High Country winters are not for the faint of heart.  It can get very cold here.  But it is not the cold that gets you.  It is the wind.  If you are moving to the High Country year-round, you need a warm house that is accessible even when there's ice or deep snow.  Snug houses can have radon problems if not properly equipped.  If you have kids, be ready for lots of snow days.  Internet access is handy when the roads are icy and there's no school for the kids.  But parts of the High Country have no or limited Internet access.  You don't want the water pump to freeze.  Southern exposure can make cold days feel warm in the right house.  A lot of houses in the High Country were built as summer homes and are not well insulated; that's important to watch for.  If you don't have a AWD or 4WD vehicle, then you'll probably want to get one.  Gear up with good boots and winter clothes and get out no matter what the weather is.  Life in the High Country is wonderful, but you need to get up to speed and embrace it.  Virginia can help you learn about life in the High Country and find the right house.

The majority of houses in Blowing Rock and much of the High Country are second homes.  You will love our combination of latitude and altitude.  The High Country is at North Carolina's southern latitude so you get strong sun and long days, even in the winter.  If the cold starts to get to you, you can escape down the mountain and often pick up 15 degree or so quickly.  Our altitude gives you cool summers, stunning falls, and beautiful winter snows.  There are three ski slops in the area.  The High Country is a great place for a second home / vacation home.  Virginia can help you find and buy your ideal home away from home.

Finding the right house with the right view and with good accessibility is challenging.  If you cannot find exactly the house that you want or simply prefer to build, Virginia can help you find the right spot to build.

Blowing Rock and the High Country are popular tourist destinations.  There is also major market for student rentals in and near Appalachian State University in Boone.  If you are looking for investment property / rental cabins, be careful about the zoning.  Ask the seller for rental history.  Pick something that you can resell if and when you want to.  Virginia bought, managed, and sold her own short-term rental property at 945 Main Street in Blowing Rock.  She can help you find and purchase the right rental property.