We are proud supporters of Appalachian State University Mountaineers! One of the many ways we show our support is by providing learning and real-world experience opportunities through marketing and business internships. We enjoy the time they spend with us and the bright ideas they bring to the table. Below are the individuals that we have been blessed to work with!

 

 

Ariel P.

Summer 2018

Meet Ariel! Ariel worked at Vincent Properties as an ASU Marketing Intern. Ariel attended Appalachian State University, majoring in Marketing with a concentration in Professional Selling. She is from Hickory, NC, and chose to stay close to the mountains for school. She remembers coming to Boone and Blowing Rock as a kid to enjoy Kilwins ice cream and the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Ariel enjoys playing soccer, snowboarding, hiking, and reading.

Ariel was the President of the American Marketing Association collegiate chapter at Appalachian State. She is thankful for the opportunities, and friends the association has brought her. Another important aspect of the club is making sure it creates friendships and bonds between members.

Outside of School & Work 

In the High Country, Ariel’s favorite things include tubing down the river, exploring the Blue Ridge Parkway, hiking in the Gorge, and going to App State football games. Ariel loves meeting new people and is always eager to build new friendships. 

She played competitive soccer from the time she was 5 years old until her Freshman year at App State. She finished her soccer career after playing on the club team. Ariel enjoyed participating in intramural soccer and volleyball. Ariel says “soccer taught me more than I ever learned in a high school classroom. It taught me to be a friend, to be a team player, to be a leader, and that hard work always pays off”. 

 

 

Grace L.

Summer 2018

Grace was a rising senior majoring in Public Relations with a minor in Marketing during her time at Vincent Properties. Grace decided on this route due to her love of reading and writing and her excellent people skills. Being a Mountaineer has almost become a Lewis family tradition. Grace’s parents both graduated from ASU. It is clear that their college experience paved the way for rewarding careers, as well as life-long friends.

She spent much of her high school career involved with the National Technical Honors Society, Prom Committee, and Young Life. Grace paved the way to success in her college life through these experiences. Grace was gotten involved with many clubs on campus. She devoted most of her time as Vice President of her sorority, Chi Omega. Grace enjoys being a leader to those around her. She wishes to give back to the organizations and community around her.

Outside of school and work

Grace enjoys spending time with family and friends. She also likes to run in her free time and play with her chocolate lab, Hemingway. In the fall, Grace looks forward to game days at The Rock and hikes on the Blue Ridge Parkway with friends. Snowboarding at Beech Mountain is one of her favorite high country winter activities.

 

 

Rebecca S.

Fall 2017-Spring 2018

Rebecca majored in Public Relations with a minor in English at App State. Rebecca is originally from Indian Trail, North Carolina- a small town southeast of Charlotte. She really enjoys spending time with her family and her two loving golden retrievers at home. In the High Country, Rebecca likes to spend her time skiing, hiking along the Blue Ridge Parkway, attending local concerts with friends, and cheering on the ‘Neers at football and baseball games.

 

Meet Abbey!

 

Just down the mountain, Abbey grew up in Kings Mountain, NC, an area known for the turn of the Revolutionary War. She and her husband were high school sweethearts, and grew up in the same Church there! In 2021, she graduated college a year early at Appalachian State University with a BSBA degree in Digital Marketing. Falling in love with the High Country after spending her childhood spring breaks in Blowing Rock with her grandparents, Abbey and her Husband, Jared decided to call Boone Home. They are involved at the Watauga Humane Society, and have two Siberian Huskies, Ori and Indigo, who they enjoy spending their weekends with adventuring the Blue Ridge Mountains. They, along with their friends, love to spend the High Country Summers exploring rivers, lakes, and any kind of water to have fun in.

Jared and Abbey are also foodies, and can give you the best tips on where to find all the best restaurants, bars, food trucks, and more in the area. Married in September 2023, they love all the High Country has to offer young couples and friends. They also love to grill for all their friends and host game nights.

Abbey’s favorite part of marketing here at BHHSVP is being creative and challenging the status-quo on reaching the perfect buyers for your NC high Country Home. She appreciates all the unique features homes have to offer, and will put her all into making sure she produces the best products for your property!

 

Meet Lucy!

Lucy grew up in western Pennsylvania and attended college at Northern Michigan University before transferring to Appalachian State University in 2020 and joining the Vincent Properties team as our Listing Coordinator. Lucy graduated from ASU in 2022 with a BSBA in Business Management and obtained a North Carolina Real Estate License in 2023.

 

Growing up in the Appalachian mountains of Pennsylvania, Lucy spent much of her time doing the things she still loves today – skiing, snowboarding, hiking, boating, and spending time with friends. Vowing never again to leave the mountains, Lucy now lives in Seven Devils with her partner, Abe, and loves the High Country’s hills as much as the ones she grew up in.

Lynn Vincent is the accounts manager and matriarch for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Vincent Properties, which is one of the few remaining family-owned and operated businesses in the High Country. Lynn moved to the Blue Ridge Mountains in the mid-1970s with her husband, Jay Vincent, but has always been a true southern gal after spending most of her summers on her grandfather’s farm.

