In the past few months, I have encountered several people who seem to be feeling "trapped" in their housing situation. For some, it may simply be to due the media coverage and pressure of being "upside down" on their loan, while others have had circumstances that make it hard for them to find affordable housing or to make needed repairs and maintenance on homes they already own. Hopefully, this post will let some of these people know about the resources available in our local area to help them with some of these problems.
For homeowners who cannot afford needed repairs or weatherization, Blue Ridge Community Action (BRCA) has several programs which may be of help to income eligible residents in Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, and Catawba counties. They provide free weatherization assistance and repairs to help make homes more comfortable, save energy, and lower power bills and, under the HARRP (Heating Appliance Repair and Replacement Program) program, will even repair or replace heating systems if needed. Their urgent repair program funds additional repairs to such as roofing and wiring repairs protect the weatherization work and modifications for special needs homeowners to make their homes handicapped accessible. When funds are available, through grants from the NCHFA, they may be able to help with substantial rehabilitation, including electrical wiring, plumbing, bathroom, heating system, roof, windows, doors, and all phases of needed structural repairs to bring homes up to housing quality standards. BRCA also provides affordable rental housing in Burke & Caldwell counties and links families to additional services available to them. For homeowners in Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, and Catawba counties who don't qualify for free repair work, BRCA partners with USDA Rural Development to help home owners apply for low-interest loans and grants for home repairs, handling the application, scope of repairs, writing of repair specifications, and the bid process through local contractors. Blue Ridge Community Actionis based out of Morganton, NC and may be reached by telephone at (828) 438-6255.
Another great source for local assistance is the Western Piedmont Council of Governments (WPCOG). I have mentioned them before, in my blog on foreclosure prevention assistance. They are a HUD Certified Counseling Agency, which means you may have already heard of them if you've looked into the Hope for Homeowners program here in the Catawba Valley. They offer many services to area residents, but I will try to keep this focused on housing. The Housing & Community Care Block Grant offers housing and home improvement for senior citizens, along with other services. They offer a down payment assistance program for home buyers through HUD's HOME program. They administer the area's Section 8 Housing program, which helps low income people by supporting the cost of rental housing, and oversees the Section 8 housing inspections. They also offer counseling and advice on reverse mortgages for homeowners over age 62 who would like to receive loan payments out of their home's equity.
For those in need, willing to contribute to the program, and able to repay the no-interest no-profit loan, Habitat for Humanity can help them to own their own home. The Catawba & Burke county Habitat chapters both have their own websites with more information, while those in Caldwell and Alexander counties will need to look on the main website for contact information. This is also an excellent volunteer opportunity as a well to help others while learning new skills and meeting new people.
A lot of people are hesitant to put their home on the market during the holidays or cold winter months, but homes are still selling in the Hickory Metro area this winter. If you'd like to sell yours, please give me a call. I can list your Lenoir, NC home for sale at any time of year and, if holiday plans are an issue, we can even arrange with the showing service and other agents not to show your home during a particular time frame to avoid any inconvenience or intereference with your plans.
The extended homebuyer tax credit is good through the end of April, 2010 but, to take the most advantage of this program, it is best to get your home on the market and in front of buyers as soon as possible.
Much has been written on the extension of the first time homebuyer tax credit and the credit for existing homeowners. A few frequently asked questions with answers to go along with all of that:
Question: Existing homeowner credit: Must the new house cost more than the old house?
Answer: No. Thus, for example, individuals who move from a high cost area to a lower cost area who meet all eligibility requirements will qualify for the $6500 credit.
Question: I am an existing homeowner. On October 25, 2009, I signed a contract to purchase a new home. I have lived in my current home for more than 5 consecutive years and am within the new income limits. I will go to settlement on November 20. If President Obama has signed the bill by the time I go to settlement, will I qualify for the new $6500 tax credit?
Answer: Yes. The existing homeowner credit goes into effect for purchases after the date of enactment (when the bill is signed). There is no reference to the date of contract for the new credit. The provision looks solely to the date of purchase, which is generally the date of settlement.
Question: I am a first time homebuyer but was not within the prior income limits at the time I entered into my contract to purchase on October 30, 2009. I will be covered, however, by the new income limits. If the new rules have been signed into law by the time I go to settlement, will I be eligible for a credit?
