Buying a home remotely is becoming more and more popular. The process has made things easier for both buyers and sellers. Known for its Southern charm and warm, small-town atmosphere, Asheville, North Carolina, has become an increasingly popular place to live over the last couple of years. It has been named one of the Top 100 Best Places to Live and one of the Best Places to Retire in the U.S. So, if Beer City is your pick, you have made the right choice. Read this short guide because there are a few steps you can take and several things to consider, to ensure that buying in Asheville remotely goes well.

Find a good real estate agent

Caption. A good real estate agent should be your top priority.

Alt: A handshake in front of a house

Once you have decided to buy a house and do so from afar, the first thing you should do is find a good real estate agent. They must have experience in remote selling, so you should always request references. You will depend on them to handle the entire process, so make sure they are reliable, trustworthy, and, above all, experienced. Another thing you should always do is ask them about availability. Sometimes, real estate agents work part-time, and your agent needs to be available during regular working hours to handle all the tasks.

Hire reliable movers

Most people from out of state choose to buy their houses remotely because they typically have jobs and other obligations. The home-buying process can often be long and tiring. So, once it is over, the time for relocation will come. An interstate move is another pretty complicated task. And after the entire home purchase ordeal, the least you need is worrying about your possessions. To mitigate this, you will be best off hiring professional movers. That will ensure a stress-free move across the state line. Then, when you arrive at your new home, you can finally relax and begin settling in.

Consider additional costs

Asheville is tucked into the Blue Ridge Mountains. Therefore, it's no surprise there will likely be some additional costs to take into account. For example, you should be aware that buying a house located in the mountains means that it is susceptible to threatening wildfires. Make sure to check if your homeowner's insurance covers such damages.

Caption: Calculate all the expenses you may encounter.

Alt: Stacks of silver coins, representing the financial aspect of buying in Asheville remotely

Moreover, many homes in Asheville are on a well or septic system. This means you won’t get common water and sewer bills from the city, but you’ll need to pay for the maintenance of the septic and water filtration systems.

Types of homes and housing trends

Once you begin looking at your options, you will see that Asheville offers many different types of homes. Many homes are built on a mountainside and are typically made of wood. In West Asheville and Montford District, you can find some charming bungalows. Throughout East Asheville, you will see brick ranch houses that often attract first-time buyers. Buyers can also find homes constructed to maximize the mountain view, but they are usually expensive.

As for the size, houses with larger square footage are hard to find here. Most of them have a total area of under 2,000 square feet.

And the interior is similar to any other place. There is stainless steel, hardwoods, and granite, just like anywhere else.

Asheville’s neighborhoods

The city is divided into five areas: downtown, West Asheville, North Asheville, South Asheville, and East Asheville. Here is a quick tour:

• Downtown - famous for 300 locally-owned shops and restaurants. You can find Indie boutiques, galleries, food stores, and artisan shops here.
• West Asheville - has a hip and artsy vibe. The homes - bungalows - are within walking distance from shops and restaurants on Haywood Road. Carrier Park and the River Arts District - a hive of art studios and galleries - are also located in this part of the city.
• North Asheville - here you’ll find a beautiful Beaver Lake, The Country Club of Asheville golf course, the main thoroughfare Merrimon Avenue - shops, groceries, restaurants, and the city’s college - UNC Asheville. 
• South Asheville - this neighborhood is known for the Biltmore Estate. George Vanderbilt's 250-room chateau is America's Largest Home and a top attraction in Asheville.
• East Asheville - close to the Asheville Mall.

Caption: One of the attractions in Asheville - Biltmore mansion

Alt: Biltmore house lawn

As for people with children, we should mention that school districts often attract parents. Parents love Glen Arden district, Glen Marlow district, and Avery Creek.

What to look out for when buying in Asheville remotely

When buying a house remotely, precisely because you won't be able to inspect things on your own, it comes in handy to know everything you may encounter.

Whether that causes dampness

On average, Asheville receives more than 40 inches of rain each year (significantly more than the national average of rainfall), indicating a wet and muggy climate. Dampness and humidity make the perfect condition for mold to grow. So, make sure to look for a home with well-functioning systems and adequate air conditioning.

Harmful gas

Radon - an invisible gas that causes lung cancer. Having a house tested is recommended before buying. 

Inform others about your moving

Do not forget that you have to notify a lot of people about your upcoming relocation. Therefore, it may be best to make a list of people to inform about it. They won’t be only the people you love. Changing your address involves quite a few institutions.  

Caption: Inform everyone about moving

Alt: White telephone dial

Changing your address does take time. However, it's much better to do this earlier since you don't want to face potential complications, such as missed bills. We're just going to shortlist all the institutions that should be notified:

• The post office
• Tax agencies
• Social security administration
• Gas and electric
• Phone, cable, and internet
• Water Department
• Server utility company
• Home or renter’s insurance
• Your employer
• Your bank and credit card company
• Insurance providers
• and probably the most important of all - friends and family.

So, basically everyone.

Asheville's at your fingertips

First of all - don't get scared. Buying in Asheville remotely almost doesn't differ from buying it in person. There are just some things you should pay closer attention to. Next - since you will depend even more on your real estate agent, make sure to find a reliable one. They'll guide you through the paperwork, attend the inspections, and conduct closing. And one more thing - in November and December, overall house listings are down, so consider buying a house in Asheville during the winter months. Happy house-buying!

Meta description: If you are considering moving and buying in Asheville remotely, make sure to consult this short guide. It has everything you need to know.

Images used:

Featured image - https://pixabay.com/photos/landscape-mountains-scenery-travel-2374997/

2. https://pixabay.com/photos/purchase-house-house-purchase-3113198/

3. https://pixabay.com/photos/money-coins-stack-stacked-coins-2180330/

4. https://pixabay.com/photos/lawns-trees-biltmore-house-4962539/

5. https://pixabay.com/photos/phone-home-telephone-numbers-2127/