Kernersville Chamber's Corks' ncandidates invite

As you may know, November 7 is Election Day in North Carolina.  There are a number of state and local races, including the Town of Kernersville.  Citizens in Kernersville will be voting for five alderman to  lead the town for the next two years.  

In 2004, I was a Town of Kernersville Alderman and served two terms.  It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I will always treasure.  I participated in a couple of these types events and I would highly encourage you to go and learn about the candidates, talk to them and figure out which ones have the best ideas on how to grow our local economy, protect private property rights and to lead the town through important decisions.  

For more information on Election Day and voting, please visit NC State Board of Elections - as well, if you are not registered to vote, this site can help you do that.  

Information concerning the Corks' nCandidates is below.  I hope you will make it a point to add it to your calendar and attend.  Jake, Maddie and I will be there and hope to see you as well!

Special Thanks to My Clients for Their Role in Making the Economy Work!

Real Estate and Transportation - How Will Impact You?

All of us enjoy or dread the different modes of the transportation network across NC and the US.  We all rely upon the network in some way, shape or form...most importantly, it allows us to eat on a daily basis.

But as technology advancements continue to change our world, how will these advancements impact your property and real estate?

This week, we've seen a number of news articles concerning electric vehicles, large retail companies buying last-mile transportation and logistics companies and an overview about the future of NC's transportation network and challenges.

We thought we'd briefly summarize and share these stories with you.  They are pretty interesting and provide thought provoking ideas about what the future holds and needs.  Take a look.

We'd be interested in your feedback...

Electric Vehicles are Forcing Real Estate to Change Gears - "Analysts predict that within a few years, electric cars will cost about the same or less than their gas-powered cousins, and electric vehicle (EV) sales are expected to surge. Though range could still be an issue for some drivers, EVs do have one major advantage: you can charge them at home. No more side trips to the gas station, no more waiting in line, no more pumping gas in the rain, sleet, snow or gloom of night.

In fact, surveys show that most EV owners prefer to charge in the comfort of their own homes, where they can go about their lives while their vehicle quietly juices up.

To sweeten the pot, some states and utility companies offer tax incentives and rebates that apply to charging at home..."

Wal-Mart Buys Delivery Logistics Start-up Parcel - "We plan to leverage Parcel for last mile delivery to customers in New York City – including same-day delivery – for both general merchandise as well as fresh and frozen groceries from Walmart and Jet," Wal-Mart said in a blog post. bit.ly/2wv4iV7

The Future of Transportation - NCDOT Sec Jim Trogdon - At the state level, the North Carolina General Assembly is taking a deep dive into these issues as well.  The House Select Committee on Strategic Transportation Planning and Long Term Funding Solutions had a presentation this week from Sec Trogdon.  If you review the summary on slide 15, all of the technological changes will impact real estate.  

What Is Going On With Mortgage Markets and Can I Get a Loan?

For most people when, buying a home they will start with the mortgage loan process.  This can be a confusing, challenging and yes, sometimes a frustrating experience.  However, we do our best to mitigate the frustrations and maximize the enjoyment of the process.  

We get questions everyday relating to what mortgage rates are doing and what types of loan programs they're currently able to take advantage of to the luxury marketplace and jumbo loans.  We love getting these questions and providing you the answers to these and other questions.  Therefore, in the following posts - four short clips - we work to answer these and a few others that you will be interested in.

We want to thank Tina Shields, Allen Tate Mortgage for taking a few minutes out of her very busy day to help.    We appreciate you Tina!  

What are mortgage rates going to do?

Why is is important to talk to more than one lender?

What type of loan products are there for the luxury markets?

Could I buy a home without a huge downpayment?

Life Insurance...Are You Covered

"Life insurance. Yeah, your eyes glaze over and you start checking your Instagram just at the mention of it. But keep your attention here for just a few moments and I promise it won’t be painful. Life insurance is something that takes care of your loved ones, plain and simple. And that’s something we can all make a little time for, isn’t it?

And actually, according to the 2016 Insurance Barometer Study by Life Happens and LIMRA, 1 in 3 households would have immediate trouble paying living expenses if the primary wage earner died. And, the study also found that 40% of respondents had not bought life insurance or more of it because they were unsure of how much or what type to buy.

Since September [was] is also Life Insurance Awareness month, it seemed like a good time to talk to..."  Read more at A Discussion about Life Insurance.

Also, if you need ideas and suggestions on experts to speak with, we know several really good folks who would be more than delighted to help.

