Client Comments

I would like to recommend Richard Grist and Foxfire Realty. They did an outstanding job selling my mountain farm. They did everything they said they would do. They are honest and you can trust them to work in your best interest. The Foxfire office manager, Teresa Bostic, was very helpful and she took care of all the paperwork. All I had to do was show up at the lawyers and sign the deed. They are square shooters and you can trust them without question.  I will definitely recommend Richard Grist and Foxfire Realty to anyone selling a mountain farm. Doug Ayers, Clayton WV

Since moving to the Greenbrier Valley 21 years ago, we have been looking for just the right piece of rural property to enjoy as a family.  The journey to find a place close enough to our home in Lewisburg with the right mix of field and forest, where we could teach the kids about the joy of growing your own food and help them learn to appreciate God's creation (all within our budget) - has been a long one.  As I would scan the brochures and internet offerings routinely I began to notice a pattern- nobody could describe a piece of land as accurately or as detailed as the folks at Foxfire Realty. They clearly positioned themselves as the experts on selling farms and land in the Greenbrier River valley, and I came to trust the integrity of their write-ups as I continued to casually look for our dream farm. At the end of 2016 it all came together when we bid over the phone on our farm that Foxfire was selling as part of an estate auction. Being high bidder was just the beginning of a lengthy probate process, but the team at Foxfire was there to professionally guide us through the whole thing, and we couldn't be happier with the end result. We love- I mean LOVE- our farm, and are grateful to Richard Grist, Randy Burdette, and all the folks at Foxfire Realty for helping make it happen! Michael and Monique Adkins and family

We would like to personally thank Foxfire Realty, Richard Grist, Teresa Bostic and Matt Hall. We highly recommend them for selling homes and land.  They are very professional and know their stuff. We cannot express in words how appreciative we are for them caring and helping in every way.   Richard and Teresa handled everything for us:  lawyers, surveys, taxes, etc.  All we did was sign on the line.   Also, Richard took the time to find our new home closer to our children and handled everything there as well. Thank you all at Foxfire Realty for coming into our lives and making everything easy for us, and for becoming our friends as well. Tim and Vi Nunn

Since we live out of state, we especially needed a realtor who was not only competent, but also trustworthy. We are so thankful that we found Foxfire! Richard seemed to know everybody. His knowledge of the Greenbrier County area, his knowledge of timber, his decades of experience, his wonderful photography of the property, along with his straight forward honesty, gave us much confidence that we made the right choice.  The property was located in a fairly remote mountain area, so we thought it would be difficult to secure a buyer, but Richard found someone who was the perfect fit for the property and for our situation!  Teresa also went the extra mile, helping us with some questions regarding mineral rights on our other properties in WV. We were very pleased with our experience at Foxfire; Richard and Teresa exceeded our expectations! Mark, Kristin, and Kim

Thanks very much to the team at Foxfire! We had been looking for a remote property for several years, and happened to come across the Foxfire web site. The caring, the professionalism and attention that we received was spectacular. We instantly felt welcome and comfortable. We had looked at several properties in other states, and felt that Richard went beyond what we had ever experienced from a selling agent.  He took personal time, and spent an entire Saturday showing us the land that we were interested in, walking just about every inch of it! His enthusiasm for his work, and knowledge of the West Virginia forest was impressive, to say the least. Purchasing from out of state was daunting. Teresa was incredibly helpful and patient with us, and led us through the closing process with constant communication and professionalism, and made the whole transaction effortless, and enjoyable. I honestly feel that if the property had been listed with another company, we would not have had the good fortune of encountering the place. We ended up purchasing the property that we had been dreaming of! Kindest regards, Amy and Jeff Papst

Over the last 40 years, I have owned homes and property in several states, buying and selling. In all of my experiences, only one Realtor stands above all others, Richard Grist. Richard’s qualities begin with integrity, and honest communication. Richard walked the land. He studied the house. He made a clear assessment of our property, and what actions we needed to take to sell. His recommendations were born out as accurate, and insightful. We worked with Richard and associates he brought forward to help us. Richard knows the land, the trees, and the lay of the land, the pasture and forest. Richard knows homes and quality. But above all, Richard understands people. The associates he brought to help us prepare our property for sale, were, a joy of knowledge, skill and work ethic. Richard has that deep sense of knowing what is right, and what can be achieved, realistically. Working with Richard, and following his guidance, found the right buyer for us. Knowledge many have. Experience many have. Marketing skills many have. The rare quality that sets Richard apart is the honesty of communicating to you the path for your success in your real estate process. Doug and Suzi Nutter

Dear Richard Grist, I want to thank you for all you have done for me.  From the first time we met at my house when you took such interest in the smallest of details that made my house special, until the final closing where you took such care to make sure everything went off without a hitch.  You and Teresa were the ultimate professionals and I am deeply thankful.  Best wishes to the two of you. Fondly, Evi

We want to personally thank Richard Grist and Paul Grist for making our land sale quick and hassle free.  They were very aware of how to sell our property quickly and for the price we wanted.  Our property sold in less than a week!  Thank you Foxfire Realty! Foxfire Realty is by far the best real estate company in this area.  We highly recommend them for selling a home or land.  We really appreciated their promptness and professionalism. Wayne, Geri, and Greg Dotson

