Moving with children can be a hair-raising experience.  But let’s at least prevent major graying with some simple tips to make the move smooth.

Since there’s much to consider – school and medical records, emotional impacts, before, during and after plans – there’s no one-size-fits-all moving with children checklist.  BUT there is a great online resource that I suggest you check out: Moving With Kids!

There you’ll find pretty much everything you need to know about moving with kids – from toddlers to teens.  There are checklists to make sure you’ve got it all covered, helpful hints and tips, and even real-world advice from parents who have been there and done that.

Look for my next post: 4 Ways to Keep the Kids Happy When You Move

There are many factors that go into buying (and selling) a home.  But just like most buying decisions, particularly the big ones, in the end it all comes down to price.  How much is your house worth?  Or how much should you pay for that dream house you’ve got your eye on?

Like all complex questions, there’s more than one “right” answer, but some answers are better than others.  Let me explain…

Lots of times, people will ask me about the “tax value” of a home, and that is a factor to consider, but it’s not going to be the best answer to either of those two burning questions above – how much is your house worth and how much should you pay for a particular home for sale?

Tax value – also called assessed value – can be way off the mark. Tax value is an amount assigned to a property as a basis for taxation. Tax value probably doesn’t reflect the current market value – and it may even be based on market conditions so far in the past that they are no longer relevant, as tax values are rarely re-assessed in a timely manner.  Guilford County recently reassessed tax value, and I have seen numbers all over the place. Remember they are collecting taxes, not selling your house for that price.

Market value – what comparable homes in the area are actually selling for right now – is a much better indicator of how you should price and what you should expect to pay. And that’s where I can help.  It’s my job to be able to provide you with an accurate market value for your home for sale or one that you may want to buy.

And price is important.  Going to market with an over-priced listing is a common and critical mistake.  Homes that are priced right (right from the start!) sell faster.  And paying too much for a dream home can turn into a nightmare.  So, let market value (and me!) be your guide.

I know that selling your house is stressful.  In fact, it’s among the top three most stressful situations you’ll ever have to deal with – right up there with the death of a loved one and divorce.  But managing that stress is the secret to a successful (and much less stressful!) sale.

Start by keeping tabs on your attitude.  Stay positive and don’t obsess.  Do what you’ve been asked to do to move things along (like make those repairs and keep things neat and tidy), but don’t get so sucked into the process that it sucks the life out of you.  That will only make you unhappy…and frankly unpleasant.

And let’s talk about that for a minute.  I’m all about honesty, and I have to say that one of the things that’s really frustrating to real estate professionals is a seller with a bad attitude.  We know you’re anxious, but taking that out on the people, who are trying to help you sell your house, isn’t going to help.

This happens most often when an agent arrives at your house for a showing, and they are either early or late. Getting an attitude with that agent might feel good at the time, but it sure won’t help sell your house!  And please understand that I’m not minimizing the fact that the early or late-comers might have inconvenienced you.  I really do understand how annoying – and stressful – that can be.  But I do advise you to keep it to yourself, or even better, don’t internalize it at all – just take a deep breath and let it go (click here for some tips to better manage your stress, real estate-related or otherwise).

What I can promise you is that it wasn’t personal or intentional.  There are a million things that could have gone wrong – traffic, weather, sick kids, a runaway dog.  Or maybe the prospective buyers took one look at the house before yours and didn’t even get out of the car to see it. Whatever the reason, be flexible and be nice. It’s the right thing to do. And remember, what goes around, comes around.  You don’t want bad real estate karma, do you?

Let’s get one thing straight: I’m a real estate agent not a shape-shifting, time-traveling superhero who can be everywhere at once and has encyclopedic knowledge of every home for sale right up here (psst! I’m tapping my forehead to indicate my all-too-human brain).  That said, I am a really good real estate agent with a proven track record and lots of happy clients, and there are many things I can do (almost magically, even!) and many things I do know (I’m pretty on the ball!).

But here’s what I don’t know – absolutely everything about every house for sale in The Triad area (there are 11,025 of them listed in the MLS right now!). And I’ll let you in on a little secret, no one does.  There is not one agent anywhere who can say “it’s all up here” about that many properties.

So, when people call and ask about such-and-such property on so-and-so street, they should not be surprised if I need to do a little research.  If it’s my listing or one I’m familiar with, I’ve got it down.  But if it’s not, give me a minute, and don’t hold it against me, okay?

And even if I don’t know that particular property, here’s what I probably will be able to tell you off the top of my head: What the neighborhood is like (It’s likely that I’ve sold or shown homes there).  And whether that area meets what you’ve told me your must-have requirements are. And I’ll find out the rest.  I promise.

I may even uncover homes that you don’t know about.  Not everything is listed online and we real estate professionals have quite a network, through which we find out about homes that are about to come on the market or others that are dropping in price. I may not have seen every home, but I have “seen it all” and I’ve got your back and your best interests at heart.

I have heard so many variations about what the housing market is going to do this year that I can’t even count them!  I have read that prices will still go down.  I have read that prices may go up (a little). I have read that prices will be flat. I have read that sales will be up and prices down. You get my point? Analyst are all over the place.

I actually saw an article today with the title: The Housing Market WILL Recover in 2012.  I thought, “Yikes!”  I would never make a statement like that given what the market has gone through over the past few years. I am a total optimist, but I also don’t want my clients to have false hope.

The reality is this: Real Estate is LOCAL. LOCAL. LOCAL. National numbers don’t say anything about where WE are, or where we will be.  When a client tells me, “I saw on the news that prices are going up.” I groan inside a little, because I know their market, and that isn’t the case there, in that neighborhood, but since the news said it…..must be true.

If you want to know how the market is doing, ask a Realtor (like me!).  Oh, and I don’t have a crystal ball, so I have no idea what is going to happen this year.  I do know this, I still love being in Real Estate!

You think you have found it, THE house!  Yay!  But wait, what do you really know about where you are moving?  It is really important you ride through a neighborhood and check it out.  What else is there, are the neighbors keeping up with their yards and trash?  No?  Hmmm that could be a bad indicator.

I also recommend my clients ride around the neighborhood at different times: day time, night time, and weekend, to get a sense of what the neighborhood they may be living in will be like.  At 3:00 the neighborhood may be nice and quiet, but maybe at 4:30 when the high school has let out the streets are full of kids smoking and listening to loud music…OR maybe the neighborhood is still nice and quiet.  You won’t know unless you check it out.

The picture here was taken in what most would consider a really nice neighborhood in Northwest Guilford County.  Most of the homes are upwards of 300k.  My buyers were shocked when they drove around and found this house with gargoyles and such.  Now, my buyers still moved into the neighborhood, and they love it.  These neighbors are just fine, BUT I wonder if my buyers had found this house AFTER they bought theirs if it might have been a little off putting.

Ride before you buy.

Every quarter Dr. Jud, of Jud & Associates puts out The Greensboro Housing Report.  Here is the down and dirty of what happened the 4th quarter of 2011:

• Prices are  down in the Greensboro market (over 4th quarter 2010 and 3rd quarter 2011)
• It is taking longer for houses to sell than it did it the third quarter of 2011 (avg of 126.9 days)
• It takes even longer the more expensive your list price is (ex: 232.2 days is the average for a house over 500k)

Now, none of this is all that surprising, really.  The market is what it is right now.  BUT houses are still selling, even the big ones.  The main thing to keep in mind is to have your house show off ready, staged, and priced right.  Price right=competitive and priced better than your competition!

Buyers-remember that sellers are learning they have to be priced right!  Be sure to ask your agent to show you the comparable sales before you make an offer that is only 75% of the list price.  If you want the house, the seller needs to see you are serious, so take it seriously.  If they are priced right, make a fair offer, not a crazy one.

What to do with your old PC when you get that new one for Christmas?  Well, you can’t throw it away, because in July they were banned from landfills, and, of course, the right thing to do is to recycle!  But, how do you recycle electronics?  The city of Greensboro is making it easy with a number where you can schedule a pick up!

Starting December 19, Greensboro and Guilford County residents can call 336-373-2489 to schedule a next day pick up of their old electronics for recycling.  Below is a list of what they will pick up:

• computers
• monitors
• laptops
• televisions
• VCR s
• stereos
• copiers
• fax machines
• microwaves

You can also take your electronics to the Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Center at 2750 Patterson St.

Stunning lake view corner lot in amazing private gated community on recreational Belews lake featuring walking trails, golf cart paths and a lakeside cabana.

Clubhouse and swimming pool under construction. Marina and boat launch next door!

Build your dream home or second home and enjoy the tranquility and fun lake living has to offer! Convenient to shopping, dining and entertainment in both Greensboro and Winston-Salem.

Lot 33 at corner of Crows Nest and Leeward.

No detail was left out of this amazing home created from a beautiful Southern Living floor plan.

The Master Suite on the main level will be your sanctuary with sunrise lighting built into the crown molding.  Enjoy the beautiful stone gas fireplace in the winter, so cozy you won’t want to get out of bed!  The spa  style bathroom has Read more…

A big part of my job is staying informed and informing my clients.  One way I do this is reading lots of blogs and news resources for the latest information in real estate.  I have decided to start sharing important articles I find here on a weekly basis.  At least, those are my good intentions 

• House Prices: Where They Will Be In The Spring
• 10 Ways to Winterize Your Home
• Housing Watchers Pin Hopes On 2015
• Use Incentives to Sell House with Defects
• Demand For IT Workers Grows in NC
• NC Court Hears Key Case on Foreclosure
• When will REO Sales Finally Reach the Peak? What is an REO? Click here.

If you have any articles to share please add them in the comments!  Also, let me know what you think of the articles I have added.  Did you find them useful, informative, surprising?

Have you ever heard the term REO or REO property and wondered what that meant?  I know what you are thinking, “Wasn’t REO a band in the 80′s?”

REO stand for:

Real Estate

Owned

Property

This basically means that a lender owns the home.  You see the phrase REO frequently associated with foreclosures.

If you have any other real estate terms you would like defined leave me a note in the comments and I will address it!

A big part of my job is staying informed and informing my clients.  One way I do this is reading lots of blogs and news resources for the latest information in real estate.  I have decided to start sharing important articles I find here on a weekly basis.  At least, those are my good intentions 

• Third Quarter Housing Report Released
• House Prices to Fall Over the Next Six Months
• Don’t Blame Home Inspectors for Every Surprise Defect

If you have any articles to share please add them in the comments!  Also, let me know what you think of the articles I have added.  Did you find them useful, informative, surprising?

Looking for something fun to do on a fall weekend in NC?  Assuming you have already taken in all the beautiful leaves you can handle, you should check out the Renaissance Festival!   The festival is open this year until November 20th, and is a little over an hours drive from the Triad.

There are lots of great sites, sounds, and smells to take in as you stroll through over 22 acres that is set up like an old village with merchants and street performers, even a camel you can ride!

My son really enjoyed the bird show, where a falcon swoops out over the audience!  He of course could not resist playing with the wooden swords and shields you can find hand made in the marketplace.

By far, the best part of the day is watching one of the well performed jousting tournaments.  The crowd is riled up to cheer for their knight.  Yes, there are good guys and bad guys, and no matter where you are sitting, you will want to cheer!  I suggest you get to the jousting arena 30 minutes early, but first stop at one of the nearby food shops for a snack and a brew to enjoy while you wait.

If you like people watching, this is the place to be!  Many folks are dressed up, and they can really go ALL out!

The Third Quarter Housing Market Report was released today, as prepared by Jud & Associates.  There is a lot of interesting information I will be sharing in a series of blog posts about what is happening in the Guilford County market.

A few take-aways at first glance:

1. Days on Market, or as the report calls it Time on Market, has increased to 127.3 days.  That is up 16.3% from last year at the same time.  It is taking longer to sell a house.

2. Sales are averaging at 93.3% of list price.  So if your home is listed for $200,000 that means it would have sold for around $186,600.

Put those two together and that means: It is going to take longer to sell your house, and it will be selling for less.

What can you do about this?  How can you keep your house from being on the market as long and sell for a higher price?  The best advice I can give is to make sure you are priced right the first time, and re-evaluate pricing on a regular basis (monthly!).  Also, be sure your home is staged, clean, and ready for a buyer to fall in love!  You have to be the shiniest apply in the bunch to get picked!

A big part of my job is staying informed and informing my clients.  One way I do this is reading lots of blogs and news resources for the latest information in real estate.  I have decided to start sharing important articles I find here on a weekly basis.  At least, those are my good intentions 

• How to get more dirt on any house than just what is online!
• Bank of America will no longer buy mortgages from other banks
• Tips to present a stronger mortgage application
• Buying a home a safer bet than buying gold

If you have any articles to share please add them in the comments!  Also, let me know what you think of the articles I have added.  Did you find them useful, informative, surprising?

Finally, you think you have found the house you want to buy.  It is in your price range; it has the fireplace you dreamed of, and it is close to work.  The house looks good, but you aren’t sure what the neighborhood is like.  Do they socialize? Are they fun?  Does everyone keep to themselves?  Ohhhh, do they have a BUNCO group?

Usually, your Realtor isn’t going to know a lot of these things, and some questions are off limits to agents.  For example, we can’t answer the question Read more…

A big part of my job is staying informed and informing my clients.  One way I do this is reading lots of blogs and news resources for the latest information in real estate.  I have decided to start sharing important articles I find here on a weekly basis.  At least, those are my good intentions 

A Look at the Growing “Work from Home” Phenomenon

Top 10 Cities for Retirement

Homeowners Take Trash from Foreclosure, deposit at Bank of America

Who Pays for Damages in HOA?

Staged-to-Sell, But is it Priced-to -Sell

Selling? Waiting Until the Spring Makes No Sense

Fixed-rate Mortgages Lowest on Record

The Vicious Cycle of Foreclosures

If you have any articles to share please add them in the comments!  Also, let me know what you think of the articles I have added.  Did you find them useful, informative, surprising?

There are so many expenses when you buy a home.  Some of those things are optional, such as: home inspection, radon test, lead based paint test, well and septic tests, and surveys.  So, how do you decide what to do when something is “optional?”  Today I want to specifically focus on one, the survey.  How do you know if you should get one?

My recommendation is always going to be to get one, period.  You are making way too big of an investment to let $200-$500 stop from you from getting all the information you need about your new home.  Not convinced?  Let me tell you a story… Read more…

One of the best things about North Carolina is we get to enjoy all four seasons!  Fall in North Carolina means beautiful leaves changing colors, great fishing, and oh my, the wine country here is one of our best kept secrets!

You can enjoy the changing of the leaves almost anywhere in NC, but it doesn’t get much better than the Blue Ridge Parkway!  Be sure to take a picnic, and enjoy one of the many trails and scenic views.

One of my sons favorite things to do with his Grandpa is to go fishing. Try one of the many fishing holes in NC.  You can enjoy the leaves while you cast!

Not many folks outside of our great state know that we have over 100 wineries!  There are a lot of great fall events at the wineries, and some beautiful views-yet another great way to see the fall colors.

A big part of my job is staying informed and informing my clients.  One way I do this is reading lots of blogs and news resources for the latest information in real estate.  I have decided to start sharing important articles I find here on a weekly basis.  At least, those are my good intentions

5 Way Appraisals Are Sinking Real Estate Deals

Houses Under Water: The Tide is About to Rise

The Garage Can Help Sell Your Home

Energy Tax Credit Facts

If you have any articles to share please add them in the comments!  Also, let me know what you think of the articles I have added.  Did you find them useful, informative, surprising?

There have been several articles recently stating the luxury marketing is starting to come back.  Let’s look at some stats I gathered from the Triad MLS:

There were 14 sales in the last 6 months between $1,050,000 and $2,950,000.

The previous 6 months there were 9 sales between $1,013,000 and $1,075,000.

The same time frame in 2010 there were 10 sales between $1,100,000 and $1,625,000.

So, the numbers don’t lie…there have been definite improvements in the luxury price point in number of sales and sales price.  This is good news, are you sensing a “BUT” in here?

In 2005 in this same time frame there were 22 sales between $1,001,659 and $5,912.500.

I know, way to be a Debbie Downer Heather.  I only give you this information because I love you my readers.

While we are seeing improvements in the luxury market, I don’t think it is fair to anyone to call it a comeback.  There are a lot of sellers out there in the luxury market that are getting their hopes up.  It is still a very difficult market given the very small pool of buyers in this price range right now.

It has been predicted that we will never see sales the way we did in 2005, so as LL COOL J would say, “Don’t call it a come back.”  Let’s instead call it a very welcome improvement that we hope to see more of!

154 Meadow Bluff, Reidsville  NC

100% USDA financing eligible

Home Warranty included

Special touches throughout this one level home make every day feel special:

Cathedral ceilings

Palladium windows

Rounded walls

Crown molding

Wainscoting

Tray ceilings

Recessed lighting

Lots of hardwood floors

And more!

Privacy means you can enjoy your windows and lots of natural light.

Master bath is your spa like retreat with a double sink vanity, separate shower and jetted tub.

Close to golf course, new grocery store and other conveniences.

Good news…houses are selling.  Bad news…the prices continue to decline.  So, if you listed your house 6 months ago at the price your Realtor recommended at the time, and it hasn’t sold…then you need to reduce, well you should have reduced a while ago, so if you haven’t: Do it!

