A busy week for us all – I spent most of my time on the road this week…lots of traveling between Harnett, Sampson and Cumberland but I think I got most of the bases covered. Our office has some ‘good stuff’ closing next week – great new fodder for the appraisers’ files, I hope. Now, if we can get the others Under Contract! That’s where YOU may be able to help – call your friends and remind them the Tax Credit timeline is getting shorter…there’s talk of it being extended but that’s not definite. It IS definite now…why wait? Rates are low, plenty to choose from. Let’s Go!!
We will soon have Northgate Subdivision open – those homes are nearly complete and looking good! Mark your calendars for the weekend of October 3rd and 4th. Our plans are to have them open in the afternoon for viewing – great homes, custom quality by Quest Development, in the $150k price range. If these don’t work for you, come see us about plans…we’ll get something built – choose your own colors! Located on Raleigh Road in Clinton.
One new listing to share …and some price reductions
Reduced $10,000 AND offering $10,000 Bonus to Buyer!!
213 McLamb Road
Coats, NC
$245,900
Reduced $5,000 AND offering $5,000 Bonus to Buyer!!
A reminder of Hopewell UMC Harvest Day - tomorrow, 19 Sept 09, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. Come out for BBQ pork and chicken with all the trimmings. Great food, great fellowship! Plates are $7.00 each, Quilt tickets are $1.00. Proceeds are for community and church projects. Come on out to Vann Crossroads Fire Dept, 4641 Church Road Newton Grove…It’s worth the trip!!
My personal updates…Naylor Reid Higgins, my Grandson, will be One Year Old tomorrow. Time flies!! And Robert Ashley, my son, was voted “Best All Around” by classmates for senior superlatives. That’s fun! We joked about it . . . wonder what the teachers would have voted?! Congratulations!
I guess we will always remember exactly what we were doing when we heard the news of this tragic day…eight years ago today. Let us never forget how quickly a life or lifestyle can change! We put our flags out this morning here at the office – God Bless America!
Here at Naylor Realty, we are planning our Tour of Homes for this upcoming Sunday – Eight homes will be open and the weather is going to be nice. Please come by to visit with us at any of these homes – bring your friends that need a home AND your checkbook. Cash works!
We’ve been closing some homes – that’s great news! As I have said before, it’s been much harder than ‘back in the good old days’ but at least they are closing! We’ve all thrown our Daily Planners away. . .it doesn’t seem to matter which day we had a closing scheduled so we have adapted to the Freestyle Method – it closes when it’s Good and Ready! I even had a cash deal that was delayed two weeks…CASH! It was nearly $200k so I tried to be real patient. . . (I know the feeling of my check being a little short although I am positive that I won’t be writing one for $200k!!!)
Some new listings on the market – and a new one last week that has been negotiated today and sounds like is Under Contract. I wish we were that quick on all of them!
A good visit…cordial with a nice group intent on hearing the ins and outs of our political woes. The Senator gave the insider’s twist on economical situations – brief, informative, enlightening. He reminds us of the power of leverage as it relates to the ‘Bridge’ over troubled waters. In this scenario, the Bridge being the Loans made to corporate America, Troubled Waters being the financial times we are in. In his perspective, this Bridge needs to take us to Sustainable Income that maintains itself after we have gotten to the ‘other side’ rather than a bridge that gets us over but in two years, there’s nothing there to keep us going. (Now, in this illustration, please keep in mind that I have put my elementary twist to it and these aren’t necessarily his exact words but you get the gist… )
Senator Burr touched on Consumer Confidence and made the analogy of the confidence level shrinking in relation to the equity you may have in your home. As your property should depreciate, the less likely you are to be spending on non essential items. This is a reasonable response and we are feeling this somewhat in our area; however, what has been a disadvantage in the past of our property values not appreciating as they have in other nearby areas, we now are for the most part, holding our values. I have had more than one fight with an appraiser that wasn’t giving a value that I thought was justified – you see, I work in several other market areas and knowing what other areas do, I wanted Sampson county to get some of that same pie…but now, while some of those areas had farther to fall, we are hanging on. Of course, there are some areas of exception… (oh yeah – maybe I should apologize to all the appraisers I have had fights with??)
