Great email from our president at Allen Tate...how will you spend yours?
Gift of 86,400
Imagine that you had won the following prize in a contest: Each morning your bank would deposit $86,400.00 in your private account for your use.
However, this prize has rules, just as any game has certain rules.
The first set of rules would be:
Everything that you didn't spend during each day would be taken away from you.
You may not simply transfer money into some other account. You may only spend it.
Each morning upon awakening, the bank opens your account with another $86,400.00 for that day.
The second set of rules:
The bank can end the game without warning; at any time it can say, It’s over, the game is over! It can close the account and you will not receive a new one.
What would you personally do?
You would buy anything and everything you wanted right? Not only for yourself, but for all people you love, right? Even for people you don't know, because you couldn’t possibly spend it all on yourself, right? You would try to spend every cent, and use it all, right?
ACTUALLY This GAME is REALITY!
Each of us is in possession of such a magical bank. We just can't seem to see it.
The MAGICAL BANK is TIME!
Each morning we awaken to receive 86,400 seconds as a gift of life, and when we go to sleep at night, any remaining time is NOT credited to us.
What we haven't lived up that day is forever lost. Yesterday is forever gone.
Each morning the account is refilled, but the bank can dissolve your account at any time....WITHOUT WARNING.
SO, what will YOU do with your 86,400 seconds?
Those seconds are worth so much more than the same amount in dollars.
Think about that, and always think of this:
Enjoy every second of your life, because time races by so much quicker than you think.
So take care of yourself, be Happy, Love Deeply and enjoy life!
Here's wishing you a wonderful and beautiful day.
Start spending.
Till next time!
“Challenges are what make life interesting, overcoming them is what makes life meaningful!!!” Joshua J. Marine
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Friday, July 08, 2011
Do You Need a Pre-Qualification or a Pre-Approval?
Chris Cope, President of Allen Tate Mortgage, posted a great piece this morning on pre-qualification vs. pre-approval letters. These may seem like one and the same for most folks, but with the rising number of contract fall throughs, this is information that we can ALL use!
Pre-Approval vs. Pre-Qualification--Chris Cope--Allen Tate Mortgage
Pre-Approval vs. Pre-Qualification--Chris Cope--Allen Tate Mortgage
Monday, June 13, 2011
How Free Are We?
Always interesting to me is how free we perceive ourselves to be when we are inundated with information everyday leading us to believe that we live in either the most free spot in the world or one where our freedoms are being whittled away each day. Check out this website and let me know your thoughts...How Free Are We?
Freedom of the 50 States-Mercatus
Freedom of the 50 States-Mercatus
Wednesday, May 04, 2011
Public v. Private and Need v. Necessity
On a recent trip to St. Pete Beach Florida I noticed an interesting phenomenon, the use of privately-owned "smart cars" as modes of FREE transportation to and from restaurants, beaches and watering holes. Jake and I have been visiting the St. Pete Beach area going on 15 years now and the normal mode of transportation outside of your private or rental car has been the standard taxicab. The taxi was certainly an option but it entailed waiting for unspecified amounts of time, astronomical tabs for short distances and less than stellar interior ride conditions. As years progressed and need demanded, the city saw a niche that it could fill while adding to the "small beach town" ambiance and thus the trolley was introduced. Novel at first to ride a vintage-looking trolley up and down the 5-7 mile strip for less than a dollar each way, the trolley soon wears on your patience. It is nothing to wait 15-30 minutes for a trolley to get to a stop and then the attendants are less than helpful recommending things to see or where you need to get off for a particular venue. For example, one foggy night, we told the trolley conductor that we were headed to Corey Avenue, which is an on-the-water crossroads for restaurants and live music. Did he stop, did he ask, did he indicate that we were close by,even though we were the only ones on the trolley? Nope. Just kept gettin' it down Gulf Boulevard. As I stated, it was unusually foggy and we had a 3 year old to distract us, so we ended up just outside of Treasure Island, some 3 miles from where we wanted to be and the trolley had no plans on coming back to the St. Pete side that evening. Well, let's just say at that point, thank God we had cash and thank God for cabs!
Well, fast-forward to my last few trips this past year and the advent of the entrepreneur has arrived on the Gulf! Little, open-air "smart cars" adorned with advertising, zipping up and down the road and best of all they are FREE!! Restaurants and bars call them, they arrive on time and guess what? They really are FREE, taking tips only, but making the majority of their money off of the advertising. The drivers are great tour guides and remember to pick you back up at specified times from specified places because guess what? They work for tips and their service has a direct impact on their take home each night. So once again, the private sector proves that they do it best and most effectively and at less burden to the tax payer. This service has even upgraded to "green" vans for larger groups.
Looking at the virtually empty trolley crawling lazily up and down the strip may have been nostalgic but one's thing for sure, I for one, am glad it was replaced with something that is effective, efficient, clean and entertaining. A great example of how American ingenuity can take and discern the demands and expectations between a need v. a necessity and capitalize on it...What do you think the next BIG need is, that private business would be better at serving as opposed to public/taxpayer funding?
Well, fast-forward to my last few trips this past year and the advent of the entrepreneur has arrived on the Gulf! Little, open-air "smart cars" adorned with advertising, zipping up and down the road and best of all they are FREE!! Restaurants and bars call them, they arrive on time and guess what? They really are FREE, taking tips only, but making the majority of their money off of the advertising. The drivers are great tour guides and remember to pick you back up at specified times from specified places because guess what? They work for tips and their service has a direct impact on their take home each night. So once again, the private sector proves that they do it best and most effectively and at less burden to the tax payer. This service has even upgraded to "green" vans for larger groups.
Looking at the virtually empty trolley crawling lazily up and down the strip may have been nostalgic but one's thing for sure, I for one, am glad it was replaced with something that is effective, efficient, clean and entertaining. A great example of how American ingenuity can take and discern the demands and expectations between a need v. a necessity and capitalize on it...What do you think the next BIG need is, that private business would be better at serving as opposed to public/taxpayer funding?
Friday, April 15, 2011
As Rents Rise Will Housing Prices Start to Recover?
It's as simple as supply v. demand. Currently, the local rental market is booming with tens of calls a day coming into our office as renters are on the prowl for suitable temporary housing. With the advent of foreclosures, short sales and job loss many folks who previously owned are looking for rental property in order to secure a roof over their heads while waiting for credit to rebound. These are a new breed of renters, used to the luxury and quality of life afforded by home ownership. In our market, which is historically made up of rental homes under $1000 per month, there are not homes suitable for the finicky tenant looking for a place to establish their family after a tumultuous couple of financially challenging years. These renters want cleanliness, quality, space and established neighborhoods that FEEL like home and unfortunately these are few and far between.
The upside is that as prices continue to settle, we are finding more homeowners opting not to sell before moving to that next job or home. This may in fact give rise to a larger availability of properties to choose from and allow high-end renters choices beyond the edges of college campus'.
As rents rise it has been predicted that housing price declines will slow and help to up-end the market.
www.calculatedriskblog.com/2011/04/forecast-rising-rents-to-slow-house.html
So as long as this cycle works itself out it may be in fact a good thing for real estate. On the other hand, if continued intervention and regulation from outside financial and governmental entities occurs, we may not experience the possibility of current homeowners opting to rent rather than sell due to fear of not being able to purchase without selling.
Much remains to be seen but the notion that you can hold on to your current home, allow the market pricing to adjust upwards AND purchase your NEXT home while rates are low, mortgage programs available and inventory is great is something that could help to shore up our shaky real estate foundation.
The upside is that as prices continue to settle, we are finding more homeowners opting not to sell before moving to that next job or home. This may in fact give rise to a larger availability of properties to choose from and allow high-end renters choices beyond the edges of college campus'.
As rents rise it has been predicted that housing price declines will slow and help to up-end the market.
www.calculatedriskblog.com/2011/04/forecast-rising-rents-to-slow-house.html
So as long as this cycle works itself out it may be in fact a good thing for real estate. On the other hand, if continued intervention and regulation from outside financial and governmental entities occurs, we may not experience the possibility of current homeowners opting to rent rather than sell due to fear of not being able to purchase without selling.
Much remains to be seen but the notion that you can hold on to your current home, allow the market pricing to adjust upwards AND purchase your NEXT home while rates are low, mortgage programs available and inventory is great is something that could help to shore up our shaky real estate foundation.
Tuesday, April 05, 2011
Demand Atlas Shrugged Movie Here in NC!!
You guys have read my blog on Atlas Shrugged several months ago and know how much Jake and I love the book and Ayn Rand...now the movie is out and due to the message, (which of course is adverse to everything promoted today in mainstream media), the movie is not being shown in many theatres nationwide. The website and facebook fan page have places where you can "demand" the movie in your locale but anti-Atlas Shrugged folks have hacked into the system to prevent gathering this info. Kinks are being worked out, but check out the trailer and find a way to promote and tell others to "demand" this movie be made available locally!!
http://www.atlasshruggedpart1.com/atlas-shrugged-movie-trailer
If this movie trailer doesn't get you excited, I don't know what will! Read the book!!
http://www.atlasshruggedpart1.com/atlas-shrugged-movie-trailer
If this movie trailer doesn't get you excited, I don't know what will! Read the book!!
Monday, April 04, 2011
It's Been A Long Long Time...I Don't Think We're In Kansas Anymore...
Certainly nothing is more frustrating than trying to find a blogger who posts regularly. Someone you can count on for accurate, up-to-date information. That someone was me, until recently! We have been swamped--not only new listings, buyers, marketing and other real estate related activities, but just life in general--family, soccer, school plays, chorus practice, church--you guys know the drill! Heck, I bet you've been so busy that you haven't even noticed that I hadn't posted in two weeks! Definitely a long time for me! So let me share with you my latest-non-real estate related story!
Stuck in Florida
I headed out to Florida last Sunday to catch up with my college roommate for her 35th birthday. We decided due to several factors (one being cost) that we would stay with my aunt in St. Pete Beach. We have both visited the area, which is steps away from the powdered-sugar shores of the Gulf and knew that this time of year was beautiful--low humidity, mid 80 degree days and inexpensive flights. Rough ride on the way down as we bumped and rolled through a front in southern Georgia, but we made it in one piece. First day was gorgeous as expected, but days 2, 3 and 4 were cloudy with major thunder and windstorms thrown in to boot! We would rush to put on sunscreen or run to get in from extreme lightning--one day it was so windy our nachos blew off of the plate! Nevertheless, we visited and made the best of our time together!
Fast forward to Thursday-time to leave. My aunt chauffers us to our respected airports, mine St.Pete/Clearwater and my friend's, Tampa. This is approximately 9 am. Around 10 am, my friend and I are texting back and forth about the major storm brewing. Rain blowing sideways, tornado watches, hail, windgusts up to 70 mph and the like. Lightning like we rarely see in NC cracked the sky wide open, followed by thunder that lasted for 10 plus seconds and shook the building around you...Then the airplane in front of my window begins to move up and down. The plane looked like something out of a Snoop Dogg video, as if it had hydrolics. Now we aren't talking a small plane, we're talking a 737 anchored to the ground. At one point, though I was only sitting 50 feet away, you couldn't see the plane's nose for the rain and wind. So, still texting in a panic and CRACK, lightning and suddenly no power! The Pinellas County Sherriff's department along with homeland security comes in and assures all of us waiting to board, that in oh, 30 minutes max that the power will be on shortly, as the generator gets up and running. Just then an odd, empty sucking sound and the doors from the terminal to the tarmac are forced opened--later it was determined that this was the pressure change (900mb-think hurricane pressure) as the tornado touched down four times around the airport and the immediate area--tossing small planes and destroying hangars. My friend is frantically texting me that she is in the bathroom in Tampa because the tornado was spotted skipping its way across the bay!
The power doesn't return in 30 minutues or 3 hours...at 4 o'clock, still no power and the airport authority announced that flights were being cancelled. The airport was great for providing free water and drinks but still no food and many people had been there since early morning. Now mind you during this time no one left the interior terminal because there was no way for homeland security to screen you coming back in. So hundreds of us are inside this 80 degree building, no way to get food (registers and service areas down) and no internet. My cell phone battery was waning with no way to charge it, so I made the decision to call my aunt to pick me back up. As I am waiting, more huge waves of this storm batter the airport and the workers trying to restore power-apparently, lightning hit the generator. Also, while waiting, no one is sure if flights will be resumed that evening since poor weather was being called for through the evening. All in all, the Tampa area recieved approximately 3-4 inches of rain during each of these storms over a 5 day period. The damage was described by some locals as worse than what is gotten during hurricanes.
Allegiant rescheduled my flight at no charge later that evening for the upcoming Sunday-a full three days later. Though it put me behind at work and I had never been away from Jake and Maddie that long, the next two days were what Florida weather should be. Skies with no clouds to be found, rustling palms overhead, 70 degree weather when you wake up and handcrafted sunsets!! I thanked God for allowing me safe returns and for knowing that I could use a few extra days to relax.
I am back, refreshed and re-energized and ready to take on the real estate market! The roomie did make it back safely as well, but only after spending almost a full 24 hours either on stand-by, on a tarmac, changing terminals, on a cancelled or delayed flight or driving. Unbelieveable, but an adventure that we won't forget for a long time!
