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        <title>Real Estate Blog</title>
        <link>https://www.cottonwoodpropertiesnc.com/blog/</link>
        <description>Cottonwood Properties in Black Mountain, North Carolina is active in all areas of real estate buying and selling throughout Western North Carolina and the Asheville area.  From single family homes and multiplexes, to log cabins and lots and land.</description>
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    <guid>https://www.cottonwoodpropertiesnc.com/blog/as-a-seller-why-bother-with-home-staging-and-what-is-home-staging-anyway.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.cottonwoodpropertiesnc.com/blog/as-a-seller-why-bother-with-home-staging-and-what-is-home-staging-anyway.html</link>
        <author>eddie@cottonwoodpropertiesnc.com (Eddie Colley)</author>
        <title>As a seller, why bother with Home Staging and what is Home Staging anyway?</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 



Although the market is ever-changing, there seems to be an old adage that rings true when it comes to listing your home for sale. First impressions are everything. And often for many prospective buyers, it’s the very thing that lends itself to a second look. Or not.


So, how do I create a great first impression and what exactly is home staging? 


The concept is pretty simple. It’s much like we all learned as children. Pick up after yourself. Put things back where they belong. If it’s broken, fix it. If it’s not fixable, replace it. If it’s outdated, consider donating it. You kinda get the idea. 


But, I’m moving out of my house. Why would I want to spend anything, much less my time and energy?


The answers are pretty simple and the benefits are pretty well documented for sellers.


Staging your home can result in a higher offer. It can reduce time on the market. It can help prospective buyers ‘take ownership’ of the home by allowing them to visualize how they would live in the property. 


According to Melissa Dittmann Tracey in “Staging to Sell: The Real Estate Shift Toward Picture-Perfect Homes”, 83 of buyers’ agents said staging made it easier for home buyers to visualize the property as their future home. Staging also makes a home look more move-in-ready – meaning that it doesn't seem to need a lot of work or repair before a new buyer could move in.


Staging a home makes it easier to market. It looks better in listing photos (where online shopping often is the first look for buyers) and it’s also more eye-catching when shared on social media, printed on flyers and displayed in other visual marketing mediums. As a result, staged homes typically sell faster. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 62 of agents say staging has an impact on a home's time on the market. ^


Real estate agents say home staging can help their sellers net more money for a home. About 30 of real estate professionals reported a 1 to 10 increase in home value that they attributed to staging (19 of listing agents said staging increased offers by 1–5 over similar, un-staged homes and 10 of listing agents noting a 6—10 increase).*


With all these documented benefits for sellers, why not stage your home? Here are a few suggestions for getting started:


 1.  Declutter, declutter, declutter. Clear surface areas and put things away. Consider small storage options for kids’ rooms or bathrooms.


2.  Clean, clean, clean. A sparkling home is a winner, hands down


3.  Depersonalize the home. Remove personal photos, religious or faith-based items, sports memorabilia and pet items, for example.


4.  If needed, consider carpet cleaning or paint touch-ups. Address minor repairs such as replacing outlet covers or re-grouting tile.


5.  And don’t forget curb appeal Consider any enhancements to the outside of the home with particular efforts towards landscaping.


Home staging may increase the likelihood that you'll sell your property and do so quickly, and for top dollar. It can also be beneficial when the market is particularly competitive for sellers by ensuring your home is memorable, beautiful and stands out from the rest.


Cottonwood Properties can help you with this important stage of the home selling process.


 



*REALTOR® Magazine Media Real Estate News


Staging to Sell: The Real Estate Shift Toward Picture-Perfect Homes


May 6, 2025 Staging, Design Trends, Design &amp; Architecture: Melissa Dittmann Tracey


 


^What Is Home Staging and What Does It Cost?


By Travelers





 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Tue, 19 Aug 2025 13:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.cottonwoodpropertiesnc.com/blog/selecting-a-real-estate-agent.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.cottonwoodpropertiesnc.com/blog/selecting-a-real-estate-agent.html</link>
        <author>eddie@cottonwoodpropertiesnc.com (Eddie Colley)</author>
        <title>Selecting a Real Estate Agent</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
The first step you need to take if you're looking for a great real estate agent is to know the basics about what real estate agents are and what they do. Otherwise you'll never know what to look for or what questions to ask.


Real Estate Buyer’s Agent


Now many real estate agents will help anyone buy or sell a home, but there are real estate agents out there that specialize in helping clients buy houses. They're called buyer's agents.


Real Estate Seller’s Agent or Listing Agent


And then there are agents that only work with people selling their houses, and they're called seller's agents or listing agents.


It should go without saying, but real estate agents don't work for free. They usually get paid four to six percent commission from the seller's side of the deal.


Okay, now it's time for the next step. Make sure you're ready to buy or sell your home.


