The Vista Blog

Rachel Allain

Recent Posts

Is a Gated Community Right for You?

Posted by Rachel Allain on November 03, 2023

Gated communities have become increasingly popular in many parts of the world, especially in the United States, in recent decades. But are they worth the investment? And what does living in one entail for you and your family?

In this blog, we'll take an in-depth look at the advantages and disadvantages of living in a gated community and answer all the other questions you could possibly have about them. By the end, we hope you’ll have a firmer understanding of what you’re looking for in a community.

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Tags: Advice on Buying

Spec Home vs Custom Home: Which is Better?

Posted by Rachel Allain on September 28, 2023

Spec home vs custom home - that is the question. What makes these two types of builds different and how do I know which one is best for me?

The short and simple answer: Custom homes are homes that are made from entirely scratch - using unique blueprints that are designed by a home builder. You get to customize to the "T". Spec homes, on the other hand, are a neat little term for a house that is pre-designed and pre-built, ready for a potential buyer to move in.

But there is more to this than this watered down response. How can you know which fit would be best for you? Let's dig into the specifics of specs and custom builds.

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Tags: Building Tips & Info, Floor Plans

Organization Hacks and Tricks for Every Room in Your Home (Part 2)

Posted by Rachel Allain on August 31, 2023

Keeping your home neat is essential, especially when cleanliness can be tied to mental and physical health. A clear space is a clear mind, so keeping your home organized can make you feel good too.

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Tags: Home Maintenance Tips

Organization Hacks and Tricks for Every Room in Your Home (Part 1)

Posted by Rachel Allain on July 27, 2023

Maximizing the beauty of your own home is a top priority as a homeowner. After all, who doesn’t want a tidy and organized living space? A clear space is a clear mind, so keeping your home organized can make you feel good too.

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Tags: Home Maintenance Tips

Maximizing Mountain Views: Creating Flow in Your Mountain Home

Posted by Rachel Allain on June 19, 2023

Living in the Blue Ridge Mountains offers a unique experience, and it’s important to build your home in a way to maximize the potential views. By strategically placing windows and doors and creating the proper flow in the living areas, homeowners can create a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor living, allowing them an immersive experience.

Today, we will explore design techniques to enhance this connection, ensuring your dream home embraces full mountain views while offering comfort and luxury.

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Tags: Building Tips & Info, Design Trends & Tips

Summer Camps for Teens and Kids: Make Memories and Build Character

Posted by Rachel Allain on May 25, 2023

In the Blue Ridge Mountains, the beautiful scenery and ideal weather make for endless outdoor adventures. We at Vista Developers believe that all aspects of mountain living in Western North Carolina can bring joy to those who live in it and want to experience it more. With all this natural beauty, it makes sense that so many summer camps in this region are second to none.

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Tags: Life in Western NC

8 Places to Get the Best Coffee in Asheville, North Carolina

Posted by Rachel Allain on April 27, 2023

Asheville may be best-known for being Beer City, USA, but there’s more to this mid-sized city with a small-town feel than locally-brewed craft beer.

Asheville is also a haven for some of the best coffee in the Southeast! From downtown to the surrounding area, Asheville is full of locals who take their morning cup of coffee very seriously. We’ve picked out 8 great options for asheville coffee shops you should try — and a few runners-up, too.

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How to Increase Your Home's Value

Posted by Rachel Allain on April 26, 2023
When buying a home, increasing its value isn't always the first thing on our minds. Living in your home is the most important part of owning a home. Adding upgrades may help raise your home's potential value.

Here are some different ways how to increase your home’s value.
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Tags: Advice on Selling

Romantic Date Nights In Western North Carolina

Posted by Rachel Allain on March 28, 2023

Whether you were born and raised in WNC or you’ve only recently moved here to live in one of our amazing Vista communities, Western North Carolina will always have new and interesting experiences to offer.

If you’re looking for an offbeat romantic date night idea, we have four that we think will get you a great night out with that special someone.

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The Construction Process for Home-Building

Posted by Rachel Allain on March 28, 2023

Have you ever wondered what goes into building a custom home? Maybe you have some questions about the steps to build a home after the design is completed and the deal is made.

Our Process of Building eBook covers all the steps of building a custom-designed or pre-planned home from the lot picking stage to your home welcoming.

Here we'll go into depth about the construction process for home-building.

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Tags: Building Info