My New Blog

Buyers did you know that there is a deadline to receive your $8000.00 from Uncle Sam?

December 1st 2009 is the deadline for all the paper work to be completed.  Which means that you should have everything in the works by October. To qualify for the $8000.00 tax refund a buyer must spend at least $100,000.00 on a new home.

Banks and mortgage companies are back logged with processing refinancing documents; therefore to allow enough lead time in order to close before December 1st it is advisable to have all your information and documents in your lenders hands in October.  One must consider that there will be a lot of buyers trying to meet the December 1st dead line and not enough staff to accommodate all the applications.  Attorneys will also be busy.

My best advice is to work with a realtor as soon as possible to find your dream home.   Rates are very good right now and tax refund is a great incentive.

Money from the government!  Yes that's right. If you have not purchased a house in the last 3 years you could be entitled to some money from Uncle Sam.

With the lowest interest rates in years and the tax stimulus it is a great time to buy a home.

There have been a lot of misconceptions about the new house stimulus package.  The information that I have is that you will receive 10% od the cost of the house from the U.S. government.

Currently there are many homes to choose from or locations on which to build.  Considering all these factors; loan rates, tax bonus, and current selections of homes  it appears to be a good time to invest.

Wow savings on appliances! The North Carolina Realtors Association has partnered with Sears and I received great savings on appliances through this program.  I went to a local store to preview the appliances that I needed and then called the Sears commercial division in Raleigh.  The sales consultants were very helpful and patient when I inquired about differences in products and pricing. I purchased all my kitchen appliances and a water softener. 

Another great aspect of the Appliance Select program is that you can offer this service to your clients!  I don't believe anyone will refuse a program that can save them money!

This program also includes lawn and garden equipment, exercise equipment and mattresses at special member pricing.

Many thanks to NCRA for this partnership

Ok some say I'm brave!  I say good time to invest!  Yes I am building a new home and yes I've done this before but without the perameters that I have presently.

It has been a challenging experience.  Of course I want all the upper end choices for fixtures and appliances, but I found that I can achieve the same appearance with moderate priced fixtures.

The frustrating thing has been working with sales people that do not know their product and have no expertise in the area that they are currently employed. Locally small owned businesses tend to be have more knowledge, and provide more personal assistance, but there are people in larger companies that have been well trained and have experience.

I will give you an update as things progress!

Wow!  It Snowed on the Beach. This was so much fun. I just want to share some pictures.

I know that many of us are questioning current economic conditions and seeking methods to market our expertise.  One important thing to consider is diligence.

The first thing that comes to mind when considering diligence is commitment.  If you are committed you will be diligent. That means that you are dedicated to accomplish a task that you have undertaken and this requires your persistent, personal attention inorder to complete your task. 

Also to be diligent means you are putting forth a constant, earnest effort to accomplish your goal. To be zealous in your endeavor is also an admirable work ethic.

How do you define customer service?  Generally I judge customer service on a few specific entities. First of all the person should show genuine interest in my needs giving me some options and selections.

I think that most us can tell the difference between a person who is interested in your request and and not their own agenda.

Secondly I want the person working with me to have knowledge about the product that I am interested in or at least be willing to expeditiously provide the information that I need.

Honesty and courtesy is a quality that I expect in customer service.  Recently I was getting bids on a personal project and asked the bidder several questions concerning his expertise; apparently he did not like my questions and gave me a disrespectful answer.  Consequently I did not use his service.

It does not cost anything to be polite!

What is teamwork?  There are two definitions that I particularly like.  The first; people working together cooperatively. The second, joint action by a group of people, in which individual interests are subordinated to group unity and efficiency: coordinated effort.

Like most of us I have been in work environments that promote team effort and others that are "out for self."  Needless to say I prefer to work with people that are willing to share their experience, skill and knowledge. Of course I realize that this is a reciprocal proposition.

Each of us have diverse talents and knowedge along with experience.  Doesn't it make sense that two heads are better than one, or when you need a favor that I may need help with something later on down the road? This concept seems so elementary but not everyone thinks along these lines.

Recently our office won a monetary prize only because of a group effort.        Way to go EXIT!

Reminds me of a song from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.  If we work together we can make our dream come true.

Merry Christmas!

December at the Crystal Coast; Wow! I didn't realize how much there is to do.

The Festival of Trees starts December 1st at the Civic Center.  There are 50 trees and musical performances.  This event benefits Hospice.The Arts and Crafts Coalition Holiday Show and sale also begins on Dec. 1st.  A great place to shop for the gift of Art; includes pottery and jewelry.  This event is located in the old New and Times building on Arendell Street.

There are 3 parades!  One in Beaufort on Dec. 3 at 4 pm; Newport on Dec. 7 at 3 pm; Morehead City on Dec. 13 at 11 am.The Train Show located in the old Train Depot in Beaufort on Dec.5-7 for the young and young at heart.I highlighted just a few of the events taking place in December but lets not forget that there are events at the N.C. Aquarium, the Core Sound Waterfowl museum in Harkers Island, the Christmas Flotilla at Morehead City and Beaufort waterfronts, the Jamboree Holiday show and the wonderful bazaars sponsored by local churches.

Come join in on the FUN at the Crystal Coast in the month of December!