Thanks!

Square Footage Price - Why it Matters?

Good morning - we were looking at a market report and some numbers this morning from Inman-Weiss Analytics.  It is a great tool we use to better understand the marketplace, both from a national perspective and a local/micro-marktet perspective.

We pulled up the Winston-Salem MSA and its average price/square foot jumped out - currently it is around $92 and could see an increase moving into next year according to the data.  That's good news for sellers, so now would be a great time for buyers to jump into the marketplace.  But keep in mind, that this is just an average and micro-markets are different and lots of things go into this.

In this short VLOG, Brooke breaks down why it matters and how micro-markets and other factors impact the price/square foot. take a look!

Local Market Update -

Just a quick local market update - take a peek - as always, let us know if we can help!

"Who is Returning to the Workforce?"

Great news from NCSU's Economist Mike Walden -

“....‘Who is returning to the work force?’ Mike, one of the good news items in the economy recently has been the rise in the labor force participation rate. This rate measures the share of working age individuals who either have a job or are looking for a job. Do we know who is responsible for the improvement in the labor force participation rate?”

MIKE WALDEN:

“We do. If we look at the data, and the simple answer is women...."

Read more here...

Buyers are looking...are you interested?

Buyers are looking...You interested?  As new data from the National Association of Realtors tells us, the housing market could be cooling simply because of a lack of inventory.

In this article, Inventory Woes Drain Momentum, the chief economist for the Realtors, Lawrence Yun says, “Demand continues to overwhelm supply in most of the country, and as a result, many would-be buyers from earlier in the year are still in the market for a home, while others have perhaps decided to temporarily postpone their search.” This is accurate for our area as well.  However, he continues on to say, “The good news is that nearly all of the missed closings for the remainder of the year will likely show up in 2018, with existing sales forecast to rise 6.9 percent.”

Let me know if you are interested selling.  Now would be a great time and I'd be happy to discuss the pros and cons.  

Thanks - 

Brooke Cashion

@WSRAR Young Professionals Network

Take a look at the clip regarding an event we were at...great time!

Kernersville Foundation and the opiod crisis...

We appreciated the opportunity of going to the Kernersville Foundation meeting this morning on the opiod crisis that is ravaging the nation. A great panel discussion was had and really highlighted the issue in Forsyth County. It is something that must be dealt with and quickly as it can impact anyone. If you have the chance, make sure to watch WXII 12 NEWS between 4:00 and 6:00 today as Maddie was interviewed about the panel discussion. She shares her thoughts about how it impacts those in high school. (We'll post the link as soon as it goes up.)

As well, the great NC State Senator Joyce Krawiec presented a $100,000 check to the Kernersville Foundation from the state which will help many people and organizations in the area - thanks taxpayers of NC and Senator Krawiec for your service.

Finally, this was extremely impressive but a 10 year old girl presented the Kernersville Foundation with a check of $2200. The money was raised via a group she founded for "kidpreneurers" - this little girl was extremely impressive...Kim Herman you should be proud!

Enjoy your day!

 

Realtor.com updates?

Good Monday afternoon!  As you know, the internet has become a place where most people begin their move - from a home or to a home.  Because of that many resources are available to the buyer or seller, including, finding the most professional and experienced agents.

I've been in the business for years and have seen things change dramatically over time with the advancement of technologies.  While you cannot be all things to all people, we do want to work to stay relevant on the internet.  Because of this, we felt like it was important to update my Realtor.com profile.

I've chosen to do this as it's the most trusted resource and it's simple, efficient and enjoyable to use.  As well, it is licensed by the National Association of REALTORS, the country's most important real estate organization.

The internet has given small businesses a great opportunity to grow and expand and that is exactly what we are working on.  But more importantly, it will provide us an even greater way to serve our clients, which is what we do best.

But we need your help in order to do that.

Would you take a moment to go to realtor.com and leave me a recommendation?  It simple, just go to realtor.com - Find REALTORS - type in Brooke Cashion and go to ratings or recommendations.

We would most appreciate a positive one of course if you find that acceptable!  Thank you in advance.

Jake Cashion

North Carolina Leading the Way...

After many years of a state tax system that did not work for the people of North Carolina, starting a few years ago, reforms were put into place that were designed to improve the economy and attract greater economic growth opportunities by simplifying and reducing rates.