Why? Well, if prices have continued to fall that means that Read more…

If you have been looking at real estate for a while you have probably noticed some changes.  The North Carolina Offer to Purchase and Contract changed January 1st of this year.  I summed up the changes to the Offer in an earlier blog post.  One of the major changes was the addition of a “due diligence” period.  This is the time the buyer has to check out anything they want to know about their potential home, such as: schools, restrictions, inspections, etc.

These changes meant some changes to Read more…

Absorption rate sounds confusing but is quite a simple formula that gives a lot of information.  Absorption rate is an estimate, based on recent history, of how many months worth of inventory (homes currently for sale) are on the market.  Wait, that did sound confusing.

Let’s use the town of Summerfield as an example.

In the last 6 months 77 Read more…

We all hear about going “green,” especially in our homes.  There are a lot of things that can be done, but many of those things cost money, so what is a greenie to do if they are short on cash?  The city of Greensboro is offering a new program that can help.  Below is the info I received in the City Connections Newsletter.  If you Read more…

Ok… you are shopping for a home and you found a steal.  Maybe it is a foreclosure that has some damage through neglect or vandalism, or an older home that just needs some updating. You’ve heard that now is the perfect time to buy, (you have heard right), and you don’t want to miss out.  Most loans won’t let you buy a home in disrepair, so what is one to do?  Read more…

We all like to take vacation, and Realtors are no exception.  Worried about what might happen to that offer you put in, or what if you get an offer on your home, and your Realtor is away?

This can be handled a couple of different ways.  Sometimes I take my Read more…

I noticed over the past few days I have had a lot of folks visiting my blog looking for local fireworks.  Sadly, I didn’t have a post for 2011.  I decided not to do one this year because I felt the news folks were able to collect more info than me!  So here is the link to info on the local stuff going on today: Fireworks! Happy Fourth of July! Be safe!

My first two posts in this series told you about Linville Caverns, and then our drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Today we move on to our time at Tweetsie Railroad.

Our hotel, a brand new and super cool La Quinta, was only minutes from Tweetsie Railroad, which was nice because there was no rushing out of the hotel to get there early.  We were early enough though to park very close, so no long walk back to the car at the end of the day-score!  The tickets seemed a little pricey, $34 for me and $22 for my son, but hey-it is Read more…

In my last post on enjoying the summer in the North Carolina Mountains, I told you about my trip to Linville Caverns.  This post picks up where we left off, leaving the caverns and heading to the Blue Ridge Parkway.

I firmly believe that every American who comes within 100 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway should go there.  If you want to experience nature, and the way it changes with the season, there just is no better place.  We were on the parkway for about an hour, but you could Read more…

Last week I took my son a short vacation to the North Carolina Mountains to celebrate the end of a great school year.  Our first destination was Linville Caverns.  It is approximately a 3 hour drive with a food stop from the Triad. It is tucked back away from any real city area, so you really do feel like you are deep in the mountains.

There was hardly anyone there with it being the middle of the week, so we got Read more…

8308 Quail Creek, Colfax NC

• 4 bedrooms, 3 and a half baths

• Third floor suite with its own full bath, raised ceilings, large closets, tons of storage, and a reading bench

• Master suite has tray ceiling, hardwood floors, and spa like bath with whirlpool tub

• Eat-in Kitchen has granite countertops with lots of counter space and storage, huge pantry

• New stainless steel appliances

• Upgraded natural cherry cabinets give the kitchen a rich and warm feel

• Hardwoods throughout downstairs

• Formal Dining room

• 9’ ceilings with beautiful crown molding

• Level lot with 1.37 acres

• Large 2 car garage

Reason number two? Property Condition!  Appraisers are becoming more like inspectors than simply appraising the house.

The other side of the equation is some of these sellers are distressed and trying to sell “as-is” – this isn’t passing the appraisal process. Remember a buyer who is getting an FHA loan can’t buy a house with certain conditions present, for example, a broken window.  I had one recently where the lender required a piece of insulation be tacked back into place.

Sellers-Listen to your Realtor® when he or she mentions a needed repair while your home is being listed.  “As-is,” is challenging in today’s market due to new appraisal guidelines. Price and condition are the two most important elements in any market, but condition is becoming more critical to the appraisal process.

Buyers-if you are getting an FHA loan remember that a foreclosure or short sale may be difficult with the condition requirements by FHA.

Read the number one reason real estate contracts are falling through.

The number one reason?  The buyer didn’t qualify for the loan.  This is why I require all buyers to get pre-qualified for a loan before we start looking.  Not only does this keep me from wasting time with a buyer who cant’ close anyway, but it keeps my buyer from getting broken hearted when they think they have found the perfect house and then they can’t qualify!

The mortgage process seems to be different every day, and sometimes the banks are asking for some really strange things, and often at the last minute.  This makes it difficult for everyone.  It is so important to have a great team: great agent, great attorney, and great mortgage officer.

Sellers-don’t feel like this is out of your control.  Make sure your agent is requiring a pre-qualification letter with every offer.  This isn’t a guarantee that the buyer will ultimately be approved for the loan, but sure is a step closer.

And reason #2 will be next post.  Why did I not make you wait for #1?  Because #2 really sticks in my craw.

Comment on this blog post to be entered to win a gift certificate for half off 1 Summer Art Camp at the Center for Visual Arts in downtown Greensboro!

They offer many different things, so there is something for every kid to enjoy!

Looking for other summer camps?  Check out Piedmont Parents Summer Camp Guide!

Recently I got an email from a buyer who purchased a home during the initial First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit asking me some details about repayment of her tax credit.  She is considering selling her home to move into a bigger one, and wanted to know what the implications Read more…

4915 Gold Crest Dr, Oak Ridge NC

Nestled in the very back of this desirable Oak Ridge community sits this beautiful home on over 1.6 acres of mature trees and well-manicured landscaping.

Being the last home on this street gives extra privacy and beautiful views of the animals as they frolic in the large yard.

Inside you will find well thought out livable and inviting spaces including a large two story Living Room and Dining Room with views of the large windows in the sunroom.

The kitchen is open with a keeping room and large breakfast room also full of windows.

Outside there are two workshops currently used as an artist gallery and workshop that could have endless uses for fun or storage!

Offered for $358,000

Below is my press release that is going out this week!

LOCAL REALTOR^® ACHIEVES NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS^® GREEN DESIGNATION

Greensboro, NC – Heather DeDona with Allen Tate has been awarded the National Association of REALTORS^®’ [NAR’s] Green Designation, the only green real estate professional designation recognized by NAR.

DeDona achieved this prestigious designation after completing 18 hours of course work designed specifically for REALTORS^®.  The courses were created in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team of industry experts from across the country; ensuring designees gain comprehensive knowledge of green homes and buildings and issues of sustainability in relation to real estate.

More specifically, DeDona was trained in understanding what makes a property green, helping clients evaluate the cost/benefits of green building features and practices, distinguishing between industry rating and classification systems, listing and marketing green homes and buildings, discussing the financial grants and incentives available to homeowners, and helping consumers see a property’s green potential.

“Living green is about making healthy choices that are also easy on your wallet. NAR Green Designees have the necessary resources & relationships to effectively work with you on your next green project.” said Al Medina, Director of NAR’s Green Designation.  NAR’s Green Designation was developed in response to growing consumer awareness of the benefits of resource-efficient homes and buildings. The designation helps consumers who care about energy efficiency and sustainable building practices identify REALTORS^® who can help them realize their green real estate and lifestyle goals.

As an NAR Green Designee DeDona has gained the knowledge and the tools necessary to become a trusted green resource for Greensboro. For more information about Heather DeDona, please visit www.TheTriadAgent.com or e-mail Heather@TheTriadAgent.com

For more information about NAR’s Green Designation, visit www.greenresourcecouncil.org

Ask someone if they have a GREEN tip, and you’d be surprised at what you might learn.  There are so many small things, and big things that we can all do to reduce our footprint.

I’d like to start posting GREEN tips, so if you have one please share it!  Or, if you have a GREEN questions, let me know and I will find the answer!

A recent GREEN tip I learned: putting felt around the inside of your outlets (on exterior walls).  Do you know what that does?

You are at the attorney’s office, you just signed a bunch of paperwork promising to pay your mortgage.  So, why aren’t you getting the keys?

Quite simply, the house isn’t yours…yet.  When you go to the attorney’s office and do all the paperwork that is called “settlement.”  The house isn’t your until “closing.”  Closing is when the attorney goes to the county courthouse and records the deed, at that point the house becomes yours and you can then get your keys.

Usually the attorney will record within a couple of hours of settlement. So you need to consider this when scheduling closing.  If you are planning on moving into your house over the weekend and settlement is scheduled for 4pm on Friday the attorney likely will not record until Monday, meaning you can’t move in over the weekend because the house isn’t yours!

Whew!  It has been a busy few weeks here in the Triad for real estate.  Things are really heating up!  More and more of my clients, both buyers and sellers, are DOWNSIZING.  People no longer want an upstairs that they don’t use because the kids have gone off to college, and they hate going up and down the stairs.  Folks don’t want to heat and cool those unused spaces, because, hey, it is getting expensive!

Is it really downsizing?  I guess so, but I would call it RIGHTSIZING.  People are looking for homes that are going to meet their needs and wants, instead of a home that is a status symbol, or that has a bunch of rooms they don’t need or use.

What if you don’t fall into that category, or what if you need those extra rooms?  Good news!  As more people downsize that means there are more people willing to sell their bigger homes at likely a lower price so they can move on.  You get the big house you need and they get to move into a home that is better suited for them.  It is a win win!

New listing alert!  Offered at $535,000

Amazing Kitchen with built in gas stove, stainless steel appliances, and granite counter tops.  Great breakfast room and a keeping room!

Luxury throughout this home, including tray ceiling and spa style bathroom in the master suite on the main level.  There is also a guest bedroom on the main level!

Fantastic in law suite has its own private entrance and garage, private full bath and kitchenette, which is sure to give everyone the space they need.  Outside: luxurious living with a fantastic large stamped concrete patio with speakers wired for outside and the main level.

Two fireplaces to cozy up to in the winter months!  Beautiful hardwoods cover the majority of the main level.  Fantastic storage, including walk in attic space.

4 bedrooms and large bonus has many uses!

I love to hear new ways to go GREEN, and if it save me GREEN (benjamins, cheddar, dollar bills y’all) even better.  The below came to my inbox straight from the city of Greensboro and I wanted to make sure you were aware of this program:

The City has launched a program to assist residential and commercial property owners in making energy efficient upgrades to their homes and businesses. The Early Adopters Program is an element of a $5 million BetterBuildings grant awarded to the City by the Department of Energy.

To participate in the program, property owners must first have an energy assessment of their building conducted by a BPI or RESNET certified professional. Once completed, owners must submit a copy of the assessment along with an Early Adopters application to the City for approval. If approved, the City will rebate 50 percent of the cost of the assessment, up to $150 for single-family homes.

After the assessment rebate is approved, recommended energy upgrades should be completed by a contractor. If enough improvements are made to make a building 15 percent more energy efficient, the City will then rebate 20 percent of the total cost of the home improvements, up to $4,000 for single-family homes. Rebate amounts for other types of buildings, including multi-family and commercial properties, are also available.

More information about the program can be found online.

I’d love to hear from some of you who are taking advantage of this program!

The below was distributed to Guilford County Employees in an email:

At tonight’s meeting, the Board of Education approved a new multi-tier bus schedule for the 2011-12 school year. This means that some students will ride the bus at different times and that the start and end times for the school day will be different at some schools next year. The purpose of the changes is to reduce transportation operating costs and increase efficiency.

These changes will not affect all schools in the same way. For most schools, the schedule will change by five to 15 minutes. For a few schools, the change is 25-30 minutes. Please visit http://www.gcsnc.com/transportation/pdf/Multi-Tier2a.pdf to view the bus route times and bell schedule for each school. In short, the schedule for the instructional day at traditional schools for 2011-12 will be as follows:

Elementary:                               7:45 a.m. – 2:25 p.m.

Middle (5 schools):                    8:10 a.m. – 3:05 p.m.

Middle (13 schools)/High:          8:55 a.m. – 3:50 p.m.

Allen, Guilford, Jackson, Kiser and Mendenhall middle schools will be in the second tier from 8:10 a.m. – 3:05 p.m. Aycock, Eastern, Ferndale, Hairston, Jamestown, Kernodle, Northeast, Northern, Northwest, Southeast, Southern, Southwest and Welborn middle schools will be in the third tier from 8:55 a.m. – 3:50 p.m.

The potential savings from using the new multi-tier schedule for all traditional schools is estimated between $706,000 and $1.3 million, and the Transportation Department will be able to remove about 23 to 43 buses from service and increase the district’s efficiency rating by 3.2 to 5 percent.

As we have said previously, these changes will not cause any of our Transportation employees to lose jobs, as the reductions will be absorbed through attrition. However, there may be some shifts in positions and routes. Our transportation employees work hard each and every day to drive our students to and from school safely, and we appreciate their efforts.

This is part 4 in a 4 part series on avoiding foreclosure by guest blogger Damon Duncan of Duncan Law, PLLC. Check out the first post on avoiding foreclosure too.

Bankruptcy

When a property has been on the market for a while and there have been no offers, bankruptcy may be a good option for the seller. This is usually the best option when the seller Read more…

This is part 3 in a 4 part series on avoiding foreclosure by guest blogger Damon Duncan of Duncan Law, PLLC. Check out the first post on avoiding foreclosure too.

Short Sale

A short sale is an option given by banks when there is no equity in property or when payments are in default. This option has been popular in today’s economy because most properties are “upside-down” with no equity. When a mortgage company agrees to a short sale, the bank is agreeing to allow the seller to sell the property even if the price is below what is owed on the mortgage.

Short sales can be attractive to both sellers and the mortgage company because they usually result in faster sales. Buyers appreciate short sales because they are often getting a house for below tax value, simply because the seller is trying to get the house off of their hands and sell it as quickly as possible.

One of the down sides of a short sale, however, is the seller could still be responsible for any deficiency balance on the property after the sale.

If you’re lucky, the mortgage company could decide to write off the deficiency balance and the seller will not be responsible for the balance. Again, through 2012, you cannot be taxed on the amount written off as long as it was on your primary residence. After 2012, unless the Act is renewed, you will be taxed on the written off amount as gross income.

If you’re not so lucky, the mortgage company may try to collect the deficiency balance. This puts many people in a position where they still have to file bankruptcy after a short sale because they cannot come up with the money to satisfy the deficiency balance.

Duncan Law, PLLC is a bankruptcy law firm located in Charlotte, NC and Greensboro, NC. To learn more information on bankruptcy or to set up a free, no strings attached consultation, visit us at http://www.DuncanLawOnline.com

This is part 2 in a 4 part series on avoiding foreclosure by guest blogger Damon Duncan of Duncan Law, PLLC. Check out the first post on avoiding foreclosure too.

Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure

A deed in lieu of foreclosure is an option available to individuals who are having difficulty selling their property but who are trying to avoid a short sale or foreclosure. This is usually the best option for someone who is not upside-down on their property – in other words, when the value of the property is the same or even above what is owed on the property.

When a deed in lieu of foreclosure takes place, Read more…

As bankruptcy lawyers in Greensboro, NC, we have seen first-hand the effects of the ongoing problems with the real estate market. While we all hope the market will begin improving any day now, until it does, many folks are upside-down on their house. Combine the high unemployment rate with the poor real estate market, and the situation does not look good for many families. This unfortunate financial situation has left many Triad residents wondering how they can avoid foreclosure.  Read more…

Source: Triad MLS, Pending, Pending AB,  for the dates of  3.1.11 to 3.11.11

I am sure you have heard that Spring is the hot season for real estate.  We are definitely seeing things warming up, and not just outside!

It is no surprise that the less than 150K price point is still dominating the market as we continue to see investors taking advantage of the low prices and low interest rates.

What is surprising, and pleasing to see, is how homes in the 300K+ price range are starting to move again. This price point has been stagnant, but so far in March it makes up 13% of homes under contract….that is a move in the right direction.

Interested in getting information specific to your area?  Email me to sign up for your personalized market report.

I got the below in an email from one of my mortgage partners, Kelly Krantz, she can be reached at 336-398-5249.

Effective with case numbers ordered on or after April 18, 2011 (case numbers are ordered when the appraisal is ordered), the monthly MIP (Mortgage Insurance Premium) will increase (the upfront MIP will remain the same at 1% of base loan amount).

Here is an example of the monthly payment increase using a base loan amt of $150,000:

Current - $150,000 x .90% = $1350  divided by 12 = $112.50 per month

After Increase – $150,000 x 1.15% = $1725 divided by 12 = $143.75 per month

That is an increase in your monthly payment of $31.25.

In general, the costs of obtaining financing are expected to go up anyway, even for conventional financing.  What’s being discussed now is whether loans with less than 20% down will be subject to additional fees and rate adjusters.  We know that rates are low and that homes are affordable.  The fact that financing is getting more expensive is yet another reason for would be buyers to take action!

Now that we know there are some nice long-term tax benefits to homeownership, let’s talk about the short-term benefits.

Generally speaking, taxpayers are allowed to deduct the real estate taxes, mortgage interest, origination fees (or points) and private mortgage insurance (PMI) paid for your primary residence.  These deductions, combined with other expenses you incur during the year, are used to reduce your taxable income for that year. These other expenses include Read more…

As we are in the middle of tax season and starting the peak home buying time, I thought now is a good time to discuss the tax benefits of home ownership.

There are long-term benefits. And there are short-term benefits.

