The Friday after Thanksgiving is called “Black Friday” because it’s the official
start of holiday shopping that puts retailers “in the black” for the year. If
you’re not ready to do battle with 135 million other shoppers on Black Friday,
here are some alternative activities to consider:
• Shop online – You can score great money-saving deals online
while avoiding the hype, crowds, and frustration of the malls.
• Plan another outing – Spend quality time with friends
and family by taking in a movie or making a trip to the zoo
• Clean out your closets – You’ll reclaim precious closet space,
and get a tax write-off for items donated to charity!
• Prepare your home for winter – A bit of caulk and weather
stripping around drafty windows and doors will reduce winter energy bills.
• Relax! – Watch TV, read, or indulge in your favorite hobby. Enjoy
November 19, 2010 | Categories: Charlotte Area Real Estate, Holiday Tips, Keller Williams, Lake Norman Real Estate, NC Forclosures, Real Estate, Terrie Fink, Uncategorized | Tags: Agent, bank-owned, Broker, Buyer’s Agent, cash-buyers, Charlotte, Charlotte Area Real Estate, Charlotte Real Estate, Concord, Condos for Sale, Corcord NC, Cornelius, credit, Davidson, Denver, Events, Family, FHA, financing, For Sale By Terrie Fink, Foreclosure, Health, Homes For Sale, HUD, Huntersville, Hutersville NC, investments, Kannapolis, Kannapolis NC, Keller Williams, Lake Norman, Lake Norman Area Real Estate, Lake Norman Homes for sale, Lake Norman Land for sale, Land For Sale, Life, Listing, loan, Mooresville, NC, News, North Carolina, owner-financing, pre-forclosure, private-lender, property-management, Real Estate, real-estate-investing, Realtor, REO, residential, Search for Homes in the Charlotte Area, Search for Homes on Lake Norman, Seller’s Agent, Sherrillis Ford, Sherrills Ford, Short Sale, Terrie Fink, Thoughts, Travel, Troutman, wholesale | Leave a comment
If you know a great real estate professional, you might be questioning them right now. They may tell a friend of yours
in the afternoon that this is a great time to buy a home and in the evening tell another friend that they have to lower their price in order to sell their home. Wait a minute. How can it be a great time to buy if prices are falling? Is the real estate agent just saying this to make a sale? Actually, the agent is 100% correct. Perhaps for the first time in American real estate history, you must buy now and you must sell now. How can this be? Because what is important to the buyer is different than what is important to the seller. Let us explain.
The most important thing to the seller: PRICE
Every seller is most concerned with trying to get the best price possible for their home. In order to do that, they must sell now. Banks repossessed the highest number of foreclosed homes in history last month. These houses will come to market at dramatically discounted prices. This is the main reason analysts are calling for another dip in prices over the next eighteen months. The best advice a seller can receive is to sell their home now before these foreclosures come to market.
The most important thing to the buyer: COST
Price plays a part in the buyer’s decision. However, the most important thing to most buyers is the cost – the mortgage payment they must pay every month. That payment is determined by the price of the home AND THE INTEREST RATE ON THE MORTGAGE. Rates are artificially low because of government intervention. That will not last forever.
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) has projected that rates will rise over the next seven quarters. What will that do to the cost? Here are NAR’s projections and what impact it will have on a $100,000 mortgage:
As we can see, the interest rate has a major impact on the COST of the home. Even if prices continue to fall, the cost may not go down if interest rates increase.
Bottom Line
Your real estate agent is trying to give the best advice they can to every family they work with – even if that advice seems to be counter intuitive.
November 18, 2010 | Categories: Bankruptcy, Cabarrus County Area Real Estate, Charlotte Area Real Estate, Home Sales, Keller Williams, Lake Norman Area Real Estate, Lake Norman Real Estate, Mooresville Area Real Estate, NC Forclosures, Real Estate, Uncategorized | Tags: Agent, bank-owned, Broker, Buyer’s Agent, cash-buyers, Charlotte, Charlotte Area Real Estate, Charlotte Real Estate, Concord, Condos for Sale, Corcord NC, Cornelius, credit, Davidson, Denver, Events, Family, FHA, financing, For Sale By Terrie Fink, Foreclosure, Health, Homes For Sale, HUD, Huntersville, Hutersville NC, investments, Kannapolis, Kannapolis NC, Keller Williams, Lake Norman, Lake Norman Area Real Estate, Lake Norman Homes for sale, Lake Norman Land for sale, Land For Sale, Life, Listing, loan, Mooresville, NC, News, North Carolina, owner-financing, pre-forclosure, private-lender, property-management, Real Estate, real-estate-investing, Realtor, REO, residential, Search for Homes in the Charlotte Area, Search for Homes on Lake Norman, Seller’s Agent, Sherrillis Ford, Sherrills Ford, Short Sale, Terrie Fink, Thoughts, Travel, Troutman, wholesale | Leave a comment
This is a question anyone thinking about selling must ask. Should they sell now or should they wait for the spring?
Most years that would be an interesting question. There is a belief that many buyers come out in the spring and, with that increase in demand for housing, prices may appreciate. This year is unlike any year in recent memory. Most experts believe there will be continuing depreciation of home values throughout the next 18 months.
As we posted on recently, there may be a window of opportunity throughout the rest of 2010 as the banks try to straighten out the paperwork on thousands of foreclosures. Once that paperwork is corrected, the flow of distressed properties coming to the market at discounted prices will begin again.
This was mentioned in the latest Home Price Expectation Survey. Robert Shiller, MacroMarkets co-founder and chief economist said this:
“Over the past month, the average projection for 2010 nationwide home price performance improved slightly among our experts, but for each year thereafter it deteriorated. One plausible explanation for this month’s more negative overall sentiment is recent news concerning foreclosure processing questions and the related possibility of extending the supply pipeline.”
Other experts are also reporting that prices will soften next year
In October’s RPX Monthly Housing Market Report, CEO Michael Feder commented:
“We are at a flex point in housing valuation. With record supply, already paltry demand and systemic threats to a possible correction, we remain terribly concerned about forward home prices.”
The very next day, in a special release, Clear Capital reported a “sudden and dramatic” drop in U.S. home prices:
Most recent data shows a two-month 5.9% price decline representing a magnitude and speed of decline not seen since March 2009; similar declines for September and October expected to appear in other industry indices in coming months.
Bottom Line
If you plan to sell within the next year, you shouldn’t wait for the spring market. Price your home at a compelling price to make sure it sells in the next sixty days.