While I was at the NC Chamber, I was fortunate to have been involved, in a small way, with the discussions by encouraging continued action and connecting some very smart tax experts at really strong companies statewide, both large and small businesses to those decision-makers.  It was a great experience.

North Carolina is leading the way nationwide.  Check out what US Senator Thom Tillis has to say about it.

Tax Reform Transformed North Carolina - Congress Take Note

Thanks - Jake Cashion

Troops To Trades

There is a lot of discussion going on in this state and many others about students learning trades as an alternative to a traditional college degree. In a chance meeting at the Grove Park, Jake and I struck up a conversation with a gentleman from Minnesota who was telling us about a charitable organization that he started several years ago.  He had just come from a fundraiser in DC, where they raised over $250,000 for the organization Troops To Trades. 

As the NC Chamber tells us in Closing the Skills Gap  , "For communities across North Carolina, attracting, training and retaining workforce is a top concern. North Carolina’s job creators continue to face a significant disconnect between their talent needs and the real-life skillsets possessed by graduates. Both specific skill shortages and soft skill barriers are constant themes of the discussion. Even as unemployment numbers improve, employers across the state continue to struggle filling open positions with qualified talent.The Department of Commerce’s Labor and Economic Analysis Division recently released its 2016 Employer Needs Survey. After collecting 1,900 surveys, more than a third of businesses surveyed expressed difficulty in filling positions. Finding candidates with the right work experience, education and technical skills were the top reasons cited. Businesses in construction and manufacturing expressed the most difficulty. The survey also found that these difficulties were true in both urban and rural parts of the state."

This organization called Troops To Trades has a basic premise that connects work with veterans and puts them through training to work in trades such as HVAC, plumbing and other important skilled trades.  They organize the apprenticeships and help them to work the trade schools and their GI bill to supplement income while training and apprenticing, making it viable to actually live on the wage earned while learning.  The contacts in the organization are well-versed in assisting the veterans with placing them in trades that don’t conflict with a physical disability, help them with obtaining the certification, job placement and much more. 

These are folks/businesses dedicated to not only serving the veteran but also helping our economy while providing skilled laborers for jobs that are unable to be filled easily.  

I love when folks use their connections and resources to meet multiple needs. Check out the website and share with a veteran or a business-owner you know, who might like to be  a part of this organization!  Well done Troops To Trades!

Are you aware of this potential HUGE expense?

What could be hiding on your property that could potentially cost you $20,000?  In this short clip, Brooke explains what you should know.  As alway, feel free to call with questions.  #whywait

Do you as a seller need to....

As a seller, my home is under contract and scheduled to close, however, I no longer live in the area.  Do I need to come back to town to be at the closing?  Take a peek at the short clip for the answer!

Thanks - as always, happy to help!  

Moana in the Park!http://kvparks.com/event/movies-in-the-park-moana/

On Friday, September 15 from 6:00 - 9:00PM at Harmon Park in downtown Kernersville, the Kernersville Parks and Recreation will hold a FREE family event.  Bring your family, friends and chairs and enjoy the movie Moana under the stars.  The movie will begin at dusk so please plan to come and enjoy!  I'm a sponsor and there will be glow sticks for the kids.

More details can be found at:  Moana in the Park - Kernersville Parks and Rec

Hope you'll be able to make it!

"Moving at the Speed of Business"

One thing we often take for granted is the transportation network that allows us to go to and fro in our everyday lives.  It is easy to simply think it'll always be there.

My name is Jake Cashion (husband to Brooke) and I'm now a partner with Brooke Cashion and Associates.  I had an awesome experience over the past 6+ years with the NC Chamber.  I had the good fortune of working to get money into the transportation network of North Carolina  Thankfully,  because of the efforts of organizations like the NC Chamber, the Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce and others, including the North Carolina General Assembly and NCDOT, there is a lot of work going on in the Triad - to the tune of $2 billion worth of projects.

We don't really think about moving freight and commerce as it relates to real estate.  But frankly, we don't move anything, including real estate without a strong transportation network.  Take a peek at a publication the NC Chamber put together called "Moving at the Speed of Business"...you may even recognize a name of someone who contributed to this!  I'd be interested in your thoughts as all of these infrastructure issues discussed impact real estate.

Read up on the projects that will impact you and your business...for example, against many people's belief, the Port of NC at Wilmington can now handle post-panamax size ships adding greater connectivity to Asia, Europe and the global economy.  North Carolina's and the Triad's economic growth opportunities are expanding because of efforts like this.  This is great news for real estate!

