Who is the 2019 REALTOR of the Year?

On December 3, 2019, our very own Brooke Cashion was named the 2019 Winston-Salem Regional Association of Realtors, REALTOR of the Year!  The association has 2000+ members and they have a lot of great talent to choose from so this was a wonderful honor and it was a lovely evening of celebration.  Will you our #BCA team in congratulating Brooke?!  

There was a special moment at the end of the Association recognizing Brooke when the following video was played:

In Search of....

We work everyday to "move" our client's property or to advise them through the real estate buying process and advising them on finding that perfect place.  We work hard to fulfill the path of real estate ownership which is part of our mission at #BCA.

Today, we are in search of properties in a certain price point and have buyers who are in need of finding that perfect place.  We need properties between the $150,000 and $400,000 price point.  If you know of anyone that has even thought about or would be interested in selling their property, please let us know asap.  We would be happy to contact them and simply have a conversation about the market place or they can reach out directly - NO OBLIGATION.

Thank you for your help.  We really appreciate it!

Wire Fraud...When Serious Details Matter...

Most people don't think it could or would happen to them.  But wire fraud is one of the fastest growing cybercrime in the US and real estate. 

What is wire fraud?  Investopedia defines it as a "crime in which a person concocts a scheme to defraud or obtain money based on false representation or promises" and "is a crime in which a person schemes to defraud or obtain money using electronic communications or an interstate communications facility."  The is what happens in a real estate transaction.

There is an ever increasing number of closings where buyers get to the closing table and realize that the monies needed for settlement have disappeared.  Somehow, someway, scammers received control of their bank accounts through phishing.

These scammers disguise themselves as the client attorney or agent and send the "wiring instructions".  The client assumes that this is accurate information as it looks official and goes ahead and wires the money.The problem is they just had their money stolen from them which can start a chain of events that can leave them in a bad spot financially and potentially legally.

Don't let this happen to you.  Here are a few ways to protect yourself.

• Educate yourself and make sure your Realtor and closing attorney are educated on wire fraud. Simply, learn the dangers!
• Verify funds and transfer instruction with the financial institution.  Make sure you are talking to your financial institution and keeping them updated on the purchasing of a property and that you'll be wiring the funds at time of closing.
• Verify the correct wiring instructions with the closing attorney in a secure manner
• NEVER use a public wi-fi to make the transfer
• Pay attention to any red flags that may appear like receiving a phone call from someone that you do know and them giving you the wiring instructions.  
• Be suspicious and on-guard and contact the financial institution immediately if something happens.
• Talk to your Realtor or closing attorney about how to mitigate the wire fraud risk in your transaction.

Recently, we were at a closing with a client.  The closing was smooth and without issue but one thing we learned and haven't seen it much is the attorney communicated with the client directly (not the paralegal or office staff, but the attorney) and gave them detailed wiring instructions.  This helped to mitigate any risk in the process.  It is a simple but effective risk mitigation strategy and we appreciated this attorney's diligence in protecting the client.  

The National Association of Realtors is very much engaged in working to solve some of these problems.  They are currently working on a wire fraud and money laundering toolkit that other Realtors, consumers and anyone involved in the real estate transaction should and could learn from.  We'll be sure to share once complete.  

In the meantime, we are not attorney's, however our goal is to protect our clients in this important property-buying process.  If you have any questions we are happy to help get those answered and get you in your dream home without issues.  Let’s make sure you're protected!

When Details Matter, Experience Counts!

Congrats Daphne and Welcome Jill!

Will you join us in a congrats and a welcome?

Today, we want congratulate and announce that our most recent office manager, Daphne Moore has decided to become a full time REALTOR. We are proud of Daphne and her work for our clients and the BCA team as she has been a great addition since early 2019 and will continue to be an awesome BCA team member as she makes this transition. Don't hesitate to contact her should you need consulting - the reviews she receives are awesome! 

