Central North Carolina Homes

What Happens When We Can't Agree regarding Property We Own Together--A Tale of Two Sisters

Colin Moody (Fonville Morisey Realty) — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 18:54:42 -0700

Great article by Elliott S. Topkins, Massachusetts Real Estate and Title Atty. Unmarried buyers who purchase homes together should read and consider the advise offered below.

Via Elliott S. Topkins Massachusetts Real Estate and Title Atty (Topkins & Bevans-etopkins@topbev.com):

Two sisters bought a vacation home on one of the offshore Massachusetts islands a little more than five years ago. They had a legacy from their grandmother's estate, and they decided to purchase a home which they could enjoy, either together or by themselves. There was no mortgage involved, and the purchase transaction went off smoothly, as they acquired the property as tenants-in-common.

Fast forward to 2010, and situations have changed, as they almost always do. Sister one has lost her job, and she does not have much extra money. Sister two has a high-level executive position, and she is thriving both in the workplace, and at home, where she has just given birth to her first child.

Sister one now wants to use the vacation home for the extra income it can provide, even in these tough economic times. Sister two wants to spend time in the vacation home enjoying her family and the fruits of her hard work. The two sisters have reached an uncomfortable impasse regarding the property.

Sister two has come to me seeking advice as to what she can do. Needless to say, there is NO tenancy-in-common agreement between the sisters. No one mentioned it at the time, and they probably would have discarded the idea if someone had.

I have advised sister two that she has only one remedy in this situation, unless calmer heads can prevail. She can file a Petition for Partition with the local Land Court, have the vacation home sold by a court appointed Commissioner and split the proceeds with her sister. The good news is that they have no mortgage; the bad news is that this may be one of the low points in value on this vacation Mecca. They will almost necessarily lose money if they sell at this point.

How much easier this all could have been if they had the foresight to have a tenancy-in-common agreement. How miserable it is for both of them now. Please, please, please get non-married people to think about these issues when they purchase property together. This family may never be the same again.

SIGN UP FOR MY HOMEFINDER

Chapel Hill, Durham & Raleigh area Real Estate on Facebook

Colin A. Moody REALTOR®, Broker, RCA, CREN

P.S. Over 80% of my business is accomplished through my personal relationships with people like you. If you do not presently have a real estate professional in mind that you would refer, I would love to be that person. I promise to provide anyone you send me with excellent service before, during, and after the sale.

Relocation Certified Agents (RCA)

Certified Real Estate Negotiator (CREN)

Gold Executive Council

FONVILLE MORISEY REALTY

A LONG & FOSTER COMPANY

cmoody@fmrealty.com

Phone: 919-491-0739

Efax: 919-595-0508

CHAPEL HILL REAL ESTATE CARY REAL ESTATE DURHAM REAL ESTATE RALEIGH REAL ESTATE

Triangle area Mortgage Interest Rates Remain Low.

Colin Moody (Fonville Morisey Realty) — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 20:40:27 -0700

Mortgage interest rates remain at their lowest in recent history as shown in the figures below. If you need additional info regarding home loans, or buying or selling a home in the Chapel Hill, Durham or Raleigh areas, contact me, I can help.

CONVENTIONAL 30 YEAR FIXED 4.375%

CONVENTIONAL 30 YEAR FIXED-NO ORIG 4.50%

CONVENTIONAL 15 YEAR FIXED 3.75%

JUMBO 30 YEAR FIXED 5.00%

JUMBO 5YEAR ARM 3.875%

FHA 30 YEAR FIXED 4.25%

FHA & VA 5 YEAR ARM 3.375%

VA 30 YEAR FIXED 4.25%

NC HOUSING BOND 3.95%

*All quotes with 1% origination fee or less

*Rates vary according to down payment & credit score

google-site-verification: googlebf60ccdaa02938c8.html

SIGN UP FOR MY HOMEFINDER

Chapel Hill, Durham & Raleigh area Real Estate on Facebook

Colin A. Moody REALTOR®, Broker, RCA, CREN

Relocation Certified Agents (RCA)

Certified Real Estate Negotiator (CREN)

Gold Executive Council

FONVILLE MORISEY REALTY

A LONG & FOSTER COMPANY

cmoody@fmrealty.com

Phone: 919-491-0739

Efax: 919-595-0508

CHAPEL HILL REAL ESTATE CARY REAL ESTATE DURHAM REAL ESTATE RALEIGH REAL ESTATE

Triangle area Foreclosure Information

Colin Moody (Fonville Morisey Realty) — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 11:35:21 -0700

Nationally over 1.65 million homes received foreclosure filings in the first half of 2010. This figure represents an 8% increase in filings over the same period in 2009 with California, Florida and Arizona posting the highest foreclosure totals.

Locally, the Raleigh-Cary area reported a 49% increase in foreclosures to 3,019 through the first half of 2010 while Durham showed a 3% decline to 716 in 2010.

Raleigh ranked 137th in the nation in foreclosure filings while Durham ranked 179.

If you're looking for additional info on market conditions in the Chapel Hill, Durham and Raleigh areas contact me. I can help.

SIGN UP FOR MY HOMEFINDER

Chapel Hill, Durham & Raleigh area Real Estate on Facebook

Colin A. Moody REALTOR®, Broker, RCA, CREN

Relocation Certified Agents (RCA)

Certified Real Estate Negotiator (CREN)

Gold Executive Council

FONVILLE MORISEY REALTY

A LONG & FOSTER COMPANY

cmoody@fmrealty.com

Phone: 919-491-0739

Efax: 919-595-0508

CHAPEL HILL REAL ESTATE CARY REAL ESTATE DURHAM REAL ESTATE RALEIGH REAL ESTATE

LOW CHAPEL HILL, DURHAM AND RALEIGH AREA MORTGAGE RATES AVAILABLE TO AREA HOME BUYERS.

Colin Moody (Fonville Morisey Realty) — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 15:47:13 -0700

It's Hot outside and the mortgage interest rates posted below continue to sizzle. Contact me to get a pre-approval and to begin your Triangle area home search...I can help.

TRIANGLE AREA MORTGAGE RATES AS OF 07-23-2010

ALL QUOTES WITH 1% ORIGINATION FEE OR LESS.

