Greensboro Triad Real Estate Blog: North Carolina

Zipping To A Great Adventure In Greensboro NC

My youngest son and I went to visit Kersey Valley Ziplines yesterday.  I was thrilled to find so much to do there.  As one can see on Kersey Valley’s website they have a lot of things to do.  They of course have more then a few ziplines.  As a matter of fact the complex spans 55 Acres and with over a mile and a half of cable stretching around the complex they have one of the largest zipline facilities in the world.   

It is one of the safest attractions that I have ever experienced also.  I was very impressed at the attention to detail on safety.  After getting our harnesses on we were giving a brief but, entertaining video on safety at the “Flight School”.   We then met our Flight Captains.  There are two Flight Captains with each group.  The first captain would go across on the zipline to receive us and one would stay in the rear to send us off one at a time.  I am already planning our return trip.

Kersey Valley is also the proud owners for the last couple decades Spooky Woods a Halloween Spooktacular Adventure.  The Corn Maize is a popular fall attraction also.  Then the newest attraction that is really doing well is Kersey Valley Laser Tag outdoor arena.   Believe me my sons are already planning our next trips.  One for Lazer Tag, one for the Ziplines, and the next for a surprise that I heard is possibly coming in the spring Off Road Segeway tours.

Merry Christmas To AllHome Buyers in The Triad of North Carolina 

Merry Christmas to all Home Buyers in The Triad of NC and to all a good night.  This is the line that pops in my mind as I think of the present buyers market and all the favorable situations that welcome home buyers at this moment.  

For starters the interest rates are still historically low.  I personally had a buyer last week lock in a fixed rate of 3.75% on a 30 year mortgage.  This is their first home!  I was happy for the double digit percentage interest rate that I received decades ago when I bought my first home.  

Unfortunately the next part of this blessed situation is that the inventory of homes is still high.  The inventory directly affects the price and strength or weakness of the housing market.  If the inventory (amount of homes that are for sale) is high then following traditional economic theory the demand is low since there is so much to chose from.  However,  The inventory level of homes for sale in the Triad of NC is dropping.  In the last year the inventory level has dropped by a third.  There are news stories of builders switching from building new homes to building apartment buildings.  So as the homes being sold are not replaced and there is not as much new construction coming onto the market the inventory will continue to fall.  When the inventory reaches a level of six months the housing market in the Triad will begin to turn to a seller’s market and prices will start to rise.  Now all indicators are leading towards this eventually coming to pass.  There are no guarantees and frankly I personally threw out my crystal ball years ago.  So while all we can see is the present and now is a very good time to buy a home. 

LET US HELP YOU REDEFINE YOUR HOME SEARCH with our LIFESTYLEHOME SEARCH!

That’s right you can now find ANYTHING that matters to YOU in Greensboro, NC!  You can now search for where your favorite coffee shops are (let’s say Starbucks) and then a 1/2 mile radius.  Then how about a 4 bedroom & 2 bathroom home for less then $250,000 in town and let’s say I love to go to movies so show me a 1/2 radius around the movie theaters.  Well VIOLA here you go!

This search will change everything about how you search. 

You can now pull up data on schools, see school zones, you can tell what the student to teacher ratio is at that school.  There is SOOOO MUCH data here you do not need to look ANYWHERE ELSE!  Setup your own searches and save them email links of a search to someone else and they can see what you see.  We will be coming back soon to tell you so much more.  

Believe me I cannot pull this kind of information out of our agents system.  So if you are looking for a home in the Greater Greensboro NC area you definitely need to search for your home here.

Home Buyers Don’t Miss The Boat!

That is right yet another blog about why you should buy a home now if you are even considering it. You need to understand the actual facts that are creating a “perfect storm” situation for buying a home.

First of all interest rates are at a historically low level. Just for an actual example I had a buyer (a young woman, a nurse) qualify and lock in her interest rate to buy a home at the amazingly low interest rate of 3.75%! I am sorry but my jaw dropped when I saw that email that we got her locked in for her mortgage at 3.75% FIXED RATE. That is right this is not an adjustable rate (which they will give you a low teaser rate for the first few years). The interest rates have not been this low in well over a quarter of a century. So if you think you are going to ride this out and then buy later you will most likely be paying a much higher interest rate. As I was speaking with a Vice President at a local bank last week he told me that I should get rid of any variable rate debt. In other words any debt that the interest rate is not fixed. They are saying that by 2013 the interest rates will be in the double digits which is over 10%. That means even if the market stays depressed you will be paying much more for that home over the course of your time in that home.

