Jake, Maddie and I recently traveled to Florida for our summer vacation and decided that rather than drive, we would enjoy the luxury of flying. I fly somewhat regularly but usually it's just me, not the entire family. We have been in dire need of new luggage for quite sometime and after our trip to Montana, Jake vowed that never again would we take that set of luggage with us anywhere.
I made a trip to Costco for some very reasonable and sturdy Samsonite luggage that consisted of the new, plastic-like material that gives the luggage a hard shell, as opposed to the cloth that we had previously owned and recently threw away. I thought I had really made a wise investment with my purchase of one large piece and a smaller, carry-on bag, both complete with wheels that rolled in all directions!! Saturday night prior to our Sunday afternoon departure, we began packing. Jake and I had planned on sharing the "big" bag and Maddie would have the smaller carry-on bag. We had paid for a checked bag and a carry on bag with our tickets. As we were packing, I started to vaguely recollect that Allegiant Air had recently implemented a 40lb baggage rule. You could go over but then you were subject to the "at-airport" fees that are upward of $50 regardless of being overweight one pound or twenty. This now "big" bag that was stuffed full, needed to be reduced to 40lbs or under. Once we culled it down to what appeared on the scale to be under 40, the clothing items remaining shifted willy-nilly in the bag--there was room for so much more!! Maddie's carry-on would not be weighed but then again, only so much would fit in it! I panicked! What were we going to do?! Jake hates to fly, and this kind of stuff drives him nuts!
In comes the Sunday morning Costco run to purchase yet another carry-on sized bag for my stuff while Jake's clothes swam comfortably around in the large bag that could have easily held another person's wardrobe but for the weight limit. Bag purchased, we switch everything out before leaving and proceed to the airport and subsequently to the counter to check the bags.
The line was out the door and at least 40 people deep. Jake comments on how glad he is that our bags are squared away so that we don't have to deal with the nonsense that others in front of us are going through. Our turn arrives and the first bag goes on the scale...the "big" bag--OH $H*+!--this bag is STILL 3 lbs. overweight. The second checked carry-on goes on the scale and its only 35 lbs. but stuffed so fat that the zipper is screaming for mercy. The gal behind the counter offers the suggestion to switch items from "big" bag to a smaller bag...great idea but no room in the smaller bag. Jake is now breathing loudly through his nose and color is creeping up his neck. We are THOSE people despite our efforts otherwise!! Bags are unzipped, clothes, toiletries removed...those items of course can't go in our carry-on where there is room, because they exceed the liquid ounce requirements! It's like doing Algebra homework for the first time, as we try to put together the right formula! Finally, the gal behind the counter "passes" our bags and puts them on the belt as we realize we have no identification on any of the bags! Now, Jake worries that our bags will be profiled due to our piss-poor attitude at the gate. I assure him that airport workers don't profile...the TSA assures us of that! We move on to the gate, wondering if our luggage will make it or split under the pressure. As for the big bag, we are certain that someone has plenty of room to climb inside and stow-away to Florida.
My questions are a) why can't airlines just charge per pound? It's obvious they don't care about how much you carry, regardless of what they say. No reason for someone who's three pounds over to be charged the same as someone 50 lbs. over as it appears is the current case. b) why can't your bags be an aggregate amount on direct flights? If you purchase and pay to have two bags checked, one could be 60 lbs. and the other 20 lbs...who cares what goes where if it really IS about safety? c) if weight is so important why aren't there "official" scales at strategic areas of the airport where you can weigh your bag without hundreds of eyes piercing your back as you hold up the checking-in process?
Safely landed and at home it's a little more humorous to reflect on the situation, but how unfortunate that it was the beginning memory of our summer vacation. If airlines want passengers to continue to fly and to travel, then common-sense requirements need to be established for everyone's benefit and safety. Maybe I'm just missing some of the tricks to traveling...I'm sure it's just a matter of time before people are going to be charged for how much they weigh...Thank goodness I started back at the gym last week, I've got a trip to Vegas in the near future! :)
Brooke
Friday, August 23, 2013
Monday, June 17, 2013
When the Going Gets Tough...Hire an Expert!! Great Article...
Want to
Sell? Hire a Realtor
Home sellers are more than twice as likely to get their homes sold if they use a Realtor®, rather than trying to sell their home on their own, according to a new survey conducted by HomeGain of 400 home owners nationwide from July 31 to Aug. 10. Seventy-three percent of the home owners surveyed said they used a Realtor®.
Home sellers are more than twice as likely to get their homes sold if they use a Realtor®, rather than trying to sell their home on their own, according to a new survey conducted by HomeGain of 400 home owners nationwide from July 31 to Aug. 10. Seventy-three percent of the home owners surveyed said they used a Realtor®.
On the other hand, 21
percent of those surveyed said they tried to sell their home
themselves. The survey found that 66 percent of the home owners who used a
Realtor® were able to successfully sell their home compared to 30 percent of
for-sale-by-owners.
What’s more, the
survey found that 22 percent of the for-sale-by-owners eventually decided to
use a Realtor® to try to sell their home. More than half of those who did were
then able to sell their homes too, the survey found.
“The value of a
Realtor® in a real estate transaction is made strikingly apparent in our 2012
FSBO verses Realtor ® survey of home sellers,” says Louis Cammarosano, general
manager of HomeGain. “A qualified Realtor ® understands the dynamics of the
market and can better assist home sellers in the pricing and preparation of
their homes for sale.”
Source: HomeGain
Thursday, June 06, 2013
Not Created Equal...
Not all licensed real estate agents are created equal. And for good reason. Not all sellers and buyers are created equal nor do they have the same needs and expectations. I am saying this because over the past few weeks, as I have attended listing appointments, sellers in particular have been surprised that not all agents do the same things or have the same designations.
First, not all licensed agents are Realtors. Realtors are members of a trade association that take real estate ethics to the next level. All agents should abide by real estate law, but the Realtor association lays down an additional layer of ethics through their code of ethics and their adherence to the Golden Rule. In my humble opinion, using a Realtor, asking if your agent is one, and knowing the difference, is pretty important.
Not all companies use a showing service to set appointments. Make sure yours does. Nothing is more frustrating to a buyer and a buyers' agent than wanting to see your home and not being able to reach the listing agent or anyone at their firm. Hire an agent whose company subscribes to a showings service that is open 7 days a week and 364 days of the year. Lost showings are lost offers. Period.
Not all agents in the same firm use the same marketing tools. Ask when interviewing what your agent is going to do for you, that other agents both in their firm and outside their firm are not going to do. You want to choose an agent who invests in their brand and business. Agents who have "skin in the game" treat their business like a business and have incentive to sell your home.
Agents do NOT get paid a salary. We make money only when we sell a home. For the most part we are all self-employed, independent contractors who run a small business under the umbrella of a larger firm. Usually we pay the firm to work under that umbrella.
Not all agents are FULL-TIME. Your should be. You need someone who works on a daily basis and understands the full-time nature and access to availability that the real estate industry demands. Ask during your interview how much they are in the office and how many hours, on average, they work a week. If they stumble on that question, then they probably don't have a business-plan for their own business and might be challenged when it comes to a marketing plan for your home.
Not all commissions are the same. There is NO STANDARD fee. It's all negotiable. However, make sure you know what you are paying for because usually you get what you pay for. If your agent has a difficult time protecting their fee and income, how do you think they are going to fare on your behalf when an offer comes in and they are negotiating YOUR equity?
If you have specific questions on interviewing the right agent for you or if you would like to set up an interview please give us a call 336-817-3598 or shoot me an email. brooke.cashion@allentate.com
Brooke
First, not all licensed agents are Realtors. Realtors are members of a trade association that take real estate ethics to the next level. All agents should abide by real estate law, but the Realtor association lays down an additional layer of ethics through their code of ethics and their adherence to the Golden Rule. In my humble opinion, using a Realtor, asking if your agent is one, and knowing the difference, is pretty important.
Not all companies use a showing service to set appointments. Make sure yours does. Nothing is more frustrating to a buyer and a buyers' agent than wanting to see your home and not being able to reach the listing agent or anyone at their firm. Hire an agent whose company subscribes to a showings service that is open 7 days a week and 364 days of the year. Lost showings are lost offers. Period.
Not all agents in the same firm use the same marketing tools. Ask when interviewing what your agent is going to do for you, that other agents both in their firm and outside their firm are not going to do. You want to choose an agent who invests in their brand and business. Agents who have "skin in the game" treat their business like a business and have incentive to sell your home.
Agents do NOT get paid a salary. We make money only when we sell a home. For the most part we are all self-employed, independent contractors who run a small business under the umbrella of a larger firm. Usually we pay the firm to work under that umbrella.
Not all agents are FULL-TIME. Your should be. You need someone who works on a daily basis and understands the full-time nature and access to availability that the real estate industry demands. Ask during your interview how much they are in the office and how many hours, on average, they work a week. If they stumble on that question, then they probably don't have a business-plan for their own business and might be challenged when it comes to a marketing plan for your home.
Not all commissions are the same. There is NO STANDARD fee. It's all negotiable. However, make sure you know what you are paying for because usually you get what you pay for. If your agent has a difficult time protecting their fee and income, how do you think they are going to fare on your behalf when an offer comes in and they are negotiating YOUR equity?
If you have specific questions on interviewing the right agent for you or if you would like to set up an interview please give us a call 336-817-3598 or shoot me an email. brooke.cashion@allentate.com
Brooke
Hit the Road Jack...
If you're planning to hit the road this summer for a quick getaway or a lengthy family sabbatical, there are a few things you might want to plan on in order to care for your home while you're away. Though this list is certainly not 100% comprehensive, it does serve as a nice checklist for the highlights.
-Pets...make sure you arrange boarding ahead of time. Kennels are booked early and there's nothing like stressing over whether or not your pet is going to be well-loved while you're out of town. Shots and records need to be current and printed prior to arrival in the event your pet has not boarded a particular kennel. If pets are staying home or staying with family/friends, make sure you leave specific instructions on care along with ample food and treats. It's usually a good idea to have a visitation or two prior to your trip to introduce both parties.
-Mail...Have a trusted neighbor, friend or family to check your mail every other day or request your local post office to hold your mail until you return. This is a free service not often used.
-Plants...You've worked too hard this Spring on your flowers to let them burn in the hot Summer sun. Pay a neighborhood kid or find a service that waters and/or weeds flower beds and gardens.
-Thermostat...Set your thermostat at a higher temperature to prevent unnecessary running while you aren't there. However, avoid the temptation to turn completely off as it will take longer and require the system to run harder when you return to get things back to a normal comfort level.
-Refrigerator...It's a great time to throw items away that might expire while you're away. Nothing worse than coming home to molded, smelly food in the fridge.
-Laundry...Have the majority of your laundry completed prior to leaving because when you come home, you know there will be LOTS to do. No need to double the burden. If you don't have the time look into laundromats where you can drop off laundry for wash n' fold that's paid for by the pound.
-Yard...If you are going to be away for longer than a week, find a yard maintenance person who can trim the grass. Nothing says, "I'm not home" like an unkempt yard. No reason to invite thieves into your home.
-Drive By...Some local police departments will actually drive-by your home while you are away while on their regular beat. Ask your local police department if this is a service they offer.
-Security System...If you have a security system TURN IT ON!! If you don't, give me a call and I can put you in touch with some companies that monitor and install very reasonably. The added comfort of knowing your home is monitored while you're away is worth every penny. Some even offer video activation so that you can check in on pets and the house. Not to mention, most insurance companies usually give you a discount if you have a system.
Happy Trails to You!!
Brooke
-Pets...make sure you arrange boarding ahead of time. Kennels are booked early and there's nothing like stressing over whether or not your pet is going to be well-loved while you're out of town. Shots and records need to be current and printed prior to arrival in the event your pet has not boarded a particular kennel. If pets are staying home or staying with family/friends, make sure you leave specific instructions on care along with ample food and treats. It's usually a good idea to have a visitation or two prior to your trip to introduce both parties.
-Mail...Have a trusted neighbor, friend or family to check your mail every other day or request your local post office to hold your mail until you return. This is a free service not often used.
-Plants...You've worked too hard this Spring on your flowers to let them burn in the hot Summer sun. Pay a neighborhood kid or find a service that waters and/or weeds flower beds and gardens.
-Thermostat...Set your thermostat at a higher temperature to prevent unnecessary running while you aren't there. However, avoid the temptation to turn completely off as it will take longer and require the system to run harder when you return to get things back to a normal comfort level.