RATES VARY ACCORDING TO DOWN PAYMENT AND CREDIT SCORE

_________________________________________________________

CONVENTIONAL 30 YEAR FIXED 4.375%

CONVENTIONAL 30 YEAR FIXED-NO ORIG 4.625%

CONVENTIONAL 15 YEAR FIXED 3.875%

JUMBO 30 YEAR FIXED 5.125%

JUMBO 5YEAR ARM 4.00%

FHA 30 YEAR FIXED 4.25%

FHA & VA 5 YEAR ARM 3.50%

VA 30 YEAR FIXED 4.50%

NC HOUSING BOND 4.75%

SIGN UP FOR MY HOMEFINDER

Chapel Hill, Durham & Raleigh area Real Estate on Facebook

Colin A. Moody REALTOR®, Broker, RCA, CREN

Relocation Certified Agents (RCA)

Certified Real Estate Negotiator (CREN)

Gold Executive Council

FONVILLE MORISEY REALTY

A LONG & FOSTER COMPANY

cmoody@fmrealty.com

Phone: 919-491-0739

Efax: 919-595-0508

CHAPEL HILL REAL ESTATE CARY REAL ESTATE DURHAM REAL ESTATE RALEIGH REAL ESTATE

Buying a Chapel Hill, Durham or Raleigh area Home? Consider Hiring a Plumber to Check the Sewer Pipe!

Colin Moody (Fonville Morisey Realty) — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 15:29:31 -0700

The private sewer lateral is the part of the sewer that runs from the house to the public sewer main, which is located under the street, alley, or in an easement behind the house.

The maintenance and repair of the private sewer lateral is the responsibility of the property owner. But many owners give little thought to this system until a sewage back up occurs, usually due to a damaged or root-clogged pipe, or an offset joint. Repairing damages caused by a sewage backup can cost thousands of dollars; an expense seldom covered by homeowner's insurance policies. Local water utilities in our area offer insurance coverage that can be added to your water bill as a hedge against expensive lateral sewer repairs.

A professional home inspection will cover the interior and exterior of the major mechanical and structural systems of a house such as the HVAC system, Hot water tank, roofing and exterior cladding, soffits, gutter systems, electrical system, built-in appliances, doors, windows, fireplaces and flues, crawl space and attic ventilation and the plumbing system but will rarely include an inspection of the building's sewer (known as the private sewer lateral or side sewer).

For a few hundred dollars, a licensed plumber can visually inspect the private sewer lateral using a video recording system that will show if there are any cracks or breaks in the pipe or offsets, and whether there are any root intrusions from nearby trees, hardened grease, or egg shells, the most common causes of lateral sewer blockage. Repair costs can be several hundred dollars and replacement costs can run into the thousands.

If a private sewer lateral problem is discovered as part of the home inspection prior to closing, the buyer has an opportunity to negotiate with the seller to cover the cost of cleaning or repairs.

Additionally, with a private sewer lateral inspection you'll also learn if the lateral has a cleanout and if that cleanout is fitted with an Overflow Protection Device.

If there is no cleanout, one should be installed. This will provide easy access to your private sewer lateral for cleaning and maintenance. Installing an Over Flow Protection device is an inexpensive way to prevent sewage from backing up into your home. The device allows sewage back-ups to spill outside rather than from a drain inside your house.

Installation of the Over Flow Protection device (which is available at many plumbing supply stores) is relatively simple, but must be done according to your local sanitary district specifications. It's recommended that a licensed plumber install the device since elevation and location are critical for the device to function properly.

Source: The Central Contra Costa Sanitary District PIPELINE, Fall 2009

SIGN UP FOR MY HOMEFINDER

Chapel Hill, Durham & Raleigh area Real Estate on Facebook

Colin A. Moody REALTOR®, Broker, RCA, CREN

Relocation Certified Agents (RCA)

Certified Real Estate Negotiator (CREN)

Gold Executive Council

FONVILLE MORISEY REALTY

A LONG & FOSTER COMPANY

cmoody@fmrealty.com

Phone: 919-491-0739

Efax: 919-595-0508

CHAPEL HILL REAL ESTATE CARY REAL ESTATE DURHAM REAL ESTATE RALEIGH REAL ESTATE

Mr. Seller - Step Away From the Screwdriver

Colin Moody (Fonville Morisey Realty) — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 12:50:05 -0700

Hi everyone, the points mentioned in the post below are definately worth keeping in mind before deciding to work on your home yourself.

Via Lise Howe, Assoc. Broker and Attorney Licensed in DC, MD, VA,Coldwell Banker (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Chevy Chase):

     I just got a listing under contract in Chevy Chase and I survived the house inspesction process. Now, I can finally take a breath! The anxiety comes because the seller in Chevy Chase enjoys being a handyman in his spare time. He has taken on projects like spreading concrete all over the back yard, the common area front sidewalk, and up the side of his house, laid new linoleum tile in the front hall, and panelled part of his family room.

     Regrettably, the buyers do not share the seller's enthusiasm for his home repair accomplishments. After the inspection, the buyers refused to have the seller do any of the repairs or even hire a licensed contractor to do the requested repairs. Instead they were only satisfied with a significant credit from the seller to the buyers before they will go to settlement on this wonderful home in Chevy Chase.

     The seller's nonprofessional attempts to maintain his home have cost him money. He definately isn't saving money. When an inspector sees messy workmanship, his sensitivities are aroused and he starts to look more closely at the rest of the house. Marginal issues like some missing shingles, combined with a previously repaired roof leak, are evaluated as an ongoing roof leak which needs a 4x4 section of the roof to be replaced, along with the plywood sheathing underneath.

     Sellers getting ready to put their homes on the market should not try to cut corners by doing the work themselves, particularly when they are not licensed contractors. The possibility of code violations and sloppy workmanship are going to cost more money than you save. Just don't do it! Call a contractor and relax. They are the professionals!

SIGN UP FOR MY HOMEFINDER

Chapel Hill, Durham & Raleigh area Real Estate on Facebook

Colin A. Moody REALTOR®, Broker, RCA, CREN

Relocation Certified Agents (RCA)

Certified Real Estate Negotiator (CREN)

Gold Executive Council

FONVILLE MORISEY REALTY

A LONG & FOSTER COMPANY

cmoody@fmrealty.com

Phone: 919-491-0739

Efax: 919-595-0508

CHAPEL HILL REAL ESTATE CARY REAL ESTATE DURHAM REAL ESTATE RALEIGH REAL ESTATE

Colvard Farms Home For Sale: Custom 4 sided brick home lives like a ranch.

Colin Moody (Fonville Morisey Realty) — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 13:52:33 -0700

This Gorgeous custom built house is designed to live like a one story home. With much of the living space located on the first floor you'll enjoy a first floor Master Suite, 3 additional bedrooms on the main level, formal living and dining rooms, large family room and breakfast area.

CLICK HERE: To view additional photos or to schedule an appointment to see this amazing home.

