July 4, 2025 • 17 mins
Looking for insight into Henderson County's resilient real estate market? Noah George delivers a comprehensive analysis revealing why our local housing market continues to thrive despite broader economic headwinds. While days on market have lengthened and inventory has increased slightly, demand remains remarkably strong with more homes sold year-to-date than during the same period last year. Most surprising? Thirty percent of all Henderson County home sales are all-cash transactions.
Noah breaks down the nuances between buyer's and seller's markets, explaining we currently sit at a five-month supply—technically still a seller's market, though gradually moving toward more balance. This presents opportunities for both sides of transactions, with sellers still benefiting from strong pricing while buyers gain improved negotiating leverage. The distinction between today's market conditions and the 2010-2011 housing crash is stark, particularly regarding inventory levels which previously reached a staggering two-year supply.
The broadcast features an engaging interview with Ryah McDonald, the newly selected 2025 Apple Ambassador, who shares her emotional journey from childhood dream to representing Henderson County's apple industry. Her authentic excitement about the upcoming Apple Festival (August 29-September 1) provides a wonderful glimpse into why our community remains so special. The conversation concludes with valuable insights about tax-efficient real estate strategies, particularly for estate planning, including little-known provisions that allow up to four people on a deed to potentially receive up to $1 million in tax-free profits when selling a primary residence.
Whether you're buying, selling, or planning your real estate legacy, the George Real Estate Group offers expert guidance through every step. Call 828-393-0134 to discover how we can help you navigate today's market conditions with confidence.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
The George Real Estate Group radio broadcast is
celebrating 10 years on WHKP.
The George Real Estate Group iscelebrating 10 years on the
radio, live every Thursdaymorning at 10.05 on WHKP 107.7
FM and AM 1450, and streamingonline at WHkpcom.
(00:24):
Each Friday morning at 845,.
The George Real Estate Grouppresents the Hometown Hero Award
to someone in our community whogoes above and beyond to make
our hometown a better place tolive.
Here's this week's HometownHero Show.
It's 845, and it's time now forour George Real Estate Group
(00:46):
Hometown Hero Salute and wealways look forward to gathering
with our friend Noah Georgefrom the George Real Estate
Group for our Fridayget-together.
Noah, how's the real estateworld in the hot summertime?
Speaker 2 (01:02):
It is hot.
I mean the market's stillmoving.
We had a number of homes gounder contract this week and we
continue to see strong demand.
You know days on market arelonger.
It's taking a little bit longerfor things to sell.
There's been a slight increasein inventory levels across the
board but the demand isremaining strong.
(01:23):
I mean we're averaging about126 single-family homes a month
selling.
There's been even more homessold year-to-date this year
versus year-to-date last year.
So there's been an increase inthe number of homes sold, even
though the prices have come downslightly just a slight decrease
(01:44):
.
But it's still strong.
And again, we know real estatehappens around life.
It could be a real positivereason why clients are buying or
selling.
It could be a challengingreason.
It might even be maybe you haveestate properties or rental
properties or inheritedproperties.
There's a lot of differentreasons why people are buying
and selling and we're helpingour clients navigate through
that.
Speaker 1 (02:04):
Well, I wanted to ask you have you felt, are you
beginning to feel like this is atransition to a buyer's market
as from a seller's market?
Speaker 2 (02:17):
Well, the definition of a buyer's market is when the
inventory outpaces the demandand we're getting.
Technically we're still in aseller's market and they, the
economists, say six monthssupply is considered a balanced
market, less than six months asa seller's market, more than six
months as a buyer's market, butwe have about a five month
(02:37):
supply okay um, and, and sowe're still technically a
seller's market.
But I think the market certainlyis moving towards a more
balanced market and again, whenyou see more inventory available
in context of the demand,that's when it becomes a buyer's
(02:58):
market.
So it's still on the fenceright now.
I wouldn't call it a strongseller's market, but prices are
holding.
Things are just taking a littlebit longer.
The buyers have a little bitmore leverage with negotiating.