Stuck in Florida
I headed out to Florida last Sunday to catch up with my college roommate for her 35th birthday. We decided due to several factors (one being cost) that we would stay with my aunt in St. Pete Beach. We have both visited the area, which is steps away from the powdered-sugar shores of the Gulf and knew that this time of year was beautiful--low humidity, mid 80 degree days and inexpensive flights. Rough ride on the way down as we bumped and rolled through a front in southern Georgia, but we made it in one piece. First day was gorgeous as expected, but days 2, 3 and 4 were cloudy with major thunder and windstorms thrown in to boot! We would rush to put on sunscreen or run to get in from extreme lightning--one day it was so windy our nachos blew off of the plate! Nevertheless, we visited and made the best of our time together!
Fast forward to Thursday-time to leave. My aunt chauffers us to our respected airports, mine St.Pete/Clearwater and my friend's, Tampa. This is approximately 9 am. Around 10 am, my friend and I are texting back and forth about the major storm brewing. Rain blowing sideways, tornado watches, hail, windgusts up to 70 mph and the like. Lightning like we rarely see in NC cracked the sky wide open, followed by thunder that lasted for 10 plus seconds and shook the building around you...Then the airplane in front of my window begins to move up and down. The plane looked like something out of a Snoop Dogg video, as if it had hydrolics. Now we aren't talking a small plane, we're talking a 737 anchored to the ground. At one point, though I was only sitting 50 feet away, you couldn't see the plane's nose for the rain and wind. So, still texting in a panic and CRACK, lightning and suddenly no power! The Pinellas County Sherriff's department along with homeland security comes in and assures all of us waiting to board, that in oh, 30 minutes max that the power will be on shortly, as the generator gets up and running. Just then an odd, empty sucking sound and the doors from the terminal to the tarmac are forced opened--later it was determined that this was the pressure change (900mb-think hurricane pressure) as the tornado touched down four times around the airport and the immediate area--tossing small planes and destroying hangars. My friend is frantically texting me that she is in the bathroom in Tampa because the tornado was spotted skipping its way across the bay!
The power doesn't return in 30 minutues or 3 hours...at 4 o'clock, still no power and the airport authority announced that flights were being cancelled. The airport was great for providing free water and drinks but still no food and many people had been there since early morning. Now mind you during this time no one left the interior terminal because there was no way for homeland security to screen you coming back in. So hundreds of us are inside this 80 degree building, no way to get food (registers and service areas down) and no internet. My cell phone battery was waning with no way to charge it, so I made the decision to call my aunt to pick me back up. As I am waiting, more huge waves of this storm batter the airport and the workers trying to restore power-apparently, lightning hit the generator. Also, while waiting, no one is sure if flights will be resumed that evening since poor weather was being called for through the evening. All in all, the Tampa area recieved approximately 3-4 inches of rain during each of these storms over a 5 day period. The damage was described by some locals as worse than what is gotten during hurricanes.
Allegiant rescheduled my flight at no charge later that evening for the upcoming Sunday-a full three days later. Though it put me behind at work and I had never been away from Jake and Maddie that long, the next two days were what Florida weather should be. Skies with no clouds to be found, rustling palms overhead, 70 degree weather when you wake up and handcrafted sunsets!! I thanked God for allowing me safe returns and for knowing that I could use a few extra days to relax.
I am back, refreshed and re-energized and ready to take on the real estate market! The roomie did make it back safely as well, but only after spending almost a full 24 hours either on stand-by, on a tarmac, changing terminals, on a cancelled or delayed flight or driving. Unbelieveable, but an adventure that we won't forget for a long time!
Monday, March 21, 2011
Conventional Wisdom--FHA vs. Conventional
In recent history, buyers with little down payment and high credit scores still leaned towards FHA loans for their good rates and low down payment requirements. Currently for as little as 3.5% down, which can still be a gift, a decent FHA loan can be obtained.
In mid-April, FHA will adjust their up front funding fee which may in fact turn the tables for buyers looking for those low down payment loans. It looks like now using conventional financing can save buyers substantial amounts of money at the onset and years down the road.
With new conventional programs, there is no upfront premium, unlike FHA which requires 1% upfront either added to the closing costs or financed into the loan.
On these conventional products there will be lower monthly private mortgage insurance costs than with FHA which means realized savings month over month and year over year.
On some of the conventional products you can get in with as little as 3% down as opposed to FHA's required 3.5%.
If the buyer has the ability to put a little more down with some of these products and can bring a down payment of 5% as opposed to FHA's required 3.5% then in 3 years the buyer can save approximately--
$2116 in monthly mortgage payments
$4005 in mortgage insurance
and will have $5632 more in equity.
When the FHA pricing changes in April, these numbers above will adjust to
$3885 in monthly mortgage savings
$5774 in mortgage insurance costs and this is in just the first three years! Not something to sneeze at!
For more information and details please give me a call or email me so that our team can put you in touch with a mortgage professional who can assess your situation and determine which loan is right for you!
Brooke
In mid-April, FHA will adjust their up front funding fee which may in fact turn the tables for buyers looking for those low down payment loans. It looks like now using conventional financing can save buyers substantial amounts of money at the onset and years down the road.
With new conventional programs, there is no upfront premium, unlike FHA which requires 1% upfront either added to the closing costs or financed into the loan.
On these conventional products there will be lower monthly private mortgage insurance costs than with FHA which means realized savings month over month and year over year.
On some of the conventional products you can get in with as little as 3% down as opposed to FHA's required 3.5%.
If the buyer has the ability to put a little more down with some of these products and can bring a down payment of 5% as opposed to FHA's required 3.5% then in 3 years the buyer can save approximately--
$2116 in monthly mortgage payments
$4005 in mortgage insurance
and will have $5632 more in equity.
When the FHA pricing changes in April, these numbers above will adjust to
$3885 in monthly mortgage savings
$5774 in mortgage insurance costs and this is in just the first three years! Not something to sneeze at!
For more information and details please give me a call or email me so that our team can put you in touch with a mortgage professional who can assess your situation and determine which loan is right for you!
Brooke
Tuesday, March 08, 2011
REDUCTION ON ONE LEVEL-SPLIT BEDROOM PLAN IN KERNERSVILLE!
Recently Reduced in Kernersville! Like a Model Home!
5748 Bromley Drive $225,000--CLICK HERE FOR INFO AND PICS!www.allentate.com/brookecashion/594946
Thursday, March 03, 2011
A Charity That We Love Continues to Make a Difference!
Arts for Life, which is a charity that we support here on our team and personally continues to bring the arts to sick children at Brenner's and other children's hospitals around the state. If you are interested in contributing or knowing how you can help, please contact me and I can give you the info.
Enjoy the article! Brooke
Arts For Life Brings Music to Patients
Monday, February 28, 2011
New Restaurant Coming to Kernersville!
For a community that treats its restaurants and businesses so well, I have always found it strange that we have so few really good, independent, sit-down restaurants in Kernersville. That is about to change! Some of our local favorites such as Smitty's and Fitz's are niche' restaurants, serving seafood and short order but for a family that likes to dine out, we will not be missing any visits to these "stand-bys".
The new restaurant, which I have very limited information about, will be located on Old Winston Road beside of Kernersville Pharmacy. According to the sign in front of the building, the name will be J. Pepper's. I have heard rumblings that it will be high-end Southern cuisine, but have no verification on this speculation. I do know that there will be an outdoor patio area for drinks and dining that should seat between 50-60 patrons. The Cashion family certainly welcomes J. Pepper's and I am sure that our friends and neighbors do as well!
Another update on Blend and Brew, formerly known as Espresso Doctors. The temporary unit in the parking lot of Planet Fitness was given a stay by the town of Kernersville until a new location could be found. Word on the street is that the current owner has found a suitable location on South Main Street and Century Park just across from Don Juan's Mexican. Ground has been broken and they hope to have the new locale up and running by end of March-mid-April according to an employee. Blend and Brew will remain a drive-thru coffee experience and hopes to expand their clientele by having more exposure on South Main.
If you have any additional information you would like to share on either of these businesses or know of some other exciting news as it relates to eats and drinks in and around town...share it on the post!
The new restaurant, which I have very limited information about, will be located on Old Winston Road beside of Kernersville Pharmacy. According to the sign in front of the building, the name will be J. Pepper's. I have heard rumblings that it will be high-end Southern cuisine, but have no verification on this speculation. I do know that there will be an outdoor patio area for drinks and dining that should seat between 50-60 patrons. The Cashion family certainly welcomes J. Pepper's and I am sure that our friends and neighbors do as well!
Another update on Blend and Brew, formerly known as Espresso Doctors. The temporary unit in the parking lot of Planet Fitness was given a stay by the town of Kernersville until a new location could be found. Word on the street is that the current owner has found a suitable location on South Main Street and Century Park just across from Don Juan's Mexican. Ground has been broken and they hope to have the new locale up and running by end of March-mid-April according to an employee. Blend and Brew will remain a drive-thru coffee experience and hopes to expand their clientele by having more exposure on South Main.
If you have any additional information you would like to share on either of these businesses or know of some other exciting news as it relates to eats and drinks in and around town...share it on the post!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Survey: Sales of Distressed Homes increased in January
Interesting piece in CalculatedRISK today(see link below)...however, in our local market we have not seen the huge influx of distressed property as predicted. Certainly, more homes than in years past that are foreclosing and even fewer being accepted for short sale. This phenomenon highlights the incorrect public perception that banks would rather settle in a short sale situation than foreclosing.
As agents, were are finding that banks are opting for the foreclosure rather than negotiate short sale options. Usually, with outstanding second loans being left in the lurch with little to no money coming their way, the foreclosure process swiftly deals with these outstanding second and third liens and clears the title for the bank to place the home back on the market; in many cases for less than the short sale offers. I have personally seen two instances in the past six months where this has occurred.
As for additional homes coming on the market in this "shadow" inventory...it's hard to say if folks are hanging on through the end of their savings, if they are actually finding gainful employment to continue making payments or if the former stigma of foreclosure has softened and folks will let their homes go back to the bank without batting an eye. Only time will tell...
Survey: Sales of Distressed Homes increased in January
As agents, were are finding that banks are opting for the foreclosure rather than negotiate short sale options. Usually, with outstanding second loans being left in the lurch with little to no money coming their way, the foreclosure process swiftly deals with these outstanding second and third liens and clears the title for the bank to place the home back on the market; in many cases for less than the short sale offers. I have personally seen two instances in the past six months where this has occurred.
As for additional homes coming on the market in this "shadow" inventory...it's hard to say if folks are hanging on through the end of their savings, if they are actually finding gainful employment to continue making payments or if the former stigma of foreclosure has softened and folks will let their homes go back to the bank without batting an eye. Only time will tell...
Survey: Sales of Distressed Homes increased in January
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Obtaining a Mortgage...Is It Just Too Much Work?
According to a survey recently published and reported on by the Wall Street Journal (link at bottom of post), obtaining a mortgage is considered the most difficult part of purchasing a home.
As someone who works day in and out with lenders, buyers and sellers trying to navigate the home-buying process, I can certainly vouch for that sentiment. Not only do home buyers have to dredge up tons of paperwork that they may have never laid hands on (tax returns, paper pay stubs, divorce or separation agreements, child support documentation, etc.) but they are also asked to find other obscure items or conduct tests on the home being purchased at the last minute. This would seem to be an issue for the individual mortgage brokers to know what items are needed for a particular loan or buyer, but with guidelines changing and new regulations being handed down from Fannie and Freddie on sometimes a WEEKLY basis, the gauntlet to obtain financing may seem downright impossible.
For example, the basic requirements to submit for a loan are certainly ones that you can see as necessary in order to verify income, employment, assets, and the like. There should not be any issue with a buyer being able to produce their last two year tax returns or bank statements. However, some buyers, since this is not an everyday process, are confused as to where these documents are found and with the advent of online banking and tax filing, paper copies are becoming less the norm. This is a great example of how critical it is to have an experienced local lender with a trusted company to guide you through the process. Even the best of these folks are going to be blind-sided every now and then by something like a road maintenance agreement that was never recorded or a separation paper that was never filed or notarized, but these folks keep their cool, keep everyone informed and keep the loan trucking to a successful close.
Lending is changing everyday and it is up to an experienced team of lenders and agents who are up to date on the climate of the market to guide buyers through the challenges. Please call Brooke Cashion and Associates for a list of lenders that we recommend because they are market relevant, professional and can close the transaction. Remember..."When Details Matter....Experience Counts!"
http://blogs.wsj.com/developments/2011/02/08/survey-mortgage-process-has-become-too-confusing/
As someone who works day in and out with lenders, buyers and sellers trying to navigate the home-buying process, I can certainly vouch for that sentiment. Not only do home buyers have to dredge up tons of paperwork that they may have never laid hands on (tax returns, paper pay stubs, divorce or separation agreements, child support documentation, etc.) but they are also asked to find other obscure items or conduct tests on the home being purchased at the last minute. This would seem to be an issue for the individual mortgage brokers to know what items are needed for a particular loan or buyer, but with guidelines changing and new regulations being handed down from Fannie and Freddie on sometimes a WEEKLY basis, the gauntlet to obtain financing may seem downright impossible.
For example, the basic requirements to submit for a loan are certainly ones that you can see as necessary in order to verify income, employment, assets, and the like. There should not be any issue with a buyer being able to produce their last two year tax returns or bank statements. However, some buyers, since this is not an everyday process, are confused as to where these documents are found and with the advent of online banking and tax filing, paper copies are becoming less the norm. This is a great example of how critical it is to have an experienced local lender with a trusted company to guide you through the process. Even the best of these folks are going to be blind-sided every now and then by something like a road maintenance agreement that was never recorded or a separation paper that was never filed or notarized, but these folks keep their cool, keep everyone informed and keep the loan trucking to a successful close.
