Vacation Home Buyers Smoothly Navigate Murphy, NC Home Buying Process

Posted by murphylover on

We had decided the time was right to buy a vacation home in Murphy, North Carolina. We wanted to work with a realtor who would search through the many MLS houses for sale and help us find our ideal mountain cabin. Fortunately, we learned about The Poltrock Team, and we couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome.

Our realtor skillfully helped us navigate the process of buying a home. And, the entire real estate team stepped up to guide us through a successful closing.

We very much appreciate everyone’s help with buying a home in Murphy, North Carolina. Thank you.

If you’re ready to begin your own Murphy, NC home buying process, our experienced Murphy NC realtors are here to guide you.

Gary and Cindy Bibbee
Nokomis, FL

Out-of-State Seller Enjoys Easy Transaction when Selling His Murphy, NC Property

Posted by murphylover on

I learned about The Poltrock Team by viewing their billboard in downtown Murphy, North Carolina. As luck would have it, I also received a referral for their real estate services at about the same time. So, I decided to work with their realtor to sell my mountain cabin in Murphy, North Carolina.

From beginning to end, I had a great real estate experience while selling my Murphy, NC Property. You folks took the steps to make it easy (and stress free) to sell my home through the MLS. And, I really appreciated not having to drive to Murphy in the winter.

I would give The Poltrock Team a “10” for their super client service, and I would absolutely work with them in buying a home (or selling a home) again.

Want to sell or buy a Murphy, NC property with confidence? Our trusted Murphy NC real estate agents are ready to help!

Jerry Hunt
Waterford, MI

What is a normal water well in Western North Carolina

Posted by I Love Murphy on

Over the past decade+, I’ve either personally drilled, had clients that drilled, or been involved in transactions where a new well had to be drilled here in Murphy, NC, particularly noting the unique geological features typical of Wells and West Murphy NC. The one thing I’ve learned; there is no such thing as a normal well in Western North Carolina. Each one is different with several main components: depth, yield, and quality.

This fiberglass “fake rock” is a common well cover. It’s generally foam-insulated to protect the well in Winter.

Fiberglass Well Cover
This fiberglass “fake rock” is a common well cover. It’s generally foam insulated to protect the well in Winter.

Depth: Perhaps it’ll help to understand where water comes from underground. There are aquifers, or creeks, and veins of water hundreds of feet underground that you want to collect and bring to your faucets. While many areas like Florida and Eastern North Carolina can hit water in 10-50 feet, the mountains of Western North Carolina is often 100-400 feet and can even be deeper. In rare instances, you can have a well drilled that never finds water or has a low yield; more on that in a moment. Some old-timers believe that “witching” a well will help you maximize your odds of finding the best spot to drill your well so you never have a dry hole. The deeper your well, the more “reserve” you have; meaning, your well acts as a storage tank and the deeper it is, the more storage space you have.

Yield: Depth is only part of the equation; how much water your well can produce is another major component. Yield is how many gallons per minute your underground aquifers and veins of water pour into your well. This one is easy – the more the merrier. I’ve seen yield of under 1/2 gallon per minute (GPM) to artesian wells that put out so much water the instruments to measure yield pegged out and we only knew that it was 100+ GPM. Those are rare and 1-10 GPM is far more common. If your well produces a lower yield than the well company recommends for household usage, there are some great options to maximize it like a buried storage tank or fracking, which expands the crevices to try to get more water flow.

Cost Considerations: Understanding how much does it cost to dig a well in NC is important for anyone considering this investment. The cost can vary significantly based on depth, water yield, and terrain. On average, how much does a well cost in NC can range from a few thousand dollars for shallow depths to over $20,000 for deep and complex well systems, and answering how much to dig a well in NC can depend greatly on these factors.

This shows a common well arrangement under the cover. This picture shows a lot under the cover! The well itself is to the right in the thicker pipe. The big blue tank is a pressure tank. This also has a rare feature – a hand pump on top of the well in the event of power or pump failure, you can still get water. Click to see a larger picture.

This shows a common well arrangement under the cover.
This picture shows a lot under the cover! The well itself is to the right in the thicker pipe. The big blue tank is a pressure tank. This also has a rare feature – a hand pump on top of the well in the event of power or pump failure, you can still get water. Click to see a larger picture.

Quality: Western North Carolina is known for amazing water. In fact, many folks who live in Florida and other areas will tank water from here and bring it to their home because the water is so much better. pH is rarely a problem and any water quality issues we see usually are from rotten egg smell (sulfur) or red water (iron). The good thing about these water quality issues is they can almost always be resolved by a water filtration system. If it is needed, your well company can recommend the right system. They range from an inexpensive sediment filter (I think every home should have one. They protect your faucets and fixtures from sediment) to a tank-style system that costs around $1,650-3,200 depending on certain factors. Filtration technology has come a LONG way in the past decade and many of the systems require very little maintenance to produce the best water your taste buds have experienced.