November 16, 2010 | Categories: Bankruptcy, Cabarrus County Area Real Estate, Charlotte Area Real Estate, Home Sales, Keller Williams, Lake Norman Area Real Estate, Lake Norman Real Estate, Mooresville Area Real Estate, NC Forclosures, Real Estate, Terrie Fink | Tags: Agent, bank-owned, Broker, Buyer’s Agent, cash-buyers, Charlotte, Charlotte Area Real Estate, Charlotte Real Estate, Concord, Condos for Sale, Corcord NC, Cornelius, credit, Davidson, Denver, Events, Family, FHA, financing, For Sale By Terrie Fink, Foreclosure, Health, Homes For Sale, HUD, Huntersville, Hutersville NC, investments, Kannapolis, Kannapolis NC, Keller Williams, Lake Norman, Lake Norman Area Real Estate, Lake Norman Homes for sale, Lake Norman Land for sale, Land For Sale, Life, Listing, loan, Mooresville, NC, News, North Carolina, owner-financing, pre-forclosure, private-lender, property-management, Real Estate, real-estate-investing, Realtor, REO, residential, Search for Homes in the Charlotte Area, Search for Homes on Lake Norman, Seller’s Agent, Sherrillis Ford, Sherrills Ford, Short Sale, Terrie Fink, Thoughts, Travel, Troutman, wholesale | Leave a comment
Should you spend the money on a real estate commission or save that money by selling your home by yourself? That is a question many home sellers ask themselves. Today, we want to discuss why it is crucial to have a true professional guiding you through the minefield of challenges that exist in the current real estate market.
The housing market today is more challenging than it has ever been and seems to be becoming more difficult each day. What impact will foreclosures have on prices? Which loan products that were available just last month are no longer available? How do you convince perspective purchasers to pull the trigger on an offer when everyone is telling them that they should see another 100 houses before they make a decision? These are tough questions for a trained, experienced professional. The lay person would find it almost impossible to keep abreast of this rapidly evolving industry.
1. Pricing Is Difficult
Just a few years ago, you didn’t have to worry about overpricing your home. If it was too high, all you needed to do was wait as historic appreciation was taking place. The situation is quite different today. With experts calling for another drop in home values, overpricing your property will cost you time. In this market, time costs you money. A professional real estate agent will discuss how increasing inventory could dramatically impact the value of your property in the months to come. They will help you set the right price in today’s market.
2. Negotiating Ability Is Crucial
Buyers today have an almost unlimited supply of homes from which to choose. They realize that puts them in a great negotiating position. Most buyers are now being represented by an agent. Sellers need to also be represented by a professional expert trained to negotiate real estate contracts.
3. Mortgaging Is Key to the Deal
The biggest impact of the housing market collapse is that lending standards are much stricter today than they were a few short years ago. Rules are constantly changing. Even FHA has gone through a guidelines overhaul in the last several months. You need a real estate expert who has teamed up with a knowledgeable mortgage professional to make sure that the buyer in the deal is in fact capable of obtaining a mortgage. Losing time with an unqualified buyer costs you money in a market where prices are falling.
4. Your Family’s Safety
We have always found it puzzling that the same person that will lock every door and window and set the alarm today will then allow total strangers into their house tomorrow. The real estate industry trains its practitioners to take steps to protect themselves and their clients. Take advantage of putting a person between you and the person calling on an ad or yard sign.
5. You Probably Have More Important Things to Do
Selling a home could turn into a full time job. Learning the necessary disclosures, coordinating the dates of your closings, dealing with a challenge regarding your appraisal and re-negotiating the offer after an engineer’s report are just a few of the concerns you may face. You would probably be better off spending that time with the items important to you and your family and leaving the challenges to your agent.
Bottom Line
To make sure the sale of your home is handled professionally – hire a trained professional. In the long run, you will wind-up with more money in your pocket and have fewer challenges with the move.
November 15, 2010 | Categories: Bankruptcy, Charlotte Area Real Estate, Home Sales, Keller Williams, Lake Norman Real Estate, NC Forclosures, Real Estate, Terrie Fink, Uncategorized | Tags: Agent, bank-owned, Broker, Buyer’s Agent, cash-buyers, Charlotte, Charlotte Area Real Estate, Charlotte Real Estate, Concord, Condos for Sale, Corcord NC, Cornelius, credit, Davidson, Denver, Events, Family, FHA, financing, For Sale By Terrie Fink, Foreclosure, Health, Homes For Sale, HUD, Huntersville, Hutersville NC, investments, Kannapolis, Kannapolis NC, Keller Williams, Lake Norman, Lake Norman Area Real Estate, Lake Norman Homes for sale, Lake Norman Land for sale, Land For Sale, Life, Listing, loan, Mooresville, NC, News, North Carolina, owner-financing, pre-forclosure, private-lender, property-management, Real Estate, real-estate-investing, Realtor, REO, residential, Search for Homes in the Charlotte Area, Search for Homes on Lake Norman, Seller’s Agent, Sherrillis Ford, Sherrills Ford, Short Sale, Terrie Fink, Thoughts, Travel, Troutman, wholesale | Leave a comment
Bankruptcies and foreclosures can remain on a credit report for seven to 10 years. Some lenders will consider a borrower if they have reestablished good credit. The circumstances surrounding the bankruptcy can also influence a lender’s decision. For example, if you went through a bankruptcy because your employer had financial difficulties, a lender may be more sympathetic. However, if you went through bankruptcy because you overextended personal credit lines and lived beyond your means, the lender probably will be less inclined to be flexible.
November 8, 2010 | Categories: Charlotte Area Real Estate, Keller Williams, Lake Norman Real Estate, NC Forclosures, Real Estate, Terrie Fink | Tags: Agent, bank-owned, Broker, Buyer’s Agent, cash-buyers, Charlotte, Charlotte Area Real Estate, Charlotte Real Estate, Concord, Condos for Sale, Corcord NC, Cornelius, credit, Davidson, Denver, Events, Family, FHA, financing, For Sale By Terrie Fink, Foreclosure, Health, Homes For Sale, HUD, Huntersville, Hutersville NC, investments, Kannapolis, Kannapolis NC, Keller Williams, Lake Norman, Lake Norman Area Real Estate, Lake Norman Homes for sale, Lake Norman Land for sale, Land For Sale, Life, Listing, loan, Mooresville, NC, News, North Carolina, owner-financing, pre-forclosure, private-lender, property-management, Real Estate, real-estate-investing, Realtor, REO, residential, Search for Homes in the Charlotte Area, Search for Homes on Lake Norman, Seller’s Agent, Sherrillis Ford, Sherrills Ford, Short Sale, Terrie Fink, Thoughts, Travel, Troutman, wholesale | Leave a comment
Did you know giving back to the community not only benefits others, but can also improve your health? It’s what is known as a “helper’s high”: volunteers report greater life satisfaction and better physical and mental health than non-volunteers.