Lending is changing everyday and it is up to an experienced team of lenders and agents who are up to date on the climate of the market to guide buyers through the challenges. Please call Brooke Cashion and Associates for a list of lenders that we recommend because they are market relevant, professional and can close the transaction. Remember..."When Details Matter....Experience Counts!"
http://blogs.wsj.com/developments/2011/02/08/survey-mortgage-process-has-become-too-confusing/
Saturday, February 12, 2011
New Advertising Campaign for Spring 2011!
Everything is pretty cyclical and it goes to show that most ideas are recycled...that being said, I myself, am going back to advertising that treated my business pretty well 10 years ago--a billboard!
For my clients the billboard will continue to drive traffic to the website where their homes are featured with virtual tours, school and community information, 21 photo tours, room measurements, mortgage calculators and so much more! As a result of Allen Tate's great web inquiry follow-up this will result in more buyer to be helped by our team and more folks obtaining information about our team's listings! Currently, we have over 2000 hits per month and just since the board has been up (less than one week) this number is up approximately 100 more hits a day!
For the public the billboard will serve as a reminder that Brooke Cashion and Associates is here to serve and can and will sell your home by using expertise, current and relevant market knowledge, professionalism and good 'ol fashioned hard work! As a top Triad producer for over 10 years, it's proven that we can get the job done!
Wanna take a look? Check it out on Business 40E, on your left just before the Hwy 158 Walkertown/Reidsville exit. Have a great weekend and enjoy the sunshine!
For my clients the billboard will continue to drive traffic to the website where their homes are featured with virtual tours, school and community information, 21 photo tours, room measurements, mortgage calculators and so much more! As a result of Allen Tate's great web inquiry follow-up this will result in more buyer to be helped by our team and more folks obtaining information about our team's listings! Currently, we have over 2000 hits per month and just since the board has been up (less than one week) this number is up approximately 100 more hits a day!
For the public the billboard will serve as a reminder that Brooke Cashion and Associates is here to serve and can and will sell your home by using expertise, current and relevant market knowledge, professionalism and good 'ol fashioned hard work! As a top Triad producer for over 10 years, it's proven that we can get the job done!
Wanna take a look? Check it out on Business 40E, on your left just before the Hwy 158 Walkertown/Reidsville exit. Have a great weekend and enjoy the sunshine!
Wednesday, February 02, 2011
Revisions to 90 Flip-Give and TAKE!!
As our mortgage broker at our office said, what the government giveth, the banks taketh away.
Apparently, someone at the bank didn't think that the 90 flip rule should be shared with regular Joe homeowner, only the banks should be allowed to move their inventory. Hence, we end up today with joint decision-making between some of the big banks like Wells Fargo, B of A, Chase, etc.) who determined that this will no longer pertain to individual sellers. And of course, these cats hold the purse strings because as FHA lenders, they determine who gets a loan and what those terms will be!
*Exemption was extended through 12-31-11. However, the investor decision is that this does not pertain to individuals who have purchased and are reselling a home within 90 days. This DOES include HUD REO's, Sales by Federal Agencies or federally chartered institutions and GSE's and approved non-profits.
*There are still overlays to the above approved purchases which usually means that these banks/investors will not purchase a property that has increased in value more than 20% or acquired within the last 90 days.
*In addition, if a property is being turned over between 91 and 180 days and the sales price is
100% or more over the price paid by the seller, a 2nd appraisal is required but at no additional charge to the borrower.
This all says to me, the layman, that once again, what is good for the government is not for us to use. Saving all the good stuff for themselves and leaving taxpayers to hold the bag! Sorry, but keep in mind, some of these distressed properties are still a great deal and deserve a once over!
Brooke
Apparently, someone at the bank didn't think that the 90 flip rule should be shared with regular Joe homeowner, only the banks should be allowed to move their inventory. Hence, we end up today with joint decision-making between some of the big banks like Wells Fargo, B of A, Chase, etc.) who determined that this will no longer pertain to individual sellers. And of course, these cats hold the purse strings because as FHA lenders, they determine who gets a loan and what those terms will be!
*Exemption was extended through 12-31-11. However, the investor decision is that this does not pertain to individuals who have purchased and are reselling a home within 90 days. This DOES include HUD REO's, Sales by Federal Agencies or federally chartered institutions and GSE's and approved non-profits.
*There are still overlays to the above approved purchases which usually means that these banks/investors will not purchase a property that has increased in value more than 20% or acquired within the last 90 days.
*In addition, if a property is being turned over between 91 and 180 days and the sales price is
100% or more over the price paid by the seller, a 2nd appraisal is required but at no additional charge to the borrower.
This all says to me, the layman, that once again, what is good for the government is not for us to use. Saving all the good stuff for themselves and leaving taxpayers to hold the bag! Sorry, but keep in mind, some of these distressed properties are still a great deal and deserve a once over!
Brooke
Monday, January 31, 2011
90 Day Flip Rule Takes a Vacation...
Recently the feds overturned the 90 day flip rule that requires sellers to "hold" onto a property for 90 days after the initial seller purchase regardless of whether they can sell the property in a shorter time period.
This move was pushed by the need to get the existing inventory of foreclosures reduced, therefore allowing potential investors to buy properties, do needed improvements and immediately put the property back on the market to sell. Over the past several years, this has not been possible, causing investors to hold back purchasing investment property because hanging onto the properties for 90+ days was just not financially reasonable.
Another consequence the 90 day rule was the impact of contractors losing work as a result of investors not needing projects on distressed properties. These jobs are part of the fuel for a healthy real estate economy.
There may be a glut of homes on the market but the majority need updates or minor repairs, something an investor can certainly handle with cash on hand. Unfortunately, the 90 day rule halted these small improvements in their tracks. Small projects can take less than a week and investors used to be able to get the home back on the market and sold quickly. Repairs and updates such as carpet, paint and minor cosmetics can help a property sell and keeps the buyers from having to come out of pocket with hard-to-get cash since down payment requirements are now larger and there are limitations on seller contributions. The ability for a seller to make these improvements on a recent purchase also helps to steady declining housing values.
All in all, the break will hopefully encourage investment, put contractors back on the job and remove the glut of foreclosures and distressed homes on the market.
Read the waiver from HUD
http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/currentwaiver.pdf
Want to get in on the action? Give me a call 336-817-3598 or shoot an email to me at brooke.cashion@allentate.com. There are some great opportunities out there and we look forward to assisting you in your real estate needs!
Brooke
This move was pushed by the need to get the existing inventory of foreclosures reduced, therefore allowing potential investors to buy properties, do needed improvements and immediately put the property back on the market to sell. Over the past several years, this has not been possible, causing investors to hold back purchasing investment property because hanging onto the properties for 90+ days was just not financially reasonable.
Another consequence the 90 day rule was the impact of contractors losing work as a result of investors not needing projects on distressed properties. These jobs are part of the fuel for a healthy real estate economy.
There may be a glut of homes on the market but the majority need updates or minor repairs, something an investor can certainly handle with cash on hand. Unfortunately, the 90 day rule halted these small improvements in their tracks. Small projects can take less than a week and investors used to be able to get the home back on the market and sold quickly. Repairs and updates such as carpet, paint and minor cosmetics can help a property sell and keeps the buyers from having to come out of pocket with hard-to-get cash since down payment requirements are now larger and there are limitations on seller contributions. The ability for a seller to make these improvements on a recent purchase also helps to steady declining housing values.
All in all, the break will hopefully encourage investment, put contractors back on the job and remove the glut of foreclosures and distressed homes on the market.
Read the waiver from HUD
http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/currentwaiver.pdf
Want to get in on the action? Give me a call 336-817-3598 or shoot an email to me at brooke.cashion@allentate.com. There are some great opportunities out there and we look forward to assisting you in your real estate needs!
Brooke
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Why Twitter?
Was that an appropriate tweet? Huh? Why tweet? Why blog for that matter? Why use social media at all and if you do, how do you make it work for you? Will anyone read what you post? Recently Constant Contact, the provider of my e-newsletter came out with a nice brochure on the benefits and recommendations for various modes of social media. Here's what they have to say about Twitter, which is probably one of the more mysterious ones to me.
*Tweets are good for quick message and links to photos, articles and other short online content
*You can monitor other "dashboards" that allow you to monitor sites of interest and other social media feeds so that you don't have to keep track of thousands of friends, fans and followers.
*Experts recommend not tweeting more than 5-6 times per day
*Use a scheduling tool to send out tweets on holidays and weekends so that you can take a break from regular tweeting
*Using # tags (hashtags) in front of words that others might search for or reference
*Keep track of handles (people's twitter names with @ signs) you mention you or retweet your content. They can influence their networks.
*Use it to publicize "deals" or mass purchasing coupons like you find on Groupons or Buy Local.
Constant Contact recommends tools that you can use with Twitter such as NutShellMail, HootSuite, your blog, email newsletters and Facebook
Here at Brooke Cashion and Associates we are working to integrate these technologies so that you can access our information from your favorite and most convenient form of social media. Have suggestions on how we can better your experience? Post your comments here! Have a great day!
Brooke
*Tweets are good for quick message and links to photos, articles and other short online content
*You can monitor other "dashboards" that allow you to monitor sites of interest and other social media feeds so that you don't have to keep track of thousands of friends, fans and followers.
*Experts recommend not tweeting more than 5-6 times per day
*Use a scheduling tool to send out tweets on holidays and weekends so that you can take a break from regular tweeting
*Using # tags (hashtags) in front of words that others might search for or reference
*Keep track of handles (people's twitter names with @ signs) you mention you or retweet your content. They can influence their networks.
*Use it to publicize "deals" or mass purchasing coupons like you find on Groupons or Buy Local.
Constant Contact recommends tools that you can use with Twitter such as NutShellMail, HootSuite, your blog, email newsletters and Facebook
Here at Brooke Cashion and Associates we are working to integrate these technologies so that you can access our information from your favorite and most convenient form of social media. Have suggestions on how we can better your experience? Post your comments here! Have a great day!
Brooke
Friday, January 21, 2011
Check Those Receipts! Those Mistakes Add Up!
A quick post today but important nonetheless...
Last Monday while on our way back from Raleigh, Jake, Maddie and I stopped by a couple of stores in order to allow Maddie to spend some of her Christmas cash on some items she had her eyes on.
First stop, a local sporting goods store where she was looking for a new water bottle to carry to school. As we cruised the endless supply of bottles, she finally laid hands on a great metal bottle that changed colors with varying temperatures (think Hypercolor). After waiting an inordinately long period of time in line, we finally reached the register. Maddie took out her "wad" of cash and began peeling off the 23 bills, all the while figuring in tax on the bottle that had a tag for $19.99. I was a proud mama! Keep in mind the line was still quite long and people were becoming impatient with waiting and Maddie was also feeling the pressure. The cashier informed us that $23.00 wasn't going to cut it and the total was $24 and some odd change...seemed a bit much on a $20 bottle but she whipped out two more ones, collected her change and moved on.
I gave her a thumbs up on the way out and reminded her that no matter how long the line is, count back your change and make sure you have the correct amount. Once in the car and back on I40, Maddie pipes up that she's been robbed. I am thinking that the purse of cash is now gone, but no, Maddie was charged two dollars more for her bottle than what was on the label attached. I informed her we would go back and make it right which was why it was important to take our time when at the register. Great learning lesson-right!
Fast forward to the early evening, when on the way home from Davie county, picking up the dog, we stopped at a grocery to buy plates for Maddie's chorus party the next day. Lesson learned mom or not! I bought the plates which were on sale for $2.77 with your rewards card (which I had and presented), when I hit the road I realized that I was charged $3 and some change for each pack.
Two times in one day! We'd been robbed! Seriously, just a reminder that it's easy to get caught up in tight time schedules and rushed errands, but in the course of one day our family lost at least two if not three dollars--easily a cup of coffee! In this day and time of computers, scanning and all sorts of other technology it is easy to think that because human error has been mitigated to a certain extent we can let down our guard on monitoring our charges! Not so! Now I know why my parents are so adamant about saving every receipt and still balancing their checkbook and credit card statements the old fashioned way--by paper! Maybe next time I'll learn my lesson!
Last Monday while on our way back from Raleigh, Jake, Maddie and I stopped by a couple of stores in order to allow Maddie to spend some of her Christmas cash on some items she had her eyes on.
First stop, a local sporting goods store where she was looking for a new water bottle to carry to school. As we cruised the endless supply of bottles, she finally laid hands on a great metal bottle that changed colors with varying temperatures (think Hypercolor). After waiting an inordinately long period of time in line, we finally reached the register. Maddie took out her "wad" of cash and began peeling off the 23 bills, all the while figuring in tax on the bottle that had a tag for $19.99. I was a proud mama! Keep in mind the line was still quite long and people were becoming impatient with waiting and Maddie was also feeling the pressure. The cashier informed us that $23.00 wasn't going to cut it and the total was $24 and some odd change...seemed a bit much on a $20 bottle but she whipped out two more ones, collected her change and moved on.
I gave her a thumbs up on the way out and reminded her that no matter how long the line is, count back your change and make sure you have the correct amount. Once in the car and back on I40, Maddie pipes up that she's been robbed. I am thinking that the purse of cash is now gone, but no, Maddie was charged two dollars more for her bottle than what was on the label attached. I informed her we would go back and make it right which was why it was important to take our time when at the register. Great learning lesson-right!
Fast forward to the early evening, when on the way home from Davie county, picking up the dog, we stopped at a grocery to buy plates for Maddie's chorus party the next day. Lesson learned mom or not! I bought the plates which were on sale for $2.77 with your rewards card (which I had and presented), when I hit the road I realized that I was charged $3 and some change for each pack.
