Linda Breeding in Pinehurst, NC blog

Want a Great Return on Investment Dollar – Think Trees

Linda Breeding (Keller Williams Realty ) — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 09:29:36 -0500

Do you own a home that had much of the mature trees and shrubs removed? It's time to look at the benefit of landscaping. A well landscaped yard is not only environmentally smart but did you know that homes with mature trees, lawns and shrubs can fetch up to a 15% higher selling price! Now we are talking aren't we? In this real estate market more money can mean everything to a seller. Let's throw some numbers out there. This means for an average home price of $250,000, a home with a well maintained landscape can sell for up to $37,500 more than a home without those towering trees and well trimmed shrubs. That should get you thinking! Studies show there is more return on investment with landscaping than any other improvement you can do to your home.

To start, a new homeowner should think "trees" first. Trees take the longest time to mature but also offer the highest benefit for the homeowner. Within 5-10 years many trees are already producing shade and screens. There are fast growing trees that will mature within five years and these can be planted first with the slower growing trees mixed in the landscape (check with your local garden center for the best choices). Some great choices in North Carolina are maple, cherry, river birch, Bradford pear and Leyland cypress. A well placed and maintained tree can bring several thousand dollars to your home's selling price. As an added benefit, homes with trees have up to 20% lower heating and cooling bills.

Next place shrubs in your yard. Shrubs mixed into the landscape, not just along the foundation, produce windbreaks and privacy. Most shrubs will mature in less than five years. Homebuyers love homes that have natural privacy screens. There are so many wonderful shrubs to choose from but I have found one of the fastest growing for a privacy screen in North Carolina is the wax myrtle. For extra tranquility, flowering shrubs such as azaleas, rhododendron, and hydrangea are beautiful planted under the tree canopy in the Pinehurst area.

Lawns and flowers add that extra punch that draws attention and the "Oohs and aahs". When choosing grasses and flowers - think low maintenance and in the Sandhills of North Carolina also think drought resistant.

Gardening can be fun and is one of the best, if not the best, return on investment for your home. So homeowners, make my life easier (and yours too) and plant some trees and shrubs this fall. You will be glad you did.

Now, I'm heading out to sit under my willow oak tree (planted 10 years ago and already a shade tree) and finish my morning coffee while enjoying the wildlife in my yard.

Twitter Down - Being Attacked

Linda Breeding (Keller Williams Realty ) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 10:46:12 -0500

OK, I was just beginning to really get into this Twitter thing and this morning there was no Twitter to be found anywhere! Now, like many others I'm in Twitter withdrawal mode. Twitter has been attacked by a denial-of-service attack Attacks such as this are malicious efforts to make websites unavailable to consumers. They usually hit services such as online banks and credit card payment gateways. Now they have hit Twitter.

So guess I will have to go do something else for awhile until my Twitter can Tweet again.

When it comes back! :)

www.RealEstateInPinehurst.com

Little or No Money Down for First-time Homebuyers in the Pinehurst Area

Linda Breeding (Keller Williams Realty ) — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 08:56:10 -0500

Yes, you can buy a home with little or no money down in the Pinehurst, NC area. It's a first-time homebuyer market and time is running out for you to get the best possible deal. Uncle Sam is offering an $8,000 tax credit to all first-time home buyers and this deal will end on November 30, 2009. You must have your new home closed by this date. This is money in your pocket! This credit does not have to be paid back. Also, did you know if you have not owned a home in the last three years you are considered a first-time homebuyer.

My first-time homebuyers have been getting 100% loans with all or very little closing cost. Don't listen to anyone that tells you this is not possible. It is possible and I have been doing it over and over even through this housing crisis. Do you have less than a stellar credit score? Well, this can be worked out too! You just have to hook up with a real estate agent that knows how to get this done.

There are simple steps to get you where you want to be and they really aren't very time consuming nor difficult.

Step One:

Get mortgage preapproval. This is usually just a phone call and I have seen my buyers get preapproved in about 15 minutes time! Don't know where to start, call me and I will get you started. It's easy - I promise. Loan preapproval is essential in this market. Most sellers will not even look at an offer until they know you have gone through this step. Loan preapproval will also give you excellent insight of how much house you can afford, your payments and as you are hunting for your new home you will know what your top price needs to be.