For today, let’s discuss the long-term benefits. For most people, when you sell your home you are allowed to exclude Read more…

I came across this question on the new site Quora that is getting a lot of buzz in the Social Media community.  It took a few tries for me to figure out how I could utilize Quora, but now I love it.  Below is my response to the above question which I was able to post to my Facebook profile and got a lot of great comments.  One was from an interior designer friend of mine, Mary Elizabeth Beal who gave some great insight and options!

My Quora answer:

That depends on several factors. The biggest of those being is that the only thing “wrong” with the home you are trying to sell? Is everything else is good: solid surface countertops, updated appliances, new flooring, fresh paint, updated fixtures, professional staging, landscaping?

The other factor is what is the norm for the neighborhood? Have most homeowners converted to smooth ceilings? If so, you need to do it. You need to check out you competition- do they have smooth ceilings? Then you need them too. If they do not have smooth ceilings that may be the one thing that really gives you an edge.

In this market every detail is important, but you may need to focus on some other items first and then see if your budget will allow for smooth ceilings.

Facebook comments:

In my last blog post, “Buyers, did you know my services are FREE?” I explained what I can do for you as a buyer’s agent that doesn’t cost you anything.

So, how does that work?  Nobody works for free, right?  Right!  I don’t actually work for free, that would be nuts.  I do get paid, just not by the buyer.

In NC the seller pays a total commission to the listing agent (the agent representing the seller).  The listing agent then splits that commission with the buyer’s agent (the agent representing the buyer).

“Whoa, that is a lot of money!” you say.  Hold your horses…the agents then have to split that with their firm, and then take out all of their personal business expenses.

So, if you are buying real estate in NC be sure to engage a buyers agent, after all it is FREE!

There is no such thing as a free lunch, but you can get a free Realtor(r)!

I recently took a call from a gentleman who was looking at investment property.  He wan’t calling on my listing but found me online and wanted to ask how much a house was listed for that he drove by earlier.  I gave him the information and asked if he was working with an agent.

He hesitantly said Read more…

These are difficult times for many.  Are you having trouble paying your mortgage?  Have you heard of  loan modification but you weren’t sure what to do?  There is a fantastic article by Duncan Law titled What Steps Do I Take to Obtain a Loan Modification.

Be looking for future guest blog posts from Duncan Law right here on this site.  if you have any specific questions, post them in the comments, and I will get the answers for you, or it may be our next blog post!

The winner of two VIP tickets to the Circus at the Greensboro Coliseum is Brittney Bray!  Congratulations!

If you didn’t win this time, check back-I love to do give aways!

You’re curious, “What did that house down the street sell for?  It seemed like it was on the market for a long time.”   That house is a lot like yours, “And how about that foreclosure?  I wonder what they sold it for.  I saw the Smith’s house go up for sale.  I wonder what they are asking for it.”

As a home owner it is important to know what is going on in your community and surrounding area.  You need to stay on top of Read more…

The circus is coming back to Greensboro!  What could be better than 2 VIP tickets and a free parking pass?

“So, how do I win?”  You ask…

1. Comment on this blog (any blog post)

2. Tweet about it and include my twitter handle @heatherdedona and link to this blog post

3.Post on my facebook fan page:http://www.facebook.com/TheTriadAgent

Each of the above will count as a seperate entry and you can enter as many times as you like!

Particulars: Tickets are for 2/10 at 10:40am.  Winner will be announced 2/9 at 9am.

You think it is cold outside?  Try walking around inside a vacant home, particularly a foreclosure where the electricity is likely to be turned off completely.

I was showing a foreclosure the other day and we all noted a measurable difference between the inside of the house and outside.  We in fact sought refuge from the cold OUTSIDE so I could answer their questions about the home.

Buyers: If you are going to be looking at homes in the winter, particularly vacant and foreclosed homes, be prepared with coats, scarves, and gloves.  This way you can enjoy looking at the home and not rush through the house so you can get back in a toasty warm car.

Sellers: If you have a vacant home keep the heat on low, but keep it on.  You want buyers to stay in your house as long as possible!

Congratulations to Chantelle Grady for winning two VIP tickets!

Thanks to those who entered!

If you didn’t win, be watching this site for another ticket give away coming soon!

Up for grabs: 2 VIP tickets to the Championship Short Dance in Greensboro on Friday at 3:00pm.

How to enter:

1. Comment on this blog (any blog post)

2. Tweet about it and include my twitter handle @heatherdedona and link to this blog post

3.Post on my facebook fan page: http://www.facebook.com/TheTriadAgent

Each of the above will count as a seperate entry and you can enter as many times as you like!  Winner announced tomorrow at 9am.

I have two listings that are offering brand new flat screen tv’s with the purchase of the home to close by 3/31/11!

2609 Kings Mill for sale in Greensboro NC

Move-in ready! New paint, carpet, vinyl, fixtures & more. Refrigerator included! Enjoy the sidewalk, w/in mins of the pool and pond. Large great room with vaulted ceilings and skylights in addition to the living room. 4th bedroom could be used as a large bonus with 2 closets and more storage. Additional storage building included! Beautiful lot with mature trees.  Pool included in HOA dues!

3634 2B Morris Farm for sale in Greensboro NC

Seller offering $1000 in closing cost with acceptable offer! Priced below tax value! Fridge, washer and dryer included to save you money! Low electric and gas bills save you even more! Paint & carpet 3 yrs old. Look New! Wooded, private view from deck.  Beautiful fireplace with gas logs.  Lots of storage! Second Level! Great Deal in River View!! Convenient to great shopping, restaurants, and transportation around the Triad.

In a recent conversation with Allen Tate Insurance agent Mike Oelz I asked him about insurance on older homes.  Here is what he said:

All standard market insurance companies will write homeowner’s insurance on older homes as long as the major systems (roof, heating/air, plumbing and electrical systems) have been updated in the past 19 years. If they have not been updated within that time period the insurance company will give the policy holder 60 calendar days to get them (the major systems previously mentioned) updated. This is pretty much the rule across the board. I have seen some companies require updates if the home is 15 years old but most are consistent with the 19 year rule. Also, insurance companies consider the year that the foundation was laid as the year of construction.

Thanks for the great information Mike!

I recently had a client ask me: “How do we get in to see that house?”  It reminded me that Real Estate can be so confusing, so how do you get in to see that house?

You drive by a house with a sign in the yard that catches your eye, or you find it on the internet.  Does this inside look as good as the outside?  You can do a couple of things at this point:

If you are NOT currently working with an agent and don’t know one to contact

Call the number on the sign and ask for a showing, but keep in mind Read more…

I am grateful there are people in this world who are braver than me, smarter than me, and stronger than me…people who will not only talk about injustice and what is right, but will in fact take action.  I am grateful for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

You can find local events for Martin Luther King Jr.’s holiday on the event calendar at the News and Record.

2010 was a great year for the Triad Agent Blog and I want to make sure 2011 is even better.

So, I need some feedback folks.  What are your burning real estate questions?  Is there a specific neighborhood or city you want some stats on?  Is there a local venue you’d like me to cover?  Leave a comment and I promise I will address it!

My industry is a service industry and I pride myself on giving excellent service.  The same is true of this blog, so go ahead rant a little, tell me what you need to hear.

I’m listening!

Source: Triad MLS, Pending, Pending AB,  for the dates of  1.1.11 to 1.8.11

As I have said in another post everyone in my office has been busy this first week of 2011.  These number seem to reflect that, a whopping 157 homes went under contract the first week of January 2011!

Almost half of those homes that went under contract were less than 100K, so a lot of these purchases are likely to be investment properties.

The toughest market continues to be the luxury market with just 9 homes over 300K under contract.

We are only few days into the New Year and I am already putting in two offers!  That is a great way to start the New Year!

I have also been in the office quite a bit and in speaking with other agents they are seeing the same trend: things are getting busy again!  There seem to be more showings on listing, more serious buyers wanting to go look and most want to put in an offer as soon as possible.

So, since the market is supposed to be so “bad” how is it that it seems to feel so good?

I think a major factor is the rising interest rates, which really impacts a buyers bottom line and monthly payment.  Rates have slowly been going up the past few weeks so buyers are getting serious about finding something so they can lock in these low rates.

It will be interesting to see what the typically busy spring will be like, especially if rates have continued to rise.  I am forever an optimist so I think this year is going to surprise all of us and be great!

Last Sunday I took my son to the Reynolda House in Winston Salem to see the play: “A Christmas Memory.”  It was our first time visiting the Historic Home turned Museum and my son marveled at how beautiful everything was.  Even thought the home is situated right in Winston Salem it is tucked away behind lush trees and a winding driveway.

I had never seen the play, “A Christmas Memory,” by Truman Capote, and was not sure what to expect.  The theatre is a small intimate setting with stadium seating so every seat in the house is a good one.  It is a one woman play starring Robin Voiers who immediately engages the audience and has us cheering for her, hoping for her, and crying for her.

If your family is from the south, you are likely to be reminded of your old Aunt what’s her name, or Grandma, and get wrapped up in your own Christmas memories.  That’s what happened to me.  I immediately recognized the main character as my Aunt Kitty who we lost at Christmas last year.  Fiery, unconventional, trouble making, sweet, thoughtful, kind, joyfull, all of the wonderful things you can find in my Aunt and in Voiers performance.

I look forward to going to other events at Reynolda House.  I will be going back next year for “A Christmas Memory” and bringing friends.

So, you have been kicking around the idea of selling your house, and you have finally decided that you will list in the Spring.  A lot of people do that, which means, well, a lot of competition.  Spring is traditionally the busiest time for real estate, so you may get more showings, but you will be up against a lot more competitors.

How do you get the edge?  You start preparing NOW!  Don’t wait until you make the phone call to the Realtor to start cleaning or thinking of painting that scuffed up wall.  Do it now!

CLEAN-Your house needs to be spotless, every nook and cranny

UPDATE-anything you can afford to do: door knobs and hinges, light fixtures, appliances, countertops, etc.

PAINT-scuffed walls are dirty walls and not appealing, a coat of paint is cheap and goes a long way

CURB APPEAL-get your yard ready and plan spring planting-a beautiful yard draws everyone’s eye

FIX PROBLEMS-If you know your toilet runs-fix it now!

Spring will come faster than you know it, and you want to be ready, so instead of stressing out later, make a plan now and start to implement it.  It isn’t too early to interview Realtors and select one, although don’t expect them to be able to give you a sales range for Spring-that isn’t possible.  A Realtor can begin helping you now with their critical professional eye so that when you are ready for the sign in the yard you really WILL be ready.

A “White Christmas” may be more of a dream than a reality here in North Carolina. But as Father Time slowly takes his final lap of 2010, his good friend Old Man Winter is just beginning his run. And the freezing rain, sleet, and snow that he leaves behind can make driving even more of a challenge during the holiday season.

Recently, Seattle — a city known for rain, not snow! — was brought to a standstill by just over two inches of the white stuff. And you may remember the winter storm of 1989 that brought a White Christmas to cities like Pensacola and Jacksonville. That same storm buried Wilmington, North Carolina and the rest of Southeastern North Carolina under 15 inches of snow! And though even small amounts of snowfall are rare in this area, adhering to a few simple rules of the road when they do occur will help make your holiday travel less hazardous.

• Stay Home! Sometimes it simply best to just stay home, or at least remain where you are until snow plows or sanding crews have done their work.
• Slow Down, You Drive Too Fast! Driving too fast is the number one winter driving error. Slippery roads make every mistake happen faster and more dramatically. Everything takes longer on snow-covered roads. Accelerating, stopping, turning — nothing happens as quickly as it does on dry pavement. Give yourself time to maneuver. Take it slow.
• Accelerate S-L-O-W-L-Y… Applying the gas pedal slowly is the best way to regain traction, accelerate, and avoiding skidding. Don’t try to get moving in a hurry. Take your time.
• Brake Gently. Braking should be done early and gently. But don’t stop completely if you can avoid it. If you can slow down enough to keep rolling until a traffic light changes, do it. There’s a big difference in the amount of inertia it takes to start moving from a full stop versus how much it takes to get moving while still rolling. Take it easy.
• Too Much Steering Is Bad! If a slick road causes your front tires to lose their grip while turning, the common — but incorrect — reaction is to continue turning the steering wheel. That won’t ever improve the situation and could make things even worse. If the icy condition ends and the front tires do regain traction, your car will dart in whichever direction the wheels are pointed. That may be into oncoming traffic or a telephone pole. Something very similar happens if you steer too much while braking with an anti-lock braking system (ABS). Unfortunately, there are situations where nothing you do will prevent a crash. But turning the steering wheel too much never helps.
• Technology Offers No Miracles On 34th Street! All-wheel drive (AWD) and electronic stability control (ESC) can get you into trouble by offering a false sense of security. AWD only can help a vehicle accelerate or keep moving: It cannot help you go around a snow-covered turn, much less stop at an icy intersection. And although ESC can prevent a spinout, it can’t clear ice from the roads or give your tires more traction. Don’t let these newfangled devices lull you into overestimating available traction.

Driving slow and steady like the tortoise may seem torturous, but it won’t be as hair-raising as driving like a hare. And it will get you and loved ones to your destination safely and soundly. White Christmas or not, enjoy safe and happy holiday travels.

Katy Ringeman is a 2nd generation Nationwide Insurance agent. The Ringeman Insurance Agency was opened in 2005 in Winston-Salem, NC and has expanded to include 2 locations in Kernersville. She lives in the Triad with her husband Tim, their St. Bernard, Daisy and will welcome their first child early next year. When she’s not busy catering to her clients, you can find her coaching new runners with Fleet Feet, helping oversee volunteers with the WS Junior League as well as various other charitable organizations.  For more information, visit www.RingAroundLife.com or by email at Ringemm1@nationwide.com

Clients ask all the time if it is OK to decorate their house for the holidays if it is on the market.  It is not an easy question to answer.  I personally think family memories are extremely important and for many of us the house being decorated a certain way is part of those memories.

So, what should you do?  My personal opinion is: that all depends.

Is your decorating over the top? Tone it down then, maybe don’t put out every single snowman in your 200 snowman collection.

Does your Christmas Tree make your living room feel too small? Try another place or even a smaller tree for this year.

Presents under the tree? Not too many…remember people are coming into your home that are strangers to you.  Be safe and only put out a couple of small ones.

All in all, I think decorating is just fine as long as it is done tastefully and doesn’t overwhelm the space.  You may even consider hiring a decorator who can weed through what you have and put out the pieces that are most important to you while making your space look great!

When I go on a listing appointment to list a house one of the key things I go over is my marketing strategy.  It is important for the potential seller to know and understand what I do to get a home sold, which is much more than just sticking a sign in their front yard… but it is also extremely important that they know what I DO NOT do.

For example: I do not do print advertising.  If a seller thinks it is important to see their house in the paper, than they probably shouldn’t list with me because that is not at all part of my strategy.  That is why it is so important for things to be explained up front.  I tell the seller up front and they don’t ever expect to see their house in the paper, so we are all OK.

It is also important for you, when hiring an agent, to let them know what you expect.  I recently had a seller that expected signs from the main road directing people to their home.  We had never discussed it and when he brought it up I had to explain that it was illegal to do that in Greensboro (unless it is an Open House sign Friday-Sunday).

While no agent could have filled this particular expectation due to the legality involved, there are things that some agents do that others don’t.  Do you NOT want an Open House?  You need to make sure that isn’t your agent’s strategy, because for some of them it is!  Do you want a link to your house that you can send out to everyone on Facebook?  You better make sure your agent can do that then (I do by the way!).

Expectations are important and should be communicated from both parties!

We’re all finding new ways to cut corners and save money these days.  I am a couponer and a penny pincher myself, so I love to hear of  new ways my friends have saved money or found great deals, especially for their homes.

Your house is an investment that you really shouldn’t neglect-that is why I send out a monthly email on home maintenance tips, because it is so important to maintain all the components of your home.  Aren’t signed up for the newsletter?  Do it now: Sign Me Up!

So, what is your secret?  What have you done around your home to decorate, freshen it up, maintain, etc. on the cheap?  One of my clients spray painted a light fixture with a flat nickel spray paint to cover up the out dated brass, and it looked fantastic.  The cost: $5 for a can of spray!

Me and my sister, Lara Taylor, Thanksgiving 1978

I am thankful for amazing family and friends, but this year I am giving a special shout out to my sister who has given me amazing support and encouragement as my business has grown.  She is not only my sister, my mentor, but my dear friend.  I would be remiss not to mention my husband and son that make my world go around.  I love you guys so very much!

Beginning January 1st there will be major changes to the NC OTPAC (Offer to Purchase and Contract) for Real Estate.  One of the best changes will be the improved organization of information.

1. All the defined terms are grouped together at the beginning of the contract

2. The more buyer specific paragraphs are together (paragraphs 4,5, and 6)

3.The more seller specific paragraphs are also grouped (paragraphs 7 & 8 )

4. There are a few other minor changes such as indicating how long the seller has owned the home (due to anti flipping requirements)

5. “Due Diligence” period (see below)

You may hear a lot of agents refer to this new contract as a “Due Diligence contract.”  Basically the buyer will have a negotiated time period for a negotiated fee (which can be $0) to do all of the inspections and discovery of information they wish to do.  In the previous or current contract there were several dates to keep up with and inspections were completely separate with multiple choices in how to agree to inspections.

