St. Patrick's Day in Murphy NC Featuring The Bear Notes   If you and your family will be enjoying the beautiful weather in the mountains this weekend then you might be looking for something to do for St. Patrick's Day.  On Sunday, March 17th the all girl Celtic Band "The Bear Notes" will be playing at The Daily Grind and Wine in downtown Murphy.     Formed in 2006, The Bear Notes are based out of Brasstown and Murphy, North Carolina.  You will see Linda Allen playing the fiddle, Amy Johnson on bodhran, guitar and vocals, Nancy Beach on guitar, mandolin, mountain dulcimar and vocals and Amanda Burts on recorder and accordian.  They present a special blend of Scottish/Irish music and are sure to have you dancing an Irish Jig - even if it's just in your seat!   For more details, give The D... 03/14/2013

Celebrating 26 Years in Murphy NC! Celebrating 26 Years in Murphy NC! Can it really be that we’ve been married for 26 years? My how the time has flown by and we still feel like newlyweds...well, most days. We might not look the same, but we still feel the same as we did way back then in 1987. We moved from South Florida to these beautiful mountains in 1997 and have enjoyed life to the fullest. This year we will also be celebrating the first year of being grandparents with our first granddaughter, Notla Brielle Barbour - how exciting!  What a blessing to be happily married, best friends, surrounded by family and a being able to working together as Lee & Carol Barbour ~ The Mountain Living Team in the Murphy, NC Mountains. 03/14/2013

Just for the men in our lives, this is one special dayfor them... Worship of Tools Day Just for the men in our lives, this is one special day for them...Worship of Tools Day. This manly day is always celebrated on March 11th. There are few things that the male population worships more than his tools. To some, a tool is a natural extension of their arm. So, Worship of Tools Day is a logical day of celebration.  And, it's definitely a guy thing.   Please note however, there are more than a few ladies who love to work with their hands, and find today to be an important holiday. Need a birthday or Christmas gift idea for one of the "boys" in the family?  You're never lacking for tool ideas when you visit the local hardware store.   Celebrate today by working with tools, and maybe heading d... 03/11/2013

Our days are getting longer in Murphy NC so set your clocks forward...   Don't forget to set your clocks FORWARDthis weekend as we Spring Forward and enjoy more daylight! Before you go to bed on Saturday evening set your clock ahead one hour so you'll show up on time starting Sunday, March 10, 2013 as we Spring Forward. This is also a good time to change the batteries in your carbon monoxide and fire detectors. Every Spring we move our clocks one hour ahead and "lose" an hour during the night and each Fall we move our clocks back one hour and "gain" an extra hour. But Daylight Saving Time (and not Daylight Savings Time with an "s") wasn't just created to confuse our schedules. Daylight Saving Time was instituted in the United States during World War I in order to save energy for war pro... 03/08/2013

Cherokee Casino coming to Murphy NC in 2014 Cherokee Casino coming to Murphy NC in 2014! Just outside of Murphy and close to the Wal-Mart is the proposed site where the Casino will be built. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Tribal Council tabled a resolution Feb 28, 2013 to authorize construction of a casino and hotel on trust land in Cherokee County.   The property known as the Palmer land is approximately 85 acres. Plans right now are that after all environmental and other inspections are completed and  they break ground, a temporary casino will be built on site within six months, which would operate until a permanent facility was completed.  Right now they believe that Murphy NC Casino site could be up in running by the first quarter of 2014. The permanent facility would be compl... 03/04/2013

We finally made it  to our "dream home in the mountains" of Murphy, NC thanks to the tremendous help of Lee Barbour - The Mountain Living Team.  Even before we were in a position to buy a home here, we made contact with Lee through his office. He was aware that we were not ready to buy at that time, but I'm sure he went out of his way to answer our questions and concerns about the process. Of course when the time did come for us to for our new home, Lee was the one we wanted to work with. Lee lead us through the entire process and the concerns and questions were minimal because of his knowledge, incite and ability to anticipate the next step and keep us on top of the process.Everything went very smoothly and on time right down to the closing day. Thanks for being the best in the area! W... 03/04/2013