Step Two:

Let's start house hunting! I will listen to your wants, needs, and things that you would just like to have. We will scope out the location that is best suited for you. You can save searches and favorite homes and I can help you get through the "not so great homes" and get you to the one that is perfect for you. Most of my buyers see less than 10 homes and within those ten they find the perfect house! Although, keep in mind you will see as many homes as needed until we find the perfect one.

Step Three:

Contract and closing. It will take about six weeks to go through closing. We will get inspections on your new home and you will feel comfortable with your home before you move in. Inspections are covered under your closing cost - remember I can get most or all of this paid for you.

Step four:

Moving in your new home. I have been told over and over by my first-time homebuyers, "You told me you could get me in a house with little or no money down and you did! Gosh, I never knew this was still possible." Don't you want to also own your own home?

In our area mortgage payments for first-time homebuyers are lower than most rents! So why make your landlord rich instead of owning your own home? Why pay a security deposit on a lease? Home ownership is probably the best investment you will ever make toward your future.

The best part of all this is, I do not charge you a fee for buying your new home! That's right, in our area the seller pays the fee and they have already agreed to do so through a contract with their listing agent.

So let's get started!

Homes for First-time Buyers in the Pinehurst, NC area Refine your search to see your price range!

Take It Up a Notch

Linda Breeding (Keller Williams Realty ) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 06:49:27 -0500

I had the pleasure of meeting, Active Rainer, David Patterson from Keller Williams, Columbia, SC in our Keller Williams Pinehurst Market Center. David gave the agents a presentation on blogoshere and social networking and will be teaching classes in Pinehurst in the next several weeks. He was a real inspiration!

Our world is quickly going from print marketing to a world where we must develop an online marketing and social media strategy. David will be teaching the Keller Williams Pinehurst agents how to incorporate Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Active Rain and many other social networking sites into their marketing plan.

This class is one that I am really looking forward to attending. I have already been using a lot of the social network sites in my personal life as well as for business. So I'm ready to take it up a notch!

Agents, have you noticed that your print marketing plan is just not bringing in the calls anymore? Do clients seem to be flowing to all the agents that have a hefty online presence? Maybe it's time you consider social networking in your marketing plan.

Sometimes I Get too Much in a Hurry…………

Linda Breeding (Keller Williams Realty ) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 07:54:23 -0500

Sometimes I have a bit of a lead foot. Now I'm not talking about 95 in a 35 here, I will just push it a little bit. It's called being busy and always thinking I can do just one more thing before leaving on my next venture.

Whispering Pines police puts these electronic speed limit signs out that will even tell you - Hey, you are going 28 miles per hour in a 25 zone and we will be watching you soon!

Now, I have lived in Whispering Pines for 16 years or so and I KNOW what is going to happen when the flashing sign goes down. But I will do it anyway - hop in the car and head down the road going just a little too fast.

Bam, they will get me every time! Oh the agony of seeing flashing blue lights. The officer will sit in his car for what seems like forever! All the while I'm thinking, "I'm going to be late this time (sigh)." I know he is smiling as he pulls my info on his computer. Actually, he probably already knows my evil ways because the vanity plate on the back of my car seems so familiar. He is thinking, "Hey, I've been behind this one before!"

Then the big question comes, "Ms. Breeding, have you ever been pulled in Whispering Pines before?" Now I know most people would be inclined to say, "No never!" but alas, that computer is flashing like a beacon, "Ha! You got her again!" So I fess up and tell the truth, "Oh yeah, several times!" The next question is, "For the same thing?" My answer, "Oh yeah, every single time." I'm then told if I keep racking up these warning tickets the next one will be a real one. (Sigh). Guess I will see Mr. Officer in about a year when I forget to watch that 25 mile per hour flashing sign.

One reason I love living in Whispering Pines is because of our police force. Really, I love these guys! We boast the lowest crime rate in Moore County. I know that our officers do a fantastic job. They are quick responders, they cruise our village streets at all hours and people better tell their friends if they are leaving their houses late at night, they can expect to be checked out on the way out. Nothing gets past the guys on our force. They have a well known reputation in the Pinehurst area of, "You better watch those speed limit signs in Whispering Pines - they will get you every time."

Now I must stop driving 28 in a 25 and I won't be listening to a friend's advice to buy a red sports car (to help the economy) and to change my vanity plate to read "Zooom!"

Check out homes in Whispering Pines, NC

Vicious Dog - A Hazard Easily Forgotten

Linda Breeding (Keller Williams Realty ) — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 11:30:36 -0500

Although there are a lot of hazards in real estate there is one that agents sometimes forget about until it is too late -a vicious dog.