Just a few personal experiences I’ve had:

  • The well I use daily produces 8 GPM and feeds two homes, a barn, and waters our animals with no issues. Other than a $100 sediment filter, we have nothing on it and it produces the most amazing water ever.
  • At our old house, the well was low yield with 3/4 GPM… and supplied about 10 houses. Fortunately, about 1/2 or better were part time occupants so it rarely had all 10 homes trying to get water. We CONSTANTLY had problems with water… until we installed a 1,500 gallon reservoir tank. That solved every problem we had because the storage tank supplied all the water to the houses and the well replenished it. It made the perfect buffer and we never had a supply issue again.

  • Well Tag on a Drilled Well
    This is a typical well tag that is supposed to be on a well casing. It shows all kinds of useful information to include Yield (bottom left) and depth (center right).
  • A developer drilled a well getting an astonishing 100+ GPM that had very high iron. The homeowners on the well had issues with laundry turning red due to the high iron content. They installed a $2,000 well filtration system that cleans itself so it requires extremely low maintenance. The system completely resolved the iron problems and the water is now extraordinary. 

If you’ve wondered the basics on how wells work in Western North Carolina, I hope this helps! Looking for real estate? We would be honored to help. Give us a call at 1-866-687-7496 or contact us from our website and we’ll be there to assist.

Need a good well driller? Check out our Gotta Guy list with reputable local well drillers, contractors, and more.

We have private, shared, and community wells here. Learn the difference here.

Need help navigating wells or buying land in Western North Carolina? Our expert Murphy NC real estate agents are just a call away.

John Poltrock 

Your Guide to Murphy, NC and Andrews, NC Fourth of July Celebrations

Posted by murphylover on

There’s nothing like a good old-fashioned Fourth of July celebration. Families come together for cookouts, enjoy community festivals, and then gather to watch some amazing fireworks – often in their local community. Here in Cherokee County, we’re fortunate to have some terrific Fourth of July events in Murphy, NC and nearby Andrews. Read on for a snapshot of both towns’ Fourth of July festivities.

MURPHY, NC FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION IN KONEHETA PARK

492 Connahetta Street, across from the Hiwassee Valley Pool & Wellness Center
Again this year, Murphy’s popular Koneheta Park will host the town’s annual Fourth of July Celebration. Throughout the day, food vendors will serve up tasty hot dogs, hamburgers, bratwursts, pork barbeque, and kettle corn. When you’re ready for dessert, nosh on a funnel cake or sno-cone. After you satisfy your stomach, browse a good selection of locally made crafts.

If you’re looking for good family-friendly entertainment, you’ll find enticing activities for both children and adults. Kids will enjoy the face painting station, and they’ll burn off some energy on the jumping toys. Or, enter your youngster(s) in the kids’ fishing derby.

For adults, the horseshoe tournament offers some good-natured competition with friends and others from your community. Plus, read on for details of several events that will attract visitors of all ages. Then, cap off your Fourth of July celebration with live music and a memorable fireworks display.

9AM to 12PM: Valley River Fishing Derby (children 12 and under)

10 AM: Horseshoe Tournament

12 PM: The Annual Peanut Drop

Everyone loves the annual Fourth of July Peanut Drop! This much-anticipated event begins right about noon, when a low-flying antique Piper Cub swoops over Koneheta Park. As the aircraft zooms by, its pilot drops hundreds of peanuts to the ground, giving families plenty of tasty snacks to scoop up and enjoy.

1:30 PM: Egg and Water Balloon Toss

6:30 PM: ReMax Hot Air Balloon Rides

If you’ve always wanted to take a hot air balloon ride, you can indulge that desire in the colorful ReMax Balloon. If the weather cooperates, the pilot will give you a nice view of the Fourth of July festivities before gliding to the ground.

7:30PM to 9:30PM: Live Music Showcase

Some of our terrific local talent will serve up toe-tapping live music. Enjoy the sounds while you grab a meal or snack from the food vendors.

9:30PM: Fireworks at Dark

Our Murphy, NC Fourth of July Celebration always concludes with a spectacular fireworks display. The grand show begins around dark, typically about 9:30PM. As the colorful pyrotechnics glitter and flash overhead, you’ll hear plenty of “oohs” and “aahs” from spectators of all ages. When the fireworks’ brilliant finale fades away, and you head toward home, you’ll have memories of a great family get-together you’ll talk about for months.

