It’s time to start thinking about how to make your home stand shoulders above the rest if you are planning to sell in 2008. However, don’t make unneeded repairs for which you won’t be able to recoup the improvement costs. The most important concepts of making your home salable are to give the appearance of being neat, clean and spacious.

Remodeling magazine found that homeowners could recover 83% of the cost of a minor kitchen remodel at resale compared with 78% of a major kitchen remodeling. Therefore, logic suggests that you replace a countertop if it’s crumbling but not if its only fault is having an outdated appearance. And, there’s no need to update to granite unless the competition has granite countertops as well. (more…)

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This one-of-a-kind lakefront lot is truly unique within the Malone Bay community. It is one of the most desirable, if not the most desirable lot among the few remaining properties with waterfront access to W. Kerr Scott Lake.

Malone Bay features 18 lots at W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir. 14 are Lakefront and meet private dock requirements. This is a gated community with Lots ranging from 2.3+- acres to 6.8+- acres On the Hwy 421 side of the lake just off South Minton Road, Wilkesboro, NC 28697

Main Channel Views.
300 feet of waterfront.
Dock with boat slip and 2 jet ski slips.

2.86 acres.

MLS Number: 51155
List Price: $359,000
Lot Size: 2.86 ac.
Apx Acreage: 2.86
Type: Waterfront
Area: Area 2
Suitable Use: Residential

Topography: Rolling
Utilities: Underground Utilities
Road Frontage: Private Road
Restrictions: yes
Water/Sewer: Public Water
Miscellaneous: 1-5 Acres
Location: Malone Way

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search for : Malone Bay, W. Kerr Scott Lake, W. Kerr Scott Dam

United States banks are losing billions of dollars from the mortgage debacle. As credit woes threaten the broader economy, investigators are trying to determine whether Wall Street investment banks bundled risky loans with good ones without properly disclosing such risk to investors.

Law enforcement officials are scrutinizing whether banks and mortgage lenders helped fuel the crisis by misleading investors about dicey housing assets and then covered up losses when the markets turned sour. Many of the bank assets that diaappeared were explicitly marketed as involving borrowers with troubled credit histories, alerting investors that they were high-risk bets. (more…)

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Being that we all use or kitchens more during the holiday season, most kitchen remodels begin as soon as the holidays end. That’s usually when the taste of antiquated appliances, fixtures, cabinetry and odd-colored finishes are still fresh in everyone’s mind.

We will all probably agree that the kitchen is the single most complex room in our homes. So justifiably so, we need to be sure to study each and every aspect as thoroughly as possible before you spending a dime on the remodeling project. (more…)

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MSN is featuring a fine article entitled “Find a superstar real-estate agent”. Presented in a time-line fashion, the article details steps a prospective homeowner might fine useful in selecting the “right” agent for their home purchase or sale.

In fact, the difference between an average real-estate agent or a superstar can mean thousands of dollars in the pocket of a consumer. It can mean selling a home for top dollar or losing the house of dreams to a more organized buyer. (more…)

The amount paid in local and state property taxes in the country increased 50 percent from 2000 to 2006, according to Census data cited by some U.S. Congress members when discussing the topic. During that time, inflation rose 17 percent and median household income dropped 2 percent. Local governments and states leaning more heavily on property taxes to meet revenue shortfalls and rising home values pushing up assessments.

Homeowners only know they have to find a way to pay the bills and are pressuring their legislative leaders to do something. At least five states this year cut property taxes and 21 tried to provide homeowners relief from higher bills, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. In 2008, more legislatures are expected to try to find solutions to rising taxes. Congress has gotten involved through proposals that would allow people who don’t itemize to deduct all or portions of their local or state property tax bills from their federal income tax. (more…)

search for : property tax, cut property taxes

“Green Building & Remodeling for Dummies” by Eric Corey Freed may be the perfect give for the house or condo owner that 1) is interested in doing a bit of remodeling and 2) leans towards protecting our environment.

The book is a step-by-step guide to every facet of this earth-friendly method of construction. Building with eco-friendly materials involves designing and constructing buildings and homes to reduce energy use, conserve water, improve indoor air quality, and reduce reliance on nonrenewable natural resources.

Eric Corey Freed teaches sustainable design at the Academy of Art University and the University of California, Berkeley. He sits on the board of numerous environmentally focused nonprofits and museums. (more…)

search for : eco-friendly, reduce energy use

$5,850,000

MLS Number: 50913

City: Valle Crucis, NC
Stories: 2
Bedrooms: 4 Baths: 4.5
Area: Boone-Blowing Rock, NC
Year Built: 1990
Plus Five fully furnished 1,400 sq. ft. Rental Cottages. Each built in 1996 on approx. 1/2 acre sites. Current cottage average annual rental income $150,000.