Two times in one day! We'd been robbed! Seriously, just a reminder that it's easy to get caught up in tight time schedules and rushed errands, but in the course of one day our family lost at least two if not three dollars--easily a cup of coffee! In this day and time of computers, scanning and all sorts of other technology it is easy to think that because human error has been mitigated to a certain extent we can let down our guard on monitoring our charges! Not so! Now I know why my parents are so adamant about saving every receipt and still balancing their checkbook and credit card statements the old fashioned way--by paper! Maybe next time I'll learn my lesson!
Friday, January 14, 2011
Industry Update January 14, 2011
Real Estate
What you should know about property taxes
if you own rental property?
http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2011/01/13/rental-property-taxes-landlords-need-know/
Insurance
Don't let cheap insurance prices short you from protection...
http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2011/01/06/ways-cheap-insurance-prices-bamboozle/
Mortgage
Are rates going up, down or all around?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/13/rebounding-mortgage-rates_n_808186.html
What you should know about property taxes
if you own rental property?
http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2011/01/13/rental-property-taxes-landlords-need-know/
Insurance
Don't let cheap insurance prices short you from protection...
http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2011/01/06/ways-cheap-insurance-prices-bamboozle/
Mortgage
Are rates going up, down or all around?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/13/rebounding-mortgage-rates_n_808186.html
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Industry Update January 12, 2010
In addition to my personal real estate and social blog posts, I am going to start including industry updates from various, reliable sources for your enjoyment and convenience. Enjoy and please sign up to receive regular updates through your email and don't forget to share my blog with friends, family and co-workers! And as always, I love to hear your feedback and comments!
Real Estate
Home Buying and Selling Predictions for 2011
http://www.inman.com/buyers-sellers/columnists/tara-nicholle-nelson/top-homebuying-selling-predictions-2011
Insurance
Can you get insurance if you rent your home?
http://www.iii.org/articles/can-i-get-insurance-if-i-rent-my-home.html
Mortgage
Additional incentives for banks to approve short sales
http://www.inman.com/news/2011/01/10/short-sale-incentives-revamped-again
Real Estate
Home Buying and Selling Predictions for 2011
http://www.inman.com/buyers-sellers/columnists/tara-nicholle-nelson/top-homebuying-selling-predictions-2011
Insurance
Can you get insurance if you rent your home?
http://www.iii.org/articles/can-i-get-insurance-if-i-rent-my-home.html
Mortgage
Additional incentives for banks to approve short sales
http://www.inman.com/news/2011/01/10/short-sale-incentives-revamped-again
Monday, January 10, 2011
Bats In Your Belfry?
Occasionally in my field we will obtain an inspection report that shows evidence of some sort of "guest" living in the attic. Sometimes, it's a bird that has nested in the exterior overhang, a bat that has decided that just inside the ridge vent is the place to raise a family, or most often that not it's some sort of mouse-like creature that has taken up residence out of the elements. I have seen "extremes" such as squirrels that had chewed through, yes through, Sheetrock in the ceiling of a media room of a foreclosed home and have heard of raccoons having their young inside of the walls of a home.
Nothing unusual about our animal friends wanting to take up residence in a warm, safe environment, but when it's your home, it's difficult to be hospitable to additional visitors.
In the case of most small rodents, the dangers of having them present in your home can range from unsanitary conditions due to their "droppings" to the more damaging, such as actual deterioration of wood, Sheetrock, insulation and other personal items that you may be storing. If bats have nested, it can be more serious, as their guano or "poop" is toxic and must be removed by a professional. Not to mention bats are considered "protected" and elimination of the bat is not an option, but removal is. Once the bat is removed, it is critical to find the point of entry and seal it with wire or something similar to prevent further problems. As stated above, the larger animals typically do more damage, such as squirrels or raccoons, but the sheer annoyance of these critters as they move about in your walls and above your head is enough to drive anyone, "through the roof". Certainly, owners should be cautious when trying to deal with wild animals in their home, as rabies and other diseases can be transferred to humans if contact is made.
Now that I have you on edge about every little creak and scrape that you hear at night, keep in mind there are ways to prevent and/or remove your new found furry friends. Certainly, keeping an eye on overhanging tree branches, which provide a nice, convenient walkway for your pals is a place to start. Beyond that close up any entry points at vents, roof overhangs, etc. with wire, wood or a netting and keep gutters clean because sometimes small rodents like mice, squirrels or voles like to set up shop in these areas and can make quite a racket.
If the problem persists, call a pest control company that specializes in animal removal and prevention. This may cost a little bit out of your pocket but definitely less expensive than nights spent awake wondering if the little party animals are going to join you later for a nightcap.
Need names of folks who do remove animals or want to share a story about animal guests in a home?...Don't forget to share because I love your posts! You can also share with friends and family and keep in mind you can sign up to receive all new posts by subscribing to the blog at the top of the page~
Enjoy the snow and stay safe!
Brooke
Nothing unusual about our animal friends wanting to take up residence in a warm, safe environment, but when it's your home, it's difficult to be hospitable to additional visitors.
In the case of most small rodents, the dangers of having them present in your home can range from unsanitary conditions due to their "droppings" to the more damaging, such as actual deterioration of wood, Sheetrock, insulation and other personal items that you may be storing. If bats have nested, it can be more serious, as their guano or "poop" is toxic and must be removed by a professional. Not to mention bats are considered "protected" and elimination of the bat is not an option, but removal is. Once the bat is removed, it is critical to find the point of entry and seal it with wire or something similar to prevent further problems. As stated above, the larger animals typically do more damage, such as squirrels or raccoons, but the sheer annoyance of these critters as they move about in your walls and above your head is enough to drive anyone, "through the roof". Certainly, owners should be cautious when trying to deal with wild animals in their home, as rabies and other diseases can be transferred to humans if contact is made.
Now that I have you on edge about every little creak and scrape that you hear at night, keep in mind there are ways to prevent and/or remove your new found furry friends. Certainly, keeping an eye on overhanging tree branches, which provide a nice, convenient walkway for your pals is a place to start. Beyond that close up any entry points at vents, roof overhangs, etc. with wire, wood or a netting and keep gutters clean because sometimes small rodents like mice, squirrels or voles like to set up shop in these areas and can make quite a racket.
If the problem persists, call a pest control company that specializes in animal removal and prevention. This may cost a little bit out of your pocket but definitely less expensive than nights spent awake wondering if the little party animals are going to join you later for a nightcap.
Need names of folks who do remove animals or want to share a story about animal guests in a home?...Don't forget to share because I love your posts! You can also share with friends and family and keep in mind you can sign up to receive all new posts by subscribing to the blog at the top of the page~
Enjoy the snow and stay safe!
Brooke
Tuesday, January 04, 2011
Is FSBO right for you?
ITEMS TO CONSIDER WHEN SELLING YOUR HOME
*MAKE SURE YOUR HOME IS PRICED RIGHT- Pricing is the biggest mistake homeowners make when selling their homes. Over or under pricing can cost thousands of dollars, not only off the price but in months of paid mortgages, insurance, taxes, etc. Make sure that you know what homes LIKE yours in your area have SOLD for in the past year.
*CONSIDER YOUR FAMILY'S SAFETY- FSBO's are targets for folks who are criminally motivated to view your home with one of your family members. These folks have been known to take keys to make copies of, break-in when you are at work or school and harm family members who show the house. Agents are trained to pre-qualify buyers and use specific methods to reduce risks in your home, please do the same.
*SHOWING YOUR HOME- Serious buyers take very few days to look at homes, especially when a decision is needed as a result of relocation. Most buyers have been looking with their agent on websites and have identified homes they want to see when they come to town…how will they make an appointment to see yours? Make sure someone can show your home during the day, when most buyers are looking.
*ADVERTISING- Make sure your advertising includes numbers that you can be reached at and that they are visible on your sign (consider preprinted stickers).
*NEGOTIATING- Have a plan for negotiations, be prepared for a buyer to ask for closing cost assistance or other concessions. Be prepared to back up your reasoning for pricing your home as you have.
*ASSISTANCE- Be wary of companies that offer to help you market your home for sale by owner for reduced fees. Remember they are charging you up front for very limited services and little detail work. You have to pay them whether you sell or not! Agents do not charge you until you CLOSE and often times save you money by eliminating time on the market.
**These are just a few items to consider while selling your home, please contact us if you would like additional information on these topics or if we can be of service to you in any other way**
"When details matter, experience counts!"
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Not Ready to Let Go of Christmas 2010
For the past month, I have loved waking up to the mingled smell of coffee in the pot and fresh cut evergreen as it decorated our home. Jake would have the tree lit each morning before I woke and it was an inspiring sight. I will have to say, that this year, as far as decorations were concerned, I went a little overboard.
As a result of our home being on the market for the past few months, being under contract for two and then not closing, I decided that "Grinch be damned", I was DECORATING for Christmas, in addition to moving our stuff back in. I say that because normally, other than our tree and a few "homemade" items given to us by our daughter, we usually keep it simple. Not this year-not me.
I hired a very talented friend and former client of mine to decorate my banister, mantle, mailbox and to spruce up my tree and a large wreath. This was no simple undertaking. After giving her my Southern Living Christmas edition (hardback of course), I envisioned pineapples, pears, citrus fruits, magnolia, boxwood, holly and a variety of other fresh decor to grace my home to show that nothing would get me out of the spirit. Hours of toll led to an end product that was marvelous, simply stunning.
Fast forward almost 40 days later and let me just say, I was ready to move on. I took down most of the decor, but this year, unlike others...our tree still stands. It's fresh smell has left, but the lights still twinkle magically each morning as I enjoy my coffee in front of the fire. When will we take it down? Who knows, but this year, I want the beauty and serenity of this Christmas to linger. The Christmas message, the snow and the family and friends contributed to a relaxation over Christmas that was different than Christmases of the past and our tree symbolizes that for me...Jake is going to have a difficult time prying that last thing out of my grasp...funny thing is, I think he doesn't want to see it go either.
As a result of our home being on the market for the past few months, being under contract for two and then not closing, I decided that "Grinch be damned", I was DECORATING for Christmas, in addition to moving our stuff back in. I say that because normally, other than our tree and a few "homemade" items given to us by our daughter, we usually keep it simple. Not this year-not me.
I hired a very talented friend and former client of mine to decorate my banister, mantle, mailbox and to spruce up my tree and a large wreath. This was no simple undertaking. After giving her my Southern Living Christmas edition (hardback of course), I envisioned pineapples, pears, citrus fruits, magnolia, boxwood, holly and a variety of other fresh decor to grace my home to show that nothing would get me out of the spirit. Hours of toll led to an end product that was marvelous, simply stunning.
Fast forward almost 40 days later and let me just say, I was ready to move on. I took down most of the decor, but this year, unlike others...our tree still stands. It's fresh smell has left, but the lights still twinkle magically each morning as I enjoy my coffee in front of the fire. When will we take it down? Who knows, but this year, I want the beauty and serenity of this Christmas to linger. The Christmas message, the snow and the family and friends contributed to a relaxation over Christmas that was different than Christmases of the past and our tree symbolizes that for me...Jake is going to have a difficult time prying that last thing out of my grasp...funny thing is, I think he doesn't want to see it go either.
Tuesday, December 07, 2010
Christmas-A-Plenty Around Town...
The holiday season is certainly a magical time of year. Shorter days, brisk, star-filled nights and the tinkling of bells can be heard on most any sidewalk. Then there are the traditional holiday events such as local parades, caroling, church nativities, shopping, ski-trips and the like. If you just want to stay around the Triad this season, here are a few suggestions to make your season as bright as possible.
*Festival of Lights @ Tanglewood--a seasonal favorite which meanders through a park of magical light displays. The best part is they change it up a little each year, so every holiday, it's a new treat!
*Walk Through Bethlehem--Kernersville 7th Day Adventist Church--only on weekends through the 11th of December, this is a must-see. Journey through Bethlehem during the time of Christ's birth, experience the sights and smells of the holy land during this interactive tour.
*City Sidewalks and Nightscapes--as a kid, our Christmas Eve treat after leaving my nanny's was to drive through downtown Winston-Salem and look at the lights...now several towns have beautiful downtown displays...my favorite? Downtown Kernersville with it's twinkling tree lights and lit figurines make for a simple, yet intriguing holiday drive.
*Tree lots--maybe a fresh tree isn't your thing, but pick a cold Winter evening to stroll the tree lot and take in the sweet excitement of families choosing their own tree, grab a cup of cocoa to stay warm!
*The Nutcracker--produced by students at The NC School of the Arts, this is a long-standing holiday tradition for many families. The pageantry of the costuming, the incredible music and the grand feel of the Stevens Center can be the icing on the cake as far as holiday treats!
*Restaurant Hopping--with so many great ones to choose from, pick a town and grab an appetizer at one, maybe another appetizer at another, an entree at yet a different venue and top off the evening with dessert at your final stop. Why? Because so many of our restaurants have holiday specials that can't be missed and the days of Christmas are certainly limited!
Just a few suggestions... I look forward to you adding some of your suggestions for holiday fun! If you live in a town outside of the Triad, please add yours too, you never know who might be coming to your town to see if you've been naughty or nice!
Merry Christmas!
Brooke
*Festival of Lights @ Tanglewood--a seasonal favorite which meanders through a park of magical light displays. The best part is they change it up a little each year, so every holiday, it's a new treat!
*Walk Through Bethlehem--Kernersville 7th Day Adventist Church--only on weekends through the 11th of December, this is a must-see. Journey through Bethlehem during the time of Christ's birth, experience the sights and smells of the holy land during this interactive tour.
