Anyone building or remodeling a home these days would be crazy not to make it as energy efficient as possible. But what’s most energy efficient isn’t always what’s most cost efficient: The tough part is figuring out the point where the return of lower energy costs will offset the up-front expenditures on newer materials and techniques.

As we consider what kind of insulation to use in our home, we’re struggling to figure this out. Heating and cooling account for 50% to 70% of the energy used in a typical home, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. And much energy and money is wasted when air leaves or enters the house because of poor insulation.

click here for article

search for : energy efficient, lower energy costs

At over 3,000 feet elevation, this community is famous for it’s abundance of North Carolina Christmas Tree farms. Laurel Springs is a vacation and retirement paradise with motorcycle riding, hiking, canoeing, fishing, swimming, mountain biking, horseback riding, skiing, golf and much more.

With both the the New River and Mt. Jefferson State Parks nearby, visitors to Laurel Springs come to experience cool summer breezes, spectacular mountain scenery and outdoor recreation.

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

click here for more information

There is some good news on tap for anyone involved in acquiring, rehabilitating and reselling foreclosed houses: The Federal Housing Administration is temporarily waiving its “anti-flipping” rules and will now insure mortgages on properties that have been owned by the current seller for less than 90 days. The policy change opens up a potent resource, the red-hot FHA fixed-rate mortgage program, to investors and property disposition companies looking to move houses quickly off their books at a profit.

The idea, according to FHA Commissioner Brian Montgomery, is to help get rid of the “glut of foreclosed and abandoned homes” now burdening large numbers of neighborhoods around the country. FHA’s 90-day policy slowed the process down. But at least until June of 2009, when the temporary waiver expires, it should no longer be an impediment.

click here for article

search for : anti-flipping

The entire development also features underground utilities. The lots are clustered around a “dead-end” cul-de-sac on a private road. Currently, the owner is offering $10,000 cash rebate to buyer!

Driving directions are 421 North from Wilkesboro NC towards Boone, turn left on South Recreation Rd., then right on Rocky Point Rd. Look for the sign at Nicole Ln., then turn right on Jacob’s Way.

W. Kerr Scott Lake is 1500 acres with 50 miles of shoreline and is controlled by the US Army Corps of Engineers. It is clean water with good fishing and is excellent for boating, kayaking, skiing, and swimming. The property is surrounded by National Parks. Wilkesboro NC is a beautiful community and town with friendly people. It is located just 40 miles east of Boone NC and Blowing Rock NC and one and a half hours northwest of Charlotte.

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 : Jacob’s Ridge, W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir, W. Kerr Scott Lake, Wilkesboro NC, Boone NC, Blowing Rock NC

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

For some real estate agents, these are the best of times. For those that specialize in selling foreclosed properties. it’s one of the few booming sectors in a deeply troubled housing market.

Agents specializing in bank-owned property often have more work than they can handle. More than 1 million homes are in foreclosure, the highest number ever recorded, the Mortgage Bankers Association said last week. Agents are signing up in droves to join the National REO Brokers Association, which focuses on real-estate owned properties, as foreclosed homes are known.

Selling foreclosed property doesn’t require any special licenses, but it does take connections, coordination and cash. It’s hard for newcomers to break into the business since banks tend to list homes with agents they know or those with several years of experience.

click here for article

search for : foreclosed properties, REO Broker

87.5 +/- Acres Available For Residential Subdivision Mountain Development, 7 miles from West Jefferson, NC

Paved Road and Bridge Built To State Specifications.

Average of $23,000 per acre.

This Property Should Retail For Approximately $50,000 to $60,000 per acre.

ALL PROPERTY HAS LONG RANGE MOUNTAIN VIEWS

Contact Greg Stikeleather, Broker, 704.880.5247

or

email Greg at grstike@charter.net

click here for more information

Home repair experts say that we homeowners will have at least one water damage experience in our lifetime. Mitigating the damage both to the home and the pocketbook depends on the actions taken immediately after the water damage occurs.

The effects of water damage can be tremendous, damaging areas that aren’t even visible. When the water does damage the home, obviously, it gets everything wet and by everything I mean porous materials such as carpet, the padding underneath your carpet, hardwood floors, drywall, the actual wood-framing structure of the house, and insulation that’s inside the walls. All of those things are porous and accept water when it comes in.

click here for article

search for : water damage

The beautiful water front home is located in a private community with spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It has a double deck boat dock, an enclosed boat garage and a private ramp to launch your own watercraft. The home was built originally in 1972 and totally renovated in 2002. A four car detached garage was built in 2002.

There is a total of 264 ft. of water front. Beautiful three tier sea walls accent this elegant home. Hard wood and tile floors, modern appliances and vaulted ceilings are only a few of the amenities that capture you with this home.

Private dock permit.

List Price: $1,800,000
Flexibility: Willing to finance
Acreage: .75 acres
Type: Waterfront

Floors: 2
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 4
Sq. Footage: 3700
Garage Size: 4.0
Year Built: 1972, totally renovated in 2002
School District: Nebo

Suitable Use: Residential

Topography: Rolling
Road Frontage: Private Road
Location: Lake James, Burke County, NC

Amenities: Waterfront, Fireplace, Central AC, Alarm, Wood Floors, Gas Range, Patio, Wheelchair Accessible, Nature/Bike Paths, Boating, Controlled Access, Spa/Jacuzzi

click here for more information

search for : Lake James waterfront home, Blue Ridge Mountains, Lake James, Burke County, NC

Banks are delaying deals that could save everyone, including the lenders themselves, a lot of time and money. Lenders are taking much longer than necessary to approve short sales, according to some short sale specialists.

In a short sale, a homeowner who cannot keep up with their loan asks the lender to take a dollar amount less than what is owed on a home’s mortgage, and forgive the remainder of the unpaid debt. So if a borrower has a mortgage balance of $100,000 and finds a buyer who will pay $95,000 for the house, the lender agrees to accept that $95,000 and close out the loan.

he difficulty in getting short sales approved stems from the same hurdles facing all the other foreclosure prevention efforts. The fact that the majority of mortgages are pooled and securitized makes it hard to get approval to change the terms of the mortgages.

click here for article

search for : short sales