North Carolina real estate office reopens after Hurricane Helene devastation

Premier Sotheby’s International Realty has reopened its office in Asheville, North Carolina, marking a significant milestone in the region’s recovery from Hurricane Helene.

The real estate agency, which was severely damaged in the storm, underwent extensive restoration over the past nine months. Its reopening was commemorated with a ceremony on June 16, where a plaque was unveiled to honor the lasting impact of the hurricane and the resilience of the local community.

“(It was) a very meaningful day as we celebrated the grand reopening of our Asheville office nine months after being destroyed by Helene,” Budge Huskey, CEO of Premier Sotheby’s International Realty, said in a statement.

“Asheville is fully open for business and tourism, and our incredible team of advisors looks forward to welcoming you back to the Blue Ridge.”

The event served as both a reopening and a dedication, acknowledging the efforts of employees, clients and local residents who supported each other during the recovery.

“The people who help others find a home lost their own. Yet their resilience has been both humbling and inspiring,” Huskey said. “Western North Carolina’s rebirth has brought with it an undeniable sense of beauty and grace.”

Agents and staff at the company’s Asheville office continued to work with clients throughout the rebuilding process, despite the damage to their workplace.

“As someone who calls Western North Carolina home, I’ve never been more proud of our team — not just for their professionalism, but for their courage and compassion,” managing broker Beatrix Masotti said.

“This reopening is more than a return to business. It’s a celebration of how far we’ve come and the bonds that carried us here. We are ready to welcome our clients back, stronger and more united than ever.”

The reopening follows renewed efforts by state and federal leaders to promote the region’s economic revival. In a recent PBS State Lines special — “Hurricane Helene’s Economic Impact” — officials emphasized that the majority of the area is operational.

“90 percent of the mountains are open for business,” said state Sen. Tim Moffitt, with U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards adding, “We’re open for business. The lights are back on.”

After an initial rejection of a required Hurricane Helene recovery plan as it sought more than $200 million in federal funds, the City of Asheville’s revised plan has received approval last month from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

Hurricane Helene struck the southeastern U.S. in late September 2024 and ranks among the most destructive storms in recent history. It was the most powerful hurricane ever recorded in Florida’s Big Bend region and the deadliest Atlantic storm since Hurricane Maria in 2017.

The storm, which combined with a separate weather system that contained heavy rain, unleashed powerful winds and torrential flooding across western North Carolina, particularly in Asheville and the Appalachian region. More than 100 deaths were reported in the state.