All Forum Posts by: Cole Bossert

I came to Boone as a student at Appalachian State and, like a lot of people, I never really left. The mountains, the community, the lifestyle—it’s all tough to beat. Now as a local real estate agent and investor, I get to help others plant roots here or invest in a market I know and love.

Boone isn’t just a great place to live—it’s a smart place to invest. With a mix of short-term rental potential, strong student demand, and consistent appreciation, it offers multiple plays depending on your strategy.

Economic & Community Growth

Tourism is Year-Round: From fall foliage and ski season to summer hiking and festivals, Boone brings in tourists all year long. STR demand stays strong, especially near the ski resorts and downtown.

Out-of-Town Buyer Activity: We’re seeing continued interest from buyers out of Charlotte, Raleigh, and Florida. Many are buying second homes or relocating full-time, which is pushing demand up while supply stays tight.

Ongoing Local Investment: The town continues to improve greenways, local parks, and infrastructure to support both growth and quality of life—without losing that small-town charm.

Rental Market & Investment Potential

Student Housing: App State brings in 20,000+ students a year. Off-campus rentals are competitive and can generate strong cash flow if you know where to buy and how to market them.

Short-Term & Mid-Term Rentals: Whether it’s a cabin for weekend travelers or a furnished unit for travel nurses or remote workers, demand is there. Especially in well-located, thoughtfully renovated properties.

Fix-and-Hold Opportunities: It’s a tight market, but investors who can source off-market or undervalued homes and improve them are seeing solid appreciation and long-term equity growth.

Lifestyle-Driven Appeal

Outdoor Recreation: Hiking, mountain biking, skiing, fly fishing—you name it, Boone has it. And people want to live (and vacation) somewhere that supports their lifestyle.

College Town Energy with a Mountain Soul: Boone blends small-town values with a creative, youthful spirit thanks to the university and local arts/music scene.

If you’re looking for a market with strong fundamentals, a desirable lifestyle, and multiple investment angles, Boone should be on your radar.

Happy to answer questions or connect with anyone interested in exploring the High Country.

Just pulled the latest numbers from the High Country Association of Realtors (covering Watagua, Ashe, Avery and Alleghany Counties), and there are some interesting signs for anyone watching mountain markets or looking for undervalued, lifestyle-driven rental plays.

Here’s the March 2025 snapshot:

• Median Sales Price: $505,000 — up 4.1% from last month

• Closed Sales: 87 homes sold — a 6.9% increase

• New Listings: 205 — up a massive 51.9% month-over-month

• Active Inventory: 486 homes — up 14.6%

• Days on Market: Dropped 15.5% to 71 days

What does this mean for investors?

We’re seeing a flood of new inventory hit the market at a time when prices are still climbing. That combo is rare. It’s giving buyers—especially cash buyers—a chance to be aggressive while sellers are still optimistic and before competition really kicks in for summer.

The High Country isn’t just a vacation market anymore. Short-term rentals are still strong here, but we’re also seeing increasing demand for mid-term and seasonal housing, especially around App State, healthcare, and remote work relocations. Plus, many of these homes have views, land, or character you won’t find in most suburban flips.

To me, this looks like the sweet spot: prices rising, DOM dropping, and yet more options on the table. That won’t last long.

I’m curious—what are you all seeing in other “lifestyle markets” across the country? Are you seeing a similar window opening in your area, or is this just a unique little moment here in the NC mountains?

I’d sell as well. Like @Caleb Brown mentioned, $200K in equity could likely be put to better use elsewhere. The margins seem a bit tight, especially if vacancy and maintenance weren't fully factored in. Plus, if you're not really excited about this property and would prefer a townhome or SFH, it's worth exploring deals that align better with your long-term goals.

If they fully meet your qualifications, declining based on a gut feeling about how “needy” they might be could be risky, especially from a fair housing standpoint.

If your only concern is high-maintenance tenants, a well-structured lease with clear expectations on maintenance requests and communication can help set boundaries. 

Sure. The idea is possible but tricky because VA loans require the buyer (your friend) to live in the home. If she buys a property with a VA loan and sells it to you later, it could violate the loan terms. Plus, the lender might demand full repayment if they find out.

A better approach might be a structured agreement where she legally owns the home but you make payments in a way that follows Islamic finance principles—like a rent-to-own model or a profit-sharing setup. You’d need a real estate attorney who understands both seller financing and Islamic finance to set this up properly.

The best first step? Talk to a real estate attorney and make sure you're not accidentally breaking any loan rules. If the VA loan part is a problem, there might be other creative financing methods that work better.

As a Realtor I first read "The Millionaire Real Estate Agent" also by Gary Keller. It has laid the foundation for how I see my business and my strategies going forward. I have yet to read MREI but it's on my list for sure. Thanks for the reminder that I should read it.

What AI tools are you using to integrate social media management, CRM updates, and lead qualification? Have you found a specific platform that seamlessly connects all these functions, or are you using a mix of different tools? Also, how do you balance automation with maintaining a personal touch in client interactions?

It doesn’t sound like you jumped in too soon—it sounds like you made a calculated move that puts you in a strong position long-term. Right now, you’re essentially paying around $700 per month in housing costs while owning two properties in solid markets. That’s not a bad deal when you consider the long-term benefits of appreciation, principal paydown, and future rental income.

From another perspective, if you were renting, you’d likely be paying just as much—if not more—without building any equity. Instead, you’re setting yourself up for strong financial positioning down the road.

Looking ahead, you have multiple ways to improve your situation:

1. Room-by-Room Rental Strategy in Baltimore – Once you move back to DC, renting by the room could turn this into a break-even or even cash-flowing asset. Many investors use this model to maximize returns, especially in areas with strong demand from students and professionals.

2. Interest Rate Drop Potential – With rates projected to trend downward later this year, you may have an opportunity to refinance into a more favorable loan, significantly improving cash flow.

3. Long-Term Equity Growth – Both DC and Baltimore have strong real estate fundamentals, and while cash flow is a challenge in the short term, appreciation in these markets could put you in a great position in a few years.

It’s natural to feel some stress when carrying two properties, but instead of seeing this as a mistake, think of it as an investment in your future financial independence. You’re stacking assets, getting experience, and setting yourself up for flexibility. The key now is optimizing what you have—adjusting rental strategies, keeping an eye on refinance opportunities, and staying patient as the market shifts in your favor.

Hey everyone,

I’m starting to look into industrial-zoned properties that could be converted into truck parking or an already established truck parking lot. With demand for truck parking consistently high, especially near major highways and distribution hubs, it seems like a solid cash-flowing play.

A few things I’m digging into:

• Best locations for demand (near interstates, warehouses, etc.)

• Zoning and permitting challenges

• Typical lease structures (monthly vs. daily rates, security deposits, etc.)

• Financing options—SBA loans, seller financing, or other creative structures

If anyone has experience with this type of investment, I’d love to hear about the challenges, profitability, and any financing strategies that worked for you. Also open to any good resources on the topic.

Appreciate any insights!

Off-market deals tend to be the most effective way to find strong investment properties, especially in competitive markets. These can be sourced through networking with wholesalers, direct-to-seller marketing (such as mailers and cold calling), and working with investor-friendly real estate agents who have access to pocket listings or off-market opportunities.

An investor-friendly agent can be particularly valuable, as they understand key investment metrics like ARV and cash flow rather than just focusing on traditional home sales. They can also help identify distressed or undervalued properties that may not be widely advertised. If you're primarily using the MLS, you may find that off-market strategies provide better deals with less competition.