One big complaint sellers had with the previous or current contract is the buyer had too many ways to get out of the contract with no “skin in the game.”  This revised contract changes that.  I have also heard agents refer to this new contract as “Poop or get off the pot.”  I’m just passing along what I heard here people.

Real estate is constantly changing, but this is a significant one for our state.  Be sure to seek out the professional advice of a Realtor on how to navigate this new contract.

Are you moving and need boxes?  I can remember getting banana boxes from a local grocer the last time we moved, and my stuff smelled for weeks!

We’ve all seen a pile of cardboard boxes that we hope are headed to the recycling bin sitting outside of the new neighbors house, right?

ZippGo has come up with a great solution, and a GREEN solution!  They will deliver plastic bins for you to rent during your move, and they will pick them up when you are done!

Here is a blurb from the site on how they are helping the environment: “Our green moving boxes can be used approximately 400 times before we recycle them, so each box saves 400 cardboard boxes from being used over its lifetime. This means each ZippGo box, after 400 uses, saves approximately 4 trees from being cut.”

Their locations are limited right now, but I hope this is an idea that will catch on!

I should start off by saying I am very excited about the holidays!  There is so much offered in our area, especially for children and much of it is FREE!

My family attended Christmas at the Carolina last year at Carolina Theatre and had a blast.  This year they are showing Polar Express (one of my favorite Christmas movies!) and yes folks, it is free!

Her is the blurb from their website:

Calling all kiddos! Enjoy the FREE movie, snack on a FREE soft drink & box of popcorn, visit with Santa & Mrs. Claus, sing-along with the historic pipe organ, PLUS have a chance to win a new bicycle!

My family will be there, so if you see us be sure to say hi!

I took a client to see a beautiful home that was priced at right around $700,000.  The house had a great layout and was beautifully landscaped and decorated.  The buyer was not interested.

What was the problem?  The buyer couldn’t see the house because there was too much stuff in the way.  Granted there may have been other factors, but the buyer repeatedly mentioned how distracting all the “stuff” was and that it made the house feel small.

I am not talking about a bunch of junk piled up, that is a whole other blog post, I am talking about tchotchkes, plates hanging on the wall, statues, every inch of the house was covered.  I am sure the home owner loved this stuff and enjoyed living with it, and  it was actually really well decorated, but there was so much that it detracted from the buyers view of the home.

So, I have a word of advice for buyers and sellers.

Buyers: remember you are not buying the stuff in the house, so try to focus on room sizes and layout, not how much you love that cool painting over the fireplace.

Sellers: You want buyers to notice the fireplace, not the cool painting over it.  The best idea is to have a stager come in and stage your home using your current items.  You must be willing to pack some stuff away.  If you are serious about selling, which you better be in this market, you need to take the way your home looks to a buyer seriously.

Daylight Savings ends this weekend, so on Saturday before you go to bed be sure to change your clocks back an hour.  Yeah!  One more hour of sleep!

This is also a good time to change your batteries in your smoke detectors.

You have heard all of the hoopla about how low interest rates are, and how this is the best time to buy ,so you finally decide maybe you can and you should.  So, now what in the world do you do?

I could say, “Find a great Realtor!”  Wink wink, nod nod….but instead I will tell you what I tell all potential buyers that contact me.   Read more…

On Nov 6th from 9-3:30 (with a break from 2-2:30) you can get a great deal on used books at the Greensboro Central Library.  The sale benefits the non profit group Friends of the Greensboro Public Library.

While you are there be sure to check out all the library has to offer.  You might be surprised at what you find!

Do you have some books to get rid of?  Consider donating them to this sale!

We all know that an overwhelming amount of American’s are facing foreclosure.  If you are facing foreclosure in North Carolina there may be help.

Please check out this site: http://www.ncforeclosureprevention.gov/

This is a quote from the site: Read more…

Let’s not kid ourselves.. it’s a tough market out there right now.  Houses aren’t selling as quickly and jobs are hard to come by.  But, what if you just landed a great new position and now your house is up for sale because you’ve gotten a new job in a new city?  There was a time (not so long ago) where companies would Read more…

The NCDOT is going to be holding two open houses to discuss the remaining western and eastern legs of the Greensboro Urban Loop.

The discussion of the eastern loop will take place Monday, October 18th from 4:30-6:30 pm at Northeast Guilford High School.

The discussion of the western loop will take place on Monday, October 25th from 4:30-6:30 at the Bur-Mil Park clubhouse.

Formal public hearings will be held after each meeting at 7pm, so you might want to bring some take out because it is going to be a long night.

Wondering if your property may be impacted by the Greensboro Urban Loop?  Use the interactive mapping tool to find out.  You can also view a map of the entire loop.

I received an email from the Senior VP of Allen Tate, Phyllis Brookshire that spells out some details, and I am sharing it with you below:

PNC, Litton Loan Services, GMAC, JP Morgan Chase, and Bank of America have suspended Read more…

I have been letting all of my friends know about the unbelievable interest rates on 30 year mortgages (less then 4% as of this past Friday), so if they were Read more…

I regularly read Steve Harney’s Blog, he is a real estate information guru and really seems to get this crazy market that we are in.  In one of his recent reports he says some very important things about pricing that everyone needs to hear!

According to Steve: Read more…

Duke Energy is giving away free CFL bulbs in an effort to get customers to convert to the new long lasting, energy efficient bulbs.

If you call 1-800-943-7585 and press option one (information about CFL’s) they will mail you a package of CFL’s.  I qualified for 12, and a friend of mine qualified for 15, not sure how that is calculated.

You do need your account number or your phone number and the last four numbers of your social.

I love free stuff, especially when it is GREEN!

Finally, we have broken out of the 90 degree temperatures and ushered in fall with our arms wide open to the cool morning air.  Doesn’t it feel good when the seasons are changing?  One of the best things about living in NC are getting to see the vibrant fall colors from flaming red to warm yellow, they all make for a beautiful view and a worthy day or weekend trip.

Visitnc.com has a great fall color report that gives a weekly update on the ever changing leaves.  You can also go here and click on Fall Color Forecaster Map for an interactive experience for when the leaves are at their best and in what locations in NC.

If you can get to the Blue Ridge Parkway you are in for an experience to remember.  The leaves are beautiful there and the skyline is unblemished by signs, all you see if majestic nature and others enjoying it.

If you are going to take the trek to the NC mountains you should also consider taking in one of the local orchards.  We went to one a few years ago and walked the orchard, picked apples, and had a hay ride.  I am looking forward to going again soon.  If you know of a particular orchard that you recommend, how about mentioning it in the comments?

I’d love to see your pictures of the fall leaves.  Send them to heather@thetriadagent.com and I’ll post them on a My Fun Triad future blog post.

Photograph by Kris Kleinhenz

I love to have fun with friends, but is especially nice when it is for a good cause!  On Tuesday night I attended Gridiron Girls at Proehlific Park with a group of my girlfriends (The TweetBroads) which benefited The P.O.W.E.R. of play, an organization that serves Read more…

This is totally off topic for real estate, but I was so thrilled about this I wanted to share!

I was at a networking luncheon with a group of people I really respect when someone brought up something about her dream board.  I arched an eyebrow and turned to her and said, Read more…

One of the best things about living in the Piedmont is we have the best of both worlds.   We are just about three and half hours form the beach and less than that to the mountains!  For folks who like to travel on the weekends it doesn’t get much better than living right here!

I was fortunate enough to get to the beach twice this summer and I tell you I have never seen the water more blue!  The beaches are clean and have a great breeze that keeps you comfortable under the shade of an umbrella.

Are you planning to go the mountains this fall?  The leaves will be beautiful!  Send us your pictures!

My Fun Triad is a weekly feature on The Triad Agent blog.  You can submit your photos and/or events to heather@thetriadagent.com.

I am so excited about a new tool in my tool belt to share with my blog readers!  Drum roll……Market Report!  OK, so the name is NOT fancy, but the information is valuable!

How would you like to know how Read more…

About an hour away from the Triad you will find acres of fun at Dan Nicholas Park.  There is so much to enjoy, that everyone is bound to have fun!

• fishing
• paddle boats
• petting zoo
• nature center
• carousel
• huge playgrounds
• gem mine
• mini golf
• splash park (water play)
• Mini train ride
• camping Read more…

Sometimes I just can’t watch the news because it puts my head in a bad place, but who could escape all of the reports on the housing numbers from July?

Hello McFly, the tax credit had just ended, give us some time.  The majority of buyers who would have bought a house in the first six months of 2010 likely did it before the tax credit expired, so obviously the numbers are going to be down as they accelerated their purchases.

There is good news though!  JOBS!  Yes, there are jobs coming to the Triad.  The job market is really the key to housing recovery so this is fantastic news.  Read more about the jobs coming to the Triad in Tony Jarrett’s blog post: Where are the Jobs in the Triad Region?

For job hunting advice check out the site http://www.jobhuntingadvice.com/.

Photo by Jeff Turner

There is so much talk in the news about the real estate market, especially foreclosures.  This has led to some myths you need to know aren’t true.

Want a great deal in real estate?  So does everyone else.  I had a friend ask me earlier this week: “Can you help me find a good deal on some land?  You know, a foreclosure?”  Of course I said, “Yes, but…” Read more…

Just a 30 minute drive will get you to one of the best zoos in the country: The North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro.  If you haven’t been then you should plan an outing immediately!  It is fun for all ages, and I often see people there alone photographing the animals-so go already! Read more…

I love going to the library especially on a rainy day.  My son and I can spend an hour or two enjoying everything there is to offer.  Every library I have been to in Greensboro and Kernersville has a kids section decorated just for them with just their size chairs and other fun things for the kiddos. Read more…

As of today the most expensive home on the market in the Triad is listed for 6.9 million dollars.  Nothing has sold anywhere close to that in the last year though.  The highest sales price in the last year was at 2.8 million.   Both of these come with a substantial amount of beautiful North Carolina acreage.

Let’s flip the coin.  There are good deals to be had.  Some so low it is hard to believe!  There are 9 houses listed for $1 and one listed for $0!  Don’t get too excited though, they are up for auction so they will go for more than that I’m sure.  Sure does look like a good deal though, huh?  So what is the least expensive house that has sold in the Triad?  That goes to a condo with less than 300 square feet selling for $2,500.

Source: Triad MLS  for the date of  8.16.10, criteria as stated.

According to this tool by Forbes people are relocating to Greensboro!  This is a fun tool where you can click on any county in the US and it will pull up a graphic like this one.

It is interactive too! You can find out how many people moved in or out from one area of the country into your area.  For example, 121 people, according to this map relocated from Suffolk County NY to Guilford County, while only 29 people moved from Guilford County to Suffolk County.

This blog post may be directed more at other real estate agents or firms, but there is a lesson in here for sellers too.

Have you ever seen a for sale sign that was filthy, broken, or even taped up with duct tape?  I’m guessing you have.   Read more…

Source: Triad MLS, Sold(6 months back) and Active Properties for the subdivisions Weatherstone and Huntcliff  for the date of  8.9.10 Read more…

What’s better than a day trip in the car?  How about a day trip on a train?  You can take the morning Amtrak train from the Greensboro Depot and be in Raleigh by 11am, walk around downtown Raleigh, enjoy a nice lunch, take in a couple of their FREE museums, and then take the late afternoon train back to Greensboro.

For an adult and a child I just paid $33, about what I would have spent on gas, but without the headaches of traffic!  Also the train offers a great snack car that even had my sons favorite–PIZZA!

I must say our depot here in Greensboro is lovely.  It really takes you back in time.

My Fun Triad is a weekly feature on The Triad Agent blog.  You can submit your photos and/or events to heather@thetriadagent.com.

Source: Triad MLS, Sold(6 months back) and Active Properties for Summerfield  for the date of  8.2.10 Read more…

The Lazy 5 Ranch is less than a 45 minute drive from the Triad, and worth the trip!  You can look at the animals, you can pet them, you can feed them, and you can get licked by them!   Read more…

Source: Triad MLS, Sold(6 months back) and Active Properties for zip code 27265  for the date of  7.26.10

High Point has been one of the hardest hit areas in the Triad in this difficult real estate market. Read more…

My family and I went to our first Strong Sun Pow Wow at Tanglewood Park in Forsyth County.  It was so hot, but all of the dancers were dressed in their beautiful outfits, and really wowed the crowd.  I could have sat their all day and enjoyed them, but my son wanted to go look at all of the cool stuff the vendors had.  We ended up with a handmade bow and arrow set that was just $5!   Read more…

Congratulations to David Hutnik!  David wins a Wine Tasting for Two Plus a Bottle of Wine at Guilford County’s Grove Winery and Vineyards ! How did he win?  He commented on a blog post–EASY!

Thanks to everyone who participated and look for another contest coming later this year!

Source: Triad MLS, Sold(6 months back) and Active Properties for houses currently in Southwest High School District for the date of  7.19.10 Read more…

Greensboro’s Carolina Theatre offers a little something for everyone!  This summer they have several film festivals- including one for kids.  With tickets at just $5 a pop, you can’t go wrong.

It was a treat getting to see the Hitchcock classic Dial M for Murder on the big screen.  They offer refreshments as well; I was able to enjoy a nice Shiraz and my friends both enjoyed the local Natty’s Brew they had on tap.

One of the cool things about the Carolina Theatre is how beautiful it is.  There is a chandelier that rivals the Phantom of the Opera’s!  It is ornate and filled with rich velvet curtains.  It is a real treasure right in the heart of downtown Greensboro.

My Fun Triad is a weekly feature on The Triad Agent blog.  You can submit your photos and/or events to heather@thetriadagent.com.

We all notice the houses that are up for sale in our neighborhood, and we all drive by and say, “Hey, look that house sold,” when we drive by and see the SOLD sign.  Do you ever wonder why weeks later, and sometimes months that SOLD sign is still there and your new neighbors aren’t?

Does it mean there is something wrong?  Could be, but probably not.  There are several things that come in to play: Read more…

Source: Triad MLS, Sold(6 months back) and Active Properties for town of Oak Ridge for the date of  7.12.10

Read more…

I was showing a house for a second time, which is good news for the sellers.  A “second showing” typically means the buyers have enough interest in the home that they want to see it again so they can make a final decision.

The sellers had obviously staged the home: all the lights were on, kitchen decorated with the open recipe book in the kitchen, and it smelled great.  The sellers had also put on music which is usually very nice to have in the background.  Notice I said usually. Read more…

Happy Fourth of July!  We had a blast yesterday at the Fun Fourth Festival in Greensboro!

There are fireworks everywhere tonight!  Check out where to see them in Guilford and Rockingham Counties, and also where to see them in Forsyth County.  Don’t forget the Greensboro Grasshoppers will have fireworks after the game tonight!

Do you have a secret “great” spot to see fireworks in the Triad?  Share it here!

OK, so this blog post feels a little self serving, but I have had enough people ask me or indicate confusion that I felt I should clarify.  I am speaking to my personal situation but it is very similar to most Realtors®. Read more…

Have you been thinking about switching out your brass fixtures for brushed nickel?  How about converting your garage into living space?  You want to expand you kitchen?  Stop right there.  You need to talk to a Realtor®.

Before you shell out hundreds or thousands of dollars on changes to your home it is a good idea to talk to your Realtor® first.  You always need to think of resale value in anything you do to your home while making it fit your tastes and needs.  Your Realtor® can tell you if a change could potentially harm the future value of your house or if it could add value.

For example, did you know that in the Triad a pool doesn’t carry much value?  Does that mean you shouldn’t add a pool?  No.  If your family really wants a pool and would use it all summer long then by all means add a pool.  Don’t be surprised if a $15,000 pool doesn’t translate into $15,000 more in value to your home though.

Are you thinking of  updating, renovating, or adding on?  Tell me about it here!

I am excited to announce the first contest on my blog!  It is easy to enter and the prize is great!

How to enter in 3 easy steps:

1. Be over 21 years of age
2. Read my blog
3. Leave a comment on any blog post (Past, future, or present)

The Prize:

One lucky commenter will receive a certificate for a Wine Tasting for Two Plus a Bottle of Wine at Guilford County’s Grove Winery and Vineyards.

Contest ends July 19th, winner will be announced via blog post on July 20th!

Heather DeDona will be the speaker for the June 24th Linking Greensboro luncheon to be held at Furnitureland South.  The venue holds just under 150 people making it the largest Linking Greensboro event to date.  Heather is known for her extensive use of social media in real estate and leveraging it to build her business.

In her presentation: “Owning Your Own Voice, Keeping it Real When You’re Selling Yourself,” she will be discussing how social media has impacted her business and how it can impact yours too through: Read more…

Guilford County is now using a new tool to fight crime and keep residents informed called Citizen Observer.  In just a few minutes you can sign up to receive text messages relevant to your zip code.

I just signed up today and immediately got a text asking me to confirm my registration.  I assume if there is something like a rash of car break ins I’ll get a text alerting me so I can be more aware of my car and my neighbor’s cars too.  I imagine this would be great for Amber Alerts too.   Read more…

Increasingly the most stressful part of the real estate transaction has become the appraisal.  This is for a few reasons:

• Changes in the law (banks can’t select an appraiser and therefor cannot weed out the not so good ones or ones that are not as familiar with the area)*
• Short Sales and Forclosures
• The crazy market we are in Read more…

A couple of months ago Greensboro ranked as one of the top 50 fun cities on Portfolio.com.  I agree!  There is so much to do, not just in Greensboro, but the whole TRIAD!  We are in such a sweet spot right her in the Piedmont because we have access to everything: mountains, beaches, and great cities full of culture, art, entertainment, and great dining. Read more…

Thank you veterans, active military, and their families.  Your sacrifice is unimaginable.