The holiday season always inspires generosity, and in today’s challenging economic climate, there are many non-monetary ways to give back to your community. Check out the ideas below for inspiration, then add a few new ones of your own!
• Donate “gently worn” clothing and coats to a local shelter.
• Read to at-risk kids or help them with their homework.
• Collect and deliver toys to a charity or firehouse in your area.
• Hold a canned food drive to benefit your local food bank.
• Serve a meal at a senior center or soup kitchen.
• Organize a group to sing carols at a nursing home.
• Visit hospitals or nursing homes to cheer up patients
or residents who seldom get visitors.
For more volunteer ideas in your area, check out
Volunteer-Match (www.volunteermatch.org) or
Craigslist’s volunteer section (www.craigslist.org).
November 3, 2010 | Categories: Charlotte Area Real Estate, Holiday Tips, Keller Williams, Lake Norman Real Estate, NC Forclosures, Real Estate, Terrie Fink | Tags: Agent, bank-owned, Broker, Buyer’s Agent, cash-buyers, Charlotte, Charlotte Area Real Estate, Charlotte Real Estate, Concord, Condos for Sale, Corcord NC, Cornelius, credit, Davidson, Denver, Events, Family, FHA, financing, For Sale By Terrie Fink, Foreclosure, Health, Homes For Sale, HUD, Huntersville, Hutersville NC, investments, Kannapolis, Kannapolis NC, Keller Williams, Lake Norman, Lake Norman Area Real Estate, Lake Norman Homes for sale, Lake Norman Land for sale, Land For Sale, Life, Listing, loan, Mooresville, NC, News, North Carolina, owner-financing, pre-forclosure, private-lender, property-management, Real Estate, real-estate-investing, Realtor, REO, residential, Search for Homes in the Charlotte Area, Search for Homes on Lake Norman, Seller’s Agent, Sherrillis Ford, Sherrills Ford, Short Sale, Terrie Fink, Thoughts, Travel, Troutman, wholesale | Leave a comment
Banks have lifted their freeze on foreclosures. It seems a doomsday scenario will be averted. There is no way to absolutely predict what the fallout will be from the banks’ negligence in their foreclosure filings. There will be lawsuits and some will cry out for the banks to make forms of restitution to injured parties. However, it seems the problem will not be of the magnitude originally expected.
The title companies who were threatening not to issue insurance to some foreclosed properties are softening their position as well. The Wall Street Journal reported:
Title insurers have decided not to require lenders to provide a blanket shield from claims caused by flawed foreclosures after discussions around crafting an industry-wide agreement fell apart.
… First American Financial Corp. said Thursday that the Santa Ana, Calif., company had concluded that requiring banks to indemnify the title insurer from foreclosure errors resulting in questions about who owns clear title to a property was unnecessary “given the actions taken by lenders to remediate deficiencies and to improve their processes going forward,” said Dennis Gilmore, First American’s chief executive.
… Stewart Title Guaranty Co. said in a statement Thursday that the unit of Stewart Information Services Corp., of Houston, “stands ready to issue its title insurance to purchasers of foreclosed properties from institutional lenders representing that they have followed all applicable legal processes.”
November 2, 2010 | Categories: Charlotte Area Real Estate, Holiday Tips, Keller Williams, Lake Norman Real Estate, NC Forclosures, Real Estate, Terrie Fink | Tags: Agent, bank-owned, Broker, Buyer’s Agent, cash-buyers, Charlotte, Charlotte Area Real Estate, Charlotte Real Estate, Concord, Condos for Sale, Corcord NC, Cornelius, credit, Davidson, Denver, Events, Family, FHA, financing, For Sale By Terrie Fink, Foreclosure, Health, Homes For Sale, HUD, Huntersville, Hutersville NC, investments, Kannapolis, Kannapolis NC, Keller Williams, Lake Norman, Lake Norman Area Real Estate, Lake Norman Homes for sale, Lake Norman Land for sale, Land For Sale, Life, Listing, loan, Mooresville, NC, News, North Carolina, owner-financing, pre-forclosure, private-lender, property-management, Real Estate, real-estate-investing, Realtor, REO, residential, Search for Homes in the Charlotte Area, Search for Homes on Lake Norman, Seller’s Agent, Sherrillis Ford, Sherrills Ford, Short Sale, Terrie Fink, Thoughts, Travel, Troutman, wholesale | Leave a comment
The office is a hotbed of germs, a microbial monstrosity! According to a University of Arizona study, a typical worker’s desk has hundreds of times more bacteria per square inch than a toilet seat!
What is the germiest item in an office? It’s the humble telephone! Telephones are constantly close to people’s mouths, and are rarely disinfected. Tables and desks rank next on the dirty “hot list.” Computer keyboards and mice, shared pens, elevator or vending machine buttons, and handrails, which are in constant contact with human hands, are also natural nesting places for germs and viruses that can live on a surface for up to three days.
So, what can you do to make your office a cleaner place? Simply put, sanitize it. Among office workers who were instructed to clean their desks daily with disinfecting wipes, bacterial levels were cut by 99 percent, drastically reducing their chance of illness. Be aware of the places germs concentrate, and wash hands frequently to further guard against illness. And if you have to eat your lunch off anything in the office, try the photocopier. With just 69 germs per square inch, it’s almost as clean as the toilet seat!
October 30, 2010 | Categories: Charlotte Area Real Estate, Keller Williams, Lake Norman Real Estate, Real Estate, Terrie Fink | Tags: Agent, bank-owned, Broker, Buyer’s Agent, cash-buyers, Charlotte, Charlotte Area Real Estate, Charlotte Real Estate, Concord, Condos for Sale, Corcord NC, Cornelius, credit, Davidson, Denver, Events, Family, FHA, financing, For Sale By Terrie Fink, Foreclosure, Health, Homes For Sale, HUD, Huntersville, Hutersville NC, investments, Kannapolis, Kannapolis NC, Keller Williams, Lake Norman, Lake Norman Area Real Estate, Lake Norman Homes for sale, Lake Norman Land for sale, Land For Sale, Life, Listing, loan, Mooresville, NC, News, North Carolina, owner-financing, pre-forclosure, private-lender, property-management, Real Estate, real-estate-investing, Realtor, REO, residential, Search for Homes in the Charlotte Area, Search for Homes on Lake Norman, Seller’s Agent, Sherrillis Ford, Sherrills Ford, Short Sale, Terrie Fink, Thoughts, Travel, Troutman, wholesale | Leave a comment
The best prescription for a healthy life is to eat a good nutritious diet,
exercise on a regular basis and add in a few good belly laughs every day.
