Fayetteville has a new news and local event blog sponsored by First Choice Realty of Fayetteville, LLC. The purpose of the blog is to provide local residents with relevant information and generate serious leads for our agents. Our goal is to use the latest and greatest technology to produce a steady flow of cost effective leads for the company. It is estimated to take up to six months to reach the maximum potential. That is why we have stepped up our search for agents in the Fayetteville NC area.  It’s a fact that many agents long for a source of leads that that won’t take away huge chunks of their hard earned commission. Savvy agents who associate with us now, have the opportunity to benefit from our marketing effort.

First Choice Realty of Fayetteville also recognizes that training and support is a major concern for agents as well. In addition to local training by experienced brokers, we have added state of the art, 24-7 online training to augment your personal development. The office is set up as a paperless hub, which gives you, the agent, the option of working from home, and eliminates the need for a desk fee. First Choice Realty of Fayetteville, LLC is ideally located in McPherson Square, a quaint business setting, well suited for meeting clients.   

Our firm offers competitive commissions and personal production bonuses that separate us from most of the field. Agents looking for a distinct advantage would do well to consider a career with First Choice Realty of Fayetteville, LLC. Interested persons should send an email to: Clark Cook.

There are new rules regarding short sales meant to improve the experience for both sellers and buyers, but the legalities and legwork can overwhelm even the most savvy.  Of course, that's where the real estate agent shines, handling the paperwork and the phone calls, leaving you to focus on your move.

Keep in mind that if you're expecting to buy a home on short sale, you can get a great deal, but don't expect miracles from a bank that has agreed to accept a price lower than what the sellers owe on their mortgage.  These short sales often generate multiple offers, and if a home has been approved to sell for $200,000, don't expect to waltz in and offer $125,000.

The real advantage of a short sale deal is that the home will likely be in much better physical condition than its foreclosure counterpart.  Often, a foreclosed home will have been abandoned for months, and perhaps trashed before being vacated.  A short sale property in better condition is in and of itself a benefit with real value that offsets any lower price you could offer on a foreclosure.

And for sellers, a short sale preserves your dignity, reduces some of the stress, and won't damage your credit history as much as a foreclosure.  Whether selling or buying, consult a 1st Choice Agent for the best results.

It's not just the economy that may have you thinking of downsizing.  It could be retirement, a recently emptied nest, or just plain "maintenance fatigue."  Whatever the reason, plan your new lifestyle carefully.

When looking for a smaller home, don't forget that Location is still the key ingredient.  Even if you don't have kids or they've flown the coop, a good school district and proximity to public transportation and recreation are still the best bets for retaining value. Fayetteville Area Home Sales is the ideal place to begin your search.

If this will be a retirement move, think about the future and seek out homes on one level, or at the very least, with the master bedroom on the ground floor.  For practicality's sake, at least one bathroom should be handicap-accessible or easily remodeled as such.  Even if you don't think you'll need it later on, your visitors might appreciate the convenience.

If downsizing to you means less maintenance, you may be tempted by town home or condominium living, but be aware of "hidden costs," like annual or monthly homeowners association fees.  Check recent association meeting reports to see if there is a building renovation planned, as you could be hit with an assessment fee in the future, too.

There are a lot of considerations in advance of your move, so pick up the phone and call us today for more advice, and enjoy your new lifestyle!

Find the Best Realtor in Fayetteville and get the credit you deserve. A recent conversation with a local Fayetteville loan officer revealed that mortgage applications are being reviewed far more thoroughly now than in the past, and that your credit score should be 680 or higher to qualify for the best interest rates.  So how do I determine my score, and what does the Best Realtor in Fayetteville have to do with getting the credit I deserve? The following paragraphs will highlight facts and figures you should know, and how the Best Realtor can assist.

Everyone is allowed one free credit report per year from the three reporting agencies (Experian, Equifax and TransUnion).  Review the reports for accuracy and act quickly to correct any errors or omissions.

Approximately 35% of your credit score is based on the timeliness of your payments.  Make sure that no late payments older than seven years are still on your report.

If you have paid off loans or credit cards, a zero balance should appear on those accounts.  Sometimes, agencies don't properly update those balances after settlement.

15% of your credit score is based on the length of your credit history, so make sure that the opening dates of all your accounts are accurate.  Also make sure that the limits on your credit cards are correct, and keep the balances under 50% of those limits.  Total debt accounts for 30% of your credit score.

Think twice about closing credit card accounts with zero balances, because this negatively reduces your ratio of "available credit" to your debt. Try this instead. First, order copies of your credit reports, then make corrections. Finally, apply for home financing and call the Best Realtor you can find in Fayetteville. As stated in the first paragraph, the Best Realtor in Fayetteville will have a list of local lenders you can choose from, if you don’t have your own. So don’t hesitate... do your due diligence and find the Best Realtor in Fayetteville. You’ll be glad you did!

