James E. Oakes

Sales Manager | Broker | Walnut Cove Realty I’m the Sales Manager at Walnut Cove Realty and an active broker serving Asheville and Western North Carolina. Walnut Cove Realty is the region’s #1 luxury boutique brokerage, and my experience includes luxury homes, legacy properties, and real estate investments across the market. I moved to Asheville nine years ago as the General Manager of The Cliffs at Walnut Cove, which gave me a deep understanding of luxury communities, land, and what truly drives long-term value. Today, I work with investors, second-home buyers, and full-time residents, bringing a practical, straightforward perspective to every transaction. I stay closely connected to market trends while remaining directly involved in deals, allowing me to offer clear guidance without the noise. Outside of real estate, I’m married to a Mission Hospital nurse and am a proud dad to two middle-school daughters. Asheville isn’t just where I work—it’s home.