I mean, the sellers are comingoff their prices a little bit
more, so it is softening, it'sbecoming a better environment
(03:23):
for buyers, uh and and sellersrecognize that, so sellers are
conceding a little bit more sothat's just where the market is.
But we the sky is not falling,the the market's still moving,
the.
You know, the economy is theeconomy, the interest rates are
the interest rates I mean.
Life happens, therefore realreal estate happens.
(03:43):
So we're still seeing a strongmarket here locally.
Speaker 1 (03:49):
And that's a tribute to a large part because of the
wonderful place where we live.
Speaker 2 (03:55):
I would agree with that, and when the rest of the
country?
If you look historically backat what happened in the previous
housing cycle, we were a coupleyears behind some of those
other markets.
But the stark difference is theinventory levels.
We still have, like I said, lowinventory levels.
I mean right now there's onlysome 600 available homes in
(04:18):
Henderson County.
Like I said, a five-monthsupply To put things in the
context.
Month supply To put things inthe context.
We had in some cases a two-yearsupply of homes and there was
an overabundance of homes forsale.
I mean the market's not crashing.
If anything, again it'ssoftening, but it's not the same
(04:43):
market as what it was when themarket crashed in 2010 and 11.
When it hit the bottom, it'snot the same.
But again, even then peoplewere still buying and selling.
But, to your point, our areahere, with the quality of life,
the four distinct seasons, allthe amazing things that we love
and enjoy here locally, peopleare coming and they're bringing
their jobs with them, they'reworking remotely, they're
(05:04):
retiring here, they're movingcloser to grandchildren, they're
, you know, they're wanting tohave a more active lifestyle.
I mean all the reasons whypeople move here.
The quality of life, you know,of course, we took a pause with
the, the hurricane, and, and Iknow there's still parts of our
area that are still recoveringand and, uh, you know, in that
rebuilding and and a lot ofpeople are still coming to the
(05:27):
area even with that.
Speaker 1 (05:28):
And you're probably still seeing a large portion of
the buyers bringing all cash tothe table 30% of our sales in
Henderson County are purchasedwith cash.
Speaker 2 (05:39):
Wow, that's countywide and that's been
consistent.
And so people are selling theirhomes that they've had paid off
.
And the beautiful thing aboutyour personal home if you've
lived in the home two out of afive-year period as an
individual, the first $250,000of profit is tax-free.
If you're married, it's$500,000.
(06:01):
A lot of people don't realizethis, but you can have other
people on the deed as wellChildren over 18, if they've
lived in the home for two yearsas well, they also can.
Up to two other people can alsoget $250,000 tax-free.
(06:21):
So you can actually have up toa million dollars tax-free on a
personal home.
Up to four people canparticipate in that.
Speaker 1 (06:28):
I find that fascinating, and I also find
that you guys at the George RealEstate Group are the ones who
know these things and can guideand shepherd each person through
their particular situation.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
We do.
We take it from a consultativeapproach and we work closely
with our attorneys and our taxadvisors and our financial
advisors.
I mean this is an entire teamworking with our clients,
navigating through how realestate impacts the decisions
that they make and what theywant their lives to look like.
And it's not just theirpersonal homes.
(07:02):
It's what do I do with myinvestment properties?
Or what do I do with land thatI own, or maybe land that I
inherited from my family, andwhat are the tax implications
and what are options andsolutions.
I mean we're taking a largerview of real estate.
It's not just that one, youknow.
It's not just a transaction.
(07:22):
It's not just the.
It's a bigger picture of yourentire life.
Speaker 1 (07:27):
Yeah, not just putting a sign in the yard and
praying that it sells?
Speaker 2 (07:31):
not at all and we have incredible uh marketing,
incredible proven andpredictable processes.
And and we've we've helped over1500 families throughout the
years uh with their real estateneeds.
So grateful to uh serve thecommunity through real estate.
Speaker 1 (07:45):
Well, uh, our uh hometown hero salute today still
goes out to Raya McDonald,who's the 2025 Apple Ambassador
this year.