And now, I am trying to remember what he was relating to when he said the lady was in the grocery store at Thanksgiving – as she searched in the frozen department for a large turkey, she asked the young man working nearby if the turkeys got any bigger. He replied, “No ma’am. They’re dead.”
With that, I am signing off – Have a Great Weekend!
Senator Richard Burr will appear in Sampson County Friday, April 17, 2009, to address local citizens, community leaders and business owners. Burr will speak about the state of the economy and talk about how agri-businesses will play a role in the recovery of the economy.
There will be a brief Question & Answer session following Burr's address.
WOW is all I can say to the Facebook Phenomenon! As a recent new member, it seemed like a great tool in this rural area to get ahead of the curve and begin a new marketing technique. It’s perfect…I hooked up with lots of people that I haven’t seen or heard from in over thirty years – Presto! They just showed up! And tons of youngsters that are friends with my children. Not sure why they added me as a friend…is it because I am ‘cool’ or because they felt sorry for me?? I’ll think about that tomorrow…
But the biggest BANG of all happened over the weekend. One of my brokers, Stephen Strickland/Fellow Facebooker, had a massive stroke on Thursday. Not realizing the significance of his situation, I guess we poo-pooed about it – you know, just thought it was a simple problem and he would be home soon. You see, he was talking (can you say Fighter?) and behaving very much unlike a stroke victim. In fact, the hospital was so casual about his situation (did someone say the hospital was treating him for a virus instead of stroke??) that the family decided to move him to a larger hospital for further testing. Hospital #2 told him that it was a ‘massive stroke’ and it was amazing that he could talk, see, anything…Then, it gets very serious. A quick Air-Lift to another facility and a little surgery to reduce swelling later, he has maintained the fight. Good on commands – squeeze my hand, wriggle your toes, open your eyes, etc… and still fighting!
This is where Facebook comes in to the story again. Saturday morning after receiving the air-lift story and knowing how seriously ill he was, I created a quick “Group” for Stephen and sent it out to all my people asking them to join…and pray. They did. And they sent it to two people and so on and so on. Now, Stephen has over 700 members in his “Praying for Stephen Strickland – Naylor Realty” group and it’s growing steadily! The prayers and posts are coming in from all over the place – some of them know Stephen, some do not. And it doesn’t matter – they are praying and that’s what we need! Literally overnight, Stephen's situation that was virtually unknown to the local area was broadcast and spread like wildfire! Stephen AND Facebook are both amazing us all!
Thanks to everyone that has joined and shared it for others to join! Keep the prayers coming – Stephen’s not out of the woods, yet. He’s just a youngster at 36 with two young boys, ages 3 and 6. More prayers, please!
For Facebook patrons, join the Group, “Praying for Stephen Strickland – Naylor Realty”
Going through the various news articles…some weird things going on out there!
What's up with the Auto Bailout Plan and money going to Chrysler?? Not a top pick in regards to consumer selection. Not a top pick in regards to quality per Consumer Reports…In fact, the overall top car manufacturer is Honda with Toyota and Subaru not far behind. In fact, Chrysler did not have even one vehicle in the report. What's worse is there weren't any Jeeps or Dodges, either. Yet, taxpayers have already given four billion dollars to help them recover and they want more! To the tune of another five billion.
In their "Plan," they suggest that they will eliminate several styles and eliminate 3000 jobs along with several other moves to correct their pathway. And their repayment of this loan would begin in 2012. Are they going to still be around in 2012??
With Chrysler being in low demand, management skills that have been less than desirable in the past (how long ago was it that Chrysler originally went into bankruptcy??) and their next looming D-Day of March 31st, it seems reasonable to back away from this sinking ship and let it go. You say, "Yeah, but what about all the employees??" OK, if we have five billion to hand out, split it up among the employees! Or pay their home mortgage for a year while they find a new job. Send them to tech school to educate them for another job. My crazy ideas are endless…..
OK, I have messed up…..again! Nothing to do now but try to figure out an answer that will correct.
It’s a short but sad story – Puppy Mill near Newton Grove was giving ALL the dogs away. That’s right – Giving. I suppose they were in the cross-hairs of the Puppy Police, who had coincidentally closed another nearby ‘farm.’ After being primed already from the news stories regarding the 300 dogs and pups up for adoption, I hear the news of the local location and the Free For All and head out the door. Most of the ‘good’ dogs were gone, maybe twenty five or thirty dogs left. And they weren’t looking so swell. These were the main brood dogs – sort of ridden hard and put up wet. Old Moms, worn out Dads and some reject pups that had some sort of problem.