SIGN UP FOR MY HOMEFINDER

Chapel Hill, Durham & Raleigh area Real Estate on Facebook

Colin A. Moody REALTOR®, Broker, RCA, CREN

Relocation Certified Agents (RCA)

Certified Real Estate Negotiator (CREN)

Gold Executive Council

FONVILLE MORISEY REALTY

A LONG & FOSTER COMPANY

cmoody@fmrealty.com

Phone: 919-491-0739

Efax: 919-595-0508

CHAPEL HILL REAL ESTATE CARY REAL ESTATE DURHAM REAL ESTATE RALEIGH REAL ESTATE

Own or Lease? Rent VS Own.

Colin Moody (Fonville Morisey Realty) — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 21:56:07 -0700

I received a call today from a prospective client who called on a property that I have listed for sale. Although the property is not listed "For Rent". The prospect wanted to know if the owner would consider leasing the property for at least a 1 year term. After discussing the North Carolina Agency Disclosure I went on to have a qualifying discussion with prospect and based on the information provided asked why the prospect was not considering buying rather than renting. He answered my question by launching into a Tirade on how it's all a big lie that home ownership over the long term was a better finacial decision than renting and that he'd done the math and it didn't add up.

The data that I've seen indicates that homeownership begins paying benefits at around the 6th year of ownership. Not to mention the lifestyle choices that ownership allows one to enjoy. If you're wandering whether it's a good decision to become an owner vs remaining a renter click on the link below. You'll find a financial calculator that may help you determine the value of ownership.

If you are currently paying $1,000 a month for rented housing, over the next three years your property management company will effectively have reaped $36,000 of your hard earned cash. In most cases, you know your rent will go up every year, even if you live in an area that has rent control regulations. You're paying the mortgage for the property owner, when you could be building equity in your own real estate investment.

The tax deductions available to homeowners vary, but there are solid rules the IRS lines out for us. Real estate taxes, mortgage interest, pre-paid interest, and interest on construction loans are all things to take into consideration as tax benefits.

If you or someone you know is currently renting, I urge you to call me to discuss the many low- and no-down payment loan programs that are currently available to prospective home buyers. My team and I work cohesively with the borrower's financial consultant to ensure the client's long-term goals are met.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW CALCULATOR.

SIGN UP FOR MY HOMEFINDER

Chapel Hill, Durham & Raleigh area Real Estate on Facebook

Colin A. Moody REALTOR®, Broker, RCA, CREN

Relocation Certified Agents (RCA)

Certified Real Estate Negotiator (CREN)

Gold Executive Council

FONVILLE MORISEY REALTY

A LONG & FOSTER COMPANY

cmoody@fmrealty.com

Phone: 919-491-0739

Efax: 919-595-0508

CHAPEL HILL REAL ESTATE CARY REAL ESTATE DURHAM REAL ESTATE RALEIGH REAL ESTATE

Durham Home Sold To First Time Homebuyers. Family Qualifies for Huge Tax Refund.

Colin Moody (Fonville Morisey Realty) — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 21:06:33 -0700

This Durham Home was sold by Colin Moody to a wonderful family of first-time home buyerto Fs. The buyers closed in time to benefit from the federal home buyers credit.

SIGN UP FOR MY HOMEFINDER

Chapel Hill, Durham & Raleigh area Real Estate on Facebook

Colin A. Moody REALTOR®, Broker, RCA, CREN

Relocation Certified Agents (RCA)

Certified Real Estate Negotiator (CREN)

Gold Executive Council

FONVILLE MORISEY REALTY

A LONG & FOSTER COMPANY

cmoody@fmrealty.com

Phone: 919-491-0739

Efax: 919-595-0508

CHAPEL HILL REAL ESTATE CARY REAL ESTATE DURHAM REAL ESTATE RALEIGH REAL ESTATE

Mortgage Rates This week In the Chapel Hill, Durham and Raleigh Real Estate Market.

Colin Moody (Fonville Morisey Realty) — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 17:54:24 -0700

It's Hot outside and so are the mortgage interest rates below. Contact me to get a pre-approval and to begin your Triangle area home search...I can help.

Rates* as of 7/09/10

All quotes with 1% origination fee or less. Rates vary according to down payment & credit score

CONVENTIONAL 30 YEAR FIXED 4.375%

CONVENTIONAL 30 YEAR FIXED-NO ORIG 4.625%

CONVENTIONAL 15 YEAR FIXED 3.875%

JUMBO 30 YEAR FIXED 5.125%

JUMBO 5YEAR ARM 4.00%

FHA 30 YEAR FIXED 4.50%

FHA & VA 5 YEAR ARM 3.50%

VA 30 YEAR FIXED 4.50%

NC HOUSING BOND 4.75%

SIGN UP FOR MY HOMEFINDER

Chapel Hill, Durham & Raleigh area Real Estate on Facebook

Colin A. Moody REALTOR®, Broker, RCA, CREN

Relocation Certified Agents (RCA)

Certified Real Estate Negotiator (CREN)

Gold Executive Council

FONVILLE MORISEY REALTY

A LONG & FOSTER COMPANY

cmoody@fmrealty.com

Phone: 919-491-0739

Efax: 919-595-0508

CHAPEL HILL REAL ESTATE CARY REAL ESTATE DURHAM REAL ESTATE RALEIGH REAL ESTATE

Prefinished Hardwood vs. Unfinished Hardwood - Which is better? Which costs less?

Colin Moody (Fonville Morisey Realty) — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 10:01:46 -0700

If you're contemplating installing wood floors and are unsure whether to go with prefinished or unfinished flooring, the article below provides usefull info that may help you make an informed decision.

Via Debbie Gartner - Floor Coverings International (Floor Coverings International):

I'm often asked whether prefinished hardwood or unfinished hardwood is better. We install both and the truth is it depends on which of below factors is most important to you. The next question I get is, which is less expensive???

Just to make sure we are on the same page for definitions, prefinished means that it's all finished in the factory and then you just install it. Unfinished means you have raw hardwood that needs to be nailed into the floor and then sanded & refinished on-site.

Advantages of prefinished

More scratch resistant/lasts longer. Usually prefinished hardwood is 7-10x more scratch resistant than unfinished hardwood. That's because when it's finished on site, you generally get 2-3 coats of poly while when it's factory made, you usually get at least 6-7 coats which are oven baked along w/ aluminum oxide, the worlds' 2^nd hardest substance.

Less messy - Anyone who has lived through sanding & refinishing knows what I'm talking about. It's a mess with all the sawdust. Oh, and did I forget to mention the smell?

Faster - Of course this depends on the space, but usually most of our prefinished jobs can be done in 1-2 days. When it's unfinished, it often takes 4-5 days + drying time, and you can't walk on the area at all during this time.