TWO SALES AND ONE PURCHASE - WOW!! When we decided to sell our property on Elk Knob in Summers county, we reviewed other listings in print and on the web. After a short review, it was a no contest--Richard Grist's presentations were far superior to all others. We invited him to our property to discuss terms and seek his professional advice.  We could not be more pleased. He visited and we ask if he needed help walking the property but he said he would just walk the land for a while. After a few hours I was concerned and called his cell phone. He was fine--had found the property lines and settled in reviewing some classic books left by the hippy previous owners in the old cabin. That first visit was several hours--he said "this will be the best part of my day", as he loves the remote woods and pasture. After a house tour we made plans for his next visit--a couple more hours taking pictures and enjoying the wildlife. His photography is spectacular.  He came back again and sat out in the pasture waiting for the sun to be perfect for his pics of trees, deer, butterflies, goats, horses, mule,dogs, tree stumps, etc.  We sent his listing to friends and relatives as no one had ever seen our place captured like this (but neither had we)--they just said "WOW!!!". The aerial pics from their drone topped it off. For the inside he set up great shots with every light in the place on--we had never seen interior epics so bright (super camera and photographer's eye must have had something to do with it). After several visits by potential buyers it sold. The new owner said "Ted--the pictures sold it!!" We then went to work to find our new home--after a short look we found a farm that fit our new needs perfectly--Of Course we purchased with Richard and Paul and now enjoy Highland Green Farm in Monroe County.  Another exceptional experience. With the new move behind us  we decided we no longer needed our camp on the Greenbrier in Pocahontas County. Of course we called Richard and after showing the property several times, he found just the right buyer for our cherished cabin on the river. We would highly recommend Richard Grist and Team Foxfire--your transaction would be a great experience. Ted and Mary

Hi Richard Grist and Team Foxfire, A BIG THANK YOU!! We have been working like beavers trying to get settled in our new home. We really are so glad you sold the farm for us, and I never dreamed it could happen so quickly. Foxfire did a fantastic job from the beginning with handling all the details and advising us on how to go about making our first property sale in nearly 60 years. I put all my trust in you and your group to handle the sale and to work on our behalf. You went far above any expectations we had, and the property description and the interior photos and aerial photographs you did sold the farm on sight. Jerry and I cannot express in words how appreciative we are for your caring and willingness to help in every way.  I panicked a few times and you always were there to answer and assure me things were going fine. I know it was a very small sale but you gave it the same attention that you would have on one ten times or more that size, I am sure that is why you are so successful in your business. I would recommend Foxfire to anyone buying or selling, they could not get a better real estate company anywhere. Richard, you enjoy your work and have the best team to do the job.  Jerry and I are so happy here in Locust Hills and get to see our grandchildren often, they were here for Halloween, what gorgeous  outfits they created to wear in Philadelphia to go out on the costume parade.  We will keep in touch and hope you are enjoying this beautiful warm weather. Regards, Mary and Jerry

After making the difficult decision to sell our W.Va. farm, we estimated 1-2 years to sell due to large acreage. We were seeking a real estate broker in the Lewisburg area, with national exposure. When Richard Grist made his initial visit to the property, I was immediately taken with his sincere and knowledgeable approach. With little time wasted, he arranged a timber survey, collected the details of the listing - and by the weekend had 2 or 3 interested parties on the property. The results were a firm contract with no contingencies and our farm was sold. Richard handled all details of the settlement in a highly efficient and professional manner. I would highly recommend Richard Grist and Foxfire Realty to any party wishing to buy or sell in West Virginia. Bob & Jeannie Errett Waynesboro, VA  

Hi Richard!

We wish to convey Krissy's and my sentiments concerning the recent sale of our Fox Creek home. When we decided to sell our WV home, we did quite a bit of research in order to select the best qualified and knowledgeable real estate agency in the area; One with the most knowledge and most familiar with our beautiful area and its unique offerings. Although we experienced some remorse with our decision to sell our property and leave the area, we decided to give you the listing and task of selling our beautiful home and property. Your professional guidance and provided support proved to be the right decision, resulting in a marketing plan and strategy that provided excellent exposure to our property and leading to a swift sale. Throughout our experience, we all developed a true team relationship making the coordinated effort very productive, pleasant and timely. Thank you sincerely! Peter & Krissy Delcioppo

When I began asking friends for recommendations on a realtor to sell my property in Monroe County Foxfire Realty came up again and again, and specifically, Richard Grist. Having had no previous experience of selling and because the decision to sell was gut-wrenching, I felt particularly vulnerable and in need of a realtor with integrity. The location of the property was going to represent a challenge to any realtor and I was skeptical that a buyer could be found that met my criteria for a person, or family, who would be careful stewards of the land. I will always reflect on the decision to work with Richard as one of the better decisions I’ve made. We all know what it feels like to be in the presence of someone whose work is a “calling” and not just a job. Richard is one of those people. His passion for West Virginia is obvious and contagious. With camera in hand he spent a great deal of time getting to know the property, its unique features, old growth trees, springs, and native plants. The photos on the website were artful and captured the soul of the property. The location did prove to be a hard sell, but Richard patiently proceeded to bring adventurous customers (with 4-wheel drive) who dreamed of a life of quiet and seclusion. He persisted with confidence and in a timely manner a great match was made. I was carefully guided through the negotiations and closing, and am now relocated and creating a new life. Leaving was hard, but it was made easier by Richard’s kindness and patient guidance. Just as he was enthusiastically recommended to me I now offer my heartfelt endorsement of Richard and Foxfire to anyone looking for the best. Bonnie Brooks, Lewisburg, WV  

  When our Greenbrier River Trail Association saw a perfect property for sale at the southern terminus, Richard Grist showed it to us. He also quickly signed on to helping us put together a group of potential supporters who could help make our purchase happen! His enthusiasm for the goals of our group and the betterment of the community helped us through the process. We were able to close the deal and soon the southern terminus of the trail will have a suitable parking area, with room for local users and visitors, rather than the inadequate one that now exists. Thanks, Richard!    