Additionally, we are welcoming our new Office Manager, Jill Petras.  Jill has jumped right in, learning our systems, process and procedures and has a great positive attitude that is contagious. She'll be a great addition to the BCA team and will be fantastic in client services, details, and day-to-day implementation! 

Please join us in a hearty congrats and great welcome to Daphne and Jill!

Daphne Moore - Daphne.moore@allentate.com

Jill Petras - Jill.petras@allentate.com

Local Economic Impact?

We had a great time hosting a coffee  at one of our favorite coffee spots - Local Roots Coffee Bar & General Store. It was a great discussion with about 12-15 local business leaders from different industries about how the national economy could or is impacting our regional and local economy and how best to start planning moving into 2020. 

Most folks were still pretty upbeat about where things are. Couple quick takeaways:

• growing demand by millennials and other buyers for real estate
• still tight real estate inventory
• car buying is still hot
• seeing growth start some cresting with some global manufacturing
• Northern Guilford - Northern Forsyth and Stokes could become a growth area
• Inverted Yield Curve has about an 18 month lag
• US economy still strong and global investments still being made even though our interest rates are higher than other parts of the developed world
• big driver to growth is labor - companies go where labor market is good.
• regionalism is not just WS, Greensboro, HP, Kernersville but Charlotte to Raleigh corridor...thats where big industry looks not just the "triad" region
• 2020 recession outlook - if one, should be short and shallow and driven by trade issues with China and slowing global markets

We appreciate the following business leaders for joining us: 

• Kevin Bugg - State Farm Agent
• Beth Wiles Potts-PNG
• Joey Herman-Epes
• Pillar To Post Steve
• Mr. David Neugent-Merrill Lynch 
• Heather Bowers Cross-Fidelity
• TOK Alderman Jenny Ingram Fulton
• LuAnn Davis Kernersville Mortgage Loan Officer NMLS 113055
• Mike Fogleman-Deere-Hitachi
• Dana Caudill Jones- Caudill’s
• Jason Grubbs- Coltrane Grubbs Orenstein, PLLC
• Jonathan Smith-Davidson Craven Capital
• Brooke Cashion
• Lisa Chrystie - Brooke Cashion and Associates
• Daphne Moore - Brooke Cashion and Associates
• Jill Petras - Brooke Cashion and Associates

Is it for Everyone?

Recently, we were on a small weekend getaway at a great bed and breakfast in Southport, NC called the Robert Ruark Inn.  It is a fantastic place to stay and with the booking comes a wonderful breakfast.

While at breakfast, we met two other couples.  Both were from NC and were very neat people.  Throughout breakfast and small talk, one couple asked about the professions of others at the table.  A few minutes later, it was time for one of the three couples to leave so we were sitting at the breakfast table with a nice young couple from Raleigh, NC.   He was a native of Paris, France and had moved to NC to marry his wife, a neat lady who works in the pharmaceutical industry.

We could tell she wanted to ask a question.  She said, "May I ask you a real estate question?"  Of course!  She said, "we rent a home and we do not know if we want to buy or not...what do you think?"

It is a great question, isn't it?  We're sure the same thought has crossed many people's mind.  So we turned the question back to her and said, "That's up to you...do you want to use this investment to build wealth? Or do you want to give your hard-earned money to someone else so they can build their wealth? According to Lawrence Yun, the Chief Economist for the National Association of Realtors, this question is a no-brainer!  Between 2000-2018, those who became homeowners saw their net worth grow tremendously verse those who rented.

At the end of this short conversation, she said that several points were brought up that she had not thought of before.  We know and love real estate and believe it is a great tool to build wealth.  We think that she may be in the market to purchase real estate now.

**Disclaimer - some may not be able to purchase real estate at this point in their lives.  That's ok too. But it is important know that ownership is a wealth builder and a great step forward in the American Dream**

Top Three Issues....

So often we hear about how awesome the current real estate market is.  Currently, it is strong, stable, affordable and very active--which is great.  Our experienced BCA team of full-time Realtors meets weekly to discuss topics and provide insights in order make sure we are all on the same page. This includes working together and communication, addressing any process/operational issues and simply making sure we are all aligned for the same purpose.  We recently were talking about the current top three issues impacting our clients and the transaction and thought we'd share them here with you.  