Although she has always had a hand in their family real estate business, Lynn worked with Watauga Hospital and Medical Center while raising her and Jay’s three sons. Now, when she isn’t “holding down the fort” in both home and office, Lynn loves spending time outdoors with her horse, Cody, and pups Lexi, Moses, and Gabby. Lynn Vincent is also a proud grandmother of three beautiful granddaughters, two grandsons, and two grand-puppies, Thor & Finn.

 

We are Team Vincent. Our unique team consists of a father and son duo, Jay and Chad Vincent, owners of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Vincent Properties with over 60 years of combined experience. Melissa Boone, our Team Manager, is a Licensed Realtor® and Professional Photographer. Together, we are consistent top-selling REALTORS®, providing our clients with the quality expertise and commitment they deserve.

We ensure our client’s success whether it be the timely sale of a listing, finding the perfect mountain property, or assessing investment opportunities. While our team is a small group effort with big results, it is part of a much larger real estate firm, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Vincent Properties. Our office is located in Blowing Rock, NC, but we proudly serve all of the High Country including  Boone, Valle Crucis, Banner Elk, Linville, and  West Jefferson.

With our experience, dedication, and knowledge of the High Country Market, we provide excellent service by:

  Ensuring the success of the sale/ purchase of your home, lot, acreage, commercial property, or luxury estate.

   Provide exceptional customer service, marketing, and personal attention.

   Actively communicate with prospects and out network daily to create opportunities.

   Utilize Unique traditional, and current trends in marketing, advertising, and sales.

    Syndicating your listing to thousands of potential buyers in our exclusive database.

    Marketing your property on multiple top real estate and specialty websites. This includes several Multiple Listing Service Platforms, amplifying your property to agents across the country and internationally.

In 2020, Team Vincent was named as a top half of 1% of the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices network agent team and was awarded a Chairman’s Circle Diamond award from Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices.

A few words from our past clients:

“The team at Vincent Properties handled the sale of our home with excellent care and professionalism. They provided quality advice and always responded promptly to any questions or concerns we encountered. It is obvious the team understands the market in the High Country. We had complete confidence that they had our family’s best interests in mind through the whole process. We would highly recommend the team at Vincent Properties to handle any of our real estate needs.” -J. Kimak

 

“We highly recommend Team Vincent with Vincent Properties for all of your real estate needs in the High Country. Chad Vincent, a member of Team Vincent, spent the past year assisting us with realizing our dream of owning a mountain home in the Boone/Blowing Rock area”

 

“In a good real estate transaction, there is always a WOW factor.  The WOW factor for us was the support we received from Team-Vincent.  We were constantly amazed by the assistance and encouragement we received during this process.  The Team was always available with timely information and answers to our many questions.  The best decision we made in selling our home was selecting  Vincent Properties.” -Bob B

 

Click here to read more votes of confidence from more Team Vincent past clients!

 

Christian grew up just down the mountain in Hickory, North Carolina, and spent a lot of time in the high country since it was so close. Coming out of high school Christian originally attended Lenoir-Rhyne University where he played for their D2 lacrosse program for two years. After those two years, he decided to transfer to Appalachian State University to finish his BSBA degree in General Management. While at Appalachian State, Christian fell in love with the high country and decided to start his career here after graduating.

Christian is a third-generation Realtor, following in the footsteps of his mother, Michelle Impagliazzo, and his grandmother, Bonnie Mitchell, who both practice real estate in Hickory. Their influence played a major role in Christian’s decision to pursue a career in real estate. When transferring schools, Christian also obtained his Real Estate license.

Outside of work, Christian continues his passion for lacrosse by coaching for the App State club lacrosse team as well as helping coach at Watauga High School. Christian likes to live an active lifestyle with most of his free time being spent outside with friends and family or at the gym.

Sarah Gilkeyson grew up in the sunny state of California, moving to North Carolina in high school and attending Appalachian State University here in Boone, before attending Georgetown University in Washington DC.

Going straight into the financial services industry from college, Sarah has worked in Wealth Management with top tier firms UBS and Merrill Lynch, as well as in banking, private equity and with a number of RIAs. Sarah has also worked with High Lantern Group a firm that specializes in consulting and thought leadership.

She is delighted to be back in the High Country and started with Berkshire Hathaway Vincent Properties working on social media and marketing before becoming a licensed Real Estate Agent with the firm.

Sarah enjoys hiking, mountain biking, cycling and reading.

 

 

Justus Efird, a man with a passion for community, family, and real estate, made a life-changing decision in 2019 to relocate to the charming town of Blowing Rock, North Carolina. Alongside his wife Rebecca and their three children, Holland, Rutledge, and Maddox, Justus found his “new home” in this picturesque town and fully embraced its small-town charm and community spirit.

Choosing to invest in a home in the Blue Ridge Mountain Club (BRMC), Justus and his family quickly found a place where they could build lifelong friendships and immerse themselves in everything the community had to offer. Although Justus now resides in the Firethorn Community in Blowing Rock, he still cherishes every opportunity to return to BRMC to visit friends and enjoy the amenities of the community.