So we've had, I guess, a mix-upin our scheduling this morning,
but we're going to try to gether back.
Speaker 2 (08:01):
Absolutely.
And again it's the 4th of July,maybe Exactly Getting ready for
all the things, and again we'llwork with them and get them
back on the radio as well.
Speaker 1 (08:11):
Because it's not that far away.
The Apple Festival, the 2025Apple Festival in Hendersonville
is Friday, august 29th throughMonday, september 1st,
traditionally the Labor Dayweekend, and it always is a
tremendous street fair with livemusic and the King Apple Parade
(08:31):
and apples, and we've beenassured from Henderson County
apple growers that there areplenty, plenty, plenty of apples
and apple fried, apple piesthat will be available on the
streets of Hendersonville.
Speaker 2 (08:48):
Well, the Apple Festival is certainly one of the
.
A lot of people have theirfirst experience with
Hendersonville, with the AppleFestival or even the Garden
Jubilee, and they come here andthey experience the small town
festivals and they love it andthey fall in love.
And so many people come andthey want to move here and they
enjoy it, they experience it andwe always and we love having
(09:10):
leading up to the Apple Festivalwe'll have a number of shows
about the Apple Festival andinterviews and excited to
promote the Apple Festival andit's amazing the impact that it
has on our community.
Speaker 1 (09:23):
Well, I wanted to ask you too about open houses.
I know last Friday we weretalking about an open house that
you had scheduled over theweekend for a place down in
Tryon.
Speaker 2 (09:34):
We had a lot of activity with the open house and
we continue to have open houses.
We did take a break with theopen houses for Fourth of July,
which is okay.
And again grateful for theopportunity when we have open
houses and we have a lot ofactivity with the open houses.
(09:56):
The market is still moving.
The open houses are great.
Speaker 1 (10:02):
Well, we'll look for the next weekend to have an open
house that you can tell usabout.
I think we have just beengraced with the presence of the
Apple ambassador.
Raya.
Is that right, raya?
Have a seat right there andpull that microphone up to you
and we say good morning.
Speaker 3 (10:21):
Good morning.
Speaker 1 (10:22):
It's good to have you here with us.
Speaker 3 (10:25):
It's good to be here.
Speaker 1 (10:26):
We were talking about you all week long and we've got
about four minutes or so tocheck in with you and see how
you're feeling about beingchosen as the Apple Ambassador.
That's got to be a real coolthing.
Speaker 3 (10:38):
It's been a dream of mine since I was little.
I always loved watching thegirls on the floats during the
parade.
One of my friends was AppleAmbassador last year and she
really motivated me to apply.
When I got selected I cried.
Speaker 1 (10:52):
I was so excited.
Well, tell us about you.
Go to East Henderson High,right?
Yes, sir, and you're a risingsenior there, mm-hmm.
Okay, and your mom and dad.
Speaker 3 (11:05):
Brian and Tony McDonald.
Speaker 1 (11:07):
And you guys have been going to the Apple Festival
.
Have you been going to theApple Festival since you were
that high, since I was little?
Yeah, really.
Speaker 3 (11:15):
Except I don't think I've ever been to the Apple
Festival parade, which is weird,but it was always.
Every time we talked aboutgoing, it was always raining or
we just decided that there weretoo many people, so then we just
never went.
Speaker 2 (11:28):
So your first time at the Apple Festival Parade will
be the SDM.
Speaker 3 (11:31):
Apple Festival Will be when I'm in the parade, yeah.
Speaker 2 (11:33):
That's awesome, that's great what went through
your mind when you first foundout you'd been named the Apple
Ambassador.
Speaker 3 (11:39):
Well, after interviews they call you that
night around 9.30.
And I was really nervous, I wastrying to calm myself down.
I was really nervous, I wastrying to calm myself down, I
was super anxious.
I was laying in bed on my phoneand I got a phone call and they
were like congratulations,you're Apple ambassador.
And I just started crying.
I was so excited.
I ran into the living room totalk to my parents.