Hurricanes and flooding...

Here is a pretty good overview of what homeowners insurance will not cover if you are unfortunately
hit by a hurricane.  While this is a news story, I would simply check with my homeowners insurance company about what your actual policy says.  Always good to know and have the appropriate coverage!

What Homeowners Insurance Won't Cover if a Hurricane Hits - WSJ

New Report Shows Going FSBO Cost More Money

In this new report, these expert economist show that going-it-alone will cost you more money.  Check out this report. We'd be happy to discuss our experiences as well.

"Saving Real Estate Commissions at Any Price"

"Here we examine the price differentials for homes sold through traditional agents through the multiple listing service compared to “For-Sale-By-Owner” sales for a variety of geographic markets with data from 2016-2017.  In contrast to previous studies on this topic, we find that FSBOs tend to sell for lower prices than comparable home sales, and in many cases below the average differential represented by the prevailing commission rate...."

What does "due diligence" mean for NC real estate sellers?

We often receive questions from clients about "what now?" How do we move forward and what should we be doing?  Take a "peek" at this short vlog about how a seller should handle due diligence.  As always, make sure to reach out should you have additional questions.

Due Diligence for Sellers - YouTube

Hurricanes and the Economy - What's New?

It has been a few months since I have updated the internet world about all things real estate. Things have been very busy since the last post in March! Thankfully, with the help of referrals, friends, family and others, Brooke Cashion and Associates has closed tens of millions in sales since then and I thank you all for your support!

As you are aware, this is shaping up to be a busy hurricane season.  I send my best wishes to all those involved in the Hurricane Harvey storm.  That is a tough situation to see and for them to experience and I send my continued prayers to all of them.  As well, we now are dealing with Hurricane Irma.  The news reports are terrible and I have a very close friend who lives in Puerto Rico but I understand she and her family are ok, thankfully.  I also have friends and family in Florida and I ask for prayers for their safety as they will likely be next for Irma as it then makes its way up the East Coast and if news reports are correct, the Triad of North Carolina could be in her sights.  Therefore, I hope you take some time to prepare.  Here is a comprehensive hurricane preparedness list from the American Red Cross - https://www.redcross.org/images/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m4340160_Hurricane.pdf.  Stay safe out there!

The real estate market has been very good across North Carolina and the Triad area.  Economic and population growth is helping to drive the positive momentum.  We would like to see more job growth like Raleigh and Charlotte, but that will come as the economy continues to grow and our political and economic leaders dig in.  However, we still have low property inventory which is causing us to be in multiple offer situations and quick sales as long as property is priced right and is in good shape.  While quick sales may be good thing currently, inventory really needs to pick up to continue with a strong real estate environment.  If you are looking to sell, now is a great time - send me an email or give me a call.  

I’d like to take a moment to update you on an exciting opportunity that Brooke Cashion and Associates is embarking upon.  I’ve been able to encourage my husband, Jake, into joining me back in the “family business”.  Until recently, Jake was the Director of Government Affairs for the NC Chamber, the state’s largest, broad-based business organization.  It was an awesome job for him where he experienced operating at the highest levels of state government.   He had many successes including leading the changes to the UI Reforms which lead to a $3 billion reduction of debt to the federal government.  He led transportation reforms which is helping to put $2+ billion into the Triad’s transportation network and billions statewide, worked on many tort reforms, tax reforms and numerous other issues that helped position NC to a top-tier state.  However, after much consideration he determined that a future with Brooke Cashion and Associates was the best option for the future of the business and our family.  With his background, he’ll be able to add a ton of experience which will benefit YOU, my client. Some of you may recall that we owned our own firm approximately 10 years ago, until selling it to Allen Tate; so this is certainly not our “first-rodeo” as far as working together. :)

Amy Norman, my rock of an Office Manager, is still keeping things in order and moving along. She is simply awesome. Jake’s role will be to build out our infrastructure and create additional value for you, my clients.  With this addition to the team we look forward to guaranteeing a more fruitful and hopefully prosperous experience for YOU! 

Thank you again for your support.  I send my prayers to those who have been or may be impacted to Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.

PS - I’ve got some great new Brooke Cashion and Associates’ koozies and would love to give you one.  Just ask and it’s yours!

Lunch with Leaders...

This past week the Kernersville Chamber of Commerce hosted it's monthly Lunch with Leaders event featuring Curtis Swisher, Town Manager of Kernersville and Dudley Watts, Forsyth County Manager.  Quite a bit of interesting and exciting information was exchanged starting with Curtis and some of the work the Board of Aldermen have been undertaking as it relates to land and building acquisition.