Foxfire Realty is without question the right choice when looking for property in southern West Virginia. Richard Grist's knowledge of the area is unsurpassed. He spent the entire day walking 150 acres with me and going over all aspects of living in Monroe County. Since we live in Virginia he also guided us through each step of closing, making our purchase decision as easy as possible. After closing, my wife and I contacted Richard again to seek his advice for a local log supplier for our soon to be built cabin. Richard recommended Wilderness Wood Company and Alan Rice who is the owner. After researching numerous other companies and comparing products, my wife and I went with Wilderness Wood. We couldn't be happier. They have been a great log cabin supplier and we're now almost finished in our construction project. Not knowing anyone in the area we also used Richard's expertise in assisting us in finding a local surveyor. David Holtz completed our survey for us. Once again, we were totally satisfied with the professional that Richard recommended to us. Oh, I forgot one other great professional that Richard recommended to us, Pritt Law Firm for our closing documents. You now see why we're so blessed with our decision to have Richard Grist at Foxfire Realty as our realtor. We could not have achieved the same level of success without Richard and his team of professionals. We will only use Foxfire Realty in any of our future transactions, They are the best! Art & Tammy McMinn, Virginia Beach, VA  

Richard, A belated note to formally thank you, for helping me to complete the most enjoyable purchase of my life so far. As you know very well, this was my first experience not only in buying a tract of land, but in finding that perfect tract, and how much there is to doing it! To complicate matters even further, since it was an out of state purchase that I was looking for, most all of the process took place long-distance, with the exception of one whirlwind visit (to look at several properties) all of our communication was done over the phone/fax. It was your extra effort and utmost cooperation and patience (hours of walking the tracts in the rain) that you consistently showed me that made this land purchase possible. No other real estate agent I contacted in the area took one-half the interest that you took immediately, had anywhere near the knowledge of the land history, or had your knowledge of the forest. Richard you went the extra mile many times over to keep me informed, advise me what next steps could and should be taken and, with your clear way of explaining the process every step of the way, helped me make informed decisions. I trusted you and want to thank you for the professional and efficient way you handled this entire process Thanks again my friend, Joseph Hill

We were looking for property located in southern West Virginia in the counties of Mercer, Monroe, or Summers with the objective to build a retirement home along with providing ample acreage for our seven grandchildren to enjoy. The experience we had with realty companies was less than satisfactory in many cases. Our contact with Foxfire Realty and Richard began when he showed us properties in which we were interested. Over a period of months he was always patient, knowledgeable, and professional every time we contacted him. Richard was invaluable in helping us to locate, visit, and decide on a piece of property that exactly met our needs. A contract was quickly completed and an expedited closing on a relatively simple purchase seemed to be quite imminent. However, an issue developed that was of no fault of anyone (the sellers or Richard) but rather of an unforeseen, legal technicality. Now instead of a quick, simple purchase the process became more complicated and time-consuming. Fortunately Richard provided the professional expertise necessary, and most importantly a personal interest, which facilitated communication and understanding between us and the sellers who were most gracious during this unexpected turn of events. After proper correction of the technicality the closing was finalized with mutual satisfaction among all parties. In an age in which cynicism seems to be the norm and moral integrity seems to have vanished, we were most fortunate. Richard was always a gentleman and an individual with impeccable character. While his business expertise was always appreciated, his kindness and integrity were truly valued. Hugh and Cindy Campbell

Dear Paul and Richard, I could write a three page letter about you and Paul and I am so happy with the way you handled things for me. You guided me through the sale of my home and at the same time saw me through the purchase of my new home. I would, without any reservations, highly recommend you and Paul to anyone wanting to sell or buy a home. I am getting along fine and I hope you will stop by and see the progress I am making in my new home. Sincerely, Helen R. Hanson Rainelle, West Virginia  

Richard and Paul Grist of Foxfire Realty are superb professional realtors. They sold my farm in Pocahontas County, WV, to buyers from Switzerland whom they found through excellent advertising. Solid negotiators, unflappable, true professionals, they receive my highest recommendation for the sale or purchase of property in the jewel of the east, the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia." Stephen Coonts, best-selling author of FLIGHT OF THE INTRUDER and PIRATE ALLEY  

Paul Grist did a remarkable job of marketing and handling the sale of my 95 acres and cabin. Paul was quick to grasp how much of my heart and soul, along with the countless days of toil and sweat, that were put into developing the Three Falls property. Paul captured perfectly the beauty of the forest along with my passion for Three Falls in his website marketing and print advertising. Over forty years ago I moved to WV as a young man and purchased the Three Falls property and began building a rustic cabin, developing the spring and clearing by hand the areas for gardens and fields. I set up a sawmill and sawed the lumber for the cabin, blacksmith shop and outhouse from the trees on the property. The cabin windows were reclaimed from the old Meadow River Lumber Company, the world’s largest hardwood sawmill at the turn of the century. The cabin flooring came from an old one room schoolhouse. I will miss Three Falls but I am thankful Paul was able to locate the perfect buyer who will love and enjoy the property as much as I have. I would certainly recommend Paul Grist and Team Foxfire to anyone who needs an excellent and dedicated Realtor. Robert Eggerling, PA

Twenty-five years ago we decided to retire. We knew we wanted to live in mountains and we had a list of other requirements. So for a year or so we visited many communities staying for a day or a long weekend. We visited the Greenbrier Valley and loved it's beauty and friendly people. We came back and spent more time and loved it even more, so we started lookingbfor a home. We found two run down farms next to each other in Monroe County and began our adventure. We built a new house, fixed fence, bought cattle, planted gardens, and enjoyed it all. When a third farm next to ours came up for sale we bought it. Suddenly we had 300 acres, 2 houses, and large gardens. The Greenbrier Valley did not disappoint. But, after 25 years we found that the farm was more then we could handle so we decided to move to town and sell the farm. We knew Richard and Paul by reputation and called them to come visit. They spent hours getting to know us and the farm. What other realtor would lie on his back in the middle of a pasture to get just the right picture of a cow at sunset! 300 acres is a lot of land and I know Richard walked every inch. They found just the right family to buy the farm. We have bought and sold several homes in our lives, but this didn't feel like a sale. There was no pressure, no tension, just a real effort to find the right fit for us and for the family who bought our dream. There was a lot of work going on behind the scenes no doubt. Thousands of pictures whittled down to 50, phone calls, e-mails, advertising. But all we felt was the pleasure of getting our treasure being passed to a family that will treasure it. We cannot thank Richard and Paul enough for everything they did. They are professional, knowledgable, but more then that we really feel that to them it is more important to get the RIGHT sale rather then just a sale.  

