Home Sweet Second Home

by Maxine Williams Bahr | Dec 1, 2018 | Blog

Vacation home sales in the United States increased 10.1 percent in 2013, as Americans rekindled their love of second homes.

The number of vacation homes sold in 2013 jumped to 553,000 from 502,000 in 2012, according to data released today by the National Association of Realtors.

Of all home transactions in 2013, 11 percent were vacation homes, according to a report from the National Association of Realtors.

Seventy-eight percent of all second-home buyers said it was a good time to buy, compared with 68 percent of primary residence buyers, according to a NAR survey.

The typical vacation-home buyer was 47 years old, had a median household income of $92,100 and purchased a property that was a median distance of 435 miles from their primary residence, the NAR survey found.

Thirty-four percent of vacation homes were within 100 miles of their primary residence and 46 percent were more than 500 miles away, according to NAR. The typical buyer plans to own their recreational property for a median of 10 years.

The NAR study also found that the number of investment-home sales declined 2.1 percent to 1.21 million from 1.23 million in 2012, but those sales had been typically under a million during the market downturn. Investment homes were 24 percent of all transactions in 2013, a decrease from 27 percent reported in 2012. In both vacation and investment home transactions, all-cash purchases remain common. In 2013, half of investment buyers paid cash as did 46 percent of vacation-home buyers, according NAR.

Try Some Crackling Bread!

by Maxine Williams Bahr | Nov 21, 2018 | Blog

Ask a Southerner whose memory goes back far enough about crackling bread crumbled up in buttermilk – and watch his eyes light up!  This is a tried and true recipe…

2          Cups    Cornmeal

1          Tsp      Baking Powder

½         Tsp      Salt

2/3       Cup     Cracklings

Sift into a bowl cornmeal, baking powder, and salt.  Pour into this enough boiling water to make a stiff batter.  Add cracklings.  Mold into oval shapes (pones) and bake in a hot (425 degree) oven, until light brown.  Serve with tall glasses of very cold buttermilk, and be sure the hot crackling bread is to be broken into the milk and eaten with teaspoons.

Sport In The Mountains

by Maxine Williams Bahr | Oct 25, 2018 | Blog

Sport has always been a bright thread woven into the fabric of the mountain folkways.  The area’s steep ridges and deep hollows were cherished bear hunting territory.  Small game, most notably squirrels, grouse and wild turkeys was also plentiful and avidly pursued, especially in those halcyon days before the demise of that mighty monarch of mountain forests, the American chestnut.

Similarly, streams coursing through these hills – like so many laughter lines on an old man’s face – were prime destinations for trout fishermen and in their lower reaches, they provided angling variety in the form of smallmouth and redeye bass.

Hunting and fishing held pride of place among all masculine recreational pursuits for mountain folk, but their importance extended well beyond providing an ample measure of simples pleasure and release from the grinding work and considerable hardship associated with hardscrabble way of life.  Game and fish meant sustenance, and many a mountain table was regularly graced by nature’s rich, tasty bounty.

Are You Ready For Some Football?

by Maxine Williams Bahr | Aug 20, 2018 | Blog

In the football world, tail-gating is an important component. Whether you are a college or professional football fan, tail-gating is about food and drinks as much as it is about traditions and superstition.  When planning a tail-gate party the last thing you want to appear to be is a rookie!  Though you won’t be able to win one for the team, you’ll be a winner in the parking lot with some of these ideas.

1. Early Birds Get The Worm. An early start is required for normal tail gating.  The parking lot can fill up quickly and you will need to be there early enough to get the perfect spot.  You will want to give yourself plenty of time to set up, co
2. ok and enjoy yourself  and with games starting as early as 12:00 or 1:00, you need to get going early.
3. Not A Time To Try Something New. Stick with your tried and true recipes when it comes to your tail gating food.  This is not the time to see if you can make a soufflé on your grill when you should be having fun with friends and family. Make the classics, the ones everyone loves and that you can prepare quickly.
4. Politeness Counts. Don’t take up multiple parking spots. Don’t play your music too loud. Don’t throw your garbage on the ground. Don’t be completely outrageous. Basically, use common sense and don’t be uncivilized.
5. Ask For Help. You definitely don’t want to be stuck doing everything on game day, so pow wow with your
   group in advance to break up who’s doing what. Have one person be in charge of the grill while someone else handles games and activities. It will make it less stressful for everyone.
6. Stay Calm. Something is going to go wrong. It’s bound to happen. Your grill will break down, your potato salad won’t taste right, someone will drink too much. It’s okay. Breathe. Don’t let the situation ruin your day. Try and prepare for some of these things in advance by bringing backups for the major necessities.

Do you plan to tail-gate this football season?