Future buildings that the town is currently building will update and/or replace buildings and facilities built in the 1960s.  The town is in the process of finishing out the new Public Services building which houses the transportation department along with engineering and other Kernersville public services.  The cost of this project is 5.7 million.

The town recently acquired the old School Tools building on the corner of Mountain and Main and is in the process of asbestos abatement before being torn completely down and re-visioned into a park.  You may have noticed the old Amoco station on the corner of Cherry and Mountain also recently gone.  This will free up the land for potential additional parking for downtown and the Kernersville Museum which is adjacent to the site.

The land beside of Korner's Folly was also acquired by the town in conjunction with the Folly.  This was the lot where high-end townhouses had been approved approximately 10 years ago.  Once this project fell apart, the land remained on the market. Upon further investigation, the town and the Folly felt that this was an opportunity to expand the Folly both in parking and potentially in facility, should the money allow.

Firestation #42 that is currently on Industrial Park will be moved into a NEW facility on the land across the street from OutWest Steakhouse. This land was formerly occupied by a modular home company that has been gone for a number of years.  The cost of this project will be 6.2 million and will continue to improve upon response times and insurance ratings.

Both Curtis and Dudley spoke about the new Kernersville Library which should be completed by 2018.  The current library, which is in a town-owned building is a part of the 2010 Library Bond and will be newly constructed off of Harmon and Broad, behind the Bank of NC.
Anyone with interest in following the bond dispersion can go to www.forsyth.cc/bondtracker

Utility Reference List

Moving has many parts and pieces to remember and we always try to make this process as simple for you and your family as possible...

That being said below is a list of utilities for our area. We have tried to make it as comprehensive as possible but if you see something missing or anything that has changed, please feel free to leave a comment.  

Typically, we suggest calling utility companies a week or so before closing and asking for a TRANSFER for the day of closing as opposed to have utilities shut off and restarted.

Click on the entity's name for a link to their website.

Change of Address
US Postal Service

Electric/Gas            

Duke Energy                      

Piedmont Natural Gas       

Cable/Phone/Internet             

Spectrum                                       

CenturyLink                        

North State                          

Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Residents

Water/Sewer website - WS City/County            

Refuse/Recycling website - WS City                         

Refuse/Recycling website* - Kernersville                

*See WS/FC Water/Sewer for Kernersville

        

High Point Residents

Refuse/Recycling website - High Point                      

Utilities website - High Point Utilities

Greensboro Residents
Refuse/Recycling website - Greensboro                     

Utilities website - Utilities

Rural Refuse/Recycling

Rural Garbage               

Republic Waste     

*updated 04/2019

The "Orphaned Roads" Bill - what is it & why should you care?

Last week, I had the honor of attending the NC Realtors Legislative days in Raleigh. This event is three days of intense meetings regarding issues that effect private property rights, lending practices, real estate practices and property management on a state level. The days consist of meetings with other Realtors across the state, listening to updates on market viability, challenges and opportunities.

This year has been a very positive year for Realtors statewide as our efforts to preserve mortgage interest deductions and halt a tax on services have proven successful. This success translates to a savings of millions of dollars, for North Carolina homeowners.

 There were also several new agenda items that were being addressed this year. One was the “Orphaned Roads” bill. This bill would seek to classify and note roads that have not been taken over by the state for a variety of reasons. These roads could be private or not up to DOT standards. The bill would seek to establish bonding from the developers of future roads for prevention of additional “orphaned roads”. This may not seem like a huge deal to most property owners who live on state maintained roads, but many buyers and sellers realize very quickly that if you do live on a non-DOT maintained road, that this can be a serious hindrance to obtaining a new loan. Lenders require road maintenance agreements for private roads which can be difficult to obtain if all property owners that front the road are not on board or are unreachable. Heirs are sometimes hard to find and one person that does not agree to upkeep can sometimes “kill” the entire deal. Some roads were actually built by developers with the intention of turning them over to the DOT to maintain but homeowners find out years later that the road was not built up to the DOT standards and the homeowners are now left with potholes and no money to make repairs or bring up to today’s requirements. The effort to identify and move proactively forward is one that has been needed for quite sometime and it is good to see the NC Realtors taking the lead.