(12:00):
I was just bawling my eyes out.
It was such a crazy experience.
I was really happy.
Speaker 2 (12:06):
Congratulations and it's quite.
The interview process right andthe application and you have to
write an essay Is that right.
Speaker 3 (12:13):
When I submitted my application I had to have two
copies of my transcript arecommendation letter from a
teacher at my high school, arecommendation letter from
someone in the community, aheadshot, and then I had to have
an essay with a prompt thatthey gave, which I don't
remember the prompt, and after Ithey had to be submitted by a
(12:34):
certain day.
I think it was March 31st.
They sent me a letter in themail saying I was one of my
school's representatives andthen I went to the interview and
we had to do face-to-faceinterviews and then speeches in
front of all the rest of thegirls, incredible beaches in
front of all the rest of thegirls.
Speaker 1 (12:51):
Well, uh, what's incredible.
What's you?
You've got a busy weekendcoming up that august 29th and
and uh through, uh, the firstthere on labor day weekend, and
you also, uh, have othercommitments.
You'll be at the mountain statefair, I think yes, the I think
it's the opening ceremony of themountain state fair yeah, so
you, you represent hendersoncounty in a lot of different
ways and will be everywhere thatweekend and I know that has to
(13:13):
feel good to be connected to andvisiting on behalf of the
Henderson County Apple Growers.
Speaker 3 (13:21):
Oh yeah, I'm really excited to represent everyone.
Speaker 1 (13:23):
Yeah, what's after high school?
What's the plans?
Speaker 3 (13:29):
I want to attend the University of Wyoming, but I
don't know.
It's a hard application process.
And then I want to become aCRNA, a Certified Registered
Nurse Anesthetist.
Speaker 2 (13:41):
Okay, what inspired you to pursue a nursing career?
Speaker 3 (13:45):
I just always wanted to.
I know that's a typical answer.
I just always wanted to helppeople.
I always felt drawn to when youread about situations where
nurses are mean to patients andI just never wanted to be that
person.
I wanted to pick theenvironment up and make it more
positive and I felt drawn to thecareer by being able to care
for people who are sick and justbeing there for them, that's
amazing.
Speaker 1 (14:05):
Well, what would you say to other ladies who are
younger and listening to you nowand thinking someday I'd like
to do that.
What would you say to them?
Speaker 3 (14:17):
I would say apply, because the worst thing that
happens is that you don't get aletter in the mail, like I was
checking my mail every daywaiting for a letter and when I
got it I cried.
So I would say apply and justhope, maybe pray a little bit
and just be confident, becausethat's what I did during the
interview process and I feellike being confident in the
interview process reallybenefited me.
Speaker 2 (14:38):
Is there a specific role model in your life that you
look to?
Speaker 3 (14:42):
I look at my mom my mom's my best friend and like my
perfect role model.
Speaker 1 (14:47):
Well, Raya, we thank you so much.
I'm glad you were able to makeit in this morning.
We congratulate you on becomingthe 2025 Apple ambassador and I
know we'll be seeing you allaround town on that weekend.
And thank you so much.
Noah has got a certificate herefor you.
(15:08):
Thank you both again and thankyou for joining us on the George
Real Estate Group Hometown HeroSeries.
Speaker 2 (15:15):
Thinking about estate planning for your real estate.
Without a smart approach, theproperty you leave behind could
become an unwelcome burden foryour kids.
Many children simply don't wantto co-manage an inherited house
or deal with the tenants.
Fortunately, you can preventthat with the right plan.
The George Real Estate Groupspecializes in tax-efficient
(15:35):
strategies like 1031 exchangesand Delaware Statutory trust to
simplify inheritance and incomeplanning.
A 1031 exchange can defer yourcapital gain taxes now and help
your kids avoid a big tax billlater.
And a DST lets you continueearning rental income without
landlord headache.
Plus, it can be split amongyour children, making
(15:56):
inheritance easier.
Planning ahead is one of thekindest gifts you can give your
family.
Let us help you secure yourlegacy.
