Christina's Blog

Why Dealing with A Local Lender Can Save Your Life

2008-04-29T18:39:34Z

After reading an article today from the

"Bloodhound" called

"We first warned

you about Lending

Tree a year ago",

I am even more concerned when a client wants to use an Internet Lender!

Apparently, some of Lending Tree's former employees were allowing other lenders to steel protected private passwords of Lending Tree's customers. They gave personal information to these outside predators such as social security number, income and employee data.

By the practices above, It only reconfirms the advise that I have been giving to my clients over the years I have been a Real Estate agent. I have always recommended that my clients use lenders that they personally know or that are recommended to them from reliable sources. The safe thing about using a local lender is that they keep your information with in their organization, write their loans in house and are excessible to you face to face. Talking to someone face to face sure gives you a lot more information about who you are dealing with then a computer screen does.

If there is an issue, a local mortgage company can provide you with answers in person that day, not have to wait for someone to pick up their emails. These local business men and women care about their reputation in the towns where they live and are less likely to do something wrong because of that reason. Real Estate agents like to work with these local individuals because of the services they do provide. They call back our clients in a timely manner, explain the loan process thoroughly and communicate with all of the other local experts involved in the transaction.

For these reasons and more I would always recommend a bank or mortgage company that I can reach out and touch, literally!

Buyers or Sellers Market, How is Your Market Doing?

2008-04-23T12:12:37Z

Is this not a question that is asked by all who find out you are a real estate professional?

I can answer for Eastern NC but would like to know from my fellow Realtors, how your market is doing?

Our market numbers can be found at www.newbernbearblog.com

2 Great Events in one Great Town, New Bern

2008-04-22T23:37:51Z

For the 2nd Weekend in a row, home buyers, designers, builders, or just plain idea hounds can go see several new homes on dispaly during the Spring Parade of Homes held April 26th and 27th.

AND/OR

Help support the Relay For Life Event in New Bern

Saturday, April 26 7:00p to Sunday, April 27 12:00p. at Grover C. Fields Middle School, New Bern, NC.

Staging, Is it Fact or Fiction?

2008-04-22T22:50:51Z

During the Parade of Homes in New Bern NC this weekend,

I saw may people and asked them what they thought of the staged home that I was sitting in. Many thought that it was very well done and some even thought that someone actually lived in the home.

There is not a lot of furniture, appliances or even pictures on the wall but it definitely stool out among those that were not staged.

I also think that because it was staged that it helped when it came to the judging of the home itself.

Barb Schwarz says on her website that 93% of ASP staged homes sell on average in 1 month or less.

AND "Your Investment in ASP Home Staging will always be less than your first Price Reduction"
- Barb Schwarz, The Creator of Home Staging

Remember, people can not buy what they can not see!

VA Loans , They are Free Right?

2008-04-22T22:28:19Z

Why do people think that if they are buying a home using a Va Loan that they will not have to put any money into the transaction?

WHY, because so many people, are getting either mixed messages or half truths by the lender that they are asking.

Truth, is that there are closing costs associated with buying a home that even military families have to pay.

These include but are not limited to:

Attorney Fees
Taxes
VA Funding Fee
Insurance
HOA Fees

The goal of their Real Estate agent is to get these payed for by the seller, by asking for assistance with their closing costs.

Their agent should also advise them to get at least 2 or 3 Good Faith Estimates from 2/3 different companies.

Far too often our military families are getting taken for a ride by loan companies that they believe have their best interest at heart. No names will be mentioned in this Blog but you know who you are!

They Claim to serve their members, but end up costing our brave men and women tons of money. They say things like WE do not charge mortgage insurance.

No VA loans Do this.

Do your research and take your time, this is one of the biggest investments you will ever make!

Warning: This Might Help you Understand Interest Rates

2008-04-19T21:57:56Z

Why is it important for me to understand interest rates?

Well this is a big DUH!

How about saving money or buying a bigger home? If you just get this one concept then you will be ready to go shopping. Interest rates are not just numbers for bankers or mortgage people to review, they are for you. They affect things like your monthly payment and the total amount of money you would have spent on the home to name a few.

Here is an example that was given in an article called "Why Home Buyers Should Understand the Importance of Interest Rate Drops" by Ki Gray

Using a mortgage calculator first let's look at the difference between the mortgage on a 200k and the mortgage on a 195k house assuming a 6.5 percent interest rate.

200k (6.5%) Mortgage $1264.13 per month
195k (6.5%) Mortgage $1232.53 per month

The difference ends up being $31.60 a month.

Now let's look at the difference between an interest rate of 6.5% and 6.0% on a 200k house.