I and a fellow agent had quite a scare this weekend while showing property. We walked up to a house where an agent said they would be putting a lockbox on right before we were to arrive. As we walked up to the front door we saw there was no lockbox. The client and I stayed in the front yard and Amanda, my partner/agent, went to the fenced back yard to make sure the lockbox had not been placed on the back door.

Before Amanda walked in the fence she made a lot of noise, rattled the fence and called out to make sure there was not a dog. When she felt pretty safe there was no dog, she opened the fence, went inside and walked to the back door. Nope, no lockbox to be found. She turned around and found herself eye to eye with a very large dog (a boxer) standing between her and the gate. She froze because the dog was in attack posture. She started trying to softly call out to us but was afraid to make too much noise - we did not hear her.

In the meantime the listing agent arrives and opens the door. We entered the house and realized Amanda was taking too long. We walked to the back door to look for her. There she was, frozen in the yard, face to face with a vicious dog! The listing agent ran out and grabbed the dog by the collar. About the time she had her hands on him, he lunged forward and jumped toward Amanda, snapping his jaws right at her throat! The client and I yelled for Amanda to run toward the house as the listing agent was holding the dog. She made it inside, no harm done, but it scared all of us half to death.

Now, this was a dog the listing agent was trying to tell us was "friendly and sweet". No owner can say a dog will not attack given the right circumstances. This dog saw an "intruder" and was protecting his turf.

We had a huge scare and a lesson well learned. If unsure, I think I or others that are with me will stay out of fenced yards. Thank goodness Amanda knew to freeze and not move until we found her and I'm so thankful we found her in time.

The Ford Pinto - Now That Was a Car!

Linda Breeding (Keller Williams Realty ) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:52:10 -0500

OK, I was in the office this afternoon and I told the story of my first car. I was the ripe old age of nineteen. I had just started my first job and all I needed was a car. The hunt was on! I found a bronze colored hatchback Ford Pinto on a bank repo lot. I called the bank up and bought that car! Gosh, I was "wheeling and dealing" way back then. When I told this story three people in the office chimed in and said, "That was my first car too!"

Do you remember the Ford Pinto? It was back when American made cars were cheap (or should I say economical) and you never even thought about buying anything made across the ocean. Now jump a couple of years later, I must have been about 20 or so. The news came out that if they were hit in the back they would blow up! That's OK, I just made sure nobody was following ME too closely, yeah right! I turned that car upside down in a ditch and guess what, it didn't blow up! Hey, I drove that car into the ground and it was the best car deal I have ever had in my life.

Here's a video about the Ford Pinto. I see my car in this video!

Oh, the memories.

Let me know if the Ford Pinto was your first car!

Ford Pinto Video

Change? Who me? Why? Because Shift Happens!

Linda Breeding (Keller Williams Realty ) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 08:59:34 -0500

As everyone well knows the market has shifted and keeping an open mind and the willingness to change will get us through.

Most agents, like me, are watching the market. At any time we may pop-up with a change in selling strategy. Like the little Chameleon, if we stay green, it won't be long and the big bird, called the shift, will swoop down and have a nice lunch and that lunch will be us. So we better be willing to change and change quickly.

Things to watch:

Is the same marketing strategy working now as worked six months ago? If the answer is no, it is time to switch gears and fast!

How many units sold and what are the prices of properties in the last month, last six months, last year and where does it look like we are heading? If there is a decline price adjustments are in order, more staging, and it is time to really spruce up the outside of the house to give as much curb appeal as possible.

What are mortgage rates doing? It doesn't take much of a rise in interest rates and it seems like the buyers run for the forest! I never quit understood this, but it happens. As prices fall, a small change in interest rates really does not have an impact on payments. Oh well, the buyers disappear so this means time to go out and "pound the pavement".

Mortgage approval, it's tougher and I don't see it letting up any time soon. I believe, "If there is a will there is a way!" The most important thing for buyers is to get pre-approved, it can take time. If you are a first-time homebuyer time is running out for the $8,000 tax credit.

Most important, stay positive! An excellent agent will let you know where the market is shifting and can give you advice on the changes that need to take place and you will see success!