I was excited to see the new schedule has been posted for Music for a Sunday Evening in the Park. I had a blast last year when I went for the first time.

My friends and I have already been planning what we will bring when we go.  Wine? Check!  Cheese? Check! Cute new pic nic basket? Check!  I love to see people that go all out and bring tables and pasta and salad-it is wonderful! Read more…

A Cape Cod with curb appeal in one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Northwest Guilford County-with LOW county taxes!  100 % Financing available through the USDA program!  This convenient location is just seconds from Dawn Acres golf course, and just up the road is a shopping center with a grocery store! Read more…

Join us this Sunday from 2-4pm to view this fantastic home in desirable Northwest Guilford county with low county taxes!  The large lot has plenty of room for everyone to play and even has a vinyl fenced in back yard.  Need some shade?  Enjoy the covered from porch or the large covered deck.  Bring your boat or RV to put on the extra large wired pad.  No garage?  No problem…there are two sheds in the back including one that is wired as well!

The garage has been converted into two rooms plus a half bath with its own separate entrance!  This space would be great as a home office, a play room, an entertainment room, or extra space for guests.   You must see to appreciate how useful this extra space can be!

The rest of the house has three large bedrooms and two full baths, along with a large living room with vaulted ceilings, recessed lighting, and gas log fireplace.  Formal dining area adjoins the well appointed eat in kitchen with breakfast nook that was made for the cooks convenience.

Don’t miss this one folks!

You know the saying what goes up must come down, well the reverse is true too.  What goes down must come up.  Yes, I am talking about interest rates.  All indicators show that our historically low interest rates will increase.  How much?  Well, really who knows, but I have seen analyst predict as high as 7% by 2011.  I honestly don’t know, my crystal ball is in the shop.

Let’s take a look at what an increase will mean to your monthly payment.  Let’s say you find a great home for $250,000, you make a down payment of 5% (12,500), which means your loan amount will be $237,500:



What a difference a percentage makes!  $148.98 a month between a 6% loan and a 5% loan.  Can you afford to wait?

You can get an estimate of your monthly payments using a mortgage calculator, but remember that you will also pay taxes and insurance so your payment will be higher than just the principal and interest reflected here.

You must see this wonderful 4 bedroom home in King’s Mill!  The foyer boasts hardwood floors while the rest of the home has new carpet and vinyl throughout!  New paint and fixtures make this home MOVE-IN READY!

The main level has a Living Room and Dining Room with large windows allowing for lots of natural light.  The well planned kitchen is sure to please the cook and has access to the back deck for ease of entertaining.  The kitchen is also open to the large den that has a vaulted ceiling with two skylights.  This summer enjoy the view of the beautiful back yard with flowering trees from the den and then snuggle up by the fireplace this winter.

Upstairs you will find the bedrooms along with lots of storage!  The fourth bedroom is so big you may want to use it as a bonus room, playroom, rec room, or entertainment area.  The master suite has a private view of the back yard and you won’t have a problem fitting your things in the huge walk in closet.  Dual vanities mean everyone has space to get ready in the morning!

Need another reason to see this fabulous home?  How about the community pool that you get in to at no additional charge!  It is within seconds of this home and will be the perfect place to chill in the coming summer months.

Directions: From High Point Rd cross over Groometown/Hilltop Rd and Kings Mill is a short distance on your left, continue in to community and home is on the left.  Convenient to shopping and restaurants!

The tax credit expired for most American’s on April 30,2010, but there are some who can still benefit from the tax credit.

A news release from Realtor.org gives the details:

“Armed services members, as well as intelligence service and foreign service personnel, who are on active duty and out of the U.S. for 90 days during any part of 2009, get an additional year to buy their homes, to May 1, 20ll.”

Those service members who do take advantage of the tax credit will also get a waiver of the three year residency requirement if they have to move for official business.

I am so glad that they added this provision for those who keep us safe.  Thank you for all you do and the many sacrifices you and your family make every day.

UPDATE:

CONGRATULATIONS TO DANIEL CLARK: AMERICA’S MOST WANTED 2010 ALL STAR!

I got the below message in an email and thought it deserved repeating here.  Please vote for our local hero!

Message from Beth Hutchens–wife of Sgt. Mickey Hutchens, slain Winston-Salem Police Officer

Please vote to show your support for the men and women that protect us day and night!
Thanks!

Please read all the way to the end.
On Oct. 7, 2009 our lives changed forever.
My husband, Sgt. Mickey Hutchens of the Winston-Salem Police Department was shot in the face while he was backing up two officers who were doing a domestic violence warrant service.  He died 5 days later.
During that call, the man who shot Mickey also shot Officer Daniel Clark, once in the chest (which was stopped by his vest) and once in the neck.
In spite of being wounded and knocked to the ground, Daniel was able to draw his weapon and return fire, killing the suspect.
We will never know how many lives Daniel saved that day, the suspect had already tried to enter the nearby Bojangle’s Restaurant, but the employees had locked the door, and I know the carnage would not have stopped with just Mickey and Daniel, without Daniel’s quick thinking and action.
Daniel has been nominated for America ‘s Most Wanted All Star.  Please send this email to everyone you know to go and vote for Daniel…the link is:
http://www.amw.com/allstar/2010/nominee-detail.cfm?id=7692

You can vote once a day until May 3; please help reward this young man who means so much to our family.  He and his wife are expecting their first baby at the end of this month and I’d love for him to get some recognition for all he has done to protect the public.

I am constantly learning how to be a better blogger and how to improve this blogsite so it is user friendly.  I consider it part of my job to keep you informed!

I want you to keep coming back for more and to share with your friends as well.  We have made that even easier with the share buttons at the bottom of each post.  You can quickly share my posts through email, Facebook, Twitter, and more!

I have made the Search for Homes easier to find by moving it below my contact information.  Don’t forget the menu bar across the top with lots of great information including recently added Testimonials.  We are working on fixing a technical issue with the links.  I’ll be sure to post when that is fixed because it will be a great resource!

The search box above my contact information makes it easy for you to search for the information you need such as the Appliance Rebate Program, or Home Insurance.

We are still working on other changes that will be coming soon.  I am most excited about adding Skype to my site so that you can ask me questions in real time!  I am also going to have an easy sign up for my monthly and quarterly newsletters.

Do you have a suggestion for how to improve this site?  I am all ears, or eyes as the case may be!

UPDATE! I received a call from the president’s office at Medco.  They have refunded my entire invoice and apologized after reviewing the phone call where I was quoted the lower price.  They also apologized for the lack of response when I initially contacted customer service.

I have never posted anything like this on my blog, and it isn’t something I plan to do on a regular basis, but I am so outraged by this company I had to do something.  Please help me get the word out about the poor service this pharmaceutical company provides so that others won’t go through the same stress and struggle I have had to endure with them.  Here is the letter I am sending them:

Heather DeDona

Broker/Realtor®

Allen Tate Oak Ridge

To Whom It May Concern:

My experience with Medco has been entirely negative and I will NOT use your service again.  I am in fact making sure that no one I know will use your service again.  I am a very active social media networker and blogger and I am making sure this will be communicated throughout the country.

I got a letter in the mail from Medco suggesting I try the mail service.  I called for details and was pleased to hear it was going to save me big time!  I was paying $20.99 a month for a prescription at a local pharmacy.  I was told that by going through Medco I would pay less than $35 for a THREE MONTH supply!  I was very pleased and at my next doctors appointment asked the doctor to write the prescription on Medco’s provided Rx fax request form.

I got my prescription in the mail about a week later and was surprised to see only one prescription, not three and that I was charged $23.99!  I contacted Medco and they agreed to match the current price I was getting at my local pharmacy at $20.99.  I was told that my doctor should have written the prescription for a three month supply, so I thought, OK, I’ll contact the doctor and get this fixed.

I contacted my doctor, explained what had happened and they wrote a correction that day and sent it in to Medco.  I got a message on my answering machine from Medco saying that this prescription would not be filled yet because it closely matched a prescription that had just been filled….which I knew and understood.

I was surprised when TWO DAYS LATER I got a three month supply from Medco, despite the phone call saying they would NOT be filling it.  I was even more surprised when I looked at the BILL.  I was charged $69.59!  This was not the less than $35 I had been quoted when I called initially to Medco, and it wasn’t even a rate match of my local pharmacy at $20.99.

So, not only a I not getting the deal I was originally offered-I am paying MORE than I normally would have.

So, here is what I am going to do, MEDCO.  I will send you a check for the next three months in the amount of $20.99.  You will consider my bill paid in full after you receive those three checks, and you will NEVER hear from me again.

Heather DeDona

Did you take advantage of the appliance rebate program?  I heard from some clients that stores were very busy during the rebate period (April 22- April 25).  Tell us about your experience!

Phase two of the program will roll out June 1 with expanded options!  The first phase only included: washers, dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators, and/or freezers.  The second phase will include: central air conditioners, gas furnaces, heat pumps and water heaters.  I personally plan to take advantage of the second phase by getting a new water heater.

There is fantastic detailed information specific to North Carolina’s program that shows how much you can save on each item.  For example, I will save $200 on my new water heater!

Below is a copy of an exact blog post from the Guilford County Public Health Department Blog.

Home Heating Oil Tanks and Oil Lines Being Stolen in High Point; Soil and Water Contamination Possible (Health Information)

The Guilford County Department of Public Health would like Guilford County residents to be aware that there has been a rash (four since January 1, 2010) of home heating oil spills in High Point.  These spills have been attributed to stolen home oil tanks and oil lines.  The thieves may be stealing the tanks for the oil left inside them and stealing the lines to sell the copper.  In the process of the thefts, heating oil is being spilled on the ground, which could lead to major environmental contamination of the soil, the surface water or the ground water.  Contaminated ground water endangers our drinking water supply.
The liability and cost of the environmental clean-up when an oil spill occurs falls to the property owner.  Costs of clean-up could amount to thousands of dollars, which most homeowners insurance policies will not cover.  Here are some suggestions to prevent oil spills from heating oil tanks:
• If your home heating system includes an above ground heating oil tank, regularly check the tank (including the legs that support the tank) for leaks and rust.  Rust will cause the legs to collapse and the tank to fall or leak.  This check should be done yearly, before the tank is used for the season.  Some heating oil companies will do this tank check for an additional fee.
• If you have converted to a different heating system and no longer use the above ground oil tank, have the oil pumped out and dispose of the tank properly.  The oil company may buy back the remaining oil or will properly and safely dispose of the oil for you.  The tank can be disposed of at a local scrap metal dealer or you can refer to the telephone directory for companies that will haul the tank away and dispose of it.
• If you no longer live on the property but still have an above ground heating oil tank, it is imperative that you properly empty and dispose of the tank. These properties are the most easily targeted by vandals and thieves.  Property owners are financially responsible for any costs if the tank is damaged or stolen.   If the tank is damaged or stolen and the oil leaks on the ground or runs into a stream or other water source, clean-up costs will amount to several thousand dollars.  The state of North Carolina and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are notified and levy the fines for oil spills and environmental clean-up.
Above ground heating oil tanks should never be left to rust and leak.  Serious environmental contamination of soil and water will occur if they are neglected and left to deteriorate.  Disposing of the oil and the oil tank is far less expensive than the clean-up if the neglected tank leaks, or is damaged while being stolen.�
If you have questions about home heating oil tanks, oil spills or environmental issues caused by oil contamination, call John Nantz of the Guilford County Department of Public Health at 336-641-3771.�

You may also find the NC Division of Waste Managements website helpful.

I was driving down a nice residential road when a house caught my eye.  It wasn’t the beautifully manicured lawn or the old southern charm of the wrap around porch.  It was the six political signs dotting across the front yard like lawn gnomes!

I am all for exercising your free speech, even on your front lawn; I have done it myself before.  The problem I had with this particular yard was that hidden among the political signs was a for sale sign!  I almost past by the house without even realizing it was for sale.  Is that what you would want YOUR potential buyer to do?  NO!

Not only were the political signs too much of a distraction to see the for sale sign but let’s face it…we don’t all agree on our politics.  Wouldn’t it be awful to turn off a potential buyer simply because you held differing political views?  I am not saying it is at all right for someone to judge your house based on this, but the reality is there ARE people that do, and that person that does, may be the one person who would otherwise make an offer on your house!

My suggestion, sport a lapel pin showing your political support and leave the signs out of the yard, at least while your house is on the market!

I got the below information in a forwarded email from a friend.  As a victim of identity theft myself I think this a must do!

Local sponsors are donating their time and resources to sponsor a free shred-a-thon in your area. Shred-a-thons are a perfect way to destroy old tax records, checks, employment records or credit applications. You do NOT need to remove staples and paper clips from the documents. It usually takes about 10 minutes to drop off your documents and get them shredded. Please pass along this information to co-workers, neighbors and friends. It is a free service for individuals with personal documents offered to help prevent identity theft. Thank you.

GREENSBORO – SHRED-A-THON (Guilford County)

Saturday April 24th

9am – 1pm

Starmount Presbyterian Church

3501 West Market Street, Greensboro

Local sponsors: Starmount Presbyterian Church, Shred It

Later this month North Carolinians will have the opportunity to save big on new appliances.  Beginning on Earth Day, April 22nd and ending on April 25th you will be able to replace your current washer, dryer, refrigerator, and/or freezer with a new Energy Star appliance and receive a rebate of 15%.

Note that it must be a replacement of an older item, so if you don’t currently own a washer and you purchase one you will not qualify for the rebate.

According to the information on the North Carolina State Energy Office’s website they have yet to determine the participating retailers.  They do expect the large stores to be a part of the program.

NC is getting a total of 8.8 million dollars in federal funds for this program and if there are any funds still available in June they will roll out an expanded program that will include other items such as water heaters and air conditioners.

This program is expected to help North Carolinians save a lot in energy, and when you save on energy you save on your monthly bills too!

In March I told you about the efforts of the communities in the Triad to get Google Fiber.  The effort has paid off and Google has selected Greensboro as one of the 21 city finalists!

So, how can we win?  We have until May 6th to get the most votes (although no one is really sure how Google will choose the city or cities for Google Fiber).  You can and SHOULD vote once per day.  Also, join the effort on facebook and tell your friends too!!  Then join Communities United for Broadband to keep the conversation going.

You are ready to look for a home, or maybe you are just curious about the house for sale down the street.   Are you thinking of relocating to this area, or maybe even away from this area?

No matter what the reason for your search this website can help you find a home!  I offer two ways to search for homes.

The first is located in the upper right hand corner of this site and says “Search for Homes.”  This search concentrates on NC, particularly the Triad, Triangle, and Metropolitan Charlotte areas, and much in between (including parts of SC).

The second search tool is located on the right hand side of this page below where it says “What this blog is about.”  You will see a house with a magnifying glass.  This search allows you to search most of the United States!

When you are ready to see the inside of one of these homes give me a call!

When you are searching for homes it is important to note the home’s status.  The status of a home can affect whether you want to see the home or not, or if you are selling your home, can let you know what is going on with your competition.

To the left is a screen shot of all of the possible status’ a listing can be in the Triad MLS.  If you are using a program such as Listing Book to find a home, which I highly recommend, your status’ are slightly different.

This chart will help you with the differences:

Now about what all that stuff means!

• Active - Home is currently for sale
• Closed or Sold – Home has sold
• Expired – Listings have a definite period of time and if the sellers do not renew their contract with the listing agent, or the listing agent does not agree to re-list the property it will show up as expired.  You should still keep an eye on the property as it is very likely the property will be re-listed at some point.
• Pending – The property is under contract and expected to close.
• Pending AB – AB means accepting back ups.  The property is under contract but they are still showing the property and would be willing to look at an offer.  This may mean that there is something that could potentially fall through such as the buyer may need to sell their home before being able to purchase this one.  If you bring an offer and are in a better situation to buy without such a contingency then they may accept your offer.
• Temporarily off the market or Withdrawn – The home owner has decided not to sell the home at this time.  This could mean many things such as a job transfer fell through, or they just decided to stay put.  The home may be re-listed so you should also keep an eye out for this one potentially coming back on the market.

Contact me for a Listing Book account today so you can start your home search now that you know what all those letters mean!

You have 30 days from today, April 1st, to do all of the following in order to qualify for the Home Buyers Tax Credit:

1. Get pre-qualified for a loan (or else most agents won’t show you a house- myself included)
2. Look at houses
3. Find a house you want to live in
4. Have your agent research the property so you know how much to offer
5. Make an offer
6. Negotiate the offer
7. Have the offer accepted (all before someone else makes an offer too of course)

While you don’t have to close on the house until 6/30/10 you do have to be under contract (all of the above items) by 4/30/10 to qualify for the tax credit.  Get moving!  Click on the search for homes button on the top right of my site and then give me a call.  I can help you every step of the way.

The Guilford County Health Department will be offering four rabies clinics this year.  The first will be at WGHP FOX 8 studio, 2005 Francis Street in High Point, on April 28th from 4pm-7pm.

$5 is a deal for a rabies shot, and it keeps your pets and family safe.  There have been at least five confirmed rabies cases in Guilford County so far this year.

Did you also know it is the law?  Your animals rabies vaccination must be current if they are more than four months of age.

Update: 6th case of rabies reported in Guilford County.  Read about it here.