One of the Old Guys, a tiny white poodle, shaved hair of course – this little doggie didn’t get the fancy haircut. And weighing in at about three pounds - Max. That’s the one I wanted – and the guy there told me this little dog would need some tender care…to say the least. It just so happens that I was going to be gone the entire next day and night so surely couldn’t take him home but thought he would still be there, old and broken down, when I returned.
You guessed it – he was gone. All of them were gone. Which brings me to the obvious question…Who got the little white Doggie?? I had already named the little fella. His name would have been Pops. With a new name, new home and a ton of money at the vet, I was on the way to having a great little dog that definitely needed rescuing. This note is to whomever out there may have gotten this little guy…have you changed your mind?? If so, please pass him on and I promise I will take over. If you are still hanging in there, maybe let me know how it goes and how he’s doing.
I really had fallen for that guy – and can’t seem to shake it! Every Single Day – I wonder about that dog…HELP!
Well…it’s been a WEEK! I know I am not the only one trying to get ahead of the TAX TIME Game. Our taxes are due at the end of February so it’s been Game On for me. Any of you that have tried to contact me…thanks for allowing my delayed responses! My appointment was this morning with my trusty accountant, Jim, and I am back into the real world.
The big BUZZ is how we are being affected by the HomeBuyer Tax Credit. I have the short version here, for your reading pleasure… Here's our take on the Stimulis Bill and Treasury announcements made last week. We look at the Stimulis package AND the Treasury's package holistically, in compliment with each other - mostly because that's how the Obama team is looking at it. The Association of REALTORS Board of Directors asked in November to do 4 things (with an unspoken but clearly understood mandate to PRESERVE what we already have). Here they are: 1) get loan limits raised for high cost areas, 2) make the $7,500 tax credit NOT a loan, 3) try to find ways to push interest rates down (which are higher than they should be due to systemic risk right now) by 200 basis points, and 4) help provide solutions to the foreclosure/short sale problem.
So here's what we have achieved: 1) the loan limits will be raised to $727,000 in high cost areas, 2) the tax credit will be raised to $8,000 with NO payback [a true credit], 3) interest rates have come down 125-150 basis points, and 4) the bill has over $50 billion in it for foreclosure mitigation.
In addition, we preserved what we have - which some tend to forget is always on the table when these negotiations start up again - mortgage interest deductability, real estate tax deductability, and the $250,000/$500,000 cap gains exclusion (an overall package worth more than $100 billion and for some a very attractive funding source for their pet projects).
We did make a run at the $15,000 credit -- and we would have loved to have gotten that or the Homebuilders $22,000 credit idea as well as their 5 year loss carryback deal, but they were considered too rich for this program. What it did do though is totally take the debate off of whether a tax credit should be reinstated at all (it expired last year) and whether it was a true credit or a repayable loan, and kept the conversation on how much it should be. It also kept the debate off of 'what we are willing to give up to get a $15,000 tax credit' and kept the debate again, on how much it should be. It's pretty hard to complain when they give you what you ask for and you lose something you never had.
For more of this Fun Stuff, check out this Chart – it gives the ins and outs of the whole deal. Take a look and call me if you have questions. Or…if you want to buy or sell!
Be sure to check out our website – updated regularly with our new listings and price changes. One Major Price Reduction – 184 Mar Joy in Plainview area – reduced a quick $16,000 to $159,000. Excellent Value!
Well...how many ways have you heard "The News?" It has gone from Housing Bubble several years ago to the onset of Foreclosures. Then we had the Fannie Mae collapse - here comes the collapse of some of the largest and oldest banks in US history. OK - then Bailouts and Stimulus Packages. Throughout this process, there have been a lot of changes in the thought process of the average real estate professional...and some agents have moved on to a more "stable" career.
Is it time for a change for me?? How about Catering? I love to cook...not sure about the cleaning up afterwards. A quick story - at my first Agent Open House, I had the best food. . . and dessert to die for! A fellow agent, Ralph, told me if I ever gave up real estate, I could go into catering! That was a LONG time ago! Well, not long ago for an event at our office, I got the opportunity to have some fun again! With requests for the recipes and phone calls asking who catered the event, I think we will take that as a compliment! Time for a change?? Not yet - I don't want to give up on real estate until I have it Right. Changing before that is called quitting - and Real Estate is not for Quitters!