June is Adopt A Cat Month

Linda Breeding (Keller Williams Realty ) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 11:45:28 -0500

June is Adopt a Cat Month! With over 4,000,000 cats ending up in shelters every year this is the perfect time to adopt a wonderful new friend. Spring and summer is kitten season and so many of these wonderful, sweet kitties would like nothing more than to find a forever home.

I use to be a "dog person", that is until I adopted my first cat. Max came to me in December of 1994. I was trying to think of a nice Christmas gift for my family. There was this little kitten, a "pet quality" Siamese kitten that was up for adoption. I called and found out that there was a person interested in the kitten but they wanted to make him a "barn cat". I was then told, "Come and get him and "rescue" him from this fate and he is yours, he needs an inside home with playful children". So Max came into our lives, full of energy and yes, he loved playing with the children. He would keep the kids entertained for hours. He also slept with my daughter every night until she went away to college. The start of the children's college days was rather hard on little Max. Max cried for three nights straight when he couldn't find his "sleeping partner."

Max is the sweetest cat. He sits on the back of a chair and waits for my return when I'm away. Greets me at the door with a happy meow each day when I come home, sits and cuddles in my lap every chance he gets, comes when called, and even does the "begging trick" by sitting up on his hind legs. He has been my best friend for nearly 15 years! June 4^th is Hug Your Cat Day and Max will sure get his hugs. Hey, you have to own a cat to honor Hug Your Cat Day! Right?

Cats make great companions!

Cats are playful - if you have kids, the shelter can help you pick out a cat with the perfect personality for children.

Cats are already housebroken - I found this to be a wonderful trait. Cats and kittens will naturally use a litter box.

Cats are very affectionate and LOVE to cuddle

Cats are very clean and do not have an odor - they bathe themselves

Cats are independent enough that you can leave them at home and go to work with no worry. Cats are perfectly happy when you go on vacation. Just have someone drop in and check on them. This really saves on boarding expenses!

Cats are perfect for apartments, condos and small houses. They don't need a lot of space and they don't make noise to bother the neighbors.

Adopt a cat or kitten this month from your local shelter and have a wonderful new friend and at the same time save a life. Here's a great website for pet adoptions.

Of course have your kitten or cat spayed or neutered. Your cat will be happier and healthier for it and you won't have to worry about finding homes for a litter of "unexpected" kittens.

I will be doing a cat food drive for the animal shelter this month in honor of Adopt-A-Cat Month. If you are interested in donating cat food (yes, I will also take dog food) please give me a call and I will pick it up and deliver it to our local animal shelters.

We Need to Believe it to See it

Linda Breeding (Keller Williams Realty ) — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 12:38:55 -0500

Did I see a glimmer of sunshine yesterday? I think I did! Retail sales were up, the stock market was up and banks are returning stimulus money because they are showing a profit. This sure looked like sunshine to me. So what can each of us do, as an individual, to help pull the United States back to a growing, prospering nation? The optimist clubs across the nation have the best outlook I can find. They follow a creed and it is great "food for thought."

Everyone is talking about hope. We hope the unemployment will be less, we hope the sales will be more and we definitely hope the stock market will rally. Maybe we need to take it one step further and have faith instead of just hope. Hope is you want it to happen and faith is you know it is going to happen. That is a big difference, folks.

The problem with our country right now is we just are not seeing the sunshine, we instead are seeing the cloudy day. If we put our faith in high gear and know that this recession will end, just as all others have ended in the past, we would find ourselves pulling out much faster. Each person, in their own small way, can make a difference.

How can each of us help? When we are just hopeful and at the same time fearful it is natural for us to pull back and do less spending and investing. Of course, with less spending and investing a downward economic spiral is created of even more fear and a further decline in spending and investing. What a vicious cycle! We must have faith that the economy will get better and refuse to participate in this recession. Try waking up each morning, think "sunshine" and say, "I refuse to participate in this recession!" Your neighbors need you, your nation needs you.

We create our own reality through our thoughts - faith will lead us. Give it a try and let me know how it works out for you.

Life is a Journey Down a Winding Road

Linda Breeding (Keller Williams Realty ) — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 07:49:26 -0600

Life is a journey down a winding road. Twist and turns obstruct our vision and things are not always as they appear. Faith will lead us.

Sometimes we have to have faith that a positive change has occurred. As we grow, we learn and improve. You know someone is seeking superiority when they are happier and the people around them are also content. Their accomplishments will be obvious. These noticeable accomplishments would not be possible without improvement on their part.

