Keep Your Asheville Area Home Safe

Helpful Tips for Keeping You AND Your Home Safe Throughout the Holidays

Keep windows, garages and sheds locked, and don't forget to
....use deadbolts.
• Use timers to turn on lights and a television or radio.

• Maintain at least a foot of space between a burning candle and....anything that can catch fire.

• When hanging lights outdoors, avoid using staples or nails which can....damage wiring. Use UL-rated clips or wires instead.

• Don't overload electrical circuits with holiday lighting; unplug your tree and ....outdoor lights before going to bed.

• Don't leave a spare key in a "hiding place." Burglars know where to look.

• Lock your power box with an electricity authority lock (lock to which....you and the electric company have a key) so that your home security....alarm system can't be cut off from the power supply.

Courtesy of The Puffer Team, Keller Williams Professionals, 828-771-2300

www.homefinderasheville.com

Asheville Area Homes Under $200K

The median sales price continues to hover around $190,000.  There are still lots of homes on the market to help buyers get into a home they can afford, click here for a list of great homes in the WNC Mountains!

Here are just a few of the homes The Puffer Team has available, click on the addresses for more information:

183 Wiggins Road; Candler, NC  28715

564 Old Hwy 20; Alexander, NC  28701

 703 Blythe Street; Hendersonville, NC  28719 

And Just Reduced:

3003 Saint Augustine Place; Asheville, NC 28805 

Give The Puffer Team a  call today if you are interested in buying or selling a home in the Asheville area, 828-771-2300 or visit our website, www.homefinderasheville.com.

Home Maintenance Checklist

It's easy to stay on top of home maintenance when you routinely follow certain procedures.

Prevent tomorrow's problems with this month-by-month chart of tasks for your home. (source)

MONTHLY
 
• Fire Extinguisher: Check that it's fully charged; recharge or replace if needed.
• Sink/Tub Stoppers and Drain Holes: Clean out debris.
• Garbage Disposal: Flush with hot water and baking soda.
• Water Softener: Check water softener salt drum and replinish salt if necessary.
• Forced-Air Heating System: Change filters once a month if user's manual recommends fiberglass filters.
EVERY 2 MONTHS
• Wall Furnace: Clean grills.
• Range Hood: Clean grease filter.
EVERY 3 MONTHS
 
• Faucet: Clean aerator.
• Tub Drain Assembly: Clean out debris; inspect rubber seal and replace if needed.
• Floor and Outdoor Drain Grates: Clean out debris.
EVERY 6 MONTHS
• Smoke Detector: Test batteries and replace if needed.
• Toilet: Check for leaks and water run-on.
• Interior Caulking: Inspect caulking around tubs, showers, and sinks; replace any if it is deteriorating.
• Forced-Air Heating System: Change semi-annually if user's mannual recommends high efficiency pleated or HEPA-style filters.
• Garbage Disposal: Tighten drain connections and fasteners.
• Clothes Washer: Clean water inlet filters; check hoses and replace them if they are leaking.
• Clothes Dryer: Vacuum lint from ducts and surrounding areas.
• Wiring: Check for frayed cords and wires; repair or replace them as needed.
• Range Hood: Wash fan blades and housing.

EVERY SPRING
 
• Roof: Inspect roof surface, flashing, eaves, and soffits; repair if needed.
• Gutters and Downspouts: Clean them out or install no-clean version. Inspect and repair weak areas; check for proper drainage and make repairs if needed.
• Siding: Inspect and clean siding and repair if needed.
• Exterior Caulking: Inspect caulking and replace any that is deteriorating.
• Windowsills, Doorsills, Thresholds: Fill cracks, caulk edges, repaint; replace if needed.
• Window and Door Screens: Clean screening and repair or replace if needed; tighten or repair any loose or damaged frames and repaint if needed; replace broken, worn, or missing hardware; tighten and lubricate door hinges and closers.