I am very pleased to write about my experience of selling my farm. It was a pleasure to work with you. I apologize for not getting back to you sooner since the sale, but the process has been warm in my memory. As you know, I was focused on preparing the farm for viewing, then preparing for moving over several months. Then, after the closing, I spent some time catching up with my friends and family and did some travel, again for some months. I am finally getting settled in a very nice rental home, just around the corner from my son and his lively family of three school age girls and lovely wife. Now I finally have a moment to write to you with my reflections. It has been a pleasant transition, but certainly I miss my land and my sky and the animals of the farm. I know that you know that! It is probably obvious that I am writing to you as friends, since that is what we became through the process of selling the farm. Most people would be surprised that the sometimes wrenching process of parting with a beloved homeplace could result in trust and understanding, but that is the way I would characterize my reaction. Your shepherding of the financial, legal, emotional and logistical process of selling was done in a most kindly manner and I thank you for that. You were highly recommended to me and I also would certainly encourage anyone to select you as broker for their real estate transactions. You handled every delicate decision that came up with wisdom and empathy. This must have taken some broad vision and patience on your part. I am very appreciative of your guidance. I am looking forward to visiting with you on my next trip to Monroe County in September. Sincerely, Krysten Wall

My wife and I had the pleasure of working with Paul Grist while buying our first home. Although he was the representative of the sellers, Paul did not hesitate in the least to help us out with the purchase, no matter how petty or large the request was. His professionalism, outstanding personality, and his nature of being willing to go above and beyond to assist us with the purchase speaks volumes for not only himself, but the business that he represents. Needless to say, we are now in our beautiful new home enjoying a tranquil setting and all the pleasantries that come with it, and I can honestly say that I don't think it would've been possible without the work that Paul did to ensure a smooth sale for both parties. For any of our friends or family that need a professional agent that is eager and willing to make a purchase or sale as easy and pleasant as! possible, I will be recommending Paul and Foxfire Realty over all others. Thank you all for the great service.

I am writing to thank you for helping me locate a suitable property to build my new home on. When selecting a realtor it is imperative that you select someone who listens to what it is you are trying to accomplish and works to achieve that goal. When we first met our discussion was all about that is was I was looking to accomplish. I recall sharing with you my hope to locate a property that wasn’t too far from town and one that afforded privacy without being so far removed from civilization that I would be reluctant to travel for extended periods of time in fear of being burglarized. You listened to every word and spent your energy to find just that. I’m very impressed that you stayed on task with your search and amazingly in just two weeks found precisely what I was looking for. I’m sure this would not have been possible has you not listened to me the way you did. With little wasted motion we visited several properties. With each visit you provided me with a wealth of information that made it easy for me to evaluate my interest in each property. We never looked at anything that fell outside of the parameters of our target property and this is why I believe we were able to accomplish our goal as quickly as we did. When it came to presenting my offer you listened to how it was I wanted it to be tended, and made it clear to the seller that this would be my final and only offer. I always believed that a cash offer with little time for the seller to react would be in my favor. You executed my instructions perfectly with our offer and that is why I believe we were successful. I would not hesitate to use your service again and would highly recommend your company to anyone looking for a competent and professional realtor. Even though your commission on my twenty three acre deal yielded little to you, I always had the feeling that I was as important to you as a million dollar client. Regards, George Poszich

August 7, 2012 Three years ago, we began what we thought would be a short sprint from Grassy Meadows, WV to Myrtle Beach, SC. The sprint turned into a two and a half year journey as we awaited the sale of our log home and traveled back and forth between the two places. During the “duration” we were supported by the expert help of Foxfire’s professionals, Richard and Paul Grist and staff. They were attentive to our requests and paid close attention to all aspects of the selling experience. We’d built our home and raised our family in Grassy Meadows over a 30 year span, and while we wanted to move closer to family, we found it to be a major upheaval and stressful time as months stretched to years and offers were made and didn’t pan out for one reason or another. While we lived comfortably in SC, we felt confident leaving our house in their care. Throughout, the Foxfire team kept us informed and worked steadily to bring several prospective buyers to our country location – through snow, rain and other inconveniences. We were very pleased when an offer was made and accepted last winter, but the experience wasn’t over! Both Richard and Paul continued to guide us and the buyers through all the necessary inspections, paperwork, meetings, negotiations and finally, the closing after a long two months. Looking back on the experience, we are certain no one could have done a better job for us, and we’re grateful that we asked them to take on the sale of our home and woods. They are true professionals in every way. Bill and Bobbi Scofield Myrtle Beach, SC

  The thought of parting with my very special West Virginia cabin by the creek was, at minimum, a painful consideration. But, having had a desire to return to my beautiful home town of Charleston for more than a few years, I {gulp!} decided to make the move. It was important to me to work with the "right" realtor; ie one that was comfortable with a selling partner {me} and that would accept suggestions with a professional and receptive attitude. Thus, I spoke with a selection of realtors. Far and away Paul Grist with Foxfire was outstanding and I felt immediately at ease with his approach. In listing, Paul is thorough. He took time to become completely familiar with my property and took many creative pictures that showed the property in its best and true perspective. He gave good advice. His efforts resulted in a sale in an acceptable time frame and one meeting my criteria. Importantly, Paul is trustworthy and I had complete confidence in him which was especially meaningful to me as I was relocated in Charleston while the sale was proceeding.............Guess the best way to say it is this: if I were to purchase or sell another property in in the Lewisburg area, I would call Paul.  