Having faith in a person will allow them to focus further on improving and help them to reach new heights. Concentrating on the past will repress and make the person feel as if there is no point in trying to progress in their endeavors.

Allow the people in your life to shine, have faith in them. Trust them. They will do what needs to be done. You will see new heights that you never thought possible.

Do you have enough faith in the people in your life? Is now the time to let them know?

Sunrises and New Beginnings

Linda Breeding (Keller Williams Realty ) — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 05:59:14 -0600

I'm a morning person and I wake up most mornings long before sunrise. Every day brings a new sunrise and a new beginning.

Sunrises always remind me that each day of our lives is a new beginning, no matter what the economy is doing, no matter what is happening in our work or personal lives. Each day we can grasp what is there and know that we can make our lives even better than the day before.

Everything takes work and each day we need to think about what we can do on this one day to make it better for ourselves and others around us.Will that one phone call lift someone's stressful day? Can the card or handwritten note really make a difference to someone? I know when I take time to do these simple things, my life seems a little brighter.

Every day in my life is a sunrise, how about you?

Stage That House to Get It Sold – Seller Tips Part Two

Linda Breeding (Keller Williams Realty ) — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 15:49:10 -0600

I'm sure many sellers have heard of "staging a house". So what is staging? How hard is it to do? Does it really make a difference? Staging is putting your house in the best light for showing to buyers. Think model home, and you will have a very good idea. The best way to show a house is not how we live in our homes every day. It's more of a look that grabs the buyer's attention as soon as they walk through the door and keeps their attention until they leave.

Staging can really be rather simple and here are some tips for sellers that really want to step ahead of the market.

1. De-clutter, De-clutter, De-clutter - This cannot be over emphasized. Remove personal items and pack them away. Hey, you are going to be moving pretty fast, so this will give you a head start. Do you have "collections"? Please also pack these away. Collections, as beautiful as they are, are a huge distraction to buyers. I have seen buyers stop and look and a few hours later they can't even remember the house!

Put personal and family photos away. The buyer's agent is trying their best to make their client feel at home in your house and it's easier to do if the owners' photos aren't sitting on every table and shelf.

Do you have children with toys? Find a place to hide all the toys or pack up a lot of them. Have nice shelves where you can put any remaining toys.

2. Remove furniture pieces that are not needed. A room will look larger and more put together with less furniture. With the furniture that you have left, set up conversation areas in your living areas.

3. Have your kitchen and baths sparkling! Baths should have fresh towels and a flower arrangement on the vanity. Remove your day-to-day toiletries. Buy some plastic containers and store these items under the sink. Each morning just take out your container and everything is right at your finger tips! Last but not least leave the toilet top down. It makes for a much nicer "picture". Clear your kitchen counter tops of all unneeded items. Make sure your kitchen cabinets are in order. Have your dining room table set with nice china and a center piece.

4. Bedrooms should have neutral colored bedspreads with a couple of pillows. If you want to add an extra punch, have a breakfast tray with china and a rose on the edge of the master bed.

5. For the rest of the house, paint your house with neutral earth tone colors. This is important. Most buyers cannot look past a house that needs repainting even though it is purely cosmetic. Move accessories around to give a more model home look. Change out any old looking light fixtures and make sure all the bulbs are working.

6. Last by not least, clean everything including windows, carpets, and floors.

Happy House Selling!

Additional seller tips:

Price Correctly to Get Your House Sold

Linda Breeding

910-690-8368

www.RealEstateInPinehurst.com

Price Correctly to Get Your House Sold – Seller Tips Part One

Linda Breeding (Keller Williams Realty ) — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 07:36:43 -0600

Pricing correctly is the most important thing to get your house sold in today's market. There are a lot of factors that you must consider to get your home priced right. It is not only price per square foot for the area but location, condition, and the age of your home are also important.

OK, you have set your price and of course sellers want the most for their property the market will bear but buyers are pushing the market price downward because they are looking for the best deal in the area. Constant updates to prices may be necessary in a sifting market. The average days on market are important but sellers should also look at area absorption rate. Absorption rate can give a seller some clues to where the market is heading.

Common misconceptions on pricing can keep a seller from selling as quickly as they need. The most common statement I hear is, "Well, I will price my house at the higher price now and if an interested buyer can just bring me an offer and I will go down then." The reality is this will not happen. Buyers will view houses that are priced correctly first and if they do view your house, which is unlikely, they will use your house to compare to other homes on the market to confirm that they are getting a great price on your neighbor's house.