In fact, it has been estimated that we need a minimum of 12 laughs a day
in order to maintain optimal health!
It seems that the old adage is true – laughter really is the best
medicine. Laughing a mere 15 minutes a day – whether it be
giggling, chuckling or roaring with laughter – has been proven to
effectively lower your blood pressure, decrease stress and tension,
boost your energy, elevate your mood and rev up your blood
flow. If you need a little stress relief or a quick energy boost, find
something to give you a little chuckle – or better yet, a strong
bout of laughter. After all, it’s good for your health!
Laughter also creates joyful and happy feelings. When we feel down
and frustrated because of problems, laughing allows us to pull ourselves up by
the bootstraps, get back on solid ground, and gain some new insights or find a
solution to our problem. Remember to LOL (laugh out loud) frequently to stay
on track both physically and emotionally!
October 27, 2010 | Categories: Charlotte Area Real Estate, Keller Williams, Lake Norman Real Estate, Real Estate, Terrie Fink | Tags: Agent, bank-owned, Broker, Buyer’s Agent, cash-buyers, Charlotte, Charlotte Area Real Estate, Charlotte Real Estate, Concord, Condos for Sale, Corcord NC, Cornelius, credit, Davidson, Denver, Events, Family, FHA, financing, For Sale By Terrie Fink, Foreclosure, Health, Homes For Sale, HUD, Huntersville, Hutersville NC, investments, Kannapolis, Kannapolis NC, Keller Williams, Lake Norman, Lake Norman Area Real Estate, Lake Norman Homes for sale, Lake Norman Land for sale, Land For Sale, Life, Listing, loan, Mooresville, NC, News, North Carolina, owner-financing, pre-forclosure, private-lender, property-management, Real Estate, real-estate-investing, Realtor, REO, residential, Search for Homes in the Charlotte Area, Search for Homes on Lake Norman, Seller’s Agent, Sherrillis Ford, Sherrills Ford, Short Sale, Terrie Fink, Thoughts, Travel, Troutman, wholesale | Leave a comment
Out with the beach gear and floral prints. In with the sweaters and football posters. As the air turns crisp, a weekend of preparation can make for a much cozier (and less expensive) winter.
Here are some helpful tips:
Indoor Chores
• Add a second layer of insulation to your attic and consider installing storm windows and doors.
• Check and replace the batteries in carbon monoxide detectors.
• Get your furnace checked and tuned up by professionals. Keeping your heating system at its optimum efficiency could save you hundreds on heating costs.
• Check the weather-stripping and caulking on all windows and doors for damage and tightness of fit. Replace if you see gaps or cracks.
Outdoor Chores
• Remove debris from gutters and downspouts.
• Make sure waterlines and hose bibs are protected from freezing.
• Check the exterior for cracked or peeling paint. Repaint if necessary. This helps protect the wood from rot.
October 24, 2010 | Categories: Charlotte Area Real Estate, Keller Williams, Lake Norman Real Estate, Real Estate, Terrie Fink | Tags: Agent, bank-owned, Broker, Buyer’s Agent, cash-buyers, Charlotte, Charlotte Area Real Estate, Charlotte Real Estate, Concord, Condos for Sale, Corcord NC, Cornelius, credit, Davidson, Denver, Events, Family, FHA, financing, For Sale By Terrie Fink, Foreclosure, Health, Homes For Sale, HUD, Huntersville, Hutersville NC, investments, Kannapolis, Kannapolis NC, Keller Williams, Lake Norman, Lake Norman Area Real Estate, Lake Norman Homes for sale, Lake Norman Land for sale, Land For Sale, Life, Listing, loan, Mooresville, NC, News, North Carolina, owner-financing, pre-forclosure, private-lender, property-management, Real Estate, real-estate-investing, Realtor, REO, residential, Search for Homes in the Charlotte Area, Search for Homes on Lake Norman, Seller’s Agent, Sherrillis Ford, Sherrills Ford, Short Sale, Terrie Fink, Thoughts, Travel, Troutman, wholesale | Leave a comment
Credit cards can sometimes lead to “debt hangover.” But for savvy consumers who can use cards wisely, credit cards can have advantages over other payment forms:
• Safety – Whether shopping in person or online, cardholders are legally liable for only $50 in fraudulent charges. Debit cards don’t provide this same level of protection.
• Free extended warranty – Many credit cards automatically extend the manufacturer’s warranty (most double it) on items purchased with the card.
• Travel protections – When traveling, your credit card may provide insurance on car rentals, travel cancellation or accidents, lost airline luggage and hotel burglary.
• Dispute help – Have a problem with a retailer regarding a recent purchase? Dispute the charge and let the credit card company fight with the retailer.
• Accounting – It’s easier to account for purchases when you can run your finger down a credit card statement.
Reprinted with permission of RISMedia, publisher of Real Estate Magazine
October 23, 2010 | Categories: Charlotte Area Real Estate, Keller Williams, Lake Norman Real Estate, Real Estate, Terrie Fink | Tags: Agent, bank-owned, Broker, Buyer’s Agent, cash-buyers, Charlotte, Charlotte Area Real Estate, Charlotte Real Estate, Concord, Condos for Sale, Corcord NC, Cornelius, credit, Davidson, Denver, Events, Family, FHA, financing, For Sale By Terrie Fink, Foreclosure, Health, Homes For Sale, HUD, Huntersville, Hutersville NC, investments, Kannapolis, Kannapolis NC, Keller Williams, Lake Norman, Lake Norman Area Real Estate, Lake Norman Homes for sale, Lake Norman Land for sale, Land For Sale, Life, Listing, loan, Mooresville, NC, News, North Carolina, owner-financing, pre-forclosure, private-lender, property-management, Real Estate, real-estate-investing, Realtor, REO, residential, Search for Homes in the Charlotte Area, Search for Homes on Lake Norman, Seller’s Agent, Sherrillis Ford, Sherrills Ford, Short Sale, Terrie Fink, Thoughts, Travel, Troutman, wholesale | Leave a comment
It appears they CAN and that they WILL. The buzzwords today are Quantitative Easing. It is another of the weapons the Fed has at its disposal to impact the economy, as a whole, and interest rates in particular.
Let me explain. In so far as the Fed has already lowered the rates they charge to lending institutions as much as they can, and they still see a sluggish economy with weak employment numbers and growth, the Fed appears ready to enter a second round of Quantitative Easing (QE). QE is when the Fed begins to buy Mortgage Backed Securities in earnest. They do that by paying more that the market price for MBSs; therefore, pushing interest rates lower.
But why do it? I mean rates are historically low already. Is lowering rates another quarter or half percent going to get someone to buy a house that hasn’t already gotten off the fence? Maybe, but I can’t see the number of people deciding to buy at 4% rates being that significant as compared to those looking to buy at 4.5%. There HAS to be other reasons. Maybe….
