Hanging Dog Community in Murphy NC has an Interesting Name. Where did it come from?

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I always enjoy showing homes and land to folks who are not from Murphy, North Carolina. It’s always fun to go into the Hanging Dog community and folks are always curious where such a bizarre name originated. It’s not a twisted tale of animal cruelty, rather it actually dates back to a legend from a Cherokee Indian who lived in the area. Sure, there are probably many variations to this local legend, however, here’s my version of where the name of Hanging Dog actually came from. Enjoy!

Take a step back in time… to a time when the Cherokee Indians ruled the region and there was no white man to be found. It was the middle of winter, and it was no ordinary winter. It was a long, bleak, and miserably cold. The brutal winter robbed the tribe of food. Much of the food reserves were depleted and the tribe was forced to find food or face starvation.

The brave’s hunting partner was his hunting dog. It was no ordinary dog; his innate skill made him a force in the field. Together, they ventured on an excursion to find a deer that could feed many hungry mouths with fresh venison.

Equipped with mere primitive weaponry of the time, the dog was instrumental in finding and pushing out deer that were well hidden from the naked eye. He pushed out a large buck that could provide the much needed meat for the tribe. He was able to draw his bow and arrow and hit the deer on the mark.

The buck, being a large and strong animal, did not give in easily. He raced away from the duo with the dog close on its heels. The deer leaped across the creek and the determined dog would not let the deer escape so easily. He forged the creek only to be swept away in the strong current.

As he rushed down the creek, the dog was caught in a snag of briars and vines in the middle of the creek. Instantly realizing the predicament, the brave knew he, nor the tribe, could afford for his dog to perish. The dog was instrumental in successful hunts, and they could never find prey without the skill of the dog. He jumped into the creek to save his dog from a certain fate. He freed his dog and then the two were able to successfully track the dear and capture it.

Upon returning back to the tribe, the brave told his tribesman the story of the events that transcribed. In celebration of a meal and the survival of their prized dog, the Cherokee named the creek Hanging Dog.

As time drew on and Europeans entered the area, the name was popular. Ultimately, the large area north of Murphy NC became known as Hanging Dog – all thanks to a hunter and his dog.

Curious about properties in the scenic Hanging Dog area? Reach out to Murphy NC Real Estate to explore land and homes near this legendary location.

Types of Fireplaces in Homes in Murphy NC

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When it comes to buying a home for sale in Murphy, North Carolina, it is very common for folks to want to buy a home or cabin that has a fireplace. There are a wide variety of different types of fireplaces. Here’s a good bit of information on the different types we commonly see in homes in Murphy, NC.

There are two main types: wood or gas burning.

Gas Burning

Ventless or Unvented – these are a very common type of fireplace in Murphy NC because of their ease to install and the ability for them to go essentially anywhere in a home. One excellent used for them is if you find a home that does not already have a fireplace, they can be installed just about anywhere and look amazing. They are an excellent heat source, especially as a back up for electric heat pumps or furnaces. Because they are unvented, 100% of the heat generated by them stays in the home and keeps it warm. Be sure that if you use them for an extended period of time that you crack a window or door to allow fresh air in so the flames cannot use up all the oxygen in the room.

Vented – we see a lot of vented fireplaces here in Murphy as well. Vented fireplaces are great for ambiance because they produce very realistic looking flames. They are, however, not as good as a heat source. Since they are vented, the majority of the heat produced from the flames escapes outside.

Wood Burning

Straight Fireplace – these are the regular type fireplaces most everyone is used to. You build a fire and it heats the room with the crackling and dancing of the flames we all love. The major disadvantage is that it’s a whole lot more work! If you’re willing to put in the effort, a wood burning fireplace can be extremely rewarding.

Wood Burning Stove – there are tons of different types of wood burning stoves! They are an extraordinary way to heat your home with wood. They tend to burn hotter, cleaner, and more efficiently than a regular open fireplace. Many folks use them as a secondary heat source. There’s a lot of folks that use nothing but a wood burning stove too! One good sized stove can literally heat an entire home if it is properly positioned, used, and correctly sized for the space.

If you love the ambiance but don’t love the work, Wood burning fireplaces can easily be converted to gas logs, usually very inexpensively. Normally it only requires choosing a set of gas logs and having the gas company install them.

Looking to buy a home in the mountains of Murphy NC? Look no further! You can search all the real estate for sale in Murphy NC by clicking here! Want us to do the leg work for you? Check out our Dream Home Finder, share your wish list with us, and we will do the leg work for you! If there’s anything else we can help you with, contact us and we will do everything we can to help. We’re here for you!

Dreaming of cozy fireplaces in homes nestled in the mountains? Contact Murphy NC Real Estate to find your perfect fireplace-ready retreat.

John Poltrock – The Poltrock Team – REMAX of Murphy NC – www.MyMurphy.com – JohnPoltrock@gmail.com – Call us Toll Free at 1-866-Murphy-NC – 1-866-687-7496 – Murphy’s #1 Real Estate Team

Home Inspections when Buying a Home in Murphy NC

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When you’ve been shopping for real estate in Murphy NC and you’ve found a home you want to buy, having it inspected by a licensed home inspector is one smart move. Regardless of the condition you may think the home is in, an inspector can find issues with a home you never knew existed.