ANDREWS, NC FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION IN HALL PARK

Just 15 miles northeast of Murphy, you’ll find another Fourth of July Celebration in the town of Andrews. Set for the popular Hall Park, the festivities are sponsored by Andrews Brewing Company, Calaboose Cellars, and Hoppy Trout Brewing Company.

The fun kicks off at 10:30AM, when the Western North Carolina 60th Anniversary Wagon Train parades through town with gaily decorated horses and wagons. The Fourth of July festivities officially begin at 12PM in Hall Park, with contests and games from 12:30PM to 5:00PM.

As the day winds down, and darkness spreads over the mountain landscape, families will eagerly anticipate Andrews’ fireworks display, likely to begin around 9:30PM. When the last colorful sparks fade from the sky, families will return to their homes or head back to Murphy, NC. Once again, our small-town Fourth of July celebrations have offered up lots of patriotic fun to our residents and visitors.

Looking to make your home in the heart of it all? Trust the top Murphy, NC, realtors to help you find your perfect place in the mountains.

2017 Family Resources Kids Fair at Konaheeta Park in Murphy NC

Posted by I Love Murphy on

Our Poltrock Team Newsletter this month features The Family Resources’s annual Kid’s Fair at Konaheeta Park in Murphy NC. Read the feature article below and download a digital version of our entire newsletter by clicking the picture or link. You’ll find jokes,  a local calendar of events, and much more. Enjoy!

Download the full digital copy of our newsletter

A few excerpts of this month’s newsletter:

Kid’s Fair: This is the second year I’ve been fortunate to be the emcee of Family Resource’s Kid’s Fair! Each year,  local businesses sponsor Family Resources so they have the fair for free for families.

There were well over 400 hundred registered kids plus their families for around 1,000 people! With bounce houses, Rib Country BBQ, Face painting, toys, the US Forest Service, and so much more!

Family Resources is a local organization that is exactly as it sounds; their goal is to provide support for families in need no matter the need. They are supported by grants and donations. It’s a great group of folks making our community a better place.

Tri-County Racetrack– The racetrack has officially began burning gasoline! They’re open most Friday evenings for high speed, dirt slinging fun! Pits normally open around 4 and races start about 7:30. In addition to regular racing, they have demolition derby and Monster Trucks too!

Look for tips in the full newsletter for first timers!

From the excitement of the annual Kid’s Fair to racing season at Tri-County, our newsletter keeps you connected with Murphy’s local vibe. Want to make this community your home? Start with top-rated murphy nc real estate agents.

6 Spring Cleaning Tips to Make Your Murphy, NC Home Shine

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With spring’s arrival just a few weeks away, you’ve got the urge to give your Murphy, NC home a big cosmetic makeover. In other words, you’re gearing up for some serious spring cleaning. To keep from getting overwhelmed by the project ahead, break the work into manageable chunks. Plan to begin with tasks common to each room, and then put the finishing touches on specific parts of the house.

Next, gather your cleaning tools and supplies, plus plenty of paper towels and/or rags. Include a set of sturdy rubber gloves to protect your hands, along with a mask if you’re sensitive to chemical smells. Then, crank up your favorite playlist and give your home some timely TLC before warmer weather begins.

Checklist for Every Room

Make your job easier by banishing the clutter from each room. If often-used items are out of place, put them away. If you haven’t used an item recently, or you’re tired of looking at the same old lamps and accent pieces, donate them to make room for something new.

Next, clean every surface you can safely reach. Wipe down the walls, baseboards, doors (and doorknobs), light fixtures, switchplates, registers, and vents. Remove dirt and signs of wear from the floors and carpets. Wash or dry clean your curtains, and refresh your blinds with the proper cleaner. Dust the lampshades, or carefully vacuum them with a small attachment. Wash the windows and screens, if you can safely do so. Finally, check your smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector batteries, and replace them if necessary.

Refresh the Living Room

Give your upholstered furniture a new lease on life. Following the manufacturer’s directions, deep-clean your couches and chairs, giving them a fresh-looking appearance at a minimum cost. Next, wash your colorful throws and accent pillows, paying close attention to each item’s care instructions. When you’ve completed that task, consider a new furniture layout that gives the room an updated look.

Clean and Organize the Kitchen

Chances are, your kitchen appliances get quite a daily workout. To help prolong their useful life, treat these busy machines to a deep-cleaning session. Tackle your refrigerator and freezer (and don’t forget the fridge coils), before turning your attention to the stove and oven. When you’re finished, spiff up the microwave and other small kitchen appliances.

After making your kitchen equipment sparkle, restore some order to your cabinet shelves and drawers. Discard or donate unnecessary items, and clean each storage space before you organize the dishes, utensils, and cooking supplies. In the pantry, throw away expired or questionable food, and clean the shelves before reorganizing the remaining cans and bottles.