-Refrigerator...It's a great time to throw items away that might expire while you're away. Nothing worse than coming home to molded, smelly food in the fridge.
-Laundry...Have the majority of your laundry completed prior to leaving because when you come home, you know there will be LOTS to do. No need to double the burden. If you don't have the time look into laundromats where you can drop off laundry for wash n' fold that's paid for by the pound.
-Yard...If you are going to be away for longer than a week, find a yard maintenance person who can trim the grass. Nothing says, "I'm not home" like an unkempt yard. No reason to invite thieves into your home.
-Drive By...Some local police departments will actually drive-by your home while you are away while on their regular beat. Ask your local police department if this is a service they offer.
-Security System...If you have a security system TURN IT ON!! If you don't, give me a call and I can put you in touch with some companies that monitor and install very reasonably. The added comfort of knowing your home is monitored while you're away is worth every penny. Some even offer video activation so that you can check in on pets and the house. Not to mention, most insurance companies usually give you a discount if you have a system.
Happy Trails to You!!
Brooke
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Inventory Low...Is It Time to Go?
Most recently, I have been out with several buyers who are unable to find housing that meets their needs. Rewind to 18+ months ago and we had inventory, both good and bad, coming out of our ears. Currently, we are running around an 8-10 month supply, (a healthy market is considered 6 months) which still may seem high to those of you reading this. The kicker is that the inventory currently on the market is stale. Meaning most of what is out there either needs work to bring the home up to snuff or the price needs to be significantly reduced to meet the buyers' demands and expectations.
We have not only been experiencing multiple offers on properties that are properly priced and in excellent condition but we are seeing favorable offers within days of homes coming on the market. This is not the result of "under pricing" as some may think, but simply the fact that buyers have a specific location or neighborhood in mind and when a home comes on the market that meets their needs, they jump.
Moral of the story. If you are thinking of selling and your home is in great condition and your are realistic in pricing, based on recent sales and current competition, please consider putting your home on the market. If you are not willing to "shine that penny" and price appropriately, then it might be that you wait several more years so that the market meets your condition.
If you have been considering a move, couple the above with the fact that rates are still hovering under 4% on conventional products and closer to 3.5% for government-backed products and you can be where you want to be and take advantage of current market conditions and rates, which over time may negate the expense of preparing your home adequately for the market.
If you are considering a move within 2013 and want to talk about your options and current market conditions in your area, feel free to give me a call/text or email me. As always, there's no obligation or charge to chat! I look forward to hearing from you and remember I always appreciate the referrals of your friends and family!!
Brooke
We have not only been experiencing multiple offers on properties that are properly priced and in excellent condition but we are seeing favorable offers within days of homes coming on the market. This is not the result of "under pricing" as some may think, but simply the fact that buyers have a specific location or neighborhood in mind and when a home comes on the market that meets their needs, they jump.
Moral of the story. If you are thinking of selling and your home is in great condition and your are realistic in pricing, based on recent sales and current competition, please consider putting your home on the market. If you are not willing to "shine that penny" and price appropriately, then it might be that you wait several more years so that the market meets your condition.
If you have been considering a move, couple the above with the fact that rates are still hovering under 4% on conventional products and closer to 3.5% for government-backed products and you can be where you want to be and take advantage of current market conditions and rates, which over time may negate the expense of preparing your home adequately for the market.
If you are considering a move within 2013 and want to talk about your options and current market conditions in your area, feel free to give me a call/text or email me. As always, there's no obligation or charge to chat! I look forward to hearing from you and remember I always appreciate the referrals of your friends and family!!
Brooke
Don't Let Your Lack of Attendance Be Your Folly...
Every year, first weekend of May, the residents and civic organizations rally around the chamber to participate in Spring Folly, which takes place in downtown Kernersville. This annual event is a fundraiser for the civic organizations who champion their culinary specialties-everything from BBQ, to chicken wings to homemade lemonade. The biggest challenge is usually what to choose to dine on. Luckily, the event begins on Friday, May 3rd and continues throughout Saturday evening with limited events taking place Sunday afternoon. That leaves plenty of time to sample a little bit of everything! Live music on multiple stages suites the ears of all ages and genres and the craft vendors cover the gamut. You can usually find everything from crocheted toilet paper holders to caricatures and it's the perfect time to knock out some Christmas shopping!
Folly has flourished over the past decades heralding it success to the tireless efforts of chamber volunteers, the civic groups and the simple "showing up" of the residents of Kernersville and the entire state. Hovering around 25,000 for the weekend, this is THE premier event in Kernersville to catch up with everyone you haven't seen in a while. You can shake the hand of the mayor or talk to your kids' Sunday school teacher. Rest assured, they'll be there. You'll have plenty of time to chat while waiting for the kids to finish riding their favorite amusement rides. Usually, there's a petting zoo, craft station that focuses' on recycled material and of course, the Folly is open for tours.
If you have never visited Korner's Folly, this is a great time to do so. Having recently experienced renovations, Korner's Folly is a the crown jewel of the historic district. Boasting over seven levels, the first private little theatre in the world, frescoes and amazing and intricate furniture desiged by Jules Korner himself, you don't want to miss laying your eyes on this unique home!
So look at your calendar and make plans to attend Spring Folly next week and of course, make sure you find me and say HEY!! I'll be the one waiting for Maddie to ride the ferris wheel standing beside of the guy with the turkey leg in his hand!
Brooke
Folly has flourished over the past decades heralding it success to the tireless efforts of chamber volunteers, the civic groups and the simple "showing up" of the residents of Kernersville and the entire state. Hovering around 25,000 for the weekend, this is THE premier event in Kernersville to catch up with everyone you haven't seen in a while. You can shake the hand of the mayor or talk to your kids' Sunday school teacher. Rest assured, they'll be there. You'll have plenty of time to chat while waiting for the kids to finish riding their favorite amusement rides. Usually, there's a petting zoo, craft station that focuses' on recycled material and of course, the Folly is open for tours.
If you have never visited Korner's Folly, this is a great time to do so. Having recently experienced renovations, Korner's Folly is a the crown jewel of the historic district. Boasting over seven levels, the first private little theatre in the world, frescoes and amazing and intricate furniture desiged by Jules Korner himself, you don't want to miss laying your eyes on this unique home!
So look at your calendar and make plans to attend Spring Folly next week and of course, make sure you find me and say HEY!! I'll be the one waiting for Maddie to ride the ferris wheel standing beside of the guy with the turkey leg in his hand!
Brooke
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Spring Photos by Maddie...
So Maddie, my 12 year old, got an iPhone for Christmas and as much as I don't care for the games, texting and Instagram, I do LOVE the new hobby and talent she has discovered! I think she has a knack and eye for photography so I wanted to share a small sample of the photos she took over the weekend while spending time with her cousins...I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!!
Let the Sky Fall...
I'm guessing that's what quite a few folks were thinking when they received their tax re-evaluations. For the most part, tax values across Forsyth county plummeted as a result of the mandatory county re-evaluation. The county cited foreclosures and the overall declining market as the driving force behind these new tax values.
Note, I keep saying TAX values. These are not the market values of homes. The market value is a simple equation. It is the value that a buyer is willing to give and a seller is willing to take in the present market. That takes into account inventory, condition, location and terms. Tax values on the other hand are based on formulas and algorithms and tax assessors typically have never entered the property being assessed to view condition or true space. Tax values are placed on the home for the sole purpose of collecting taxes on the real property.
Certainly you can challenge these values, but first you must assess WHY you want to challenge the value. Is it because you WANT to pay more taxes? Is it because you don't fully understand market value vs. tax value? Was their a mistake on the tax record that you feel compelled to correct? Understanding why you challenge is the first step in figuring out IF you challenge.
If you would like to discuss your specific situation or have further questions, please don't hesitate to give me a call or shoot me an email and I'll do my best to advise a course of action that is best suited to your specific situation.
Just think, another type of TAX deadline is just around the corner...Until then...
Brooke
Note, I keep saying TAX values. These are not the market values of homes. The market value is a simple equation. It is the value that a buyer is willing to give and a seller is willing to take in the present market. That takes into account inventory, condition, location and terms. Tax values on the other hand are based on formulas and algorithms and tax assessors typically have never entered the property being assessed to view condition or true space. Tax values are placed on the home for the sole purpose of collecting taxes on the real property.
Certainly you can challenge these values, but first you must assess WHY you want to challenge the value. Is it because you WANT to pay more taxes? Is it because you don't fully understand market value vs. tax value? Was their a mistake on the tax record that you feel compelled to correct? Understanding why you challenge is the first step in figuring out IF you challenge.
If you would like to discuss your specific situation or have further questions, please don't hesitate to give me a call or shoot me an email and I'll do my best to advise a course of action that is best suited to your specific situation.
Just think, another type of TAX deadline is just around the corner...Until then...
Brooke
Friday, March 01, 2013
Montana...Yes, it IS Big Sky Country...
Most of you who know me well, know that Jake and I just returned from Big Sky, Montana. We were given the opportunity by my sister's boyfriend, Chas. His family friend has a beautiful home and we were invited to join them over the Valentine's Day weekend for a vacation that consisted of skiing, snowmobiling and taking in the beauty of the west.
I have never been out west, other than Las Vegas, which I don't really consider to be the out west I think of. We arrived in Bozeman, MT on Wednesday and made our way to the house, which was nestled about a hour away between Bozeman and West Yellowstone. Not too much snow on the ground in the lowlands, but once we reached the house we were in for a real treat. I have never seen so much snow in my life!!
We skied three of the five days in Big Sky and experienced the changing weather that they are famous for. The temps never really edged out of the 20's but we woke every morning to single digits and fresh powder. There were cloudy, overcast days were it dusted snow throughout the day and then there were days that the locals called "bluebird" days where the sky was such a deep blue and clear that you felt as if you were just feet from outer space. On the one "bluebird" day, we took the gondola to the top of Lone Peak, which soars just over 11,000 feet above sea level to take in the views.
It was so surreal that I couldn't even get scared of how high up we really were. Looking out over the 360 degree panoramic view was like looking at a map out of National Geographic. I can now appreciate why it is featured in the book 1000 Places to See Before You Die.
One day out of the five, we snow-mobiled an entire day through Yellowstone. We visited Old Faithful, numerous geysers, wildlife and SNOW!! We traveled over 70 miles on the snow mobiles and learned so much about Yellowstone. We were actually in two states that day, Wyoming, where over 90% of Yellowstone is located--as compared to Montana, where less than 3% of the park is situated. It was approximately 15-20 degrees during the day but as we crossed the actual crust of the ancient volcano, which was a tundra-feeling area, the temps lowered and the winds increased, definitely bringing a serious chill!!
Around every bend there was an abundance of wildlife...we saw elk, a bald eagle, a couple of swan and tons of buffalo! At several points during the trip the buffalo were on the road with us and towards the end of the trip they wouldn't move from the road and we had to wait for them to pass. Our guide told us that since it was spring, the babies were a little feisty so be careful when we finally were able to pass because 1000 lbs of baby buffalo could create an issue if they landed in our laps!!
Jake and I both were a little underwhelmed with the notion of riding around Yellowstone to begin with, as we both thought it would basically be mountains and snow. However, we both agreed that it was amazing and almost like a different planet given the activity of the geysers and the 3000 reported earthquakes per year!! We didn't experience one, or weren't aware of it if we did, but to think that kind of seismic activity takes place all the time is incredible and hard to even fathom.
The photo above actually shows the crater left by a large earthquake that occurred in the late 1800's and was followed by another in the 1950's...these pools of 200+ degree water and mesmerizing colors are abundant in Yellowstone.
The waterfall is a part of the RimFire basin...the water in this river is warmed by the addition of water from the geysers. Further down the river, where the water is calm, it still does not freeze because of the warmed water and the amount of cyanide from the geysers, which actually contributes to the local herd of elk loosing their teeth prematurely. Needless to say, you wouldn't drink the water out here regardless of how beautiful it looks!
It was an amazing trip and great opportunity to visit a part of our country that I probably would not have otherwise. I am definitely a warm-weather kind of gal but can also deeply appreciate the beauty and diversity of all of God's amazing creation!
I have never been out west, other than Las Vegas, which I don't really consider to be the out west I think of. We arrived in Bozeman, MT on Wednesday and made our way to the house, which was nestled about a hour away between Bozeman and West Yellowstone. Not too much snow on the ground in the lowlands, but once we reached the house we were in for a real treat. I have never seen so much snow in my life!!