For do-it-yourselfers, prefinished is certainly easier. Some that are handy can just install it themselves vs. most do-it-yourselfers can't sand & refinish nor do they have easy access to these machines. I would definitely leave this up to the pros - I've seen way too many botched up jobs when homeowners attempt this on their own.

Advantages of Unfinished

Smooth edges - Most prefinished hardwood has a slight bevel at the edges. Some customers prefer this because they think it looks more real; other customers like the smoothed out look when you sand the floors. No right or wrong answer here; just a preference.

Matching color of existing - If you have hardwood in other parts of the home, using unfinished hardwood will be the easiest way to match it. You can have your installer select and/or test the stain colors as well as make sure they get the matching wood (e.g. is it red oak or white oak and which grade).

Choosing a very specific color - If you want to mix and match/blend stains and finishes you have this option vs. with prefinished, the color selections are sometimes a bit more limiting.

So which is less expensive???? Hard to say and it actually changes over time since the price of unfinished hardwood usually fluctuates. The truth is, over time, if comparing apples to apples, they are prob. about equal in cost. Last year and beginning of this year, it was less expensive to do unfinished; now, with all of the recent increases on oak, prefinished is currently a bit less expensive.

Essentially with prefinished hardwood, you are paying more for the wood and less for the labor; for unfinished hardwood, you are spending less on the wood and more on the labor. Many general contractors prefer to do unfinished hardwood because they make more money on this since there's more labor. Cost is same to you, but more in their pocket.

I noted, before if you are "comparing apples to apples" and the issue is that often customers are not comparing apples to apples, esp if they are talking to a contractor they can't trust. (Have you ever met one of these?). It's very easy for a contractor to reduce the cost by giving you a lower grade of wood (e.g. No 1 common or worse No 2 common rather than select grade). This means you'll have hardwood w/ more color variation and more knots and sometimes shorter lengths. So be careful and hire someone you trust and check their references.

Please feel free to visit our website for all your flooring needs or questions. www.westchester.floorcoveringsinternational.com. And, feel free to download our FREE flooring guide.

Debbie Gartner, Floor Coverings International in Westchester/Western Fairfield

"We bring the store to your door."

SIGN UP FOR MY HOMEFINDER

Chapel Hill, Durham & Raleigh area Real Estate on Facebook

Colin A. Moody REALTOR®, Broker, RCA, CREN

Relocation Certified Agents (RCA)

Certified Real Estate Negotiator (CREN)

Gold Executive Council

FONVILLE MORISEY REALTY

A LONG & FOSTER COMPANY

cmoody@fmrealty.com

Phone: 919-491-0739

Efax: 919-595-0508

CHAPEL HILL REAL ESTATE CARY REAL ESTATE DURHAM REAL ESTATE RALEIGH REAL ESTATE

North Carolina Mortgage Interest Rates are extremely low!

Colin Moody (Fonville Morisey Realty) — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 20:07:08 -0700

Wondering what you can expect as far as mortgage interest rates in the Raleigh-Durham area of North Carolina? Take a look below. If you need additional info or assistance regarding the homebuying or selling process, contact me..I can help.

North Carolina Mortgage Intereste Rates* as of 7/02/10

All quotes with 1% origination fee or less

Rates vary according to down payment & credit score

CONVENTIONAL 30 YEAR FIXED 4.50%

CONVENTIONAL 30 YEAR FIXED-NO ORIG 4.625%

CONVENTIONAL 15 YEAR FIXED 4.00%

JUMBO 30 YEAR FIXED 5.25%

JUMBO 5YEAR ARM 4.00%

FHA 30 YEAR FIXED 4.50%

FHA & VA 5 YEAR ARM 3.50%

VA 30 YEAR FIXED 4.625%

NC HOUSING BOND 4.75%

SIGN UP FOR MY HOMEFINDER

Chapel Hill, Durham & Raleigh area Real Estate on Facebook

Colin A. Moody REALTOR®, Broker, RCA, CREN

Relocation Certified Agents (RCA)

Certified Real Estate Negotiator (CREN)

Gold Executive Council

FONVILLE MORISEY REALTY

A LONG & FOSTER COMPANY

cmoody@fmrealty.com

Phone: 919-491-0739

Efax: 919-595-0508

CHAPEL HILL REAL ESTATE CARY REAL ESTATE DURHAM REAL ESTATE RALEIGH REAL ESTATE

"Fourth Of July", Durham and Chapel Hill North Carolina, Area Celebrations

Colin Moody (Fonville Morisey Realty) — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 11:45:29 -0700

Looking for fireworks on the 4th of July? See below for local events that feature Fireworks. You may also click on the links below for additional info on each event.

Durham - Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Festival For the Eno starting at 10 a.m. at West Point on the Eno city park, Durham. Music, family activities, arts and crafts, community group displays, ecology education. $15 for a single day; $35 for a three-day pass. Free for children 12 and under. West Point on the Eno, 5101 N. Roxboro Road in Durham. Parking at Durham County Stadium, 2700 N. Duke St. Shuttles run from the stadium to the park all during the day. 620-9099. www.enoriver.org/Festival.

Durham - Saturday. Children’s Independence Day Parade at 10 a.m. Decorate your bicycle, wagon or scooter. Free. Durham Central Park, 548 Foster St., Durham. www.durhamcentralpark.org/.

Durham - Sunday. Independence Day festivities starting at 4 p.m. at the American Tobacco Campus and Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Events begin with a free concert 4-8 p.m. on the lawn of the American Tobacco campus. At 7:05 p.m., the Durham Bulls game starts. Tickets are required. Gates to DBAP are open for free admission at the end of the seventh inning. “It’s Cool to Care” awards, national anthem and fireworks at about 10 p.m. 560-4355.

Orange County

Carrboro - Sunday. Family Celebration from 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Musical performances, entertainers, and a juggling Uncle Sam on stilts. Free. Carrboro Town Hall, 301 W. Main St., Carrboro. 942-8541. www.carrborojuly4th.com.

Chapel Hill - Sunday. Festivities at 7 p.m. at UNC's Kenan Memorial Stadium at Stadium Drive. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. 104 Stadium Drive, Chapel Hill. 962-1076. www.townofchapelhill.org.

SIGN UP FOR MY HOMEFINDER

Chapel Hill, Durham & Raleigh area Real Estate on Facebook

Colin A. Moody REALTOR®, Broker, RCA, CREN

Relocation Certified Agents (RCA)

Certified Real Estate Negotiator (CREN)

Gold Executive Council

FONVILLE MORISEY REALTY

A LONG & FOSTER COMPANY

cmoody@fmrealty.com

Phone: 919-491-0739

Efax: 919-595-0508

CHAPEL HILL REAL ESTATE CARY REAL ESTATE DURHAM REAL ESTATE RALEIGH REAL ESTATE

Beaches, Lakes. Mountains, Parks and more.