Secondly as we have all seen the housing market is still slightly depressed in the pricing sector. HOWEVER, remember that real estate is an EXTREMELY regional business. For instance our market here in Greensboro, NC is much better then say the market in Las Vegas, NV. Here in North Carolina most of our markets did not take such a bad hit as many of the nationally reported markets that the national news media love to report on. In relation to the housing market there is one factor that is rapidly changing the landscape. The inventory of homes for sale is dropping. It is very surprising how many homebuyers are flooding the market. I have spoken with agents & brokers all over from in our own market here in the Triad of North Carolina (Greensboro, High Point, Winston-Salem) and we are all surprised at how busy we are with so many buyers emerging over a short period of time. I have even hired extra agents to handle the influx of buyers.
Well all of these buyers are buying up the existing inventory of homes available for sale. Well for those students of economics (Thank you Dr. Bebensee my Economics Professor) this is effecting the Supply and Demand Curve. To put it simply as the supply goes down the demand will go up! So as the demand rises so will the prices.

In real estate how we determine when our market starts to turn is when our inventory levels are at a 6 month supply. Over a year ago we had over 15 months of inventory on hand. How we arrive at this figures is simply taking the number of homes sold in a given thirty day period and divide it into the number of homes presently for sale. Just to satisfy your curiosity we have less then 9.8 months of inventory. So just remember as that number continues to decrease the demand/price of homes will be affected.

The moral is: This “Perfect Storm” for homebuyers is coming to an end so don’t the boat!

So Do You Really Want To Sell Your Home?

I have been working with some buyers that would love to buy a “mini-farm” with some land and a barn for their horses.  

Now granted that really narrows down the selection when you go from a 3 bedroom & 2 bathroom home to the same with at least 5 acres, pasture land, and a barn.  Now in the same frame of mind as a seller of such a property you really narrow down your market share of buyers since many do not consider a horse a pet that that would like to keep at home.  So with that in mind and if you had someone attempting to make an appointment to see your home would you consistently turn them down.   My buyers have asked to see this home and we have tried on four separate occasions.  We have given as much as 72 hours notice.  Each time they have declined our appointment.  Then on the last attempt the seller notified the appointment desk to tell us there will be no more appointments until otherwise notified.  I have sent emails to the listing agent asking for an explanation or if the home is still for sale or not.  Silence.

If you truly wish to sell your home you must make it as available for buyers to see as possible.

The appointment you turn down could have been the buyer you could have had that day.  I cannot tell you how many times I have taken buyers out and when our showing appointments are declined (after giving at least 24 hour notice) the buyers take it as a sign that the sellers are not motivated to sell so they will not negotiate.  

Set realistic showing instructions and for goodness sake NEGOTIATE

*If you are still living in the home you are selling then set realistic instructions for your agent and whomever is making appointments.  Tell them how much time you need before any showing. 

*Yes you will have those inconsiderate agents that will drive by your home and call as they sit out on the curb to see if they can view your home.  Just be prepared for that.

*Just remember that if you ask for two hours notice straighten up then if you keep it clean  you will not need to clean up.  

*Don’t forget to negotiate hey it is real estate everything is negotiable.  So if they want to come in one hour and you need more time ask if they can come in an hour and half.  Do not just blindly turn away a potential buyer offer a compromise.

Let these buyers know you are motivated to at least open the doors to working out a mutually beneficial deal.  As long as you keep the doors of communication open then the chances of you achieving your goals of selling your home have a greater chance of coming true. 

This blog was first posted at http://totalcarerealty.net/so-do-you-really-want-to-sell-your-home/

I Love to Get Compliments on My Agents

I just recieved an email from an agent at a local "big box" firm about one of my agents that they just had a cross deal with.  I can remember it since it was one of our listings from one of Valerie Schaffer's investor cllents.  

Valerie has been a great addition to our team and as time fly's by I am reminded that in a few months we will be celebrating her one year anniversary.  I am sure it is going to be interesting to see the differences she points out between her first year here at Total Care Realty and her last year at her previous "big box" firm.  

For now we are just glad Valerie is part of the Total Care Realty family.

So You Want to Sell Your Home In Greensboro North Carolina

First of all we need to determine if you really do want to sell and what is your motivation?  Are you looking to Downsize?  Maybe you have been relocated with your job?  Whatever the reason if you really want to sell your home then we will need to focus on the basics first.

• De-clutter your home.  You are wanting to move anyway right?  So go ahead and pack up most of those knick-knacks, maybe even take out some furniture.  You need to clear out some of your possessions.  

• Neutralize your color scheme.  Lighter colors will make a room look larger.  If you like bright colors that is fine but in order to appeal to the largest group of potential home buyers you need to offer them a blank canvas they can make their own.  Just think if you walked into a room that was deep purple on one wall and blood red on another with black carpet.  Now this is a bit of an over dramatization but you can see how that would be a turn off to you and would taint your image of that home.   Why do you think all those builders always have neutral colors in their homes? 

• Clean up the yard place some fresh pine straw or mulch in the beds.  A minimal costs to put a great cover on this book.  Remember as much as we preach not to judge a book by it’s cover it always happens.  