Steps for Buying a House


Buyers, before you get a real estate agent, figure out how much house you can't afford. Then save up a down payment for a home. A twenty percent (20) down payment is ideal, but if you're a first time home buyer, five to ten percent (5-10) is okay. But you'll have to pay an additional private mortgage fee on top of your monthly mortgage payments.


Lastly, get pre-approved for a mortgage you can afford. A 15-year fixed rate mortgage with a payment that's no more than 25 of your take-home pay.


Steps for Selling a House


Okay sellers, before you get a real estate agent make sure your home equity is on your side. You don't want to owe more than what your current home is worth. You need to be in a good Financial spot to pay off your entire mortgage with the money from the sale of your house and have enough money left over to buy another house.


Once your house is sold, next you need to narrow down your requirements for a real estate agent. There are hundreds, if not thousands of agents in your area, but only a handful of them will be the right agent for you.


Finding a Real Estate Agent


To find the right agent, start looking for these things first.


Experience


Look for an agent with at least four years of full-time real estate experience.


Certifications and Professional Memberships


Next certifications and professional memberships. This will tell you that the agent takes their work very seriously.


Local Market Knowledge


Then familiarity with the local markets. Your agent needs to know your area like the back of their hands and have a track record for closing a lot of homes there.


Reviews and Referrals


And look for reviews. You want to make sure that the agent you choose has a reputation of being excellent. This is not too much to ask.


The next thing you want to do is ask for referrals. Not too long ago, your only option was to ask your friend or your neighbor for their referral. But today, you can get great referrals online. You can learn a ton about real estate agents in your area and you can read their reviews.


Try even looking for a referral program that you can trust, like Ramsay Trusted real estate agents.  Cottonwood Properties is a Ramsey vetted agent and listed as a Ramsay Trusted ELP (Endorsed Local Provider).


Interview


Now that you've got some referrals, it's time to interview at least three real estate agents. At least three.


You know what else is important, asking them good questions like…


How long have you been a full-time agent in my market?


How many houses do you close in a year?


What's your commission fee?


The answers will tell you a lot about their work ethic, character, and how they're going to serve you.


Contact us at Cottonwood Properties today. We'd love to answer these questions and more.  We have in-house specialty Buyer's Agents and Seller's Agents ready to help you buy a new home, sell your current house, or both.




Contact an Agent


 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Thu, 20 Oct 2022 12:37:00 -0400</pubDate>
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<item>
    <guid>https://www.cottonwoodpropertiesnc.com/blog/building-a-custom-home-in-the-mountains-of-north-carolina.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.cottonwoodpropertiesnc.com/blog/building-a-custom-home-in-the-mountains-of-north-carolina.html</link>
        <author>eddie@cottonwoodpropertiesnc.com (Eddie Colley)</author>
        <title>Building a Custom Home in the Mountains of North Carolina</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 



This episode of Poolside Chats with Jess explores building custom homes in the mountains of North Carolina with Sean Sullivan of Living Stone Design + Build. Sean's knowledge as a local expert builder provides insight into some important consideration and must-know issues when buying property and building a custom home in this incredibly beautiful and sometimes challenging terrain.








Sean SullivanLiving Stone Design + Build(855) 720-2435https://www.livingstoneconstruction.com/


Sean's recently released book: Building A Quality Custom Home, What you need to know https://www.livingstoneconstruction.com/building-a-quality-custom-home A step-by-step guide to the “must-know” issues of building your dream home. In this helpful and user-friendly book you will: – Learn the 10 critical questions to ask before you build. – Find out the 7 most important places to spend money on your home. – Understand the top 12 mistakes made by new homeowners… and how to avoid them. – Discover the startling step most people fail to take when choosing a builder. – Uncover the unwelcome surprises that could inflate your custom home cost – Find out the secrets of how to make your builder love you and treat your new home like his own. – Learn the 8 common arguments homeowners and home builders have… and how to avoid them. – Verify that the new construction process is on track with 7 helpful checklists 


------------- Jessica Colley is co-owner, Buyer Specialist and Certified International Property Specialist with Cottonwood Properties, a Keller Williams team. Jessica and her husband Eddie Colley were recently profiled as two of the best real estate agents in North Carolina, based in Black Mountain and serving the Western North Carolina area. 


-------------Our team at Cottonwood Properties is dedicated to offering the best customer service possible, with high standards and a culture of caring. When you're looking for a Real Estate firm to help you navigate through the process of buying or selling, you need to choose a company that is experienced, local, and has a proven track record. Cottonwood Properties is a full service Real Estate firm focusing on sales and rentals in Asheville, Black Mountain, Montreat, and surrounding areas.
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Tue, 27 Sep 2022 14:12:00 -0400</pubDate>
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<item>
    <guid>https://www.cottonwoodpropertiesnc.com/blog/italian-housing-market-and-buying-real-estate-internationally.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.cottonwoodpropertiesnc.com/blog/italian-housing-market-and-buying-real-estate-internationally.html</link>
        <author>eddie@cottonwoodpropertiesnc.com (Eddie Colley)</author>
        <title>Italian housing market and buying real estate internationally</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 



This episode of Poolside Chats with Jess explores the Italian real estate market with Caroline, a Keller Williams realtor located in Perugia, Italy.







