A relief for us Realtors who were just beginning to see an increase in business could be here.  I am hoping for myself (and my buyers, especially the ones on the fence) that this holds to be true.  Also, for move-up buyers, this could mean $6,500 in their pockets too! 

CNN reported today that a compromise proposal based on bills that have already been introduced could pass the Senate as early as this week (assuming that it is attached to a bill to extend unemployment benefits).

The compromise bill would likely open the program to some existing homeowners. The expiring tax credit is limited to buyers who have not owned a home for at least two years.

According to a CNN.com story today:

* First-time buyers could continue to claim up to $8,000. But existing homeowners who have lived in their home for five years could receive up to $6,500 if they trade up to a larger principal residence.

* The full credit would be limited to buyers who earn less than $125,000 a year and for married couples with annual incomes up to $225,000.

* The credit could only be used for homes selling for $800,000 or less.

* Contracts must be signed by April 30, 2010 and sales must close by June 30.

Mark Zandi, chief economist for Moody's Economy.com (MCO), told me recently that he supports the extension because the housing market could take a big step back without it. But he agreed with critics that it is one of the most inefficient ways for the government to support housing.

According to Zandi, only 22% of about 1.8 million buyers who will claim the soon-to-expire credit would not have bought a home but for the incentive. Expanding the credit to include previous homeowners and extending the credit through June will cost about $30 billion, on top of about $8 billion that would have already been spent, he said.

The compromise bill outlined here might be cheaper because it seems to more narrowly define the existing homeowners who can take advantage of the credit.

While this is not official until the bills is approved and signed into law, its a start!  I do think that we need to look at coming to a point that we don't rely on the government for help, but an end to the credit right now could throw us farther back, just when it began to pick up.  The only worry is that this will continue to drive down home prices.  What do you all think?

Deryck Wilson, Broker, Realtor, e-PRO
RE/MAX Preferred Realty - Greenville NC
"The Tallest Man in Real Estate, Above the Crowd, Literally!"
www.REMAX-GREENVILLE-NC.com

GREENVILLE NC POLICE DEPARTMENT

The Greenville Police Department is a nationally accredited law enforcement agency that strives to provide a high quality of law enforcement services through a departmental philosophy of community-oriented policing. The agency is comprised of 183 sworn officers and 40 non-sworn employees and serves a population of approximately 79,600 people within a 26-mile area in eastern North Carolina.  Greenville is the home of East Carolina University which has a student population of some 27,000 students.  The population of Greenville is diverse in terms of its socio-economic, cultural, and educational makeup. 

The organization of the department is structured to provide a full range of law enforcement services and protection for citizens and visitors of Greenville. The department is organized into three bureaus. The Administration Bureau consists of a Logistics Division and a Professional Standards Division. These units include the following functions: Records, Parking Enforcement, Communications, Property and Evidence, Animal Control, Public Information, Crime Stoppers, Crime Prevention, Internal Affairs, Personnel and Recruitment, Training, Accreditation and the Police Athletic League (PAL). The Patrol Bureau consists of four rotating patrol platoons and Special Operations which includes the Impact Team, Traffic Unit, Warrants, and Housing Authority Unit. The Investigations Bureau consists of assignments in Major and Property Crimes, Gang Unit, Special Victims Unit, Special Investigations, Crime Scene Identification, and the School Resource Officers.

RECORDS ARE NOW ONLINE FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE

RECORDS

REQUEST FOR CRIME STATISTICS

In choosing a place to call home, please consider Greenville NC!  Our police department and citizens strive to make this a great place to live.  Consider crime statistics, location, schools and neighborhood pricing when making a relocation decision.  For more Greenville NC Real Estate information, click HERE

WHAT SELLS YOUR HOME? PRICE - CONDITION - LOCATION

Therefore, when buying, CHOOSE a Neighborhood WISELY to Keep RESALE Value High

Its all about location! People often have to compromise in purchasing their dream home for a less perfect home in a better location. The buyer and family's quality of life can be affected by their surroundings and features a neighborhood has to offer. Choosing the best neighborhood is just as important as finding the perfect home. 

Of the most important things to look in to is the quality of schools in the area. Compare various public schools within a school system; some may be better than others. In order to keep all options open, also take a look at private schools in the area. Even if you do not have kids that will attend school, it is still a good idea to pick an area with good schools to help with reselling Greenville real estate.