We skied three of the five days in Big Sky and experienced the changing weather that they are famous for. The temps never really edged out of the 20's but we woke every morning to single digits and fresh powder. There were cloudy, overcast days were it dusted snow throughout the day and then there were days that the locals called "bluebird" days where the sky was such a deep blue and clear that you felt as if you were just feet from outer space. On the one "bluebird" day, we took the gondola to the top of Lone Peak, which soars just over 11,000 feet above sea level to take in the views.
It was so surreal that I couldn't even get scared of how high up we really were. Looking out over the 360 degree panoramic view was like looking at a map out of National Geographic. I can now appreciate why it is featured in the book 1000 Places to See Before You Die.
It was an amazing trip and great opportunity to visit a part of our country that I probably would not have otherwise. I am definitely a warm-weather kind of gal but can also deeply appreciate the beauty and diversity of all of God's amazing creation!
Housing Figures Increase In January/February...
As I write this post, we are awaiting the implications of sequestration and are learning that Americans took home the least amount of pay in years during the month of January BUT housing numbers are looking up. What does it all mean and does anyone have a clue? I am going with the emphatic "NO", but I'll still take a moment to pontificate on housing and related subjects.
The Winston-Salem Journal reported today that housing numbers were up 25% in January. January typically being a slower month and not the usual beginning of the Spring market, what exactly does this indicate? I will say that personally, I had a very strong January but it was on the heels of a strong 2012 4th quarter. Rates are still low and buyers and sellers alike have a keen sense of awareness when it comes to their reasons to purchase real estate. Still a great long term investment and the fact that everyone needs a roof over their head are but two of the compelling reasons to purchase a home. Currently, we can deduct mortgage interest, but that may change if the President's wishes are full-filled and if our local NC legislature massages the tax code we might see additional fees and taxes on real estate and the actual transaction, making it less affordable for buyers and sellers to transact real estate.
I personally believe that our local market has somewhat of a "bubble within a bubble" right now due to the visitation of an investment firm out of Malibu, CA who has entered our market after paying earlier visits to Raleigh and Charlotte. This firm, American Homes for Rent, has been purchasing homes in newer subdivisions that are located within good school districts and are at or below market value. They are coming in with strong, cash offers, doing inspections, but requesting few repairs and are not conducting appraisals. This has in turn, has allowed for sellers, previously held hostage by their home, to sell and purchase a new home that better suits their housing needs. This injection of activity has been a huge boon to our market. I am not certain how many homes in the Winston-Salem area have been purchased, but I have had a handful myself, as have other agents in our office. The News and Observer out of Raleigh, reported that American Homes for Rent, bought over 80 homes in the Raleigh area.
Upon researching the firm online, it appears that they do rent these homes nationwide and that this is part of an investment package that returns dividends to the investors of several funds. It has also been reported that the group is having a hard time finding enough homes to meet the return promised. That, I'm sure, is yet to be seen.
I have to speculate and wonder if this isn't the beginning of a low-income rental project that the government will put it's thumb in at some point, as it sounds just too good to be true. I also wonder how this will effect our market and values long-term, given the fact that these rental properties will pepper neighborhoods that have struggled with foreclosures and property values. Couple this with the recent tax re-evaluations and what you are left with are quite a few questions that remain unanswered. I think that it's too early to be giddy about our market and signs of recovery but I am cautiously optimistic that this injection and spike of activity has been a refreshing start to what has been a sluggish past couple of 1st quarters.
Brooke
The Winston-Salem Journal reported today that housing numbers were up 25% in January. January typically being a slower month and not the usual beginning of the Spring market, what exactly does this indicate? I will say that personally, I had a very strong January but it was on the heels of a strong 2012 4th quarter. Rates are still low and buyers and sellers alike have a keen sense of awareness when it comes to their reasons to purchase real estate. Still a great long term investment and the fact that everyone needs a roof over their head are but two of the compelling reasons to purchase a home. Currently, we can deduct mortgage interest, but that may change if the President's wishes are full-filled and if our local NC legislature massages the tax code we might see additional fees and taxes on real estate and the actual transaction, making it less affordable for buyers and sellers to transact real estate.
I personally believe that our local market has somewhat of a "bubble within a bubble" right now due to the visitation of an investment firm out of Malibu, CA who has entered our market after paying earlier visits to Raleigh and Charlotte. This firm, American Homes for Rent, has been purchasing homes in newer subdivisions that are located within good school districts and are at or below market value. They are coming in with strong, cash offers, doing inspections, but requesting few repairs and are not conducting appraisals. This has in turn, has allowed for sellers, previously held hostage by their home, to sell and purchase a new home that better suits their housing needs. This injection of activity has been a huge boon to our market. I am not certain how many homes in the Winston-Salem area have been purchased, but I have had a handful myself, as have other agents in our office. The News and Observer out of Raleigh, reported that American Homes for Rent, bought over 80 homes in the Raleigh area.
Upon researching the firm online, it appears that they do rent these homes nationwide and that this is part of an investment package that returns dividends to the investors of several funds. It has also been reported that the group is having a hard time finding enough homes to meet the return promised. That, I'm sure, is yet to be seen.
I have to speculate and wonder if this isn't the beginning of a low-income rental project that the government will put it's thumb in at some point, as it sounds just too good to be true. I also wonder how this will effect our market and values long-term, given the fact that these rental properties will pepper neighborhoods that have struggled with foreclosures and property values. Couple this with the recent tax re-evaluations and what you are left with are quite a few questions that remain unanswered. I think that it's too early to be giddy about our market and signs of recovery but I am cautiously optimistic that this injection and spike of activity has been a refreshing start to what has been a sluggish past couple of 1st quarters.
Brooke
Friday, January 18, 2013
It's the Good Stuff...
Rarely do we refer to our real estate inventory as "stuff" but the statement seems to be coming up more and more these days, that "the good stuff is selling". First, let's qualify "good stuff". This term means properties that are priced competitively and are compelling. Sellers that are realistic about the market, in spite of reports that indicate rising prices, more buyers, etc. Yes, all of those reports are true but are based on nationwide trends, not local markets and they are looking at year over year or month over month. You need to be aware of how these reports are spun. The term also includes sellers that know how to present their home in the best light possible. De-personalized, clean, well-maintained, appropriately landscaped, flattering lighting/decor and staged to sell are no longer suggestions or options, they are must-dos!
We have a glut of inventory but a shortage of good inventory. I have been out for the past three days looking for a well priced home that is in good shape and meets the buyers' criteria. Out of hundreds found on the Internet, 20-30 actually toured in person; these buyers only found three that they would even consider! That is unbelievable! Two of three have multiple offers going into the weekend, thus further proving the limited supply of quality inventory.
If you are a seller considering putting your home on the market give me a call or shoot me an email to discuss what it is that can make your home competitive and compelling so that you can sell your home in 2013.
If you are a buyer looking for a home on your own and are having a difficult time navigating the conflicting and confusing information, call me or email me, and let's chat about a plan that can make sense of it all and can further guide you through the process of owning a home that fits your needs, preferences and pocketbook.
Happy House Hunting! Talk to you soon!
Brooke
We have a glut of inventory but a shortage of good inventory. I have been out for the past three days looking for a well priced home that is in good shape and meets the buyers' criteria. Out of hundreds found on the Internet, 20-30 actually toured in person; these buyers only found three that they would even consider! That is unbelievable! Two of three have multiple offers going into the weekend, thus further proving the limited supply of quality inventory.
If you are a seller considering putting your home on the market give me a call or shoot me an email to discuss what it is that can make your home competitive and compelling so that you can sell your home in 2013.
If you are a buyer looking for a home on your own and are having a difficult time navigating the conflicting and confusing information, call me or email me, and let's chat about a plan that can make sense of it all and can further guide you through the process of owning a home that fits your needs, preferences and pocketbook.
Happy House Hunting! Talk to you soon!
Brooke
Snow=Slow
Any of you that have lived in the South for any amount of time, know that snow or the mere mention of the possibility of snow can shut down commerce and schools quicker than a Baptist disappears at the beer aisle. (Simmer down Baptist friends, there's jokes about Methodists too) We just don't see a whole lot of snow here and when we do, we stop to enjoy it. We also have those Yankees fooled. Sure we tell them we can't drive in it, that we must stay home with the kids because they're out of school and we raid the grocery stores under the guise of needing bread and milk, but that, my friends is a hoax.
First the driving. You're talking about a culture that prides itself on racin', muddin', pullin', draggin', plowin', tillin' and raisin' pure heck with just about anything that has a engine. Yea, we could drive it, IF we wanted to. But we don't.
It's tough to find a sitter for those kids when all of our friends and family are in on the secret. When school's out, IF you can pull it off, you're out. Yes, we could take them to the Y or our momma's house. But we like the snow too! We like to take a day to see our youngins bundle up with bread bags on their feet fitted with celery rubber bands (I've lost some of you at this point), coming in from the *wet* cold beggin' for instant hot chocolate and fried bologna sandwiches. We like to make a real wood fire during the day, catch up on our soaps and not take a shower until late afternoon. We know this snow phenomenon doesn't happen often and our kids are only young once.
Everyone needs milk to make snow cream. Period. End of story. Bread? See above. The run to the grocery is really for luxury items, such as beer, the ingredients for chili, instant hot chocolate, cookie dough, sausage for breakfast and all of those other grocery items that we only allow ourselves to splurge on when the weather's poor. Silly Yankee, we know we aren't going to really be snowed in beyond being able to feed ourselves. We put up canned goods all summer, froze veggies for stews and cassaroles and could still drive if an emergency warranted us to do so (see above). We just need an excuse to break bad on the calorie count!
Well, now, you're in on our little secret. We hope that you too will slow down and "snow down" with us. Enjoy God's great gift of peace and his reminder that sometimes we just need to take a small break. After all, you are now living in God's country...Welcome to North Carolina!
First the driving. You're talking about a culture that prides itself on racin', muddin', pullin', draggin', plowin', tillin' and raisin' pure heck with just about anything that has a engine. Yea, we could drive it, IF we wanted to. But we don't.
It's tough to find a sitter for those kids when all of our friends and family are in on the secret. When school's out, IF you can pull it off, you're out. Yes, we could take them to the Y or our momma's house. But we like the snow too! We like to take a day to see our youngins bundle up with bread bags on their feet fitted with celery rubber bands (I've lost some of you at this point), coming in from the *wet* cold beggin' for instant hot chocolate and fried bologna sandwiches. We like to make a real wood fire during the day, catch up on our soaps and not take a shower until late afternoon. We know this snow phenomenon doesn't happen often and our kids are only young once.
Everyone needs milk to make snow cream. Period. End of story. Bread? See above. The run to the grocery is really for luxury items, such as beer, the ingredients for chili, instant hot chocolate, cookie dough, sausage for breakfast and all of those other grocery items that we only allow ourselves to splurge on when the weather's poor. Silly Yankee, we know we aren't going to really be snowed in beyond being able to feed ourselves. We put up canned goods all summer, froze veggies for stews and cassaroles and could still drive if an emergency warranted us to do so (see above). We just need an excuse to break bad on the calorie count!
Well, now, you're in on our little secret. We hope that you too will slow down and "snow down" with us. Enjoy God's great gift of peace and his reminder that sometimes we just need to take a small break. After all, you are now living in God's country...Welcome to North Carolina!
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Got a Blessing? Give a Blessing...
Recently I have both experienced blessings from others. Those random acts of kindness, given by complete strangers, just because. I ordered a meal in the drive-thru at Chick-fil-A last week and as I hastily got off of my phone, the attendant handed me a manila business card from Triad Baptist Church that indicated that they had paid for my meal as a Christmas blessing. I thought "wow!", what a great way to brighten someones day. Just earlier that morning, I had purchased enough coffees at my favorite drive-thru, Blend and Brew in Kernersville, and received a "free" coffee. Upon exiting, I saw a man sitting on their picnic table under an umbrella. He was nicely dressed but had mud on his knees and it was raining, so I asked him if I could give him my free coffee. He thanked me and kindly declined. Needless to say, I still received a blessing to see him smile.
On Sunday, we were headed back from soccer and had the opportunity to give a beggar on a corner a "power bar" as a snack. The comment was made that he probably didn't want the food, he probably wanted money. I immediately recalled what one of my disciple class members had said the previous week. They indicated that it is only your responsibility to GIVE the blessing, what the person does with it after that is up to them. I have thought often of that statement this week and realized that too often we look for immediate gratification or an outpouring of thanks from the receiver. Who if you think about it, never ASKED for what we thought was the blessing to begin with. We look for award and accolade to legitimize our perceived sacrifice, when in fact, we should expect nothing, except the knowledge that God will use that blessing in some way, shape or fashion that may never be revealed to our eyes here on Earth.