EVERY FALL
 
• Roof: Inspect roof surface, flashing, eaves, and soffits; repair if needed.
• Gutters and Downspouts: Clean out. Inspect and repair weak points; check for proper slope.
• Chimney or Stovepipe: Clean flue (more frequently if needed); repair any cracks in flue or any loose or crumbling mortar.
• Siding: Inspect and clean siding and repair if needed.
• Exterior Caulking: Inspect caulking and replace any that is deteriorating.
• Storm Windows and Doors: Replace any cracked or broken glass; tighten or repair any loose or damaged frames and repaint if needed. Replace damaged hardware; tighten and lubricate door hinges and closers.
• Window and Door Weather Stripping: Inspect and repair or replace if it is deteriorating or if it does not seal.
• Thermostat: Clean heat sensor, contact points, and contacts; check accuracy and replace thermostat if it is not functioning properly.
• Outdoor Faucets: If you live in an area with freezing winters, shut off valves to outdoor faucets. Open spigots and drain, store hoses.

ANNUALLY
 
• Septic Tank: Have a professional check the tank (watch for backup throughout the year). In many areas, it is recommended that the tank be pumped every year.
• Main Cleanout Drain: Have a "rooter" professional clean out the main line, particularly if there are mature trees in your yard whose roots could have cracked the pipe in their search for moisture.
• Water Heater: Drain water until it is clear of sediment; test temperature pressure relief valve; clean burner and ports (gas heater).
• HVAC System: Have a professional tune up your heat/air conditioning system.

From Sunset Books, JoAnne Liebeler's Do It Herself

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The Puffer Team, Keller Williams Professionals, 828-771-2300, www.homefinderasheville.com.

 

Turkey Tips for a Tasty Thanksgiving

Check out these great tips for preparing a great Thanksgiving meal for your family this year, provided by www.asheville.com:

As Thanksgiving approaches, cooking the traditional turkey dinner gives rise to anxieties and questions. What kind of turkey should I buy? Should I buy a frozen turkey or a fresh one? How do I store my turkey? A few simple steps will not only ease your holiday fears, but will ensure a delicious and a safe meal for you, your family, and your friends.
Fresh Turkeys:

• Allow 1 pound of turkey per person.
• Buy your turkey only 1 to 2 days before you plan to cook it.
• Keep it stored in the refrigerator until you're ready to cook it. Place it on a tray or in a pan to catch any juices that may leak.
• Do not buy fresh pre-stuffed turkeys. If not handled properly, any harmful bacteria that may be in the stuffing can multiply very quickly.

Frozen Turkeys:

• Allow 1 pound of turkey per person.
• Keep frozen until you're ready to thaw it.
• Turkeys can be kept frozen in the freezer indefinitely; however, cook within 1 year for best quality.
• See "Thawing Your Turkey" for thawing instructions.

Frozen Pre-Stuffed Turkeys:

• USDA recommends only buying frozen pre-stuffed turkeys that display the USDA or State mark of inspection on the packaging. These turkeys are safe because they have been processed under controlled conditions.
• DO NOT THAW before cooking. Cook from the frozen state. Follow package directions for proper handling and cooking.
• Allow 1¼ pounds of turkey per person. Once you've selected a turkey, there are three ways to thaw it safely — in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave oven.
  • In the Refrigerator (40 °F or below)
    Allow approximately 24 hours for every 4 to 5 pounds. Keep the turkey in its original wrapper. Place it on a tray or in a pan to catch any juices that may leak. A thawed turkey can remain in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days. If necessary, a turkey that has been properly thawed in the refrigerator may be refrozen.
  • In Cold Water
    Allow approximately 30 minutes per pound. Wrap your turkey securely; making sure the water is not able to leak through the wrapping. Submerge your wrapped turkey in cold tap water. Change the water every 30 minutes. Cook the turkey immediately after it is thawed. Do not refreeze.
  • In the Microwave Oven
    Check your owner's manual for the size turkey that will fit in your microwave oven, the minutes per pound, and power level to use for thawing. Remove all outside wrapping. Place on a microwave-safe dish to catch any juices that may leak. Cook your turkey immediately. Do not refreeze or refrigerate your turkey after thawing in the microwave oven.
  Don't forget to remove the giblets from the turkey cavities after thawing, and to cook those separately. The next step is cooking your turkey. Most Thanksgiving turkets are roasted, but some folks opt for grilling or deep frying their Thanksgiving bird. If you're sticking with the traditional roasted turkey, the tips below might be useful:
  

Set your oven temperature no lower than 325 °F.

