Closed Two In One Day
An unusual thing happened yesterday; we closed two sales in one day. In my 30 years of real estate, I don’t recall ever closing two transactions on the same day. While it was certainly rewarding for everyone involved, it was also stressful leading up to that...
A Timely Update
It has been a while since I’ve written about the book, “One Second After” that started me on the path of self-sufficiency learning (i.e. “prepping”) resulting in changing the focus and name of my firm to Retreat Realty, Ltd. But given...
Thankful For Power
Yesterday morning started like any other. Rolled out of bed around 6 AM and already had the Christmas tree lights on their timers, so we awoke to their warm glow. Moments after pouring our cups of coffee to await the sunrise, the lights went out. Not just ours, but...
Power Out in Black Mountain
As I write this post, the power is out in Black Mountain. Not only in the town of Black Mountain, but the town of Montreat and Montreat College where classes have been cancelled. No snow. No ice. No wind. Nice sunshine and mild temps. Nothing out of the...
Heritage Life Skills
The annual Heritage Life Skills in Waynesville is coming up soon! Its April 12 – 14 this year and is being held once again at the Folkmoot Center. if you haven’t attended and are interested in learning the skills our great-great grandparents knew, then...
DHS Report On The Power Grid
A recently released DHS report on the power grid presents a thorough review of the frailty of our power grid and a potential failure’s long term impact on this nation. Most folks totally ignore the power grid. Flip a switch, and the lights come on. Go to the...
Active Prepping Community
One of the benefits of living where I do is that there is a very supportive and active prepping community. One of the gems of this area is Carolina Readiness Supply in Waynesville. If you’ve been a subscriber for a while, you know I’ve mentioned them...
A Great Summer Read
Here is a great summer read. My subscribers know that the book that really started me down this path is William Forstchen’s “One Second After” (about which I’ve written elsewhere). As I meet others from around the country, many of them tell...
Heritage Life Skills VI
Heritage Life Skills VI is coming up April 21- 23 in Waynesville at the Folkmoot Center. If you’ve not attended, but are into prepping, off-grid living, homesteading or just want to learn some long lost skills, you simply must attend. HLS is one of the most...
New Property Coming
Have a new property coming soon. This one features 131 acres of beautiful land in southeastern Buncombe County (Asheville). Its hardly ten minutes from downtown Black Mountain with its dozens of privately owned restaurants along with every shop and service you could...
The Final Day
Our good friend and best selling author, Dr. Bill Forstchen has been busy signing copies of his newest book, “The Final Day”. This is the third and final installment in the “One Second After” trilogy. The second installment was “One...
Non Electric Cooking Bag
The Non Electric Cooking Bag? What’s that? While visiting Jan Sterrett, friend and owner of Carolina Readiness Supply in Waynesville the other day, she pointed out what looked sort of like a gigantic 60 round magazine on its side with a beret covering the hole...
New Listing
We have a new listing for an ideal prepper property close to the town of Black Mountain. If you’ve read Dr. Bill Forstchen’s seminal book “One Second After”, you’ll recognize the town of Black Mountain as the story is based on our...
Blinded by the Light
Manfred Mann’s Earth Band had a top 100 hit song, “Blinded by the Light” in 1977 (although it was originally written by Bruce Springsteen in 73). Great tune with some forever confused lyrics. However, if you want to really be blinded by the light,...
An Evening with Dr. William Forstchen
Last night I had the pleasure of introducing Dr. William Forstchen and his wife Robin to the Charlotte chapter of the Carolina Preppers Network. Around 95 people from as far away as Myrtle Beach attended the dinner and presentation. They were not disappointed. As...
The Critical Infrastructure Protection Act
After years of ignoring the very real threat of an electromagnetic pulse weapon (EMP), the US House Committee on Homeland Security recently passed the Critical Infrastructure Protection Act. Like most government programs, it is best known by its acronym...
Bug Out In Style
Normally, a survival property offers a lot of acreage without any kind of covenants and restrictions, but occasionally, I find a property in a platted development that may be a good fix for some. Very often, to get a large amount of acreage, one must spend quite a...
Planned Community Lots
The Planned Community Lots grouping is unique. All of the other listings on Retreat Realty have a minimum of five acres or more, however, in this case, we are featuring a grouping of our exclusive listings for consideration as retreat properties because they are part...
Heritage Life Skills Event
Whether you’re new to the idea of disaster preparedness or not, the Heritage Life Skills V is something I highly encourage you to attend. Held April 29th through May 1st at the Haywood County Fairgrounds outside Waynesville, it is the most comprehensive event...
Bill Forstchen To Be Featured on Glen Beck
I just spoke with friend and Black Mountain neighbor, Bill Forstchen who informed me that he will be a guest on tomorrow night’s (February 17th) airing of the Glen Beck Show on The Blaze between 9 PM and 9:30 PM EST. So if you happen to be close to your...
60 Minutes Of Prepping
Last night’s episode of 60 Minutes on CBS had a segment on the “survival condo” and prepping trend. These kinds of shows are very often slanted to present “preppers” as a fringe society full of conspiracy theorists with crazy setups. ...
Water Is Necessary
Water is as necessary for our survival as oxygen, so what plans do you have in the event your water supply is compromised? Here in the U.S. we expect that every time we turn on the faucet, clean water will pour out. Fortunately that’s pretty much true, but ask...
Earthquake
The other morning, I was awakened around 4:15 AM being shaken by an earthquake that occurred in eastern Tennessee. It lasted for about five seconds, and I immediately concluded that’s what it was. No damage was reported and I immediately drifted back to...
Parson & Kirstein Testimonial
Dear Mr. Haynes: We are writing to thank you for the excellent service you provided to us in the recent sale of our family’s long-held property in Fairview, NC. From the beginning, we were very impressed by the way you presented yourself and Retreat Realty. You are...
Emergency Trauma Treatment
When planning for a grid down situation and heading to one’s bug out location, much of the discussion centers around food storage, shelter and firearms. However, an equally important component is that of medical treatment. If such a situation should arise, you...
What Makes a Good Retreat? – Vol. 5
In prior posts we’ve described the need for a low profile, low density, distance from town and having a water supply. Today we hit on the very simple, yet important aspect of proximity to your primary place of residence. For most of us, we can’t live at...
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