How difficult is it as a human to not want acknowledgment of our good deeds when this is what we have been raised on? It does feel good to be recognized, believe me, I know; but as I mature I realize that it feels good just to be able to have the blessings from God to be able to bless someone else. That in itself, is recognition enough...most of the time! I still love to see my name in lights...I'll have to work on that! :)
Brooke
On Sunday, we were headed back from soccer and had the opportunity to give a beggar on a corner a "power bar" as a snack. The comment was made that he probably didn't want the food, he probably wanted money. I immediately recalled what one of my disciple class members had said the previous week. They indicated that it is only your responsibility to GIVE the blessing, what the person does with it after that is up to them. I have thought often of that statement this week and realized that too often we look for immediate gratification or an outpouring of thanks from the receiver. Who if you think about it, never ASKED for what we thought was the blessing to begin with. We look for award and accolade to legitimize our perceived sacrifice, when in fact, we should expect nothing, except the knowledge that God will use that blessing in some way, shape or fashion that may never be revealed to our eyes here on Earth.
How difficult is it as a human to not want acknowledgment of our good deeds when this is what we have been raised on? It does feel good to be recognized, believe me, I know; but as I mature I realize that it feels good just to be able to have the blessings from God to be able to bless someone else. That in itself, is recognition enough...most of the time! I still love to see my name in lights...I'll have to work on that! :)
Brooke
Monday, December 10, 2012
Domino Closings Aren't a Fun Game...
Though you might recall the game of dominoes being fun as a kid, this particular kind of dominoes can be the worst kind of stress for buyer/seller and agent alike. First, let's define the domino closing for all of you out there who have no clue what I am talking about. Rest assured, if you have ever been a part of one, or are currently a part of one, you'll never forget it. The domino closing is a reference that agents usually make when one home's successful closing depends on another home's successful closing. I have seen these go back 3 and 4 deep. Meaning that one house has sold, those buyers are buying a house, those buyers are buying a house and so on. Usually these occur on or near the same day due to the fact that no one wants to be homeless or loaded in a truck for longer than necessary.
As we all know, most homes are occupied, making the stress of getting out of your current home into you new home, difficult at best. Add to that the anxiety of making sure all of the buyers and sellers before your transaction close on time and without incident because your home is dependent on the buyer obtaining monies from their sell and you are usually in a position that requires the money from your successful transaction. Oh, and did I mention that you know NOTHING about the buyers and sellers before you or the caliber and qualifications of their agent. Thus the anxiety, which typically stems from the lack of control of the unknown and exacerbates as a result of the typical moving tasks; such as switching utilities, schools, arranging movers, cleaning, painting and the list goes on and on. This time of year, add to that, the holiday season, kids' exams and top it off with the mounds of paperwork that now litters the lending process. It's enough to set the most resilient and experienced buyer/seller over the proverbial edge and directly into the nearest bowl of eggnog.
The question becomes, how do we mitigate the risk associated with these transactions and how can we ever be certain that nothing goes wrong? Well, the truth of the matter is simply that we cannot assure that nothing will go wrong. As a matter of fact, brace yourself for the fact that most definitely something will not go as planned, and that you will have to redirect your course to reach your destination. If that expectation can be grasped, then we can move on to the things you can do to make your life easier when experiencing the domino closing.
Start by hiring an agent experienced in real estate and who is organized, so that no detail regarding your actual transaction goes unnoticed. Again, no one is perfect, but you do want an agent who uses a system of checklists and reminders to make sure that your transaction meets date deadlines for paperwork, inspections, walk-through, etc. A good agent can help you to use these times to coordinate painters, designers and contractors so that you can obtain estimates for work to be completed after closing. This same trusted agent will make sure that the closing times and paperwork are in order so that there are few hiccups on the actual closing day.
Once your home is under contract, go through and purge. This is something you can and need to do even if your transaction falls apart. Then begin to pack. First pack things you don't use on a daily basis, then move on to other more critical items, leaving the large items and "must-haves" to the movers; if you are lucky enough to have hired movers. Make sure you pack yourself and your family a "travel bag" of prescriptions, contacts, toiletries and a few days worth of clothes in case you do find yourself at a friend or family members home for a night or two in the event something does get delayed. Better to be prepared than to have to rummage through your neatly packed boxes digging for undergarments in the middle of the night.
Schedule everything you can for the day of closing. Housekeepers, carpet people, etc. can be pre-booked to ensure you get all that you can completed before the moving truck arrives. If your goods are being held overnight or for a day this gives you additional time to think about how you would like to place furniture and it allows you to clean out debris and garage areas so that you can use these areas as a staging area if additional paint or construction are being done after closing.
Schedule your utilities a week in advance if possible. That way you won't be surprised to arrive and find out that you have no water over the weekend or that the power is out when you show up to unload at 5am on a Sunday morning. Have your agent give you a list of utility providers and mark it off as you complete the task. Cancel your current home's utilities at the same time for added convenience.
Relax. So much is out of your control and out of the control of the individuals involved. There is nothing additional that you can do to make things go faster or slower. All things work in God's time, so at this point, once you have done all that you can, turn it over and enjoy the privilege that you have to be selling and purchasing a home in these challenging economic times. There are many buyers and sellers that would love to be a part of the opportunity you are experiencing. (Oh how you wish you could share with them some of this joy I speak of!) How you handle this and how your agent handles the transaction determines how those around you respond when things wrinkle, as they inevitably will. So keep your head on straight, make lots of lists and take time to rest...you are no good to anyone if you are tired, hungry or ill-prepared. God Bless your patience and may the dominoes fall right into place!
Brooke
As we all know, most homes are occupied, making the stress of getting out of your current home into you new home, difficult at best. Add to that the anxiety of making sure all of the buyers and sellers before your transaction close on time and without incident because your home is dependent on the buyer obtaining monies from their sell and you are usually in a position that requires the money from your successful transaction. Oh, and did I mention that you know NOTHING about the buyers and sellers before you or the caliber and qualifications of their agent. Thus the anxiety, which typically stems from the lack of control of the unknown and exacerbates as a result of the typical moving tasks; such as switching utilities, schools, arranging movers, cleaning, painting and the list goes on and on. This time of year, add to that, the holiday season, kids' exams and top it off with the mounds of paperwork that now litters the lending process. It's enough to set the most resilient and experienced buyer/seller over the proverbial edge and directly into the nearest bowl of eggnog.
The question becomes, how do we mitigate the risk associated with these transactions and how can we ever be certain that nothing goes wrong? Well, the truth of the matter is simply that we cannot assure that nothing will go wrong. As a matter of fact, brace yourself for the fact that most definitely something will not go as planned, and that you will have to redirect your course to reach your destination. If that expectation can be grasped, then we can move on to the things you can do to make your life easier when experiencing the domino closing.
Start by hiring an agent experienced in real estate and who is organized, so that no detail regarding your actual transaction goes unnoticed. Again, no one is perfect, but you do want an agent who uses a system of checklists and reminders to make sure that your transaction meets date deadlines for paperwork, inspections, walk-through, etc. A good agent can help you to use these times to coordinate painters, designers and contractors so that you can obtain estimates for work to be completed after closing. This same trusted agent will make sure that the closing times and paperwork are in order so that there are few hiccups on the actual closing day.
Once your home is under contract, go through and purge. This is something you can and need to do even if your transaction falls apart. Then begin to pack. First pack things you don't use on a daily basis, then move on to other more critical items, leaving the large items and "must-haves" to the movers; if you are lucky enough to have hired movers. Make sure you pack yourself and your family a "travel bag" of prescriptions, contacts, toiletries and a few days worth of clothes in case you do find yourself at a friend or family members home for a night or two in the event something does get delayed. Better to be prepared than to have to rummage through your neatly packed boxes digging for undergarments in the middle of the night.
Schedule everything you can for the day of closing. Housekeepers, carpet people, etc. can be pre-booked to ensure you get all that you can completed before the moving truck arrives. If your goods are being held overnight or for a day this gives you additional time to think about how you would like to place furniture and it allows you to clean out debris and garage areas so that you can use these areas as a staging area if additional paint or construction are being done after closing.
Schedule your utilities a week in advance if possible. That way you won't be surprised to arrive and find out that you have no water over the weekend or that the power is out when you show up to unload at 5am on a Sunday morning. Have your agent give you a list of utility providers and mark it off as you complete the task. Cancel your current home's utilities at the same time for added convenience.
Relax. So much is out of your control and out of the control of the individuals involved. There is nothing additional that you can do to make things go faster or slower. All things work in God's time, so at this point, once you have done all that you can, turn it over and enjoy the privilege that you have to be selling and purchasing a home in these challenging economic times. There are many buyers and sellers that would love to be a part of the opportunity you are experiencing. (Oh how you wish you could share with them some of this joy I speak of!) How you handle this and how your agent handles the transaction determines how those around you respond when things wrinkle, as they inevitably will. So keep your head on straight, make lots of lists and take time to rest...you are no good to anyone if you are tired, hungry or ill-prepared. God Bless your patience and may the dominoes fall right into place!
Brooke
Monday, December 03, 2012
Like Deducting Your Mortgage Interest? Read This NOW!
Never in recent American history has the housing industry struggled so much to gain solid footing. In addition to home purchases providing the obvious place to rest your head and gather your family, home ownership provides many not-so-obvious benefits. Owning a home creates a sense of belonging in your community. You know that but for unforeseen circumstances you plan on being in a community for a while because you've invested your time and money to make it that purchase. Owning a home also creates stability for your family. There's something to be said for being at the mercy of a landlord who may or may not decide to raise rents, sell the home or not take care of it as you would like. For hundreds of years, owning a home has also been the largest investment, we make in our lives. This purchase and the ownership of a home drives the economy in a way that renting cannot. Home ownership and the ability to own a home is the backbone of the American economy. That is why in these shaky economic times, where we are working to obtain solid footing and stable market conditions, the feds should NOT, under any circumstances take away or scale-back the mortgage interest deduction. If you feel the same way, please click on, take action on and share the link below. If you don't feel the same way, I'd be interested in hearing why.
I WANT TO KEEP MY MORTGAGE INTEREST DEDUCTION!
Brooke
I WANT TO KEEP MY MORTGAGE INTEREST DEDUCTION!
Brooke
Monday, November 19, 2012
What does it take?
If any of you regularly follow my blog, then you know that last week, we talked about how the community of Kernersville was WINNING and WINNING BIG! After the Chamber awards banquet and the "medalists" that were honored during this event, it was easy to see why Kernersville has made the best of it's assets and continues to succeed. All of you know that success is not possible without leadership. It was intentional that I waited to write about the BIG WINNER of the night, the award for Citizen of the Year. This award is the highest honor that the Chamber bestows on a citizen of the town of Kernersville. In years past in ranges from business leaders, education leaders, spiritual leaders and elected officials, but this year all categories were represented.
This year's Citizen of the Year, I happen to know very well. After serving with this individual four years on the Board of Aldermen, having children at the same school where she was PTA President and very active in the advocacy of the students and parents, and having children in the same sporting organizations; it was easy for me to see why Dana Caudill-Jones was awarded Citizen of the Year.
Dana and I originally met at Cash Elementary when our children entered school, but it was a quick, surface introduction. Shortly after that, I decided to run for Alderman and Dana and I were both elected and served together for the next four years. During that time we got to know each other very well. It's tough to spend hours on end in meetings and events and not learn a little or a lot about your fellow board members. Agree or disagree, I could see that Dana had a passion for her hometown that touched everything that she involved herself in. We could be deeply in a disagreement and both bring up stories about our grandmothers' lives in Kernersville, these ladies were major influences in our lives and we enjoyed sharing these histories. We constantly talked about similar Kernersville experiences that we had, those that enriched our lives and those of our families. Again, regardless as to what side of an issue we were on, there was no doubt that Kernersville's well-being was at the root of it. It's easy to see that Dana makes time for her family, especially her son. Even with a demanding schedule she is quick to carve out time for the important things in life like her church and her family.
As her mom, dad and son, stood in the "wings' the night of the banquet waiting for the big announcement, it was clear that when she saw her family in attendance that it would move her more than the award itself. And it did. You just can't call those kind of emotions up at whim.