- The Fed realizes that lower rates will stabilize home prices. Lower rates mean borrowers can borrow more money based on their income, enabling them to pay more for a home which can slow the decline of prices, stabilize prices, and in a few areas even raise prices of homes.
- The Fed needs to look like they are doing SOMETHING to energize the economy or get consumer confidence turned around.
- The Fed has an agenda other than lower mortgage rates. Maybe the Fed is using the lowering of rates, in an effort to devalue the US Dollar abroad. By lowering the value of the dollar, our products become a better bargain to buyers overseas. So, maybe, just maybe, this is actually an attempt to kick start the economy. If we sell more products overseas, we need to produce more products, hire more employees to make, sell, and distribute those products. Can I smell job growth through QE?
Understand that a weakened dollar will eventually force rates to move up (to re- strengthen the dollar); so, there is going to be a window of even more incredible mortgage rates, but, the window will need to be carefully watched because it can’t be left open forever.
There is no history we can point to predict if QE can or will work. Nor is there any real indication of the level of aggressiveness the Fed will take in this area. (Listen to the rhetoric between now and next week’s release of the Fed’s Beige Book as hints.) It may just be another shot in the dark, but personally, I am in favor of ideas that promote job growth more than government hand outs and bail outs.
October 21, 2010 | Categories: Charlotte Area Real Estate, Holiday Tips, Keller Williams, Lake Norman Real Estate, NC Forclosures, Real Estate, Terrie Fink, Uncategorized | Tags: Agent, bank-owned, Broker, Buyer’s Agent, cash-buyers, Charlotte, Charlotte Area Real Estate, Charlotte Real Estate, Concord, Condos for Sale, Corcord NC, Cornelius, credit, Davidson, Denver, Events, Family, FHA, financing, For Sale By Terrie Fink, Foreclosure, Health, Homes For Sale, HUD, Huntersville, Hutersville NC, investments, Kannapolis, Kannapolis NC, Keller Williams, Lake Norman, Lake Norman Area Real Estate, Lake Norman Homes for sale, Lake Norman Land for sale, Land For Sale, Life, Listing, loan, Mooresville, NC, News, North Carolina, owner-financing, pre-forclosure, private-lender, property-management, Real Estate, real-estate-investing, Realtor, REO, residential, Search for Homes in the Charlotte Area, Search for Homes on Lake Norman, Seller’s Agent, Sherrillis Ford, Sherrills Ford, Short Sale, Terrie Fink, Thoughts, Travel, Troutman, wholesale | Leave a comment
Ingredients:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup cooking oil
1 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup semisweet miniature chocolate chips
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare
muffin pan with butter, cooking spray
or paper liners. Sift together flour,
baking powder, baking soda, salt and
cinnamon and set aside. Combine
eggs, sugar, oil and pumpkin; mix
well. Stir in flour mixture until just
moistened—do not over mix! Fold in
pecans and chocolate chips. Spoon
into pan, filling each cup two-thirds
full. Bake 18-24 minutes. Enjoy!
October 21, 2010 | Categories: Charlotte Area Real Estate, Keller Williams, Lake Norman Real Estate, Real Estate, Terrie Fink | Tags: Agent, bank-owned, Broker, Buyer’s Agent, cash-buyers, Charlotte, Charlotte Area Real Estate, Charlotte Real Estate, Concord, Condos for Sale, Corcord NC, Cornelius, credit, Davidson, Denver, Events, Family, FHA, financing, For Sale By Terrie Fink, Foreclosure, Health, Homes For Sale, HUD, Huntersville, Hutersville NC, investments, Kannapolis, Kannapolis NC, Keller Williams, Lake Norman, Lake Norman Area Real Estate, Lake Norman Homes for sale, Lake Norman Land for sale, Land For Sale, Life, Listing, loan, Mooresville, NC, News, North Carolina, owner-financing, pre-forclosure, private-lender, property-management, Real Estate, real-estate-investing, Realtor, REO, residential, Search for Homes in the Charlotte Area, Search for Homes on Lake Norman, Seller’s Agent, Sherrillis Ford, Sherrills Ford, Short Sale, Terrie Fink, Thoughts, Travel, Troutman, wholesale | Leave a comment
There are three common misconceptions consumers have about the real estate market right now:
(1) people can’t get a loan,
(2) affordability is out of reach, and
(3) consumers should wait for rates to go lower.
The truth of the matter, however, is that money is available for those who meet basic requirements, affordability today is better than it has been in several years, and interest rates are historically low. There is also a load of inventory – from new homes to existing homes to foreclosures. This all adds up to the home-buying opportunity of a lifetime!
Visit my website www.thinkterriefink.com to start your home search today!
October 17, 2010 | Categories: Charlotte Area Real Estate, Keller Williams, Lake Norman Real Estate, Real Estate, Terrie Fink | Tags: Agent, bank-owned, Broker, Buyer’s Agent, cash-buyers, Charlotte, Charlotte Area Real Estate, Charlotte Real Estate, Concord, Condos for Sale, Corcord NC, Cornelius, credit, Davidson, Denver, Events, Family, FHA, financing, For Sale By Terrie Fink, Foreclosure, Health, Homes For Sale, HUD, Huntersville, Hutersville NC, investments, Kannapolis, Kannapolis NC, Keller Williams, Lake Norman, Lake Norman Area Real Estate, Lake Norman Homes for sale, Lake Norman Land for sale, Land For Sale, Life, Listing, loan, Mooresville, NC, News, North Carolina, owner-financing, pre-forclosure, private-lender, property-management, Real Estate, real-estate-investing, Realtor, REO, residential, Search for Homes in the Charlotte Area, Search for Homes on Lake Norman, Seller’s Agent, Sherrillis Ford, Sherrills Ford, Short Sale, Terrie Fink, Thoughts, Travel, Troutman, wholesale | Leave a comment
The holidays are just around the corner – and so is the holiday shopping season. This year, enjoy the season without overspending by following these simple tips:
• Decide how much you can spend. Set a budget before making the gift list, then trim names or amounts as necessary to stay within your budget.
• Pay cash. Have trouble adhering to a budget when using credit? Then make it a cash-only holiday. Set a limit and withdraw the money from your account; when the money’s gone, the shopping is over.
• Shop prices, not sales. Know the prices for items on your list and don’t be fooled by the sale signs. Just because it’s “on sale” doesn’t mean it’s a good deal.
• Send e-cards. They’re free, don’t require postage, and can be easily sent to friends and family both near and far.