A recipe to share - at Sherri's request (she thinks we need a recipe page on our website...I like that idea. Check back on that - it may happen)
Parmesan Pasta with Asparagus
1 lb Penne Pasta Bacon, cooked and crumbled. Or Hormel Real Bacon (2 cups +/-) Fresh asparagus 1 red onion, sliced thin 1 cup shredded parmesan 3T butter 2 T Olive Oil Salt
Directions:
Cook pasta in sauce pot with salted water.
While pasta is cooking, cut Asparagus into ½ inch pieces, julienne Red Onion, Sauté veggies with olive oil until tender.
When pasta is cooked, strain water and mix with butter, parmesan, veggie mixture and bacon.
This is also great with fresh vegetables - broccoli, tomatoes.
The secret to this recipe is use BUTTER, not margarine. And REAL parmesan. Of course, lots of bacon makes everything good.
What a fun and silly week – started with a holiday, ended with snow and lots of down time in between. And now, it’s over!!
I am using a different approach to the Update this week – while we are off to a GREAT START!! withTen Scheduled Closings already in place and lots of action in the market, Naylor Realty has nothing new on the market this week. I encourage you to check out last week’s newest property at 225 Chapman Royal Road if you want 13+ acres, pool and pond! An exclusive One of a Kind home listed at $575,000!
If you have spent too much time trying to catch up from the holiday, snow delay, other…and not enough time having fun, check out this “Joke”. I promise, you WILL laugh out loud. I am not sure my Trainer will appreciate the humor (sorry, Leigh…), but it is hilarious. And, Yes! I laughed out loud!
Have a fun weekend, call if there is anything we can do for you.
Joke of the week…
A WOMAN'S WEEK AT THE GYM
If you read this without laughing out loud,
there is something wrong with you.
This is dedicated to everyone
who ever attempted to get
into a regular workout routine.
Dear Diary,
For my birthday this year, my daughter
(the dear) purchased a week of personal training
at the local health club for me.
Although I am still in great shape
since being a high school football cheerleader
43 years ago,
I decided it would be a good idea
to go ahead and give it a try.
I called the club and made my reservations
with a personal trainer named Belinda,
who identified herself
as a 26-year-old aerobics instructor
and model for athletic clothing and swim wear.
My daughter seemed pleased
with my enthusiasm to get started!
The club encouraged me to keep a diary
to chart my progress.
MONDAY:
Started my day at 6:00 a.m.
Tough to get out of bed,
but found it was well worth it
when I arrived at the health club
to find Belinda waiting for me.
She is something of a Greek goddess -
with blond hair, dancing eyes,
and a dazzling white smile. Woo Hoo!!
Belinda gave me a tour and
showed me the machines.
I enjoyed watching the skillful way
in which she conducted her aerobics class
after my workout today.
Very inspiring!
Belinda was encouraging as I did my sit-ups,
although my gut was already aching
from holding it in the whole time she was around.
This is going to be a FANTASTIC week-!!
TUESDAY:
I drank a whole pot of coffee,
but I finally made it out the door.
Belinda made me lie on my back,
and push a heavy iron bar into the air,
then she put weights on it!
My legs were a little wobbly on the treadmill,
but I made the full mile.
Belinda's rewarding smile
made it all worthwhile.
I feel GREAT-!!
It's a whole new life for me.
WEDNESDAY:
The only way I can brush my teeth
is by laying the toothbrush on the counter,
and moving my mouth back and forth over it.
I believe I have a hernia in both pectorals.
Driving was OK
as long as I didn't try to steer or stop.
I parked on top of a GEO in the club parking lot.
Belinda was impatient with me,
insisting that my screams bothered
other club members.
Her voice is a little too perky
for that early in the morning
and when she scolds,
she gets this nasally whine
that is VERY annoying.
My chest hurt when I got on the treadmill,
so Belinda put me on the stair monster.
Why the heck would anyone invent a machine to
simulate an activity
rendered obsolete by elevators?
Belinda told me
it would help me get in shape and enjoy life.
She said some other crap too.