*City Sidewalks and Nightscapes--as a kid, our Christmas Eve treat after leaving my nanny's was to drive through downtown Winston-Salem and look at the lights...now several towns have beautiful downtown displays...my favorite? Downtown Kernersville with it's twinkling tree lights and lit figurines make for a simple, yet intriguing holiday drive.
*Tree lots--maybe a fresh tree isn't your thing, but pick a cold Winter evening to stroll the tree lot and take in the sweet excitement of families choosing their own tree, grab a cup of cocoa to stay warm!
*The Nutcracker--produced by students at The NC School of the Arts, this is a long-standing holiday tradition for many families. The pageantry of the costuming, the incredible music and the grand feel of the Stevens Center can be the icing on the cake as far as holiday treats!
*Restaurant Hopping--with so many great ones to choose from, pick a town and grab an appetizer at one, maybe another appetizer at another, an entree at yet a different venue and top off the evening with dessert at your final stop. Why? Because so many of our restaurants have holiday specials that can't be missed and the days of Christmas are certainly limited!
Just a few suggestions... I look forward to you adding some of your suggestions for holiday fun! If you live in a town outside of the Triad, please add yours too, you never know who might be coming to your town to see if you've been naughty or nice!
Merry Christmas!
Brooke
Friday, December 03, 2010
Tax Time and Closings--Deal Breaker? It doesn't have to be...
You may have received your tax bill in late August or early September, but if you escrow your taxes and insurances, then you probably just received a copy of the bill being sent to your mortgage servicing company.
Though the bills are sent out 3rd quarter our mortgage companies usually hold on to these bills and don't pay them until November or December. The deadline for payment is December 31.
As a result, the question often comes up during closings that occur during October, November and December, why am I paying taxes again on the settlement statement? This amount for many sellers can potentially break a deal, as they forget during the fourth quarter, if the payment from said mortgage company has not arrived and been recorded at the tax office, they are responsible for the bulk of the year and if you live within the city limits it can be thousands of additional dollars.
Now, don't get too panicked. Sometimes, especially in November and December, the mortgage companies have already paid the bill and it takes a friendly phone call to the tax office to get verification of payment. You can handle this confirmation but the final confirmation at closing will have to performed by the attorney or paralegal. Remember, the reason for this, is that there can be no outstanding liens against the home at closing.
If you do have to bring your portion of the year's taxes at closing because they have not been paid yet, you will be reimbursed, but it could take weeks to do so. Once again, if you planned on bringing little to no money to closing because your deal is a "break-even" so to speak, this could really put a wrench in things if you don't have the liquid cash on hand at closing time.
My advice is that if you are currently under contract or think that you may be going under contract soon, have your agent to help you verify the status of your tax bill for the current year. Sometimes, banks will work with you if enough time is given and allow you to use the portion of your escrow that they are holding for taxes to pay the tax bill. Keep in mind this is rare, but I have been made aware of exceptions that have occurred.
Once again, it's a matter of being proactive and having a great agent to help you with these challenges along the way.
"When details matter, experience counts!" Call or post today if you have questions or suggestions regarding this topic. Have a great weekend!
Brooke Cashion
Though the bills are sent out 3rd quarter our mortgage companies usually hold on to these bills and don't pay them until November or December. The deadline for payment is December 31.
As a result, the question often comes up during closings that occur during October, November and December, why am I paying taxes again on the settlement statement? This amount for many sellers can potentially break a deal, as they forget during the fourth quarter, if the payment from said mortgage company has not arrived and been recorded at the tax office, they are responsible for the bulk of the year and if you live within the city limits it can be thousands of additional dollars.
Now, don't get too panicked. Sometimes, especially in November and December, the mortgage companies have already paid the bill and it takes a friendly phone call to the tax office to get verification of payment. You can handle this confirmation but the final confirmation at closing will have to performed by the attorney or paralegal. Remember, the reason for this, is that there can be no outstanding liens against the home at closing.
If you do have to bring your portion of the year's taxes at closing because they have not been paid yet, you will be reimbursed, but it could take weeks to do so. Once again, if you planned on bringing little to no money to closing because your deal is a "break-even" so to speak, this could really put a wrench in things if you don't have the liquid cash on hand at closing time.
My advice is that if you are currently under contract or think that you may be going under contract soon, have your agent to help you verify the status of your tax bill for the current year. Sometimes, banks will work with you if enough time is given and allow you to use the portion of your escrow that they are holding for taxes to pay the tax bill. Keep in mind this is rare, but I have been made aware of exceptions that have occurred.
Once again, it's a matter of being proactive and having a great agent to help you with these challenges along the way.
"When details matter, experience counts!" Call or post today if you have questions or suggestions regarding this topic. Have a great weekend!
Brooke Cashion
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
It Can Happen to Anyone...
Selling your home can certainly be a lesson in patience. We found this out the hard way this past week...
As a seasoned professional I have always worked to dot "i"s and cross "t"s and to look for and mitigate any red flags that come my way and may prevent my clients from closing on time. Of course I would do the same for myself. My "fallthrough" rate is extremely low compared to the average...usually only one to two each year.
After only a couple of months on the market and lots of daily, last-minute cleanings and showings, we had a couple of offers. The offer that we accepted seemed solid, dates were in place, their home was on the market but going under contract within the next few days and the buyers seemed to love the home. Inspections were immediately ordered since that is typically where you get most of your issues, the appraisal followed close behind....all was good. During this time, the conversations between us and the buyers were friendly and we exchanged information on measurements, systems and personal property that we would be willing to leave behind.
My husband, the consummate planner, rented two storage units and started the task of boxing and moving items so that the buyers could move some of their items in three days prior to closing. We felt like it would be a nice gesture so that they would not have to rent a storage unit for a 24-48 hour period if we could be out over the weekend.
I was in constant contact with the lender and buyer and all seemed to be moving smoothly until the last week. The friendly banter ended, no returned phone calls regarding curtain rods or pool furniture. You could tell in the tone of the buyers and the lender that something was amiss. Red flag flapped violently in the breeze...there was a storm a-brewing.
Without getting into the nuts and bolts of the lending process, the bottom line is this:
You shouldn't find out three days before your closing that the buyer can't secure a loan! We as agents are seeing this and several of us, personally experiencing this, more and more frequently. Not a proponent of additional regulation, this is certainly an instance where our elected officials could work with the regulators to flip the process on it's head. What would be the harm in a buyer not getting just pre-approved or approved with conditions, but actually approved for a loan, documents submitted, verified and signed off on by underwriters, before they ever set foot in the first house? Then the contingencies would be only based on satisfactory appraisal and final verification of employment. As it stands now, there are too many what-ifs and not enough confirmations.
No one should have their entire life boxed up weeks prior to an anticipated closing. The time and money spent to get to that point is unbelievable. The buyers walk away with several hundred dollars in inspection expenses and certainly don't have a home to move into, but the sellers are left with virtually nothing but "maybe" an earnest money deposit, an upside down home, storage building expenses and a healthy fear to go back on the market.
The upside is this, it has given me a renewed empathy for my sellers and a fire lit under me to work with our representatives to encourage the system of lending to be more proactive on the front side.
Finding buyers in this economy is certainly hard enough without everyone getting to the final hour and returning to square one.
Have you or someone you know gone through this recently? Could anything in your opinion been done to prevent the situation...post below so that we can pass these stories on to Washington!
As a seasoned professional I have always worked to dot "i"s and cross "t"s and to look for and mitigate any red flags that come my way and may prevent my clients from closing on time. Of course I would do the same for myself. My "fallthrough" rate is extremely low compared to the average...usually only one to two each year.
After only a couple of months on the market and lots of daily, last-minute cleanings and showings, we had a couple of offers. The offer that we accepted seemed solid, dates were in place, their home was on the market but going under contract within the next few days and the buyers seemed to love the home. Inspections were immediately ordered since that is typically where you get most of your issues, the appraisal followed close behind....all was good. During this time, the conversations between us and the buyers were friendly and we exchanged information on measurements, systems and personal property that we would be willing to leave behind.
My husband, the consummate planner, rented two storage units and started the task of boxing and moving items so that the buyers could move some of their items in three days prior to closing. We felt like it would be a nice gesture so that they would not have to rent a storage unit for a 24-48 hour period if we could be out over the weekend.
I was in constant contact with the lender and buyer and all seemed to be moving smoothly until the last week. The friendly banter ended, no returned phone calls regarding curtain rods or pool furniture. You could tell in the tone of the buyers and the lender that something was amiss. Red flag flapped violently in the breeze...there was a storm a-brewing.
Without getting into the nuts and bolts of the lending process, the bottom line is this:
You shouldn't find out three days before your closing that the buyer can't secure a loan! We as agents are seeing this and several of us, personally experiencing this, more and more frequently. Not a proponent of additional regulation, this is certainly an instance where our elected officials could work with the regulators to flip the process on it's head. What would be the harm in a buyer not getting just pre-approved or approved with conditions, but actually approved for a loan, documents submitted, verified and signed off on by underwriters, before they ever set foot in the first house? Then the contingencies would be only based on satisfactory appraisal and final verification of employment. As it stands now, there are too many what-ifs and not enough confirmations.
No one should have their entire life boxed up weeks prior to an anticipated closing. The time and money spent to get to that point is unbelievable. The buyers walk away with several hundred dollars in inspection expenses and certainly don't have a home to move into, but the sellers are left with virtually nothing but "maybe" an earnest money deposit, an upside down home, storage building expenses and a healthy fear to go back on the market.
The upside is this, it has given me a renewed empathy for my sellers and a fire lit under me to work with our representatives to encourage the system of lending to be more proactive on the front side.
Finding buyers in this economy is certainly hard enough without everyone getting to the final hour and returning to square one.
Have you or someone you know gone through this recently? Could anything in your opinion been done to prevent the situation...post below so that we can pass these stories on to Washington!
Thursday, November 04, 2010
Foreclosure 101
Questions and comments swirl in the media, coffee shops and living rooms across America regarding short sales, foreclosures and how they work. You hear of folks living in their homes months, sometimes years after not making a payment. You hear of others who miss one payment and are never able to rebound. So what is the skinny on the foreclosure process?
*Missing one payment does not constitute foreclosure. It can take months or years from the first missed payment for the bank to repossess the home and make the borrower leave.
*According to the NC Commissioner of Banks, over half of foreclosure proceedings that start, actually are foreclosure sales.
*When a buyer misses a payment, the bank starts by sending threatening and ominous letters. These letters include notions of accelerating the loan balance, phone numbers of credit counselors, information for military service, etc.
*Sometime around the 90 day mark, the bank contacts a trustee. This trustee is supposed to make sure that everyone receives proper notice of the pending foreclosure and the proceedings to follow.
*Once notice is given, a date is set to establish a hearing. This usually takes place at the "courthouse"--most of the time in the Clerk of Courts office.
*Proof must be given at the hearing that there is a debt to collect and that all outlets have followed the proper guidelines to get to this point.
*Once the home is foreclosed on actual eviction can occur forcing the borrower to vacate the property. More and more often, borrowers are leaving their homes well before this process occurs.
*Because there are more "strategic defaults" (folks walking away from their homes because continuing to make payments doesn't make financial sense) we are finding more of these foreclosures in better condition than in times past.
*Foreclosed homes that are in good condition are becoming competitive with homes that are owner occupied listings, thus driving prices down and resulting in a vicious cycle of depreciating values.
*Missing one payment does not constitute foreclosure. It can take months or years from the first missed payment for the bank to repossess the home and make the borrower leave.
*According to the NC Commissioner of Banks, over half of foreclosure proceedings that start, actually are foreclosure sales.
*When a buyer misses a payment, the bank starts by sending threatening and ominous letters. These letters include notions of accelerating the loan balance, phone numbers of credit counselors, information for military service, etc.
*Sometime around the 90 day mark, the bank contacts a trustee. This trustee is supposed to make sure that everyone receives proper notice of the pending foreclosure and the proceedings to follow.
*Once notice is given, a date is set to establish a hearing. This usually takes place at the "courthouse"--most of the time in the Clerk of Courts office.
*Proof must be given at the hearing that there is a debt to collect and that all outlets have followed the proper guidelines to get to this point.
*Once the home is foreclosed on actual eviction can occur forcing the borrower to vacate the property. More and more often, borrowers are leaving their homes well before this process occurs.
*Because there are more "strategic defaults" (folks walking away from their homes because continuing to make payments doesn't make financial sense) we are finding more of these foreclosures in better condition than in times past.
*Foreclosed homes that are in good condition are becoming competitive with homes that are owner occupied listings, thus driving prices down and resulting in a vicious cycle of depreciating values.
Monday, October 25, 2010
All Treats...No Tricks! Making Good Real Estate Choices...
*Purchase a home in an area with limited land availability (supply v. demand premise will help to insulate your value)
*Look for "good bones"-older or newer homes with quality construction, slow-growth wood members, warranties, attention to detail and the like--don't let the "bells and whistles" of new construction or cosmetic restorations deceive you!
*JOBS! Look in areas that are poised for growth, have substantial job centers and are relatively stable as compared to the surrounding areas--check with local chambers of commerce and city/county government officials for this information (I am always happy to have this information available)
*Schools--whether you have children in school may not matter to you now, but it might matter to future buyers. Pay attention to desirable school districts and look at school "report cards"
*Roads--Being close but not on top of major roads and commercial centers is a bonus, especially for commuters, add to that easy access to airports for an added bonus!