  Schedule a Showing/Request Info Murphy, NC Homes for Sale Search All Homes For Sale Hayesville, NC Homes for Sale Hiawassee, GA Homes for Sale Blairsville, GA Homes for Sale Blue Ridge, GA Homes for Sale Free List of Foreclosed Homes For Sale   Lee and Carol Barbour The Mountain Living Team Coldwell Banker High Country 828-361-9713 Questions?Schedule a Showing! MLS#: 221806   Information valid for the date of this posting only. Please contact us for the most current information and status of this property. 350 Alt Old Fain Murphy, NC Scan with your smartphone & take me with you. Description Features Photos Maps & Local Schools Virtual Tour SOLD     Long Range Mountain Views of 3 States! $ Click for current price 3 BEDROOMS 3 BATHROOMS (3 full) 1850 Square Feet Nestled on 1.96 private... 02/24/2013

Happy Valentine’s Dayfrom the Murphy, NC MountainsDuring the late 1800s, postage rates around the world dropped, and the obscene St. Valentine's Day card became popular, despite the Victorian era being otherwise very prudish. As the numbers of racy valentines grew, several countries banned the practice of exchanging Valentine's Day cards. During this period, Chicago's post office rejected more than 25,000 cards on the grounds that they were so indecent, that they were not fit to be carried through the U.S. mail. In Victorian times it was considered bad luck to sign a Valentine's Day card. Here are a few not-too racy Valentine’s Day cards from the past…       Happy Valentine’s Day to all of you! For more information about Buying and Selling in the mountains contact Lee & Carol Barbour ~... 02/13/2013

Here is your Murphy, NC  and the North GA  mountains Market Snapshot for January 2013.  We’ve also included the previous month’s stats for comparison. Our local market has been quite busy for this time of the year! If you’re looking to purchase a home or land in Murphy or Hayesville NCor Hiawassee, Blairsville or Blue Ridge GA or east TN, then please contactLee & Carol Barbour at www.MountainLivingTeam.com We’ll get started right away on finding you that perfect property so you too can start enjoying this Mountain Lifestyle!   All statistical information used to create this report was obtained from the Northeast Georgia Board of Realtors MLS and includes Cherokee and Clay County, NC as well as Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Towns, Union County, GA and Polk County, TN. Information deemed relia... 02/13/2013

  Schedule a Showing/Request Info Murphy, NC Homes for Sale Search All Homes For Sale Hayesville, NC Homes for Sale Hiawassee, GA Homes for Sale Blairsville, GA Homes for Sale Blue Ridge, GA Homes for Sale Free List of Foreclosed Homes For Sale   Lee and Carol Barbour The Mountain Living Team Coldwell Banker High Country 828-361-9713 Questions?Schedule a Showing! MLS#: 221806   Information valid for the date of this posting only. Please contact us for the most current information and status of this property. 350 Alt Old Fain Murphy, NC Scan with your smartphone & take me with you. Description Features Photos Maps & Local Schools Virtual Tour Pending     Long Range Mountain Views of 3 States! $ Click for current price 3 BEDROOMS 3 BATHROOMS (3 full) 1850 Square Feet Nestled on 1.96 priv... 02/04/2013

Since January 17th, three people in Cherokee County have died in local automobile wrecks. While each incident had different circumstances that led to the crash, the one thing all three 2013 fatalities had in common is that none of them were wearing seat belts. Make sure everyone is buckled up before the vehicle starts. It might take time getting used to it, but it will not only save you from a $100 ticket, but also save your life! Lee & Carol Barbour ~ The Mountain Living Teamwww.MountainLivingTeam.com Serving Murphy and Hayesville NC and Hiawassee, Blairsville and Blue Ridge, GA     02/04/2013

Murphy NC starts out with 3 to 5 inches of snow in 2013! Murphy NC starts out with 3 to 5 inches of snow in 2013! What a way to welcome in February and spend the weekend too. This is the just right amount of snow to enjoy while out driving around Murphy NC and seeing all our beautiful scenery covered in white. The animals are all out running and romping everyone and  everyone sledding or building snowmen.    We never got to do this back in South Florida - that’s one of our top reasons we moved and love living here in Murphy NC too. We have four mild seasons here in the Murphy and Hayesville, NC and our surrounding Hiawassee, Blairsville and Blue Ridge, GA mountains.   Lee & Carol Barbour ~ The Mountain Living Teamwww.MountainLivingTeam.com   02/03/2013

All of us in the Murphy, NC mountains likewhat Punxsutawney Phil saw this morning!   Every year, Punxsutawney, Pa., and the world waits eagerly to find out if the groundhog will see his shadow. If he dashes back in from seeing his shadow, we're stuck with six more weeks of winter! If he sticks around above ground, then spring is around the corner.  Most of us here in Murphy, NC have seen lots of rain lately and just a touch of snow and cooler temps to start our days off.  But as the morning started the world's most famous weather predicting groundhog, Phil, did NOT see his shadow this morning! But just in case you're planning your spring garden... Goodbye winter, hello early spring!  Lee & Carol Barbour ~ The Mountain Living Team  www.MurphyMountainLiving.comServing Murphy and Hayesvill... 02/01/2013