39.4 acres with 360 degree view of Blue Ridge Mountains.

5,200 sq. ft. main house built in 1990 on 1.24 acres.

No restrictions and no zoning offer many other options:

* Family compound
* Corporate retreat
* Religous retreat
* Horse farm / Dude ranch
* Recording studio
* Cottages can be sold separately
* Land can be further subdivided if desired

Contact Elizabeth Carter, 336.973.5594 or Greg Stikeleather, Broker, 704.880.5247 or email eacarter@charter.net

click here for more information

search for : Valle Crucis, NC, Blowing Rock, NC, Blue Ridge Mountains

This Christmas season, there’s a backlash brewing against over-the-top holiday displays. With community associations ramping up holiday decorating contests and manufacturers pitching an increasing variety of yard decor some homeowners and cities have had enough.

Disgruntled neighbors complain of everything from traffic to wasted electricity. In some locales, people called for the city to crack down on loud music or decorations that linger after holidays. Police in some areas of the country even report that the growing number of blow-up Santas adorning people’s yards are targets for stabbing and other forms of violent deflation.

Police in some areas are also saying that the large inflatables — which can range from 4 to 12 feet tall — are attracting the attention of vandals who like to poke holes in them and deflate them. (more…)

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The Energy Policy Act of 2005 specifies federal tax credits for homeowner who make energy efficiency upgrades to their home or condo. Consumers employing energy efficient products in their homes enjoy multiple benefits. At home, these benefits include lower home energy bills, increased indoor comfort and reduced air pollution.

The energy-efficient products eligible for federal tax credits lower the amount of federal income taxes that these taxpayers must pay the IRS. However, consumers don’t receive an income tax credit when the product is bought, like an instant rebate. Rather, those purchasing certain energy related items can claim the credit on their federal income tax form at the end of the year. The credit then increases the tax refund received or decreases the amount of tax owed. (more…)

search for : Energy Policy Act of 2005, income tax credit, federal income tax

The U.S. Department of Energy indicates that those who heat their homes with heating oil could see heating costs rise 25.6% this winter, compared with last winter. Those who use propane could see their costs rise 20.2%, and those who use natural gas could see a 10.7% rise. As a result, people who have put off home improvements to keep heating costs down are taking steps to indentify their property’s energy loss areas.

To help homeowners lower their heating bills, Energy Star recently released an online tool, the Energy Star Home Advisor, which can help homeowners decide which improvements to make. Consumers enter information including their zip code, how the home is heated and the type of water heater in the home.

The tool can be found at nergystar.gov. (more…)

search for : U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Star Home Advisor

The Charlotte NC housing market is booming as jobs continue to outstrip the supply of homes. The U.S. Department of Commerce ranks Charlotte number one in 2007 in its affordability index for cities with population between 400-thousand and 1-million. Housing permits have skyrocketed year after year. In 2006, residential building shot up 33 percent to more than 18-thousand single-family and apartment units.

The inventory of new homes on the market remains relatively lean and building moratoriums in some surrounding areas are keeping a relatively tight lid on new supply. Even though Charlotte is one of the nation’s largest financial centers, the city has largely escaped a direct hit from the housing slump and mortgage market troubles.

(more…)

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Some buyers perceive this slow market as an opportunity to secure a bargain priced home. The inventory of unsold listings continues to grow giving buyers more choice than is the case in a hot seller’s market when listings sell quickly. In a high-inventory market, there are usually fewer multiple offers so buyers can cut a better deal with the seller. However, it pays to be careful about what property is bought and how it is financed.

Buyers, particularly those that have never before owned a home need to give careful consideration about financing the purchase. If at all possible, stay away from mortgages that have short due dates and balloon payments. If the market stays soft for longer than anticipated, a mortgage holder doesn’t want to be caught having to refinance at a time when the property might not appraise for the price needed to complete the transaction. (more…)

search for : bargain priced home, mortgage, balloon payment

Christmas is the time for giving. For that avid do-it-yourselfer on your holiday shopping list, nothing says holidays gifting than home improvement tools. Just some of the items you might consider are listed in this article in order of price. All are well worth considering.

