They say this is the season of giving and nothing could be better than the gift of life.  That is exactly what happens when you donate blood.  Sometimes, when you give something, you will get something in return.  Giving blood in Hendersonville could win you airline tickets.  Yes, you read that right.  If you come to the City of Hendersonville Water & Sewer's Activity Room on Thursday, December 8, 2011 to donate blood between 10am and 3pm, you will be eligible to receive one of three pairs of roundtrip airline tickets from Delta Air Lines. The American Red Cross will be on hand to take your donation.  Unfortunately, there is never a shortage of need for blood but there is a critical shortage of blood available.  All blood types are welcome.  To find out if you are eligible to give blood... 12/01/2011

I can't believe that Thanksgiving is almost here (it happens next Thursday).  Where has the year gone?  After you've recuperated from your turkey hangover, come to beautiful downtown Hendersonville for the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration. The city's official welcome to the holiday season will take place on Friday, November 25, 2011 at the Downtown Hendersonville Historic Courthouse on First and Main.  Beginning at 5pm, anyone in attendance will have the opportunity to enjoy a free carriage or trolley ride.  Santa will be strolling around for all the boys and girls to visit with.  The tree lighting itself takes place at 6pm.  Afterward, get a head start on your shopping by visiting the great merchants in the downtown Hendersonville area. Bring the family, including all of your... 11/17/2011

Are you looking for some family-friendly Halloween fun in Hendersonville?  Since Halloween falls on a Monday this year, Hendersonville and the surrounding communities are beginning the celebrating early.  So, there's plenty of things for you and your family to enjoy beginning on the Saturday before Halloween. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2011Halloween Carnival - Kate's Park (Hwy 25 N, Fletcher, NC), 3-5pm.  All kids under the age of 12 are welcome to join in on the fun at this free event.  There will be a bouncy house, games (with prizes), costume contest for the kiddies and a pumpkin carving contest.  The costume contest with be judged by age (grouped into 4 & under, 4-7 years old and 8-11 years old) and by category (most traditional, most humorous and best homemade).  The pumpkin carving con... 10/13/2011

Fall in Western North Carolina is the BEST! I have traveled all over the country over the years and have seen a lot of falls all over the country. I really love our falls here in Western North Carolina and this year looks like it will be another pretty one. Tomorrow kicks off fall being October first, and for anyone traveling into the area, the main thing happening is the color of the leaves! This weekend will be crisp and cool, with weekend temperatures hovering in the high 50's. The forecast calls for sun both days, so come on over to the mountains, and while you are here, take the time to check out some homes that can be yours for a great price! Open houses run on Saturday and Sunday so just check in with the Hendersonville newspaper the Times-News and see for yourself. 09/30/2011

The warm summer days are behind us.  Western North Carolina in the fall is absoutely breath-taking.  Soon, however, the leaves will fall from the trees and the cold reality of winter will set in.  With the price of natural gas and propane going up, it is important to cut costs as well as energy loss wherever you can.  Since not everyone can afford to go completely green (ie solar or wind powered), we have to find other ways to cope.  If you want to save money and energy this winter, I've got a few suggestions for you. Shop around.  There may be more than one company available in your area to provide natural gas, propane or even electricity to your Hendersonville home.  Ask each company for their rates and compare them to what you are paying now.  Also, check with your current provider t... 09/29/2011

In representing a buyer, how do you handle their final walk through? Do you have any set rules for this? I found one that I stick to no matter. No more than 24 hours, preferably within 2 hours of, your closing a walk through must to be performed. And it must be performed by the buyers realtor and all buyers involved. And the second rule is that the property has to be 100% empty at that point. If you are a buyer and don't get why this is important, then read on. Furniture, boxes and other objects can cover may issues. You absolutely must be able to investigate the home one final time, in it's empty state. Why? To see if anything has changed since you last saw it. Case in point, a friend of mine a few years bought a home in WIlmington NC. The Realtor took them on the final walk through ju... 09/29/2011