• Be creative. Bake cookies for a neighbor or friend, or offer to baby-sit, walk the dog, or run an errand. The cost is next to nothing, but such a personal gift is priceless to the recipient.
October 15, 2010 | Categories: Charlotte Area Real Estate, Keller Williams, Lake Norman Real Estate, Real Estate, Terrie Fink | Tags: Agent, bank-owned, Broker, Buyer’s Agent, cash-buyers, Charlotte, Charlotte Area Real Estate, Charlotte Real Estate, Concord, Condos for Sale, Corcord NC, Cornelius, credit, Davidson, Denver, Events, Family, FHA, financing, For Sale By Terrie Fink, Foreclosure, Health, Homes For Sale, HUD, Huntersville, Hutersville NC, investments, Kannapolis, Kannapolis NC, Keller Williams, Lake Norman, Lake Norman Area Real Estate, Lake Norman Homes for sale, Lake Norman Land for sale, Land For Sale, Life, Listing, loan, Mooresville, NC, News, North Carolina, owner-financing, pre-forclosure, private-lender, property-management, Real Estate, real-estate-investing, Realtor, REO, residential, Search for Homes in the Charlotte Area, Search for Homes on Lake Norman, Seller’s Agent, Sherrillis Ford, Sherrills Ford, Short Sale, Terrie Fink, Thoughts, Travel, Troutman, wholesale | Leave a comment
You can improve your heart’s function simply by eating heart-healthy foods – and the best news is that many are foods you love to eat anyway. Now you can “take
heart” that they are not only enjoyable, but they’re also good for you! Heart-healthy Foods:
Blueberries – Sweet and plump, these gems are at the top of the list of nature’s antioxidants, which are natural ingredients that neutralize harmful substances that contribute to heart disease. They also help prevent blood clots.
Nuts – Almonds, walnuts, macadamias, and hazelnuts are high in monounsaturated fat, which works to lower “bad” cholesterol levels. Additionally, they are rich in vitamin E – a powerful antioxidant—and in the amino acid arginine, which helps keep artery walls strong.
Avocados – High in the “good” monounsaturated fat, avocados also contain chemicals that inhibit the absorption of cholesterol and protect against hypertension.
Olive Oil –A “healthy” fat, this monounsaturated oil is good for your cholesterol, and, when used on salads or to sauté veggies, it helps you absorb nutrients.
Chocolate – “Flavonols”—the nutrient found in rich, dark chocolate—helps to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
October 12, 2010 | Categories: Charlotte Area Real Estate, Keller Williams, Lake Norman Real Estate, Real Estate, Terrie Fink | Tags: Agent, bank-owned, Broker, Buyer’s Agent, cash-buyers, Charlotte, Charlotte Area Real Estate, Charlotte Real Estate, Concord, Condos for Sale, Corcord NC, Cornelius, credit, Davidson, Denver, Events, Family, FHA, financing, For Sale By Terrie Fink, Foreclosure, Health, Homes For Sale, HUD, Huntersville, Hutersville NC, investments, Kannapolis, Kannapolis NC, Keller Williams, Lake Norman, Lake Norman Area Real Estate, Lake Norman Homes for sale, Lake Norman Land for sale, Land For Sale, Life, Listing, loan, Mooresville, NC, News, North Carolina, owner-financing, pre-forclosure, private-lender, property-management, Real Estate, real-estate-investing, Realtor, REO, residential, Search for Homes in the Charlotte Area, Search for Homes on Lake Norman, Seller’s Agent, Sherrillis Ford, Sherrills Ford, Short Sale, Terrie Fink, Thoughts, Travel, Troutman, wholesale | Leave a comment
Is laundry day getting the best of you? Streamline your routine with
these resourceful tips and get out of the laundry room FAST:
• Give each person in your family their own laundry hamper to reduce sorting time.
• Hang a bag in the laundry room for items that need repairs so you can grab a garment to mend when you have a free moment.
• Clip clothespins to the sides of your hampers and teach family members to pin them on clothing to mark stains or spills.
• Pin dirty socks together at the ankle with a safety pin when you take them off. No more lost socks!
• Give every member of your family a mesh lingerie bag for their undergarments. Then, simply toss the bags in the washer and their small
items will stay sorted for you.
• Keep extra hangers in the laundry room to hang wrinkle-prone clothes as soon as they come out of the dryer.
October 10, 2010 | Categories: Charlotte Area Real Estate, Keller Williams, Lake Norman Real Estate, Real Estate, Terrie Fink | Tags: Agent, bank-owned, Broker, Buyer’s Agent, cash-buyers, Charlotte, Charlotte Area Real Estate, Charlotte Real Estate, Concord, Condos for Sale, Corcord NC, Cornelius, credit, Davidson, Denver, Events, Family, FHA, financing, For Sale By Terrie Fink, Foreclosure, Health, Homes For Sale, HUD, Huntersville, Hutersville NC, investments, Kannapolis, Kannapolis NC, Keller Williams, Lake Norman, Lake Norman Area Real Estate, Lake Norman Homes for sale, Lake Norman Land for sale, Land For Sale, Life, Listing, loan, Mooresville, NC, News, North Carolina, owner-financing, pre-forclosure, private-lender, property-management, Real Estate, real-estate-investing, Realtor, REO, residential, Search for Homes in the Charlotte Area, Search for Homes on Lake Norman, Seller’s Agent, Sherrillis Ford, Sherrills Ford, Short Sale, Terrie Fink, Thoughts, Travel, Troutman, wholesale | Leave a comment
The Federal Housing Association has announced changes to their Mortgage Insurance Premium (MIP) structure taking effect on or after October 4, 2010. The up-front premium (financed into the loan) is being reduced from 2.25% to 1.0%. Providing the loan amount does not exceed FHA’s county loan limits, the FHA loan is a very affordable and less cash down payment and lower monthly payment in most cases.
To read more information about FHA requirements and guidlines click on http://portal.hud.gov/portal/page/portal/HUD
October 7, 2010 | Categories: Charlotte Area Real Estate, Keller Williams, Lake Norman Real Estate, NC Forclosures, Real Estate, Terrie Fink | Tags: Agent, bank-owned, Broker, Buyer’s Agent, cash-buyers, Charlotte, Charlotte Area Real Estate, Charlotte Real Estate, Concord, Condos for Sale, Corcord NC, Cornelius, credit, Davidson, Denver, Events, Family, FHA, financing, For Sale By Terrie Fink, Foreclosure, Health, Homes For Sale, HUD, Huntersville, Hutersville NC, investments, Kannapolis, Kannapolis NC, Keller Williams, Lake Norman, Lake Norman Area Real Estate, Lake Norman Homes for sale, Lake Norman Land for sale, Land For Sale, Life, Listing, loan, Mooresville, NC, News, North Carolina, owner-financing, pre-forclosure, private-lender, property-management, Real Estate, real-estate-investing, Realtor, REO, residential, Search for Homes in the Charlotte Area, Search for Homes on Lake Norman, Seller’s Agent, Sherrillis Ford, Sherrills Ford, Short Sale, Terrie Fink, Thoughts, Travel, Troutman, wholesale | Leave a comment
Fair market value, simply speaking, is
what a buyer is willing to pay for
a property; in other words, “what the
market will bear.” This is, in essence, what
a property is worth.
