Believe it or not, the first album that Tom ever bought as a kid was Milli Vanilli—on cassette. One would be hard-pressed to find a band that has more empty musical calories than the spandex-wearing duo of lip-synchers Rob & Fab, but what this point is meant to illustrate is that there are real consequences when kids don’t get introduced to new things.
More than just missing out on music that really speaks to them or art that makes them see the world in a new way, keeping the blinders on also means settling. It means going along with the flow of the mainstream and buying whatever they’re selling.
Though Tom’s music tastes have become a bit more sophisticated in the last 30 years or so, he still thinks back to that first tape and takes away a valuable lesson, which could be considered a Milli Vanilli Moment. It’s this: “If you don’t make the choice yourself, someone else will make it for you.”
A Weirdo Magnet
The people of Western North Carolina are known for letting their freak flag fly high, which is not just what makes this place special, but why it’s such a huge magnet for homesteaders, artists, musicians, and unique individuals from all over the country. No surprise, most of these buyers are not looking for the figurative (or literal) white picket fence. As Tom says, they’re looking for a chicken wire fence.
More than just seeking space for art projects, jam sessions, or raising very specific vegetables to make very specific dishes, people have long flocked to WNC because of the beauty of the mountains and the rugged lifestyle the landscape represents. People also come in search of others who share their interests or who might introduce them to something that they can’t find anywhere else. They come here to meet people who also think outside of the box and to make their mark on the community through their art or their business. They want to create something authentic.
Perhaps most important of all: they don’t want to be spoon-fed the latest iteration of Rob & Fab.
The LandCrazy Difference
In his nearly two decades of experience in WNC real estate, Tom has met a lot of rare birds and drummers who have drummed to their own beat (unless they’re in Pritchard Park on Friday night, of course). As he specializes in land sales, he recognizes the importance of having space to chart your own path, but also understands that most people want to balance that fierce independence with a sense of community. More importantly, Tom’s knowledge of WNC gives him insight into what the communities throughout the area have to offer for people, no matter if the fence of their dreams is made of white picket or chicken wire.