Another misconception I hear frequently is, "I will price high now because if I don't sell I can always lower my price later." There is the most interest in your home the first few weeks it is on the market. When your home goes past those first few weeks interest quickly declines. The first few weeks draws interest from buyers that are currently in the market as well as new buyers coming into the market. Later only the new buyers coming in the market will consider your home.

There are signs that your price is not competitive and these signs surface fairly quickly. The number one sign is even with extensive marketing, your house is not showing. This is because the buyers are not considering your house because there is enough inventory for them to see plenty of homes that are priced correctly. The buyer will place their offer on the home they feel will get them the most value.

Another sign that your house is not priced correctly is that it is showing a lot but you are not seeing any offers. When this happens, your home is priced correctly per square foot in your neighborhood but is not priced correctly for the condition, location or age. There are a few things that a seller can do in this situation, improve the condition, update the home to get the price they would like or lower their price to reflect condition, age or location. Improving the condition and some types of updating may be simple and cost effective as other improvements may not be a good return on investment. Location cannot be changed, of course. So if correcting the condition and/or updates are not feasible than the best thing for a seller to do is to adjust their price.

Every seller wants their price which is understandable. A seller needs to take into consideration the cost of holding the house while they are trying to get their price.The monthly cost of mortgage, taxes, insurance, utilities and maintenance can cut into your net profit very quickly. It is wise to consider the average days on market and absorption rate to determine how long your house will stay on the market and than factor in your cost per month when setting your price. In most cases setting your price to avoid expenses will be the best way to go. Remember, it is all about what you will NET on closing day. A shorter time on the market priced correctly with fewer expenses will be the best way to get your house sold.

Additional Seller Tips:

Stage That House to Get It Sold

Linda Breeding

910-690-8368

www.RealEstateInPinehurst.com

North Carolina Has Snow - Yes, We Do Stop Life for Snow

Linda Breeding (Keller Williams Realty ) — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 13:21:28 -0600

Sometimes I have clients ask me, "Does it snow in Pinehurst?" Well, here's your answer, yes once every few years we get a snow. This is what I woke up to this morning. Isn't it beautiful? This is the average Pinehurst, NC snow fall, about 3-4 inches or so. By tomorrow it will be gone. So kids dust off your sleds and use them while you can.

I'll never forget that my daughter was five years old when she saw her first snowfall. It was larger than this one, we spent a couple of days sledding down a grassy hill and she had a blast, that is until she slid right into a creek and totally disappeared from sight! She was OK but she scared me to death.

Yes, it is true that here in North Carolina life stops when it snows. Everybody heads to grocery store for supplies and hunkers down until the snow is off the roads. We usually have no school, little work and just enjoy hot chocolate sitting beside the fireplace! There really is a reason we behave this way, snowfalls are so rare, there just aren't many snow plows and the plows only go on major highways. So basically, the roads can get pretty bad on the side streets and in the neighborhoods. Hey, we also just need an excuse to take a day off!

Linda Breeding

910-690-8368

www.RealEstateInPinehurst.com

A Rare Occurrence in North Carolina – Frozen Pipes

Linda Breeding (Keller Williams Realty ) — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 08:11:39 -0600

I consider myself lucky to live in an area where frozen pipes are a rarity. Rare as it is, it does happen and the risk is usually only two or three days a year. I'm "lucky" enough (if you can call it luck) that I have had a frozen pipe for two years in a row and rush to call a plumber, whom comes over and spends a couple of hours in my house thawing out the pipe while I'm having my morning coffee. This is not my idea of a relaxing morning! It is always the same pipe and being a native North Carolinian, I had to learn what to do to avoid this. The danger only happens if it stays below freezing all day long. So if you live in a warm state and aren't use to frozen pipes you are even more at risk because, let's face it, when it hardly ever occurs we just don't think about it.

The pipes at most risk are exposed pipes in the crawl space, attic, and garage or along an outside wall. This is no time to think about water and energy conversation (that's me and why I fall victim).

•1. Pipe your heating system up a little

•2. Open all your cabinet doors that have plumbing, of course if you have pets and small children make sure to remove any cleaning supplies that you may have stored under the cabinet.

•3. Drip the faucets - A good hard drip or a small stream using both cold and hot water because hot water pipes can also freeze.

•4. If you can, in the middle of the night, get up and run both hot and cold water in your most vulnerable pipes for a few minutes.