Place your turkey or turkey breast on a rack in a shallow roasting pan.

For optimum safety, stuffing a turkey is not recommended. For more even cooking, it is recommended you cook your stuffing outside the bird in a casserole. Use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature of the stuffing. The stuffing must reach a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 °F.

If you choose to stuff your turkey, the ingredients can be prepared ahead of time; however, keep wet and dry ingredients separate. Chill all of the wet ingredients (butter/margarine, cooked celery and onions, broth, etc.). Mix wet and dry ingredients just before filling the turkey cavities. Fill the cavities loosely. Cook the turkey immediately. Use a food thermometer to make sure the center of the stuffing reaches a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 °F.

A whole turkey is safe when cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 165 °F as measured with a food thermometer. Check the internal temperature in the innermost part of the thigh and wing and the thickest part of the breast. For reasons of personal preference, consumers may choose to cook turkey to higher temperatures.

If your turkey has a "pop-up" temperature indicator, it is recommended that you also check the internal temperature of the turkey in the innermost part of the thigh and wing and the thickest part of the breast with a food thermometer. The minimum internal temperature should reach 165 °F for safety.

For quality, let the turkey stand for 20 minutes before carving to allow juices to set. The turkey will carve more easily.

Remove all stuffing from the turkey cavities. It is safe to cook a turkey from the frozen state. The cooking time will take at least 50 percent longer than recommended for a fully thawed turkey. Remember to remove the giblet packages during the cooking time. Remove carefully with tongs or a fork. Optional Cooking Hints:

• Tuck wing tips under the shoulders of the bird for more even cooking. This is referred to as "akimbo."
• Add ½ cup of water to the bottom of the pan.
• If your roasting pan does not have a lid, you may place a tent of heavy-duty aluminum foil over the turkey for the first 1 to 1 ½ hours. This allows for maximum heat circulation, keeps the turkey moist, and reduces oven splatter. To prevent overbrowning, foil may also be placed over the turkey after it reaches the desired color.
• If using an oven-proof food thermometer, place it in the turkey at the start of the cooking cycle. It will allow you to check the internal temperature of the turkey while it is cooking. For turkey breasts, place thermometer in the thickest part. For whole turkeys, place in the thickest part of the inner thigh. Once the thigh has reached 165 °F, check the wing and the thickest part of the breast to ensure the turkey has reached a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 °F throughout the product.
• If using an oven cooking bag, follow the manufacturer's guidelines on the package.

• Remember to wash hands, utensils, the sink, and anything else that comes in contact with raw turkey and its juices with soap and water. 

What kind of holiday traditions do you and your family have?  What are your favorite memories?

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The Puffer Team, Keller Williams Professionals, 828-771-2300, www.homefinderasheville.com. 

A Season For Giving

Thanksgiving is a time for use to remember all we are grateful for.  There are a lot of families in the Asheville area who are barely getting by and organizations that could use some support.  If you are looking for a way to help others during this holiday season here's a list of ways you can contribute.

(source)

The holidays are approaching, and everyone is trying to come up with this year's perfect gift. With the colder months on the way, local non-profit organizations need your support to make the season bright. No amount of time, money, or talent is too small to help your neighbors this winter.

• Don't forget the Red Cross this holiday season! Give the GIFT OF LIFE at the Asheville - Mountain Area Chapter of the American Red Cross. For blood drive schedules and current blood needs, click here. Call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE to schedule an appointment to give.
• What’s in your pantry?
  • MANNA Food Bank needs non-perishable food donations including -but not limited to - soup, mac and cheese, dried beans, oatmeal, grits, canned meat, powdered milk, rice, and cereal. Volunteers and monetary donations are always welcome as well. MANNA has several holiday projects:
  • Asheville.com and Leslie and Associates are partnering to hold a food drive for MANNA Food Bank. The collection spot for the drive is the office of Leslie and Associates, inside the Manor Inn Apartments at 265 Charlotte Street in Asheville. Drop off your food items between the hours of 8:30-5:30 weekdays, or in a collections box and the door to the office on weekends. Call Aville.com at 828-693-8069 for more information.