Answer: Yes. The new income limitations go into effect as soon as the President has signed the bill.
The income limit and other eligibility rules will look to your status as of the date of purchase,
which is the settlement date. So if the new rules have been signed when you go to settlement,
you should be eligible for the credit (or a portion of the credit if you're within the phase-out
range).
Question: I am an eligible existing homeowner. I have a fair amount of equity in my home. I have found a home with a non-negotiable price of $825,000. Will I be able to use any of the $6500 tax credit?
Answer: No. The $800,000 cap on the cost of the purchased home is firm at $800,000. Any amount
above $800,000 makes the home ineligible for any portion of the credit. The $800,000 is an
absolute ceiling.
Question: I owned my home for 10 years, but sold it two years ago year and have been renting since. If I purchase a home, will I be eligible for the $6500 tax credit if I meet all the other eligibility tests?
Answer: Yes. Because you lived in the home for more than 5 consecutive years of the previous 8, you
will qualify for the $6500 credit. For example, Say John and his wife bought a home in 2000
and lived there until 2008 when he got a divorce. Whether John has been renting or bought in
the interim, he WOULD INDEED be eligible for the credit because he owned a home and
occupied it as his principal residence for 5 consecutive years out of the last 8 years. The
keyword here is "consecutive." As long as he lived in that house for 5 years straight what he
did since 3 years doesn't impact eligibility.
Question: I am an eligible first-time homebuyer. I entered into a contract to purchase on November 1, 2009. Do I have to go to closing before December 1? How does the extension date affect me?
Answer: You do not have to close before December 1. Once the legislation has been signed, it will be as
if the Nov 30 date had never existed. Therefore, so long as the contract settles before April 30
(or July 1, worst case), the purchaser will be eligible for the credit.
I was talking to a friend from high school earlier. She's a recent college graduate and looking to relocate because of her new job. One of the things she was telling me is that she was frustrated because she will be buying in a state she's not very familiar with, and she doesn't understand why her agent can't just tell her where the "good" and "bad" neighborhoods are, or include a "more detailed" [I think she meant more opinionated] breakdown of the areas in which different homes were.
I've run into this same frustration before with clients, and sometimes it can be irritating as an agent that we can't just answer certain types of questions directly and tell them what we really think. One reason for this is the Fair Housing Act - we don't know why you're asking and cannot legally say anything that might be perceived as "steering" a clients towards or away from a certain area, or that may seem to be discriminatory.
Also, tastes are subjective, and even the "worst" neighborhoods have people who choose to live there, for one reason or another. Since I haven't lived in every neighborhood I show homes in, my idea of what a neighborhood is like may not be accurate, or may be based on one or more positive or negative experiences that really reflect the day-to-day reality of living there.
Since there's not much I can say about a neighborhood, good or bad, I try to help my clients find out the answers to their questions, and form their impression of the neighborhood for themselves.
My advice to clients, and anyone else comparing neighborhoods is this:
First of all, drive around the neighborhood. Some of the best times to do this are weekdays around 6pm when people are getting home from work, or earlier when the school buses are out, if the number or ages of children in the neighborhood is important to you. Weekends are also good, because families tend to be home, and you can check out neighborhood yard sales and have a chance to talk to some of the people who live in the area.
Pay attention to the condition and types of properties in the immediate vicinity. Are neighbors mowing their lawns, raking leaves, and maintaining their properties, or is there trash and many "run-down" looking homes and lots? Are there a lot of kids playing in the street? Does the property conform to its surroundings? If it’s the only single-family on a street of multi-families, or a stick built home surrounded by mobile homes, then the value of the single-family is negatively impacted by the properties around it.
If you are unable to drive around an area, then using "Street View" on Google Maps can at least give you an idea of what the street and neighboring homes look like, and how well the exteriors of the homes and yards are maintained, although you won't have the chance to speak with the neighbors face-to-face.
To ask people in an area about a particular neighborhood, some good choices would be online, community-centered, message boards like City-Data.com or Topix.