1.  Unreasonable Buyer Request - we are in a tight market, one that still favors sellers.  However, every now and then we'll see buyer requests that seem to question the sincerity of their desire to purchase the home. Don’t get us wrong, asking for items to be repaired is not a bad thing. However, in NC when you are signing a contract you are agreeing to take the property in as-is condition. Sometimes that happens, sometimes it does not. Our state Realtors association has worked to have thorough disclosures up front but sometimes things aren’t discovered until a home inspector lays eyes on the house.  We are talking about sending a request that simply reads “see attached inspection report” and requests every item on the report with no thought or plan to accomplish the main items of concern. This act can set the tone of the transaction and actually prevent buyers from obtaining critical repair items.  We would question a buyer’s need to own a home if they can’t change a light bulb or tighten a door knob.

2.  Agents waiting until the last minute on due diligence request - this is very important!  The Due Diligence process is there to work through any issues that may arise through the transaction process and is highly important for the successful closing of a property.  We are seeing more and more folks waiting to the very last minute on request which can delay closing, cost time and money and is very disruptive to the process.  Don't wait until the last minute.

3.  Lack of Showing Feedback - when most people list their homes, they would like to know how a showing went.  Think about it...if you had your home listed and a showing occurred, would you not be interested to hear what the potential buyer thought? Someone has been in your home with their agent and the agent can’t find 2 minutes between Facebook and Insta posts to say how it went? As your listing Realtor, we make three requests for feedback via email over the course of 3 days and if we still have not obtained it we call and text the agent. Believe it or not, we still don’t receive feedback over 1/4 of the time. As far as providing feedback when we show, we would say we provide feedback 99.9% of the time and that ..01 we am leaving in there for the “human element” of potentially overlooking the request. Please make sure to inform your agent about how you truly feel about the house and encourage them to share it with the agent that has it listed.  It is simple communications that can help both parties.  

Thankfully, most transactions go smoothly, however, each one is different and carries their own directions.  But being able to head off some of the issues upfront helps.  So as human beings and as professional REALTORS we subscribe to the Golden Rule...."do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”  

What is the moral of the story?

Whether buyer or selling anything, it is important to know how the market is doing.  Real estate is no different.  We hear the question a lot...how's the market doing?

Things are positive.  While inventory is still an issue, buyers are shopping and in the marketplace. Mortgage rates are low, new job announcements have started to come, infrastructure projects are well underway, quality-of-life is high and we still have some of the most affordable real estate in the North Carolina.  Our sales volume is up 30% year over year, of which we thank all of our clients for the business.  However, here is a quick snapshot of a few of the most recent metrics we watch:

All Triad MLS - this encompasses the 11 county Triad, NC region:

Median Sales Price (MSP) - $183,000

Median Days on Market (DOM) - 11

Percent of Sales price to List Price (SP%) - 99.1%

Now, let's take a look at four cities in the Triad and how they are doing.

Winston-Salem

MSP - $178,500

DOM - 10

SP% - 99.1%

Kernersville

MSP - $226,000

DOM - 6

SP% - 100%

High Point

MSP - $161,500

DOM - 8

SP% - 98.4%

Greensboro

MSP - $185,000

DOM - 10

SP% - 99.5%

The real estate market in the Triad is strong, stable, affordable and active.  The moral of the story is simple, if you are buying, BE READY and if you are selling or planning to sell, BE READY!

In Like a Lion...

Special thanks to US Congressman Ted Budd!
Recently, Brooke had the honor of having a working meeting with Congressman Ted Budd in his district.  She is his Federal Political Coordinator for the National Association of REALTORS®(NAR) which means she represents NAR to his office and works to advocate for public policy on behalf of REALTORS, home and property owners. Congressman Budd serves on the Housing and Finance Committee and the Capital Markets, Securities and Investment Committee in the United States House of Representatives which are two very important committees for real estate issues. He is always a very kind, generous and open to discussions and its always a pleasure to work on the issues with him. Thanks Congressman Budd for all you do to support home and private property rights and real estate issues!