Colin Moody (Fonville Morisey Realty) — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 13:05:53 -0700

The month of June gave us some of the hottest days in North Carolina in recorded history. Weeks of 97+ degree days without letup turned lawns brown, and previously lush landscapes began to wilt. Fortunately, here in "The Triangle" we're located just a couple of hours drive from our North Carolina beaches and about equal drive time to the mountains. If you don't feel like driving a couple of hours to cool off, our area also features a number of recreational lakes where boating, swimming and other outdoor activities are encouraged.

This week the heatwave finally broke and we're back to enjoying beautiful temperate weather in the mid 80's.

If you're looking to relocate to an area that usually experiences moderate seasons, is constantly receiving recognition for everything from "The best places to live" to being "among the healthiest real estate market in the country". Consider the greater Triangle area which is made up of Chapel Hill, Durham and Raleigh area of North Carolina.

Contact me if you'd like to learn more about our wonderful area, vibrant economy and exciting lifestyle.

SIGN UP FOR MY HOMEFINDER

Chapel Hill, Durham & Raleigh area Real Estate on Facebook

Colin A. Moody REALTOR®, Broker, RCA, CREN

Relocation Certified Agents (RCA)

Certified Real Estate Negotiator (CREN)

Gold Executive Council

FONVILLE MORISEY REALTY

A LONG & FOSTER COMPANY

cmoody@fmrealty.com

Phone: 919-491-0739

Efax: 919-595-0508

CHAPEL HILL REAL ESTATE CARY REAL ESTATE DURHAM REAL ESTATE RALEIGH REAL ESTATE

Homebuyers Tax Credit Deadline to Close Extended.

Colin Moody (Fonville Morisey Realty) — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 08:36:14 -0700

Yesterday, the Senate esxtended the homebuyers tax credit deadline for home purchases that were under contract on or before April 30th. The new deadline is September 30th and was implemented because of fear that over 180,00 properties that qualified for the tax credit, would not be able to close by the June 30th deadline. An overwhelming response by buyers created backlogs in many underwriting departments resulting in delayed closings which would not have met the June 30th deadline.

SIGN UP FOR MY HOMEFINDER

Chapel Hill, Durham & Raleigh area Real Estate on Facebook

Colin A. Moody REALTOR®, Broker, RCA, CREN

Relocation Certified Agents (RCA)

Certified Real Estate Negotiator (CREN)

Gold Executive Council

FONVILLE MORISEY REALTY

A LONG & FOSTER COMPANY

cmoody@fmrealty.com

Phone: 919-491-0739

Efax: 919-595-0508

CHAPEL HILL REAL ESTATE CARY REAL ESTATE DURHAM REAL ESTATE RALEIGH REAL ESTATE

Dear Seller - I Know Your Home is Family Friendly But I Just Can't Say That

Colin Moody (Fonville Morisey Realty) — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 10:21:27 -0700

I was about to write a post regarding the Federal Fair Housing Law when I came across this info written by a fellow broker in Wake Forest. It is fun to read and explains the issues we face as Real Estate agents that prevent us from promoting or advertising area or neighborhood features that sellers believe should be marketted as benefits of purchasing their property.

Via Leesa L. Finley, REALTOR®/RE Strategist Wake Forest NC Real Estate and Area Info (Circa Properties - Your Wake Forest NC Homes Specialist):

Dear Seller - I Know Your Home is Family Friendly But I Just Can't Say That

While your home may be prefect for a large family, in a quiet, family neighborhood and right across the street from the Catholic church I just can't say that. Your home may be right in the middle of the financial district, near public transportation and have a free membership to the gym making it ideal for a working professional but I just can't say that.

You see, there is the Federal Fair Housing Act that I must adhere to that strictly prohibits discriminatory preference against:

Race or Color

National Origin

Religion

Sex

Familial Status

Handicap/Disability

To advertise your home in a family friendly neighborhood would be discriminatory. Why? It would discourage those without children from looking at your home based on familial status. While your home may be right across the street from the largest Catholic church in town it would be discriminatory based on Religion.

As a Realtor® it is my job to highlight your home and advertise it in the best possible light. If you hire me to be your Realtor® then you must be comfortable with me and trust that I know how to advertise your home without violating the Federal Fair Housing Act. If you DON'T hire me, or any Realtor® for that matter, to assist you in selling your home you must know that you are subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act as well. Yes, even as a private seller!

The next time you see the ad that I run for your home please don't be upset with me for not mentioning that your home is family friendly or right next door to the Synagogue. Besides, your home has many more beneficial attributes for me to concentrate on!

Whether you are buying or selling Real Estate in Wake Forest NC it just makes sense to use a Realtor® that knows the area! I live here, work here and play here - I call Wake Forest NC home! For more information regarding Wake Forest NC be sure to visit my websites:

Leesa Finley - Homes for Sale in Wake Forest NC, Wake Forest NC schools, restaurants, shops, entertainment and MORE....

Circa Properties - My company website with information for the entire Raleigh NC area including Cary, Apex, Garner, Franklinton, Youngsville, Holly Springs and MORE....

SIGN UP FOR MY HOMEFINDER

Chapel Hill, Durham & Raleigh area Real Estate on Facebook

Colin A. Moody REALTOR®, Broker, RCA, CREN

Relocation Certified Agents (RCA)

Certified Real Estate Negotiator (CREN)

Gold Executive Council

FONVILLE MORISEY REALTY

A LONG & FOSTER COMPANY

cmoody@fmrealty.com

Phone: 919-491-0739

Efax: 919-595-0508

CHAPEL HILL REAL ESTATE CARY REAL ESTATE DURHAM REAL ESTATE RALEIGH REAL ESTATE

Home Buyers Tax Extension Fails To Pass Senate.

Colin Moody (Fonville Morisey Realty) — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 19:11:55 -0700

The "Tax Extenders" bill, a proposal to extend the deadline for those qualifying home purchases that went under contract on or before April 30th failed to get enough votes to become law. This greatly reduces the likelyhood that an extension will be passed before the June 30th deadline.

Banks have not been able to close all the qualifying contracts due to a backlog of purchases waiting for underwriting approval, so this law would have extended the June 30th closing deadline to cover those buyers who met the April 30th contract deadline.

Be advised, if you're under contract and qualify under the rules of the homebuyers program, your property must close on or before June 30th.