For crime statistics, call the local police station and ask about statistics for the neighborhood. Most are willing to help, and they can better explain why certain figures are higher or lower in different places in why. Some officers may also give you their personal opinions of which neighborhoods are safer to live in, but keep in mind it is an opinion.
The EPA offers a website with information on environmental hazards and conditions by area.
Demographic information and area profiles can be found on many sites, including the US Census, ZIPskinny, and City-Data.
If you are looking to buy or sell a home in the Hickory, Lenoir, or Morganton, NC area, or if you would like the direct website links or phone numbers for local police, schools, etc to check out the information for your neighborhood in Caldwell, Catawba, or eastern Burke County, please give me a call at (828) 430-1936.
I was cleaning up my hard drive and deleting old photos, when I found this one of some of my earliest cleints' "babies". They couldn't bear to leave them alone, so I ended up babysitting them for several showings:
For those of you not up on dog breeds, the one in the middle is a Rottweiler, and the two on the sides are American Pitt Bull Terriers [aka, "pit bulls"]. All three are trained guard dogs. They ended up staying in the house with us, because I didn't know if they'd get along with my outside dogs, and they were very calm and well-behaved, but my broker thought I was nuts when I told her I was "babysitting the guard dogs".
I know a lot of agents who've ended up being painters, marriage counselors, carpet cleaner, repairmen/women, pet-sitters, cat-finders, and all sorts of crazy things just to help get a home sold.
For those of you in the business, what's the strangest "hat" you've ever put on as a real estate agent?
Raine Carraway | Century 21 American Homes | (828) 430-1936
103 Falls Ave, Granite Falls, NC
Nice 3 bedroom bungalow-style home in Granite Falls, near schools
& 321!
3BR/1BA Single Family House
offered at $68,000
Year Built
1921
Sq Footage
1,655
Bedrooms
3
Bathrooms
1 full, 0 partial
Floors
2
Parking
4+ Uncovered spaces
Lot Size
.33 acres
HOA/Maint
$0 per month
DESCRIPTION
Cute bungalow in Granite Falls, near schools & 321. Upgraded living room with hardwoods & gas log fireplace. A large kitchen & dining room w/ breakfast nook, 2 upstairs bedrooms, and a nice lot with 3 small ponds, fenced backyard, and paved driveway for up to 6 cars makes this a great starter home with plenty of room to grow.
School Districts:
* Granite Falls Elementary
* Granite Falls Middle School
* South Caldwell High School
Property Details:
* Partial Walk-In Basement
* Forced Hot Air [Natural Gas] Furnace
* Gas Log Fireplace
* Hardwood Flooring in Living Room
* Dining Room w/ Breakfast Nook
* Large Kitchen with Cabinet Space
* Pantry in Dining Room
* Public Water & Sewer
* Gas Water Heater in Basement
* Paved Drive with Parking for 6 Vehicles
I've been thinking lately about how most people have a short goal or mission statement to describe what they do for their clients. For me, it has always been selling homes for the best price for their home, with the least hassle, in the shortest amount of time. My husband was telling me I should just shorten it to "The most money in the least time", and explaining to him why that wouldn't be accurate made me thing about some of the different scenarios I've encountered in the real estate business, and why different factors among those 3 can be more important at different times.
Price is one thing that most people have in mind from the start, but there are situations when a seller may want to be out fast, such as a pre-foreclosure, short sale, or divorce, or when a buyer may be willing to pay full price or higher, if there are multiple offers or they are wanting a home with specific features or a certain location.
I never say "highest price", because I have found that can be misleading - there are usually agents around willing to list at a high price, but if buyers or not willing to pay that price, or the appraisal won't support it for a loan, then the home will not sell, and may actually end up selling for lower than it would if the seller had started out in a more realistic price range.
Time can be the most important factor for some, especially in today's world of short sales, lost jobs, and foreclosures for sellers. Buyers can also be in a hurry to buy in time to relocate for a new job, or to get settled in with children before the school year begins.