Home Inspectors Check a Wide Variety of Items. Here, notice there’s NO insulation!!

I always joke, but do seriously mean it, that hopefully an inspection is a complete waste of your money. Hopefully they’ll go through and find a few minor issues that are no big deal. At least that way you know! It’s the big things you are looking for so they can be remedied.

Here are some frequently asked questions I get a lot about home inspections:

1) Do you recommend a home inspection on a new construction home?

Absolutely! Homes are built by humans just like you and I. The fact is, they make mistakes. Although the odds are less for things being wrong, I believe it is still wise to do.

2) Can they check every aspect of the home I’m buying?

No. Although a home inspector checks a very wide array of parts of your home, there are limitations. Termite and septic are two things they are unable to check and are offered by a separate inspection. Also, they can’t see through walls and things of that sort. If you’d like more detail on what they are able to check, I encourage you to contact a reputable inspector.

3) What happens if an issue is found that needs repair?

When an item is found that needs repair, it is completely negotiable between the buyer and seller. Bear in mind that when you pay an inspector to do a full home inspection, there is an obligation to find something wrong with the property. Some items found are silly and some are important. So before you consider asking for a repair, ask yourself a few questions.
-Is this a big deal?
-Is the item doing the job it was intended to do?
-Was that item required as part of the building code when the home was built?

4) What about foreclosures?

You may have noticed that many foreclosures are being sold as is, where is. That does not mean that you cannot have inspection done on the property. In fact, I highly encourage you have foreclosures inspected. It is common that the bank nor the listing real estate agent know much of any use about the property. Because of that situation, it makes an inspection that much more important. What the bank means by as is, where is is they have no intention of doing any repairs to the property when you find something on the home inspection. In some instances, we have been able to successfully negotiate repairs on a foreclosed property. However, that is not the norm. It is a case-by-case basis that we can guide you through if you are purchasing a foreclosure home.

5) What price range can I expect for a normal home inspection?

Home inspections by a licensed home inspector normally cost between $300-500. The cost is normally driven by factors such as size, location, and features of the home.

6) What does a home inspector actually inspect?

As I mentioned above, the home inspector truly checks a wide array of items in a home. To give you a better idea though, here is a laundry list style of things to expect to be checked: the foundation, basement, structure, siding, windows, doors, other exterior elements, roof, plumbing, electrical system, plumbing system, central and other types of heating and air conditioning, walls, ceilings, floors, and major appliances.

If there are other questions you have about a home inspection, tell us! If you’re looking for a good home inspector in Murphy NC we recommend, check out our Gotta Guy List! You can email us, comment on this post, and more! When you are looking to buy a home in Murphy, NC, contact the team that has your best interests in mind! Call The Poltrock Team at REMAX in Murphy Today!

Searching for a home in Murphy NC? CLICK HERE to Search the ENTIRE Murphy NC MLS for all REAL ESTATE FOR SALE! You can also Search The Poltrock Team’s Listings. Not only that, we can do the work for you! CLICK HERE to tell us what YOU are searching for and we’ll send you the BEST properties we have!

Have questions about home inspections or need a trusted local inspector? Reach out to Murphy NC Real Estate and let our team guide you every step of the way.

John Poltrock – The Poltrock Team – REMAX of Murphy NC – www.MyMurphy.com – JohnPoltrock@gmail.com – Call us Toll Free at 1-866-Murphy-NC – 1-866-687-7496 – Murphy’s #1 Real Estate Team

The Importance of Termite Inspections When Buying Real Estate in Murphy NC

Posted by I Love Murphy on
Be smart and do a termite inspection on your home purchase. Don’t let termites eat your savings!

When it comes to buying real estate in the mountains of Murphy NC, a termite inspection is an incredibly inexpensive and important inspection. I commonly get the question, “are termites bad in Murphy NC?” Many places throughout the United States have a notoriously bad termite infestation issue. We are blessed not to be one of those places, yet the fact remains that we do have termites.

When it comes to buying a home, its a wise decision to have a termite inspection completed. Although our area may not be especially susceptible to termites, any home can still have an active colony calling it home. We often find them where they have done little to no damage, simply are present or creating tunnels. It’s often an easy fix that cuts future damage off at the pass.

Fortunately we have several pest control companies we work with and highly recommend. You can expect a thorough and low cost job, which is a rare combination. In many cases, it costs less than $100 for a licensed pest control professional to go out and thoroughly inspect the home you are buying. It simply a wise choice and money well spent.

Don’t let hidden pests ruin your dream home—schedule a termite inspection and contact Murphy NC Real Estate for trusted buying guidance in the mountains.

John Poltrock – The Poltrock Team – REMAX of Murphy NC – www.MyMurphy.com – JohnPoltrock@gmail.com – Call us Toll Free at 1-866-Murphy-NC – 1-866-687-7496 – Murphy’s #1 Real Estate Team