THURSDAY:
Belinda was waiting for me
with her vampire-like teeth exposed,
as her thin, cruel lips
were pulled back in a full snarl.
I couldn't help being a half an hour late -
it took me that long to tie my shoes.
Belinda took me to work out
with dumbbells.
When she was not looking,
I ran and hid in the restroom.
She sent another skinny witch to find me.
Then, as punishment,
she put me on the rowing machine --
which I sank.
FRIDAY:
I hate Belinda more than any human being
has ever hated any other human being
in the history of the world.
Stupid, skinny, anemic, anorexic little witch.
If there was a part of my body I could move
without unbearable pain,
I would beat her with it.
Belinda wanted me to work on my triceps.
I don't have any triceps!
And if you don't want dents in the floor,
don't hand me the stupid barbells,
or anything that weighs more than a sandwich.
The treadmill flung me off,
and I landed on a health and nutrition teacher.
Why couldn't it have been someone softer,
like the drama coach or the choir director?
SATURDAY:
Belinda left a message
on my answering machine
in her grating, shrilly voice,
wondering why I did not show up today.
Just hearing her voice
made me want to smash the machine
with my planner;
however, I lacked the strength
to even use the TV remote,
and ended up catching
eleven straight hours of the Weather Channel.
SUNDAY:
I'm having the Church van pick me up
for services today ~
so I can go and thank GOD
that this week is over.
I will also pray that next year my daughter
(the little brat) will choose a gift for me
that is fun --
like a root canal or a hysterectomy.
I still say if God had wanted me to bend over,
he would have sprinkled the floor
with diamonds!!!
and we look forward to a better market outlook for2009!
Rates have never been lower and inventory never better…
Now’s the Time!
Wishing you health, happiness and prosperity in 2009!
Call your Full Time Real Estate Professionals Today!
www.NaylorRealty.com
Hello to All!
Hope you are off to a great start for 2009 –
I have had a few computer problems but it could be worse …
I could NOT have a computer! So, it is OK!
North Carolina real estate market is not as vibrant and active
as many of us would like for it to be but it is still MUCH better
than many states around the country.
In an effort to help set the record straight, the
NC Association of REALTORS has compiled this list of
information. Take a moment to read the info below
for some interesting facts, talking points for your next
dinner party! Interesting …
FORECLOSURE FACTS
¨In November, North Carolina reported a 30 percent decrease in foreclosures compared to November 2007 as well as a 13 percent decrease compared to October (2008).
¨N.C. recently ranked in the lower half of the states (31st) in a national ranking of foreclosure rates.
¨North Carolina’s state-chartered banks are better equipped than their national peers to handle loan losses, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Collectively, the banks’ reserves for loan losses equal 87.6 percent of noncurrent loans and leases.
ECONOMY
¨North Carolina’s population rose 2 percent during the past year, making it the nation’s fourth fastest growing state in 2008.
¨Three of the five best-performing real estate markets in the nation for the first three quarters of 2008 were in North Carolina, according to Zillow. Those markets were Jacksonville, Winston-Salem and Burlington.
¨The UNC Charlotte Carolina Economic Forecast has predicted growth should begin in the second quarter of 2009, with the gross state product in the quarter advancing by 1.4 percent.
HOMEOWNERSHIP
¨The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) has estimated that a one-percentage point decrease in mortgage rates will increase home sales by more than 500,000 homes. As of the first of the year, mortgage rates were at a 50-year low!
¨The average price of a home, comparing November 2008 to November 2000, has increased 17 percent.
¨The coastal city of Wilmington was named among the top six markets in the nation to show the most positive net home values in the past five years.
¨NAR’s affordability index jumped to 131 at the end of 2008, up 17 percent from 2007 figures. The index indicates that households earning the national median income have 131 percent of the income needed to buy the national median-priced house!
"It's time to sell," you tell your spouse. How you approach the Selling Process is critical in this market. You may think that you are well versed on what the market will bring - you know, because you spoke with your neighbor (who's cousin just made a purchase), or maybe your hairdresser mentioned that she also has a REALTOR(R) client that talks a lot during her hair session...and, of course, your home is nicer than any others in the area. You have newer carpet and fancy wallpaper, maybe just painted with decorator colors (and wrote a big check to the decorator!)