SIGN UP FOR MY HOMEFINDER

Chapel Hill, Durham & Raleigh area Real Estate on Facebook

Colin A. Moody REALTOR®, Broker, RCA, CREN

Relocation Certified Agents (RCA)

Certified Real Estate Negotiator (CREN)

Gold Executive Council

FONVILLE MORISEY REALTY

A LONG & FOSTER COMPANY

cmoody@fmrealty.com

Phone: 919-491-0739

Efax: 919-595-0508

CHAPEL HILL REAL ESTATE CARY REAL ESTATE DURHAM REAL ESTATE RALEIGH REAL ESTATE

Hot Sun In The Summertime. North Carolina Heat.

Colin Moody (Fonville Morisey Realty) — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 17:06:04 -0700

You know you're in the south when temperatures push into the upper 90's and the humidity makes it feel like it's 110 degrees in the shade. Temperatures here in the Chapel Hill, Durham and Raleigh have remained hot, hot, hot, for the past few week and forecasts call for continued 95 + degree temperatures for the next week, with little relief in sight.

If you have to spend time out in the heat due to work or play. Be sure to pack plenty of water and hydrate regularly. The heat can be especially hard on the very young or the elderly, so pay particular attention to young ones playing outdoors or elderly loved ones who don't have air-conditioning.

If you, your child, or someone you know has symptoms of severe dehydration (dry mouth, sunken eyes, reluctance to drink, inability to pass urine or cry tears, high fever, lethargy, confusion, cold hands and feet, rapid and weak pulse, rapid breathing, call for emergency help and have the person sip a electrolyte-replacement fluid (for babies or children, one that's made especially for them such as Pedialyte.

If you can avoid it. Stay out of the heat and avoid strenuous work or exercise. Your health could depend on it.

SIGN UP FOR MY HOMEFINDER

Chapel Hill, Durham & Raleigh area Real Estate on Facebook

Colin A. Moody REALTOR®, Broker, RCA, CREN

Relocation Certified Agents (RCA)

Certified Real Estate Negotiator (CREN)

Gold Executive Council

FONVILLE MORISEY REALTY

A LONG & FOSTER COMPANY

cmoody@fmrealty.com

Phone: 919-491-0739

Efax: 919-595-0508

CHAPEL HILL REAL ESTATE CARY REAL ESTATE DURHAM REAL ESTATE RALEIGH REAL ESTATE

Will Your Pre-Approved Buyer Be able to Close?

Colin Moody (Fonville Morisey Realty) — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 18:59:42 -0700

A few weeks ago I posted the blog below about Important new rules that could severely affect buyers and sellers. Today one of our associate brokers reported that a client's credit was re-pulled a couple days before closing with the new rules that went into affect June 1st.... Just 1 little slip up caused a chain reaction that affects a heck of a lot more than just the buyers credit score!

The wife missed a $10 payment to Ann Taylor which caused her score to drop by 100 points. Since the credit score was now lower, the buyers no longer qualified for the same interest rate. Now the buyers interest rate would be .25% higher than they'd expected or to keep the old rate they would have to pay $4700 in higher fees. So now they have to wait to close since the APR(Annual Percentage Rate) will go up because of the higher rate. They were supposed to close last Friday but the closing didn't happen. I'm sure this won't be the last story like this that we'll all hear about.

We need to stress to our buyer clients how important it is to insure that they stay on top of their current credit payments and that they do not even consider applying for additional lines of credit prior to closing. This is no joke.

Important Mortgage Information: Changing Rules may affect buyers and sellers.

This year the real estate industry especially the Mortgage business has experienced an overwhelming amount of increased regulation, enforcement, consolidation and major changes. These changes have often contributed to confusion among buyers, sellers and industry professionals as we attempt to keep pace with the almost daily changes, and interpret and implement new regulations.

Guidelines affecting "Good Faith Estimates", "Condo Project Approvals", "APR", and "Truth In Lending" rules have stalled closings and in some cases caused cancellations of transactions.

Effective June 1, 2010 Fannie Mae has issued lender mandates that if not properly managed could have far reaching effects on buyers, sellers and our ability to successfully close transactions.

This initiative, called FNMA LL-2010-03 Loan Quality initiative is intended to assure that buyer applicants have disclosed all necessary information honestly and accurately as of the moment of closing.

Lenders will now be required to re-pull credit just prior to closing, re-verify employment, validate social security numbers, verify intent to occupy and verify that all parties to the transaction have been checked against the national "excluded party" list, which is managed by HUD and by the General Services Administration. Changes in any of these factors are likely to result in a re-underwrite, the need for additional documentation, or suspension of loan closing.

Additional credit or increased balances that change the debt-to-income ratio more than 2% (or less if it now exceeds guidelines) will require the loan to be suspended and re-submitted to underwriting. Additional delinquencies will result in a new, full credit re-pull and re-underwriting utilizing the new credit.

Inquiries from other lenders or credit suppliers must be verified by the credit bureau and certified that new debt did not occur. If new credit has been extended, the new debt must be included in the borrower's debt-to-income ratio and the loan must be re-underwritten.

Other considerations are W-2 employees that may own more than 25% of a business mandating business returns and cash flow analysis and full disclosure of child support and alimony.

Changes in the above could render the applicant unqualified or could delay the closing, pending verification of new information. As a result of Truth In Lending, Good Faith Estimate, and risk-based pricing changes, additional debt could result in re-pricing the loan due to a change in credit score, which even if approvable, would delay the closing 3 business days as re-disclosure would be required.

Real Estate Agents and Lenders must impress upon the applicants the need for full and honest disclosure at the time of application, during the loan process and at closing. Buyers must be cautioned against applying for new credit during the process, changing jobs (30 day pay-stub requirements are being enforced), and charging to their credit cards.

It is imperative that they notify the lender if anything changes from application to closing as failure to correctly report is a Federal offense. Identified fraud of this nature may be investigated by the FBI.

SIGN UP FOR MY HOMEFINDER

Chapel Hill, Durham & Raleigh area Real Estate on Facebook

Colin A. Moody REALTOR®, Broker, RCA, CREN

Relocation Certified Agents (RCA)

Certified Real Estate Negotiator (CREN)

Gold Executive Council

FONVILLE MORISEY REALTY

A LONG & FOSTER COMPANY

cmoody@fmrealty.com

Phone: 919-491-0739

Efax: 919-595-0508

CHAPEL HILL REAL ESTATE CARY REAL ESTATE DURHAM REAL ESTATE RALEIGH REAL ESTATE

Karate Kid Remake: Worth Watching?

Colin Moody (Fonville Morisey Realty) — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 22:48:36 -0700

I took the family out to the movies this weekend to see the new release of Karate Kid starring Jaden Smith, Jackie Chan and Taraji P. Henson. Now I remember watching the original back in 1984 with Ralph Macchio as the karate kid and Pat Morita as Mr. Miyagi, it was a great story then and in 2010 it's still a great story as evidenced by the movies #1 status this past weekend.