Brighten Up the Bedrooms

To spritz up your master and guest bedrooms, first remove your winter-season bed linens for washing or dry cleaning. Clean each bed’s mattress and pillow, also washing the casings if applicable. Ensure that your spring comforters, blankets, pillow shams, and bed skirts are fresh and clean before placing them on the beds.

Next, organize the dressers and nightstands, giving you easier access to your clothes and personal items. Finally, straighten up your closets, preparing for the switch to a spring/summer wardrobe for the upcoming warmer months.

Give the Bathrooms a Boost

Your bathroom is probably the most heavily used room in the house, so give it some well-deserved attention. First, scrub down the shower compartment walls and shower head. Next, replace the shower curtain or clean the glass doors until they shine.

Now, move on to the medicine cabinet. Discard old product containers before carefully cleaning the cabinet’s glass shelves. Arrange your family’s toiletries so everyone can easily find their favorite items. Finally, bring some order to the linen closet, organizing the numerous towels and sheets into defined groups.

Scrub Down the Laundry Room

Although the laundry room functions as your home’s “Clean Clothes Central,” this often-used space likely needs some TLC of its own. For starters, clean your washing machine with a manufacturer-approved solution. Next, remove everything from the room’s shelves and storage areas, and banish the dust and lint that seem to thrive there. Finish up this ambitious operation by damp-mopping the laundry room floor.

Although cleaning your Murphy, NC home will take time and elbow grease, you’ll give your house a fresh appearance for the spring and summer months. In fact, consider throwing a party to share the great results with your family and friends.

With a little elbow grease, your Murphy, NC home can shine just in time for spring. Thinking of buying or selling? Trust realtors murphy nc to help you make the next move with confidence.

The Poltrock Team – REMAX Mountain Properties – Murphy NC – ilovemurphy.com – Call us Toll Free at 1-866-Murphy-NC or 1-866-687-7496 – Murphy’s #1 Real Estate Team

Above 10 Rating For The Poltrock Team

Posted by I Love Murphy on

I heard of John Poltrock from word of mouth and local advertising. I have worked with other real estate agents in the past, but I think John is the best!  Excellent communication and overall my experience was very nice. I would absolutely would recommend John Poltrock and the Team of Murphy, NC.

The Poltrock Team – REMAX Mountain Properties – Murphy NC Realtors – www.iLoveMurphy.com– Call us Toll Free at 1-866-Murphy-NC or 1-866-687-7496 – Murphy’s #1 Real Estate Team

~~Joseph Cody, Blairsville, GA

A 3 Time Customer Of The Poltrock Team

Posted by I Love Murphy on

We have used The Poltrock Team a total of three times since 2012 and are very happy with them, especially John Poltrock. He has given us great detailed information on our properties. We absolutely will use The Poltrock Team again and rate them a 10 when it comes to real estate in Murphy, NC, whether you’re buying or selling.

~~Larry & Susan Klerk, Murphy, NC

The Poltrock Team – REMAX Mountain Properties – Murphy NC – www.iLoveMurphy.com– Call us Toll Free at 1-866-Murphy-NC or 1-866-687-7496 – Murphy’s #1 Real Estate Team

 

The Poltrock Team Gets A 10+ Rating In Real Estate

Posted by I Love Murphy on

I chose The Poltrock Team from local advertising and after meeting  John Poltrock, I found him to be very professional and knowledgeable in the real estate market.  John was very helpful in keeping me current on the activity of my home while being sold. I absolutely would use The Poltrock Team again and rate them a 10+ in the real estate market in Murphy, NC.

~~Art Lence, Murphy, NC

The Poltrock Team – REMAX Mountain Properties – Murphy NC – www.iLoveMurphy.com– Call us Toll Free at 1-866-Murphy-NC or 1-866-687-7496 – Murphy’s #1 Real Estate Team

The Poltrock Team IS Number 10 In Murphy, NC

Posted by I Love Murphy on

I spoke with John from The Poltrock Team a year prior to listing my home, after receiving a letter from him. I decided after talking with him that I would let John sell my home when I was ready to list it.  I would absolutely recommend them to sell your home. They did a great picture layout and was always there to answer any questions that I had.

From stunning listing photos to consistent support, The Poltrock Team made selling simple. Trust murphy nc realtors who are ready when you are.

~~David Brayton, Helena Island, SC

The Poltrock Team – REMAX Mountain Properties – Murphy NC – www.iLoveMurphy.com– Call us Toll Free at 1-866-Murphy-NC or 1-866-687-7496 – Murphy’s #1 Real Estate Team