•5. Turn your washer on for a couple of minutes several times each night if the pipe is to an outside wall and use both hot and cold water.

•6. Take the ice out of the ice maker to make sure it continues to run and make ice.

•7. Open any closet doors that have a back wall against plumbing pipes or closets that are on the lower level that are against floors where there are plumbing pipes. Bonus rooms are common here in North Carolina (rooms with bathrooms over garages) and frequently they have a closet in the garage under a staircase. This is the reason for the next tip.

•8. If your problem area is a garage use a space heater in the garage - if you get nervous about space heaters being on while you are sleeping, start it up at dusk and leave on until you go to bed.

•9. Ask your plumber about wrapping problem pipes.

Having frozen pipes catches this gal that runs around barefoot most of the year by surprise every time! I'm sure there are lots more tips that my Northern Active Rain friends can give us here in Pinehurst, North Carolina. Of course, all tips are welcome!

Linda Breeding

910-690-8368

www.RealEstateInPinehurst.com

Real Estate Market Update for Moore County Comparing 2007 to 2008

Linda Breeding (Keller Williams Realty ) — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 11:34:21 -0600

Prices and average days on market for single family homes have remained steady in Moore County for 2008. Sales are down 32%. There are currently 1,013 active listings. Moore County is experiencing a buyer's market due to the amount of inventory that has remained on the market.

Linda Breeding

910-690-8368

www.RealEstateInPinehurst.com

Real Estate Market Update – Aberdeen, NC – Fourth Quarter 2008

Linda Breeding (Keller Williams Realty ) — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 10:54:31 -0600

Prices and average days on market in Aberdeen, NC are currently holding steady. Sales in Aberdeen are down 86% compared to the fourth quarter of 2007. The current level of inventory compared to units sold in the fourth quarter is creating a higher than normal absorption rate. The high absorption rate signifies that Aberdeen is in a buyer's market.

Note: Absorption rate is used to follow market trends. It is the number of weeks it will take to sell current inventory at the rate of present sales. Absorption rates can change rapidly due to seasonal adjustments.

More than 7 months of inventory signifies a buyer's market.

5 to 7 months is a neutral market.

Less than 5 months is a seller's market.

Linda Breeding

910-690-8368

www.RealEstateInPinehurst.com

Real Estate Market Update – Southern Pines, NC – Fourth Quarter 2008

Linda Breeding (Keller Williams Realty ) — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 10:30:59 -0600

Prices and average days on market in Southern Pines, NC are currently holding steady. Sales in Southern Pines are down 80% compared to the fourth quarter of 2007. The median price of sold homes has fallen which indicates the fourth quarter sales have been homes priced lower than the current average list price. The current level of inventory compared to units sold in the fourth quarter is creating a higher than normal absorption rate. The high absorption rate signifies that Southern Pines is in a buyer's market.

More than 7 months of inventory signifies a buyer's market.

5 to 7 months is a neutral market.

Less than 5 months is a seller's market.

Linda Breeding

910-690-8368

www.RealEstateInPinehurst.com

Real Estate Market Update – Seven Lakes, NC – Fourth Quarter 2008

Linda Breeding (Keller Williams Realty ) — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 16:06:26 -0600

Prices and average days on market in Seven Lakes, NC are currently holding steady. The current level of inventory compared to units sold in the fourth quarter is creating a higher than normal absorption rate. The high absorption rate signifies that Seven Lakes is in a buyer's market.

More than 7 months of inventory signifies a buyer's market.

5 to 7 months is a neutral market.

Less than 5 months is a seller's market.

Linda Breeding

910-690-8368

www.RealEstateInPinehurst.com

Real Estate Market Update – Whispering Pines, NC – Fourth Quarter 2008

Linda Breeding (Keller Williams Realty ) — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 13:12:58 -0600

Prices and average days on market in Whispering Pines, NC are currently holding steady, the percentage of list to sold price is holding steady. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2007 sales volume has remained steady. The current level of inventory compared to units sold is creating a higher than normal absorption rate. The high absorption rate signifies that Whispering Pines is in a buyer's market.

More than 7 months of inventory signifies a buyer's market.

5 to 7 months is a neutral market.

