|
It's August. Get outside!
Time to talk about one of the best things about the NC High Country--HIKING! Our area is known for its amazing hiking opportunties, and what a great way to enjoy the last part of summer.
We have prepared a guide of some of our favorite walks and hikes for all levels of experience: Hiking in the NC High Country: Trails, Views & Easy Walks. Some of those hikes are below.
In Real Estate, we are continuing our growth into the year. While most markets are starting to cool off, ours has its peak in August, September and October. July's numbers show that the market is really healthy. We have shared some great listings with you.
Keep going to the end, where we have a lineup of all types of events and activities in August, from the High Country Beer Fest to the Salamander Safari (not kidding).
If you enjoy our newsletter, please share with your friends, and have them email us at Leslie@easonteam.com.
| |
Better Than You've Heard
THE QUESTION EVERYONE ASKS: Lately I'm asked more than ever how the market is doing — and almost always with the assumption that it's down. I understand why. Most people are still measuring against the Covid years, which were an anomaly by any standard. My answer: the market right now is stable, balanced, and doing better than last year. It feels a lot like the years just before Covid — and those were good years in our market.
SALES AND VOLUME: Sales continue to climb, up 27.5% overall from June and 12.1% over July of last year. This month I've added a new statistic to our monthly numbers — total dollar volume — and it tells the story clearly. Sales volume overall was up 29.6% from 2025, making July the fourth-highest dollar-volume month on record, second only to October of last year. That's not a market in decline.
PRICING: Median sales prices are staying consistent — $515,000 for single-family homes in July. Average prices, though, are rising significantly, and the driver is clear: sales of homes over $1 million. That segment saw 38 closings in July, up 65.2% from a year ago, with dollar volume up 75.5%.
INVENTORY: Based on July sales, we're sitting at 5.8 months of inventory — squarely balanced territory, with a healthy selection for buyers and steady demand for sellers.
PRICE REDUCTIONS: As I mentioned last month, part of the perception that the market is slipping comes from the number of price reductions out there. Those reductions mostly reflect homes that were priced a little high at listing and corrected to market price during the listing period — not a downward trend in the market itself. The data above backs that up.
| | |
Luxury Mountain Home in the Lodges at Eagles Nest
6 Valley Watch Court, Banner Elk, NC
$4,250,000 6 Beds | 6.5 Baths | 6,634 sf
More Details---- 3D Tour---- Watch the Video
| | |
Spacious Modern Mountain Home in the
heart of Valle Crucis -- REDUCED!
165 Leighway Lane, Banner Elk, NC
$1,450,000 3 Beds | 3 Baths | 4,398 sf
More Details
| | Listed by Megan Torgerson - Keller Williams High Country | |
|
Home with Entire New Level Added in 2025 -- REDUCED!
Huge flexibility for vacation rental options
784 Alpine Drive, Seven Devils, NC
$1,125,000 6 Beds | 6.5 Baths | 4,447 sf
More Details---- 3D Tour
| | |
Spacious Mountain Home in-Town Banner Elk
248 Hillcrest Lane, Banner Elk, NC
$899,000 4 Beds | 4 Baths | 3,212 sf
More Details ---- 3D Tour
| | |
NEW LISTING: Classic Cottage Near Downtown Blowing Rock
168 Mountain View Drive, Blowing Rock, NC
$639,000 3 Beds | 2 Baths | 1,292 sf
More Details ---- 3D Tour
| | |
Charming Log Home 10 minutes from Downtown Boone
633 Wilson Lane, Boone, NC
$595,000 3 Beds | 2 Baths | 2,135 sf
More Details ---- 3D Tour
| | |
Mountain View Townhome near Sugar Mountain Ski Resort
218 Slope View Road #22, Sugar Mountain, NC
$530,000 3 Beds | 3 Baths | 1,717 sf
More Details ---- 3D Tour
| | |
Cozy Log Cabin near the Watauga River
737 Trivette Circle, Sugar Grove, NC
$479,000 2 Beds | 2 Baths | 1,463 sf
More Details ---- 3D Tour
| | Curated searches for you | | |
The NC High Country is home to some of the best hiking trails in the Eastern US, with options ranging from easy lakeside walks to mountain hikes with expansive Blue Ridge Mountain views.
Use this guide to find a trail that fits your plans and discover more of what makes hiking in the High Country a favorite way to explore the region:
Hiking in the NC High Country: Trails, Views & Easy Walks
| | Easy Walks and Accessible Trails | | |
Bass Lake
For an easy walk surrounded by mountain scenery, Bass Lake is a great option just outside Blowing Rock. The mostly level, unpaved trail has a gravel surface that is suitable for wheelchairs and strollers, making it an accessible option for a relaxed walk or jog.
Price Lake
Offers a mix of hiking, water activities, and relaxing scenery. Visitors can explore the trails around the lake, enjoy a picnic, or spend time on the water. Canoes, rowboats, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards are available to rent at the on-site facility.
Boone Greenway
An easy, accessible trail close to town. Most sections are paved or gravel and mostly flat, making the Greenway accessible to walkers, runners, cyclists, wheelchairs, strollers, and hikers. The trail can be explored in shorter sections, with a few loop options for those looking for a quick walk.
| | |
Cragway Trail Loop
For a moderate to challenging hike with panoramic mountain views, consider combining the Nuwati Trail and Cragway Trail in Grandfather Mountain State Park. Hikers looking for a bigger challenge, the route can be extended by continuing on the Cragway Trail to Calloway Peak, the highest point on Grandfather Mountain at 5,946 feet.
Moses Cone Manor Carriage Trails
If you're looking for an easy-to-moderate hike with a mix of mountain views, forests, meadows, and historic scenery, Moses Cone Memorial Park offers several trails to explore. The estate has about 25 miles of former carriage roads, which now serve as wide, generally gentle hiking trails
Rough Ridge Trail
This trail is considered one of the best ‘bangs for the buck’ in terms of amazing views over a short distance. this 1.5-mile round-trip hike climbs from the parking area to a series of rocky overlooks with views of Grandfather Mountain, the Linn Cove Viaduct, and Linville Gorge.
| | Hiking Near Boone and Banner Elk | | |
Elk Knob State Park
A great place to explore if you're looking for a hike with panoramic mountain views. The 3.8-mile Summit Trail leads to an overlook with views of Mount Mitchell, Mount Rogers, Grandfather Mountain, and the area's three ski resorts.
Profile Trail at Grandfather Mountain State Park
One of the most famous and challenging trails in the High Country, offering a rewarding climb on the western side of Grandfather Mountain State Park. The trail passes through several distinct natural communities, crossing streams, rhododendron thickets, hardwood forests, and areas filled with seasonal wildflowers.
| | |
Beacon Heights
This trail is less than a mile round trip and leads through a forested, rocky path to two open quartzite overlooks. Open up to wide views of the layered mountains along the Blue Ridge, including Table Rock, Hawksbill Mountain, Grandmother Mountain, and Grandfather Mountain.
Hawksbill and Table Rock
These are two popular spots to explore in the Linville Gorge area. From the summit, you'll have wide views in several directions, including Grandfather Mountain to the north, Mount Mitchell to the southwest, and the Piedmont to the east.
Wiseman's View
If you're looking for a scenic stop without a long hike, Wiseman’s View offers some of the best views of Linville Gorge. the overlook features two rock observation decks with views of the Linville River about 1,500 feet below and the peaks of Hawksbill and Table Rock across the gorge.
| | | | |
