OK, if this does not make you understand why social media, is important for finding Generation Y, for your future, showing the minute-by-minute stats/counts of this new sensation!

I know you AR's are engaging and embracing this more and more. I know for me, just starting to understand the power of twitter. For instance, I saw a twit from a fellow RE, and his new listing, well I think it maybe a good match for a client, and I am on it!

Lets start by saying at this time there are no definitive scientific tests to determine if some home has Chinese drywall.

BUT         

What the field inspectors are noticing is a rotten egg smell (sulfuric acid).  Also the other thing people are noticing is all the corrosion (a blackening) of metal items like bathroom fixtures, electric socket copper wires, and copper pipes.  Also frequent failures of heating and cooling systems too. 

Detection Tricks!

One industry event reported this trick for detection, if you have central air.  Hang a silver piece of jewlery in front of a vent, and wait a few days to see if any corrosion has taken place.  Also placing copper pennies on the drywall in the attic, and see if it turns black.  When you are up there with your penny, peel back any insulation and look for chinese markings.  Not all have it, but some do.

Health concerns!

The biggest threat and problem with this is poeple are reporting signs of headaches, itchiness and difficulty breathing! Obvioulsy if you suspect you have a chinese drywall problem, and have these signs (or others), please see a doctor, but also report it to the Consumer Product Safety commission.

 

Where it all started?

In July 2006, a cargo ship called the Star Djervanger docked at Wilmington, N.C., after a trip from China. Its cargo: about 9,000 tons of drywall, enough to build about 2,000 homes.

Where is it?

In a word, Florida!  That is not to say it has not been detected in other states. In South Carolina, USG imported nearly 9,400 tons of Chinese drywall in April 2006, according to the PIERS data. It’s unclear where that drywall was used.  As for North Carolina, there have been no reported incidents as of yet.  Home builder Lennar has identified 400 homes in Florida, and has set aside 38 million to reslovle the issue.

 

North Carolina - No reported issues yet  ;-)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was scouring around the internet, and landed on this Realtor website in Vancouver Canada.  He has alot of video blogs, but this one caught my attention.

Then I went to sleep.

I woke up, and I saw this headline on my PC.

"Fannie Mae getting into the Rental business!"

Here is the article for you reading pleasure.  Basically it is almost like keys for deed, except now it is "Deed for Lease".  My question is if you can't pay your mortgage, will you be able to pay the lease.  I think the rate would be about the same as the people who get a second chance with the mortgage.  What is that statistic again 40% success rate. 

 

 

 

 

 

The House of Representatives has just passed the extension and expansion of the home buyer tax credit by a vote of 403-12.  The Senate approved the measure Wednesday, and President Barack Obama is expected to sign it.

Buyers who have owned their current homes at least five years would be eligible for tax credits of up to $6,500. First-time homebuyers - or anyone who hasn't owned a home in the last three years - would still get up to $8,000. To qualify, buyers in both groups have to sign a purchase agreement by April 30, 2010, and close by June 30.

 

 

I was reading over in BloodhoungBlog and Greg Swann was ranting about Vook and what a useless idea it is.  BTW, vook is a play on words, where it is a book combined with video.  I must admit I kind of agree with him, I can not imagine it being a huge paradigm shift (but then again Kindle, is starting too catch fire, no pun intended!) 

Then I started playing around, and "reading" the intros and free chapters.  I can now picture it being useful for like $1.99 recipes or even what I ended up buying for $11.99 "Crush it!" - a motivational vook!

I am wondering if anyone can imagine it being usefull for real estate?

I know it's late in the day, but I just want to wish everyone a very Happy Halloween.  I must admit this is my favorite holiday, especially with a nice warm, but gloomy day.  The kids really enjoyed it today.  My 2.5 year old son, was scared at first but really started to "get" it when the candy was flowing.

 

We could not get him into an Elmo or Poo outfit (or even his favorite Cookie Monster), so we settled for a half gangsta, half Yankee outfit.  Enjoy... I know I did!

 

 

 

Keith Lutz

Create Your Badge

 

 

Keith is a Realtor with Wilkinson & Associates in the South Charlotte area. He is a member of the National, North Carolina, and Charlotte Association of Realtors. He has formed a team with over 45 years of Charlotte knowledge, that covers the North and South and surrounding areas of Charlotte! I used to belong to the Long Island board of realtors, making happy homes for people there. Now, I have finally convinced my wife to move down to Charlotte from Long Island, NY. So if you're ready to move into a fine area or you're ready to move on out, then give me a call at 704-607-4729. I want what's best for...

...our Neighbors, our Friends, our Families!

OK, I received an e-mail newsletter blast today from our local NAR Chapter (CRRA).  In it was the usual stuff, listing calendar events, asking us to volunteer for committees, selling a promotional item thru the Realtor store. 

The one thing that stood out to me and rubbed me the wrong way was this small paragraph...