Call the George Real EstateGroup at 828-393-0134 today.
You've worked hard to buildyour legacy.
Now let us help you protect itfor your loved ones.
Speaker 1 (16:15):
The George Real Estate Group is located in Flat
Rock, north carolina, nearhendersonville in henderson
county.
You can find them online atrealestatebygregcom.
The george real estate groupcan be reached at 828-393-0134
or stop by their office at 2720greenville highway, flat rock,
(16:36):
north carolina, carolina.
Tune in live each week onThursdays at 10 0 5 AM on WHKP
107.7 FM and 1450 AM, or streamonline at whkpcom or download
these podcasts wherever you getyour podcasts.
The George real estate groupbrings you the WHKP hometown
(16:59):
hero series every Friday morningat eight 45.
The George Real Estate Group radio broadcast is
celebrating 10 years on WHKP.
The George Real Estate Group iscelebrating 10 years on the
radio, live every Thursdaymorning at 10.05 on WHKP 107.7
FM and AM 1450, and streamingonline at WHkpcom.
(00:24):
Each Friday morning at 845,.
The George Real Estate Grouppresents the Hometown Hero Award
to someone in our community whogoes above and beyond to make
our hometown a better place tolive.
Here's this week's HometownHero Show.
It's 845, and it's time now forour George Real Estate Group
(00:46):
Hometown Hero Salute and wealways look forward to gathering
with our friend Noah Georgefrom the George Real Estate
Group for our Fridayget-together.
Noah, how's the real estateworld in the hot summertime?
Speaker 2 (01:02):
It is hot.
I mean the market's stillmoving.
We had a number of homes gounder contract this week and we
continue to see strong demand.
You know days on market arelonger.
It's taking a little bit longerfor things to sell.
There's been a slight increasein inventory levels across the
board but the demand isremaining strong.
(01:23):
I mean we're averaging about126 single-family homes a month
selling.
There's been even more homessold year-to-date this year
versus year-to-date last year.
So there's been an increase inthe number of homes sold, even
though the prices have come downslightly just a slight decrease
(01:44):
.
But it's still strong.
And again, we know real estatehappens around life.
It could be a real positivereason why clients are buying or
selling.
It could be a challengingreason.
It might even be maybe you haveestate properties or rental
properties or inheritedproperties.
There's a lot of differentreasons why people are buying
and selling and we're helpingour clients navigate through
that.
Speaker 1 (02:04):
Well, I wanted to ask you have you felt, are you
beginning to feel like this is atransition to a buyer's market
as from a seller's market?
Speaker 2 (02:17):
Well, the definition of a buyer's market is when the
inventory outpaces the demandand we're getting.
Technically we're still in aseller's market and they, the
economists, say six monthssupply is considered a balanced
market, less than six months asa seller's market, more than six
months as a buyer's market, butwe have about a five month
(02:37):
supply okay um, and, and sowe're still technically a
seller's market.
But I think the market certainlyis moving towards a more
balanced market and again, whenyou see more inventory available
in context of the demand,that's when it becomes a buyer's
(02:58):
market.
So it's still on the fenceright now.
I wouldn't call it a strongseller's market, but prices are
holding.
Things are just taking a littlebit longer.
The buyers have a little bitmore leverage with negotiating.
I mean, the sellers are comingoff their prices a little bit
more, so it is softening, it'sbecoming a better environment
(03:23):
for buyers, uh and and sellersrecognize that, so sellers are
conceding a little bit more sothat's just where the market is.
But we the sky is not falling,the the market's still moving,
the.
You know, the economy is theeconomy, the interest rates are
the interest rates I mean.
Life happens, therefore realreal estate happens.
(03:43):
So we're still seeing a strongmarket here locally.
Speaker 1 (03:49):
And that's a tribute to a large part because of the
wonderful place where we live.
Speaker 2 (03:55):
I would agree with that, and when the rest of the
country?
If you look historically backat what happened in the previous
housing cycle, we were a coupleyears behind some of those
other markets.
But the stark difference is theinventory levels.