Our NC Realtors do a great job of staying on top of issues like the one above and so many more that homeowners never see. This is invaluable, as most Realtors and homeowners alike need the assurance that the association and it’s legislative team are watching over their interests and that harmful bills, laws and regulations never see the light of day. Issues such as this are near and dear to the heart of the Realtor community and we will continue to advocate for private property rights and home ownership. If you have questions or would like to know more about our efforts locally and statewide, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.

5 Landscape Maintenance Tips

Spring is here!  

With the trees and flowers blooming or in progress of starting to bloom, I thought I would share a couple quick tips on landscape maintenance.  A home with a well-manicured and maintained home adds quite a bit of value to a property.  It’s also something that could help decide whether someone wants to visit your home while it is on the market. 

Landscape Maintenance Tips:

1. Freshen up beds by laying down new pine straw or spreading new mulch (I’m a fan of pine straw).

2. Apply fertilizer to your grass.  Make sure to spread in a crossing pattern so you achieve an even application.  If your budget allows, it may be worth discussing with a professional.

3. Trim those bushes! Make sure for blooming plants like Camilla or azaleas that the plants have finished blooming.  Make sure to trim after they have fully bloomed but before next year’s buds have started.

4. Trim lower hanging limbs from the trees.  We can all use pruning every now and then to freshen things up. 

5. Plant those wonderfully, beautiful annual flowers! Don’t be afraid to fill those pots up with many different varieties! (you may want to make sure to wait until the last frost which is normally in mid-late April)

These are just a few tips to get your spring off to a great start.  Landscape maintenance is not a chore – it’s a money-maker!

Happy Landscaping!

The time to list your home...is NOW!

It seems that the real estate feeds on the Internet are filled with reasons why you should list your home now. As a matter of fact, Allen Tate marketing emailed a couple of weeks ago asking me to contribute to their own Top 10 list. We are all on board this train right now for a variety of reasons and ones that you should heed if you are considering a move in the next 3-5 years. You may be saying to yourself, “Wow!” I need to plan NOW to move after my kid graduates in three years?” My answer to you is a resounding YES!

My professional advice is that you can do everything in your power to make the move you want to make in three years, THIS YEAR! I can hear you groaning right now and some of you are going to not even read the rest of this post because it seems so impossible. My message to you is simple. If you thought you could save thousands of dollars by moving this year, instead of in 3 years, wouldn't you at least consider it? I know I would. This is why selling today just may be the perfect situation for you and your family.

Rates are still low and this helps you two-fold. One, the buyer and afford more house than they will be able to in years to come as rates go up, which means if you are commanding a top dollar, the buyer may be able to afford to meet your price. Two, it means you can afford more home as well and if you get a lower rate today, than you would in years to come, you save thousands, if not tens of thousands of dollars over the life of your loan.

Inventory is low. Yes, there are homes on the market but there's also a lot of junk still for sale. The inventory is begging for homes that have been well-maintained, are priced appropriately and are ready to go. The sooner you can get on the market, the better. The longer folks wait in the year, the more competition you will see and that will affect your pricing. Also, do all the things your Realtor tells you to do. This is not the time to skimp on freshening up paint, staging or demanding an unrealistic price. This is the time to SELL, so that you can move on to the house you want to be in for the next 10 years and not be stuck in your current home for another 10 months!

New construction is coming back. With that means added competition for you, the existing homeowner. In our area of NC, construction starts have been slower than anticipated, which means you will have time to sell before buyers are lured with sunshiny new bells and whistles and incentives that builders have to offer. Currently, buyers have not had the choice of new construction do the recession, but now, its as if new ares are back on the market and everyone else getting in line to see what will be offered. More new construction competition means lower prices for existing homes. Even if lots are smaller; more neighborhood amenities, interior upgrades and customization will entice buyers from existing inventory.

Historically, Spring is a great time to sell. Families looking to relocation will use the Spring to identify and typically purchase their new home, spending summer adjusting and moving, so that the school year starts with few hitches. Not only does the above reason factor in to typical Spring activity, but we all know that Spring the the Carolinas does nothing but good when it comes to the curb appeal of the home. Who can resist the Carolina jasmine, azaleas blooming around the porch and daffodils and tulips adorning every flowerpot and flower bed around the home? Something about Spring is magical, creation at it's best and all on the backdrop of a Carolina blue sky. (Please do not take this as a UNC compliment as most of you know I am a die-hard NC State fan.) :)

All of this being said, I know all too well, that moving is a daunting and overwhelming task for most. I am currently helping many sellers to ready their homes by connecting them with painters, stagers, handymen and window cleaners. This is a team effort for sure, but the ultimate decision lies in your hands so that you can accomplish what is best for you and your family. As always, I am happy to consult with you, discuss options and plans of attack, and if afterwards we decide this isn't the right time, that's okay too. I look forward to hearing from you and please feel free to post questions or contact me privately for specific inquiries.