March 2019 Update:
The real estate market roared like a lion in March.  This info represents the all price points in the entire Triad MLS so different price points vary but happy to help get that info for you.  Sales took off and the median sales price was up to $165,500.  Inventory is starting to pick up some, thankfully.  Since the beginning of the year, we've seen a gain of 1471 properties to hit the market and saw a nice lift in March so with mortgage rates that are flat or falling and more homes continuing to hit the market, we think we'll start to see more buyer activity this spring.  The moral of the story...the market is solid, complex and active.  

When details matter, experience counts!
BCA is moving into the second quarter after having surpassed our first quarter goals.  Our new office manage, Daphne Moore is helping to take our office to the next level and is really doing a nice job.  Team Member, Lisa Chrystie recently received this feedback from a client and we wanted to share and say congrats Lisa and well done!

"Everything! Lisa exceeded our expectations for going above and beyond to answer any question or concern we had throughout our entire home-buying experience." The Veres

Will you help?
We have mentioned this in a prior post, but still need a little help.  The effort is about 90% to the goal and we need more businesses to step up and simply say they support the effort.  If you have any questions or would like to add your businesses name to the list of supporters, please let Jake Cashion, jakercashion@gmail.com know asap.  More information about Work Ready Forsyth and the effort is below:

Businesses in North Carolina, Forsyth County and Guilford County are thriving, but the biggest issue impeding their continued growth is the growing shortage of workers with the adaptable skills needed to succeed in the modern workplace. There are many that are deeply concerned about the skills gap, educational system and what it teaches and how those students are prepared for the workplace.  The question then is how does society work towards solutions to bolster our talent supply and fill North Carolina’s talent pipeline?  By leaps and bounds, education and talent supply are the top concern weighing on job creator's mind in a recent CEO poll performed by the NC Chamber.

As Congresswoman Virginia Foxx NC-5 says in a recent op-ed in the Wall Street Journal, 

"Individual potential transcends all demographics. It’s time that we speak honestly about the educational paths we set for Americans—and the paths they should be commended for choosing for themselves." (Stop Calling It Vocational Training)

An important step has been taken in Forsyth County.  The County Commissioners recently decided it was time for the community to put a focus on our local talent supply.  So the county has applied to become a North Carolina Certified Work Ready Community (NCCWRC).  Currently in NC, there are 62 counties that are participating which means, 62 counties are working every day to become more competitive for economic and job growth than Forsyth County.  

In NC, the NCCWRC is a collaboration of members form the Office of the Governor, NC Chamber Foundation, NC Community College System, NC Department of Instruction, NC Department of Commerce, regional economic development professionals and local community college leaders. 

What does this mean for Forsyth County, now that county leaders made the decision to become certified? 

• Business and industry gain confidence that Forsyth County has a skilled workforce and a considerable talent supply
• Individuals/Students understand what skills are required and therefore know how to prepare themselves for success
• Allows policy makers to consistently measure the skills gap and work on adjustments
• Educators can help close the skills gap via tools integrated into career pathways with industry credentials
• Economic developers can use an on-demand reporting tool to market the quality of the workforce and therefore, become a more competitive marketplace

In order to become certified and therefore more competitive with greater skills for students, the Forsyth County effort will be called, Work Ready Forsyth.  Thankfully, Forsyth County is currently 84% of the way to becoming certified.  However, business engagement is critical and needed.  

What we are asking is for your company to simply say you SUPPORT the effort by lending your company name to this important effort.  It's that simple.  Will you help our students, our workers, our businesses and our economy by lending your support?

Hope you will join Brooke Cashion and Associates-Allen Tate, Reynolds, Hanesbrands, Vulcan Materials and many others with your support? Please visit the Winston-Salem Chamber site for a quick and easy sign-up form...this is free with no obligation and is simply saying your business supports the efforts!