Any home that is over five to ten years old likely needs some updating before being put on the market.  Older homes tend to have the shiny brass while newer homes have brushed nickel among other things.  If you fall into the brass category, even if you like brass, you need to change it so that buyers will see your home as fresh and updated.

10 Things You Need to Update Before Putting Your House on the Market

1. Light Fixtures
2. Ceiling Fans
3. Door Hardware (handles, hinges)
4. Drawer Pulls
5. Cabinet Knobs
6. House Numbers
7. Door Kick Plate
8. Door Knocker
9. Switch Plate and Outlet Covers
10. Appliances

I know what you are thinking, “How much is that going to cost me?”  You can find some of these items much cheaper than you may imagine.  The light fixture pictured with this post is listed as $9.77 on Home Depot’s website.

What you really need to ask yourself is, “How much is it going to cost me if I DO NOT update?”  Most home buyers do not want to come in and do a lot of work, they want “move in ready” homes.  So not buying a $10 light fixture may cost you $100 in sales price.  It is all about perception and perspective folks.

As a mom, this just made me so angry!!!

I was looking at a property that a client of mine had found and wanted some more information about.  When I searched MLS it showed there were several pictures available, and being interested in looking at the interior condition of the property, I clicked the link to view more pictures.

I was mortified to find this picture in MLS, which would have been taken by the listing agent!  Yes, that is a child, in his or her underwear!  These pictures are sent out to thousands of websites.  This isn’t just something a real estate agent would see.

The disrespect to the well being of this child, and lack of professionalism on the part of the agent make me so angry.  There was also another picture with the child in it that I did not show here.  I am certain the agent could have gotten the child out of the shot for a few seconds, or at the very least SHOULD have chosen to NOT include these photographs.

Please note the black boxes were inserted by me and not the agent that posted this picture in MLS.

Some clients of mine had already chosen a mortgage guy when they asked me to represent them in the sale of their current home and a purchase of a new home.  Normally  I refer my clients to a select few mortgage professionals that I have personally had positive experiences with in the past.

Unfortunately my clients did not have a good experience with this guy, but the icing on the cake came in a phone conversation I had with him on a Thursday.  It is important to keep in mind these clients sold their home on Wednesday and were heading to closing in the afternoon on Thursday.  The Mortgage Guy was calling them to tell them what was on the HUD (closing statement) so they would know how much money to bring to closing.

Below is our conversation:

Mortgage Guy: “Hey Heather, I can’t get ahold of Jane or John Doe.  Have you been able to speak to them?”

Me: “Yes, that’s weird because I told them you were going to call.   Did you try Jane or John.”

Mortgage Guy: “I called their house phone.”

Me:  ”The house they closed on YESTERDAY?”

Mortgage Guy: “No, the new house number.”

Me: “The one they HAVEN’T bought yet?”

Mortgage Guy: “Oh.”

The good news is that they are in their new home and very happy.  Don’t you just have to shake your head though!

By now you have surely heard the buzz about Google Fiber, which can bring 100 times faster internet speeds to our town!  Why is that important to you?  Your internet connection is just fine?  Read this article by the News and Record that explains how this can help our community by improving things like health care, homes sales, and education.  This could really change our community for the better!

Both Greensboro and Winston Salem have thrown their hat into the ring for selection by Google.  I would love to see both of these communities selected and make the Triad a POWERHOUSE on the cutting edge of technology, a place that jobs will flock to, and so will people!

Click here to nominate your town.  It takes less than five minutes!  WE ONLY HAVE UNTIL MARCH 26TH TO VOTE!

In February a law went into effect in Winston Salem requiring there be a smoke detector in “each room designated for sleeping purposes, or used for sleeping more than occasionally, or listed as a bedroom on a set of plans and each story, excluding crawl space and attic space, shall be required to contain a smoke detector located on the ceiling and no closer than 12 inches to the intersection of the wall and the ceiling.” (housing code from City of Winston Salem website)

Sellers, if you are in Winston Salem, you better make sure you have smoke detectors in the specified rooms!

A similar law exists in Greensboro, but only applies to new residential homes, so if you are renting or live in an older home I recommend you check your bedrooms to make sure there are smoke detectors for the safety of you and your family.

Greensboro also offers free smoke detectors and installation by the fire department.  What a great service to the community!  Fill out the form to get one here.

I just got this message in my inbox:

The drive in will be reopening Friday, March 19!!!

I can’t wait to go!  It is one of my favorite places to go in the spring, and we always have a blast.  Read my original blog post about all the fun you can have at the drive in!

I hope to see you there!

We all know we need insurance on our home, car, and ourselves, BUT what do you really know about insurance?  Here are a few common Myths you need to know:

Myth #1: Hey, You’re paying the Premiums… Insurance should be Bought and Used for Every Accident and Disaster.

Insurance is designed to protect one from catastrophic disasters. An insurance rule of thumb: If you can pay for the loss or damage without a financial hardship then pay it, otherwise expect your insurance premium to eventually show an increase.

Myth #2: My Son Uses the Car for Delivering the Newspaper and His Pizza Delivery Job. He’s Not Self-Employed So Our Auto Insurance Will Cover Any Accidents.

If your vehicle is used for anything but personal use, then you will probably need to extend your personal auto policy to cover business use of your vehicle. Don’t think just because you were unaware of your coverage’s this will get your accident paid for–your insurance policy is a contract that you agreed to adhere to. If you don’t understand all the coverage’s in your contract you need to contact your agent about the questions you have.

Myth #3: Umbrella Insurance Coverage is Just for Rich People.

Umbrella insurance is not just for the wealthy. With the common occurrence of lawsuits, umbrella insurance is a must for every home, auto, and watercraft owner. Umbrella insurance is designed to give one added liability protection above and beyond the limits on homeowners, auto, and watercraft personal insurance policies. With an umbrella policy, depending on the insurance company, one can add an additional 1-5 million in liability protection

Myth #4: Flood Insurance is Only for People who live in a High Risk Area.

Everyone who lives in a National Flood Insurance Program area is eligible and can buy flood insurance. These areas are not always prone to floods so even if you think your area is low risk you may be eligible.

Thanks to Mike Oelz and Jennifer Ann Jackson of Allen Tate Insurance for these important Myth Busters!  Mike can be reached at 704-564-0681.  Jennifer can be reached at 704-909-2354.

Before you go to bed on Saturday March 13th you should set your clocks ahead one hour for Daylight Saving Time.

Daylight Saving Time officially starts at 2 a.m. on Sunday March 14th, so you will be losing an hour of sleep, but gaining more sunshine in your day!

This is also a great time to change the batteries in your smoke detectors.  If you change the battery in your smoke detectors with each time change your detectors should stay in working order.

Source:Triad MLS

LP=List Price  DOM=Days on Market

This chart shows the Active Listings priced below $250,000 for Guilford County as of March 3rd, 2010.  Why under $250,000?  Most first time home buyers will be looking for homes less than $250,000, and we all know the first time home buyers are taking advantage of the tax credit.  According to the Triad MLS there are 9,091 homes for sale in that price range.

This chart also shows the number of homes under $250,000 that have sold since January 1, 2010.  According to the Triad MLS 568 closed as of today, March 3rd.

• less than 60 days for first time home buyers (and move up buyers) to get under contract in time for the tax credit (must be under contract by 4/30/10)
• over 9,000 homes for those buyers to choose from
• only 568 sold in the last 60 days

The logical conclusion is that there is a tremendous amount of competition and if you aren’t priced to sell-you aren’t going to sell right now.

How do you know if you are priced right?  First, listen to your Realtor, and then ask to see the competition.  Your Realtor can arrange for you to see the other homes for sale in your area.  After you see the competition ask yourself, “Is my house the best value in my neighborhood?”  If the answer is no, you need to think about reducing the price right now!

I haven’t blogged in days because I have been so sick!  It started out as a sore throat, a little cough, fatigue, and after a couple of days full blown congestion and yuckiness.

I broke down and went to the Minute Clinic at CVS.  She was able to quickly determine it was allergies!  I was surprised, as I was expecting a sinus infection diagnosis.  She said that she has seen a lot of allergies so far, and that the grass and molds are out early.

So, if you are feeling a little scratch in your throat it may be the first sign of Spring!

Did you know that your credit score can effect your insurance premiums?  Some other factors insurance companies consider to determine your premium:

Homeowners Policy:

• Insurance score
• Deductible
• Territory (county)
• Fire Protection Class
• Construction type
• Dwelling Coverage
• Package discount (home and auto)

Packaging your home and auto insurance together gives you the greatest savings on your insurance, according to Mike Oelz with Allen Tate Insurance.

Each carrier requires an insurance score to be pulled in order to qualify you. The score is based on your loss history, credit, territory code, and past payment history.  This is a soft hit which WILL NOT SHOW UP ON YOUR CREDIT REPORT.

Do you have other insurance questions?  Post them here or send me a message.

Want to take advantage of the tax credit but don’t have any cash for a down payment or closing costs? There is still a program out there that may be able to help you: USDA loans.

USDA loans offer 100% financing, which means no money down, and you can finance your closing cost in some instances.

You must meet certain income requirements and have a decent credit score to be eligible for a USDA loan. It is best to speak with a mortgage professional to see if you qualify as requirements seem to be changing so frequently these days.

Also with a USDA loan the home that you want to buy has to qualify. USDA loans are given to homes in specified rural areas, but you would be surprised at some of the homes that qualify. There are several homes within minutes of large cities like Greensboro that qualify.

Interested in finding out if a home qualifies? Check out the USDA site and simply type in the address, or send me the address and I will check it for you!

Did you know that if you have owned a home for 5 consecutive years any time within the last eight years, and you  purchase a home you can qualify for an up to $6,500 tax credit?  That is a mouthful isn’t it?  Let’s see if this example makes it easier:

Betty Buyer owned a condo that she lived in from 2002-2008 (6 years total).  She sold it in 2008 and moved in with a friend, paying rent.  She has decided to take advantage of the tax credit and buy a home because she qualifies.  Even though she has not owned a home since 2008 , she did own that home for 5 consecutive years, within the last eight years.

Bob Buyer bought his home in 2006 when he was a bachelor.  He has since gotten married and they are expecting their first child.  Bob would like to buy a larger home in a different school district.  Too bad, Bob doesn’t qualify because he hasn’t owned his home for 5 years.  Bummer Bob.

But, don’t feel too bad for Bob.  Now is a good time for him to sell the home he has outgrown to a First Time Home Buyer and take advantage of the low interest rates and competitive pricing to buy a larger home.  Win, win!  But, Bob better hurry because the tax credit expires soon!  You must be under contract by the end of April and close by the end of June.

Still confused?  Post your questions here under comments.

Have you ever wanted to try a new restaurant but were afraid to risk it because you had not heard anything about it yet?  What if the food isn’t good?  What if it isn’t kid friendly?  What if it is too expensive?

Get your questions answered on Yelp.com!  Yelp started out mainly as a place to review restaurants but now you can find reviews on almost any kind of business-even me!

If you are new to the area this can be an invaluable tool to help you find nearby restaurants, a dentist, a CPA, or a Realtor   It is also a lot of fun to go on the site and let others know your thoughts on an establishment.  I have even been contacted by places that I have reviewed because they wanted to say, “Thanks!”

Even if you have called the Triad home forever you can find useful information on Yelp.  I use Yelp to read reviews of others in the area so I can discover new places to try that I might not have known about otherwise.

Are you planning on traveling any time soon?  Look up businesses on Yelp to find a great hotel, restaurant, etc. at your destination!

Tell me about how you have used Yelp.com.

I recommend reviewing the information from the UNCG Center for Business and Economic Research on The Guilford County Business Index presented by Dr. G. Donald Jud.   It is worth at least a glance or two to understand what is going on in our local economy.

Via the Guilford County Business Index on UNCG's Center for Business and Economic Research

Some important points about our local real estate market:

• Home prices rose 3.2% in the fourth quarter
• Number of homes sold increased by 9.4% (an increase of 25.2% from 2008)

In my opinion much of the gains in the fourth quarter were in part to the original expiration of the first time home buyer tax credit in November 2009.  The tax credit was extended to (being under contract by) the end of April, and closing by the end of June.   The credit has also been extended to include existing home owners who have owned their home for over five years.  Read the facts about the tax credit, and let me know if you have any questions.

In a recent article in Realtor Magazine they listed the Top 10 Home Features Buyers Want.  Some of them come as no surprise because they are trends we have been seeing for some time, such as Outdoor Living spaces.

1. Large kitchens with islands
2. Energy efficiency, including energy-efficient appliances, super insulation, and high-efficiency windows.
3. Home offices
4. Main-floor master suite
5. Outdoor living space
6. Ceiling fans
7. Soaking tub in the master suite and/or an oversize shower with a seating area
8. Stone and brick exteriors rather than stucco or vinyl
9. Community walking paths and playgrounds
10. Two-car garages, but three-car garages are even more desirable

Source: MarketWatch, Steve Kerch (01/30/2010)

If you are a seller this is great information for you, because you can prepare your home to sell by playing up the features listed.  Some of these are quick and inexpensive fixes that can make a huge difference in selling your home.

Ceiling fans are easy to install and not too hard on the budget either.  Find some inexpensive modern ones at Lowes or Home Depot.  If you are still unsure about the installation a local handyman can take care of it for you.

Outdoor living spaces are a huge trend right now, and one that I love too!  People are looking for a living room feel outside.  You can see this in the style of a lot of the new patio furniture that looks like a living room set complete with coffee tables and lamps.  Need some ideas for how to get started?  Check out this article on the Top 5 Ideas for Outdoor Living Spaces.

I’d love to hear what you are doing to bring the indoors outside.  Leave your comments here!

Source:Triad MLS

LP=List Price  DOM=Days on Market

Pending AB=Pending Accepting Back Up Offers (home is under contract but can still accept offers)

Interested in a more specific snap shot?  Maybe a city, zip code, or neighborhood?  How about what has sold?  Leave me a comment or shoot me an email and I will post it right here for you, or I can always send it to you by email.

You know the world has changed when the animals have gone high tech!

Text the word “Groundhog” to 247365 to get Punxsutawney Phil’s prediction.  Read more at YourErie.com

I don’t know that I can stand six more weeks of winter!  If you haven’t seen the movie Groundhog Day do yourself a favor and check it out.  It is a fun Bill Murray movie.

I woke up this morning to about six inches of snow and it is still coming down!  It isn’t very often that we get more than two inches of snow in one winter, so this is quite a treat!

After our last big snow in December I heard about Snow Cream.  People were shocked that I had never heard of it since I grew up in the South.  I am determined to partake in this treat with our new fallen snow.  Snow Cream is a variation of ice cream made with snow-who wouldn’t like that?

There were several recipes online, but I chose this one because I have all of the ingredients on hand!

Sandy’s Old-time Snow Cream Recipe

From: Yary Hluchan

• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• scant 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• large bowl of snow (about 3 quarts)

Blend milk, sugar and vanilla.  Stir in enough snow to make snow cream to an ice cream consistency.

Variations:

• Substitute canned cream for milk for a heavier flavor
• Add Nestles Quik for a chocolate snow cream, or use instant cocoa mix.
• Add plump raisins and cinnamon, or add a beaten egg for a nog taste
• Puree an overripe banana and add to the mixture

Note:  Always make sure the snow is clean.  It takes at least one to two hours for snow to clean the pollutants from the air.  Use only snow that has fallen after that first cleansing snow.

Did you realize as of this Monday, February 1st, you will have less than 90 days to:

• Get pre-approved for a loan
• Find a Realtor you trust (I have a great suggestion;)
• Search for properties you like enough to visit in person
• Make an appointment with your Realtor to see all of the properties you are interested in considering
• Narrow down which properties you like the best
• Re-visit your top two or three properties so you can decide which is “the one”
• Put in an offer
• Negotiate that Offer
• Get an accepted Offer-a Contract

So, unless you just like stress and pressure, I suggest you get to it!  What’s that?  You thought you had until June?  Did you not read my blog post explaining the tax credit?  You have to be under contract (ALL of the above steps) by April 30th, but you can close (all the paperwork, attorney, and money stuff finalized)by June 30th.

I still don’t know if it makes a sound if I’m not there to hear it, but I do know who is responsible for the damage thanks to these great insurance tips:

1.  If a tree on your property falls on your home, you are of course responsible for any repairs to your home and tree removal. Your insurance policy will pay for damages after you pay the deductible.

2.  If a tree on your neighbor’s property is “dead or dying,” and you see a possible risk that this tree may fall in the future, you are responsible to notify your neighbor (GET IT IN WRITING!!) of this tree and its potential to fall or damage property. This will protect you if the tree does in fact fall and damages your property.  If you have proof that you notified the neighbor of this risk prior to any damage occurring, the neighbor’s insurance company will be responsible for any damage or tree removal.

3.  If a tree on your neighbor’s property is in “good condition” and it happens to fall onto your home/property due to weather, etc., it will be your responsibility to file a claim with your insurance company since the damage did not occur due to any negligence on your neighbor’s behalf.  You are responsible for your property in this case, just as you would if lightening were to strike your home, for instance.  Your neighbor can contact their insurance company to see if they are responsible for any of the damage to your property, but the best advice is to allow the claims adjusters from both sides to subrogate if necessary.

Thanks to Mike Oelz with Allen Tate Insurance for providing these great tips.   He can be reached at 704-909-2355, or on his website here.