Growing up in Charlotte, North Carolina, Justus was instilled with a strong work ethic. He attended Charlotte Christian School and later earned a degree in Business Management from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. After college, Justus joined the family furniture and lighting business, where he honed his skills and successfully expanded the company to include four showrooms throughout the state. In 2016, he ventured into the residential electrical industry, experiencing exponential growth before ultimately selling both companies to embark on his new career in Blowing Rock.

Beyond his dedication to work, Justus is a sports enthusiast and a proud member of the Yosef Club at Appalachian State University. He and his family avidly support the football and basketball teams, holding season tickets and creating lifelong memories together. In his leisure time, Justus indulges in his love for golf at the Blowing Rock Country Club, embarks on hikes with his family and dogs, enjoys fly fishing, and embraces his passion for travel. He and his wife also find joy in attending live concerts, relishing in the shared experiences.

Justus’s profound love for the High Country and his background in the construction industry allow him to showcase the area’s remarkable attributes and assist clients in finding their ideal home. His commitment to putting clients’ needs first, coupled with his exceptional service and invaluable insights, ensures a seamless real estate journey for every client he works with.

Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or an experienced investor, Justus Efird is the trusted advisor you need. With his unwavering commitment to your real estate needs and his unparalleled knowledge of the Blowing Rock area, he will exceed your expectations and help you achieve your goals within this stunning mountain community.

Linda Klatt serves sellers and buyers, with both residential and commercial properties, throughout the High Country. She entered the field of real estate following a career as director of international student and scholar services at Baylor University, where she was responsible for providing services to over 400 international students and scholars. This required travel throughout the world and, more importantly, listening carefully and problem-solving to help students and scholars have the best experience possible in a new environment. She brings the same excellent communication, analytical and interpersonal skills, and attention to detail to the real estate profession. Linda is committed to superior customer service – helping you find a wonderful home or helping you have the most positive experience selling a home you’ve ever had. Her business motto is: “It’s ALL about relationships! And excellence, high standards, hard work and negotiating firmly and respectfully.” Linda will fight for your best interests wherever that should become necessary. Her goal is to become your trusted real estate advisor for life. Having lived in a number of states – Texas, California, Connecticut and North, and South Carolina – she has a deep appreciation for the importance of connections to family and friends, to meaningful work, and to living where people feel valued as neighbors and friends. Linda is a member of the National Association of REALTORS®, North Carolina Association of REALTORS®, and the High Country Association of REALTORS®. Linda is also a member of the World Affairs Council of Charlotte and the Luxury Home Marketing Institute. Her education includes bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Baylor University and advanced training in facilitation skills from the Institute of Cultural Affairs. She is certified in International Human Resource Management and is both a Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist and a Certified International Property Specialist. Outside of real estate, Linda enjoys reading, traveling, and music. She especially enjoys spending time with her family, which includes eight young grandchildren who keep her challenged and happy. Linda has traveled internationally to Turkey, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Mexico, Canada, Japan, Austria, Thailand, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Portugal.

 

 

 

Reviews from Linda’s Fan Club

“We had been dreaming of a high-end luxury mountain vacation house for years to enjoy with our family in Western NC, but realized the market was extremely competitive. We first selected another well rated agency ourselves, but after 5 months of intense searching and viewings with several rejected offers, we realized we needed a more experienced agent. We were introduced to Linda Klatt, a very experienced agent who lived herself in the area of our search. From the first call she was extremely professional and kind and listened to us and took the time to talk for over 30 minutes. Within a few minutes she said she understood why we were struggling to find the home we wanted in the outrageously competitive luxury mountain market and she suggested some very intelligent changes in our overall approach. Within 24 hours, rather than having to search for homes ourselves and gather all the information and comparative values and recent sales, we were receiving very detailed information from Linda about prospective homes that were very close matches to what we wanted. She was able to provide detailed information about the area and locations from her specific personal knowledge of the area. After only 2 weeks we found a true luxury “gem” but living 3 hours away, we were not able to view the home within 1-2 days to lock down. Linda offered to view the home herself immediately and provide a video walk through. We were so so comfortable with Linda at this point, that on her recommendation, we made an offer sight unseen. She coached us into a very competitive bid against other offers and within 12 hours, we were celebrating an accepted offer. Linda stayed in close contact daily through the closing making sure everything went smooth. 30 days later, we owned a stunning luxury mountain vacation dream home! Thank you Linda. Can’t say enough positive. 6-Stars to Linda for her professionalism and calm patience and wisdom and expertise. “
– Stephen & Jessica Clary

After Graduating from Gardner Webb University, I started my career as a Realtor in 1988 in California. While there, I won Rookie of the Year for Northern California and Nevada. In 1991, I moved to Georgia and opened my own real estate office. I loved showing my clients large tracts of land on the back of four wheelers, and learned so much about tall Georgia pines and red Georgia clay! In 2000, I did what I always told my parents I would do, and I moved to the North Carolina High Country in my home state. I started selling real estate here in 2007. As a Wilkes County native, I know all the backroads. trails and mountain tops in Ashe, Avery, Watauga, and Wilkes counties. I enjoy my days horseback riding, dirt biking, and spending time with my 2 children and 3 grandchildren.