finally split the rock, we explore how meaning and patience turn small actions into big outcomes—at work, at home, and in real estate.

Then we get practical. After a challenging 2025, we dig into why 2026 looks more welcoming for buyers and sellers: easing mortgage rates, gradually rising inventory, and more opportunity across Western North Carolina. We share Henderson County data points—average single-family prices near 540k at year-end, steadier days on market, and improving volume—to give you context you can use. Whether you’re planning to downsize, invest, or buy your first home, we break down how to prepare: pre-approvals, pricing strategy, inspection readiness, timing, and how buying and selling in the same market can balance the math.

You’ll also hear how focus shapes culture. Our Hometown Hero series highlights neighbors serving neighbors, and that attention to the good changes how teams show up and how clients feel through the process. We talk cycles—from the long slog of 2010–2011 to the frenzy of 2021–2022 and today’s more balanced pace—and why no one knows the top or bottom until it has passed. That’s why we build plans that work across scenarios, coordinate with lenders, attorneys, and tax pros, and keep the conversation honest. Purpose sets direction; consistent steps unlock momentum.

If you’re aiming for more freedom, a smarter move, or a clearer plan for your equity this year, you’re not alone. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs a nudge, and leave a quick review so more neighbors can find it. Ready to talk through your 2026 options? Call 828-393-0134 or visit realestatebygreg.com and let’s map your next step together.

When the river jumped its banks and the bridge disappeared, neighbors didn’t wait for permission—they built a way in. Our year-end Hometown Hero countdown brings together the most downloaded stories of service after Hurricane Helene and beyond, revealing how small acts stacked into a regional lifeline. From a Navy veteran who turned church donations into the Appalachian Navy’s propane lifeline, to an interim fire chief leading his department through storm recovery and a devastating substation fire, these moments show what courage looks like at street level.

We revisit Lynn and Mark in Batcave, who lost their vintage shop and turned the parking lot into a disaster relief hub with showers, tents, and a steady flow of volunteers. We sit with Ashley and Isaac, volunteer firefighters who organized life above a broken bridge, cutting mountain roads so medicine and groceries could reach 140 neighbors. Faith-driven efforts shine too: Spokes of Hope “became local to the local,” moving from freezers and food to construction support, while Michael Brown’s family opened their barn so Amish crews with Great Needs Ministry could build 175 tiny homes for families without shelter.

Service also looks like quiet discipline. Meet Mike, who arrives at First Baptist between two and three in the morning to prepare a sanctuary that welcomes a waking town. And celebrate East Henderson basketball’s 27-game win streak and invitation to the United World Games, proof that teamwork and grit ripple far beyond the court. We close with Helene Rising’s story—a family road trip home with chainsaws that turned into a year of driveways cleared, materials delivered, and dignified help across Appalachia.

If you’re searching for a roadmap to real recovery, you’ll find it here: start where you stand, pair volunteers with local leaders, keep the footprint light, and never underestimate the power of one open door. Subscribe, share these stories with a friend, and leave a review to help more neighbors find the help—and hope—they need.

A Christmas Day offer doesn’t happen every year, but it tells a bigger story: real estate moves when life moves. We unpack why Henderson County continues to post steady sales, tight inventory, and firm pricing, then share how to use timing, preparation, and smart strategy to create better outcomes whether you’re buying, selling, or investing.

We start with clear numbers. Over the last 12 months, single-family sales averaged roughly 133 per month with only about 530 active listings, putting the market just under a four-month supply. That’s classic seller’s market territory, even as days on market stretch toward 60 and buyers regain leverage through preparation and strong financing. October and November showed meaningful rebounds from last year’s Helene disruption, and year-over-year transactions climbed, helping prices hold near a county average of about $545,000. Neighborhoods vary, though, and we explain how micro-markets shape pricing, competition, and offer strategy.

If you’re holding appreciated property or idle land, we dive into practical ways to reposition without an avoidable tax hit. We demystify 1031 exchanges, highlight the broader like-kind rules, and explore how depreciation and cost segregation can raise after-tax income. For owners who want less hassle and more freedom, we outline options to turn non-productive assets into diversified, income-producing real estate while preserving wealth and flexibility.

We also talk about the human side of making big moves. Goals sound good, but systems win. Simple, identity-based habits—showing up, preparing documents, lining up partners—compound into better decisions and smoother closings. Two favorite stories, “diamonds in your backyard” and the fisherman’s lesson, help reframe success as clarity, presence, and well-chosen steps rather than endless chasing. If you’re ready to plan a smart sale, buy with confidence, or restructure an investment for 2026, let’s map your next step together.