Now our association, gives us alot.  One of the services they provide is an automated feedback system called "Centralized Showing Service" or CSS for short.  Now originally coming from Long Island where you had to run around for keys and call the listing agent or office for a showing, I thought this and the Supra Key were the greatest thing since sliced bread!  I mean call one number, have them do all the work of scheduling, and having an e-mail sent to you after for feedback is awesome.  I almost always fill it out, that night when things are fresh in my mind.  I also don't hold back.  I mean for example, I remember one home selling for 1.1 million (on the market for over 6 months), but as you entered the front door, there were cob webs on the upper corners.  I usually would not say anything, but my client did, and I figured it is important enough to them, then I might as well give feedback and tell the seller.

At one point, this must have been in beta-testing, because it was just an option, that alot of REALTORS in our area opted into it.  I know I paid for it for like a year.  (Don't quote me on this, but I think it was like $129 a year), then I guess our board saw it working and decided to pick up the tab, and make everyone use it. (Awesome!) Even the local mega company here - Allen Tate, dropped their in-house service and used it. 

So don't get me wrong, I appreciate it and all, but (and this is a big BUT) - We should not have it considered a Violation of Articles 3 and 11, and a possible fine!!!  Am I missing something here.

What say you?

My simple thought is "Sugar instead of Spice, would be nice!"

 

 

 

Keith Lutz

Create Your Badge

Keith is a Realtor with Wilkinson & Associates in the South Charlotte area. He is a member of the National, North Carolina, and Charlotte Association of Realtors. He has formed a team with over 45 years of Charlotte knowledge, that covers the North and South and surrounding areas of Charlotte! I used to belong to the Long Island board of realtors, making happy homes for people there. Now, I have finally convinced my wife to move down to Charlotte from Long Island, NY. So if you're ready to move into a fine area or you're ready to move on out, then give me a call at 704-607-4729. I want what's best for...

...our Neighbors, our Friends, our Families!

 

Can you guess it.  I bet you could.  Of course it will be close to center city, but not in the four wards.  It is by a major hospital, has the word park in its name. It is zip code 28207. Okay you guessed it...

Myers Park

This is based on data from www.esri.com and their properitery method based on calculating affluence.  Some stats about the area are:

1. 2009 average home value - $702,154
2. 2009 average disposable income - $117,694
3. 2009 average net worth - $1,415,583
4. 2009 per capita income - $79,527
5. 2009 median income - $114,185
6. 2009 average income - $167,700
7. Number of households - 3,678
8. Number of total population - 7,846

Here are some of the homes in Charlotte's Luxury homes!  Enjoy!

 

 

Keith is a Realtor with Wilkinson & Associates in the South Charlotte area. He is a member of the National, North Carolina, and Charlotte Association of Realtors. He has formed a team with over 45 years of Charlotte knowledge, that covers the North and South and surrounding areas of Charlotte! I used to belong to the Long Island board of realtors, making happy homes for people there. Now, I have finally convinced my wife to move down to Charlotte from Long Island, NY. So if you're ready to move into a fine area or you're ready to move on out, then give me a call at 704-607-4729. I want what's best for...

...our Neighbors, our Friends, our Families!

Keith Lutz

Create Your Badge

Sorry to say, but I think we all expected the month of September to be lower than the previous month.  Kids going to school and all.  But 12% is a pretty big number for Charlotte.  Also YOY we droped 13%.

On the average sales price of a home also dipped 6%.  The price dropped from $209,245 in August to $196,760.  The closings went from 2,221 to 1,945.

The good news is after a hard winter, I predict we will bounce back in the Spring of 2010.  What say you?

Keith is a Realtor with Wilkinson & Associates in the South Charlotte area. He is a member of the National, North Carolina, and Charlotte Association of Realtors. He has formed a team with over 45 years of Charlotte knowledge, that covers the North and South and surrounding areas of Charlotte! I used to belong to the Long Island board of realtors, making happy homes for people there. Now, I have finally convinced my wife to move down to Charlotte from Long Island, NY. So if you're ready to move into a fine area or you're ready to move on out, then give me a call at 704-607-4729. I want what's best for...

...our Neighbors, our Friends, our Families!

I saw this interesting piece on Realtor.TV.  She talks alot about new legislation around how FHA loans were not very friendly to Condos.  This Condominiums page allows users to search for FHA-approved condominium projects by name and location.  It is amazing how far FHA Loans have come for such a big organization.  They used to have a market share of 5% ad have stepped up and helped out conventional loans in the last two years, and have gained a 35% market share.  Check out the Realtor.TV link or hopefully AR website allows this video to show (embedded code).

 

Keith is a Realtor with Wilkinson & Associates in the South Charlotte area. He is a member of the National, North Carolina, and Charlotte Association of Realtors. I used to belong to the Long Island board of realtors, making happy homes for people there. Now, I have finally convinced my wife to move down to Charlotte from Long Island, NY. So if you're ready to move into a fine area or you're ready to move on out, then give me a call at 704-607-4729. I want what's best for...

...our Neighbors, our Friends, our Families!