More information about this important effort will be coming out soon about Work Ready Forsyth, but here is some detailed information about the NC Certified Work Ready Community Certificate.  

"That's Who We R®"

Local Market Conditions

What is the market like? Or how is the market doing?  Or is now a good time to buy or sell?  All great questions and ones that are important to be asking.  So we thought we would simply give a breakdown of February 2019 real estate market data from the Triad MLS, the official data source for real estate.  This includes Winston-Salem, Greensboro and High Point and all parts in between.

At the end of February 2019, the median sales price of homes in ALL price ranges in the Triad MLS was $160,000.  This is down slightly from a recent high of $170,000.  There are currently just over 5000 homes on the market with the median days on the market of 34, which is up since June of 2018.  The months supply data is important as it shows the number of months until there are zero homes on the market and that is currently at 2.9.  A more healthy market has months supply up closer to 4.  Currently, the sales price to list price is 98.2%, another important number.  

Things are beginning to pick up slightly and mortgage rates are still hovering around 4.5 - 5% which is good.  This should translate into a healthy spring and summer for real estate, however, inventory is pivotal.  

It is important that we start seeing an uptick in listings.  Thankfully, our team is going on a number of listing appointments and we hope to have those on the market very soon.  We have the tools to drill down in a much smaller footprint, zip code, neighborhood, city, etc...with this kind of data and we'd be happy to help...just ask!

MIPIM - What on earth is this?  

None other than the world's largest commercial, industrial and land trade show.   Jake Cashion is the Chairman of the NC Realtors Global Network and he will be a part of a small delegation that will be in Cannes, France working to attract investment and economic development to all parts of North Carolina.  This is an important opportunity for the state and we are excited about being a small part of it.

Thats Who We R!

Brooke Cashion and Associates-Allen Tate is proud to be a part of the National Association of REALTORS, the country's largest trade organization.  Last week, while at our President's Circle Conference, NAR privately rolled out our new campaign called, "That's Who We R®".  Over the next year, you'll likely see this great new campaign which will be on tv, digital, social media and radio.  Below is one of the commercials and the press release from NAR.  We hope you enjoy it!  

NAR Press Release: WASHINGTON (February 25, 2019) – While many people know that a Realtor® helps buy and sell homes, what they may not know is that only a Realtor® is a member of the National Association of Realtors® and subscribes to its Code of Ethics. It's the Realtor® Code of Ethics that inspired the association's powerful new "That's Who We R®" campaign, which launched today. The campaign aims to reinforce the value of Realtors® as advocates for property owners, engaged community members and trusted advisors with in-depth knowledge of the industry.

"Our story is a century in the making as we began to set NAR members apart from the rest by establishing a Code of Ethics in 1913. This code is as relevant now as it was one hundred years ago; it's our pledge of honesty, integrity, professionalism and community service as a true partner for buying or selling a home, or property," said John Smaby, 2019 President, NAR. "'That's Who We R®' reinforces that partnering with a Realtor®, delivers the peace of mind that can only come from working with a real person who is committed to their clients' futures and neighborhoods just as much as they are."

"That's Who We R®" serves as a reminder of what NAR has always stood for, while signaling where the organization is heading. For Realtors®, the campaign is a rallying cry that instills pride in their everyday actions. For consumers, it's an education about the Realtor® difference.

The integrated marketing campaign from Havas features a cinematic world inspired by the Realtor® mark that serves as a beacon throughout. Everything from the larger than life "R" at the beginning, to the angles and geometry used as transitional elements and across the numerous sets was inspired by the mark that sets Realtors® apart. The agency partnered with Director X, known for his visually distinctive style, to create something distinct and modern. "That's Who We R®" features compelling stories about humans helping humans find homes and property, build communities and turn business dreams into realities.