200k (6.5%) Mortgage 1264.13 per month
200k (6.0%) Mortgage 1199.10 per month

The difference ends up being $65.03 a month or $780.36 a year. A simple half point drop lowered the mortgage payment by 5.4 percent.

Ki even has a tool for interest rates.

When comparing mortgages, also keep in mind to note the differences in fees, although they may not affect your monthly numbers, you may pay more up front at closing.

Be Sharp, Save Money!

Warning: This Might Help you Understand Interest Rates

2008-04-19T21:57:32Z

Why is it important for me to understand interest rates?

Well this is a big DUH!

Here is an example that was given in an article called "Why Home Buyers Should Understand the Importance of Interest Rate Drops" by Ki Gray

Using a mortgage calculator first let's look at the difference between the mortgage on a 200k and the mortgage on a 195k house assuming a 6.5 percent interest rate.

200k (6.5%) Mortgage $1264.13 per month
195k (6.5%) Mortgage $1232.53 per month

The difference ends up being $31.60 a month.

Now let's look at the difference between an interest rate of 6.5% and 6.0% on a 200k house.

200k (6.5%) Mortgage 1264.13 per month
200k (6.0%) Mortgage 1199.10 per month

The difference ends up being $65.03 a month or $780.36 a year. A simple half point drop lowered the mortgage payment by 5.4 percent.

Ki even has a tool for interest rates.

When comparing mortgages, also keep in mind to note the differences in fees, although they may not affect your monthly numbers, you may pay more up front at closing.

Be Sharp, Save Money!

Help, I am drowning in SEO Advise!

2008-03-04T21:11:12Z

Why does SEO have to be so darn complicated?

One person tells you that spelling a word wrong or adding a typo into your sentence can help boost your site into a higher ranking? Another blogger will write about key word placement and how important it is for you to include them into your sentences. Can anyone give me a simple answer as to the best way to increase traffic flow to ones blog?

What say ye fellow Bloggers?

We Are Selling Houses in Craven County, Are U?

2008-03-04T13:34:29Z

Staging Your Home Can Make a World of Difference

2008-01-28T13:57:36Z

I have been hearing for quiet some time about this concept of staging the home that you have listed. I have seen presentations by professional Home Stagers and by Real Estate agents that have taken a 2 day certification. I thought that this was a good idea but was not 100% convinced that it indeed helped to sell a home until I saw a home before and after it was staged. If home owners and agents will just do some investigation on this subject, they will find that it is money well spent. I was so convinced that it would work, I had 2 of my listings staged. Not more than a few weeks went by and we received an offer on one of my homes. The issue is that no one including Real Estate Agents can visualize what a room would look like when a home is vacant. They need that visual help from furniture. Even if a home is not vacant, if you can not place your furniture in a home, you will not buy it. If a home is staged correctly then all anyone would need to do is place their furniture and items in the places where the stager has arranged. For example, the stager would set up the dinning room as if someone was expecting a guest. With the dining room set up it would be easy to be able to place your own belongings. Go see 101 Roxboro Ct New Bern NC in person or on-line at NcPropertiesonline.com, and you decide.

Calling all Chili Eaters, Chili Festival to Hit Havelock /Cherry Point NC this Weekend!

2007-10-19T08:58:01Z

Here is a great article in the Havelock News about this wonderful event to take place this weekend October 20th in Havelock NC by the MCAS Cherry Point.

By Corey Friedman
Havelock News
Chili's still the main course, but this year, Havelock's premier fall festival is adding an appetizer. A chicken wing cook-off Oct. 19 will join the chili and salsa competitions Oct. 20 at the annual Havelock Chili Festival and Big Boy Toy Show, with a $500 grand prize and the title of "Best Chicken Wings in the East" up for grabs. Previously held only on Saturdays, the chili festival has been expanded for 2007, with vendors, live music and the chicken wing competition scheduled for 5 to 9 p.m. the Friday before the event's International Chili Society-sanctioned cook-off. "We're really excited about it," said Joy Mason, executive director of the Havelock Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors the festival. "To our committee, it's exciting to expand the festival to a two-day event and to offer this chicken wing competition on Friday night." Judging for the chicken wing contest is a democratic affair, Mason said. Festival-goers can buy a $5 ticket to sample wings from five cooks and vote for their favorite. The winner will receive a trophy and $500, with the second- and third-place cooks receiving trophies only. Mason said there is no entry fee for the competition, but cooks must provide at least 250 wings, which will be cooked on site. The first-ever Friday night portion of the chili festival will also feature vendor booths and a performance by the group Ghost Riders, a country and rock act. Held at Walter B. Jones Park in Havelock, the festival will continue Saturday with the chili and salsa competitions, live entertainment, children's activities and the Big Boy Toy Show, an outdoor marketplace of horsepower and high-octane featuring cars, motorcycles, boats, all-terrain vehicles, grills and heavy equipment. Applications for all food competitions and merchandise, food and nonprofit vendors are due on Oct. 1 for participation in the chili festival Oct. 19 and 20. Participation guidelines and applications are available at the chamber of commerce office in the Havelock Tourist and Event Center.