Remakes of memorable movies don't always do the original justice, but I must say that I was pleasantly surprised and actually happy that I saw the movie. Jaden Smith was wonderful in the lead role as the new karate kid, and Jackie Chan as the handyman turned Kung Fu Master made the role his own.

I'm no movie critic but if the applause from the audience at the end of the movie was any indication, this remake is definitely worth watching. This is a feel good movie both kids and adults will enjoy.

SIGN UP FOR MY HOMEFINDER

Chapel Hill, Durham & Raleigh area Real Estate on Facebook

Colin A. Moody REALTOR®, Broker, RCA, CREN

Relocation Certified Agents (RCA)

Certified Real Estate Negotiator (CREN)

Gold Executive Council

FONVILLE MORISEY REALTY

A LONG & FOSTER COMPANY

cmoody@fmrealty.com

Phone: 919-491-0739

Efax: 919-595-0508

CHAPEL HILL REAL ESTATE CARY REAL ESTATE DURHAM REAL ESTATE RALEIGH REAL ESTATE

It's Officially The First Day of Summer.

Colin Moody (Fonville Morisey Realty) — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 14:00:07 -0700

It's officially here, the first day of summer and here in the Chapel Hill, Durham and the Raleigh area of North Carolina also known as "The Triangle", we've been enjoying beach weather for a number of weeks now. With beaches like Carolina beach, Atlantic beach and others close by, along with our famous Outer Banks within a couple hours drive, the triangle is centrally located for quick get-a-ways to local beaches for sun and fun.

Don't feel like driving a couple hours to nearby beaches? The Triangle also features area parks and lakes like Falls Lake and Jordan Lake that offer recreational facilities and activities including boating and swimming, all within 30-40 minutes of most communities.

Take a look at the map below which shows locations and names of area beaches.

Interested in learning more about life in the triangle? Contact me. I can help.

SIGN UP FOR MY HOMEFINDER

Chapel Hill, Durham & Raleigh area Real Estate on Facebook

Colin A. Moody REALTOR®, Broker, RCA, CREN

Relocation Certified Agents (RCA)

Certified Real Estate Negotiator (CREN)

Gold Executive Council

FONVILLE MORISEY REALTY

A LONG & FOSTER COMPANY

cmoody@fmrealty.com

Phone: 919-491-0739

Efax: 919-595-0508

CHAPEL HILL REAL ESTATE CARY REAL ESTATE DURHAM REAL ESTATE RALEIGH REAL ESTATE

How to get rid of squeaky floors without pulling up the carpet

Colin Moody (Fonville Morisey Realty) — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 10:39:35 -0700

Great Tip and product to resolve squeaky floors.

Via Diane Osowiecki Greater Nashville Real Estate (Diane O and Friends - Benchmark Realty):

How to get rid of squeaky floors without pulling up the carpet. I don't know about you, but when listing a home in addition to hiring a stager, a handyman or handyman tips are next on our list.

Recently we listed a home that had the washer/dryer upstairs. Great convenience, but the vibration of the washer over the past 15 years caused some of the carpeted floors to squeak. As we know in today's market the last thing you need is a squeaking anything.

The home seller was concerned that he would have to take up all the carpet, re-screw down the flooring to get rid the of the squeak. He said he would, but then later confessed that the task was just too much for him to consider....so he did nothing. We found out that nothing had been down after a number of showings and comments regarding the squeaking bedroom floors. I went out on the internet to see what handyman tips I could find.

Here are written instructions (below).

Steps:
1 Use a hammer to locate a floor joist within the squeaky section of floor.
2 Tap the carpeted floor with the hammer and listen for dull thud, indicating a joist below.
3 Chuck the joist-finding screw into the drill/driver.
4 Drill a hole through carpeting and subfloor and into the joist; if you miss the joist, move over a couple of inches and try again.
5 Once you find a floor joist, measure over 16 inches and locate the next joist.
6 Press the tripod-shaped alignment and depth control fixture firmly into the carpet directly over the joist.
7 Use the drill/driver to drive a scored screw down through center of fixture until the screw bottoms out.
8 Drive screws into all the joists within the squeaky section at both ends of the room.
9 Run taut strings from screw head to screw head across the room, indicating the joists below.
10 Using the alignment and depth control fixture, drive scored screws along the strings spaced 8 inches apart.
11 Hook the screw gripper on the fixture onto each protruding screw, then rock the fixture back and forth to snap off the screw head.

Here's the video from the inventor or SqueeeeeK No More

Here's a better up close picture of the tool from Tom Feiza, Mr. Fix-It Inc.

Diane O and Friends in TN

This posting and the contents written here are the intellectual property and opinions of Diane Osowiecki of Benchmark Realty. Providing real estate services to clients in Nashville, Brentwood, Franklin, Spring Hill, and all of Middle Tennessee

SIGN UP FOR MY HOMEFINDER

Chapel Hill, Durham & Raleigh area Real Estate on Facebook

Colin A. Moody REALTOR®, Broker, RCA, CREN

Relocation Certified Agents (RCA)

Certified Real Estate Negotiator (CREN)

Gold Executive Council

FONVILLE MORISEY REALTY

A LONG & FOSTER COMPANY

cmoody@fmrealty.com

Phone: 919-491-0739

Efax: 919-595-0508

CHAPEL HILL REAL ESTATE CARY REAL ESTATE DURHAM REAL ESTATE RALEIGH REAL ESTATE

Dumbest Reasons Given for Not Buying a Home

Colin Moody (Fonville Morisey Realty) — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 09:50:14 -0700

Via Tina Johnson (Premier Living Properties):

by Steve Harney on June 16, 2010 · 0 comments

It is so easy to kick someone who is down. It doesn't take much effort and there is little fear of retaliation. Many people are jumping on the band wagon riding against homeownership in this country. People are pontificating on every aspect. Whether it is pricing or the more intrinsic values of owning a home doesn't seem to matter. Some believe that homeownership is bad for you and maybe even bad for the country. Are these people crazy?

A few years of a down market does not wipe out over 200 years of American real estate history. Owning your own home is as much a part of the American dream today as it was when my great grandparents entered this country. There are people flocking to America every day with the hope that they too will be able to someday purchase their own home: a place where they can raise their families and invite their friends; a place where they can build the memories that become the family stories that will be passed down from generation to generation.

Each Wednesday for the next five weeks I am going to take one of the five dumbest reasons people use to explain why you shouldn't buy a home today. We will start today with:

Dumb Reason #1: Real Estate is no longer a good investment

There is no doubt that houses in this country have lost substantial value over the last five years. We could make the argument that the purchase of a home should not be looked at as a financial decision. However, that would just embolden those who make this argument. We will, instead, take this subject on directly.