    Hendersonville and Western NC Regional MLS August Market Report These numbers are provided by the 5 County Western NC Regional MLS system and representresidential home sales in Buncombe (Asheville Area), Haywood, Henderson (Hendersonville Area), Madison and Transylvania (Brevard Area)  counties.  Land/lots are not included in these figures.  If you would find other stats helpful, such as individual counties, let us know.    2010 July ResidentialStatistics       2011 July ResidentialStatistics (Adjusted 09/22/11)                   Single-Family Homes Sold   374   Single-Family Homes Sold   483 Average Days on Market   157   Average Days on Market   166 Average Selling Price   $228,611   Average Selling Price   $222,239 Month End Inventory   10,002   Month End Inventory   9,192 Avera... 09/22/2011

No!?? Well, Why not? Here is a video of what you missed today at the 65th Annual Apple Festival in Historic Hendersonville NC. The Apple Festival is held every year on Labor Day Weekend on Main Street in Hendersonville NC. If you missed it this year, try for next year! I am sure that the weather will be perfect again in 2012. 09/04/2011

For the last few weeks my house has been getting pummeled by nuts falling from the different trees in my yard. I have only been in this home for three years, but this is the first time I recall these nuts coming down with such force. I joke that I need to arm my pets with helmets in case they get hit. It could be a life altering event. I have been reminded of my grandfather over the weather changes we have had this year. The Hosta's bloomed earlier than I ever remember them. They are long gone. And it looks like the Magnolia's are either re blooming or blooming really late in some yards. Nothing grew this year as expected. Knowing my grandfather, he would be talking about either an early winter/hard winter, or a late winter/mild winter. Something like that. He has been gone now for so l... 09/04/2011

Have you been to the 65th Hendersonville Apple Festival yet? This weekend has been perfect weather so far, as the 65th Apple Festival got under way on Friday, September 2nd. If you haven't made it yet, there is still one more day on Main Street, as well as the Monday parade. For more information you can check this Apple Festival Link. See you there! 09/03/2011

As you may be aware of, the threat of identity theft can be a big and expensive problem.  If you throw out your old bank and credit card statements without ripping them to unrecognizable shreds, it's like throwing out an invitation for identity thieves to steal your information.  Make sure your documents are shredded in a secure manner by attending the City of Hendersonville's Shred Day on Wednesday, September 21st.  Every Hendersonville citizen is allowed to bring up to two boxes (50 lbs total) of old checks, credit card and bank statements, payroll stubs, old tax returns, medical forms and any other financial statements to the Grey Hosiery Mill Building (301 4th Ave E) from 10am to 12pm for shredding.  The American Security Shredding truck will set up shop in the Grey Hosiery Mill Bui... 09/01/2011

The 65th Annual North Carolina Apple Festival takes place in Hendersonville from September 2 -5, 2011. Join in the 4 days of festivities and fun which will include the infamous Street Fair where nine blocks of Hendersonville's Main Street fill with over 200 vendors displaying quality arts & crafts and fabulous food, The King Apple Parade with floats, bands, antique cars and more, and live entertainment takes place continuously at the Main Stage at the Historic Courthouse, with evenings headliners ranging from big band to soul and motown. No apple festival would be complete without the apples! The Annual North Carolina Apple Festival has local apple growers who will provide fresh locally grown apples as well as items such as pies, cakes, apple butter and apple cider. Today there are abo... 08/31/2011

I've just received my new signs from Oakley Signs & Graphics and I'm so pleased to share with you the great job and service they provided.  To tell you the truth, I didn't know what I wanted.  We've just made the merge with Keller Williams Realty Mountain Partners of Hendersonville North Carolina.  This was our chance to tweak anything and everything about our branding.  Picking new business cards was easy, but when it came to the signs, I just couldn't find "the right one". Holly and the staff at Oakley Signs & Graphics were so patient with me.  They'ed send proof after each tweak and this is the end result.  Our for sale signs, directional signs and open house signs are all of this quality.  We're receiving great feedback from our clients and friends.  http://www.oakleysign.com/ On a ... 08/26/2011

Yep, folks.  It's that time of year again.  The 2011 North Carolina Apple Festival is almost here!  Held every Labor Day weekend in Hendersonville, the North Carolina Apple Festival has been entertaining families for more than 60 years now.  This year, it will be held from Friday, September 2nd to Monday, September 5, 2011. Henderson County apple growers are responsible for growing approximately 65% of the apples grown in the entire state.  That's no small feat when you consider that North Carolina is the 7th largest apple producer in the country.  So, it makes sense that we celebrate all things apple-related.  But, the North Carolina Apple Festival isn't just a place to purchase apples (which you can, by the way, in small batches or by the bushel).  There are children's activities, a s... 08/18/2011