Be someone's Santa Claus!

• The YWCA of Asheville’s MotherLove Giving Tree will be on display in the lobby of the YWCA at 185 S. French Broad Avenue starting November 17. The Giving Tree is made of stars, each bearing wishes from a local teen mother. The public is invited to come to the YWCA and pick out a star to help make someone’s holiday brighter by providing gifts for them and their children. The purpose of the Giving Tree is to assist with the holiday expenses of teen mothers in the YWCA MotherLove program. For more information, call Tangela Ballard Bowman at 254-7206 x 116 or visit the YWCA website, www.ywcaofasheville.org.
• The Arc (Association for Retarded Citizens) of Buncombe County is sponsoring Operation Santa Claus for special needs individuals throughout the country. Volunteers are asked to “adopt” a child to help spread the joy of Christmas to these individuals who have no immediate family or support systems. Contact the Arc office to recieve details about the adopted child and their needs. To ensure gift delivery by Christmas, all gifts and monetary donations are asked to be dropped-off by Friday, November 12 at the Arc office: 50 S. French Broad Ave, Asheville NC. Call 828-253-1255.
• Aston Park Health Care Center is in great need of gifts for each of its 142 senior residents to be given at their Christmas party. Suggested donations are gift bags labeled Male/Female that can be matched with a resident(at this time there are more women than men). Gift bag items might include: lotion, soap, shampoo, conditioner, lap blanket, stuffed animal, large print books and puzzle books, stationary, kleenex, purfume, shaving cream, a framed print or 2008 picture calendar to hang in their room etc. No food items please. All gifts are asked to be donated by December 15th. Cash donations are accepted if you'd like us to purchase these gifts. All donations can be dropped off at 380 Brevard Road, Asheville. Call 253-4437 x317.

One of the most recognizable means of fundraising for The Salvation Army is the Red Kettles at Christmastime. The donations left in these kettles provide funding for Salvation Army programs and services throughout the year. Please consider a donation to the Red Kettles this season!

• Individuals, groups, and businesses can host an online red kettle this holiday season: http://give.salvationarmyusa.org. Host your own personalized Red Kettle online and invite friends, family, and collegeaues to support your efforts. It's an easy way to help the Salvation Army warm the hearts and souls of those in need at Christmastime and year-round.

Housing Authority of Asheville is in need of volunteers who can teach holiday crafts classes for elderly or disabled residents of public housing. Volunteer led craft times are preferably once a week (Mon-Fri) for 1-1.5 hours, late morning or afternoon from now until December 10. Casual dress. Volunteers should bring craft supplies needed for their projects. Volunteers could also assist in organizing a Holiday Crafts Bazaar where the residents could sell their handmade craft items on Saturday, Nov. 22. Ages 16-17 accepted with adult supervsion. Ages 18+ welcome. Call 828-258-1222. Housing Authority of Asheville is also requesting craft items for residents to use in making holiday items such as: wreaths, ornaments, handmade gifts. The craft supplies need not be new. Suggested craft supplies include: wooden or plastic items that can be painted attractively; styrofoam balls; yarn; wreath bases; pine cones; old ornaments that can be re-painted or made to look new; old holiday cards; glue guns; paint brushes of varying sizes; acrylic paints; glitter; old magazines for collage making; craft books; beads and jewelry making items; fabric and felt; sequins, ribbon, etc. Donations can be dropped off at 165 S. French Broad Ave. 

Habitat for Humanity's Home Store needs small groups (up to 6) to help with assembling artificial Christmas trees at the Home Store throughout November. A time period of 4 hours is suggested, and can be scheduled between 9:00am-5:00pm on Monday, Thursday, or Friday. Additionally, evening hours from 5:00 - 8:00pm are available on Wednesday evening. Youth ages 16-17 accepted with adult supervision. Ages 18+ welcome. Call 828-251-5702.