We still have, like I said, lowinventory levels.
I mean right now there's onlysome 600 available homes in
(04:18):
Henderson County.
Like I said, a five-monthsupply To put things in the
context.
Month supply To put things inthe context.
We had in some cases a two-yearsupply of homes and there was
an overabundance of homes forsale.
I mean the market's not crashing.
If anything, again it'ssoftening, but it's not the same
(04:43):
market as what it was when themarket crashed in 2010 and 11.
When it hit the bottom, it'snot the same.
But again, even then peoplewere still buying and selling.
But, to your point, our areahere, with the quality of life,
the four distinct seasons, allthe amazing things that we love
and enjoy here locally, peopleare coming and they're bringing
their jobs with them, they'reworking remotely, they're
(05:04):
retiring here, they're movingcloser to grandchildren, they're
, you know, they're wanting tohave a more active lifestyle.
I mean all the reasons whypeople move here.
The quality of life, you know,of course, we took a pause with
the, the hurricane, and, and Iknow there's still parts of our
area that are still recoveringand and, uh, you know, in that
rebuilding and and a lot ofpeople are still coming to the
(05:27):
area even with that.
Speaker 1 (05:28):
And you're probably still seeing a large portion of
the buyers bringing all cash tothe table 30% of our sales in
Henderson County are purchasedwith cash.
Speaker 2 (05:39):
Wow, that's countywide and that's been
consistent.
And so people are selling theirhomes that they've had paid off
.
And the beautiful thing aboutyour personal home if you've
lived in the home two out of afive-year period as an
individual, the first $250,000of profit is tax-free.
If you're married, it's$500,000.
(06:01):
A lot of people don't realizethis, but you can have other
people on the deed as wellChildren over 18, if they've
lived in the home for two yearsas well, they also can.
Up to two other people can alsoget $250,000 tax-free.
(06:21):
So you can actually have up toa million dollars tax-free on a
personal home.
Up to four people canparticipate in that.
Speaker 1 (06:28):
I find that fascinating, and I also find
that you guys at the George RealEstate Group are the ones who
know these things and can guideand shepherd each person through
their particular situation.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
We do.
We take it from a consultativeapproach and we work closely
with our attorneys and our taxadvisors and our financial
advisors.
I mean this is an entire teamworking with our clients,
navigating through how realestate impacts the decisions
that they make and what theywant their lives to look like.
And it's not just theirpersonal homes.
(07:02):
It's what do I do with myinvestment properties?
Or what do I do with land thatI own, or maybe land that I
inherited from my family, andwhat are the tax implications
and what are options andsolutions.
I mean we're taking a largerview of real estate.
It's not just that one, youknow.
It's not just a transaction.
(07:22):
It's not just the.
It's a bigger picture of yourentire life.
Speaker 1 (07:27):
Yeah, not just putting a sign in the yard and
praying that it sells?
Speaker 2 (07:31):
not at all and we have incredible uh marketing,
incredible proven andpredictable processes.
And and we've we've helped over1500 families throughout the
years uh with their real estateneeds.
So grateful to uh serve thecommunity through real estate.
Speaker 1 (07:45):
Well, uh, our uh hometown hero salute today still
goes out to Raya McDonald,who's the 2025 Apple Ambassador
this year.
So we've had, I guess, a mix-upin our scheduling this morning,
but we're going to try to gether back.
Speaker 2 (08:01):
Absolutely.
And again it's the 4th of July,maybe Exactly Getting ready for
all the things, and again we'llwork with them and get them
back on the radio as well.
Speaker 1 (08:11):
Because it's not that far away.
The Apple Festival, the 2025Apple Festival in Hendersonville
is Friday, august 29th throughMonday, september 1st,
traditionally the Labor Dayweekend, and it always is a
tremendous street fair with livemusic and the King Apple Parade
(08:31):
and apples, and we've beenassured from Henderson County
apple growers that there areplenty, plenty, plenty of apples
and apple fried, apple piesthat will be available on the
streets of Hendersonville.