  Over the years, I have had the good fortune to work with several excellent realtors. Most recently, I had an opportunity to work with Paul Grist of Foxfire Realty. Paul is not "merely" excellent; he is superlative, and without question the best realtor I have ever dealt with in my life. When I decided to purchase a home in Greenbrier County, my criteria were difficult to communicate, because I was looking for something hard to find or explain. While I had a vision in my mind of what I was looking for, it was difficult for me to translate it into something actionable for Paul ... a frequent dilemma when it comes to visions, I suppose! Paul worked with me tirelessly to help refine and crystallize the vision by showing me several properties. Throughout this patient process, he was able to continually course correct so that we could progressively zero in on an ideal target. The more he understood about what I was looking for, the more precise his search became. Paul never faltered in this time-consuming, laborious work. Toward the end of the long search, we found a property that was extremely close to meeting my criteria. I placed on offer on the property, and was excited about it. But the home inspection was a disappointment, and I decided not to proceed with the purchase. This became Paul's finest hour, a time when he demonstrated impeccable integrity and earned himself honor and my deep respect. He had worked dozens of hours in my behalf, and a transaction and commission were in his grasp. Imagine his disappointment when he learned that I did not want to conclude the deal. The property was so close to my needs in so many respects that if Paul had decided to persuade me to buy it despite the problematic home inspection report, I would have done so. But that's not Paul Grist. Paul accepted without complaint my decision to cancel the transaction, and never once did he try to convince me to buy the property. In accepting my decision and behaving as he did, he demonstrated genuine respect for me, his client. Many people say that they put the customer first, but few actually do. Paul is different: he does, and the way he performed when told that I did not want to proceed with the purchase is incontrovertible proof of it. When you work with someone great, the potential for magic materializes. And in my case, that's exactly what happened: magic. Only a few weeks after I canceled the original purchase, a new prospective property appeared on the market. We visited the property, and then Paul performed extensive due diligence on it. Based on his findings, I placed a bid on and won it. It is a unique property, and far, far better than the one I almost purchased. When it comes to what I was looking and hoping for, this beautiful property is about as close to perfection as I could have gotten anywhere. Dealing with Paul has proven to me without a shadow of a doubt that one's choice of realtor is of critical importance. As I mentioned above, I could easily have been convinced to purchase the first property, and if Paul had been more concerned about promptly receiving a commission check than about my desires and needs as his client, that's exactly what he could have done: convinced me. But Paul put me far above himself, and did not second guess me. This opened the way for the perfect property to appear, and it did, just a few weeks later. Paul's professionalism, excellent judgment, and abiding confidence that an even better property was out there for me opened the way to the achievement of an extraordinary outcome. Paul is a person of matchless integrity, expertise, patience and good will. Every day that I enjoy this exceptional home, I am thankful to Paul, because such a magical place would never have become mine had it not been for him. Sincerely, Stewart Dougherty

Greetings! In June of 2011, my wife and I closed on our property that we purchased through Foxfire Realty. I found the entire experience to be handled very professionally and honorably. Having been married for 31 years and living in the same home the entire time, the thoughts of buying real estate was quite daunting. Richard took the time to explain the buying process to us in great detail. His suggestions were invaluable to us. He hand carried us through the process from reading topo maps, to which excavators he would recommend. He was always easy to access and never tired of our myriad of questions. Typically, I've been told, it's best to have another agent to work on your behalf when buying real estate. I knew from the beginning that was not necessary and this saved me money. I am currently building a new home on my property and will soon be selling my present home. You can rest assured that I will be giving Richard and Paul a call when I am ready to sell. So whether you are buying or selling in WV, you can feel confident that the Grist Boys are working in your best interest. Gary and Ann Dean Lewisburg, WV  

Richard Grist and Paul Grist at Foxfire Mountain Properties in Lewisburg, WV are extremely knowledgeable when it comes to marketing farm properties.Richard and Paul are very professional, honest people with a strong selling record and we felt very comfortable enlisting them to sell our family farm. Since we live out of state it was very helpful that they were always readily available to answer our questions and address our concerns. Richard and Paul visited our farm several times to get just the right pictures which helped showcase the property in a very appealing and effective way. Richard and Paul gave us top quality service in the overall process and assisted in the timely settlement due to their ability to research and map old deeds and settle questions of boundary locations and rights of way. We highly recommend their expert ability to market family farm properties. Angela Walton & Glen Forren

Dear Richard & Paul:It will be two years this coming December since you helped us locate and purchase our 285 acre mountain farm for our family retreat. In addition to saying THANK YOU, I thought I might summarize how you have helped over the course of project. First, to let your prospective clients know I've dealt in real estate for over 50 years and have a high degree of skepticism when dealing with realtors. I can truly say you and your son are the most professional , helpful and friendly individuals I have met in the industry. Not only did you show us properties listed by other realtors, you did so without pushing your own listings. You understood very well what we were seeking for our family retreat and discussed with us the pros and cons in meeting our goals. Equally important has been your continuous help since purchasing our mountain farm. You put us in contact with our builder, Melvin Young, who has remodeled our farm cottage, built our three bay tractor barn and is in the final stages of building our very large timber framed retreat home further up the mountain. Melvin has been great to work with and has become a personal friend. You did a great job of marking out the over 4,100 foot roadway up to our new home up the mountain. Your help in arranging for Paul Sears to cut the new roadway and finishing it with stone was great. Paul also has been great to work with and has been very helpful. You arranged for our well driller and even located the spot to drill for water. While I'm still a skeptic of your well-witching guy who located the spot for the well, it worked. Getting the local utility company to respond to our needs was enabled by you. So in closing, for those seeking a great honest realtor and someone who can and will stay involved to help, I highly recommend Foxfire group. I am located 7 1/2 hours away (driving hard) and couldn't have got the project to this stage. Many thanks. Your friend, Ernie