You may also want to research the areas crime potential. Contact the local police office to find out crime trends, types, and rates. Greenville's Police Records are now online for easy access - so do check that out. 

Go online to find out if there are any sex offenders living your desired area. Do not judge a book by its cover, just because a neighborhood looks well kept and charming does not mean there are not any crime related issues.

For economical reasons, check on the values of sold properties in the area. If the neighborhood is in an up and coming area the value of the property is likely to go up. Where as, if the area is going down under, the property value will probably follow. See if there are any future construction and development projects to take place. Alterations to the surrounding area could drastically change the property value. 

Next thing to take into consideration is the neighborhood's proximity. Make sure the location is a reasonable distance to work, school, and other frequented destinations. Convenience is key.  Having pharmacies, hospitals, grocery stores, and other places of interest easily accessible will make a big difference in every day life. 

Choosing a neighborhood can be difficult!  Finding the perfect home in the right neighborhood may be even more of a challenge. Research the area and prioritize features that are most important to you and your family. 

For detailed information about Greenville NC Real Estate listings OR for a relocation package, simply visit us online at www.REMAX-GREENVILLE-NC.com.  You may also find ALL Greenville listings HERE!

GREENVILLE NC SUBDIVISION INFORMATION

If your looking to move to Greenville, North Carolina or other surrounding areas of Pitt County, NC, you've definitely got to check out GREENVILLE MOVE. They have the one of the largest selection of Greenville, NC real estate listings and homes for sale.   The subdivision guide contains over 231 of the counties subdivisions.  From the established to the new, the starter home to the dream home, check it out today!

AFFORDABLE SUBDIVISIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER:
Prices ranging from $80k-120k

• Forbes Woods
• Breezewoood
• Upton Court
• Colindale Court
• Willoughy Park
• Quail Ridge
• Cape Point

Click HERE to Search ALL of the Local MLS

Once Again, Greenville NC is in the spotlight for Business Entreprenuers

The Real Deal Brazil Hat
Walter R. Perkins Jr., founder of The HammockSource

GREENVILLE, NC - A local business man has struck it with two thumbs up from movie critics and the public alike with his rugged hat made from Brazillian truck tarps - The Real Deal Brazil.  The attention from this week's No. 1 box office hit "Zombieland" has gone to Woody Harrelson's head, literally, which sports The Real Deal Brazil hat throughout the film.  A Greenville entrepreneur better known for his hammocks has been producing the hat and selling it mostly over the Internet for nearly two years, which is likely how the producers of Zombieland found the prop.  The request was made on Feb. 2, just as filming for the movie was about to get started in Valdosta, Ga. A day after receiving an initial few hats, the film people called back to say the hat was perfect for the part and that more were needed.  Since then, the hat & the movie have been a hit! 

FORBES Magazine was obviously Correct!

On March 25, Forbes Magazine, ranked Greenville, NC second in the category of the nation's Best Small Metropolitan Area for Business and Careers.  Greenville is the 10th largest city in North Carolina. In 2008 Greenville ranked eighth in the same category by Forbes Magazine. 

Growth and stability continue for the developing city of Pitt County.  Research from East Carolina's School of Business indicates that the local work force grew by more than 14 percent over the past five years-that's more than double the growth experienced by the state as a whole.  Employment is essentially spread across these three sectors:  education, healthcare and manufacturing.

Education is the economy's main engine. With an operating budget of close to $600 million, East Carolina University employs a diverse group of over 5,000 people, while Pitt Community College has more than 800 faculty and staff members.  The 6,000 people who work at University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina include over 400 physicians.  The approximately 100 manufacturing companies in the county employ 9,000 people.

If you are interested in learning more about the Greenville, NC - Pitt County area-and especially relocation and real estate information, please contact Deryck Wilson, The Tallest Man in Real Estate at 252-714-5950

www.REMAX-GREENVILLE-NC.com

GREENVILLE, NC - Home of the ECU Pirates!

FSBOs are a big part of our market, as in any town.  We have a diverse economy and didn't feel the effects of the recession for a long while.  Then it hit. BAM!  We're slowly recovering, up 6.4% this month from last.  However, people still feel that they can sale their home FSBO with little to no marketing.  It just baffles me! 