All that is nice, but may not make your home any more valuable. Maybe more marketable, sure, but not necessarily worth more. To the appraiser, who, by the way is the ultimate decision maker, wall paper is wall paper and paint is paint. His or her approach will be this, "Will the market actually PAY MORE for this paper than the other?" If the answer is "NO", then no additional value is given. Will a buyer PAY MORE for fancy landscaping or exotic plants? Probably not. Again, increases marketability - the house will look good and likely sell quicker but not for more than the market supports. At the end of the day, when a interested buyer comes along with an offer on your home, the Lender will require the appraisal in order to be sure the bank's interest are covered - they are NOT working for the seller. And the house is still only worth what the house is worth.
But, "Let's start high and see if we can get it." Sure, you can try that - but you are also sabotaging your sale. If it's priced too high, it may scare potential buyers away. They never look at the home - and when Mr/Mrs Seller have exhausted themselves and move the price down to something reasonable, those Buyers may have already made a purchase. They are gone from the market arena. You have to also know that many buyers that are working with REALTORS(R) will have information on the market via MLS data, other sources - if a home price is skewed out of proportion, both the buyer and the REALTOR(R) may simply disregard the home and cut it from the list of possibilities right from the beginning. You never even have a chance at those...With the help of professional services a REALTOR(R) can provide, decide on a reasonable market range of your home. Add a little for good luck, if you'd like. But keep it reasonable. And, if a viable Buyer comes along, work real hard to make the deal stick. Now is not the time for the Sellers to play "Hard Ball." Don't worry, it's OK - the market is very cyclical. Sellers were in the driver's seat for a long time. It's the Buyer's turn...
Does all this mean that as Homeowners, we can't have the simple enjoyment of fancy wallpaper and new carpet? Can't have fun picking out "cool" colors for our home? Of course not! It does mean that as we make improvements or updates, we keep in mind that these improvements are for US! Just like buying an extra pair of shoes - you didn't need them but you WANTED them and made the purchase. Wear them, show them off to your friends, love them! But at the yard sale, they are just used shoes.
Great News!! This is worth the few minutes to read. Be sure to click on the FAQ link below regarding income limits - you might be surprised!!
Bush Signs Housing Rescue Law
President George W. Bush signed into law a bipartisan housing stimulus bill today that is expected to bring greater stability to housing markets nationwide. The bill, strongly supported by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, will help some 400,000 home owners refinance into affordable, government backed loans and offer a temporary first-time home buyer tax credit, which is expected to serve as an attractive incentive to buyers and help reduce the high inventory of homes currently on the market. Homebuyers will soon have access to more affordable financing and for the first time buyers (or those who have not owned a home for three years), there is a tax credit to help them enter the market. This is a major victory for consumers and our nation! Please scroll down to see other info…
For more details on all of the provisions in the new law, please use the link below.
The new bill will affect a great number of people - if this doesn't apply to you, please forward to someone you know. Sooner or later, everyone needs a home!
Isn't summer the best? Certainly my favorite time of the year, especially if you have a 4 year old who desperately wants to go outside every free chance. We went to the beach last week - Anna has a hard time understanding why her mom and Annie need to check emails or answer the phone. If she had it her way the fancy blackberry would have been the sharks snack.
She had some important business to handle-SURFING! Anna's take on surfing and the young guys with the long surfboards differ. Her surf board is about 3 feet long and sometimes she likes to be pulled on it. . . Others refer to this as a boogie board. Regardless of it's correct name, she was very serious about getting out to the water AS SOON AS POSSIBLE everyday- to catch the waves.
A tropical storm was hovering Saturday. I was nervous to go out that afternoon, afraid the water was too rough, but in the spirit of a true surfer, Anna knew it was the best day to catch some waves. She was right. The water was perfect! Anyone looking for pointers feel free to contact us. (FYI she can surf in a swimming pool too!)
Lucky for me the phone is still safe and it's back to the real world. We worked alot that week-but with such great views it sure didn't feel like it! We are lucky to have a fantastic group of co-workers, attorneys, appraisers and others who were ready to help with any situation while we were gone. The break from the desk/home for a week is truely inspiring to me. I can't wait to get back to work, refreshed and focused. Ready to help sellers find buyers and vica versa! Also, thanks to all our Sellers and Buyers - from the entire group at Naylor Realty, I can say that we appreciate your confidence in us! We Love our Job!