"Our society has created trusted symbols from 'Verified' Instagram accounts to the Good Housekeeping Seal," said Karen Goodman, Group Creative Director at Havas Chicago. "As we dug into this brand, we knew Realtors® were the real deal and needed to find a way to telegraph that to everyone. We needed to turn the 'R' into the trusted symbol you should look for when buying and selling property."

The campaign content will be brought to life through strategic partnerships reflecting the modern ways in which our target audience consumes media, including linear and online video, streaming and terrestrial audio, social media, branded partnerships with multi-channel content makers such as VICE, Apartment Therapy, The Atlantic, HULU and more. The :30 "That's Who We R®" TV spot can be viewed here(link is external), and more information about NAR is available at www.nar.realtor.

The National Association of Realtors® is America's largest trade association, representing more than 1.3 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.

Havas Creative, North America is a progressive creative agency network focused on being the most meaningful partner to the modern CMO. It offers a comprehensive mix of capabilities within three distinct networks; Havas, Arnold and The Annex, including creative, experience design, cognitive, data and technology as well as unique access to other Vivendi-owned properties. With agencies in NY, Chicago, Boston, Los Angeles, Atlanta and others, Havas North America brings nearly 2,700 of the most talented people in the business. As the most modern, flexible and agile network in the North America, Havas reinforces the following five key pillars in everything it does: creativity, culture, community, consumer experience and commerce. We are creators. We are data. We are social. We are ideas. For more information, visit havas.com(link is external) or follow Havas on Twitter (@havas(link is external)), Facebook (facebook.com/havas(link is external)) and Instagram (@havas(link is external)).

Havas Media North America drives meaningful connections between brands and people to deliver growth via award-winning marketing solutions. Fully integrated specialty units empower big agency resources while maintaining a bespoke, client-focused approach. Havas Media employs the "Havas Village" model, which unites all disciplines together under one roof: media, performance, analytics, digital, mobile, social, experiential, strategy, and creative. Named MediaPost's 2017 Media Agency of the Year and Adweek's 2016 U.S. Media Agency of the Year, Havas Media North America is a proud member of Havas Group, which operates in over 140 countries. Find us online at www.havasmedia.com(link is external) or @havasmediausa.

MIPIM, NCSPA and PTIA....what do they have in common?

Economic development in North Carolina and our region is alive and well.  There are assets in our state that most people do not pay much attention to but are ones that are vitally important for our function day-to-day lives and for our broad-based economy.  We wanted to highlight a couple in hopes you might help spread the word about them!

MIPIM - What on earth is this?  None other than the world's largest commercial, industrial and land trade show.   Jake Cashion is the Chairman of the NC Realtors Global Network and he will be a part of a small delegation that will be in Cannes, France working to attract investment and economic development to all parts of North Carolina.  This is an important opportunity for the state and we are excited about being a small part of it.

North Carolina State Ports - have you heard all of the great news coming out of Wilmington and Morehead City and even our inland ports, one of which is in Greensboro?  One may ask why this matters to those of us in the Triad area...well, the ports "link the state's consumers, businesses and industry to world markets, and serve as magnets to attract new business and industry to the State of North Carolina.  Port activities contribute statewide to 76,000 jobs and $700 million each year in state and local tax revenue."  They are doing a tremendous job at the NC State Ports and have recently brought in the largest post-Panamax ship to Wilmington in its history...also, they are bringing in two new cranes that are literally being "shipped" across the sea as we write this, so if you or your company need a good port of call, make sure to talk with the NC State Ports!

Piedmont Triad International Airport - when we think of airports, we mainly think about personal travel and those long TSA lines...however, in the Triad region is a true gem and they are working hard every day to not only have great passenger service with limited waiting times and wonderful customer experience, but diversifying by attracting businesses that literally need to be connected to a runway.  Because of this, the airport is seeing awesome growth and having a large contribution to our local and state economy.  Recently, they hired an expert named Rick Reed and his job is to continue to leverage the airports assets, and its 5700 aerospace jobs, its $5.8 billion in annual economic impact to build out almost 1000 acres of prime real estate.  Read more about Rick and his work in this Business NC article!