Here is your Murphy, NC  Market Snapshot for December 2012.  We’ve also included the previous month’s stats for comparison. Our market continues to improve as inventory is down and closed transactions increase!  If you’re looking to purchase a home or land in Murphy or Hayesville NCor Hiawassee, Blairsville or Blue Ridge GA or east TN, then please contactLee & Carol Barbour at www.MountainLivingTeam.com We’ll get started right away on finding you that perfect property so you too can start enjoying this Mountain Lifestyle! All statistical information used to create this report was obtained from the Northeast Georgia Board of Realtors MLS and includes Cherokee and Clay County, NC as well as Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Towns, Union County, GA and Polk County, TN. Information deemed reliable b... 01/31/2013

Dr. Martin Luther King Day is celebrated on the third Monday in January. On this day, January 21, 2013, we remember and honor his message, political impact for civil rights and the hope for a better future for all people. This is not only a day for reflection as well as recognition, but also a day of service. So just what is the MLK Day of Service? Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is: 'What are you doing for others?'" Each year, Americans across the country answer that question by coming together on the King Holiday to serve their neighbors and communities. The MLK Day of Service is a part of  United We Serve, the President's national call to service initiative. It calls for Americans from all walks of life to work together to provide sol... 01/20/2013

What do I need to do first in buying a homein Murphy, NC or GA mountains? So you’re ready to buy a home in Murphy, NC or the north GA mountains, then you’ll want to get pre-approved for a mortgage and not just pre-qualified.To get pre-qualified, you only submit credit, income and debt information to a mortgage broker or lender. That means the resulting estimate of the maximum mortgage and home that's affordable is exactly that - an estimate.Before you can get pre-approved, however, you must allow their lenders to pull credit reports, check debt-to-income ratios and perform other underwriting steps. That puts you much closer to obtaining a loan and locking in a rate and term.The pre-approval letter demonstrates your financial strength and shows that you have the ability to go through wit... 01/18/2013

Winter Tips for Feeding the Wild Birds in Murphy, NC Winter Tips for Feeding the Wild Birds in Murphy, NC.  As the winter weather fills our days don’t forget to feed your wild bird friends. Not all bird seed mixes will suit all wild birds. Birds will often sort through mixed seed and discard what they do not want. Typically, less waste occurs if you provide only one type of food per feeder, rather than mixed birdseed. Experts recommend black oil sunflower seed as one of the best single seeds to attract a variety of birds to your feeder.Insect-eating birds, such as woodpeckers, chickadees and nuthatches, will benefit from additional suet in the wintertime. Suet cakes can be purchased at feed and garden stores and are available almost everywhere.The location of the food is also important.... 01/11/2013

Don’t Wait Until Spring to List Your Home! Yes, Spring is a crucial time of the year in real estate for us in Murphy and Hayesville NC too. Buyers are ready to look for a new home or land in our beautiful North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee mountains. For those who are looking to buy as well as sellers who said last year that they would list again "in the spring" - when does the season actually get started?Although the official start of Spring is March 20th, we would advise Sellers to list their property no later than the end of February. There is no such thing as taking your home off the market for the winter!  Just take a look at this blog post from Realtor, Alan May answering that very question  Should I?  Some Sellers feel they want to wait until after Easter, but that might be a ... 01/08/2013

These are some of the things we love mostabout living in Murphy, North Carolina Traveling the back roads here in Murphy NC, you just never know what you’ll find that catches your eye. Along Candy Mountain Road there is this little spot that still holds some memories of a home and family that once lived here on this mountain.  Still the yard is maintained and the split rail fence still in good shape. Its a lovely setting as you drive along the western NC mountains and here in Cherokee County. No matter the season you’ll always find beautiful and interesting sights!  These are some of the things we love most about living in the Murphy, NCmountains and enjoying this small town mountain lifestyle. Lee & Carol Barbour ~ The Mountain Living Team ~ 828.361.9713 www.MountainLivingTeam.com   01/06/2013

Another year has passed all too quickly! As we look back on all the blessings and challenges we’ve had, we know they have made us stronger. Stronger in our faith, cherishing family and true friends, keeping up with new technology, becoming grandparents, letting go of some things and building our business and relationships. We wish all of our friends a wonderful, healthy and prosperous year!   12/31/2012