March Madness

Real estate has definitely picked up its pace in the Hickory Metro in 2012. Realtors are just as busy showing properties as they are listing. Since the first of the year, agents in the Catawba Valley Association of Realtors have sold 321 homes with the average sold price of $134,000. The same time period in 2011 had about the same number of sales but the average sales price was $20,000 less. That is good news. Our values are going up and that builds confidence. Something we need a lot more of in 2012.

The warmer temperatures will bring new buyers to the forefront for the summer market. Most people move in the summer months so in April, May and June our calendars will be filling up. Call your agents early to get into their schedules.

Time to take the Polar Plunge in Lake Hickory!

From the Hickory Daily Record:

By: RICHARD GOULD | Hickory Daily Record
Published: January 20, 2012
HICKORY --
For everyone looking forward to jumping into a frigid lake to benefit Special Olympic athletes in North Carolina, your wait is almost over.

The sixth annual Polar Plunge is right around the corner.

The event will feature dozens of people leaping into the frigid waters of Lake Hickory at the Whittenburg Wildlife Access on Feb. 11 at 1 p.m.

Registration starts at 11 a.m. and plungers are required to donate a minimum of $50 to Special Olympics.

The Hickory Police Department’s goal is to raise $10,000 for Special Olympics North Carolina.

In 2009, the Hickory Polar Plunge raised $4,600 for Special Olympics. In 2010, the Polar Plunge raised $6,000. Last year, 80 people jumped in the chilly lake and raised $11,000.

Hickory police Sgt. Randy Isenhour is organizing the event.

Last year, he raised about $900 for Special Olympics with sponsorships.

His secret is simple: he uses Firstgiving.com/sonc. He signed on, chose the Hickory Polar Plunge event, made his own donation page then sent it out to everyone on his email address list. Then he sat back and watched the donations roll in.

“A lot of people just pay the minimum $50 donation and jump in the water – this way you can raise a lot more money – and this is all about raising as much money as possible for Special Olympics,” Isenhour said.

All plungers will receive a commemorative T-shirt. Doughnut, hot chocolate and coffee will be available during the event. Rescue personnel will be on site and divers will be in the water during the plunge.

For more information, call 261-2600 or email risenhour@hickorync.gov.

Resolutions for Home Sellers in 2012

Take a look at this article in Newsday about how to get your home sold in 2012. This article covers the basic rules to get your home in shape and off the market as soon as possible. But remember that your market can be completely different than the town next door. Be sure to contract a Realtor who is knowledgeable about your neighborhood and its amenities and then take the time to really listen to them.

Anchors Landing

  

Anchors Landing is a gated waterfront community located in Granite Falls of Western North Carolina between Charlotte and Blowing Rock off Highway 321.

Sitting on the north bank of Gunpowder Cove of Lake Hickory, Anchors Landing boasts over 300 1+ acre wooded building sites. Amenities include lamp-lighted private streets, underground utilities, clubhouse with pool and hot tub, day boat slips on Lake Hickory, 4 stocked ponds for fishing and canoes, miles of paved walking trails, and secure boat/RV storage. Utilities include Caldwell county water, telephone, and electricity. Each lot requires a septic system.

The Home Owners Association includes an Architectural Review Board that adheres to strict regulations of its home construction guidelines. Buy now while prices are low and build later!

Just outside the gate is a semi-private golf course called Granada Farms designed by Tom Jackson in the mid '70s with 18 holes featuring 6,761 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par 72. The course rating is 71.0 and it has a slope rating of 121.

Granite Falls (pop 4800) is a quaint community just 5 miles north of Hickory. Highway 321 is known for its 20 Miles of Furniture shopping. Lake Hickory offers all sorts of entertainment with boating, swimming and fishing on 4,223 acres of water. The lake is part of the Catawba River System and is owned and managed by Duke Energy. Lake Hickory is 17 miles long with 103 miles of shoreline from Rhodhiss dam to Oxford dam.

Contact  Lake Hickory Realty, LLC    for additional information on all properties listed in the Catawba Valley Multiple Listing Service. Office: 828-396-5333, Cell: 828-312-0013, eMail: nika.werner@gmail.com

Waterfront Home in Conover!

REDUCED! Private wooded setting on Lake Hickory's eastern end on a wide cove overlooking Oxford Dam. Updated covered dock in place with sundeck and electricity. Fenced yard with outbuilding for lake toys. 3 bedrooms with 2 baths on main level with screened porch. Basement offers two story fireplace in den with floor to ceiling windows overlooking wood deck and lakefrontage. Eat-in kitchen with plenty of cabinets and butler's pantry. Easy slope to dock and excellent views. Landscaped with perennials. Located just off Hwy 16 just south of dam off Claude Rd halfway between Hickory and Taylorsville. Duke Energy's Oxford Access nearby. Dishwasher, refrigerator, microwave & washer/dryer to stay with home. Move right in and start enjoying Lake Hickory. $345,000 Contact Nika at 828-312-0013 or 828-396-5333 or nika.werner@gmail.com.