One of our favorites (from personal use) is the DeWakt 18V Compact Drill/Driver Kit. This item features a compact size that fits into the tightest conditions, a lightweight design (5.2 lbs.) to minimize user fatigue, high performance motor delivering maximum power of 380 unit watts out, a dual speed range: 0-450/0-1,500 rpm delivering optimal performance and comes with a 1/2″ single sleeve keyless ratcheting chuck for a tighter bit grip. (more…)

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Beautiful Wilkes County NC Timber Frame Home and Mountain Property.

MLS Number: 51166, List Price: $898,500

2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, 2 half baths, 2 car attached garage, full basement, and a barn on 5 acres of land.

These terms are used to describe thousands of homes and yet some things just can’t be described, they have to be experienced. This is one of those homes that really has to be seen to be appreciated.

This majestic Timber Frame home of the Bob Timberlake genre is not just another house, it provides a feeling of home that is not about walls and floors and windows and doors. It creates a feeling of the flow between your outdoor and your indoor environment that is seamless. Everywhere you look there is a view. Everything you touch feels natural and beautiful in a way that cannot be described, only owned.

Contact Elizabeth Carter, 336.973.5594 or Greg Stikeleather, Broker, 704.880.5247 or email eacarter@charter.net

click here for more information

Wind turbines have been popularized by those who lived outside the range of local utility lines. And, residential windmills have been used by those who wanted to live completely off the grid. With reductions in their size and cost, along with improvements in their efficiency, recently engineered installations are allowing suburban homeowners to install them in growing numbers. With concerns over rising energy costs and global warming driving the demand, energy from the wind is all in vogue. (more…)

search for : Wind turbines, residential windmills

For some ten years now, the Internet has been a huge resource for new and pre-owned home buyers. With increased use of broadband services, more recent websites allow house hunters to screen prospective neighbors, evaluate school districts and see how members of the community rate a street’s Internet connectivity and cellphone service. With “opt-in” email reminders, Internet users can receive alerts when houses list for sale or when a registered sex offender moves to the area.

Using services from sites like trulia.com, Internet users can enter a city, town or ZIP Code and see a listing of every home for sale, sortable by price, address, number of bedrooms or bathrooms, broker or type of home. Searches can be by location, size and property type.The site’s home-comparison features allow prospective buyers to locate that dream home by a seemingly endless combination of search criteria. (more…)

search for : house hunters, screen prospective neighbors, evaluate school districts, dream home

It’s always a good idea to hire someone to inspect the home during the buying process. Across the United States, those independent contractors call themselves “home inspectors” and are almost licensed on a state-by-state basis. Home inspectors sometimes prefer to work alone. However, if asked, the inspector should allow the prospective homeowner to observe the actual inspection process. After all, a consultant cannot consult when no one is there to listen. And mailing a report after the inspection does not provide adequate explanation of inspection findings.

Although buyers have the right to insist on their own presence at the inspection, they cannot forbid sellers from remaining in their own home when the inspection is taking place. Some sellers willingly leave for a few hours; some remain home without involving themselves in the inspection; and still others become actively involved in the process, engaging the buyers in lengthy conversations or shadowing the inspector every step of the way. (more…)

Those neighborhoods of high density homes are marketed as an affordable way to own a single-family home. Many new and young, first-time buyers love the freedom from yard work and the sense of old-fashioned community. However, there are potential risks to buying into some of these communities. The most dangerous of which is the chance that a fire could spread within an instant from one home to the next. Research done by the National Fire Protection Association in 2004 sheds some light on the issue. The lab tested how quickly fire spread between two mocked-up exterior walls six feet apart, typical of developments where three-foot setbacks from property lines are required. In the government test, it took three minutes and 42 seconds from the fire’s start for flames to break out a window. Then, in just 80 seconds more, flames leaped across the six-foot divide and ignited the neighboring building. (more…)

search for : high density homes, National Fire Protection Association

In an ideal home the utility room, also by some called the laundry or mud room is a place for the washer and dryer, a place for wet and dirty clothes, a convenient place for muddy boots and chore jackets and a catch-all for other objectionable objects. Most of us have such a place in our home. Many of us wish that this multipurpose room could do even more with more efficiency. Here are a number of suggestions that allow this room to function even better. (more…)

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The decline in property values, homeowners relocating after bankruptcy, and dwindling revenues from investment portfolios are causing local governments major headaches. It’s easy for a typical consumer to understand the revenue angle directly attributable to the first two, but what many fail to realize is how poor investment decisions from local officials can affect the services taxpayers receive for their tax dollars.

Nearly every state runs some kind of government investment pool offering city, county and state governments a seemingly reliable place to park their cash. Government officials say these funds are attractive because they offer better yields and lower fees than the typical bank account. Many of these funds are invested in subprime-related securities.