To Dana: Thanks for all that you do for the community and for being an inspiration to other women who juggle being a mom, a wife, a daughter, a spiritual leader, a community leader, an educational leader and simply a leader. It can be done and you truly embody that spirit and the spirit of the award as Citizen of the Year. Congratulations!
Brooke
This year's Citizen of the Year, I happen to know very well. After serving with this individual four years on the Board of Aldermen, having children at the same school where she was PTA President and very active in the advocacy of the students and parents, and having children in the same sporting organizations; it was easy for me to see why Dana Caudill-Jones was awarded Citizen of the Year.
Dana and I originally met at Cash Elementary when our children entered school, but it was a quick, surface introduction. Shortly after that, I decided to run for Alderman and Dana and I were both elected and served together for the next four years. During that time we got to know each other very well. It's tough to spend hours on end in meetings and events and not learn a little or a lot about your fellow board members. Agree or disagree, I could see that Dana had a passion for her hometown that touched everything that she involved herself in. We could be deeply in a disagreement and both bring up stories about our grandmothers' lives in Kernersville, these ladies were major influences in our lives and we enjoyed sharing these histories. We constantly talked about similar Kernersville experiences that we had, those that enriched our lives and those of our families. Again, regardless as to what side of an issue we were on, there was no doubt that Kernersville's well-being was at the root of it. It's easy to see that Dana makes time for her family, especially her son. Even with a demanding schedule she is quick to carve out time for the important things in life like her church and her family.
As her mom, dad and son, stood in the "wings' the night of the banquet waiting for the big announcement, it was clear that when she saw her family in attendance that it would move her more than the award itself. And it did. You just can't call those kind of emotions up at whim.
To Dana: Thanks for all that you do for the community and for being an inspiration to other women who juggle being a mom, a wife, a daughter, a spiritual leader, a community leader, an educational leader and simply a leader. It can be done and you truly embody that spirit and the spirit of the award as Citizen of the Year. Congratulations!
Brooke
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
And the Winner Is...
Kernersville. Yep, I said it. Kernersville is the winner.
Last night, Jake and I attended the Annual Kernersville Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet. I would suspect that over 200 business owners and community leaders attended. As I looked around the room, it was easy to see why I believe that during this tough economy Kernersville is the winner.
These folks are familiar. By that I mean, you see them around town, you see them around church, you see them around school and work. They make things happen. They aren't just elusive foundations hiding behind the names of the unknown dead, they are real people, who give real money and time to their hometown. Take for example, the LE Pope Foundation. Mr. Pope helped to really build Kernersville. By setting aside land acquisitions, understanding growth and development, Mr. Pope, for whom this foundation is named, helped to form Kernersville's industrial and commercial-base into what it is today. Through the company that Mr. Pope created and owned, projects such as Southpark Industrial Park, Deere-Hitachi, Kernersville Hospital, Sleep Inn, VA Medical Center and so many more revenue and job producing entities have been incubated and thrived. You can see in his employees, their continued commitment to Kernersville's betterment. As their president Jeff Hunter stated last night after receiving the Economic Development Award, "We are blessed." How true.
It only took glancing across my table to see another winner. Starting a relatively small $3000 program to assist educators with school supplies, Monica Young, grew the educational grant program at the chamber to it's current total level of $75,000!! This is a person that I SEE in church, whose children give back to our community, who gives of her talents in her career and her family and never shirks from "stepping up to the plate". You know where Monica stands and you know that you can count on her. Another big win for education as a result of her tireless efforts.
Another big factor that makes Kernersville a winner are folks like Jim and Henrietta Barrett. Their list of accolades read as prestigious as any of those receiving national-level volunteer honors. However, the Barretts are humble and don't seem to know the full impact their lives have had on others. Jim and Henrietta may have helped build the Shepherd Center and Crisis Control buildings and may have counseled scores of folks in the community dealing with crisis and grief, but for me, it's more personal. I'm sure that Jim doesn't even recall challenging me to take my first Disciple class at Main Street UMC, but he did. And I did take it. It by far, is one of the best things I have done for my spiritual growth. Had it not been for his words, I doubt I would be in Disciple II today. A jewel in Jim and Henrietta's crowns for sure!
A smiling face, a bit of assistance with one of my "dumb" questions, a fellow Kernersville Leadership class member. Well, that's Mary Kay Csanyi. Our past chamber chairman, Sharon Tucker, chose Mary Kay to receive the Chairman's Award, reflecting her ability to make Sharon's job easier this past year. Mary Kay embodies Kernersville and it could be said of her that she is Kernersville's ambassador, as she is usually the first face that greets you at the chamber. Her energy and effort are the glue that makes events such as the ever-popular Christmas Parade and Spring Folly a success. Her quiet work behind the scenes never goes unnoticed by those around her, but highlighting her with this award was a winning idea!
So, not only with these awards does Kernersville earn the title of WINNER. Where else do you have job growth, housing that has been relatively stable, a central Triad location, access to most main interstates and highways, excellent schools, enormous sports programs for kids such as lacrosse and soccer and citizens who are committed to making sure their town "makes it". Regardless of the political landscape, the season of year or the economic situation, the people of Kernersville both native and transplant, are drawn to the "true grit" nature and "get it done" mentality that allows this small town to continuosly be WINNING!
Brooke
Last night, Jake and I attended the Annual Kernersville Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet. I would suspect that over 200 business owners and community leaders attended. As I looked around the room, it was easy to see why I believe that during this tough economy Kernersville is the winner.
These folks are familiar. By that I mean, you see them around town, you see them around church, you see them around school and work. They make things happen. They aren't just elusive foundations hiding behind the names of the unknown dead, they are real people, who give real money and time to their hometown. Take for example, the LE Pope Foundation. Mr. Pope helped to really build Kernersville. By setting aside land acquisitions, understanding growth and development, Mr. Pope, for whom this foundation is named, helped to form Kernersville's industrial and commercial-base into what it is today. Through the company that Mr. Pope created and owned, projects such as Southpark Industrial Park, Deere-Hitachi, Kernersville Hospital, Sleep Inn, VA Medical Center and so many more revenue and job producing entities have been incubated and thrived. You can see in his employees, their continued commitment to Kernersville's betterment. As their president Jeff Hunter stated last night after receiving the Economic Development Award, "We are blessed." How true.
It only took glancing across my table to see another winner. Starting a relatively small $3000 program to assist educators with school supplies, Monica Young, grew the educational grant program at the chamber to it's current total level of $75,000!! This is a person that I SEE in church, whose children give back to our community, who gives of her talents in her career and her family and never shirks from "stepping up to the plate". You know where Monica stands and you know that you can count on her. Another big win for education as a result of her tireless efforts.
Another big factor that makes Kernersville a winner are folks like Jim and Henrietta Barrett. Their list of accolades read as prestigious as any of those receiving national-level volunteer honors. However, the Barretts are humble and don't seem to know the full impact their lives have had on others. Jim and Henrietta may have helped build the Shepherd Center and Crisis Control buildings and may have counseled scores of folks in the community dealing with crisis and grief, but for me, it's more personal. I'm sure that Jim doesn't even recall challenging me to take my first Disciple class at Main Street UMC, but he did. And I did take it. It by far, is one of the best things I have done for my spiritual growth. Had it not been for his words, I doubt I would be in Disciple II today. A jewel in Jim and Henrietta's crowns for sure!
A smiling face, a bit of assistance with one of my "dumb" questions, a fellow Kernersville Leadership class member. Well, that's Mary Kay Csanyi. Our past chamber chairman, Sharon Tucker, chose Mary Kay to receive the Chairman's Award, reflecting her ability to make Sharon's job easier this past year. Mary Kay embodies Kernersville and it could be said of her that she is Kernersville's ambassador, as she is usually the first face that greets you at the chamber. Her energy and effort are the glue that makes events such as the ever-popular Christmas Parade and Spring Folly a success. Her quiet work behind the scenes never goes unnoticed by those around her, but highlighting her with this award was a winning idea!
So, not only with these awards does Kernersville earn the title of WINNER. Where else do you have job growth, housing that has been relatively stable, a central Triad location, access to most main interstates and highways, excellent schools, enormous sports programs for kids such as lacrosse and soccer and citizens who are committed to making sure their town "makes it". Regardless of the political landscape, the season of year or the economic situation, the people of Kernersville both native and transplant, are drawn to the "true grit" nature and "get it done" mentality that allows this small town to continuosly be WINNING!
Brooke
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Fall Food Favorites...
As the temperatures are perfectly warm during the day and crisp and cool at night, we are primed for a gorgeous leaf season here in the Piedmont Triad of North Carolina! These cool evenings beg for bonfires, crock-pot meals, sweaters and football! It's also the time of year, that as we spend more time indoors, we turn towards those comfort foods that make our NC culture what it is. Here are a few of my favorite Fall meals, beverages and snacks...
**Pinto Beans and Cornbread accompanied with chow chow or cole slaw
** Salmon Patties, Cabbage and Mac and Cheese
**Zucchini or Pumpkin Bread
** Spaten Oktoberfest Beer
**Smores
**Pulled Pork
**OYSTERS--roasted, steamed, raw, stewed or grilled
**Butternut Squash-soup, grilled or roasted
**Brunswick Stew, Chicken Stew or Oyster Stew (see above)
**Fried Apples
What are some of your favorite Fall comfort foods?
Brooke
**Pinto Beans and Cornbread accompanied with chow chow or cole slaw
** Salmon Patties, Cabbage and Mac and Cheese
**Zucchini or Pumpkin Bread
** Spaten Oktoberfest Beer
**Smores
**Pulled Pork
**OYSTERS--roasted, steamed, raw, stewed or grilled
**Butternut Squash-soup, grilled or roasted
**Brunswick Stew, Chicken Stew or Oyster Stew (see above)
**Fried Apples
What are some of your favorite Fall comfort foods?
Brooke
Why the real estate market is rocking...and will it continue to roll?
For those of you who follow us on Twitter or Facebook, you know that I have been experiencing a real estate "surge" over the past month. I would like to say that I had a specific explanation as to why this much and why now during this atypical time of the year, but I don't. I do however, think that I know of some of the contributing factors.
*YOU. Plain and simple. Your referrals keep me rolling. You have no idea how much your honest feedback and kind words mean...especially when I hear them from someone that you referred to me!! Thanks a million!
*Low interest rates. Rates are still low and have stayed there for the past few weeks. Buyers who thought they could wait to see them drop further have come off the fence in anticipation of rate increases after the election.
*Weather. I know it sounds crazy, but good weather means buyers WANT to get out and look. They love NC this time of year and those dreams of buying in a climate that offers four seasons is really appealing this time of year.
*Consistent Marketing. With the addition of my new assistant, Loretta, our marketing is consistent. It was occuring before, but now it's clockwork. We send tweets and Facebook updates every morning and every afternoon with new, reduced, under contract and sold listings. We are also back to a FULL newsletter, which I hope you enjoy!
*Systems. I implemented several years ago a system of following up with ALL leads, regardless of whether they appear to be hot or cold. At some point, these folks will buy and I want them to sell or buy through me! This system is starting to gain traction and is proving itself time and time again. I have buyers and sellers that I have been communicating with on a regular basis since 2007! That's a long time to work a lead, but they are starting to convert and that is encouraging!
*Cash. I would say close to 10% of all of my buyers are paying cash right now. The national average is 18%...that's downright amazing if you ask me. Why, would they do this when money is so cheap? Different reasons for sure, but the ones I talk to believe that having a tangible investment is better than have paper in a fund at this stage in their life and this stage in our economy.
Why do you think we have been so busy? Happy House Hunting!
Brooke
*YOU. Plain and simple. Your referrals keep me rolling. You have no idea how much your honest feedback and kind words mean...especially when I hear them from someone that you referred to me!! Thanks a million!
*Low interest rates. Rates are still low and have stayed there for the past few weeks. Buyers who thought they could wait to see them drop further have come off the fence in anticipation of rate increases after the election.
*Weather. I know it sounds crazy, but good weather means buyers WANT to get out and look. They love NC this time of year and those dreams of buying in a climate that offers four seasons is really appealing this time of year.
*Consistent Marketing. With the addition of my new assistant, Loretta, our marketing is consistent. It was occuring before, but now it's clockwork. We send tweets and Facebook updates every morning and every afternoon with new, reduced, under contract and sold listings. We are also back to a FULL newsletter, which I hope you enjoy!