Best Realtor in Fayetteville, NC

Who would be so bold as to proclaim to be the Best Realtor in any locality? It certainly would not be someone seeking the respect and admiration of their peers. And, if there were to be such a claim, should it not come from satisfied clients instead of an agent? One would think so!

But, if you are a buyer or seller and you are looking for the Best Realtor in Fayetteville, NC, why not start by doing a web search. One thing for sure, you would have several thousand results, but most likely you would focus on the first couple of pages. It makes perfect sense that the Best Realtor would not only have excellent credentials, but also provide you with helpful information, and allow you access to that information without attaching strings, such as requiring your name, email address, and possibly your phone number, would it not?

At the end of the day, what you want is someone who will listen to your needs and act in your best interest; a real professional who has the knowledge and skill to guide you through the process of buying  or selling your home. The Best Realtor  is likely to be someone you feel comfortable with and would gladly recommend to your family and friends.

The last point to consider when looking for the Best Realtor in Fayetteville, NC is; does this person have a sense of humor? So go ahead and conduct your search, after all, you wouldn’t want me calling you… would you?

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

To All My AR Family of Friends

Hope you get a kick out of this!

If you plan to remodel or update before selling your home, you have to find the balance between what's appropriate and what qualifies as over-improvement. If you're in a mid-range neighborhood and install granite countertops, you're unlikely to recoup your costs.  But if you're in a higher-end community, laminate may be too little, too late, resulting in a lower sales price.

So what will always work?  Painting, inside or out, is one of the most affordable ways to increase your resale value. If you've got wood floors underneath carpeting, show them off.  Old light fixtures in the kitchen, bath and hallways should be updated to popular styles with stainless steel or brushed nickel finishes.  And be sure to make a good first impression outdoors with a maintained yard and perhaps a new mailbox, doorknobs and house numbers.

Before you plan your updates, visit some open houses or new home communities where you can see the latest styles, and update your home's features accordingly.  Just remember to keep your improvements clean, neutral and timeless.

Try not to be the last one on your block to remodel or update, because buyers will pass your listing over for one up the road that's already been updated. If you are thinking of selling, call 1st Choice Realty of Fayetteville, LLC  and let us help you improve your chances for a quicker sale at a higher price, by discussing which improvements provide the greatest return.

So you’ve decided to buy a home in the Fayetteville Area. What's the first question you ask yourself?  It should be, "How much can I afford?"  Without that crucial piece of information, you can't even begin your search.  Figure your monthly income and debt payments, order your credit reports, and determine how much you can put down.

Next, get pre-approved for a home loan.  If you don’t have a preference, or you need help finding a lender, contact 1st Choice Realty of Fayetteville, LLC for assistance. We will point you in the right direction, so you can choose a lender that offers the best interest rate and terms. The lender you choose can answer all of your questions about the different types of mortgages.

Now, what do you want out of your new home?  Want a location within the city, right downtown, in the suburbs, or a rural setting?  How many bedrooms and bathrooms, in a single family home or townhouse or condo? You will also want to consider schools, your work commute, and proximity to shopping and recreation.  


Now that you've figured out what you're looking for and what you can afford, let us help you locate the neighborhoods that satisfy your requirements. We will schedule tours and arrange for a private showing of  the properties that interest you most! No matter how long it takes, our commitment to you is to do everything possible to make your home buying experience one you will remember, and happily share with your family and friends!

My granddaughter, Taylor Steele, a student, and group participant, at the Linda Kinlaw School of dance in Fayetteville, NC, took platinum  for lyrical dance routine, “Pure Imagination” at the Kannapolis Performing Arts Center in Kannapolis NC. The competition was held March 12 & 13, 2011.

Taylor is an honor student at 71st Classical School in Fayetteville.  She has been dancing for 9 years. Needless to say her paw paw and nana are proud of her!

Fayetteville, NC, like many areas of the country are experiencing buyers markets, and current tax laws make this a very attractive time for parents who have the financial ability, to help their children become homeowners.  Home prices and interest rates are still low, so you may want to consider this potential investment in your children's future.

As parents, you can provide a significant downpayment, free of taxation. Individually you may gift up to $13,000 per year, so two parents making gifts to their child and spouse can give a total of $52,000 in one year without paying gift tax!

Above and beyond the outright gift, you may loan your family money, as long as you charge a minimum interest rate, which is currently very low.  Then you can make your gifts each year, and your child's family can use the gifts to pay the loan!

If neither of these options is attractive, you could purchase the home yourself and then set up a Qualified Personal Residence Trust (QPRT), with the home passing to the children at the end of an established term, tax free.  You will need to consult with your financial advisor and employ an attorney to handle this kind of transaction, but...

You begin by meeting with your local real estate professional, Clark Cook, and let him explain how to keep it all in the family! Contrary to what you may have heard, there is practically no better investment today than real estate.