The consequences of a government fund losing money can have a direct impact on local counties, towns or schools. Over time, a municipality might have to raise taxes or cut spending if it loses access to some of its cash. Governments inability to withdraw funds from a Local Government Investment Pool can even cause a school district to bounce checks to its vendors in order to pay its teachers.

Finance experts say the situation is nearing epidemic proportions as the subprime mess gets worse.

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search for : decline in property values, subprime-related securities, raise taxes

Beautiful Wilkes County NC Log Home and Mountain Property.

MLS Number: 50863, List Price: $359,900

Bedrooms: 3, Full Baths: 2, Half Baths: 0, Est Total SqFt: 2600, Type/Style: Log Home, Area: Area 6, Middle School: Cntrl Wlks, High School: Wlks Cntrl, Construction: Log

Foundation: Combination, Roof: Metal Roof, Floors: Carpet/Hardwood/Tile, Garage/Carport: None-Garage, None-Carport, Interior Features: Master Bedroom, Main Level, Large Master Bedroom, Walk-In Closet(s), Hardwood Floors, Fireplace(s), Great Room, Exterior Features: Double Pane Windows, Wooded Lot, 1-5 Acres, Hot Tub, Subdivision: N/A, Lot Size: 2.47, Apx SqFt: 2600 – 2800 SF, Basement: None

Contact Elizabeth Carter, 336.973.5594 or Greg Stikeleather, Broker, 704.880.5247 or email eacarter@charter.net

click here for more information

When thinking of remodeling your second home or condo forget the pricey add-ons, unless you are bringing it up to modern standards by adding a second bath to a one-bath house, or a third bedroom to a two-bedroom house. Instead, stick to inexpensive cosmetic upgrades, like new paint and siding. For kitchens and baths, buy stock cabinets and faucets, rather than custom, and stay away from items that are easily damaged, like glass vessel sinks and fragile chandeliers. I also suggest purchasing mid-range rather than top-of-the-line appliances. Should you decide to sell buyers don’t expect the same levels of quality in casual second homes that they do in primary ones, though they do appreciate having everything fresh and new. (more…)

search for : remodeling your second home

The last thing you need is an expensive, unseen surprise after purchasing your home. Unfortunately, most things that can go wrong with a house most often result in major expenses. Replacing a hot water heater, will cost you $600 or more. Or, if you have to replace your furnace or central air conditioner, you could spend twice that amount. Even seemingly small problems, such as burst pipes, badly wired outlets or cracked paint, can have a major impact on your budget. That is why it’s so important for home buyers to have a professional home inspector do an thorough inspection of the house from foundation to roof, including all the mechanical systems. (more…)

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Prospective home buyers look at your home for the outside and decide within the first 15 seconds if they are interested in buying. Yes, the clock starts ticking at the curb, even before the buyers enter your home. Smart sellers make their home more appealing by “staging” their home. Staging means making a home as appealing as possible, as quickly as possible, to the broadest clientèle possible. Staging takes some time, effort and a bit of money. Unlike decorating, staging is all about paring personal decoration. Because the driving idea behind staging is to let people imagine themselves living in your home, staging presents an appealing “blank canvas” from which the buyer can envision adding their personal decorating touches. (more…)

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Mortgage rates have fallen precipitously with rates on 30-year mortgages dropping to the lowest level in more than two years. Freddie Mac, a stockholder owned corporation chartered by Congress, has reported that the 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages averaged 6.10 percent. That was down from 6.20 percent and was the lowest rate since the week of Oct. 13. 2005, when rates stood at 6.03 percent. Two factors seem to be driving-down the rates 1) increased worries that a severe slump in housing and a continuing credit crunch could drag the economy into a recession and 2) the recent turbulence in stock markets, prompting many investors to rush to the safety of U.S. Treasury securities, driving down the yields on bonds. (more…)

search for : Mortgage rates, 30-year mortgages

Visit your local home building center and you will l probably be surprised at how the different styles and variety of doors currently available. Add to that the thousands of possible door styles, sizes and jamb combinations you find in the catalogs and you quickly discover that there is an overwhelming number of choices. Those in the market for new and replacement doors are confounded by the seemingly endless variety. One of the most common (and least expensive) is the hollow core door. This type has two flat or formed panels on the outside faces, which are attached to a wooden frame around the door’s perimeter. Inside the door, between the perimeter frame pieces, are pieces of wood, cardboard or other material placed on edge to help stiffen the panels. Hollow-core doors are used for interiors only, and are less expensive than solid-core doors. (more…)

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