Run or Walk in New Bern, NC this Weekend!

2007-10-18T12:53:25Z

Calling all walkers and runners. The stage is set for the annual " Bridge Run" this weekend, to take place in Downtown New Bern NC. There is still time to sign up at Active.com for this wonderful event that benefits 12 different Charities in New Bern. There are 2 different distances that are offered depending on your ability. You can either walk or run in the 5K or you can run the 10K. The 5K will not be going over the bridge this year due to the closure of the one bridge/ the 10 K will be starting at the Foodlion in Bridgeton NC. The 5K will start at 8am in Downtown New Bern at Union Point Park and will finish there as well. Please have your running shoes on and come and support a great event! See you all there.

Directions to Downtown New Bern NC Anyone?

2007-10-11T14:05:02Z

After reading in the paper today how frustrated the downtown business owners in New Bern NC are over lost business, I don't blame them for wanting a change. Since the Alfred Cunningham Bridge closure, many business owners have said that the lack of signage was to blame for their troubles. The Sun Journal reported that the downtown New Bern Merchants had told transportation officials that as much as 15% in lost business could be attributed to tourists not knowing how to get downtown. After a few meetings it was decided that directional signs will be placed on major roads such as Martin Luther Ling JR. Boulevard and Broad Street to help guide traffic to the shops in the downtown area. Stay tuned to this blog to find out if this was the "right direction" to take^.

My New Bern and Havelock North Carolina Real Estate Blog

2007-10-02T14:03:49Z

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

My New Bern, Havelock & MCAS Cherry Point North Carolina Real Estate Blog
What is going on in the New Bern and Havelock (MCAS Cherry Point) North Carolina Real Estate Market? This is a question that I am asked daily. My response is as follows. We meaning New Bern and Havelcok are in a Buyer's Market. There are more homes that are for sale than there are buyers for them. When one looks at the statistics, you will see that our average Days On the Market or DOM for short for the entire MLS is 97 day. The average sales price is $204,433. The list/sell Ratio is 97%. Some areas such as Taberna have an average DOM of 141. Even with in the same town as you can see, numbers can change from month to month. What is even more significant is the supply of homes. Taberna has a 14 month supply of homes, with the average of 7 months in other areas. These statistics are to inform you not to scare you. They are here for you to make an informed decision when buying or selling. The best buyers or sellers are the ones that know the numbers.

Far Away from Home

2007-05-26T17:25:51Z

May 26, 2007

God Bless America and the men and women of our Armed Forces. We owe this day to them. When you are on your boats or at your picnic this weekend say a special blessing for those that have been lost or could be lost tomorrow. I myself have never seen a battlefield and probably never will so I want to thank you for the sacrifices that you and your family make each and every day. To my friends overseas, keep your birds in the air and cover your backside on the ground.
Take care, we miss you.
Christie

Does your agent practice "Black Belt Negotiating"?

2007-04-07T10:54:41Z

I read an article in the Broker Agent News today written by Michael Soon Lee, that talked about questions to ask your agent to see how strong a negotiator they would be when presenting your offer to purchase a home. Being a 2Nd degree real life black belt, I found the analogy quite interesting. Here are the hypothetical questions they posed:

1."What information do we need before making an offer and how would you get it?"
2."What's your experience with negotiating?" (You want someone who negotiates every chance he or she gets whether it's a large or small purchase.)
3."What's your philosophy of negotiating?" (If the answer is "win-win" find another agent!
4."Do you prefer to present offers in-person or send them in?
5."How can we make sure the seller responds to our offer right away?"
6."When you sit down with the seller what's the first thing you do?" (If the answer is "I pull out the contract" keep interview agents. You want someone who knows that closing a deal begins with build a relationship.)
7."How can you tell if the seller immediately likes or dislikes our offer?"
8."How would you react if the seller gives us a full price counter-offer?"
9."What would you do if the seller asks for something additional after the contract has been signed?"
10."If the we were five hundred dollars apart from having a ratified contract what would you do?" (If the answer is, "I'd give it to you from my commission" find another agent. Anyone who cannot negotiate their own fee will have difficulty protecting your interests.)

So when hiring your next agent find our if they are a Black Belt Negotiator.