These awesome assets in North Carolina ALL contribute to our economy, our lives, and our ability to see job and business growth.  Its a great North Carolina day!

Will Kernersville Get A New Bed and Breakfast?

We've had a wonderful historic home listed in downtown Kernersville.  There have been a number of interested parties to date.  Recently, however, it went under contract.  The new buyers want to turn it into a Bed and Breakfast and have taken the necessary steps to do just that.

To do this however, approval by the Kernersville Board of Adjustment is needed.  We are excited to have been a part of this important process...our team and the buyers/sellers were able to combine knowledge, skill sets, experience and governmental understanding in order to lead and work the process.  Thankfully, the town sees this as a positive investment as well as the Board of Adjustment.  We were thrilled that the new buyers received a unanimous vote in the affirmative from the Board.

Stayed tuned...once the property closes, you'll start to see more activity as work will begin in earnest. Congratulations to the new buyers on this step....we look forward to seeing great success in your beautiful, new but historic Bed and Breakfast!

Before and After...Would You Have the Vision?

When purchasing a home, people have different motivations.  Some like a home that is "move-in" ready, others like one that they can personalize and up-fit or redo, others simply just move into a home without doing anything, regardless of what kind of shape it is in which is ok too.  

In 2018, we had a client who purchased a home that was built in the mid-1980s.  The house was in great shape already, but the buyers wanted to make it their "own".  Recently, the new owners shared with us a couple of updates they have made.  What do you think?  Would you have the vision?

The next time you hear someone say, nah...remind them of the opportunities with a little vision.

Before....

After...

HOA's Need too Knows....

We find this question interesting..."Is this home in a HOA?"----some people hate them, some people tolerate them, some people love and embrace them.  A friend of ours sent this article from Investopedia...take a peek - some really good information.

"9 Things to Know About Homeowner Associations"

1 - Learn...
2 - Find out...
3 - Assess...
4 - Consider...
5 - Find...
6 - Get...
7 - Watch...
8 - Ask...
9 - Consider...

Here to help...simply ask!

Will Your Company Join this Great Effort?

Businesses in North Carolina, Forsyth County and Guilford County are thriving, but the biggest issue impeding their continued growth is the growing shortage of workers with the adaptable skills needed to succeed in the modern workplace. There are many that are deeply concerned about the skills gap, educational system and what it teaches and how those students are prepared for the workplace.  The question then is how does society work towards solutions to bolster our talent supply and fill North Carolina’s talent pipeline?  By leaps and bounds, education and talent supply are the top concern weighing on job creator's mind in a recent CEO poll performed by the NC Chamber.

As Congresswoman Virginia Foxx NC-5 says in a recent op-ed in the Wall Street Journal, 

"Individual potential transcends all demographics. It’s time that we speak honestly about the educational paths we set for Americans—and the paths they should be commended for choosing for themselves." (Stop Calling It Vocational Training)

An important step has been taken in Forsyth County.  The County Commissioners recently decided it was time for the community to put a focus on our local talent supply.  So the county has applied to become a North Carolina Certified Work Ready Community (NCCWRC).  Currently in NC, there are 62 counties that are participating which means, 62 counties are working every day to become more competitive for economic and job growth than Forsyth County.  

In NC, the NCCWRC is a collaboration of members form the Office of the Governor, NC Chamber Foundation, NC Community College System, NC Department of Instruction, NC Department of Commerce, regional economic development professionals and local community college leaders. 

What does this mean for Forsyth County, now that county leaders made the decision to become certified? 

• Business and industry gain confidence that Forsyth County has a skilled workforce and a considerable talent supply
• Individuals/Students understand what skills are required and therefore know how to prepare themselves for success
• Allows policy makers to consistently measure the skills gap and work on adjustments
• Educators can help close the skills gap via tools integrated into career pathways with industry credentials
• Economic developers can use an on-demand reporting tool to market the quality of the workforce and therefore, become a more competitive marketplace

In order to become certified and therefore more competitive with greater skills for students, the Forsyth County effort will be called, Work Ready Forsyth.  Thankfully, Forsyth County is currently 84% of the way to becoming certified.  However, business engagement is critical and needed.  