Less than 5 months is a seller's market

Linda Breeding

910-690-8368

www.RealEstateInPinehurst.com

Real Estate Market Update – Pinehurst, NC – Fourth Quarter 2008

Linda Breeding (Keller Williams Realty ) — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 11:39:17 -0600

Prices and average days on market in Pinehurst, NC are currently holding steady. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2007 there have been over 50% fewer sold properties. The current level of inventory compared to units sold in the fourth quarter is creating a higher than normal absorption rate. The high absorption rate signifies that Pinehurst is in a buyer's market.

More than 7 months of inventory signifies a buyer's market.

5 to 7 months is a neutral market.

Less than 5 months is a seller's market.

Linda Breeding

910-690-8368

www.RealEstateInPinehurst.com

Do you like Orchids? Great Pinehurst Day Trip and Hobby

Linda Breeding (Keller Williams Realty ) — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 21:30:15 -0600

When those gray days of winter are here I sure miss the spring and summer flowers. So what better way to beat the winter time blues than with a little indoor gardening? Orchids have been my "calling" and through most of the winter I have a couple of orchid plants blooming. Of course an orchid is about the only flowering house plant I can have because my "dear" cat will eat everything else. I thought I would share a couple of pictures of my favorites.

Now most people think orchids are difficult which they really are not. It's just that there are so many different varieties that all require different care. Yes, there are "tricks of the trade" but once you understand them, they are really rather easy.

Now the amusing thing, I get phone calls on how to take care of orchids right along with the phone calls on how to sell and buy Pinehurst real estate. I really love helping people with their orchids and have been known to adopt a non-blooming orchid and nurse it until it blooms again. Do you live in the Pinehurst area and think you would like to visit an orchid greenhouse? Make sure you stop by Seagrove Orchids. It's a short 25-30 minutes from Pinehurst. Linda (the owner) always has something blooming and some very interesting varieties that you will not find in the retail stores.

Linda Breeding

910-690-8368

www.RealEstateInPinehurst.com

The Reason for the Season – Giving!

Linda Breeding (Keller Williams Realty ) — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 09:44:44 -0600

This is my reflection week. Every year I think about the real reason for the season - giving.

There is so much need this year and if everyone on Active Rain gave one thing to a family in need or adopted a homeless animal we could make such a difference!

Toys for children are in short supply this year. Especially toys for children under three years old and children in the 13-16 year age group. Drop off locations are still open even though today was suppose to be delivery day. Let's all on Active Rain make a special effort to drop off a toy in the next couple of days. Your toy can make one child smile on Christmas.

The food banks are also in short supply. A few cans of food can help feed a family on Christmas day. Clothing is also in short supply. Again, think of the difference we could make.

Of course don't forget the homeless animals. If you or if you know of anyone that will adopt a pet for Christmas, please adopt a pet from a shelter or encourage others to do so. There are some wonderful pets without homes and even more now with the downturn in the economy. The love a little shelter animal will return for years to come is a huge reward.

Merry Christmas everyone!

We Did It! We Are Now Keller Williams!

Linda Breeding (Keller Williams Realty ) — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 07:54:05 -0600

FrontGate Properties opened their doors a short 1 ½ years ago and we have just had our application approved to become Keller Williams of Pinehurst.

It all started when owner Kim Stout saw a need, a need for a real estate firm that was different. A firm with a business model that strives to train and help each individual agent become ALL they are capable of becoming. Keller Williams Pinehurst now has five owners and 53 agents. We are the largest real estate firm in Pinehurst!

I look back on when I started with FrontGate Properties - soon to be Keller Williams and I knew I had to do something different to grow my business. I was nervous making the change and wondered if all I was being told would really work. I hung on every word on what to do and when to do it from the team leader, owners and my fellow agents. I did exactly what I was told (well almost everything). Six months later I can happily say, this was the BEST move I could have made! My business has increased substantially. I am also in an environment where everyone helps everyone, we share our ideas and we have ongoing training for the taking.

Here we are! The announcement was made that we are now Keller Williams at our Christmas party. Janet Faulk, Regional Director of Keller Williams of the Carolinas, was there to help us celebrate!

Thanks Kim for having the dream and the insight of a real estate firm that DOES make a difference. Also, thanks to the other four owners Mike, Peggy, Rebecca and Tammy for all your hard work and daily motivation to make Keller Williams Pinehurst a reality. I'm looking forward to Keller Williams Pinehurst being #1 in the Pinehurst area next year!

Everyone have a Merry, Merry Christmas! You know all of us at Keller Williams Pinehurst are having the Merriest Holidays of all!