We are beginning the second half of what was just recently the beginning of a new year! The national news has given us little reason to be optimistic about the housing market focusing a great deal of effort on the foreclosure market, inflated home prices, the realignment of the lending industry and more. Now, we have stepped into another level of turmoil by the collapse of California-based Indymac Bank. The FBI fraud investigation is ongoing to determine whether false information was given, including bad appraisals and bad underwriting – and all these combine to create the second-largest bank failure in US history.
How does this translate to our local market? Sampson County housing market, for the most part, is still steady and strong. With the media frenzy of overpriced homes, we must remember that these reports are more specific to vacation areas including California and Florida. Excellent values are available across our local market – we have enjoyed a relatively steady appreciation and our home prices are well below surrounding areas of the beach communities and Raleigh – Triangle market. Loan programs have been restructured and potential buyers may be required to have a higher down payment. It is critical for buyers to be aware of the consequences their credit scores and work history.
Although our market has slowed a bit, we are experiencing a tremendous amount of activity. Inventory is high and rates are low. Now is the best time to begin! Speak with a lender, get finances in order, do whatever credit repair that may be necessary and contact a REALTOR® to begin your search for a home. An experienced REALTOR® can guide you through the process and be ready to help in many ways – from choosing a lender, locating a home and helping you throughout the closing process.
These tips, modified from the National Association of REALTORS®, are provided to help in your search of a new home. Happy Hunting!
1. Find a real estate agent who you connect with. Home buying is not only a big financial commitment, but also an emotional one. It’s critical that the REALTOR® you chose is both highly skilled and a good fit with your personality.
2. Remember, there’s no “right” time to buy, just as there’s no perfect time to sell. If you find a home now, don’t try to second-guess interest rates or the housing market by waiting longer — you risk losing out on the home of your dreams. The housing market usually doesn’t change fast enough to make that uch difference in price, and a good home won’t stay on the market long.
3. Don’t ask for too many opinions. It’s natural to want reassurance for such a big decision, but too many ideas from too many people will make it much harder to make a decision. Focus on the wants and needs of your immediate family — the people who will be living in the home.
4. Accept that no house is ever perfect. If it’s in the right location, the yard may be a bit smaller than you had hoped. The kitchen may be perfect, but the roof needs repair. Make a list of your top priorities and focus in on things that are most important to you. Let the minor ones go.
5. Don’t try to be a killer negotiator. Negotiation is definitely a part of the real estate process, but trying to “win” by getting an extra-low price or by refusing to budge on your offer may cost you the home you love. Negotiation is give and take.
6. Remember your home doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Don’t get so caught up in the physical aspects of the house itself — room size, kitchen, etc. — that you forget about important issues as noise level, location to amenities, and other aspects that also have a big impact on your quality of life.
7. Plan ahead. Don’t wait until you’ve found a home and made an offer to get approved for a mortgage, investigate home insurance, and consider a schedule for moving. Presenting an offer contingent on a lot of unresolved issues will make your bid much less attractive to sellers.
8. Factor in maintenance and repair costs in your post-home buying budget. Even if you buy a new home, there will be costs. Don’t leave yourself short and let your home deteriorate.
9. Accept that a little buyer’s remorse is inevitable and will probably pass. Buying a home, especially for the first time, is a big financial commitment. But it also yields big benefits. Don’t lose sight of why you wanted to buy a home and what made you fall in love with the property you purchased.
10. Choose a home first because you love it; then think about appreciation. While U.S. homes have appreciated an average of 5.4 percent annually over from 1998 to 2002, a home’s most important role is to serve as a comfortable, safe place to live.
OK, you all agree. It’s time to move – Your current home is too small or large, you’ve experienced a job change or relocation. Maybe you just don’t like where you are…Whatever the reason, there are a lot of details that need to be addressed if you want this transition to be a smooth one. Utilities, school systems, postal service and more, you have a lot of decisions ahead of you.
If you are buying, let’s start at the beginning: What are you qualified for? And what is the bank going to require from you in the purchase transaction? You may have a general idea but the only way to find out this critical information is to go to your local lender – your current bank is the best place to start. You are comfortable there, you can ask the questions you may have about the loan process and you can learn the amount you can spend. Don’t stop there! Should you shop around for the best rate and loan program? Sure, there are a lot of different programs – find the right one for you. And you should feel very comfortable with your lender. Do they seem knowledgeable and have the answers you need? If not, were they quick to get back to you with information? This is important – you need to have a good viable relationship with your lender.