There are many factors that go into
establishing the fair market value of a
home, and two weighty ones are the
home’s square footage and number of
bedrooms/bathrooms. The home’s age,
condition and location are also important
factors, and the school district can greatly
affect value for home buyers with children.
Supply and demand is also a
consideration. The fewer comparable
listings there are on the market in your
area, the more valuable your home,
especially if it has hard-to-find amenities
or is located in a very desirable
neighborhood. Conversely, if there are lots
of comparable homes on the market, it can
lower the value of your home, particularly
when there is a scarcity of buyers.
An easy way to determine the value of your
home is to request a comparative market
analysis (CMA), which tells you how much
your house is worth compared to other
homes sold in the area in the past year. I
will be happy to personally complete this
analysis for you upon request.
October 6, 2010 | Categories: Charlotte Area Real Estate, Keller Williams, Lake Norman Real Estate, Real Estate, Terrie Fink | Tags: Agent, Broker, Buyer’s Agent, Charlotte, Charlotte Area Real Estate, Charlotte Real Estate, Concord, Condos for Sale, Corcord NC, Cornelius, Davidson, Denver, For Sale By Terrie Fink, Foreclosure, Homes For Sale, Huntersville, Hutersville NC, Kannapolis, Kannapolis NC, Keller Williams, Lake Norman, Lake Norman Area Real Estate, Lake Norman Homes for sale, Lake Norman Land for sale, Land For Sale, Listing, Mooresville, NC, North Carolina, Realtor, Search for Homes in the Charlotte Area, Search for Homes on Lake Norman, Seller’s Agent, Sherrillis Ford, Sherrills Ford, Short Sale, Terrie Fink, Troutman | Leave a comment
Ingredients:
3/4 cup frozen, slightly sweetened
raspberries, thawed
1 Tbsp raspberry or other fruit
liqueur (optional)
4 kiwifruit, peeled, halved, and
sliced about 1/4 inch thick
12 oz can mandarin oranges
1 cup sliced strawberries
1/4 cup blueberries
1/4 cup toasted, shredded coconut
This fresh fruit salad is full of ripe, zesty
flavors, and perfect for a picnic, outdoor
barbeque, or dinner on the patio.
Sauce: In a blender, combine raspberries
and liqueur; puree until smooth.
NOTE: You can substitute 2 Tbsp fruit juice and
1 tsp sugar, or 1 Tbsp condensed juice
(such as orange) in place of liqueur.
Evenly spoon the raspberry sauce onto
four serving plates. Arrange kiwifruit,
oranges, strawberries, and blueberries
on plates. Sprinkle each plate with
toasted coconut and serve.
October 3, 2010 | Categories: Charlotte Area Real Estate, Keller Williams, Lake Norman Real Estate, Real Estate, Terrie Fink | Tags: Agent, Broker, Buyer’s Agent, Charlotte, Charlotte Area Real Estate, Charlotte Real Estate, Concord, Condos for Sale, Corcord NC, Cornelius, Davidson, Denver, For Sale By Terrie Fink, Foreclosure, Homes For Sale, Huntersville, Hutersville NC, Kannapolis, Kannapolis NC, Keller Williams, Lake Norman, Lake Norman Area Real Estate, Lake Norman Homes for sale, Lake Norman Land for sale, Land For Sale, Listing, Mooresville, NC, North Carolina, Realtor, Search for Homes in the Charlotte Area, Search for Homes on Lake Norman, Seller’s Agent, Sherrillis Ford, Sherrills Ford, Short Sale, Terrie Fink, Troutman | Leave a comment
Ergonomics is the study of how your body interacts with your environment when
you perform a task or activity. For the millions who work at computers every day,
the following tips on positioning your monitor and keyboard can help create an
ergonomically beneficial workstation and prevent injury.
MONITOR
✓ Center the monitor in front of you.
✓ With your back against the back of your chair, place the
monitor at an arm’s length away to help prevent eye strain.
✓ Position the monitor so that your line of sight falls 2″ to 3″
below the top of the monitor casing.
KEYBOARD
✓ Position the keyboard so that your forearms are parallel to your thighs when your
feet are flat on the floor – this decreases muscle strain and tension.
✓ Use a keyboard tray that tilts downward to place your wrists in a neutral position.
✓ Center the spacebar of the keyboard in front of you.
✓ Use the mouse with your elbow as a pivot point. Keep wrist straight to maintain
a neutral position of the hand and wrist to help prevent tendon damage.
September 30, 2010 | Categories: Charlotte Area Real Estate, Keller Williams, Lake Norman Real Estate, Real Estate, Terrie Fink | Tags: Agent, Broker, Buyer’s Agent, Charlotte, Charlotte Area Real Estate, Charlotte Real Estate, Concord, Condos for Sale, Corcord NC, Cornelius, Davidson, Denver, For Sale By Terrie Fink, Foreclosure, Homes For Sale, Huntersville, Hutersville NC, Kannapolis, Kannapolis NC, Keller Williams, Lake Norman, Lake Norman Area Real Estate, Lake Norman Homes for sale, Lake Norman Land for sale, Land For Sale, Listing, Mooresville, NC, North Carolina, Realtor, Search for Homes in the Charlotte Area, Search for Homes on Lake Norman, Seller’s Agent, Sherrillis Ford, Sherrills Ford, Short Sale, Terrie Fink, Troutman | Leave a comment
N.C. foreclosures drop in August – The Business Journal of the Greater Triad Area.
North Carolina’s residential foreclosures in August fell 0.9 percent from July but are up more than 12 percent from a year ago.
Some 4,844 N.C. homes were in the foreclosure process in August, or one of every 867 households. The state ranks 35th in the nation for rate of filings, according to RealtyTrac Inc.
Foreclosures in the state rose 12.2 percent from August of last year.
Last month’s foreclosures nationwide increased 4 percent from July but dropped 5 percent from August 2009. One in every 381 U.S. households received a foreclosure filing last month.
“The trend lines of decreasing default notices and increasing bank repossessions converged in August, with virtually the same number of new default notices and bank repossessions for the month — a clear indication that the clogged foreclosure pipeline is being carefully managed on both ends by lenders and servicers,” says James Saccacio, chief executive at RealtyTrac.