Jess and Caroline sit poolside in San Gemini, Umbria to discuss buying an apartment, hamlet, farm house, vineyard, home or...castle Yes, you can really own your dream here.


How does buying real estate in Italy differ from markets like the U.S.? What should you expect as a foreigner when searching for a home in Italy? Is it quick and painless?


Find answers to your home buying questions in this in-depth discussion with Caroline, a Dutch native who lost her heart to this central region of Italy and escaped to this dreamy area.


-------------


Jessica Colley is co-owner, Buyer Specialist and Certified International Property Specialist with Cottonwood Properties, a Keller Williams team.  Jessica and her husband Eddie Colley were recently profiled as two of the best real estate agents in North Carolina, based in Black Mountain and serving the Western North Carolina area.


-------------


Our team at Cottonwood Properties is dedicated to offering the best customer service possible, with high standards and a culture of caring. When you're looking for a Real Estate firm to help you navigate through the process of buying or selling, you need to choose a company that is experienced, local, and has a proven track record. Cottonwood Properties is a full service Real Estate firm focusing on sales and rentals in Asheville, Black Mountain, Montreat, and surrounding areas.
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Wed, 01 Jun 2022 13:49:00 -0400</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.cottonwoodpropertiesnc.com/blog/speaking-with-mortgage-lending-expert-chase-hanks-of-movement-mortgage.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.cottonwoodpropertiesnc.com/blog/speaking-with-mortgage-lending-expert-chase-hanks-of-movement-mortgage.html</link>
        <author>eddie@cottonwoodpropertiesnc.com (Eddie Colley)</author>
        <title>Speaking with mortgage lending expert Chase Hanks of Movement Mortgage</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 



This episode of Poolside Chats with Jess dives into the details of mortgage lending with Chase Hanks, Loan Officer with Movement Mortgage. 


Jess and Chase discuss many of the important questions that home buyers have, from &quot;how much home can I afford&quot; to selecting a loan officer.







Chase HanksLoan Officer (828) 230-4525 Movement Mortgage https://lo.movement.com/chase-hanks/home


-------------


Jessica Colley is co-owner, Buyer Specialist and Certified International Property Specialist with Cottonwood Properties, a Keller Williams team.  Jessica and her husband Eddie Colley were recently profiled as two of the best real estate agents in North Carolina, based in Black Mountain and serving the Western North Carolina area.


-------------


Our team at Cottonwood Properties is dedicated to offering the best customer service possible, with high standards and a culture of caring. When you're looking for a Real Estate firm to help you navigate through the process of buying or selling, you need to choose a company that is experienced, local, and has a proven track record. Cottonwood Properties is a full service Real Estate firm focusing on sales and rentals in Asheville, Black Mountain, Montreat, and surrounding areas.
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Fri, 25 Feb 2022 15:01:00 -0500</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.cottonwoodpropertiesnc.com/blog/talking-home-inspections-with-ben-webb.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.cottonwoodpropertiesnc.com/blog/talking-home-inspections-with-ben-webb.html</link>
        <author>eddie@cottonwoodpropertiesnc.com (Eddie Colley)</author>
        <title>Talking home inspections with Ben Webb</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 



This episode of Poolside Chats with Jess covers home inspection considerations with Ben Webb of Web Home Inspections.


Ben's start as a general contractor gives him a deep understanding of home structures. His contractor background paired with 9 years as a home inspector gives Ben a deep knowledge base and extensive hands-on experience that is invaluable to home buyers.







Join the chat to get answers to home inspection questions, like what are the most common issues seen with Western North Carolina homes, and should your home inspector get up on the roof for a closer look? Should you be concerned if a 40 page inspection comes back, and what do you do with the findings in a home inspections when you're ready to buy a house?


Ben Webb General Contractor, Home Inspector Webb Home Inspections Marion, North Carolina +1 (828) 442-7738


-------------


Jessica Colley is co-owner, Buyer Specialist and Certified International Property Specialist with Cottonwood Properties, a Keller Williams team.  Jessica and her husband Eddie Colley were recently profiled as two of the best real estate agents in North Carolina, based in Black Mountain and serving the Western North Carolina area.