What we are asking is for your company to simply say you SUPPORT the effort by lending your company name to this important effort.  It's that simple.  Will you help our students, our workers, our businesses and our economy by lending your support?

Hope you will join Brooke Cashion and Associates-Allen Tate, Reynolds, Hanesbrands, Vulcan Materials and many others with your support? Please visit the Winston-Salem Chamber site for a quick and easy sign-up form...this is free with no obligation and is simply saying your business supports the efforts!

More information about this important effort will be coming out soon about Work Ready Forsyth, but here is some detailed information about the NC Certified Work Ready Community Certificate.  

2019 - The Year of Readjustments...

Happy New Year!

The year is off and in full swing already and we are excited about the opportunities 2019 could provide and hope that you are as well!

2018 was a great year for our state and our region.  We were excited about how the real estate market performed, how the local and state economy performed and are cautiously optimistic that 2019 will be another strong year.  Below are some items you may be interested in:

-NC's economy is expanding...
-8500+ Jobs Announced!
-Triad's Megasites Earning Global Attention
-New State Laws Bring Additional Tax Changes and Infrastructure Investment

What about residential real estate?
The United States is currently in the third biggest housing boom in history.  Housing is up 53% in this cycle and we are in the second longest economic expansion in history.  The question of course will be how long will it go.  But the economy is in great shape despite the ups and downs of Wall Street and the complications of the real estate market.

In 2019, we'll likely see some READJUSTMENTS in the residential real estate market and return to a more balanced marketplace.  It'll be important to watch some key metrics in the Triad of North Carolina...those include:

• Days on the Market - likely to see those start ticking up from years-long low
• Inventory - already starting to see an increase here 
• Number of Showings - currently we are seeing the median around 11 
• List price to Closed Price - we have been very high over the last two years or so and this is likely to decrease as more inventory becomes available.
• Appreciation - we have seen solid appreciation rates over the past couple of years of which it may have peaked and we are already seeing in some of the largest markets in the state, start to come back down.  This will be the case in our region as well.

But with all of that, 2019 will be a HEALTHY and GOOD real estate market.  But if you are thinking about selling, be open to important conversation about appreciation and what you can expect.  If you are buying, it'll be important to pay attention to the factors and metrics that can help you make important and informed decision.  Here is a good article about what to expect when buying a home in 2019 and how best to prepare.

Quick Announcements we are proud of:
2019 will be a busy year for our team...a couple of announcements because we believe that being active in your professional industry is important...

-Brooke Cashion has been named the 2019 Federal Political Coordinator for US Congressman Ted Budd and the 2019 Image Committee Vice-Chair for the North Carolina Realtors Association

-Jake Cashion has been named the 2019 Chairman of the NC Realtors Global Network and will be traveling to Cannes, France in March to help showcase and connect North Carolina to international business and therefore greater economic development opportunities for the state.  As well, he has been appointed to the 2019 Business Issues Policy Committee for the National Association of Realtors.

Team Member Hollie Breazeale was awarded the 2018 Rising Star award by the North Carolina Realtors Association.

It's important to be prepared and that's simple...just let us know and we are happy to add you to our MarketPlace Report - this is a FREE monthly email that shows real estate activity in your neighborhood and keeps you abreast of any changes.  We are happy to simply set you up - just ask!

A Home in the Sun?

Recently, we enjoyed a little time in sunny St. Pete Beach, FL.  This is a great beach and part of the state and it offers big, wide, white-sandy beaches on the beautiful Gulf of Mexico.  It is sunny about 340 days per year!  As we strolled along some of the neighborhood streets heading into Pass-A-Grill Beach for breakfast one morning, we took some pictures of a few homes with one question in mind...all of these homes are located either on the beach or on the bay side, have different architectural qualities and all very lovely but...

Which one is your favorite?

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