Speaker 2 (08:48):
Well, the Apple Festival is certainly one of the
.
A lot of people have theirfirst experience with
Hendersonville, with the AppleFestival or even the Garden
Jubilee, and they come here andthey experience the small town
festivals and they love it andthey fall in love.
And so many people come andthey want to move here and they
enjoy it, they experience it andwe always and we love having
(09:10):
leading up to the Apple Festivalwe'll have a number of shows
about the Apple Festival andinterviews and excited to
promote the Apple Festival andit's amazing the impact that it
has on our community.
Speaker 1 (09:23):
Well, I wanted to ask you too about open houses.
I know last Friday we weretalking about an open house that
you had scheduled over theweekend for a place down in
Tryon.
Speaker 2 (09:34):
We had a lot of activity with the open house and
we continue to have open houses.
We did take a break with theopen houses for Fourth of July,
which is okay.
And again grateful for theopportunity when we have open
houses and we have a lot ofactivity with the open houses.
(09:56):
The market is still moving.
The open houses are great.
Speaker 1 (10:02):
Well, we'll look for the next weekend to have an open
house that you can tell usabout.
I think we have just beengraced with the presence of the
Apple ambassador.
Raya.
Is that right, raya?
Have a seat right there andpull that microphone up to you
and we say good morning.
Speaker 3 (10:21):
Good morning.
Speaker 1 (10:22):
It's good to have you here with us.
Speaker 3 (10:25):
It's good to be here.
Speaker 1 (10:26):
We were talking about you all week long and we've got
about four minutes or so tocheck in with you and see how
you're feeling about beingchosen as the Apple Ambassador.
That's got to be a real coolthing.
Speaker 3 (10:38):
It's been a dream of mine since I was little.
I always loved watching thegirls on the floats during the
parade.
One of my friends was AppleAmbassador last year and she
really motivated me to apply.
When I got selected I cried.
Speaker 1 (10:52):
I was so excited.
Well, tell us about you.
Go to East Henderson High,right?
Yes, sir, and you're a risingsenior there, mm-hmm.
Okay, and your mom and dad.
Speaker 3 (11:05):
Brian and Tony McDonald.
Speaker 1 (11:07):
And you guys have been going to the Apple Festival
.
Have you been going to theApple Festival since you were
that high, since I was little?
Yeah, really.
Speaker 3 (11:15):
Except I don't think I've ever been to the Apple
Festival parade, which is weird,but it was always.
Every time we talked aboutgoing, it was always raining or
we just decided that there weretoo many people, so then we just
never went.
Speaker 2 (11:28):
So your first time at the Apple Festival Parade will
be the SDM.
Speaker 3 (11:31):
Apple Festival Will be when I'm in the parade, yeah.
Speaker 2 (11:33):
That's awesome, that's great what went through
your mind when you first foundout you'd been named the Apple
Ambassador.
Speaker 3 (11:39):
Well, after interviews they call you that
night around 9.30.
And I was really nervous, I wastrying to calm myself down.
I was really nervous, I wastrying to calm myself down, I
was super anxious.
I was laying in bed on my phoneand I got a phone call and they
were like congratulations,you're Apple ambassador.
And I just started crying.
I was so excited.
I ran into the living room totalk to my parents.
(12:00):
I was just bawling my eyes out.
It was such a crazy experience.
I was really happy.
Speaker 2 (12:06):
Congratulations and it's quite.
The interview process right andthe application and you have to
write an essay Is that right.
Speaker 3 (12:13):
When I submitted my application I had to have two
copies of my transcript arecommendation letter from a
teacher at my high school, arecommendation letter from
someone in the community, aheadshot, and then I had to have
an essay with a prompt thatthey gave, which I don't
remember the prompt, and after Ithey had to be submitted by a
(12:34):
certain day.
I think it was March 31st.
They sent me a letter in themail saying I was one of my
school's representatives andthen I went to the interview and
we had to do face-to-faceinterviews and then speeches in
front of all the rest of thegirls, incredible beaches in
front of all the rest of thegirls.