-------------


Our team at Cottonwood Properties is dedicated to offering the best customer service possible, with high standards and a culture of caring. When you're looking for a Real Estate firm to help you navigate through the process of buying or selling, you need to choose a company that is experienced, local, and has a proven track record. Cottonwood Properties is a full service Real Estate firm focusing on sales and rentals in Asheville, Black Mountain, Montreat, and surrounding areas.
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Fri, 14 Jan 2022 14:56:00 -0500</pubDate>
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<item>
    <guid>https://www.cottonwoodpropertiesnc.com/blog/its-the-details-that-matter.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.cottonwoodpropertiesnc.com/blog/its-the-details-that-matter.html</link>
        <author>eddie@cottonwoodpropertiesnc.com (Eddie Colley)</author>
        <title>It's The Details That Matter</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 



Introducing Jessica Colley, co-owner, Buyer Specialist and Certified International Property Specialist with Cottonwood Properties, a Keller Williams team. 







Jessica's love for Western North Carolina and her passion to help others find their dream home drives her work as a real estate agent every day. She recognizes that everyone is unique and it's the details important to each and every person that matters when searching for a new home or property. 


Jessica and her husband Eddie Colley were recently profiled as two of the best real estate agents in North Carolina, based in Black Mountain and serving the Western North Carolina area. 


Our team at Cottonwood Properties is dedicated to offering the best customer service possible, with high standards and a culture of caring. When you're looking for a Real Estate firm to help you navigate through the process of buying or selling, you need to choose a company that is experienced, local, and has a proven track record. Cottonwood Properties is a full service Real Estate firm focusing on sales and rentals in Asheville, Black Mountain, Montreat, and surrounding areas.
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Tue, 28 Dec 2021 14:48:00 -0500</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.cottonwoodpropertiesnc.com/blog/2021-turkey-brigade.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.cottonwoodpropertiesnc.com/blog/2021-turkey-brigade.html</link>
        <author>eddie@cottonwoodpropertiesnc.com (Eddie Colley)</author>
        <title>2021 Turkey Brigade</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 

Cottonwood Properties partners with Bounty &amp; Soul each year to deliver Thanksgiving dinners to the Black Mountain and Asheville area communities.







In 2021, our Keller Williams team had the honor of serving 40 meals to a little over 100 people in our communities.  Serving is part of the culture of Cottonwood Properties and is an opportunity for us to support and give back to the people of our community that we love so dearly.

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    <pubDate>Thu, 25 Nov 2021 08:59:00 -0500</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.cottonwoodpropertiesnc.com/blog/featured-in-top-agent-magazine.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.cottonwoodpropertiesnc.com/blog/featured-in-top-agent-magazine.html</link>
        <author>eddie@cottonwoodpropertiesnc.com (Eddie Colley)</author>
        <title>Featured in Top Agent Magazine</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
It is a tremendous honor to be nominated and featured in the cover story for Top Agent Magazine, a prestigious publication in the real estate industry. 


Jessica and Eddie Colley were profiled as two of the best real estate agents in North Carolina, based in Black Mountain with Cottonwood Properties and serving the Western North Carolina area.






 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Tue, 23 Nov 2021 14:39:00 -0500</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.cottonwoodpropertiesnc.com/blog/mountain-townhouse-for-sale-229-wiltshire-circle-fletcher-north-carolina.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.cottonwoodpropertiesnc.com/blog/mountain-townhouse-for-sale-229-wiltshire-circle-fletcher-north-carolina.html</link>
        <author>eddie@cottonwoodpropertiesnc.com (Eddie Colley)</author>
        <title>Mountain Townhouse For Sale - 229 Wiltshire Circle, Fletcher, North Carolina</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Beautifully maintained condo in low-maintenance community





Enjoy the benefits of the lock-and-go lifestyle in Stafford Crossing. Centrally Located with easy access to the Asheville Airport, I-26, shopping, and dining.


Enjoy sweeping views of the mountains on your drive home, just a quick reminder that you have a quiet space to get away from it all. This community does not allow short-term rentals and have a rental cap.


I -26 to Exit 40 (hwy 280). Go east on Airport Rd to Rutledge Road (by IHOP). Take a right on Rutledge then a right into Stafford Crossing on Wiltshire Circle. 229 will be on your left.



 
Contact Agent
 








Features of 229 Wiltshire Circle










Price


$247,500



Bedrooms


3



Bathrooms


2



Square Footage


1,311



Garage


1 car



Year Built


2003





















Download Detailed Property Listing for Mountain Townhouse for Sale at 229 Wiltshire Circle, Fletcher, NC

















First Floor


The lower level is spacious and allows ample space for entertaining, the outdoor fenced patio extends your living space to the outdoors where you can enjoy the mild North Carolina weather.











































Upstairs


The bedrooms are upstairs, each room is spacious and offers tons of natural light.
























 
Contact Agent
 


 
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Wed, 03 Nov 2021 13:12:00 -0400</pubDate>
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