Are you great at gift wrapping? Volunteers are needed to wrap gifts in two hour shifts at Barnes and Noble for donations that will go directly to the Literacy Council of Buncombe County. There will be a wrapping table and chairs for each volunteer to work including all paper, tape, ribbon, etc. The Literacy Council will also provide brochures for people to take. All volunteers will be given a small description of the Literacy Council and the mission of the orgainization beforehand. Youth ages 14-17 welcome with adult supervision. Ages 18+ welcome. Call 828-254-3442.

Spread a little holiday cheer! Work on your own or get a group of friends together to make holiday related items to be given to patients who are served by Carepartners Hospice Solace Center. The following items would be welcomed: placemats for patient trays, tray favors (small wreaths, decorated candy canes, etc), festive holiday note cards, or small wreaths that could hang in patient windows with suction cups (no larger than 8 - 10 inches in diameter). Open to seasonal decorations for Thanksgiving or the December Holidays. Please deliver donated items to Danny Johnson at CarePartners Hospice Solace Center. Call 828-255-0231 for more info and directions.

Animal Compassion Network needs 3 volunteers for each shift at PetSmart to take picture of people w/ their pets as part of the Santa Paws project. A portion of the "Santa Paws" event proceeds will be donated to Animal Compassion Network's adoption programs. This event will take place on 3 weekends in December before Christmas. Volunteer shifts can be divided (11:00am-1:30pm/1:30-4:00pm). There will be costumes available for the volunteers provided by PetSmart. Ages 16+ welcome. Call 828-277-7647.

Three Streams Family Health Center offers affordable, compassionate medical care to the uninsured of WNC. Three Streams is in need of volunteers to deliver special holiday giftbaskets to its individual and company supporters. Volunteers will pick up the gifts at 1710 Old Haywood Rd. and deliver them around the Asheville-area. Volunteers need a good sense of direction, good walking shoes and a good attitude. Youth ages 16-17 accepted with adult supervision. Ages 18+ welcome. 828-285-9725 for more information.

"A Winter's Tale" is a fun, family-friendly evening event exploring the ways cultures endured winter with stories, dance, arts and the spirit of the season. With entertainment, food, decorations, crafts and animal presentations, WNC Nature Center hopes to share educational programs for its guests. Visiting camels, native arts and Santa will be included. Volunteers are needed to share in the crafts, sell hot beverages, greet guests, and more. This is a family tradition for hundreds of families in the Asheville area! This is all outdoors, so volunteers should come prepared with warm clothes. Youth volunteers ages 12-17 accepted. Ages 18+ welcome. Call 828-298-5600.
(Images provided by Jennifer Amann and the Salvation Army.)

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The Puffer Team, Keller Williams Professionals, 828-771-2300, www.homefinderasheville.com. 

Getting Ready For Thanksgiving

Are you going to be in the Asheville Area for Thanksgiving?  Looking for things to do?  Here's a list from www.romanticasheville.com that is filled with great ideas:

1. Thanksgiving Day (November 22, 2012) Asheville Restaurants: While many restaurants are closed, there are still many great choices for a Thanksgiving brunch, lunch or dinner. Click on the names to go to their web sites. 
 
Biltmore Estate Restaurants
Requires estate admission ticket or 12-month pass to dine. See our Christmas at Biltmore Guide.
• Deerpark 11 AM-4 PM: Special Thanksgiving buffet, reservations required (and books up fast). $42/person. Phone: 828-225-6260.
• Bistro (at Winery) 11 AM-9 PM: Elaborate four-course prix fixe menu, plus limited a la carte. Phone: 828-225-6230. Reservations highly recommended.
• Stable Café (by House) 11 AM-4 PM: A la carte menu with blend of most popular lunch menu items, plus a number of holiday offerings. Best option if you tour Biltmore on Thanksgiving and don't have a reservation.
• Cedric’s Tavern (Antler Village) 11 AM-11 PM: Regular lunch and dinner menus, plus three-course menu. Phone: 828-225-1320

