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.