I typically ignore email forwards because so many of them are just phishing for email addresses.  This email caught my eye though.  It came from my friend John Boyette, an appraiser in the Triad.  You will find his information at the end of this post.  He is also one heck of a nice guy and makes a mean Pecan Pie!

THINGS YOUR BURGLAR WON’T TELL YOU:  Things to think about….

1. Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator.

2. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week.. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier.

3. Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste … And taste means there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming
system they have.

4. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it.

5. If it snows while you’re out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway.

6. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don’t let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it’s set. That makes it too easy.

7. A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And the windows on the
second floor, which often access the master bedroom-and your jewelry. It’s not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there too.

8. It’s raining, you’re fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your door-understandable. But understand this: I don’t take a day off because of bad weather.

9. I always knock first. If you answer, I’ll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. (Don’t take me up on it.)

10. Do you really think I won’t look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet.

11. Here’s a helpful hint: I almost never go into kids’ rooms.

12. You’re right: I won’t have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it’s not bolted down, I’ll take it with me.

13. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system. If you’re reluctant to leave your TV on while you’re out of town, you can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow of a real television. (Find it at faketv.com <http://faketv.com/> <http://faketv.com/> .)

14. Sometimes, I carry a clipboard. Sometimes, I dress like a lawn guy and carry a rake. I do my best to never, ever look like a crook.

15. The two things I hate most: loud dogs and nosy neighbors.

16. I’ll break a window to get in, even if it makes a little noise. If your neighbor hears one loud sound, he’ll stop what he’s doing and wait to hear it again.  If he doesn’t hear it again, he’ll just go back to what he was doing. It’s human nature.

17. I’m not complaining, but why would you pay all that money for a fancy alarm system and
leave your house without setting it?

18. I love looking in your windows. I’m looking for signs that you’re home, and for flat screen TVs or gaming systems I’d like. I’ll drive or walk through your neighborhood at night, before you close the blinds, just to pick my targets.

19. Avoid announcing your vacation on your Facebook page. It’s easier than you think to look up your address.

20. To you, leaving that window open just a crack during the day is a way to let in a little fresh air. To me, it’s an invitation.

21. If you don’t answer when I knock, I try the door. Occasionally, I hit the jackpot and walk right in. Sources: Convicted burglars in North Carolina , Oregon , California , and Kentucky ; security consultant Chris McGoey, who runs crimedoctor.com <http://crimedoctor.com/> <http://crimedoctor.com/> ; and Richard T. Wright, a criminology professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, who interviewed 105 burglars for his book Burglars on the Job.  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Boyette Appraisal Services

Ph: 336-218-5022

www.johnboyetteappraisalservices.com

Let me be honest here.  I have been multi-tasking in my car for a while now.  I can email, text, talk on the phone, make a note….all while sitting behind the wheel of a car flying down the road.  What was I thinking, really?

I guess I was thinking: everyone does it; I haven’t had an accident; I need to do it.  As a Realtor I feel the need to be available for clients, and a big part of that is via my cell phone.

I told myself that I would get better, since it is the law now in NC to NOT text while driving…but this is a habit that I have found myself doing absentmindedly.  So, the only way I know to break this habit is to put my phone on vibrate (which it is 95% of the time anyway) and put it in my purse.  Out of sight, out of mind.

So, if you try to call me or text me and don’t get an immediate answer just know that is because my life and the life of those around me are more important than my immediate response to you.  Or, maybe I am spending time with my son or husband-that is pretty darn important too.

I will still respond quickly to your needs, after all, that is what I am known for, but it may be an extra five minutes-think you can wait?

Check out this article from Dean Hartman in Keeping Current Matters explaining the New FHA Rules and how they can impact the housing market.

Here is the most important part of the article:

“Today, we add Nail #3- Basically to lessen defaults on FHA loans (which have constituted more than 50% of the loans closed in some markets), guidelines are being tightened….even though we don’t have a definitive date for it yet.

• Lower FICO scores (below 580) will now require a 10% down payment….a significant jump from the current 3.5% down payment.
• The Up Front Mortgage Insurance Premium is being raised from 1.75% to 2.25%. While this amount can be financed into the loan, it still raises the cost of home buying.
• The allowable seller’s concession (by which sellers have been able to pay closing costs on behalf of their purchaser) has been slashed from 6% to 3%.”

Bottom Line: If you are going to get an FHA loan after the changes take effect you will pay more for your loan and have a higher monthly payment than if you buy now.  If you were going to ask the seller to pay for all of your closing costs they won’t be able to do so-so you will need more up front cash.

Let me tell you a story…a case study if  you will.

I was presenting my market analysis on a home and giving my advice on pricing strategy.  The comparables suggested the home would sell for around $195,000.  As I was showing the home owners this information they stopped me and said, “We can’t do that.  We owe $209,000 on the mortgage and we really don’t want to have to pay anything when we close.  We want to sell it for $220,000.”  *Note: this was not a distress sale…they just wanted to move-didn’t have to.*

As the agent in this situation I had two options: 1. Refuse to list their home or 2. List it and hope they would become more reasonable.  I chose the later which I regret and won’t do again.  Here’s why:

We were about a month into the listing of their home when the home owners made the choice to change companies.  I had put in a ton of work for a home that I knew was overpriced and they were unhappy with me?  I am sure the fact that there were not many showings and the little feedback we got was not great contributed to this, but don’t you think the price did as well?  The fact is there would have been more showings if it had been priced closer to where I had suggested.

So, they moved on to company B, have changed agents several times and the house is all the way down to around $185,000.  $185?  But that is lower than what I suggested.  How did that happen and it still hasn’t sold?  This house has been on the market now for around nine months which makes it “stale” to potential buyers.

“Is something wrong with it?  It must be overpriced.  I bet we can get it for a steal because it has been on the market forever!”  That is what buyers think and feel when the see a home has been on the market for a long time.

The moral of the story is you can’t sell your home for what YOU want to sell it for if the market won’t support that price.  In the end you are losing money, not just on the selling prices but on the months you have paid the mortgage, taxes, and insurance on your now “stale” home.

Still think your house is worth more?  Tell your agent what you feel makes your house worth more.  “We replaced all the windows last summer, and we tiled in the kitchen.  We have the most private lot in the whole subdivision.”  Your agent can tell you if that will make a difference in the price or not.

Lastly, don’t take it personal.  This IS business and a great agent will be truthful with you about price, not just tell you what you want to hear so they can get the listing.

I met with a gentleman this morning who wants to sell a home he bought years ago with his x-wife.  His wife (the current one) attended the meeting and he was surprised when I asked her to sign the “Working with Real Estate Agents” brochure (see my blog on why this has to be signed).  The husband spoke up and said, “Well, she doesn’t own this house.  Does she still need to sign that?”

In NC half of that house is hers.  It only takes one person to buy a house in a marriage but it takes two to sell a house.  When you marry any property owned by your spouse is now also your property.  You have to sign authorizing the sale of the house (i.e. the listing agreement and the contract etc.)  just as he does.

What about the x wife, right?  Well in this instance they had been divorced for a while and the x wife had quit claimed the deed to the x husband, so she had no right to the property. That is for another blog post though…..

Yes, according to an article from Yahoo Finance titled: The Best Time of Year to Sell a Home:

“The beginning of the year is going to be make-it-or-break-it,” says Shuman. “If you’re a seller, get your property listed as early in the year as you can.”

This makes sense with the tax credit expiring in the spring the buyers may be in bloom early this year.

Traditionally the spring is a great time to list because that is when buyers are getting out to look at homes.  This year buyers will be forced to start looking now so they can be under contract by the end of April to qualify for the tax credit.  Read more on the tax credit in my blog article: It is Official: President Obama Signs Home Buyer Tax Credit.

Not sure if you can afford to sell?  Have questions about selling or buying?  Contact me today before the market is in full bloom!

I ran across this great little article from Yahoo Finance: 10 Things to Know About Real Estate in 2010. They are making some predictions that are very important for buyers and sellers such as: interest rates are likely to rise and prices are likely to bottom.

All in all I think the article reaffirms that fact that NOW IS THE TIME TO BUY.  So buyers get out there and sellers don’t be discouraged!  Read the article and let me know what you think.

Happy New Year to you and yours!

May 2010 be prosperous and full of joy!

Be safe, designate a driver or take a cab!

Well, you could get a hotel room, but why not try something different?  A few years ago I was looking for cabin rentals and stumbled upon the website vrbo.com (Vacation Rentals by Owner).   I found a great cabin and a great deal!

Now whenever we take a trip vrbo.com is my first stop!  Often times I can find a cabin, house, or condo to rent that is less expensive than a hotel because I can share it with my family and friends who are traveling with us.  We also save money on food because we can cook ourselves instead of eating out the whole time.

The site is easy to use and even has international destinations!  Most rentals have pictures, amenities, and things to do in the area.  You can contact the owner to ask questions and even get tips on things like where the closest grocery store is.

Do you have a second home you have thought about renting?  VRBO.com can be an inexpensive way for you to advertise your property.  But, remember, you would still be managing the rental on your own, and that can be some work.  Be sure to have signed contracts, etc. to protect yourself and your investment!  If this sounds like too much for you look for a property management company in the area.

My cell phone stays busy with calls, texts, and email all day and pretty much all night.  I kept running into the problem of my phone dying way before I was somewhere I could plug it in.  I have the car charger, and I have considered one of those pricey solar chargers.

It is important for my business that I stay “connected,” so I had to find a solution.  For less than $5 (including shipping) I bought a duplicate cell phone battery on ebay.  When my phone gets down to its last drop of power I just switch out batteries and I am ready to go again.   How about that?

This is a very popular time of the year for movies, so how do you bypass that long line?  The ticket kiosk of course.  Huh. what’s that?

That’s right, you can walk right past the long line of teenage girls waiting for tickets to see the new Twilight movie and walk right into the heated movie theater without stopping at the ticket window.

You must mean Fandango, right?  Negatory good buddy.  I only use Fandango if I am going to see a movie that I think will sell out before I get to the ticket window because there are additional fees involved.  I’d say Fandango is worth it though if you want to be the first to see something so no one spoils it for you.  The one time I used Fandango: Michael Jackson: This is It.  Yes, I did.  There were only four other people in the theater and they came together.  It was good though

So what is it I am talking about?  There is a small nondescript kiosk in the lobby of my movie theater (I tend to go to Regal Palladium in High Point).   You simply place your “order,” pay with your credit or debit card, and your tickets print right there!  I have walked past a line of people on several occasions to find NO ONE at the kiosk.  There are no signs, no advertisements, no one knows about this!

To get to the one at the Palladium in High Point: Go in the doors on the left side, and it will be on your right as soon as you get inside.  Make sure nobody is watching, after all, we can’t let everyone know about this!

So the next time you want to go see a flick, skip the line!  Let me know if other theaters in the Triad have this same feature-I bet they do!

This past Saturday I took my son to see The Shoemaker and the Christmas Elves at the Children’s Theatre in Winston Salem.  I wasn’t sure how my son would fair in a live theatre setting, but I was pleasantly surprised.

You can purchase tickets in advance on their website for only $8 and they are delivered to you by mail.  With movie theater prices constantly rising I was happy to pay the nominal fee to give my son an alternative to the big screen.

We arrived early to get good seats and were able to see all the action on stage.  The show was put on by a theatre troop from Virginia that did a fantastic job.  We were both entertained, and it was nice to enjoy a laugh together.  There was, of course, also a message about giving rather than just receiving.

Be sure to check out this seasons line up as they are offering some really great shows.  I know we will be going back!

For the last several years my family has gone to see the Christmas lights at Tanglewood in Forsyth County with friends.   We usually go to see Santa at a local mall and then load into my friends mini van and wait in quite a long line for the chance to see the magical transformation of the beautiful Tanglewood Park.  It is worth the wait at only $14 for a car full of people.

This year I planned better than I had in the past.  I brought my portable DVD player, Christmas movies, snacks, and drinks.  If we were stuck waiting in line to see the lights -we were going to have fun doing it!

I suppose because I had planned so well and was so prepared the inevitable happened: we didn’t have to wait at all!  We got right in and were immediately dazzled with the rainbow arches that greet you as you enter the park.

The kids were excited to see their favorite lights from years past, of which they really never tire.  They love the dragon, and the horses!  But, my favorite part is almost at the very end.  We always  stop at the Christmas shop full of home made crafts and goodies.  Who can resist a Moravian Spice Cookie?

Then we head over to the bonfire where we stop to get a stick full of marshmallows and some hot chocolate.  We all stand around the fire and laugh and enjoy the moment.  Somebody always drops a marshmallow in the fire!

On the ride home all of the kids fall asleep and it really starts to feel like Christmas.

See a sampling of the Christmas lights by clicking here.

Check Your Credit!

Your credit score is more important than ever when it comes to buying a home.  The requirements for scores and debt ratios continue to get tighter.  In the past many lenders were less strict and that is one of the reasons why there are now so many home owners in financial distress and even facing foreclosure.

So, what can you do about your credit?

1. Pay your bills
2. Pay your bills on time
3. Don’t take on debt you can’t afford
4. Regularly check your credit for fraud

Let’s talk about that last one: Regularly check your credit for fraud.  As a two time victim of identity theft I feel particularly qualified regarding this one.  It is of vital importance, whether you are buying a house or not, that you check your credit regularly to see if there any new accounts that you did not open.

You can check your credit three times a year for free.  Free?  Yes, no scam, no gimmick, free.  Go to www.annualcreditreport.com and enter in a little information to instantly (usually) access your credit report.  It is very easy, free, and takes less than five minutes.  If you have had a recent address change, or something along those lines, it may require you to mail in a request, this is for your protection, and you should still be sure to obtain your report.

What I Recommend

There are three credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.  You can check each of these once a year for free.  I personally check one every four months.  Example: Check Experian in January, Equifax in May, and then TransUnion in September.  This was you are taking control of your credit on a regular basis-and it didn’t cost you a thing!

So, you have hired a Realtor, found THE house and your offer has been accepted.  That is fantastic!  BUT…now the real work begins.

You have a lot of choices to make: who to use for your mortgage, home owners insurance, home inspector, pest inspector, attorney, and the list goes on and on.  How in the world do you find all of those people?

I know what you are saying, “I can just have my Realtor tell me who to use.  She’ll know anyway, and I trust her.”  Well, it’s great that you trust your Realtor that much, and you should have that kind of a relationship at this point in the process, but she CANNOT make those decisions for you.

Why not?  What is she getting paid for then?

Well, your Realtor is getting paid to do a lot of things, but to make decisions for you is not one of them.  You still have to do that yourself.  Your Realtor can’t tell you if you should or should not get a radon inspection, because only you know if that is important to you or not.  Your Realtor is there to provide you with information to help you make more informed decisions.

“I still don’t understand why you can’t pick a termite guy out for me.  You know what they charge, and what they are like.  You are telling me I have to waste my time calling three companies and finding out how much they charge and if  I want to work with them or not?”

There is some truth to that.  I know what Billy Bob’s Termite Co charged last time, but who is to say that hasn’t changed since the last time I worked with them?  Also, what if Billy Bob this time overlooks the fact there there are termites in the crawl space and you end up having serious structural problems a year down the road.  You are then going to be mad at Billy Bob and the Realtor who recommend him to you.

Typically I will give my clients a few different choices so that will have a starting point.  I recommend people that I have worked with before or who have been recommended to me by someone I trust.  If you already know a great home inspector, by all means use him!

As Realtors we never want to make it appear that we have a special relationship with any one vendor.  It is important for clients to know they are free to work with whomever they are comfortable.  So when a Realtor tells you that you have to do a little leg work, just know they are doing their job,  and not trying to make more work for you.

We have known this would likely be coming and it finally has.  President Obama has signed for an extension of the $8,000 tax credit.  In addition there is a new credit of $6,500 offered to home owners who have lived in their home for five consecutive years (over an eight year period-so you could have moved out two years ago and still be eligible).  Read The Associated Press article by Jim Abrams and check out this fact sheet for some of the details.

Do you have questions about the tax credit?  Please post them here and I will get you answers!

When my child started Kindergarten I learned about their “school nights” at McDonald’s.  On certain nights you can let them know that you are there to support your school and a portion of your bill goes to benefit them.

The first time I did this I was surprised when the young man on the other end of the microphone at the drive thru said, “$1.61, please drive around.”

I looked at the screen in front of me and saw the same amount.  Hmmm. Assuming he had made an error I said, “I appreciate the lower price, but I think you made a mistake.  Did you get a Happy Meal?”

“Monday and Tuesday nights are family night and its cheaper.”  He explained.  I couldn’t believe what a deal I was getting!  I soon learned that family nights, for anyone not just my sons school, are in fact on Monday and Tuesday’s starting at 5pm at the McDonald’s in Oak Ridge (Corner of 150 & 68).

So, my son used to get a drive thru type meal about once a month, but now I try to treat him more often since the Oak Ridge McDonald’s has made it so easy and inexpensive!

I wish we had a song like this for every city and town in the Triad! Created by Josh In the Box from 107.5WKZL!

K-Vegas Song

What’s your favorite line?

When I first heard the story on WXII about the Triad Flight of Honor I immediately wanted to go! I filled out an application that day to be a guardian. I didn’t get the call to go on the first flight, and while I was disappointed I couldn’t wait to see the news coverage of the veterans on that day.

The Triad Flight of Honor flies WWII veterans to D.C. so that they can see the memorial built in their honor. Their entire flight and all expenses of the day are paid. They return home to a heroes welcome.