Grove Park Inn Restaurants (Dining reservations: 1-800-438-5800)
• Blue Ridge Dining Room: Breakfast 6:30-10 AM breakfast buffet. Lunch 11 AM-8 PM Thanksgiving Grand Buffet
• Sunset Terrace: 11 AM-9 PM a la carte menu and Thanksgiving entrée special
• Horizons: 11 AM-9 PM Thanksgiving pre fixe menu
Read more about Grove Park Inn and the Gingerbread House Competition Display
 
Grand Bohemian Hotel: (Biltmore Village) Brazilian Thanksgiving in Red Stag Grill, $49/person, $25/child 12-7 / Kids 6 and under free. Chef Hayes has created a menu that will bring you back to the old world featuring grilled spears of Provencal turkey, slow roasted leg of lamb, and Applewood smoked ham, all served tableside by roaming culinary carvers. Each table will receive a choice of soup or salad, three family style traditional sides, cranberry compote, turkey gravy, rolls and dessert. Plus, they have a grand Thanksgiving Bohemian Ballroom Buffet for $45/person plus tax and gratuity, $25 for children 7-12 years old/ Kids 6 and under free. Read more about the Grand Bohemian Hotel.

Biltmore Park (South Asheville)
Roux, A traditional home-cooked Thanksgiving innovative menu with selections from roasted all-natural NC turkey to baked ham and sweet potato casserole with pecan streusel. Buffet on Thanksgiving Day from 1 to 5:30 PM. Located in the Hilton Hotel Biltmore Park. Reservations required.

Downtown Asheville Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving

• Pack's Tavern, Thanksgiving Feast with turkey, dressing, and all the trimmings special and plenty of beer choices, 20 South Spruce Street, 11AM-'til. Reservations for groups of 8 or more. Phone: 828-225-6944
• Storm Rhum Bar & Bistro, open Thanksgiving Day with new-world approach to classic food and drink. 125 South Lexington Ave, 2-9 PM. Reservations: 828-505-8560.
• The Bier Garden
• Bistro 1896
• Burgerworx
• Carmels
• Café Kathmandu
• Strada Italiano
• Scully's Bar & Grill
• Sazerac

Grovewoood Café (near Grove Park Inn)

Hot Springs Restaurant
Mountain Magnolia Inn Thanksgiving Harvest Dinner served from 1-7pm.  Five-course prix fixe $50 or a la carte. Children under 12, $25 and under 6 free. Executive Chef Chris Brown serving some traditional favorites as well as new creations, all organic and locally sourced when possible. Dine by fireside in the 1868 Country Inn. Call 1-800-914-9306 for reservations.

Hendersonville / Flat Rock Restaurant
Season's at Highland Lake Inn annual Thanksgiving Day Buffet Spectacular, 10:30 AM to 7:00 PM with live music. 828-696-9094. $40.95/person
 
2. Holiday Packages / Places to Stay: See our holiday vacation packages page for the latest holiday vacation packages, deals and specials. Also see our list of the bests hotels, bed and breakfast inns and cabin rentals in Asheville and the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Make reservations early since we will have lots of visitors in town for the big Thanksgiving Weekend. The Grove Park Inn Thanksgiving Celebration includes an elegant and lavish buffet and all the holiday traditions on Thanksgiving Day with the Macy’s Day Parade and football games on the big screen, sumptuous buffets, and live music throughout the resort.

3. Biltmore Estate: Biltmore Estate is open on Thanksgiving Day. Normally it is not very busy, so it's a great day to visit to see America's largest home decked out in festive finery. Restaurants are open (make dining reservations in advance). The Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving are very busy on the estate. When you purchase tickets, inquire to see if your self-guided tour of Biltmore House requires a reservation (required on very busy days). See our Christmas at Biltmore Guide.