*Systems. I implemented several years ago a system of following up with ALL leads, regardless of whether they appear to be hot or cold. At some point, these folks will buy and I want them to sell or buy through me! This system is starting to gain traction and is proving itself time and time again. I have buyers and sellers that I have been communicating with on a regular basis since 2007! That's a long time to work a lead, but they are starting to convert and that is encouraging!
*Cash. I would say close to 10% of all of my buyers are paying cash right now. The national average is 18%...that's downright amazing if you ask me. Why, would they do this when money is so cheap? Different reasons for sure, but the ones I talk to believe that having a tangible investment is better than have paper in a fund at this stage in their life and this stage in our economy.
Why do you think we have been so busy? Happy House Hunting!
Brooke
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Falling for Fall Festivities...
**Oktoberfest--Korners Folly October 6th--Beer, Brats, Strange House, Preservation Fundraiser
**Dixie Classic Fair--September 28-October 7--Rides, People Watching, Roasted Corn, Hushpuppie Samples, Pig Races
**Kersey Valley Spook Trail and Maze--Heart-Pounding Scares, Sweaty-Palmed Surprises and Coffin Rides
**Picnics Under Cloudless Blue Skies--Tanglewood, 4th of July Park, Harmon Park, Reynolda Gardens
**Outdoor Dining--Mozelles', 4th Street Filling Station, J Peppers, Smitty's OYSTERS!!
**Brunswick, Chicken and Oyster Stews, Caramel Apples, Popcorn, Cotton Candy, Oysters-raw, steamed, grilled, roasted
**Football--NC State, Wake, WS State, Pee-Wee, High School, Homecomings
**Church Homecomings, Bazaars, Weenie Roasts, Bonfires
**Hiking Hanging Rock, Pilot Mountain, Blue Ridge Parkway, Camping at Doughton Park, Beach Weekends Under Carolina Moons
**Mums, Pansies, Pine Straw, Mulch, Leaves, Pumpkins, Goards, Hay Bales and Corn Stalks
**Sweater-Sets, Tights, Boots, Oxford Shirts with Sweaters (collars out), Jeans, Wool Socks, Pajama Pants and Sweatshirts from College PE Class
**Dark Beer, Whisky and Ginger Ale, Spiced Hot Tea
**Robert Earl Keen, Allman Brothers, Marshall Tucker Band, Widespread Panic, Avett Brothers
What do you FALL for in the Carolinas?
**Dixie Classic Fair--September 28-October 7--Rides, People Watching, Roasted Corn, Hushpuppie Samples, Pig Races
**Kersey Valley Spook Trail and Maze--Heart-Pounding Scares, Sweaty-Palmed Surprises and Coffin Rides
**Picnics Under Cloudless Blue Skies--Tanglewood, 4th of July Park, Harmon Park, Reynolda Gardens
**Outdoor Dining--Mozelles', 4th Street Filling Station, J Peppers, Smitty's OYSTERS!!
**Brunswick, Chicken and Oyster Stews, Caramel Apples, Popcorn, Cotton Candy, Oysters-raw, steamed, grilled, roasted
**Football--NC State, Wake, WS State, Pee-Wee, High School, Homecomings
**Church Homecomings, Bazaars, Weenie Roasts, Bonfires
**Hiking Hanging Rock, Pilot Mountain, Blue Ridge Parkway, Camping at Doughton Park, Beach Weekends Under Carolina Moons
**Mums, Pansies, Pine Straw, Mulch, Leaves, Pumpkins, Goards, Hay Bales and Corn Stalks
**Sweater-Sets, Tights, Boots, Oxford Shirts with Sweaters (collars out), Jeans, Wool Socks, Pajama Pants and Sweatshirts from College PE Class
**Dark Beer, Whisky and Ginger Ale, Spiced Hot Tea
**Robert Earl Keen, Allman Brothers, Marshall Tucker Band, Widespread Panic, Avett Brothers
What do you FALL for in the Carolinas?
Are You Being Fished or Are You Living in the Reef?
It used to be called fishing. You baited your hook, dropped it in the nearest body of water and well, you know the rest...you waited...patiently, or not so patiently, in my case. I always liked a great deal about fishing, but not actually waiting for them to bite. I liked the boat or pond-bank, I liked the serenity and the notion of being in nature, but never really liked waiting for something that was abundant at the store or fish market. I was told time and time again, that the waiting would make me appreciate the catch even more, but to me, the fish were the fish; they all tasted the same.
In real estate, the same term has been used to describe the act of throwing multiple marketing "hooks" out and waiting for bites. Again, I look at the act of "fishing" for business and have little patience, when there are clients out in need, waiting for guidance, in some of the most obvious places. If you like to market, then ok. If you like "being in real estate", then ok. But I like pulling from my ocean because it just seems to make good business sense. This is how that ocean looks...
I've been a full-time Realtor for 13 years. Over the course of that 13 years I have closed over 500 transaction sides. That means helping over 500 individual buyers and sellers across the Triad. Those buyers and sellers have experienced my service, attention to detail and professional knowledge. They swim in "my real estate ocean". The thing is, I don't want to keep fishing. I like to think of these past clients as a reef of referrals. I don't need to drop a line or a net and pluck them out one by one, only to serve my hunger. Nope, these fish are the ones who swim and share with their fellow "reef mates". When someone moves out of their current "shell", they know who to bring into the "reef" by means of sharing the real estate experience they had with Brooke Cashion. All I need to do is to be a good steward of the "reef", making sure that it is nourished, cared for and appreciated. No need to bait and wait, I just have to "dive in", explore and appreciate the beauty of the "reef". These "reef-mates" are more than willing to share info with friends and family that I provide them on current listings and market trends, and they are always looking for "reef-mates" to be in the "club".
So the next time someone is fishing for your real estate business, ask yourself, "Am I being fished? One time and done?" or "Am I a part of the "reef", being nurtured and cared for throughout my real estate lifetime?"
Brooke
In real estate, the same term has been used to describe the act of throwing multiple marketing "hooks" out and waiting for bites. Again, I look at the act of "fishing" for business and have little patience, when there are clients out in need, waiting for guidance, in some of the most obvious places. If you like to market, then ok. If you like "being in real estate", then ok. But I like pulling from my ocean because it just seems to make good business sense. This is how that ocean looks...
I've been a full-time Realtor for 13 years. Over the course of that 13 years I have closed over 500 transaction sides. That means helping over 500 individual buyers and sellers across the Triad. Those buyers and sellers have experienced my service, attention to detail and professional knowledge. They swim in "my real estate ocean". The thing is, I don't want to keep fishing. I like to think of these past clients as a reef of referrals. I don't need to drop a line or a net and pluck them out one by one, only to serve my hunger. Nope, these fish are the ones who swim and share with their fellow "reef mates". When someone moves out of their current "shell", they know who to bring into the "reef" by means of sharing the real estate experience they had with Brooke Cashion. All I need to do is to be a good steward of the "reef", making sure that it is nourished, cared for and appreciated. No need to bait and wait, I just have to "dive in", explore and appreciate the beauty of the "reef". These "reef-mates" are more than willing to share info with friends and family that I provide them on current listings and market trends, and they are always looking for "reef-mates" to be in the "club".
So the next time someone is fishing for your real estate business, ask yourself, "Am I being fished? One time and done?" or "Am I a part of the "reef", being nurtured and cared for throughout my real estate lifetime?"
Brooke
Thursday, September 06, 2012
Property Taxes...Interesting Take on Valuations...
Property
Taxes
County officials across the state are grappling with the
prospect of conducting property revaluations that would significantly reduce
their property tax base, which could force them to hike the tax rate to keep
revenue steady. Counties are required to revalue property at least once every
eight years, a process designed to make sure the tax burden is being equitably
distributed among all property owners. The tax value is set roughly at market
value, but that market value can fluctuate significantly in the years between
revaluations. For counties that experienced large amounts of speculative
building and conducted revaluations at or near the peak of the market, the
decline in real estate values posed a number of challenges. During the boom
years, new high-end homes experienced the greatest appreciation in value. But
since the bubble burst, many of those same homes are depreciating much faster
than other sectors of the market. “How do you explain to the public we’re
lowering your (property) value but raising your tax rates?” said Frank Clifton,
Orange County’s town manager, summing up the tricky political problem
revaluations now pose. The solution for 27 North Carolina counties has been to
delay the revaluations by anywhere from one to four years, but such action has
drawn criticism, particularly since many counties had reduced the time between
revaluations to four years to capture appreciation in the marketplace. “It’s
all about equity and truth,” said Gary Phillips, owner of Weaver Street Realty
in Carrboro and a former Chatham County commissioner. “Once you make that
commitment to do them every four years, they ought to be done every four years
because the entire community needs to know what that snapshot looks like.”
Under a state law passed in 2008, any county with more than 75,000 residents
whose median sales values differ more than 15 percent from tax values must
perform a revaluation within three years. Only Union County has so far met the
criteria; its median sales price was 20 percent below tax value this year.
Marcus Kinrade, Wake County’s
revenue director, said if all sectors of the market are falling by equal
amounts compared to their tax value, there isn’t really a problem in delaying a
revaluation. “But if the high-end homes are selling significantly less compared
to the tax value than the low-end homes, than you’ve got an equalization
problem,” he said. “The burden of the tax is unfair” to those high-end
homeowners whose property is now worth much less than its current tax value.
Although the state puts out annual estimates showing the ratio of each county’s
median sales price to its tax values, getting a clear picture on how much the
two are diverging is tricky. One problem is that there have been far fewer
property sales since the bust. When doing a revaluation, counties are supposed
to use only sales in which there is a willing buyer and seller, meaning
foreclosures and short sales are not to be included. This has only added to the
disconnect between market and tax values, as a homeowner in a neighborhood riddled
with foreclosures is likely to wonder why his or her tax value does not reflect
all those distressed sales. The lack of qualified sales also can play havoc
with commercial property assessments. “The biggest problem that we still had,
even delaying it two years, was the lack of qualified sales,” said Shane
Mitchell, chairman of the Franklin County Board of Commissioners.(David
Bracken, THE NEWS & OBSERVER, 9/02/12).
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Rental v. Purchase...
I have had several calls in the past day or so with folks looking for rentals in our area. Upon further investigation and much to my surprise, these folks thought that they would not be able to purchase due to credit issues or lack of credit. One guy even thought that he could not afford to purchase. I still find this so hard to believe that after all of the hoopla that we have endured, as it relates to banking/lending, that the message is not more clear from the top down; purchasing a home makes sense as opposed to renting for "most" people.
Now, you should NOT purchase a home if:
*You plan on moving every few months or years
*Don't believe in paying bills on time
*Don't believe that legal documents and the obligations that ensue apply to you specifically (i.e deeds of trust/mortgages)
*Don't like to maintain anything
*Don't like tax deductions
*You believe housing should be free
You should buy a home if:
*Your rent is going to cost more than your mortgage payment
*You plan on being in the same area for at least 2 years
*You like tax deductions (interest and MI)
*You like making improvements to your surrounding knowing they benefit you
*Don't mind taking care of what you call "yours"
*You understand that owning a home creates stability for your family and a sense of place in the community
*You take seriously your financial obligations and commitments (I understand that job loss and extenuating circumstances are sometimes unavoidable)
*You are willing to take a serious look at your budget and the affordability of your new payment
If you would like to discuss further your personal options, I would love to talk with you further...who knows owning a home just might be right for you?! And if you currently own a home and decide that renting just might be the better option, call me too, and we can talk about planning on getting your home sold and finding you something that requires less energy...Happy House Hunting!
**Please note, some of the bulleted items are meant to be tongue in cheek...don't get worked up!! Feel free to add other points for fun**
-Brooke
Now, you should NOT purchase a home if:
*You plan on moving every few months or years
*Don't believe in paying bills on time
*Don't believe that legal documents and the obligations that ensue apply to you specifically (i.e deeds of trust/mortgages)
*Don't like to maintain anything
*Don't like tax deductions
*You believe housing should be free
You should buy a home if:
*Your rent is going to cost more than your mortgage payment
*You plan on being in the same area for at least 2 years
*You like tax deductions (interest and MI)
*You like making improvements to your surrounding knowing they benefit you
*Don't mind taking care of what you call "yours"
*You understand that owning a home creates stability for your family and a sense of place in the community
*You take seriously your financial obligations and commitments (I understand that job loss and extenuating circumstances are sometimes unavoidable)
*You are willing to take a serious look at your budget and the affordability of your new payment
If you would like to discuss further your personal options, I would love to talk with you further...who knows owning a home just might be right for you?! And if you currently own a home and decide that renting just might be the better option, call me too, and we can talk about planning on getting your home sold and finding you something that requires less energy...Happy House Hunting!