Triad Sees Success with New Transportation Policy Passed by NCGA

Prior to the 2015 NC General Assembly legislative session, North Carolina’s transportation network face an uncertain future. Decaying infrastructure had resulted in the 37th worst bridge safety rating and the 2nd highest fatality rating on non-Interstate rural roads of any state in the nation, while growing congestion meant North Carolina drivers spent an extra $6.5 billion annually in additional vehicle operating costs, lost time and wasted fuel – approximately $1000 extra dollars/year for each Triad driver.  To make matters worse, elected leaders had cut and capped transportation revenues on numerous occasions and allowed transfers out of the Highway Fund to pay for non-transportation expenses.  All of this was impacted NC’s competitive business environment.

Sticking with the status quo would have only further constricted the flow of commerce and harm businesses’ ability to compete for new growth with each passing year. Recognizing the challenge, state elected leaders agreed to focus on the state’s transportation network – and funding it with a stable, reliable, recurring revenue source was in order to ensure our fast-growing state will remain connected to, and competitive in, the 21st-Century global economy.In 2015 legislative session, the following was seen:

•  Additional $1.158 billion in transportation revenue availability over biennium
•  $708 million in new, recurring revenue to fund future transportation projects
•  $70 million in port modernization investments to better position North Carolina to compete for global shipping
•  No more revenue transfers from Highway Fund to General Fund, putting trust back in transportation funding
•  Streamlined procedures to ensure effective long-term project delivery over entire transportation network
•  Support for 1.5 million new direct and indirect jobs over the next 15 years
•  Securing a transportation future that keeps North Carolina’s commerce lifelines flowing for decades to come

You may be wondering why this is important to the Triad area.  Many projects will now be advanced forward in a quicker time manner.  One of the more important projects for our region is I-74 or the Northern Beltway in Forsyth County. If you travel around Business 40 in the Kernersville area, you’ll see construction occurring. This project was advanced many years ahead of schedule because of the passage of new revenue and the economic benefits it will yield the region. Also, hopefully the property owners who have been held up with this project will be able to see long-overdue closure. This project alone will generate more than 30,000 jobs for the Triad region and will add over $2 Billion to the state’s economy.  We do not think about our transportation network as important to real estate but real estate cannot function without a strong transportation network. 

This project along with others are very important in creating a dynamic region. Thankfully, we are generating a strong transportation network in the Triad which will help attract, grow and create jobs and therefore a strong real estate economy. 

More information on I-74 can be found here:  http://www.winstonsalem.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/I-74-Infographic_final-web.pdf

Tour de Food - A Fun Way to Experience Winston-Salem

Saturdays in winter are always tough and somewhat deceptive. In my case, if I’m not working, I’m usually up around 8 and hope that Jake has his special French press coffee on it’s way. This is definitely a weekend treat, as weekdays don’t allow for this type of leisure. The deception comes in when you look out the window and see the sun brightly shining and you immediately long for warm summer days, as opposed to what you know will greet you once you step outside—brisk and fresh Carolina air. What to do on a day like today? How do you spend your day if all of the chores are complete, the yard is dormant and in no need of a trim and your kid(s) are out of town? Well, let me give you a suggestion.

Last Saturday, Jake and I, along with two couples decided to take advantage of the Tour de Food, which is a walking tour of downtown Winston-Salem and some of it’s featured restaurants and markets. The tour began at 1:30 at the Jeffrey Adams, which is the swanky sister restaurant of 4^th Street Filling Station. We met our tour guide and proceeded to walk and talk and eat and drink our way through downtown over a three hour period. Stops included Bibbs BBQ, Breakfast of Course, Black Mountain Chocolate, 6^th and Vine and Washington Perk. Each venue offered a sampling of food and drink and included a time for questions and info. We met other couples from the area and interestingly enough, all of us were local to the area. We all agreed that the tour was great for us and would be exceptional for newcomers.

