828-490-1510

Buyers / First-Time Buyers · Asheville & Western North Carolina

Buy your first home in Western North Carolina with confidence.

Plan your budget, learn about North Carolina buyer assistance and compare nine Asheville-area communities with Jason Brodsky and Owners Only Real Estate.

Compare communities ↓ Call 828-490-1510
Full-time in real estate since 2007Owners Only Real Estate · Brokered by eXp RealtyServing Asheville & Western NC
Your local team

Jason Brodsky & Owners Only Real Estate
Full-time in real estate since 2007.

Owners Only Real Estate, brokered by eXp Realty, serves buyers in Asheville and across Western North Carolina. Talk with the team about your budget, timing and the communities on your list.

Nine communities, honestly compared.

Some of these areas include condos, townhomes and smaller homes that can suit a first purchase. Others are luxury and gated communities. Knowing the difference saves time.

CityAshevilleA broad mix that includes historic homes, downtown condos and suburban neighborhoods. Compare condo or HOA fees, taxes and property condition for each address.Explore Asheville →Planned communityBiltmore LakeA planned community built around a 62-acre lake, with townhomes and low-maintenance options alongside custom and luxury homes. Ask about HOA dues and rules up front.Explore Biltmore Lake →South AshevilleBiltmore ParkA walkable community of roughly 735 acres with condominiums and townhomes near its town center, plus single-family and luxury homes. Factor association fees into the monthly budget.Explore Biltmore Park →Gated luxuryThe Cliffs in ArdenThe Cliffs at Walnut Cove is a private, gated golf community of custom homes, estates and homesites. It is a luxury market, not a typical starter-home search.Explore The Cliffs in Arden →Gated luxuryThe Ramble at Biltmore ForestA gated, master-planned community of custom homes and wooded homesites next to the Biltmore Estate. Most first-time buyers will find it a luxury purchase, not an entry point.Explore The Ramble at Biltmore Forest →Established luxuryBiltmore ForestA historic town of luxury estates and custom homes on large wooded lots. Expect an upscale, competitive market rather than entry-level pricing.Explore Biltmore Forest →Small townWeavervilleAbout 9 miles north of downtown Asheville, with homes ranging from historic cottages to modern mountain homes. Compare in-town and acreage properties carefully.Explore Weaverville →Henderson CountyHendersonvilleAbout 22 miles south of Asheville, with historic bungalows, townhomes, single-family homes, fixer-uppers and new construction on the edges of town.Explore Hendersonville →Haywood CountyWaynesvilleThe Haywood County seat, offering homes from brick bungalows near downtown to cabins and acreage. Some homes are move-in ready; others leave room for updates.Explore Waynesville →

Community descriptions summarize Owners Only Real Estate's community pages. Availability and pricing change constantly. Review current listings with the team.

Know your numbers before you tour.

Adjust the example to your situation. These are planning assumptions, not local averages, a rate quote or a Loan Estimate.

Use the property's current bill and confirm with the lender.
Enter the lender's quote, or 0 if it does not apply.
Many planned communities have association dues. Ask before you offer.
Lender, title and settlement charges; exclude items entered separately.
Credited at closing, not an additional cost.
Total cash budget, including inspections
Estimated monthly housing payment

Illustrates a fixed-rate loan without financed fees. Does not add FHA upfront mortgage insurance, VA funding fees, assistance, seller credits, due diligence fees, moving costs, maintenance or utilities. Your lender provides the actual financing and closing figures.

North Carolina help worth asking about.

The North Carolina Housing Finance Agency offers programs through participating lenders statewide.

NC Home Advantage Mortgage™NCHFA describes fixed-rate mortgages with down payment assistance up to 3% of the loan amount, for first-time and move-up buyers. Income, credit score and sales-price limits apply.Official NCHFA details →NC 1st Home Advantage Down PaymentNCHFA describes $15,000 in down payment help for eligible first-time buyers (no home owned as a principal residence in the past three years) and military veterans.Official NCHFA details →Community home buying programsThrough local partners, NCHFA lists additional help for buyers with incomes below 80% of their county's median income. Ask a participating lender or housing counselor.Official NCHFA details →

NCHFA states that its down payment assistance is repaid only if you sell, refinance or transfer the home before year 15, and is forgiven at 20% per year at the end of years 11 through 15.

Program summaries checked against the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency website on October 27, 2026. Terms, limits and availability can change. Assistance is not automatic. Confirm eligibility with a participating lender before relying on it in an offer.

A clear path to your first set of keys.

Money, property and timing work best when they are planned together.

01

Set your comfort zone

Talk through price range, monthly budget, timeline and must-haves. Decide how much you want to keep in savings after closing.

02

Get preapproved

Get a lender's preapproval, compare loan options and ask about NCHFA assistance before writing an offer.

03

Tour, offer & close

Review comparable homes, contract terms and inspections during due diligence. The team coordinates with your lender and closing attorney.

First-time buyer questions.

Start with the essentials. Your lender confirms loan details.

Do I need a 20% down payment?

Not always. Many loan programs allow less down, and NCHFA offers assistance through participating lenders. A lower down payment can change mortgage insurance and the monthly cost.

Is the earnest money deposit an extra cost?

It is generally credited toward your purchase at closing. The contract controls how it is held and when it may be refundable.

Are The Cliffs, The Ramble or Biltmore Forest realistic for a first home?

They are luxury communities, so for most first-time buyers they are not entry-level options. If they are in your budget, ask about HOA or club costs and community rules early.

Which areas have lower-maintenance options?

Biltmore Park and Biltmore Lake include condos or townhomes, and Asheville has downtown condos. Compare association fees and what they cover.

Your first home starts with a conversation.

Tell the team where you are in the process. You do not need every answer before reaching out.

Call 828-490-1510Ask a buyer question