• Now lastly I want you to do a little test.  Simple and while many of you may not be able to remove those blinders that keep you from your home with a unbiased set of eyes some of you will.

1) Go out side you front door and shut the door. 

2) Close your eyes and imagine you are walking into someone else’s home

3) Write down the first thing you see.

 My question to you is what did you see an item in the house, a picture on the wall, or a piece of furniture that you noticed first OR was it a feature of the home; perhaps the crown molding, some beadboard paneling, a chair rail, maybe a beautiful hardwood floor?  

You see?!  Did you notice your possessions or did you notice the home?  We are trying to showcase and show off the home not your personal possessions.  That is unless you are planning on giving them away with the home?

So if you are ready or wanting to get ready to sell your home and would like a team of professionals that are dedicated to their clients.  We pride ourselves on going above and beyond normal practices and earning our title of Personal Concierge Realtors®

I will freely admit that I got the idea for this posts from our very own Debe Maxwell the Realtor® Queen of the Queen City Charlotte, NC. 

This blog was originally posted on Totalcarerealty.net

New Price On This Short Sale Deal in Jamestown North Carolina

This home has a new lower price given to us from the bank.  So come and see this great home for some lucky, savvy buyer and take advantage of this great deal.  The bank says bring us an offer on this short sale home and let’s make a deal!

The home is very close to all kinds of brand new shopping and not far from Greensboro or High Point.  The neighborhood is great and the cul-de-sac the home is situated on is like a large extended family with their own holiday traditions. 

New Marketing Approach Going Forward 2011 December Blogging Challenge

Today I picked up some new signs with our all new designs for our future marketing push.  We are focusing on tying all our marketing together going forward into the new year.  Total Care Realty, LLC is recreating ourselves in a new image and all our marketing is coming together.  The website is up, our Facebook business page has had a facelift, and our NEW SIGNS are in!

You can see a dramatic difference between the old:

Versus the all new signs:

This new signage should help us sell our clients homes with more visibility.  We have already gotten feedback (before the signs even left the sign shop!) from other agents.  Our sign maker revealed to me that other agents were already commenting on how great our new signs are.  

So starting today we will be phasing the new signage into the Greensboro, North Carolina real estate market and then out into the surround markets as we take delivery of more of the new signs and can replace the old.

Greensboro’s Art Comes ALIVE With Our Many Live Theaters

The Triad Stage working strong on their 11th season has been working on a great line of plays with some ongoing Christmas traditions.  From wonderful swingin’ musicals to a comic fantasy the Triad Stage has it all.  The Triad Stage has also been selected as on of the 10 most promising theaters that has come into being in the past 15 years by the American Theater Wing.  They have great pricing and with their Season Pass prices you can enjoy some of the best live performances around for a very reasonable price.  

Some of the upcoming Holiday Productions are:

A Christmas Carol; by Charles Dickens adapted by Preston Lane

November 25th thru December 24th

The Santaland Diaries ; by David Sedaris adapted by Joe Mantello

December 6th thru December 23rd

For the full theatrical schedule and pricing visit Triad Stages website by clicking on the link:  The Triad Stage

The Community Theater of Greensboro stage is always a great fun filled event for the whole family.  For example being welcomed to the venue by passing by the Wicked Witches guards for the production of the Wizard of Oz at Castle McCulloch.  The community theater always goes all out to make your experience one to remember.   While the crew has taken off December for the holidays with will be coming back in February with Driving Miss Daisy.  The remaining 2011 - 2012 season will have;

Driving Miss Daisy;  by Alred Uhry

February 10, 11, 16, 17, and 18 at 8:00 PM

February 12th and 19th at 2:00 PM

Avenue Q; Music and Lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx

Book by Jeff Whitty

March 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 29, 30, and 31 at 8:00 PM

March 18, 25 and April 1st  at 2:00 PM

Mulan Jr. ; Music and Lyrics by Matthew Wilder and David Zippel and Stephen Schwartz and     Jeanine Tesori and Alexa Junge

Music Adapted and Arranged and Additional Music and Lyrics by Bryan Louiselle
Book Adapted and Additional Lyrics by Patricia Cotter
Based on the 1998 Disney film Mulan and the story Fa Mulan by Robert D. San Souci

May 11, 12, 17, 18, and 19 at 7 pm
May 13 and 20 at 2 pm

The Open Space Cafe Theatre is now in their 5th exciting season of live theater entertainment for the Greensboro area. 

Many a theater goers favorite the Open Space Cafe Theatre is now producing the play “Tim and Scrooge”  a wonderful continuation of the Charles Dickens classic “ A Christmas Carol”

Tim and Scrooge ; Book and Lyrics by Nick Meglin

  Music by Neil Berg

May 8, 9, 10, 16, and 17th at 8:00 PM 

May 11th & 18th at 2:00 PM