*Adjacent Property Owners-How do the neighbors keep up their yard, the exterior of their home, etc. What may seem not so big now may present a bigger challenge down the road when trying to sell. Also, make sure that if vacant land adjoins the property you are looking at, that you understand its current zoning use and that it could change based on governmental land use plans. It's a good idea to visit your local planning department to check things out or ask your agent to assist you.
*Crime-No one wants to live in an area riddled with crime--make sure that not only do you look at published public reports available on the Internet, but it's also a good idea to talk to the local police or Sheriff's department about the nature of the crimes. Sometimes what sounds bad on paper has no bearing on you and the same holds true for some crimes that sound minor being bigger and more intrusive than the report reveals.
Have any tips you'd like to add? Need to talk further about purchasing the home that's right for you? Comment or give me a call 336-817-3598 or email me brooke.cashion@allentate.com
Happy Monday!
*Look for "good bones"-older or newer homes with quality construction, slow-growth wood members, warranties, attention to detail and the like--don't let the "bells and whistles" of new construction or cosmetic restorations deceive you!
*JOBS! Look in areas that are poised for growth, have substantial job centers and are relatively stable as compared to the surrounding areas--check with local chambers of commerce and city/county government officials for this information (I am always happy to have this information available)
*Schools--whether you have children in school may not matter to you now, but it might matter to future buyers. Pay attention to desirable school districts and look at school "report cards"
*Roads--Being close but not on top of major roads and commercial centers is a bonus, especially for commuters, add to that easy access to airports for an added bonus!
*Adjacent Property Owners-How do the neighbors keep up their yard, the exterior of their home, etc. What may seem not so big now may present a bigger challenge down the road when trying to sell. Also, make sure that if vacant land adjoins the property you are looking at, that you understand its current zoning use and that it could change based on governmental land use plans. It's a good idea to visit your local planning department to check things out or ask your agent to assist you.
*Crime-No one wants to live in an area riddled with crime--make sure that not only do you look at published public reports available on the Internet, but it's also a good idea to talk to the local police or Sheriff's department about the nature of the crimes. Sometimes what sounds bad on paper has no bearing on you and the same holds true for some crimes that sound minor being bigger and more intrusive than the report reveals.
Have any tips you'd like to add? Need to talk further about purchasing the home that's right for you? Comment or give me a call 336-817-3598 or email me brooke.cashion@allentate.com
Happy Monday!
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
The "Real" Social Network
With so much talk about social media I felt it an appropriate time to blog about the importance of "old school" social networking! Old school in the sense that as I look across my shelves of listings and upcoming closings all of them are connected in some way, shape or form. Some are the result of a relationship established with a landscaper who maintains my vacant listings, some are friends, family members, attorneys, business associates, neighbors, church friends, high school friends and some of them are from reaching out to neighbors at listings and talking to folks at my favorite restaurant.
The point is this...everywhere I go, I am a walking billboard for the industry that I love. I told a client today that I love to solve problems, find solutions and see my transactions from start to finish and beyond. If you spend a minute with me, there is no doubt in your mind as to what I do to bring bread to the table and you will also learn why I do it....my faith, my family and my friends.
Writing a note, sending an email, calling a past client...these are all simple things that can and should be done on a daily basis. Nothing wrong with Facebook, blogging, etc. because they are necessary to the new paradigm and are fun to boot! But there is something to be said for a cup of coffee with a lender partner or a glass of wine with a small business owner to talk about what they are doing to survive.
During tough times it's natural to draw inward, to try our best to insulate ourselves from the reality of it all, but what I have learned during these challenging times, is that if I didn't get "out" and learn about our market, our challenges and our opportunities then my business would shrivel up and die on the vine. So thank you for helping me to keep on keeping on doing what I love to do...selling homes and helping buyers in our community...now that's work that socially nets dividends!
Brooke
The point is this...everywhere I go, I am a walking billboard for the industry that I love. I told a client today that I love to solve problems, find solutions and see my transactions from start to finish and beyond. If you spend a minute with me, there is no doubt in your mind as to what I do to bring bread to the table and you will also learn why I do it....my faith, my family and my friends.
Writing a note, sending an email, calling a past client...these are all simple things that can and should be done on a daily basis. Nothing wrong with Facebook, blogging, etc. because they are necessary to the new paradigm and are fun to boot! But there is something to be said for a cup of coffee with a lender partner or a glass of wine with a small business owner to talk about what they are doing to survive.
During tough times it's natural to draw inward, to try our best to insulate ourselves from the reality of it all, but what I have learned during these challenging times, is that if I didn't get "out" and learn about our market, our challenges and our opportunities then my business would shrivel up and die on the vine. So thank you for helping me to keep on keeping on doing what I love to do...selling homes and helping buyers in our community...now that's work that socially nets dividends!
Brooke
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Transportation Needs Critical to Job Growth In the Triad
The Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce recently held a transportation summit. This event was conducted in order to give a forum to local elected leaders to speak out about transportation concerns affecting citizens and businesses alike.
The turn-out was exceptional with representatives from most area communities. The elected officials had the chance to ask specific questions of the State Transportation Secretary regarding road improvement projects and new traffic mitigation projects in and around Winston that have been on the back burner for quite some time.
Most folks know the headache that heavy traffic can bring, but many don't realize the economic impact that crowded and hard to access roads have on critical logistics for business hubs in our area. These improvements or lack thereof will dictate whether or not our region is looked to when new business look to locate to our area or existing businesses decide whether or not to expand or even remain.
Great news piece prior to the event...recognize anyone?
The turn-out was exceptional with representatives from most area communities. The elected officials had the chance to ask specific questions of the State Transportation Secretary regarding road improvement projects and new traffic mitigation projects in and around Winston that have been on the back burner for quite some time.
Most folks know the headache that heavy traffic can bring, but many don't realize the economic impact that crowded and hard to access roads have on critical logistics for business hubs in our area. These improvements or lack thereof will dictate whether or not our region is looked to when new business look to locate to our area or existing businesses decide whether or not to expand or even remain.
Great news piece prior to the event...recognize anyone?
Monday, September 27, 2010
Tuesday, September 07, 2010
Winston-Salem Beltway Update--To Be or Not To Be...
I spent a fraction of my time this afternoon writing a hardship letter, from an agent perspective, for a client of mine. Per her request, I outlined her needs, her challenges and options as it relates to her current home and the Northern Winston-Salem Beltway corridor. As I was developing my thought process, I realized that even though many of us receive snippets of information via the local news media, that I am sure that there are still some lingering questions as to where this project currently stands and how things look moving forward. I am not attempting to answer any and all questions but simply to provide you with a synopsis for your digestion and to direct you to links and individuals that may get your specific questions answered--or leave you more confused. :)
As of end of August the DOT held public meetings to gain comment and input from affected citizens. This information is being used to provide more detailed information to the property owners and to planning departments in Winston-Salem and Forsyth county. Per the DOT, efforts are being made to improve communication with property owners by moving forward on some of the following items:
1-NCDOT plans on writing each property owner within the protected corridor to inform them of proper procedures to follow when requesting improvements to property in the corridor. Information on corridor policy protection should now be on their website.
2-NCDOT plans on addressing distressed property that has already been purchased, is being rented or is vacant within the corridor. Requests can be submitted via City-County planning or through DOT. All reasonable requests will be supported to maintain the quality of life in affected areas.
3-Review of DOT rental agreements is currently underway, making sure that properties are kept in proper condition and comply with subdivision covenants. Enforcements of these requirements are ongoing.
4-Properties that have previously submitted a hardship letter for advance acquisition which was not approved will be reviewed. New letters will be sent advising of status and to provide contact information if they have additional questions and concerns.
5-The major issue moving forward is simply put, funding.
The website has been updated and can be accessed at www.ncdot.gov/projects/wsnb
All questions concerning Right of Way hardship acquisitions, corridor protection, property improvement or leased properties questions can be directed to Division Right of Way agent Rodney Hatton at 336-760-8737.
If you would like to talk to me about your options, need opinions of current market value or would like to begin looking for new property because of a successful buyout or a pending buyout, please contact me via email brooke.cashion@allentate.com or call me at 336.817.3598
As of end of August the DOT held public meetings to gain comment and input from affected citizens. This information is being used to provide more detailed information to the property owners and to planning departments in Winston-Salem and Forsyth county. Per the DOT, efforts are being made to improve communication with property owners by moving forward on some of the following items:
1-NCDOT plans on writing each property owner within the protected corridor to inform them of proper procedures to follow when requesting improvements to property in the corridor. Information on corridor policy protection should now be on their website.
2-NCDOT plans on addressing distressed property that has already been purchased, is being rented or is vacant within the corridor. Requests can be submitted via City-County planning or through DOT. All reasonable requests will be supported to maintain the quality of life in affected areas.
3-Review of DOT rental agreements is currently underway, making sure that properties are kept in proper condition and comply with subdivision covenants. Enforcements of these requirements are ongoing.
4-Properties that have previously submitted a hardship letter for advance acquisition which was not approved will be reviewed. New letters will be sent advising of status and to provide contact information if they have additional questions and concerns.
5-The major issue moving forward is simply put, funding.
The website has been updated and can be accessed at www.ncdot.gov/projects/wsnb
All questions concerning Right of Way hardship acquisitions, corridor protection, property improvement or leased properties questions can be directed to Division Right of Way agent Rodney Hatton at 336-760-8737.
If you would like to talk to me about your options, need opinions of current market value or would like to begin looking for new property because of a successful buyout or a pending buyout, please contact me via email brooke.cashion@allentate.com or call me at 336.817.3598
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Which comes first? The chicken or the egg?
Just ran into a frustrating situation this past week on an appraisal where the value came in significantly lower than the contracted purchase price and tax value. Where as I have been preaching for years that tax value has little if anything to do with actual market value, I would hate to think that a seller/owner would pay close to 50k more than the home's "market" value as determined by one individual, in this case the appraiser, who is following a governmental set of guidelines. I say this because I in no way believe that the appraisal was the accurate indicator of the home's value. Real Estate 101 tells us that the value of a home in a given market is determined by the price that the buyer and seller can agree to on a particular day. It takes into account what is on the market during that period of time, the price the competition is available for and the overall thought that the buyer will choose what is best suited for them at the best price.
Well, how things have changed. As we are in the midst of "recovery" and the real estate market is taking a deep breathe as we enter what has been historically a slow period, it is now no longer good enough to bring said buyer and and seller together on price and terms, you now battle an unknown set of rules. Those rules are the ones determined by the lender or quasi-governmental entities such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, as they throw down regulations depending on the loan program that the buyer is using, that will dictate which set of criteria will be used to determine the value of the home.
Buyers and sellers are spending unheard of amounts of time and money to find the "real" value of their home in a historically unique marketplace. As they are trying to discover and negotiate this value, the lack of comparable sales, due to the depressed market is being used as an excuse as to why values are not there. This is happening in markets that are considered to be somewhat "stable". Meaning that nothing has been sold in the past several years because nothing has been on the market, because folks actually LIKE to live there! That usually means high demand and a relatively safe investment. Banks say NOT SO FAST! No comps, no values or they will compare and adjust the subject home with homes of varying age, quality of construction and design...for instance comparing a one level home to a two story with a basement.
The moral of the story is to
1-be aware of these risks as you are searching for homes or trying to sell your home
2-have comparable homes in your back pocket should an appraiser ask for assistance in establishing value
3-use more traditional forms of lending when possible, such as conventional loans with lower LTVs that have fewer governmental strings attached
4-don't buy anything unique (just kidding, but it does present challenges on on Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac backed loans)
Have anymore questions? Don't forget to give me a call or post if you have had or heard of a similar experience.
Well, how things have changed. As we are in the midst of "recovery" and the real estate market is taking a deep breathe as we enter what has been historically a slow period, it is now no longer good enough to bring said buyer and and seller together on price and terms, you now battle an unknown set of rules. Those rules are the ones determined by the lender or quasi-governmental entities such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, as they throw down regulations depending on the loan program that the buyer is using, that will dictate which set of criteria will be used to determine the value of the home.
Buyers and sellers are spending unheard of amounts of time and money to find the "real" value of their home in a historically unique marketplace. As they are trying to discover and negotiate this value, the lack of comparable sales, due to the depressed market is being used as an excuse as to why values are not there. This is happening in markets that are considered to be somewhat "stable". Meaning that nothing has been sold in the past several years because nothing has been on the market, because folks actually LIKE to live there! That usually means high demand and a relatively safe investment. Banks say NOT SO FAST! No comps, no values or they will compare and adjust the subject home with homes of varying age, quality of construction and design...for instance comparing a one level home to a two story with a basement.
The moral of the story is to
1-be aware of these risks as you are searching for homes or trying to sell your home
2-have comparable homes in your back pocket should an appraiser ask for assistance in establishing value
3-use more traditional forms of lending when possible, such as conventional loans with lower LTVs that have fewer governmental strings attached
4-don't buy anything unique (just kidding, but it does present challenges on on Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac backed loans)
Have anymore questions? Don't forget to give me a call or post if you have had or heard of a similar experience.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Arts for Life
Jake and I sat down the other day at lunch with the director/coordinator for Arts for Life. Based here in Winston-Salem, this organization is active at children's hospitals such as Brenner's and Duke. Not a new concept to have arts as a therapy, as Elizabeth Messick explained, but certainly one that lost luster and has recently come unto its own through hard work and donations by individuals and corporations.