4. Shop Downtown Asheville: Most all downtown stores are closed on Thanksgiving. But there's plenty of holiday shopping on Friday and Saturday to find those special gifts. Browse through more than 200 shops, 30 art galleries and a dozen antique stores - all locally owned. Tour the fascinating Thomas Wolfe Home for only a buck on Friday, Saturday or Sunday. See our Downtown Asheville Guide. For more great local shops with unique gifts, explore the quaint downtowns of nearby Brevard, Hendersonville and Waynesville.

 

5. LaZoom Comedy Bus Tours: What a fun outing with friends and family! Take the zany tour on the big purple bus. During their newest tour, you'll meet a real fruitcake, a traveling snowman and a turkey that simply defies explanation! The special Happy Jollidays Tour runs on Wednesday before Thanksgiving and Friday, Saturday and Sunday after (but closed on Thanksgiving Day). Read more about LaZoom Tours.

6. Gingerbread Houses at Grove Park Inn: For a real treat, see the amazing display of gingerbread houses from the National Gingerbread House Competition at the famous Grove Park Inn Resort. Overnight guests and restaurant guests at the resort can view the display at anytime. If you're not a guest, visit on Mondays-Thursdays. It's free to tour the display and see the other elaborate decorations at the grand hotel. See our Gingerbread House Competition Guide.

7. Holiday Shopping: Located across from the entrance to Biltmore Estate, Biltmore Village is home to more than 40 unique shops. Most businesses are housed in historic cottages and buildings. Asheville is a mecca for artists, so this is the place to find one-of-a-kind gifts. In addition to the galleries downtown and Biltmore Village, head to the Folk Art Center and the River Arts District. See our Gallery Guide. The best area in Asheville to find antiques is the Biltmore Antiques District with 13 stores within a mile and a half of the Biltmore Estate. Included is the local long-time favorite, the Antique Tobacco Barn. See our Antique Shopping Guide. Most all stores are closed on Thanksgiving Day.

8. Get Outdoors: Take a late fall hike and enjoy views through with leafless trees, cool temperatures, and few fellow hikers. See our hiking guide for top picks. All trails in the National Forests are open every day. And don't forget to find some of our spectacular waterfalls (most waterfalls are open on Thanksgiving Day, including DuPont State State Forest and Gorges State Park). Area ski resorts will open by the weekend if we get a lot of cold weather before Thanksgiving.

NC Arboretum: Free admission on Thursday and Friday! The NC Arboretum property will be open 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Arboretum buildings will be closed, all outdoor gardens/trails open, and parking fees will be waived those days.

Zip Line Canopy Tours: Navitat Canopy Adventures (in the mountains just 20 minutes north of Asheville) is open for zipping on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and Friday-Sunday after. And you can ride the zip lines through 150-year old trees at the Asheville Zipline Canopy Tours and enjoy views of the mountains and downtown - open Friday (Green Friday raises money for conservation groups), Saturday and Sunday after Thanksgiving.

 

9. Pick your Christmas Tree: North Carolina is the number two state in the country for growing Christmas Trees! Go to a "choose and cut" Tree Farm to pick the perfect one for your home on Friday, Saturday or Sunday. All are closed on Thanksgiving Day. Many farms offer hayrides and other holiday-related events. See our Asheville Christmas Tree Farms Guide.

10. National Parks: Both Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountains National Park are open on Thanksgiving Day, weather permitting. For road closures and conditions on the Blue Ridge Parkway, along with weather reports, call the Parkway information line at (828) 298-0398. The Parkway Visitors Center and Folk Art Center are closed on Thanksgiving Day. The Oconaluftee Visitor Center in the Great Smokies is open on Thanksgiving Day.

More Holiday Events
See our Top 10 Holiday Outings for more holiday events! 

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The Puffer Team, Keller Williams Professionals, 828-771-2300, www.homefinderasheville.com. 

Local Real Estate Market Overview

It's hard to believe it's almost the end of the year, below is an overview of how the Asheville area market looked through the the end of October.

If you would like help interpreting this information or if you're ready to talk to an agent about buying or selling, give The Puffer Team a call at 828-771-2300, or visit our website: www.homefinderasheville.com.