Nevada, for the 44th consecutive month, had the country’s highest foreclosure rate, with one of every 84 homes receiving a foreclosure filing. The state had 13,385 residential properties in foreclosure in August.
Vermont had the lowest foreclosure rate, with a total of 17 filings.
Read more: N.C. foreclosures drop in August – The Business Journal of the Greater Triad Area
September 29, 2010 | Categories: Charlotte Area Real Estate, Keller Williams, Lake Norman Real Estate, NC Forclosures, Real Estate, Terrie Fink | Tags: Agent, Broker, Buyer’s Agent, Charlotte, Charlotte Area Real Estate, Charlotte Real Estate, Concord, Condos for Sale, Corcord NC, Cornelius, Davidson, Denver, For Sale By Terrie Fink, Foreclosure, Homes For Sale, Huntersville, Hutersville NC, Kannapolis, Kannapolis NC, Keller Williams, Lake Norman, Lake Norman Area Real Estate, Lake Norman Homes for sale, Lake Norman Land for sale, Land For Sale, Listing, Mooresville, NC, North Carolina, Realtor, Search for Homes in the Charlotte Area, Search for Homes on Lake Norman, Seller’s Agent, Sherrillis Ford, Sherrills Ford, Short Sale, Terrie Fink, Troutman | Leave a comment
Are you hiding a dirty little secret – a messy and overflowing closet? Here are some tips to helptame the unruly eyesore:
• If you haven’t worn it for a year, it has to go. Sell designer or classic pieces on consignment or eBay, donate usable items in good condition to charity, and toss things that are beyond repair. If you must hold onto something that evokes warm memories, box it up and put it in storage. Remember: It’s a closet, not a museum.
• Free up space for everyday clothes by storing formalwear or seasonal clothing in plastic bins or in another appropriate storage area. Note: always wash or dry clean items before storing.
• Every time you buy something new, throw out something old. Not only will it be good for your closet, but possibly your bank account, too. Here’s an easy way to maintain your clean closet: start with all hangers facing the same
direction on the rod. When you wear an item, flip its hanger around. At the end of 6 months, sell, donate or toss all of the clothes still facing the original direction!
September 25, 2010 | Categories: Charlotte Area Real Estate, Keller Williams, Lake Norman Real Estate, Real Estate, Terrie Fink | Tags: Agent, Broker, Buyer’s Agent, Charlotte, Charlotte Area Real Estate, Charlotte Real Estate, Concord, Condos for Sale, Corcord NC, Cornelius, Davidson, Denver, For Sale By Terrie Fink, Foreclosure, Homes For Sale, Huntersville, Hutersville NC, Kannapolis, Kannapolis NC, Keller Williams, Lake Norman, Lake Norman Area Real Estate, Lake Norman Homes for sale, Lake Norman Land for sale, Land For Sale, Listing, Mooresville, NC, North Carolina, Realtor, Search for Homes in the Charlotte Area, Search for Homes on Lake Norman, Seller’s Agent, Sherrillis Ford, Sherrills Ford, Short Sale, Terrie Fink, Troutman | Leave a comment
Home security is important to everyone. “Case” your house just as a burglar would, and implement these tips to make your home more secure:
Bushes: Trim shrubbery around your house so that landscaping will not provide concealment for criminals. Plant spiny (thorny) plants along fences and under windows.
Exterior Lighting: Security lighting that is located out of reach and is vandal resistant should protect all sides of your home. The best choice is a motion detector type of fixture, which warns the resident that something is in the yard.
Doors: All exterior doors should be solid core wood and equipped with deadbolt locks. Install a peephole or awide-angle viewer in the door for identifying visitors.
Windows: Double-hungwindows can be secured simply by “pinning” the upper and lower frames together with a nail.
Keys: Re-key all locks when you move in to a new home or apartment. Never hide a key outside your home; burglars know all the usual hiding places. Remember, most home burglaries are crimes of opportunity. The more you can do to keep your home from looking like an easy target, the more security you have.
September 22, 2010 | Categories: Charlotte Area Real Estate, Keller Williams, Lake Norman Real Estate, Real Estate, Terrie Fink | Tags: Agent, Broker, Buyer’s Agent, Charlotte, Charlotte Area Real Estate, Charlotte Real Estate, Concord, Condos for Sale, Corcord NC, Cornelius, Davidson, Denver, For Sale By Terrie Fink, Foreclosure, Homes For Sale, Huntersville, Hutersville NC, Kannapolis, Kannapolis NC, Keller Williams, Lake Norman, Lake Norman Area Real Estate, Lake Norman Homes for sale, Lake Norman Land for sale, Land For Sale, Listing, Mooresville, NC, North Carolina, Realtor, Search for Homes in the Charlotte Area, Search for Homes on Lake Norman, Seller’s Agent, Sherrillis Ford, Sherrills Ford, Short Sale, Terrie Fink, Troutman | Leave a comment
in the afternoon that this is a great time to buy a home and in the evening tell another friend that they have to lower their price in order to sell their home. Wait a minute. How can it be a great time to buy if prices are falling? Is the real estate agent just saying this to make a sale? Actually, the agent is 100% correct. Perhaps for the first time in American real estate history, you must buy now and you must sell now. How can this be? Because what is important to the buyer is different than what is important to the seller. Let us explain.
Most years that would be an interesting question. There is a belief that many buyers come out in the spring and, with that increase in demand for housing, prices may appreciate. This year is unlike any year in recent memory. Most experts believe there will be continuing depreciation of home values throughout the next 18 months.
Should you spend the money on a real estate commission or save that money by selling your home by yourself? That is a question many home sellers ask themselves. Today, we want to discuss why it is crucial to have a true professional guiding you through the minefield of challenges that exist in the current real estate market.
Banks have lifted their freeze on foreclosures. It seems a doomsday scenario will be averted. There is no way to absolutely predict what the fallout will be from the banks’ negligence in their foreclosure filings. There will be lawsuits and some will cry out for the banks to make forms of restitution to injured parties. However, it seems the problem will not be of the magnitude originally expected.
Out with the beach gear and floral prints. In with the sweaters and football posters. As the air turns crisp, a weekend of preparation can make for a much cozier (and less expensive) winter.
Credit cards can sometimes lead to “debt hangover.” But for savvy consumers who can use cards wisely, credit cards can have advantages over other payment forms:
It appears they CAN and that they WILL. The buzzwords today are Quantitative Easing. It is another of the weapons the Fed has at its disposal to impact the economy, as a whole, and interest rates in particular.
There are three common misconceptions consumers have about the real estate market right now:
Terrie Fink And Associates 