During a recent home inspection I had an opportunity to talk to the home inspector about hot water heaters.  My question was should all hot water heaters be insulated or wrapped?  It's a good idea to insulate your electric hot water heater, adding insulation can reduce standby heat losses by 25%-45% if your R value is less than R-24.  This will save you 4%-9% in water heating costs according to energysavers.gov  I was surprised to learn that gas hot water heaters shouldn’t be insulated because this makes the unit sweat which can corrode the unit and reduce the overall efficiency of the unit.  Should you choose to insulate your gas hot water heater, make sure that the airflow is not obstructed to the burner. I learned something new today and I hope this might help you.  Have a great week... 08/12/2011

Officials in the City of Hendersonville, much like other cities across the nation, have encouraged water conservation to help combat dry weather conditions.  Even little changes can help.  The following are the top five water conservation tips for Hendersonville residents to do their part in using less water: Tip #1: Check the Plumbing.  Leaky plumbing makes up for approximately 15% of a Hendersonville household's water use.  Replace O-rings on leaky faucets and tubs.  A couple of drops of food coloring in your toilet tank is a simple way to determine if you toilet is leaking.  If the color shows up in the bowl before you flush, you need to replace the flap.  If the water meter still moves after you have completely shut off all water coming into the home, you have a leak.  Check the con... 08/11/2011

Not to be outdone by the award-winning Asheville recycling program, the City has made recycling in Hendersonville even easier.  As of July 4, 2011, the City has begun picking up recycling bins on the same day as the regular trash collection for Hendersonville residents.  If you are unsure as to what can be placed in your blue recycling bin for pickup, here is a list you can use: Aluminum, Steel and Tin Products (clean pie plates, rinsed out soda cans, clean foil, etc) Aerosol Cans (completely empty and without the plastic cap) Books (paperbacks) Cereal Boxes Cartons (soda and beer) Corrugated Cardboard (flattened, no bigger than 4'x3'x12" stacks) Egg Cartons Envelopes (paper, manila and window) Frozen Food Boxes (white inside) Glass Bottles and Jars (brown, green and clear only) Newspap... 08/04/2011

Western North Carolina is very proud of its rich history.  This is evident in the loving way we have preserved the best of our past in cities all around the area.  Hendersonville is no exception.  Hendersonville's Main Street houses several historic buildings as well as antique shops and boutiques.  The Henderson County Courthouse was completely renovated just a few years ago (2008) and City Hall (built in 1924) was recently restored to its former glory.  If you're a history buff, you simply must visit these historic districts in Hendersonville: Druid Hills is a residential area located across from Patton Park in Hendersonville.  More than 70 buildings have been preserved here.  Some of the styles of architecture you will see in this neighborhood include Colonial Revival, Tudor Revival ... 07/28/2011

Hendersonville and Western NC Regional MLS June Market Report These numbers are provided by the 5 County Western NC Regional MLS system and representresidential home sales in Buncombe (Asheville Area), Haywood, Henderson (Hendersonville Area), Madison and Transylvania (Brevard Area)  counties.  Land/lots are not included in these figures.  If you would find other stats helpful, such as individual counties, let us know.    2010 May ResidentialStatistics       2011 May ResidentialStatistics (Adjusted 07/11/11)                   Single-Family Homes Sold   463   Single-Family Homes Sold   417 Average Days on Market   157   Average Days on Market   176 Average Selling Price   $229,105   Average Selling Price   $202,774 Month End Inventory   9,692   Month End Inventory   8,932 Average List P... 07/12/2011

Located on the corner of Main Street and West Allen is the Hendersonville North Carolina Visitors Information Center. I encourage anyone who is visiting or considering relocating  to Hendersonville to stop and gather the wonderful information this center has to offer. For a real treat, come visit on a Friday evening at 7pm during the months of June-August for Music on Main Street.  This free summer-time event is so much fun!   13th Annual Concert Series 2011 Music On Main Street Parking lot seating area opens after 5:30,early admission is prohibited   Concert Schedule:   June 10 - Tuxedo Junction (variety 1940'-90's) Hendersonville Antique Car Club Classic Car Show Entertainment sponsored by - Wild Birds Unlimited       June 17 - Caribbean Cowboys (beach music) Entertainment sponsored b... 07/01/2011