The naysayers love to shout:

If you think real estate is a good investment, ask someone who bought in 2006.

They are 100% correct. People who bought a home in 2006 and need to sell it today could lose as much as 25-30% of its value.

However, a person who placed money in the Dow in 2007 and sold it in January 2009 would have lost 49.3%. Even if they sold today they would still be at a 26.7% loss. Does that mean that we should never again invest in stocks?

If someone bought gold at the end of 1987 and sold it in 2000 they would have lost approximately 50% of their investment. I am sure there were people in 2000 who decried gold as an investment when it dropped to almost $250 an ounce. I hope people didn't listen as gold is now trading for over $1,200 an ounce.

It bothers me when people look at just the monetary price of a home. Its value is so much more than that. Your house provides shelter and a place to spend time with friends and family. Yet, your home also is expected to provide a return on investment. What other big ticket item that we buy do we expect that from? We don't expect cars to appreciate. We don't expect a boat to appreciate.

But, if a return is what you are looking for, let's compare housing to the stock market. Not in short term intervals but over the long run. Here is the percentage return you would have on May 31, 2010 if you invested money in each of these instruments on January 1, 2000:

Real Estate was the best investment even throughout one of the most difficult decades in American homeownership.

We will cover Dumb Reason #2 - Renters are happier than homeowners next week.

Tina Johnson

Broker Associate - Premier Living

Tina@Plproperties.com

SIGN UP FOR MY HOMEFINDER

Chapel Hill, Durham & Raleigh area Real Estate on Facebook

Colin A. Moody REALTOR®, Broker, RCA, CREN

Relocation Certified Agents (RCA)

Certified Real Estate Negotiator (CREN)

Gold Executive Council

FONVILLE MORISEY REALTY

A LONG & FOSTER COMPANY

cmoody@fmrealty.com

Phone: 919-491-0739

Efax: 919-595-0508

CHAPEL HILL REAL ESTATE CARY REAL ESTATE DURHAM REAL ESTATE RALEIGH REAL ESTATE

Iphone 4. Is the upgrade worth it?

Colin Moody (Fonville Morisey Realty) — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 16:34:37 -0700

I was an early adopter of the blackberry smartphone and back in 2001 I thought it was one of the best productivity devices I'd ever owned. It exceeded my expectations in almost every way. The dark blue plastic skin wasn't pretty, but the ability to receive and respond to emails on the go and have my phone book, calendar, and to-do list in my belt holster on one device, coupled with the amazing battery life, freed me up to get out of the office, and allowed me to be more responsive to my clients and capture and respond quickly to buyer and seller leads and inquiries.

So when the 8700 series blackberry was introduced I didn't hesitate to upgrade. The new blackberry offered all the features of my old blue skinned buddy, with somewhat usable internet access and a color screen that looked like a much smaller version of my pc. Although battery life wasn't comparable to my old bberry, I figured it was because I was using the devise more and more due to the new features. I was still very happy with this new tool, but yearned for a pocket sized devise that would keep all the great features that I loved about my smartphone, while allowing me to open and read attachments on a screen that wouldn't cause me to go blind trying.

When the Apple iphone was introduced I was very disappointed that RIM,(Research In Motion) the makers of blackberry had not introduced a product that matched or bettered the features of Apples new smartphone. I decided however to wait and see how RIM would respond hoping that they would introduce something even better. When the blackberry touch was launched I rushed out to my area phone store to check out the device, fully intending to upgrade once again. Unfortunately RIM missed the mark with this phone, and for the first time since I bought my first blackberry I found myself contemplating jumping ship to Apple's iphone.

When the iphone 3gs was introduced my 2 son's (who knew I‘d been thinking about getting the Apple Iphone) gave me one for fathers day. I absolutely love this device. It was so much more than a smartphone that I hesitate to even call it one. Before I got the iphone, even though I had internet access on my previous device, I found that I still needed to lug my laptop along if I was going out of town for a weekend, or leaving town on vacation. Now I only need my iphone. I can access my important documents online, read them if necessary, forward them to the appropriate parties should the need arise, and even post to twitter and facebook using pictures I took with my iphone. Unfortunately I've not been able to find a way to post to Active Rain with my iphone as yet, but I hope the AR tech guys are working on a solution to that problem.

So my newest dilemma? Is it worth upgrading to the new iphone 4? From all I've read Apple has addressed much of its user's wish list with features like 2 cameras. A forward facing camera which allows video calling through available Wi-Fi networks, and a 5 megapixel rear pointing camera with flash. The new phone also features a new higher resolution screen, HD video recording and according to Apple over 100 additional features. The one missing feature? 4G capability and a network that supports it. Once again, I find myself hoping that my service provider comes through and rolls out 4G connectivity soon. So what do you think? Should I wait until the next iphone update or upgrade now?

SIGN UP FOR MY HOMEFINDER

Chapel Hill, Durham & Raleigh area Real Estate on Facebook

Colin A. Moody REALTOR®, Broker, RCA, CREN

Relocation Certified Agents (RCA)

Certified Real Estate Negotiator (CREN)

Gold Executive Council

FONVILLE MORISEY REALTY

A LONG & FOSTER COMPANY

cmoody@fmrealty.com

Phone: 919-491-0739

Efax: 919-595-0508

CHAPEL HILL REAL ESTATE CARY REAL ESTATE DURHAM REAL ESTATE RALEIGH REAL ESTATE

Happy Fathers Day Dad's

Colin Moody (Fonville Morisey Realty) — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 11:45:03 -0700

Happy Fathers day to all my Active Rain, Facebook and Twitter friends and family all over the world. I've been blessed to be the father of two wonderful son's and along with my biological children my wife and I are foster parents to two additional boys, with the oldest who is now 16 having been a part of our family for over 5 years. It's wonderful to see your kid's grow and develope their character, personality, drive and ambitions.

Happy Fathers day dads.

Here's one of the cards I received from my son Brandon the sixteen year old.

SIGN UP FOR MY HOMEFINDER

Chapel Hill, Durham & Raleigh area Real Estate on Facebook

Colin A. Moody REALTOR®, Broker, RCA, CREN

Relocation Certified Agents (RCA)

Certified Real Estate Negotiator (CREN)

Gold Executive Council

FONVILLE MORISEY REALTY

A LONG & FOSTER COMPANY

cmoody@fmrealty.com

Phone: 919-491-0739

Efax: 919-595-0508

CHAPEL HILL REAL ESTATE CARY REAL ESTATE DURHAM REAL ESTATE RALEIGH REAL ESTATE