When we decided to purchase land in West Virginia on which to build our retirement home, we searched the Internet for available land for sale. The search led us to a number of sites, but only Gofoxfire.com caught our attention enough to contact the agents. We read about Richard and Paul's commitment to land management and resource preservation and thought that their conservation philosophy was closely aligned to ours. After meeting Richard in his office, we knew that we had found a partner to help us find our piece of Almost Heaven. Two weeks later, we closed the deal and received the deed to our new property. Throughout the purchasing process, Richard was helpful, patient, and willing to answer any questions we had about the land, Greenbrier County, or living in West Virginia. We are excited about our purchase and look forward to working with Richard to prepare the land for building. Despite the fact that we live overseas, we knew that Foxfire Mountain Properties would manage our purchase with care and attention. We highly recommend anyone looking to buy property in southern West Virginia work with Richard and Paul Grist. Emil Stalis and Raymond Stephens

Richard & Paul,Thank you so much for your quick effective work in marketing and selling our Property just outside of Lewisburg. You are so knowledgeable and offered us excellent advice that ultimately allowed us to sell our property in a very timely manner. You were always very responsive to our questions and an absolute pleasure to work with. We very much appreciate your partnership and would highly recommend you to anyone looking to buy or sell property in that region!

We recently purchased land in W. Va. through Foxfire Mountain Properties with Richard Grist and Paul Grist as the Agents. What a wonderful experience!Richard was the selling Agent on the property and we quickly found it unnecessary to have our own buyer's agent, as we found Richard to be honest and extremely helpful. Richard provided us a local surveyor and excavator with whom we also experienced friendly professionalism. We would certainly recommend Richard and use him again.

Richard Grist and Paul Grist listed a farm for me in January 2010. In January of 2011 the farm sold, which I thought was excellent with the economy as it is. The farm was listed in the local real estate magazines as well as on several land and farm websites. The pictures of the farm were great.There is a large cave on the property and Paul and Richard even went down into the cave and took pictures! All the terms of the contract were met and I was very happy with the service Paul and Richard gave me.

Dear Richard Grist and Paul Grist,Nearly a year ago I was "charged" with the responsibility by one of my most valuable real estate clients to get his property in West Virginia SOLD. Knowing how I am from a standpoint of professionalism and all the attentions to detail to be recognized as a professional, I began my search for that special real estate person, if he or she existed in West Virginia. I just want to say to the both of you, I accomplished my mission when I recommended to our now mutual client, that Foxfire Mountain Properties was the company of choice. Your patience in dealing with the listing and on going negotiation, your supplying of all pertinent information specific the the listing and zoning issues was perfect and yes, the special touch of the never ending pictures of the site were welcome mainly because they displayed attention to who we were and the realization that we weren't forgotten nor our listing taken for granted. From one real estate professional to another, job well done and a heart felt "Thank You". Sincerely, Joe DeSilva

Dear Paul and Foxfire,We want to take this opportunity to thank you for helping us fulfill my husband's dream of returning to his roots in West Virginia. Your knowledge of the vistas in the area were very impressive and really helped to expedite the process of finding the perfect "get away" for our enjoyment. We love hiking and exploring the endless seasonal opportunities! We continue to be impressed by how you are still offering your knowledge and help, as we continue to become a part of the Asbury community. "Just like a Good Neighbor". We truly appreciate your friendship and look forward to our visits each time we are in Lewisburg. With Our Best Regards, Thank you, Lisa and Dan Facemire

Dear Richard and Paul:I wanted to express my deep appreciation to you both for selling my 100+ acre farm in Pipestem, WV. This farm had been in our family for well over 100 years, so it was an emotional journey to go through with the sale of the property. However, you provided professional guidance that was much needed. Foxfire Mountain Properties was highly recommended by a previous customer of yours that enjoyed a positive sales experience with your staff. I have always heard the best advertising is word of mouth and I can honestly say that I experienced this first hand with the sale of my farm. Richard, I found you to be most knowledgeable in your field, and you were always willing to go the extra mile. I always felt that you kept me informed of all the necessary details. It will be my pleasure to highly recommend Foxfire Mountain Properties to any potential client. Through this process, I feel that I have not only sold my property, but have acquired new friends. Respectfully, Louise Houchins

Our family farm had been inherited by ten siblings. We were all aging and made our homes in several different states. After a few years of decision, all the family got together and agreed to sell the old home place, even though with great hesitation.We read all the referrals on Foxfire Mountain Properties' website from past clients and agreed to select them over several other realtors. We were not disappointed. Richard and Paul Grist met all our expectations. Our family highly recommends Foxfire Mountain Properties. Richard and Paul, as we experienced, can be trusted, get done what they promise, keep their clients informed, work very hard to expose the sale of your property and still maintain a friendly relationship with you and the buyer. All the family members consider Richard and Paul friends and are very happy with their hard work and eventual sale of the family home place. Don, Roger, Douglass, Webb, Benjamin, Betty, Larry, Linda, Caleb, and Joshua Henderson North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia

We had always wanted to buy some land for a refuge from the hectic pace in Northern Virginia. One day while surfing the web, I came across a website that was professional and had a wide variety of beautiful properties. I bookmarked www.foxfirenation.com and would check it every couple of months, just for fun. In the fall, I checked the website and saw the perfect piece of property with everything we wanted.When we contacted Richard Grist, I was immediately impressed with the knowledge he had of the property and its history-there weren't any questions he couldn't answer. His patience was infinite as we made appointments to go down to look at the property and he was more than willing to spend several hours each time walking the property with us and answer our questions. His style is very low pressure, making the whole process so much more pleasant! We are looking forward to years of enjoyment for our family at Laurel Creek Farm as did the family who owned it before. Larry and Shari Bedker

Living eight hours away in NJ added challenges to buying retirement property in WV. Such an endeavor could make for a very stressful situation, however the purchase of our property at Asbury Trace in Lewisburg has been an extremely positive experience. Richard Grist and Paul Grist of Foxfire Mountain Properties are largely responsible. They possess an honesty and integrity that is comforting and reassuring during a real estate transaction that involves not only a substantial sum of money but also a new life in a totally new town and state.The amazing thing to us was the amount of help and information Richard gave us after the transaction was over. Many times we have consulted him for advice on road builders, well drillers, and house builders and found his enthusiastic willingness to help and his referrals much to our satisfaction. We could go on and on about Richard and Paul's competence and unassuming nature but will only add that upon meeting these folks, you will not have any doubts about putting your real estate needs into their hands. These are people who stand behind their words. We will be moving to Lewisburg in the near future and will be proud to count Richard and Paul among our new friends there. Glenn & Susan

What can we say about Richard Grist and Paul Grist of Foxfire Mountain Properties? My husband and I owned a family farm for 25 years. The property had been owned by my grandmother for years, and she died at the ripe old age of 96. We always said that we were there for the "duration", but things change. It was a very difficult decision to sell. Once deciding that this was what we needed to do, the next step was who would help us with this process. At this point we only had one name on our list and this was Richard and Paul Grist. After meeting with them, it was easy to sign and let them do the rest. Richard was very in tune to our feelings, knowing how difficult it is the sell a family home. We both would very much recommend Foxfire to buyers or sellers of property. Very Sincerely, Roger and Henrietta Stoneburner

Dear Richard Grist & Paul Grist,One of my greatest concerns before putting my farm, Serenity Crossing, on the real estate market, was that the land would be sold and divided as a housing development. I am most pleased and content to say that this did not happen. It is a delight to see the person who purchased my farm desire to preserve, protect, and not split or divide this piece of property that was loved and nurtured for twenty eight years during my ownership. This small chunk of West Virginia land gave more to me than I could have ever possibly given back to it. All memories that unfolded on this land are treasured memories. Thanks Richard & Paul, for finding someone to continue the legacy of love of land and nature. Sincerely, Susie Baker

Richard & Paul, My mother and I would like to take the time to thank you for the sale of our property in Nicholas County West Virginia. From the first day I walked the property with Richard I felt he would have no problems selling our 100+ acres. We had listed our property with other realtors in the previous years before we were introduced to Foxfire properties. Not only did Richard sell our property I feel that we have me a friend for life. The sale of this property helped my mother with the long term care of my grandmother. For this I am very appreciative to Richard. Richard is good at what he does and I would highly recommend him to anyone buying or selling properties. Sincerely, Betty and Christopher Aliff Pool, West Virginia

I contacted Foxfire Mountain Properties after reading the testimonials of others on this page. I spoke to Paul, he understood exactly the type of forested recreational property I was searching for and then I met Richard for a look at a 300 acre property near Summersville. During a four hour hike through sun and rain he was indefatigable and I was impressed with his knowledge.This was our first land purchase but I doubt one could close more smoothly- Richard facilitated the deal at every step and never missed a detail. He promptly and cheerfully answered a multitude of my phone calls and e-mails. Richard also has an amazing range of contacts. He helped me find foresters, surveyors and a title attorney before closing but has continued to help me well after the seller paid his commission. He recently got me in contact with the expert trail builders at Snowshoe and he is currently helping me arrange a hunting lease for the property. My wife asked, "Can Richard be for real?" He is. I found everything that others had written in his support to be true. I am extremely pleased with our purchase, and just as so to have met Richard Grist. Robert Sullivan and Family Frederick, MD

Richard and Paul: Our family has wanted to move to West Virginia for some time, and you played a very significant role in making our dream a reality. I can not think of better representatives for West Virginia. You are terrific ambassadors who, individually, reconfirmed why we want to and are moving to your state. As any military family, we have had to move frequently. We all agree, however, that you, of all our real estate brokers, both stand out as the most pleasant, helpful, caring, responsible, knowledgeable and certainly competent realtors that we have experienced in over 40 years! You personify the concept of, "satisfy the customer." You made the purchase of our properties a lot of fun and very easy. Your diligence and attention to detail helped us satisfy all of the IRS provisions for completing a complex 1031 exchange. With attentive communications; comprehensive reviews of available properties; efficient scheduling; and a willingness to dedicate a week to showing us properties that fit our interest and criteria, you saved us considerable time. Your experience with forestry and lumbering helped us assess property strengths and weaknesses and allowed us to create optional sets of property that met our interest and exchange criteria. You are the reason that we were able to execute a complex closing with multiple parties, properties and transactions, in a small window of opportunity. With your help, we were able to essentially eliminate any capital gains from the transactions and, most importantly, achieve our dream: to buy property and live in West Virginia! Lastly, I have never met a broker who, like you, has continued, after the sale, to maintain contact, check on our property and provide valuable information and contacts that have helped us ready our property for occupation. Please accept our most sincere and heartfelt appreciation for your professional help and most of all, your friendship. Thank you! Dan Kuhn and Family

It is nice to work with a real estate broker who will actually put on a pair of boots and show you the property that is for sale. Richard and Paul had made very detailed maps and knew where we were the entire time we were looking at the property. Their knowledge of the property and enthusiasm for the land made it an easy decision for me to go ahead and purchase.I first met Richard years ago when a friend recommended him to handle the harvest of my timber on approximately 300 acres. We use this property for hunting and outdoor recreation and Richard did an excellent job of producing the timber income while leaving the property in top notch condition. Thanks to Richard's experience as a professional forester, his timber harvest plan left a great network of new trails that made our property much more fun to use as well as more valuable. If you are looking for a company to work with that understands recreational property, you won't go wrong with Foxfire Mountain Properties. Sincerely, Dave

My wife, Liz, and I were visiting West Virginia in the summer. We were looking for some rural property for a summer home and for a refuge from the hurricane seasons in our home state, Louisiana. Richard and Paul Grist showed us a piece of property in Greenbrier County and we fell in love with it, immediately.