Subscribe, share with a friend who’s planning a move, and leave a quick review to help more neighbors find the show. Ready to talk specifics? Call 828-393-0134 or visit realestatebygreg.com.

Tired of headlines that tell you the sky is falling? We pull the curtain back on what’s truly moving today’s housing market and why homes keep selling even when national volume dips. From inventory constraints to rate relief, we share the real signals that matter, then translate them into practical plays for buyers, sellers, and investors who want results without the guesswork.

We walk through the long arc of housing cycles—what “normal” sales volume looked like before the pandemic surge, why 2020–2021 was an anomaly, and how the recent reset reshaped behavior on both sides of the table. You’ll hear how affordability has shifted, why equity remains a powerful force, and how smart strategies like rate buydowns, precise pricing, and tight underwriting can open doors right now. We also drill into Henderson County numbers: active listings, absorption, and price bands that frame realistic expectations. The goal is simple—replace noise with clarity so you can move life forward on your terms.

To mark the season, we share a powerful reflection on It’s a Wonderful Life and the real story behind Jimmy Stewart’s performance—combat missions, trauma, and the quiet strength that gave George Bailey his depth. It’s a reminder that impact often hides in the ordinary and that decisions grounded in service outlast any market cycle. If you’re considering a move—downsizing, upsizing, investing, or planning a tax‑smart sale—let’s talk through your options and build a plan that fits your life and your numbers.

Ready to act with confidence? Follow the show, share this episode with a friend who needs clarity, and leave a quick review to help others find us. For local guidance, call 828-393-0134 or visit realestatebygreg.com.

A stranger in distress. A teen who didn’t look away. When a driver in a school parking lot signaled she couldn’t breathe, North Henderson senior Dylan Kleinknecht trusted his instincts, performed the Heimlich, and saved a life—then quietly went on with his day. We unpack the moment step by step, explore why basic first aid matters, and talk about the humility that often defines real heroism.

We also share a heartfelt tribute to Greg Biffle, the retired NASCAR champion whose personal helicopter missions after Hurricane Helene delivered insulin, formula, chainsaws, and essentials across North Carolina’s mountain communities. His example shows how leadership and logistics can scale compassion, turning private resources into public relief when it matters most.

Rounding out the conversation, we provide a grounded look at Western North Carolina real estate: more closed sales year over year, prices holding near the mid-540s for single-family homes, longer days on market, and lean inventory under 600 listings. Interest rates may fluctuate, but life changes drive moves. We offer practical tips for buyers and sellers on timing, pricing, preparation, and financing so you can navigate the market with clarity and confidence.

If this story moved you, share it with someone who’d benefit from a reminder that everyday skills save lives and everyday people can be heroes. Subscribe for more local stories, market insights, and ways to get involved. Have a hometown hero we should meet? Send us a note and leave a review to help others find the show.

One week before Christmas, we open with community news and a remarkable Hometown Hero story, then get straight to the point: January can be a surprisingly strong month to buy a home. With fewer bidders in the market, sellers often more open to negotiation, and historically softer price-per-square-foot, the winter window can reward prepared buyers. We share practical ways to navigate slower months, compare offers, and move at a sane pace without losing your edge.

From there, we unpack the local data so you can make informed decisions. Listings, pendings, and closed sales are up year over year, while prices remain resilient and days on market normalize around two months. Inventory sits near four months for single-family homes, signaling a balanced but still active market. We connect these numbers to real-life decisions—downsizing, rightsizing, or timing a move for family and work—so you can align strategy with what matters most.

The conversation zooms out to the forces reshaping North Carolina real estate. Inbound migration from higher-cost states continues to accelerate thanks to affordability, a lower overall tax burden, and quality of life that spans mountains, beaches, and vibrant city hubs. Retirees appreciate that Social Security isn’t taxed at the state level, while remote workers and families value space, schools, healthcare, and outdoor access. We highlight how this diverse flow supports market stability across price points and neighborhoods.

Finally, we shift to wealth protection and next-chapter planning. Whether it’s using a 1031 exchange to defer capital gains on investment property, applying the two-out-of-five-year rule on a primary residence, or coordinating with lenders, attorneys, and tax strategists, we outline steps that help you keep more of what you’ve built. If you’re looking for clarity, not pressure, and want a team that pairs data with empathy, you’re in the right place. Subscribe, share this episode with a friend who’s weighing a move, and leave a review to tell us what question you want answered next.