**Please note, some of the bulleted items are meant to be tongue in cheek...don't get worked up!! Feel free to add other points for fun**
-Brooke
Thursday, June 07, 2012
BUY NOW!!
Pretty Persuasive Arguments to BUY NOW!
I feel like a broken record. For the past several years I have been preaching "BUY NOW! BUY NOW!" Funny, thing is, at no point was I telling a "fib". Whether you realized the $8000 tax credit and listened to BUY NOW then or if you are one of thousands to enjoy historically low interest rates because you listened to BUY NOW, then you have taken advantage of one of the greatest times in history to purchase real estate.
Throughout these past few challenging years, each and every day has held potential for the individual to capitalize on a unique time to benefit from their real estate purchase. Not letting THE house pass you by while enjoying a great rate, purchasing an investment you can live in or rent (you can't live in a stock share), not having to hassle with future, undefined governmental regulations that are creeping down the pipeline and having tons of choices coupled with some of the lowest prices in years.
According to a recent post from Steve Richman the house price index as provided by the FHFA (fhfa.gove) shows the home values have gone down 11.6% over the past five year, down 1.33% over the past year and up 1.45% over the past quarter. Richman goes on to say, that whereas this can't necessarily define "rock bottom", it is a pretty persuasive argument to get "off the fence" as prices look to be stabilizing if not increasing.
Also, Richman does a nice job (as we have shown in a previous post) of showing how though housing prices may not be at their bottom, if you couple slightly higher prices with the low rates, a slight incline in rates coupled with low prices still may make for a larger payment and more interest paid over time.
Bottom line, NOW is and has been a great time to invest in real estate. Feel free to reach out to me or one of our team members to discuss your personal situation and decide if you should BUY NOW!
Brooke
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Help Wanted!
According to news media these signs are seen pretty infrequently in today's economy, however, I believe that there just might be a good reason employers are frustrated when hanging out this particular shingle.
If you follow me on Facebook or Twitter, then you are aware that I am currently in the search for an office manager who possesses sound administrative skills. Since the expansion of my business to the Triangle area, I have found that one of the most critical spokes in the wheel of our team's success has been that "key" person who keeps us in line and on-task. We have been very blessed in the past several years with three awesome assistants who helped to take our team's business to the next level, the most recent, allowing us the ability to achieve Chairman's Circle, which is the highest level of closed volume awards that Allen Tate gives to agents and teams. This assistant left us just before Christmas and in my mind, I thought that as soon as the holiday season passed I would be able to put out a post and applicants would flock to my office, resumes in hand, ready to work.
Fast forward to the first of January, I posted, told some close business associates and community influence peddlers and I did receive a short burst of applicants. What I found was that the pool of those searching for these jobs have limited technology experience, despite gains in technology accessibility; a lack of desire to be a "part" of an organization; wanting to simply show up and leave when the clock strikes 5, and no sense of self-motivation; always wanting tasks to be given one at a time. Unfortunately for those folks, this is not how I work and not how I see the majority of successful businesses work.
I am looking for a self-starter, someone who wants to help to grow our team and benefit from that growth, someone who can find answers on their own, who takes pride in themselves and the work that they accomplish, someone who wants something greater than the position they are in, a creative individual with new ideas and better ways of accomplishing things, solution-oriented, positive and helpful. Wow! Is that all?! I know it sounds steep and possibly naive that I can find this fit...however, I have had it before, our team members possess these qualities and I feel confident I will find it again!
If you feel that I am describing YOU, then please send me a message or call me...these are exciting times in the real estate industry and we are poised for amazing growth and I can't wait to share them!
Brooke Cashion
brooke.cashion@allentate.com
336-817-3598
If you follow me on Facebook or Twitter, then you are aware that I am currently in the search for an office manager who possesses sound administrative skills. Since the expansion of my business to the Triangle area, I have found that one of the most critical spokes in the wheel of our team's success has been that "key" person who keeps us in line and on-task. We have been very blessed in the past several years with three awesome assistants who helped to take our team's business to the next level, the most recent, allowing us the ability to achieve Chairman's Circle, which is the highest level of closed volume awards that Allen Tate gives to agents and teams. This assistant left us just before Christmas and in my mind, I thought that as soon as the holiday season passed I would be able to put out a post and applicants would flock to my office, resumes in hand, ready to work.
Fast forward to the first of January, I posted, told some close business associates and community influence peddlers and I did receive a short burst of applicants. What I found was that the pool of those searching for these jobs have limited technology experience, despite gains in technology accessibility; a lack of desire to be a "part" of an organization; wanting to simply show up and leave when the clock strikes 5, and no sense of self-motivation; always wanting tasks to be given one at a time. Unfortunately for those folks, this is not how I work and not how I see the majority of successful businesses work.
I am looking for a self-starter, someone who wants to help to grow our team and benefit from that growth, someone who can find answers on their own, who takes pride in themselves and the work that they accomplish, someone who wants something greater than the position they are in, a creative individual with new ideas and better ways of accomplishing things, solution-oriented, positive and helpful. Wow! Is that all?! I know it sounds steep and possibly naive that I can find this fit...however, I have had it before, our team members possess these qualities and I feel confident I will find it again!
If you feel that I am describing YOU, then please send me a message or call me...these are exciting times in the real estate industry and we are poised for amazing growth and I can't wait to share them!
Brooke Cashion
brooke.cashion@allentate.com
336-817-3598
Monday, February 06, 2012
Who is John Galt? Looks like we could use a present day Galt with this kind of sham...
(CBS News)
Just before Christmas, American workers got a rare gift from Washington politicians - the current payroll tax cut would be extended for two more months.
At the time, both President Barack Obama and House Speaker John Boehner lauded the move to avoid a tax increase for millions of working Americans.
But there's something the politicians weren't bragging about - the fact that they're paying for the two-month tax cut with what has turned into a brand new fee on home buyers.
The new fee is a minimum of one-tenth of 1 percent on Fannie Mae- and Freddie Mac-backed loans, and is likely to go much higher.
It will be imposed for the next 10 years on most mortgages and refinancings and it lasts for the life of the loan.
Obama unveils mortgage refinancing plan
Congress preps Round 2 of payroll tax-cut fight
Budget cuts, fees eyed in payroll tax talks
For every $200,000, it amounts to an extra $15 dollars a month.
It's bad news for Patty Anderson, who's buying a home in Virginia.
Anderson will save a couple hundred dollars from having her payroll tax cut extended but her mortgage broker told her the new fee would cost her almost $9,500.
"I was absolutely startled that it would add up to that much," she said.
The $35.7 billion collected in fees won't go into the Social Security fund to replace the lost payroll tax. It goes to the general treasury where Congress can spend it however they please.
Bill Burnett, Anderson's broker and president of the Virginia Association of Mortgage Brokers, said you won't see Congress' new charge in the paperwork, but it's there.
"It's actually built into this [interest] rate. You would never see the fee as a cost to you," he said.
Burnett said the fee will affect a "very large number" of homeowners.
"Your pocketbook is being raided in order to pay for a tax policy issue decided at the last minute by probably people who didn't understand fully what they were legislating on."
CBS News went to Capitol Hill ask what Congress was thinking when they passed the mortgage fee hike. Boehner pointed the finger at the Senate.
"As you're well aware, this bill came over from the Senate. I don't know how they justified it. We would rather have offset that two-month extension with reductions in spending," he said.
But the Senate blamed the House. And Democrats and Republicans blamed each other.
One congressman, Florida Republican Allen West, said he tried to blow the whistle on the whole thing before Christmas.
"I read the legislation and raised the flag. Unfortunately nobody paid attention to what I was saying at the time," he said, calling the fee a backdoor tax increase on the middle class.
"It absolutely is because you're talking about the homeowners - when you're talking about the people that are gonna be using the Fannie Mae, the Freddie Mac, the government-sponsored enterprises - it is absolutely a tax increase on them."
An Obama administration official defended the mortgage fee, calling it "modest." (Modest to who?!?!?!)She said it's "unlikely to negatively affect borrowers" because increases "will be phased in over the next two years." And it will "help bring private capital back into the mortgage market, which [is] good for borrowers over the long term." I’d really be interested in learning what this means – I guess they are saying that people will go to more conventional loans where the fee is not included? But what happens when they do and the tax does not cover the new payroll extension and/or is this a cover because no one can afford a conventional at 15 – 20%. One place to start is learning how many loans are currently being backed by Freddie and Fannie.
Maybe so. But Patty Anderson only knows that for the next 30 years, she'll be haunted by the Washington ghost of Christmas past.
"I think it just looks like Washington grabbing more money," she said.
Just before Christmas, American workers got a rare gift from Washington politicians - the current payroll tax cut would be extended for two more months.
At the time, both President Barack Obama and House Speaker John Boehner lauded the move to avoid a tax increase for millions of working Americans.
But there's something the politicians weren't bragging about - the fact that they're paying for the two-month tax cut with what has turned into a brand new fee on home buyers.
The new fee is a minimum of one-tenth of 1 percent on Fannie Mae- and Freddie Mac-backed loans, and is likely to go much higher.
It will be imposed for the next 10 years on most mortgages and refinancings and it lasts for the life of the loan.
Obama unveils mortgage refinancing plan
Congress preps Round 2 of payroll tax-cut fight
Budget cuts, fees eyed in payroll tax talks
For every $200,000, it amounts to an extra $15 dollars a month.
It's bad news for Patty Anderson, who's buying a home in Virginia.
Anderson will save a couple hundred dollars from having her payroll tax cut extended but her mortgage broker told her the new fee would cost her almost $9,500.
"I was absolutely startled that it would add up to that much," she said.
The $35.7 billion collected in fees won't go into the Social Security fund to replace the lost payroll tax. It goes to the general treasury where Congress can spend it however they please.
Bill Burnett, Anderson's broker and president of the Virginia Association of Mortgage Brokers, said you won't see Congress' new charge in the paperwork, but it's there.
"It's actually built into this [interest] rate. You would never see the fee as a cost to you," he said.
Burnett said the fee will affect a "very large number" of homeowners.
"Your pocketbook is being raided in order to pay for a tax policy issue decided at the last minute by probably people who didn't understand fully what they were legislating on."
CBS News went to Capitol Hill ask what Congress was thinking when they passed the mortgage fee hike. Boehner pointed the finger at the Senate.
"As you're well aware, this bill came over from the Senate. I don't know how they justified it. We would rather have offset that two-month extension with reductions in spending," he said.
But the Senate blamed the House. And Democrats and Republicans blamed each other.
One congressman, Florida Republican Allen West, said he tried to blow the whistle on the whole thing before Christmas.
"I read the legislation and raised the flag. Unfortunately nobody paid attention to what I was saying at the time," he said, calling the fee a backdoor tax increase on the middle class.
"It absolutely is because you're talking about the homeowners - when you're talking about the people that are gonna be using the Fannie Mae, the Freddie Mac, the government-sponsored enterprises - it is absolutely a tax increase on them."
An Obama administration official defended the mortgage fee, calling it "modest." (Modest to who?!?!?!)She said it's "unlikely to negatively affect borrowers" because increases "will be phased in over the next two years." And it will "help bring private capital back into the mortgage market, which [is] good for borrowers over the long term." I’d really be interested in learning what this means – I guess they are saying that people will go to more conventional loans where the fee is not included? But what happens when they do and the tax does not cover the new payroll extension and/or is this a cover because no one can afford a conventional at 15 – 20%. One place to start is learning how many loans are currently being backed by Freddie and Fannie.
Maybe so. But Patty Anderson only knows that for the next 30 years, she'll be haunted by the Washington ghost of Christmas past.
"I think it just looks like Washington grabbing more money," she said.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Commerce Makes Me Cry...
I spend a lot of time on the road. Actually, that really may be an understatement. Given the nature of my career which demands quite a bit of road time--showing homes, picking up documents, listing appointments from the Triad to Triangle and having an active 11 year old--let's just say the 'ol Honda gets it's fair share of use.
I40/85 has become a new hang-out of mine, as our team recently expanded into the Triangle market after 12 successful years in the Triad. Several days a week I make the relatively short jaunt back and forth from Winston-Salem to Raleigh, passing all kinds of people, in all makes and models of automobiles but most of all, I see lots of trucks! Flat-beds loaded with machinery, military equipment and lumber; transfer trucks hauling livestock (always seems to be hogs), fast-food replenishment and other freight; and a variety of other multi-axle vehicles designed specifically to carry goods across our state, nation and continent. Let's just say, sometimes it brings a tear to my eye...