Arts for Life in my simple terms, is a program designed to bring hope, self-confidence and purpose into the everyday hospital lives of critically ill children. From pre-packaged projects, such as mobiles, weaving, sculpting and textile crafts to artists coming in and reading, leading discussions or mentoring, this program injects life and possibility into what can feel like a pretty bleak situation. Elizabeth explained that though we could not actually be with these children one on one due to their compromised immune systems, that the packaged projects and donations to sustain this program would certainly contribute to their overall improvement. She went on to describe how some children are not even able to see their siblings for months on end due to the fragile nature of their condition during treatments. These projects allow them to occupy their time with more than a t.v. or medical treatments, it allows them the ability to nurture their creativity and to see that the completion of a task is a possibility and that positive outcomes DO exist in their world.
Jake and I met with Elizabeth because we wanted to know how we could help and how our daughter could begin developing her own character by serving the community. We are currently discussing the best way to assist this organization and some of the suggestions given to us or that we could come up with were:
*Host a party where participants make jewelry, magnets, etc. and sell them at the Arts for Life showcase.
*Donate money raised from a bake sale or lemonade stand to purchase supplies for packaged projects.
*Take up a love-offering at your church or Sunday school class to be given to Arts for Life.
*Assemble a class, scout troop or neighbors to assemble packages
*Collect donated art supplies for packages
*If you know an artist, ask them if they would donate their time to help
These are just a few of their suggestions and our family is looking forward to finding our place in this fabulous organization. There are so many groups in need currently and so many folks out there asking for funds, but this is one that often gets over-looked and can easily be contributed to with your time and talents, not just your dollars.
If you would like more information please contact Arts for Life in downtown Winston-Salem or shoot me an email or post and I can put you in touch with Elizabeth and her group!
Know of any other cool service projects that are kid-friendly? Post here and let me know!
Arts for Life in my simple terms, is a program designed to bring hope, self-confidence and purpose into the everyday hospital lives of critically ill children. From pre-packaged projects, such as mobiles, weaving, sculpting and textile crafts to artists coming in and reading, leading discussions or mentoring, this program injects life and possibility into what can feel like a pretty bleak situation. Elizabeth explained that though we could not actually be with these children one on one due to their compromised immune systems, that the packaged projects and donations to sustain this program would certainly contribute to their overall improvement. She went on to describe how some children are not even able to see their siblings for months on end due to the fragile nature of their condition during treatments. These projects allow them to occupy their time with more than a t.v. or medical treatments, it allows them the ability to nurture their creativity and to see that the completion of a task is a possibility and that positive outcomes DO exist in their world.
Jake and I met with Elizabeth because we wanted to know how we could help and how our daughter could begin developing her own character by serving the community. We are currently discussing the best way to assist this organization and some of the suggestions given to us or that we could come up with were:
*Host a party where participants make jewelry, magnets, etc. and sell them at the Arts for Life showcase.
*Donate money raised from a bake sale or lemonade stand to purchase supplies for packaged projects.
*Take up a love-offering at your church or Sunday school class to be given to Arts for Life.
*Assemble a class, scout troop or neighbors to assemble packages
*Collect donated art supplies for packages
*If you know an artist, ask them if they would donate their time to help
These are just a few of their suggestions and our family is looking forward to finding our place in this fabulous organization. There are so many groups in need currently and so many folks out there asking for funds, but this is one that often gets over-looked and can easily be contributed to with your time and talents, not just your dollars.
If you would like more information please contact Arts for Life in downtown Winston-Salem or shoot me an email or post and I can put you in touch with Elizabeth and her group!
Know of any other cool service projects that are kid-friendly? Post here and let me know!
Thursday, August 05, 2010
a lot about nothing
Rainy mist out of sallow clouds that can't really decide what to do. It's a no yard work, kid at a friend's kinda day...
What to do if anything at all? That was the question that weighed on my mind early Saturday morning as sleep escaped me, as it always seems to do on those mornings that time doesn't bind you to. Of course, no one knows what it is that wakes you on these lazy mornings. A bird whistling to it's mate at 5 am for an early morning rendezvous or a teenager sneaking in during the wee hours of the morning before the sun has a chance to throw a beam their way and expose their misdeeds. Hell, whatever it was, it woke me and started chanting in my brain, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO TODAY!?
I hate that question, as if our very existence hinges on the fact that we always have to be doing, producing, thinking, spending and yet, I fall victim most every time. Not this time I promised myself as Jake rolled over to grab the last couple of zzzz's before he woke to my staring at him full on. That always seems to do the trick, it's like I can use my eyes to pry his open, but it usually doesn't put him in a very good mood. I was careful this morning. I didn't want any of that nonsense to get in my way of having what was going to be a wonderful, relaxing, romantic, Mary Poppins crosses Dirty Dancing kinda day. I mean, I could already envision Jake and I dancing across the countless vineyards in the rain. Seriously, was I delusional? How could I work this to my advantage and NOT do anything, yet NOT waste this precious day with its hourly pockets of freedom from sun up to sun down? Carpe diem!
Well for starters, we both woke up starving. A late night Chick Fil A combo meal just didn't stick to our ribs, so food was on our brains. Rather than just "grabbing a quick bite" I wanted to work this to my advantage and into the master plan and that I did! Jake was so hungry that he agreed to drive 50 miles up Hwy 52 and Hwy 268 to Shelton Vineyards to have lunch at Harvest Grill, which we discovered had recently been featured in Our State. Our stomachs churning the entire way, we pointed the Honda north and between hallucinogenic moments due to lack of food and the hypnotic swack of the windshield wipers, we are certainly lucky to have made it in one piece. When we exited the car just steps away from the restaurant and entered the door, it was clear that we were just in time. We were the first ones there, which was perfect, because my food and beverage would take top priority, which it ultimately did. Jake was served a fresh cup of Starbucks and I enjoyed my first glass of a 2009 Savignon Blanc. We were seated in the patio area and the rain on the roof and the views of the vineyard started me to visualizing the romantic embrace of a slow dance, I thought I even heard Van Morrison in the background...maybe it was just the wine.
Fast forward, lunch was wonderful, the tour was lovely and we determined that the rest of our afternoon would be cemented with window shopping in Mt. Airy. Who was this man and why was he doing all of these things that I wanted to do? He even held my umbrella, parked close to the shops and didn't roll his eyes or stay outside when I wanted to look at boutiques and home furnishing stores. We strolled, we laughed, we took silly pictures and posted them on facebook. We people watched, we talked about the shops and restaurants our town needed and the differences in places and really, we did nothing. We didn't make phone calls or close million-dollar deals, we didn't talk politics or solve budgeting woes and we didn't spend gobs of cash on trinkets that would be hauled off to Goodwill or displayed in next year's yard sale.
After a few hours of hanging out in downtown, we hopped in the car looking like kids who just snuck out to play in mud puddles and found ourselves grinning and relaxed. We pointed the car south this time, popped in the grocery, grabbed two steaks and a bottle of wine, and headed home. Thoroughly satisfied with our day, the rain continued to intermittently hiss and mist and the wind cycled through the trees, we settled in to a couple of movies. Sure, it sounds like we did something. I know your brand of cynicism that wants to accurately define and categorize what something and nothing are. But we did nothing by our definition and I want more nothing and that in itself is saying something.
What to do if anything at all? That was the question that weighed on my mind early Saturday morning as sleep escaped me, as it always seems to do on those mornings that time doesn't bind you to. Of course, no one knows what it is that wakes you on these lazy mornings. A bird whistling to it's mate at 5 am for an early morning rendezvous or a teenager sneaking in during the wee hours of the morning before the sun has a chance to throw a beam their way and expose their misdeeds. Hell, whatever it was, it woke me and started chanting in my brain, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO TODAY!?
I hate that question, as if our very existence hinges on the fact that we always have to be doing, producing, thinking, spending and yet, I fall victim most every time. Not this time I promised myself as Jake rolled over to grab the last couple of zzzz's before he woke to my staring at him full on. That always seems to do the trick, it's like I can use my eyes to pry his open, but it usually doesn't put him in a very good mood. I was careful this morning. I didn't want any of that nonsense to get in my way of having what was going to be a wonderful, relaxing, romantic, Mary Poppins crosses Dirty Dancing kinda day. I mean, I could already envision Jake and I dancing across the countless vineyards in the rain. Seriously, was I delusional? How could I work this to my advantage and NOT do anything, yet NOT waste this precious day with its hourly pockets of freedom from sun up to sun down? Carpe diem!
Well for starters, we both woke up starving. A late night Chick Fil A combo meal just didn't stick to our ribs, so food was on our brains. Rather than just "grabbing a quick bite" I wanted to work this to my advantage and into the master plan and that I did! Jake was so hungry that he agreed to drive 50 miles up Hwy 52 and Hwy 268 to Shelton Vineyards to have lunch at Harvest Grill, which we discovered had recently been featured in Our State. Our stomachs churning the entire way, we pointed the Honda north and between hallucinogenic moments due to lack of food and the hypnotic swack of the windshield wipers, we are certainly lucky to have made it in one piece. When we exited the car just steps away from the restaurant and entered the door, it was clear that we were just in time. We were the first ones there, which was perfect, because my food and beverage would take top priority, which it ultimately did. Jake was served a fresh cup of Starbucks and I enjoyed my first glass of a 2009 Savignon Blanc. We were seated in the patio area and the rain on the roof and the views of the vineyard started me to visualizing the romantic embrace of a slow dance, I thought I even heard Van Morrison in the background...maybe it was just the wine.
Fast forward, lunch was wonderful, the tour was lovely and we determined that the rest of our afternoon would be cemented with window shopping in Mt. Airy. Who was this man and why was he doing all of these things that I wanted to do? He even held my umbrella, parked close to the shops and didn't roll his eyes or stay outside when I wanted to look at boutiques and home furnishing stores. We strolled, we laughed, we took silly pictures and posted them on facebook. We people watched, we talked about the shops and restaurants our town needed and the differences in places and really, we did nothing. We didn't make phone calls or close million-dollar deals, we didn't talk politics or solve budgeting woes and we didn't spend gobs of cash on trinkets that would be hauled off to Goodwill or displayed in next year's yard sale.
After a few hours of hanging out in downtown, we hopped in the car looking like kids who just snuck out to play in mud puddles and found ourselves grinning and relaxed. We pointed the car south this time, popped in the grocery, grabbed two steaks and a bottle of wine, and headed home. Thoroughly satisfied with our day, the rain continued to intermittently hiss and mist and the wind cycled through the trees, we settled in to a couple of movies. Sure, it sounds like we did something. I know your brand of cynicism that wants to accurately define and categorize what something and nothing are. But we did nothing by our definition and I want more nothing and that in itself is saying something.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
6 Quick Tips to Sell Your Home - Guest Blogger: Jennifer Sammons
Hi! My name is Jennifer Sammons and I am the Buyer's Agent working for Brooke Cashion & Associates. Based off of my past years of experience in home design and staging, Brooke has asked me to provide you with some quick tips to help sell your home. Here we go...
In today's market, competition is thick and you must take extra steps in making your home stand out from the crowd. How can you do this? Well, it's really easy, it just takes a few minor attitude adjustments and you moving out...just kidding, you do not have to move out! You do have to take the "Home" out of your "House". What I mean to say is, depersonalize your home and turn it into a model house. This house is now on the market and your goal is to sell it...right? Everything must have a place and less is more. Here are a few quick tips to help you stage your home and sell faster for more money.
In today's market, competition is thick and you must take extra steps in making your home stand out from the crowd. How can you do this? Well, it's really easy, it just takes a few minor attitude adjustments and you moving out...just kidding, you do not have to move out! You do have to take the "Home" out of your "House". What I mean to say is, depersonalize your home and turn it into a model house. This house is now on the market and your goal is to sell it...right? Everything must have a place and less is more. Here are a few quick tips to help you stage your home and sell faster for more money.
- Less furniture in a room can make a room feel bigger. Even if you think that showing your massive bedroom suite/living room suite with all 5 or 6 pieces clearly shows what the room can hold, think again. You have just eaten up useful floor space for your potential buyer's wants and needs and your room is viewed as small and cramped.
- Clean your windows, inside & out. Let the buyers see clearly all of the potential in your home and outdoor living space. Also, change your mini blinds out for 2" faux wood blinds or if you don't want the investment...just take them down completely.
- Remove all the knick-knacks and items that you do not use on a daily basis from all countertops (kitchen & baths), bookshelves and furniture. Your collectibles are distracting to the space and your buyers. They can't see past your stuff to visualize their belongings in the house.
- Update the fixtures. Thanks to the big box stores, lighting and plumbing fixtures have become more and more affordable. You can replace most fixtures for less than $100 each. Try not to get caught up in the trend colors...remember that is personalizing. Stick with polished chrome or brushed nickel. Currently polished chrome fixtures for lighting and baths are making a major come back. They are classic colors that never go out of style and they are the least expensive. By the way, do not forget to change out switch covers and outlet covers to match or go neutral. NO BRASS! Also, always check your light fixtures for burnt out bulbs...light is good!
- Spruce up the entry. Make someone want to enter your home. You remember "don't judge a book by it's cover" well, that's what people are doing when they drive by your house. They are assuming that a rundown porch or entry could only indicate a neglected interior. A new rug, fresh paint on the door, new (black) shutters, new (black) light fixtures and live plants in good condition will add major value to your curb appeal.
- Re-evaluate. Have you, your spouse, a friend and/or family member walk through the house and point out things that stand out, take the good with the bad. Remember try not to take this personally...this is no longer your "home", it's a "house" that's on the market. Highlight the good areas and fix the bad. You are moving on and the ultimate goal is to sell!
Finally, just as a bonus...list your house with Brooke Cashion & Associates to sell faster and for more money!!!!!!