About a week before the first flight on October 3, 2009 I got a call asking if I would be interested in going on the second flight. I cried out, “Are you kidding? Absolutely!” I was so excited that I called my husband and plenty of other people immediately to let them know. I asked my pastor if I could let the church know of my need for funding (guardians pay their own way) and he agreed.

He was going to put a blurb in the bulletin and I went about asking for funds at my office and on facebook and twitter. An anonymous donor at my church heard my pastor talking about the Flight of Honor and donated the entire cost of my trip. I had already received some donations and was able to send that money directly to The Flight of Honor to help a veteran. You can make a donation at any area BB&T branch.

I had the honor of meeting the three veterans that make up my team for the flight on October 28th. Saturday we had a pre-flight meeting where we all enjoyed refreshments, were able to ask questions, learn about our trip, and best of all give each other a hug. The men that I met were deeply honored and thankful. I am so fortunate to be a part of such an amazing journey.

The most moving part of the morning for me (at the pre-flight meeting) was when Jeff Sims , the flight coordinator, and a veteran of the War in Iraq, saluted each individual branch of the military. He would call out for those that served in the United States Army to stand, and then the Air Force, then the Navy…it was very moving. A somber reminder of the violence of WWII was when he called out for those that proudly served as Marines to stand, and one man in the back stood alone. He stood alone, because, as one of the veterans sitting next to me said, “He’s the only one because they all died there.” While I knew this was true seeing this in person was very emotional and made my heart heavy with grief and gratitude for what all of our veterans have done.

As Jeff Sims quoted that morning the definition of a veteran is : “someone who at one point in his life wrote a blank check made payable to the United States of America for an amount of ‘up to and including my life.’ ”

Thank you veterans, for making my life and everything that is good about it possible.

Have you heard about the new text messaging I am offering to market my listings?  Each of my listings has an individual number assigned to them and that number is on top of their for sale sign with a picture of a cell phone and a “text for info” message.

A buyer can pull right up to your house and get info, pictures, even make an appointment!  It just doesn’t get much easier than that!

If you are thinking of listing, contact me to get a market analysis on your home.

Where are rates going?

Below is a copy of an email I got from one of my Mortgage partners, Tammy Coley, at the end of September regarding what is happening with interest rates.

I thought you might find this interesting.

As expected, the Fed did not touch interest rates, but the statement was a market mover.  The Fed said they are going to draw out the remaining commitment of Mortgage Backed Security purchases through the first quarter of 2010.  There will be no additional buying, but instead, a longer weaning off of the program.  This tells us a few things – there was some speculation about the Fed increasing the amount of buying above the $1.25T committed to, and yesterday’s statement is a nice way of the Fed saying “no more.”  They will not be buying more, but what they will do is attempt to provide a smoother transition back to normal market conditions.  It is a given that once the Fed ceases its purchases, that interest rates will climb significantly higher…most likely back above the 6% area.  So instead of a hard transition with a large bump in rates, the Fed is attempting to allow rates to gradually rise.

So what does this mean for rates in the short term? The media and Wall St saw this as the Fed extending their program when in fact they aren’t. This has given us a nice rally on interest rates for today BUT the gradual reduction in purchases has to bring higher interest rates.  The Fed has been buying about $25B per week, but the new plan to drag out these purchases over a longer period of time, means that they will be reducing both the frequency and amounts of their purchases.  This will cause higher levels of volatility, as the Fed will be purchasing less often and less consistently.  So we will see a gradual rise in rates over time…and we must be sure that this message gets out to our clients.

How does this affect us?

While we won’t be seeing a sudden jerk higher in rates when the Fed buying program comes to an end, it is clear that rates are now going to be on a gradual rise…and waiting to purchase or refinance will mean a higher interest rate. Their affordability will be reduced.

I added the emphasis and the red because that is the message here.  Do you have a mortgage question?  Ask it in the comments and I will try to get an answer as soon as possible and post it here at The Triad Agent.

You can reach Tammy Coley of Allen Tate mortgage at 336-491-3163.

In an effort to better serve my clients I have upgraded my site to make it even more useful.  What will you find when you take a look around?

• Still great posts on local interests
• Still great posts on real estate tips, tricks, and inside information
• Still an easy search tool (check out the “Search all homes for sale” button

But now you also will find:

• An “Ask Heather” button so you can submit your real estate questions or questions about a post.
• Free Market Analysis
• Free Listing Book account (the easiest way for a buyer to find a house and its free!)
• My favorite addition is the “Area Links.”  We offer some fantastic things to do in the Triad, so if you are trying to figure out what to do one weekend go here for great ideas!
• There is an easy “search” so you can find what you are looking for quickly!
• Additional ways to connect with me on Twitter (I was named one of the 50 real estate folks to follow on twitter in the country on twitter), LinkedIn, and become a fan on my Facebook page!
• And more!

Please let me know what you think of the new look, what you would like to see here, and if you have any questions that I can answer for you about Real Estate or the Triad!  Be sure to bookmark this page and subscribe to my RSS feed!

By now most first time home buyers have heard that they have until December 1st, 2009 to close on a home to qualify for the $8,000 First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit. So what does that mean, in regards to the time frame to purchase a house and qualify?

Most loans will take between 45 and 60 days to close now, which means you need to apply for a loan by the end of September to mid October to be able to close by December 1st. This means you have from NOW (whatever day you are reading this) to to the end of September to find a home, make an offer, negotiate that offer, come to an agreement on terms of the offer, so that you will be under contract and can then apply for the loan.

Basically it means you don’t have another day to wait. Today is August 25th, there are 36 days (click here to see a countdown clock) between now and the end of September. If you close on December 2nd you will have cost yourself $8,000.

Last night was our neighborhood’s first attempt at National Night Out. I along with my neighbor, Dee Ashby, organized the event, and I must say, for first timers it turned out pretty well!

National Night Out is an effort to get neighborhoods together to show criminals that we won’t stand for them being in our communities. It is a great opportunity to get to know your neighbors and the women and men in law enforcement that serve in the area.

We had a cook out thanks to the many donations and sponsors: Target, Lowe’s Foods (Oak Ridge), Food Lion (Oak Ridge), FedEx Kinkos, and CVS Pharmacy. Everyone enjoyed hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, popcorn, drinks and sweets!

We wanted to make sure there were fun things for the kids to do too so we had sidewalk chalk, water balloons, basketball, and prizes! The water balloons were supposed to be for a tossing game, but it turned into a big water balloon fight, oh well, the kids seemed to LOVE it! We also had ID kits for the kids to do with fingerprints, and a face painter (thanks for volunteering Christy Kubis!)

The Guilford County Sherriffs came out, including Sheriff BJ Barnes, at different times so that the community could meet some of them, and we could treat them to some dinner too! Several volunteers came out, one of which was Mrs. Shepherd (pictured). She really seemed to enjoy the music (supplied by Your Place or Mine) and was seen tapping her feet and fingers to the beat! We appreciate volunteers so much-Thank YOU!

The Stokesdale Fire Department was great and they let the kids go in their truck and try on their gear. They were a great group of guys-thanks to them for all they do! They had training that night at 7pm, but stayed out for almost three hours at our event in 90 degree weather!

We also had a K-9 Sgt. David Combs of the UNCG Police Department and his dog Aja. She was amazing and he was able to give us a demonstration of her searching for a purse out in a field. Aja let all of the kids pet her and Sgt. Combs answered lots of questions.

Lastly, we raffled off two sets of tickets to Wet N Wild Water Park, donated by Your Place or Mine. Just the thought of going to a water park was welcome because we were all so hot! Despite the heat we had a large turn out and can’t wait to do it again next year!

Thanks to all of the neighbors who came out and got to meet each other, many for the first time. We are blessed to have such lovely homes and neighbors.

Let me know your thoughts about the event if you attended!

This July has been one of the coolest ones I can remember. My family, along with some friends, took advantage of the cooler temperatures by going to our first Music for a Sunday Evening in the Park. It was at Lindley Park, and we were told this was the BIG one because the Philharmonia were playing.

We all packed a picnic, some blankets, and chairs, making the whole evening quite an event. We easily found a parking place, and didn’t have to walk far to join the other music fans.

We found a spot right next to the kids play area so our children could enjoy the night as much as we would. They immediately took off for the monkey bars and slides while we set up our picnics. When the kids weren’t on the playground they were petting the many dogs in attendance.

There were a lot of people in there, but everyone had room and we could all hear the music. There was a couple behind us that had just brought a quilt and lay together listening quietly. In front of us were the professional attendees. This group had a small coffee table, several picnic baskets, about ten different varieties of cheese, and wine. We were amazed when about half way into the evening they brought out a large spinach salad and pasta with marinara sauce.

No matter if you had a blanket, a small picnic, or a full blown meal everyone enjoyed being together with friends and listening to some beautiful music on a cool summer evening in the Triad. We are looking forward to going again, and we have vowed to “step it up a notch” with our picnic.

It is easy to see why many potential home owners are choosing North Carolina as their destination of choice. Known for its beautiful mountain ranges, valleys, a hub for the arts, music and agriculture, North Carolina is a state located on the Atlantic seaboard in the southeastern part of the United States.

In the world of real estate, there many decisions to be made and information that needs to be accumulated. Gaining the assistance of a dedicated and honest North Carolina real estate agent make all the difference during this process.

Asbestos

North Carolina is no stranger to asbestos-related activity. Sites where asbestos has been used extensively include steel mills, power plants, shipyards and other marine industries. Due to its flame resistant and durable qualities, it possessed many traits that were needed in construction.

Potential home owners or those remodeling older homes should be aware that homes built before 1980 may still contain asbestos. Asbestos exposure can cause health concerns but it must be known, that not all exposure leads to a related illness. With proper preparation and cautions, you can easily assure your home is asbestos free.

When asbestos materials become broken down or friable, this is when it becomes a concern, as fibers can become airborne and presents a high risk for anyone in the area. The inhalation of its fibers can cause a rare, but severe form of asbestos lung cancer known as malignant mesothelioma. Due to the fact many mesothelioma symptoms are similar to less serious ailments, mesothelioma diagnosis is one of the more difficult tasks physicians encounter.

Healthy Tips

If any suspected asbestos is present, the best advice is to leave it alone, as this can break down its fibers to move airborne. Hiring a professional inspector who can determine the validity of danger is a good first step. Sometimes, the best option is no action at all. However, if removal is needed in homes, work places and public facilities, it must be performed by a licensed abatement contractor who is trained in handling toxic materials.

The Asbestos Management in North Carolina provides detailed information to citizens, schools and public facilities about the health hazards of asbestos. The organization also accredits individuals who perform asbestos abatement and removal projects. It is recommended that removal of asbestos be performed by a licensed abatement contractor who is trained in handling hazardous materials.

Once the removal process is completed, green insulation alternatives should be given serious consideration. These alternatives include: cellulose, cotton fiber and lcynene. Made from recycled batted material, it is then treated to be fireproof. Water based spray polyurethane foam, lcynene, is a healthy insulation which contains no toxic components.

The United Nations Environmental Program states that the use of recycled building materials such as cotton fiber insulation can reduce energy use by 25 percent annually. The numbers continue to improve as more eco-friendly options become available. With a lackluster economy, these kinds of figures have attracted those who were unaware of eco-friendly construction.

I was approached by the Mesothelioma Cancer Center to post the above article so that more consumers could be educated on asbestos. For more information please go to www.asbestos.com

It happens every year, seemingly overnight. I come home to find the streets of our neighborhood lined in small American flags. Every mailbox has their own flag proudly waiving in the wind. It is a beautiful sight and a welcome reminder of what the Fourth of July is about.

I have no idea who is behind this labor of love, or how the flags are paid for, but I am thankful. I am thankful that someone is proud enough to walk the streets in the heat of July to remind our entire neighborhood that patriotism matters.

Whoever you are, please know that we are all grateful, and this deed does not go unrecognized. Thank you!

You have a lease on an apartment, or a house, so when should you put in an offer and be prepared to close?

Rent is paid in advance; for example: you pay $800 on August first for the right to live on the property from 8/1 to 8/31. A mortgage is paid in arrears; meaning, you pay $800 on August first for owning the property from 7/1 to 7/31.

If your lease is up on 9/30 you could buy a house any day in the month of August and your mortgage payment wouldn’t be due until October first, so you would never have to pay rent and your mortgage in the SAME month. Make sense?

Not really, right? You don’t have to pay mortgage until you have owned the home for one complete month (one full month of interest), in this scenario the month of September. So, you could buy a house on 8/3 and not pay mortgage until 10/1 because September will be the first full calendar month you will have owned the home.

If that is the case, why is your real estate agent recommending that you close on your new home as close to the end of a month as possible? Because you have a good agent who is looking out for you!

In the above scenario if you close on 8/3 you would have to pay at the closing table for your interest for the remainder of the month of August (8/3 to 8/31); remember you are paying your interest for September when you pay your mortgage on 10/1. Interest can add up!

These days it can take about 60 days to close a lot of loans so if you have a lease up on 10/30 you would probably want to close on a house on 9/30 so there would be no overlap of rent and mortgage and you would have a month to paint etc. and move, so that means you would want to have an accepted offer on a house by 7/30.

Better get looking at houses folks! Remember the first time home buyer tax credit of $8000 requires you to close on a house by 12/1/09 so that means you would likely need to have an offer accepted by 9/30-and even then, you are cutting it close-there are really only a couple of months of searching for THE ONE to go!

I know this can be confusing, so if you have any questions please let me know-or if you have a better way to explain this in layman’s terms please post a comment!

Last weekend we went to the Drive In in Eden NC with some friends. Talk about a cheap date-it was only $5 per adult, $2 for kids ages 6-11, and kids 5 and under were free! We called before we went to ask if we could bring our grill and they told us to bring whatever we liked. Just about a 30 minute drive from our neck of the woods, we got there when the gates opened at 7:30pm and found a prime spot on the fourth row in the middle of the big outdoor screen.

The kids took off to the playground that sported a pirate ship and swings while the adults did a little tailgating. If you aren’t a tailgater, don’t worry-they have a full snack bar and Dominos even delivers!

While the guys grilled, because that is what guys do, I prepared the back of our truck for our five year olds. We brought a twin size air mattress and blankets and pillows so they could enjoy the movie in comfort. We were right next to the snack bar area which has speakers so we would be able to hear even outside of our vehicles.

The kids came back from the playground sweaty and hungry and excited to see their cool pallet in the back of the truck. It was finally dusk and Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian began. Along with dusk came a bit of a chill and we were glad to have brought those extra blankets. So, did you get that: TIP #1 Bring blankets or sweats for when the sun goes down. TIP#2 Bring bug spray! We had to borrow some from a friend we ran into.

The first movie ended around 11pm, and we were dog tired, so we headed home. The second movie was Terminator….so for $5 we paid to see two popular new releases, which meant I was OK with missing the second one.

The kids haven’t stopped talking about going back-and I must admit I am looking forward to our next trip to the Eden Drive In.

I found a cool article on Greensboro called “Everything’s Greener in Greensboro.” The author talks about a lot of the interesting things about Greensboro and some of its history.

I know they couldn’t include EVERYTHING, but some of the major things that I thought were left out were our cultural offerings such as The Broach Theatre and Carolina Theatre just to name a couple. I also mentioned in my blog comment that we have great things for children to do in our area, my favorite being The Natural Science Center with their great new zoo area.

Check out the article and leave a comment here about the other great things we have in the Triad!

I was waiting on a delivery for a client and had some time to kill in the area, so I made a stop at the Piedmont Triad Farmer’s Market. There are farmers from all over the area selling their produce, fruit, plants, and flowers.

HOT TIP: There are almost always one or two vendors selling bouquets of beautiful flowers for around $10! They are so much better looking than anything you will find in a grocery store and much less expensive (OK guys if you didn’t get the hint-go get your wife flowers).

Strawberries are in season and almost everyone had them out to sample. So, I strolled along the covered area sampling strawberries as I looked at all of the plants and flowers they had to offer. They truly do have everything you could want, even tomato plants.

I found a pair of hanging baskets that I thought would look great on my front porch, just $25 for the pair! The farmer was so kind to take the time to show me how to care for the plants. He said to water them once a day and a little miracle grow once a week. He even showed me how dry the soil was to prove it was OK to let these baskets get full sun.

REAL ESTATE HOT TIP: If you are listing your home for sale some hanging baskets can dress up your front porch and create an inviting environment.

Support your local farmers and you support your local economy too! What is your favorite thing to buy at the Farmer’s Market?

This is big news! For all of those who couldn’t buy but wanted to-this will help make that dream of home ownership a reality! Read the article from the National Association of Realtors.

You have to close by 12-1-09, so let’s start looking today! If you aren’t a first time home buyer I bet you know someone who could be and they would love to know about this, so pass it on!

Read my previous posting for other details on the tax credit by clicking here.

One of my favorite things to do as a Realtor is to develop brochures for my listings. I put as much info as possible in them, along with lots of pictures and detailed information about what makes the home special.

There is a new resource out there for home owners who are struggling with a mortgage payment that may have increases, or those who want to refinance but are having trouble because their homes value has declined. Check out the new website from the U.S. Treasury Department http://www.makinghomeaffordable.gov/, or call (888) 995-4673 to see if you qualify. I found the FAQ’s page to be particularly informative.

What’s not to love about our pets? They are loyal, cute, fun, non-judgemental, some of them shed, wait that isn’t a good thing.