I am sure by this point you are asking yourself what the heck I'm talking about and if I have finally gone over the edge...is the economy so poor that I am in tears about it's future? Nope, just the opposite. I am moved to get misty-eyed when I think that somewhere in our great nation and most likely in our great state, an entrepreneur has taken the wherewithal, to think up a product that can make his fellow man's life easier or more full-filled. This same individual produces said product, markets it with a fervor and passion that creates a following (desirability) or a need and therefore the demand becomes so great that he must find a way to bring that product to the masses, thus employing the very vehicles mentioned above.
These multi-colored vessels of commerce are daily testaments to our mind and it's boundless energy. We noticed, with a sad tug of something we might not have been able to identify, when truck-traffic temporarily thinned out after 9/11. Something just wasn't right...we could feel it...
As I drive today across the roads and interstates of North Carolina, along one of the most productive and busiest commercial corridors in the nation, I am reminded of my own potential and the potential of my fellow commuters, as we all play an integral part in the strength of our economy, locally, nationally and globally. It is not only inspiring, but it stirs a place in my soul that reminds me, that I'm unique, I can produce and therefore earn, I can influence our economy...and I will...because I'm an American.
I40/85 has become a new hang-out of mine, as our team recently expanded into the Triangle market after 12 successful years in the Triad. Several days a week I make the relatively short jaunt back and forth from Winston-Salem to Raleigh, passing all kinds of people, in all makes and models of automobiles but most of all, I see lots of trucks! Flat-beds loaded with machinery, military equipment and lumber; transfer trucks hauling livestock (always seems to be hogs), fast-food replenishment and other freight; and a variety of other multi-axle vehicles designed specifically to carry goods across our state, nation and continent. Let's just say, sometimes it brings a tear to my eye...
I am sure by this point you are asking yourself what the heck I'm talking about and if I have finally gone over the edge...is the economy so poor that I am in tears about it's future? Nope, just the opposite. I am moved to get misty-eyed when I think that somewhere in our great nation and most likely in our great state, an entrepreneur has taken the wherewithal, to think up a product that can make his fellow man's life easier or more full-filled. This same individual produces said product, markets it with a fervor and passion that creates a following (desirability) or a need and therefore the demand becomes so great that he must find a way to bring that product to the masses, thus employing the very vehicles mentioned above.
These multi-colored vessels of commerce are daily testaments to our mind and it's boundless energy. We noticed, with a sad tug of something we might not have been able to identify, when truck-traffic temporarily thinned out after 9/11. Something just wasn't right...we could feel it...
As I drive today across the roads and interstates of North Carolina, along one of the most productive and busiest commercial corridors in the nation, I am reminded of my own potential and the potential of my fellow commuters, as we all play an integral part in the strength of our economy, locally, nationally and globally. It is not only inspiring, but it stirs a place in my soul that reminds me, that I'm unique, I can produce and therefore earn, I can influence our economy...and I will...because I'm an American.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
For ITIN Borrowers There Is Still Housing Opportunity...
Just an interesting bit of info I acquired in the past 24 hours. There are still lenders out there who will loan to folks that have ITINs. If you are asking yourself, what exactly an ITIN is, then you probably don't or won't need one. ITIN, stands for Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. These are issued by the government to documented workers for purposes of collecting taxes.
If you are a holder of an ITIN you can still purchase real estate in the United States, however, it has become more scrutinized as additional information and documentation is now required on the status of the holder's visa. It can depend on the stability of your employment, debt to income ratio and other fairly standard rules of thumb for discerning qualified buyers.
The good news is that this product still does exist. I had been under the impression that it was gone with the plethora of other boutique loans that disappeared.
If you are a buyer looking to purchase a home and have an ITIN, feel free to call me or email me to be put in touch with our Allen Tate Mortgage representative who can assist you in the qualification process.
Brooke
If you are a holder of an ITIN you can still purchase real estate in the United States, however, it has become more scrutinized as additional information and documentation is now required on the status of the holder's visa. It can depend on the stability of your employment, debt to income ratio and other fairly standard rules of thumb for discerning qualified buyers.
The good news is that this product still does exist. I had been under the impression that it was gone with the plethora of other boutique loans that disappeared.
If you are a buyer looking to purchase a home and have an ITIN, feel free to call me or email me to be put in touch with our Allen Tate Mortgage representative who can assist you in the qualification process.
Brooke
Monday, January 09, 2012
Those Pesky Pieces of Paper...
They're everywhere you turn...in a drawer, dog-eared in a book, stuffed in your wallet or crammed in a file--your subtle attempt at organization and accountability. Yet, every year, it's the same thing, pulling all of those receipts together for tax time. Yup! It's that time of year again. Just when you breath that sigh of relief that the last Christmas gift return is made and you are looking to the upcoming Super Bowl and Publisher's Clearing House Sweepstakes, you remember that there's a stack of paper and Uncle Sam gently nudging you "to get it together".
Each January, Jake and I open our credenza and stare wide-eyed and the file of receipts from the previous year. From donations to business expenses and everything in between we vow that next year, we will start with separate files for each group. But like any resolution, life gets in the way and old habits die hard when you're in a hurry with day to day nuances, so the stuffing begins. It's well-intended at first, so few in the file that you can organize them appropriately next week. Then the file balloons a little during the first quarter and you vow that when you turn in your taxes to the accountant in March or April, you'll reorganize then. Well, you're so exhausted by the rigor that the IRS puts you through, you feel as if you are owed a break--receipts be damned, you can do them over the summer but before half the year is up. Fast forward to "back to school" and getting re-organized for the new school year and the file is already starting to look like it ate a ticker-tape parade. By that time, it's too far gone and you know that you'll just organize it over the Christmas break when you have "plenty" of time. Yea right!
So here we are, receipts of all shapes and sizes. Handwritten notes grace their margins and in reality it's a little like a trip down memory lane when you sort them at one time. A timeline of sorts--your personal year-in-review. Easy to tell if the year was good (fat file) or if it was lean. It's a great time to set goals for business planning, technology upgrades and personal savings. Those tiny, tangible tickets of your memories are there for you to study and assess in preparation for your future while appreciating the blessings of your recent past.
Organizing them throughout the year just wouldn't be right...
Brooke
Each January, Jake and I open our credenza and stare wide-eyed and the file of receipts from the previous year. From donations to business expenses and everything in between we vow that next year, we will start with separate files for each group. But like any resolution, life gets in the way and old habits die hard when you're in a hurry with day to day nuances, so the stuffing begins. It's well-intended at first, so few in the file that you can organize them appropriately next week. Then the file balloons a little during the first quarter and you vow that when you turn in your taxes to the accountant in March or April, you'll reorganize then. Well, you're so exhausted by the rigor that the IRS puts you through, you feel as if you are owed a break--receipts be damned, you can do them over the summer but before half the year is up. Fast forward to "back to school" and getting re-organized for the new school year and the file is already starting to look like it ate a ticker-tape parade. By that time, it's too far gone and you know that you'll just organize it over the Christmas break when you have "plenty" of time. Yea right!
So here we are, receipts of all shapes and sizes. Handwritten notes grace their margins and in reality it's a little like a trip down memory lane when you sort them at one time. A timeline of sorts--your personal year-in-review. Easy to tell if the year was good (fat file) or if it was lean. It's a great time to set goals for business planning, technology upgrades and personal savings. Those tiny, tangible tickets of your memories are there for you to study and assess in preparation for your future while appreciating the blessings of your recent past.
Organizing them throughout the year just wouldn't be right...
Brooke
Tuesday, January 03, 2012
A History Lesson...
Over the holiday break, we decided to take a quick jaunt to Colonial Williamsburg/Yorktown and Jamestown, otherwise known as the Historic Triangle. This is a trip we have been wanting to take Maddie on for quite sometime so we headed north the day after Christmas.
We stopped along the way at Shirley Plantation, one of, if not the oldest plantation in Virginia, still owned 12 generations later by the Carter family. We then arrived to a cold rain in Williamsburg and took in a few of the indoor sites late in the afternoon. We spent the remainder of the evening enjoying some 21st century entertainment, watching NCSU win the Belk Bowl. We also took some time to plan the next few days activities and events so that we could absorb as much as we could in the short period we were there. One of the events we planned was a lecture with Patrick Henry which was to commence at 10 am at the Governor's Palace gardens.
We arrived early only to find out that Patrick Henry was under the weather and George Wythe would be speaking in his stead. It all worked out as Mr. Wythe elaborated on the importance of a classical education being made available to the nation and the necessity to keep laws short in length. His recommendation was to keep them down to one page or less to avoid "unnecessary mischief" being embedded subsequent pages. The particular bill he was upset about was a whopping 41 pages filled with all kinds of irrelevant fluff, imagine what our founding fathers would have thought about some of the bills that are passed today, such as health care reform!
The education portion of his lecture was very interesting, for it did not go into detail over what should or should not be taught, however it focused on educating our nation in the skill of thinking for oneself in the classical manner, questioning, debating, basic reading, writing and arithmetic. It struck me how wound-up today's educational system gets over content of text books, zoning and redistricting, when such a large majority of our students don't have the basics mastered. The detriment, described Wythe is that a government that allows for ignorance is one that is doomed for uprisings and class warfare. Our current educational system certainly provides the notion that all are or have the ability to be educated, but as we well know, this education is very "surface" and the lack of depth and true self-improvement has created a society that knows more about the latest video game or Hollywood gossip than the very system that allows or limits our basic rights.
I could ramble on about this at length, however, my point is that the trip opened our eyes up to the challenges the budding country had and the challenges that our current nation still faces. It also further reinforced the notion that our government was established not to dole out rights like rewards or provide us with everything we need to survive on a daily basis, however it was established to make sure that no one or government could encroach on our basic rights. This was configured so that nothing could stand in our way as citizens who were using their minds and bodies to create a better life for themselves. It was not originally contrived as a crutch on which to lean out of lack of ingenuity and effort.
We could all use a little more "schooling" on our country's foundation and three days did nothing but "whet" my appetite to educate myself more on this subject. If you get the chance, jump on 85N, head over to Petersburg, check out the battlefield and Blandford Church, take Scenic Route 5 which winds with the James River and then head into the Historic Triangle for a step back in time.
Brooke
We stopped along the way at Shirley Plantation, one of, if not the oldest plantation in Virginia, still owned 12 generations later by the Carter family. We then arrived to a cold rain in Williamsburg and took in a few of the indoor sites late in the afternoon. We spent the remainder of the evening enjoying some 21st century entertainment, watching NCSU win the Belk Bowl. We also took some time to plan the next few days activities and events so that we could absorb as much as we could in the short period we were there. One of the events we planned was a lecture with Patrick Henry which was to commence at 10 am at the Governor's Palace gardens.
We arrived early only to find out that Patrick Henry was under the weather and George Wythe would be speaking in his stead. It all worked out as Mr. Wythe elaborated on the importance of a classical education being made available to the nation and the necessity to keep laws short in length. His recommendation was to keep them down to one page or less to avoid "unnecessary mischief" being embedded subsequent pages. The particular bill he was upset about was a whopping 41 pages filled with all kinds of irrelevant fluff, imagine what our founding fathers would have thought about some of the bills that are passed today, such as health care reform!
The education portion of his lecture was very interesting, for it did not go into detail over what should or should not be taught, however it focused on educating our nation in the skill of thinking for oneself in the classical manner, questioning, debating, basic reading, writing and arithmetic. It struck me how wound-up today's educational system gets over content of text books, zoning and redistricting, when such a large majority of our students don't have the basics mastered. The detriment, described Wythe is that a government that allows for ignorance is one that is doomed for uprisings and class warfare. Our current educational system certainly provides the notion that all are or have the ability to be educated, but as we well know, this education is very "surface" and the lack of depth and true self-improvement has created a society that knows more about the latest video game or Hollywood gossip than the very system that allows or limits our basic rights.
I could ramble on about this at length, however, my point is that the trip opened our eyes up to the challenges the budding country had and the challenges that our current nation still faces. It also further reinforced the notion that our government was established not to dole out rights like rewards or provide us with everything we need to survive on a daily basis, however it was established to make sure that no one or government could encroach on our basic rights. This was configured so that nothing could stand in our way as citizens who were using their minds and bodies to create a better life for themselves. It was not originally contrived as a crutch on which to lean out of lack of ingenuity and effort.
Brooke
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