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Sunday, July 11, 2010
10 Years....
Almost a month and how time flies! My daughter just turned 10 yesterday, so it seems fitting to reflect on the past 10 years. Months after Maddie was born, I took the real estate course and state test and began selling real estate. My how times have changed and haven't!!
When I first started my real estate career, the market was not exactly what you would call "stellar". Meaning, rates were around 9%, there was a pretty large inventory and I felt, as I sat on phone duty rearranging Post-It notes, that buyers were few and far between. So few and far, that on my very first transaction, the buyers could not secure financing and we negotiated an owner finance agreement, that eventually worked out in every one's best interest.
Banks and lenders at the time were still requiring sizable chunks of cash down and the first-time buyer had to save (gasp!) money or have it gifted in order to make a go of purchasing their first home. I remember one office meeting I sat in at the first firm I worked at, when someone came and spoke to our office about 100% financing and USDA rural housing loans. They showed a slide-show, (yes, not PowerPoint but slide show) of the various income levels and how they correlate to the number of people in the family. I remember the buzz around our office as to how could this be sustained and do these folks really need this kind of governmental assistance if they can't qualify under the current standards of lending....Well, you can now sit back and Monday morning quarterback, but you also know where that got us. Now the government backs over 90% of all loans and establishes outlandish criteria and hoops to jump for legitimate buyers while still offering, up until a very short while ago, these SAME exact loan programs!! Guess we still haven't learned...
As I became more experienced, changed companies, owned and sold my own company, my perspective changed. I grew into a position that allowed me to consult and advise buyers and sellers on the purchase and sell real estate. No longer, cold calling (done away with by Do Not Call registry), no longer giving recipe cards and tossing candy in the parade, time and experience blessed me with a trusted and loyal client base that is always sending new leads and referrals my way. Folks now understand my job for them doesn't stop at closing, it continues as an advisor for home remodeling, refinancing, additions, real estate tax questions, advocacy on their behalf to banks and attorneys and so much more. This career is fulfilling and challenging, ever-changing, rewarding, sometimes emotionally-draining and sometimes down-right sad.
Our family has gone from sitting in our first 800 square foot home, with a computer hooked up to a phone line and an AOL disk received in the mail...to wireless and handheld SmartPhones, able to download documents anywhere and databases that includes thousands of names and contacts with a key-stroke.
Easier? No. We sit here today and have no idea where the market truly is because of a false-floor placed on real estate. At least 10 years ago, the buyers and sellers drove the market and the supply and demand, not bureaucrats in DC. Until fewer regulations and requirements are placed on real estate and lending, rather than more and the market settles because of a good dose of old fashioned common sense, then we will continue to speculate on what the next 10 years will look like. Locally, we are in good shape and for that I am grateful, but our market is affected by those trying to sell in other areas and true recovery can't happen until the job market stabilizes and the private sector adds and innovates. And until then, our industry will have to be innovative to not only survive but find a way to thrive in this period of ambiguity.
When I first started my real estate career, the market was not exactly what you would call "stellar". Meaning, rates were around 9%, there was a pretty large inventory and I felt, as I sat on phone duty rearranging Post-It notes, that buyers were few and far between. So few and far, that on my very first transaction, the buyers could not secure financing and we negotiated an owner finance agreement, that eventually worked out in every one's best interest.
Banks and lenders at the time were still requiring sizable chunks of cash down and the first-time buyer had to save (gasp!) money or have it gifted in order to make a go of purchasing their first home. I remember one office meeting I sat in at the first firm I worked at, when someone came and spoke to our office about 100% financing and USDA rural housing loans. They showed a slide-show, (yes, not PowerPoint but slide show) of the various income levels and how they correlate to the number of people in the family. I remember the buzz around our office as to how could this be sustained and do these folks really need this kind of governmental assistance if they can't qualify under the current standards of lending....Well, you can now sit back and Monday morning quarterback, but you also know where that got us. Now the government backs over 90% of all loans and establishes outlandish criteria and hoops to jump for legitimate buyers while still offering, up until a very short while ago, these SAME exact loan programs!! Guess we still haven't learned...
As I became more experienced, changed companies, owned and sold my own company, my perspective changed. I grew into a position that allowed me to consult and advise buyers and sellers on the purchase and sell real estate. No longer, cold calling (done away with by Do Not Call registry), no longer giving recipe cards and tossing candy in the parade, time and experience blessed me with a trusted and loyal client base that is always sending new leads and referrals my way. Folks now understand my job for them doesn't stop at closing, it continues as an advisor for home remodeling, refinancing, additions, real estate tax questions, advocacy on their behalf to banks and attorneys and so much more. This career is fulfilling and challenging, ever-changing, rewarding, sometimes emotionally-draining and sometimes down-right sad.
Our family has gone from sitting in our first 800 square foot home, with a computer hooked up to a phone line and an AOL disk received in the mail...to wireless and handheld SmartPhones, able to download documents anywhere and databases that includes thousands of names and contacts with a key-stroke.
Easier? No. We sit here today and have no idea where the market truly is because of a false-floor placed on real estate. At least 10 years ago, the buyers and sellers drove the market and the supply and demand, not bureaucrats in DC. Until fewer regulations and requirements are placed on real estate and lending, rather than more and the market settles because of a good dose of old fashioned common sense, then we will continue to speculate on what the next 10 years will look like. Locally, we are in good shape and for that I am grateful, but our market is affected by those trying to sell in other areas and true recovery can't happen until the job market stabilizes and the private sector adds and innovates. And until then, our industry will have to be innovative to not only survive but find a way to thrive in this period of ambiguity.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
7 tips for picking a real estate agent
Wishing there were a good way or formula to choose a Realtor? Great article on msn.com
I would be happy to provide any of my clients or future clients this information and look forward to helping you and your friends and family with all of their real estate needs...Click below! Have a great day!
7 tips for picking a real estate agent
I would be happy to provide any of my clients or future clients this information and look forward to helping you and your friends and family with all of their real estate needs...Click below! Have a great day!
7 tips for picking a real estate agent
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
Congratulations On Your New Arrival!
Gotcha! Nope, not me having a baby...but our team does have some exciting announcements to make regarding some very special additions!
First, Brooke Cashion and Associates welcomes TWO new members to the team! Jennifer Sammons has just joined me as a new agent on the team, specializing in buyer's agency, new construction and the Surry and Stokes county areas. Funny how things work, but Jennifer was a former client of mine who lived in Kernersville and I sold them a beautiful home on 7 acres that backs up to Pilot mountain. Needless to say, I was thrilled when she told me she was looking to change careers and get into real estate. Jennifer previously worked several years with a national new home builder as an interior designer and most recently she worked with a local plumbing fixture company. Needless to say, she knows homes and has been around remodeling and new construction for well over the past ten years! Not to mention, she is super active in the Winston-Salem Home Builders Association and sits on their board of directors. I cannot even begin to describe what a pleasure it is to have Jennifer and her positive attitude, witty sense of humor, excitement and her fashion-sense in our office! She is available full-time to serve all of your real estate needs and can be reached at 226-399-5218.
Our next addition is Dawna Compton, our new right-hand gal, who filled in when our beloved Beth left to spend more time with her boys. Though we miss Beth dearly, Dawna fell right into the groove. Dawna will be specializing in systems, organization and marketing implementation so that our day to day processes go smoothly in order to allow Jennifer and I to be out in the field and physically with our clients more often. Dawna also brings a ton of resources with her, especially her knowledge and enthusiasm for technology, her "can-do" attitude and her strong work ethic--each of which are seasoned with a dose of quirky humor! If you are a current client and need anything regarding fliers, books, website management, etc. Dawna is your gal--but of course, you can still call me anytime!
We do have another arrival to announce and that is Allen Tate Winston-Salem's arrival to our new location in downtown Winston! We have FINALLY settled into our new building located at 147 S. Cherry St. and it is beautiful! Please find the time to drop in and say hello or wave as you pass by on Business 40!
With these additions, I look forward to all of the good that is certainly to come from it and I am excited about implementing new resources to better serve you and your referrals!
Keep 'em coming!
Brooke
First, Brooke Cashion and Associates welcomes TWO new members to the team! Jennifer Sammons has just joined me as a new agent on the team, specializing in buyer's agency, new construction and the Surry and Stokes county areas. Funny how things work, but Jennifer was a former client of mine who lived in Kernersville and I sold them a beautiful home on 7 acres that backs up to Pilot mountain. Needless to say, I was thrilled when she told me she was looking to change careers and get into real estate. Jennifer previously worked several years with a national new home builder as an interior designer and most recently she worked with a local plumbing fixture company. Needless to say, she knows homes and has been around remodeling and new construction for well over the past ten years! Not to mention, she is super active in the Winston-Salem Home Builders Association and sits on their board of directors. I cannot even begin to describe what a pleasure it is to have Jennifer and her positive attitude, witty sense of humor, excitement and her fashion-sense in our office! She is available full-time to serve all of your real estate needs and can be reached at 226-399-5218.
Our next addition is Dawna Compton, our new right-hand gal, who filled in when our beloved Beth left to spend more time with her boys. Though we miss Beth dearly, Dawna fell right into the groove. Dawna will be specializing in systems, organization and marketing implementation so that our day to day processes go smoothly in order to allow Jennifer and I to be out in the field and physically with our clients more often. Dawna also brings a ton of resources with her, especially her knowledge and enthusiasm for technology, her "can-do" attitude and her strong work ethic--each of which are seasoned with a dose of quirky humor! If you are a current client and need anything regarding fliers, books, website management, etc. Dawna is your gal--but of course, you can still call me anytime!
We do have another arrival to announce and that is Allen Tate Winston-Salem's arrival to our new location in downtown Winston! We have FINALLY settled into our new building located at 147 S. Cherry St. and it is beautiful! Please find the time to drop in and say hello or wave as you pass by on Business 40!
With these additions, I look forward to all of the good that is certainly to come from it and I am excited about implementing new resources to better serve you and your referrals!
Keep 'em coming!
Brooke
Sunday, June 06, 2010
That's What I Call a Great Deal!
What a wonderful and relaxing weekend, after the madness of tax credit deadlines, soccer tournaments and end of school activities, it seems as if life has gotten back to normal...well at least until tomorrow!
Several interesting bits of information to be relayed to you that have recently occurred...great home on Fielding Drive in the Post Oak subdivision is back on the market after only have recently exchanged hands in the past month or so. One of my close friends asked me to confirm if the first sell actually went through and it did, but for any of you looking for a great one level brick ranch in an established and super convenient Kernersville location, contact me for the specs...listed at just $205k--not much more than what it sold for only a few weeks ago!
Several of my listings have recently been reduced...placing them in a category that I call "What a Great Deal!" That means if I had millions of dollars, I would grab these homes up and hold on to them for a few years and well, you know the rest of the story. One of these is my mother-in-law's home in Salisbury Crossing at 605 Charles Conner. She just authorized another reduction of 5k, making this a steal at 195k!! Check it out www.allentate.com/brookecashion/564429
Another one of these "deals" is a new listing located in Tredegar at 1719 Tredegar Road. Things have been pretty slow for this subdivision for some reason, but this home is priced to sell at just 250k...4 bedrooms, all-brick and a huge, level fenced backyard. www.allentate.com/brookecashion/581968
Also, if you know of anyone looking for something below 150k that is move-in ready check these HOT PROPERTIES out!! Perfect for an investor wanting to hold and flip, great for rental property or for someone just needing some great space for the money! Check out the lot sizes, condition and location for the price.
908 Huntington Run in Kernersville www.allentate.com/brookecashion/573015
1140 Ziglar Road in Northern Winston-Salem www.allentate.com/brookecashion/572220
Anything else that you hear of or have questions on please don't hesitate to call me, text, email, Tweet, FB or post to the blog...we'll pick it up and get back to you!
Stay tuned for days on market updates, inventory and new listings!
Keep an eye out for the June e-newsletter coming your way this week with tons of new info!
Brooke
Several interesting bits of information to be relayed to you that have recently occurred...great home on Fielding Drive in the Post Oak subdivision is back on the market after only have recently exchanged hands in the past month or so. One of my close friends asked me to confirm if the first sell actually went through and it did, but for any of you looking for a great one level brick ranch in an established and super convenient Kernersville location, contact me for the specs...listed at just $205k--not much more than what it sold for only a few weeks ago!
Several of my listings have recently been reduced...placing them in a category that I call "What a Great Deal!" That means if I had millions of dollars, I would grab these homes up and hold on to them for a few years and well, you know the rest of the story. One of these is my mother-in-law's home in Salisbury Crossing at 605 Charles Conner. She just authorized another reduction of 5k, making this a steal at 195k!! Check it out www.allentate.com/brookecashion/564429
Another one of these "deals" is a new listing located in Tredegar at 1719 Tredegar Road. Things have been pretty slow for this subdivision for some reason, but this home is priced to sell at just 250k...4 bedrooms, all-brick and a huge, level fenced backyard. www.allentate.com/brookecashion/581968
Also, if you know of anyone looking for something below 150k that is move-in ready check these HOT PROPERTIES out!! Perfect for an investor wanting to hold and flip, great for rental property or for someone just needing some great space for the money! Check out the lot sizes, condition and location for the price.
908 Huntington Run in Kernersville www.allentate.com/brookecashion/573015
1140 Ziglar Road in Northern Winston-Salem www.allentate.com/brookecashion/572220
Anything else that you hear of or have questions on please don't hesitate to call me, text, email, Tweet, FB or post to the blog...we'll pick it up and get back to you!
Stay tuned for days on market updates, inventory and new listings!
Keep an eye out for the June e-newsletter coming your way this week with tons of new info!
Brooke
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)