Highlands, NC is a town of about 6.2 square miles that houses over 1,061 residents. This small mountain town is located approximately 130 miles north of Atlanta, GA on the Appalachian Trail and sits at 4,118 feet.
The town is rich with antique stores, an auction house, award-winning restaurants, historic buildings, and several performing arts venues. Its location on the Appalachian Trail offers nature lovers a wide variety of outdoor activities, not the least of which is waterfall watching! There are a handful of stunning, deep waterfalls in the area that hikers and walkers can reach from the many hiking trails around. The elevation makes the Highlands a popular spot for fishing enthusiasts, nature lovers, and folks simply needing to get away from the hustle and bustle of big city life.
Over the past twelve months, the average home price in the Highlands area has been $1,108,749 out of 239 listings per Highlands/Cashiers MLS. The town is in an aggressive seller’s market, and buyers should come prepared for stiff competition for Highlands real estate. If life in Highlands, NC sounds like the right fit for you, finding the right Realtor to assist you is the first in many essential steps.
Realtor vs. real estate broker
You may be surprised to discover that the professional designations of realtors and real estate brokers are not interchangeable. Each has different levels of knowledge and licensure.
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Realtors are licensed real estate agents who are members of the NAR, the National Association of Realtors. They take an oath to abide by the association’s code of ethics and standards.
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Not every real estate agent is a realtor.
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All real estate agents must be licensed in the state(s) where they work, and they must abide by state and national laws. Agents must complete coursework and pass an exam, which differs slightly by state. Confirm with your state’s real estate commission website that your potential agent is licensed. If not, move on to one who is.
Performing adequate due diligence
While you might assume that all realtors/brokers are the same, they’re not. Ideally, buyers and sellers of Highlands real estate should vet potential real estate professionals with the same due diligence you would when finding a physician, family attorney, or tax professional. Talk to friends, family, and co-workers for referrals. You can also investigate agent websites, online profiles, customer testimonials, and background to see if they are the right fit. Create a shortlist of 3-5 candidates and interview them. Here are some basic questions you’ll want to ask your agent:
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What experience and training does the agent have?
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How long has the agent worked with clients?
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Will the agent work with me directly or through an assistant?
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How much will the agent be paid?
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Is the agent’s commission negotiable or set in stone?
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Are your clients satisfied with their experience?
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Will the agent provide client information so you can contact them for reference?
Choosing an agent: Tips for buyers
Potential buyers of Highlands homes for sale face a very aggressive seller's market. It's important to know that your potential real estate professional isn't just out to earn as many commission checks as possible in a hot market without truly considering your needs as a client. Here are pointed questions to ask:
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“What are the challenges currently in the market?” Steer clear of an agent who claims that everything is "easy," says, "you've got this," and "don't worry, it's all good." A true professional will advise you about realistic expectations for the current market, including housing availability and any competition you might run into in bidding for a home in an aggressive market.
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Ask your real estate professional about their methods; in other words, how have they helped recent buyers identify and purchase homes that are right for them? The agent should be customer-focused, not self-focused.
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“How will you make competitive offers?” Look for an agent who will keep your budget and goals top of mind.
Choosing an agent: Tips for sellers
Sellers of Highlands homes for sale might assume that a real estate deal is one and done. However, even simple transactions involve the law, contracts, and exchange of money. A qualified agent will be able to provide you with the following information.
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An agent will be able to provide sellers with a comparative market analysis (CMA) that shows homes similar to yours in price and location that have been sold in the last six months. If your home is wildly lower or higher in price than ones similar to it—or your agent advises you to price your home in this way—buyers might assume there’s something wrong and will scroll right past.
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An agent will offer sound advice based on tangible market knowledge about how much your house is worth and why. If the agent recommends listing your Highlands real estate at the highest price the market will bear, he might not be trustworthy or experienced in the way you need him to be.
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An agent will suggest ways to improve your home by making repairs and renovations to boost its return on investment (ROI). Without this input, you could spend thousands of dollars on upgrades that buyers don’t care about or don’t want.
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An agent will offer several methods of marketing your home for sale. It isn’t enough, competitively speaking, to upload a few photos and details on an online site and hope buyers will bite. Marketing your home also involves putting it on the national network called the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), networking with colleagues to broaden the scope of exposure, and offering staging for your home with professional photos and video tours.
Local realtors are industry professionals and will work hard on your behalf. Reach out to trusted local agent Spencer Kirkpatrick, and you'll be in the home of your dreams soon!