Speaker 1 (12:51):
Well, uh, what's incredible.
What's you?
You've got a busy weekendcoming up that august 29th and
and uh through, uh, the firstthere on labor day weekend, and
you also, uh, have othercommitments.
You'll be at the mountain statefair, I think yes, the I think
it's the opening ceremony of themountain state fair yeah, so
you, you represent hendersoncounty in a lot of different
ways and will be everywhere thatweekend and I know that has to
(13:13):
feel good to be connected to andvisiting on behalf of the
Henderson County Apple Growers.
Speaker 3 (13:21):
Oh yeah, I'm really excited to represent everyone.
Speaker 1 (13:23):
Yeah, what's after high school?
What's the plans?
Speaker 3 (13:29):
I want to attend the University of Wyoming, but I
don't know.
It's a hard application process.
And then I want to become aCRNA, a Certified Registered
Nurse Anesthetist.
Speaker 2 (13:41):
Okay, what inspired you to pursue a nursing career?
Speaker 3 (13:45):
I just always wanted to.
I know that's a typical answer.
I just always wanted to helppeople.
I always felt drawn to when youread about situations where
nurses are mean to patients andI just never wanted to be that
person.
I wanted to pick theenvironment up and make it more
positive and I felt drawn to thecareer by being able to care
for people who are sick and justbeing there for them, that's
amazing.
Speaker 1 (14:05):
Well, what would you say to other ladies who are
younger and listening to you nowand thinking someday I'd like
to do that.
What would you say to them?
Speaker 3 (14:17):
I would say apply, because the worst thing that
happens is that you don't get aletter in the mail, like I was
checking my mail every daywaiting for a letter and when I
got it I cried.
So I would say apply and justhope, maybe pray a little bit
and just be confident, becausethat's what I did during the
interview process and I feellike being confident in the
interview process reallybenefited me.
Speaker 2 (14:38):
Is there a specific role model in your life that you
look to?
Speaker 3 (14:42):
I look at my mom my mom's my best friend and like my
perfect role model.
Speaker 1 (14:47):
Well, Raya, we thank you so much.
I'm glad you were able to makeit in this morning.
We congratulate you on becomingthe 2025 Apple ambassador and I
know we'll be seeing you allaround town on that weekend.
And thank you so much.
Noah has got a certificate herefor you.
(15:08):
Thank you both again and thankyou for joining us on the George
Real Estate Group Hometown HeroSeries.
Speaker 2 (15:15):
Thinking about estate planning for your real estate.
Without a smart approach, theproperty you leave behind could
become an unwelcome burden foryour kids.
Many children simply don't wantto co-manage an inherited house
or deal with the tenants.
Fortunately, you can preventthat with the right plan.
The George Real Estate Groupspecializes in tax-efficient
(15:35):
strategies like 1031 exchangesand Delaware Statutory trust to
simplify inheritance and incomeplanning.
A 1031 exchange can defer yourcapital gain taxes now and help
your kids avoid a big tax billlater.
And a DST lets you continueearning rental income without
landlord headache.
Plus, it can be split amongyour children, making
(15:56):
inheritance easier.
Planning ahead is one of thekindest gifts you can give your
family.
Let us help you secure yourlegacy.
Call the George Real EstateGroup at 828-393-0134 today.
You've worked hard to buildyour legacy.
Now let us help you protect itfor your loved ones.
Speaker 1 (16:15):
The George Real Estate Group is located in Flat
Rock, north carolina, nearhendersonville in henderson
county.
You can find them online atrealestatebygregcom.
The george real estate groupcan be reached at 828-393-0134
or stop by their office at 2720greenville highway, flat rock,
(16:36):
north carolina, carolina.
Tune in live each week onThursdays at 10 0 5 AM on WHKP
107.7 FM and 1450 AM, or streamonline at whkpcom or download
these podcasts wherever you getyour podcasts.
The George real estate groupbrings you the WHKP hometown
(16:59):
hero series every Friday morningat eight 45.
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