I saw this sign below, on one of our streets this week.  Are you kidding me? 

I want to ask these people, is this your Marketing Plan? A personally painted piece of plyboard on a busy street? To me, this speaks for itself about the condition of the property.  A FSBO sign @ Lowe's isn't but $5 - I already know you're a cheapskate! How will out of town buyers find you? Do you have internet exposure? 80% of buyers start their shopping on the internet - will you be left out... BUT you and I both know.. they are hard headed!

When I see FSBOs, I send the "nickel" letter.  So far, out of roughly 80 sent, I have obtained 7 listings.  Thats just under 10%.  The Letter is below.. Check it out.  USE IT! *personalize it*.  Let me know if it works for you!  I attach a nickel (real, yes - it costs just 5 cents) using some tape, to the top of the letter.  It doesnt effect the weight too much - it still mails for the standard letter rate. 

Dear Seller:

I noticed you are For Sale by Owner. Maybe it will work for you?  If so, I will be the first to congratulate you for beating the odds! Nearly 85.0% of FSBOs end up giving up and listing.

Even if it works, in the long run, you might end up wishing you had a nickel for every time a bogus "BUYER" called on your For Sale by Owner sign and asked to see the house on short notice.  They think nothing of interrupting the life of a seller, when they actually have no way to buy a house in that price range.  You'll know it when you meet them.  Oh, they say nice things, and they like the decor, but they never make a fair offer.  If you notice, they often avoid eye contact.  They may even pay an unusual amount of attention to your possessions or family photos...      

You might want another nickel for each time a "BUYER" promised a seller that they would come back with an offer as soon as they got a few things in order....  Finally, you could be wealthy indeed if you had a nickel for every time a "STEALER - DEALER" offered 80% of list price to somebody who was selling, "By Owner" in our town.

Has any of this happened to you?  Tired of lookey lous, low ballers, and time wasters?  Want it to stop?  Maybe you want to short cut the process before it happens to you?  Want to Fast Forward your sale and meet some Real Buyers who will pay fair market value?  I can pay for the ads, wait by the phone, and pre-screen the buyers for you before showing the house.  I get them to offer at least 10% more than they will offer you, and I only charge 5-7% for the help, which of course is negotiable.  I get them to start at an average of 90% of market value on opening offer and then negotiate on your behalf to an average of 97.2% of listing price.  Sound good? 

I genuinely want to help you sell and statistics say I can get Real Buyers to make better offers than they make to owners!  Don't you owe it to yourself to at least investigate?  I am as close as your phone!  If nothing else, remember this:  "Real Buyers + Real Marketing = Real Results"

Warm regards.... 

Deryck S. Wilson, Broker, REALTOR®

Another WIN for the Pirates in West Virginia against fellow C-USA oppenent Marshall

Deryck (The Tallest Man in Real Estate) & The Tailgate Crew

GREENVILLE, NC - Like all Conference USA rivalries, ECU at Marshall today proved to be a dog fight.  ECU first scored, followed by a touchdown to tie from Marshall.  At halftime, ECU was ahead 14-7 and likely had major talks about 2nd half adjustments while in the lockerroom.  I'm almost sure they had prayer too for defensive tackles coach Thomas "Rock" Roggeman whom was missing his first game of the season due to cancer, sidelined back in Greenville with doctors trying to coach him into remission.  No matter what, it was obvious to see that he made an impression on the defense, which likely won the game for ECU, final 21-17.  This improves the defending Conference USA Champions to 2-0 in the Conference, a great start to the conference play season.  ECU is now 3-2 all together and now they move onto battle SMU next week!

Deryck & the crew had a houseparty tailgate today - nothing like Gameday Saturdays! 

WE SUPPORT THE PIRATES!  ARRRRRRRGGGGGHH!

This Happens!

GREENVILLE, NC - An 89 year old gentleman and his wife we're on the way to breakfast in Greenville, NC and evidently had an encounter with this deer - that's not odd - deer are plentiful around here.  However, the gentleman and his wife didn't know that they had hit this deer until they drove into the McDonalds parking lot and had someone point it out to them.  Can you imagine them sittin there inside, having their morning coffee and hasbrowns and someone walking up and saying "Mr., is that your car?  You have a deer inside your hood!"  I think we may need to have him surrender his license.  What do you think?