Richard's advice as a farmer, forester and realtor was invaluable in helping us make our decision to purchase this property.

This little piece of heaven is now ours and we look forward to the day when we can spend much more time there with all of our new friends in WV including Richard and Paul. Sincerely, Andrew E.

Dear Richard and Paul,I make my living as a real estate investor and have owned land not only in West Virginia but in Utah, Nevada, California and Florida. ... Probably the most enjoyable purchase I've ever made is the nominal 11 acres that you sold me near Asbury last year. You made it so because of your integrity; integrity being that mixture of knowledge and honesty. I didn't know the Greenbrier County real estate market when I made my purchase, but I knew enough about real estate to know a darned fine broker when I met one. Your near-immediate earning of my trust enabled me to bypass all the time I normally spend in a new market to learn it myself and move directly into the purchase phase. You saved me several weeks of time & and time is definitely money to me. Since my purchase and because my business is now centered in Las Vegas, Paul has taken the time to keep me informed about the status of my property. That's done two things: saved me time and money and engendered the desire on my part to keep my relationship with you over the long-term. So, to you both I say thank you. You are among the very finest brokers in the country, and that includes markets in which the participants consider themselves very sophisticated. Your hard work and dedication to your clients will create all the luck you need to make your new brokerage a success. I can only thank you both for the outstanding service given to me and hope that we'll do business again. Sincerely, Bob

Having recently purchased a tract of land through Richard and Paul, we are pleased to recommend their services to other potential buyers. They are knowledgable as well as professional. Richard devoted his time to us regarding every aspect of our transaction. No detail was too small, calls & emails were answered promptly, his follow-ups stayed with us through to our closing. Are we satisfied customers? -- you bet! Best regards, Margie & Al

It is not too often that a person says "WOW" about a real estate buying process. But anything less would not express our sentiments about the attentiveness, professionalism, genuine caring, and ability to solve problems that Richard Grist exemplified during our purchase of 350 contiguous acres from two different sellers. Richard was extraordinarily familiar with the boundaries, features, assets, and potential of the real estate we were buying. His thoughtfulness in sending beautiful pictures of indigenous wild flowers in bloom and other beautiful scenery on our mountain land helped to close the geographic gap between our property and us during the buying process. From viewing the land in the beginning, through negotiating contracts and finalizing the transaction, Richard facilitated our process like it was his own. Not only is his integrity, professionalism, and diligence in ensuring a smooth process unparalleled in our experience, he's also a genuinely nice guy! We would recommend Foxfire Mountain Properties without hesitation to anyone looking to buy real estate. Sincerely, Bill & Sherry Augustine

We had driven around many states looking for a special piece of property, and by chance drove up Route 219 through Union and Lewisburg. We went in and met Richard Grist, who answered our many questions and told us about the area for over an hour. We asked if he could show us a property, and we ended up buying exactly what we were looking for that day. We feel that the generous time and effort Richard made to help us, when we had shown up unannounced, made the whole process easy, and we will always be grateful to him for leading us to our beautiful farm. Richard is very knowledgeable about Greenbrier and Monroe Counties, and his timber business has given him a special perspective of the land and history of the area. It was a pleasure dealing with him, and his direct and genuine manner was a wonderful introduction to Lewisburg. He is a real gentleman, and most important, has become a friend. ~Bobbie & Steve

Foxfire was very helpful throughout the entire process. They were very quick to understand our likes and dislikes and the kind of property we were looking for. Their knowledge of the area and the property helped in answering all of our questions. Foxfire's combination of professionalism and a personal touch made for a very good experience. It was a pleasure to work with Foxfire on finding the property we had been looking for. ~John & Tracey S.

I'm pleased to recommend Foxfire Mountain Properties to anyone seeking a professional and trustworthy real estate firm. As a land developer in Southeast West Virginia I have been greatly rewarded by my association with Foxfire. Whether locating good value for purchase or maximizing sales profit Foxfire has served me well. This firm deserves its outstanding reputation. ~LoraLee Burnett

We have had the pleasure of looking at various properties with Richard and Paul Grist and their organization, Foxfire. We have found Richard and Paul to be most accommodating and very knowledgeable about diverse types of properties in the region. We recommend their services, and believe that they provides their customers with a high level of integrity and professionalism. Sincerely, Bill & Becky Friedman

We purchased a property in Greenbrier County in the fall of 2006 that Richard had listed. From the moment we met him to walk the property, it felt as if we had known him for years. Richard and his son, Paul, were genuine in their approach. Richard's respect for the land and knowledge of the surrounding area was evident from the start. Even though Richard was not our agent, he was extremely responsive to our questions and concerns. He went the extra mile in meeting with neighbors of the property to assure boundary lines and surveys. After the sale, he met with us to review the property and introduce us to local contractors, and even facilitated us meeting our new neighbors. A main selling point for us was knowing that we would be surrounded by neighbors like Richard Grist. Sincerely, Wallace & Brigid H.

Many thanks to Foxfire Mountain Properties for making our dream come true, it was a learning experience we will never forget... Thanks guys, Jesse & James