Qualifying will also let you know how much “cash” you need to have at closing. Closing costs are typically the Buyer’s expense and will be needed in the form of cash. That amount, along with your required down payment which is determined by your type of loan and credit, is needed at closing. Knowing this information will help when it comes time to begin your home search – you know what price range home you need to be viewing and, once you have located a suitable property, you will know how to negotiate your offer. This is the time to ask the Seller for help – rather than cutting the purchase price, you might consider asking for help with your closing costs. You may be able to get this seller concession that provides you with some of the needed funds at closing, possibly keeping your funds available for the new furniture and window treatments!
For Sellers, have you CLEANED your home? I mean Really Cleaned? Does the front door sparkle? Cat or dog odors inside? These things really DO matter! Take the time to walk through your home with a critical eye as if it’s your first visit. Ask a (honest!) friend to accompany you. What do you see? Replace broken window panes, light bulbs that no longer work, sort and pack unused items in the closets. Buyers want to look in cabinets and closets. Most people are inspired by orderliness and cleanliness; if your closets are clean, clothes sorted according to color or style and floors free of shoes and other items, you send the message that you are “in charge” of your life which also means that you have kept your home in order. Kitchens and bathrooms are critical – clean countertops, put all items neatly away leaving very little out. Don’t forget the papers and miscellaneous items on your refrigerator! You may need to pack some of your personal pictures and rearrange furniture for the best flow. I know – you like your chair over near the television for convenience but it obstructs the view and flow of the room. Remember, you are trying to make this home work for someone else – your wishes need to be secondary for this short time of marketing.
Take a weekend and work in the yard. You know that hole in the backyard that your dogs dug? Fill it in! Throw away broken and unused children’s toys. Add some nice potted plants near the porch, pool or deck – make it a space that invites people to be there. Ultimately, that is what you are trying to do – you are hoping that your home presents itself in such a way that another family feels welcome there and wants to make your home, their home!
Whether buying or selling, you may enlist the help of a REALTOR® to get the full benefit of their professional knowledge of the market and what it has to offer. With access to the Multiple Listing Service, you have the advantage of knowing all properties that are available, either as a possible home choice for buyers or as competition for the sellers. A full service broker can make the process a simpler one. I hope that this article will provide a few pointers that are helpful in getting started.
If you've driven by the office this week you have probably
thought to yourself...."What's up with the Flamingos?"
What better time to tell our Buyers & Sellers how much
we appreciate their business and support than Valentine's? ~AND what better way to communicate the message than through Flamingos? Flamingos have been in our family for a long time. An aunt loves them, and always collected them for herself-and when her house was overflowing she started collecting them for us! Why would't you love flamingos~they are pink, they are very quiet animals and unless the wind blows them over-they are no maintenance!. We will continue to use them to send messages to the public! We're going to have fun with it! Stop by and check them out. Also, come on in and let us show you our new listings! We have listed several unique properties in the last week: a home with 10 acres, a home with water views and a full furnished home!
We hope you have a great week~Happy Valentine's Day!
As we begn a new year, we can begin with the Responsibility of Accountability. Often, we have plans, ideas, intentions of moving toward a better lifestyle - whether health, family, work or otherwise. But, let's face the truth - until we take ourselves seriously and create a certain level of commitment, we are sure to fall short.
Let's start off right! Where do we begin? Great question - but it is my thought that we begin within. And consider not making the promise too large. Small hurdles are easier to clear with our sights always on the next. If your plans are for better health and excercise, why not just plan to simply get outside for a quick walk or just 10 minutes on the treadmill. Don't fool yourself into promising to lose 50 pounds - how about, "Just lose weight" The goal is tangible and as we succeed, we are likely to be encouraged to continue for more satisfaction.
What are your goals? I am unsure that I have vocalized mine; however, a better work ethic is one that seems important to me. Work smarter rather than harder. Better organization skills need to be applied to my daily activities. Maybe it is possible that I spend a bit too much time looking for that file than actually working on that file! There's more where that came from. . .
Ann E. Naylor 
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