   

After the tour, we proceeded to Foothills Brewery to sample their latest seasonal batch of Sexual Chocolate which was just released that day. The patrons had come from all over the state for a pint of this coffee/chocolaty goodness. We proceeded to dinner at Quatra Basta, which is the newest Italian restaurant in downtown and has the same owner as Spring House, which is just up the street in the old Bahnson homeplace. Delicious wine, delicious specials and fabulous atmosphere. One of our friends commented that it had a “New York” feel, with Triad prices. So true.

My point in telling you about our Saturday, is that Winston has so much to offer, even if you’ve lived and worked here the majority of your adult life. There is always something or someplace new. As I describe to my clients, it’s like a “little” Asheville. Very eclectic and artsy, yet with a sense of place and an undercurrent of traditional values. It’s a super-tolerant town, given that most of it’s original residents were headed to our area from the mountains and other rural areas to form a town built on farming and manufacturing, yet growing today through medicine and education.

So this morning, as I met two of my former clients for coffee and a pain du chocolat at Atelier, which is a French pastry and coffee shop. Amazing find is the best way I can describe this shop. After speaking at length with the owner, Pablo, a graduate of the renowned Cordon Bleu culinary school, you can see why business owners from the Triad are figuring out that Winston-Salem has a lot to offer. Why not treat yourself this holiday weekend and let the city “love on you” a little bit. I look forward to your comments on the best places in town! Cheers!

Falling In Love...

We all know that sometimes love hits us at the most unexpected times. Whether you are falling in love with a new dessert,  a new cashmere sweater or the kid who sat beside of you in English; you know that love can create havoc and lead to irrational decision-making.  The same type of experience can take place when you purchase a home.  That is why it is so important to have a trusted advisor at your side, so that the dreamy feelings of love don't interfere with the rational process of making a solid investment.

There are many reasons to love a home.  The location that tucks you back in the privacy of the wooded cul de sac lot among the autumn leaves or even the slight smell of the wood burning fireplace that reminds you of your childhood.  You can love the thought of cooking in the kitchen and seeing the kids nestled up the bar doing their homework while you cook dinner or you can love that your beloved puppy will finally have a place of his own.  Those feelings and notions can overshadow your ability to look rationally at a variety of factors, such as price per square foot of surrounding similar homes or the fact that there is a major roadway being built close by.

It takes an experienced Realtor, familiar with the area you are looking in to make sure that your decision to fall in "love" is tempered with facts and outside resources to consider.  You may decide that much like that first high school crush, you don't want to be committed to listening to the band practice every night.  These things are important for your long term satisfaction with the home and with the potential for resale.  Talk to a local, seasoned Realtor who is not intimidated to be direct with you and give you the tools you need to not only "fall" in love but to "stay" in love.

Happy Friday Y'all!

Brooke
BrookeCashion.com
336-817-3598

Taking a Turn...

No excuses. It's been a while since I've posted. Almost a year to be exact.  Like anything else, when time is limited you prioritize.  The market has turned and activity has increased tri-fold and that in itself took me away from something that I enjoyed regularly, which was communicating ideas and notions regarding our local real estate market with YOU! So, I'm back!

Just a quick update as to where we stand currently.  Market inventory is still limited. I mean the good stuff. Homes that are priced appropriately and in good condition.  I have buyers that can't find what they want and when they do, we are in multiple offer situations. That means for all of you sellers who are waiting for the right time to sell, that time is NOW.  Rates are great, inventory is limited and buyers are out there for the first time in a long time.

So what have I been up to?  Well, the short story is listing homes.  Our team focus is traditionally on listing homes. Making sure that the homes we are showcasing are priced and positioned appropriately, marketed in the proper channels and that our clients are enjoying an experience that takes them from contract to closing in an efficient and professional manner.  With our range of systems and check-lists in place we believe we are better positioned than any other agent in the area.

We are also working with some awesome buyers! Matching them to homes and going after homes in communities that may not even be on the market yet.  Networking with the real estate community to fit buyers and sellers together and bring them to the neighborhood of their dreams.  Most of the buyers are referrals from past clients and associates across the state and we are so pleased to continue to assist them!

Marketing-wise, I am currently working to update the website to better reflect our community, our services and the experience we bring to the table for each of our clients.  Also, be on the lookout for a video and testimonials that give you a first-hand look at who we are and what we do best.

So it goes without saying, it's been a busy time for us, but I am going to work hard to continue to post on a weekly basis continuing to give you information on our community, real estate and what it means to work with Brooke Cashion and Associates-Allen Tate Realtors.