About Us

Whether you are a tenant looking to rent in the Asheville area or a property owner looking for property management services you don’t need to look any further than Black Bear Rentals, Inc.! Established in 2007 we are a full-service company offering everything from finding the perfect rental property for tenants to managing all types of housing for owners.

At Black Bear Rentals we understand the needs of property owners and those looking to rent. Each of our clients, no matter what side of the equation, receive personal service from our dedicated, professional property management team. With our help, you can reach your real estate goals and enjoy everything Western North Carolina has to offer.

Black Bear Rentals is independently owned and operated.

Contact us today to ensure that you get the area’s best rental and property management service. We gladly serve all of Western North Carolina and look forward to serving you!

Lee Ann Bannerman & Jasper Gilbert bought Black Bear Rentals in June of 2017. Having lived in England for the past twelve years, Lee Ann returned to Asheville, where she spent much of her childhood. Her husband Jasper, a Londoner born and bred, has spent time in Asheville for years and at one time lived in Ann Arbor, MI. He joined Lee Ann full time in October of 2018. Huge dog lovers, you will often find Lee Ann and Jasper hiking in the area with their Lurcher Fishcake who came with them from England and Oliver, originally from Qatar!

Zachary joined Black Bear Rentals as the Office Manager at the start of 2023.  He has been in the Asheville area since 2011 and moved here from the Sonoran Deserts where he grew up among the red rock pillars, slot canyons, and saguaro cacti.  Zachary brings a wealth of experience in maintenance to the team and will head up overall property care,  coordinating vendors and bringing on new vendors as needed.  When he isn’t at work you can find Zachary out on the local trails, in one of our amazing breweries, or appreciating the local art galleries with his two rescue pups Portobello and Duck.  

Margaret Horine is the Office Administrator. A native Ashevillian, she has worked in local property management and real estate for the last 7 years and is a licensed Realtor. Outside of work she's reading, writing, working on crafting projects, or in her garage woodworking shop. Otherwise, she's spending as much time as possible with her sweet mutt and her incredible daughter. Ella es hispanoblante y vivía cinco años en España.

Megan was born in Asheville, raised in Florida, and returned home in 2020.  Soon after she joined our team as a showing agent, but quickly moved into the role of Office Assistant focusing on finance and accounting.  She has a background in Real Estate, the mortgage industry,  home health care, child care and direct Sales.  Megan is married and the mother of two beautiful daughters whom she homeschools.  When time allows she enjoys Roller Derby, playing guitar, decorating houses, and listening to Asheville's 97.3 Pure Oldies!  

Ebullient and Gregarious, meeting Dave is a must. Dave has several years of maintenance and construction experience doing carpentry in the field, finish and rough;  he has worked in cabinetry and staircase shops, corporate plus mom and pops. 



Dave has also spent years toiling in the fine dining trenches. Which gives him unparalleled customer service skills. Dave enjoys taking long walks off short piers, wrestling imaginary alligators or selling snapshots to the sunset. He is a farmer and proudly owned by a beautiful dog and cat. His favorite soft cheese is camembert, favorite cheese overall, definitely cheddar, sharp.

Eric is one of our skilled maintenance technicians. He joined the Black Bear family in 2023. Some people fix things for work. For others, it's a calling. At a young age, Eric could be found touching up paint and fixing door jams. Something about the jingle of a loose handle or the bubble of a clogged pipe called to him like a siren in the darkness. He bummed around America fixing solar power systems and brewing beer before answering the sacred call of the handyman. But now that he has taken up the mighty wrench of functional repairs, there is no turning back. In his free time, he likes to pet his cats and watch YouTube tutorials. 

Oliver, the official Black Bear Rentals office dog lost his pal Fishcake in 2022 but is joined daily by staff dog Maybell and from time to time pals Daisy, Romeo, LeRoy. Laurel or Fern!  They can be found laying in the sun or greeting visitors. In his free time, Oliver enjoys long walks, treats, belly rubs and chasing squirrels.