Hassles are something many people anticipate in a transaction, and it's my job to deal with them before the become my clients' problems. In a problem transaction, or short sale with difficult conditions to meet, this may quickly become one of the most important issues for my clients, and is really one of the reasons many hire an agent to begin with. If buying or selling their home becomes a drawn out, tedious, process with lots of roadblocks, they are not likely to be satisfied, regardless of the price or speed of the sale. This is where educating the buyer so they can anticipate potential problems, and then being proactive in dealing with things before they become a problem can really help all parties involved.
If you are considering buying or selling property in the Catawba, Caldwell, or eastern Burke County area, please call me at (828) 430-1936. I will determine which factors are most important to you, and will help you sell or buy your property for the best price, in the shortest reasonable amount of time, and with the fewest possible problems.
I'm am posting to let everyone know that I have transferred from Keller Williams Realty - Lake Norman/Mooresville to Century 21 American Homes, in Hickory, North Carolina. I felt that this was the best move for both my business and for the interest of my clients, since most of my business has been in the Hickory and Lenoir, NC area, which is served by the Catawba Valley MLS. Having a local office will be more convenient for my clients and will allow me to focus on and better serve my preferred market area.
Our office is located at 2258 Hwy 70 SE in Hickory, across from Olive Garden and beside the Hickory Furniture Mart, just down from the Valley Hills Mall. The office phone number is (828) 568-2121 - Just ask for Raine. As always, I can also be reached by cell phone at (828) 430-1936 or by email at sold@rainecarraway.com
I am redesigning my personal website, at www.RaineCarraway.com, to reflect my new brokerage affiliation and to add some fresher, newer, content. It should be up and running in a few days, and I hope you'll find the information there to be valuable.
Please call or email me if I can serve your real estate needs in any way! :)
I just read this post by Gary Griffin and thought it was great advice to pass on to buyers, so I am "re-blogging" it here for convenience, and so buyers lookingfor homes for sale in Morganton, NC or Lenoir, North Carolina, will find it more easily.
Be Cautious in Agreeing to Delayed Possession All Signed and sealed, got the keys in your hand, arriving at your brand-new address for the first time with children gathering around to have a look at your furniture. Perfect picture of a moving day, right on the agreed date! That's what you had in mind. But wait! What's that? A delay?
In some cases, a seller will ask to remain in the real estate for a time after closing. You may say yes or no to the request, but before you make your decision, there are some important things to keep in mind.
Requests for Possession Delay Sometimes just prior to contract closing, a seller may ask for time to vacate the home, or to take care of other issues on the transfer of possession. While the request may seem to be in order, a buyer should consider it with caution.
If you choose to allow the request, the prior owner should at least be made to pay rent for any extra time. There must be a firm limit on the time the seller can stay in the property after the signing of the contract, and it needs to be in written form. An agreement setting forth the details of the after-closing possession can be provided by the real estate attorney or, in jurisdictions where attorneys are not involved in real estate purchase contracts, by the escrow officer.
If the seller announces at the time of closing that he or she has to stay in the home longer, and you agree to allow it, it is usually advisable to delay closing on the property until the seller can clear out, rather than become an unwilling landlord to a potentially troublesome tenant.
Why is Possession Following Closing a Problem? Once you close on a property, it's yours. It is your responsibility. Anyone living there can do so only with your permission and they should be under a rental agreement or equivalent; even that does not insulate you from the risk of a loss. If the prior owner accidentally starts a fire that damages the house, you are responsible and you are accountable for the loss. The "tenant" will not be accountabile for the loss unless it is clearly included in the agreement -- and even then the inclusion may be hard to enforce.
Additionally, sellers who stay in possession after closing have a lower level of motivation to take care of the property and make needed repairs or do any maintenance. When the deal closes, you accept it in the condition in which it stands at the time of closing.
Whatever damage that occurs after the contract closing accrues to the buyer, irrespective of who is living there. So if a carpet gets torn up or a furniture mover drags an appliance and scars a wall or kitchen tile, you will end up paying for the entire cost of the repair work.
A frequent problem with letting the seller keep possession past closing is that items that should remain with the home can disappear between closing and the time the buyer takes possession. Even in this case, the buyer is responsible for the loss because that liability goes along with ownership.
As the buyer, you assume a responsibility commensurate with your investment. It is safest to stay with possession at the time of closing, or to reschedule closing until the former owner has moved out from the property and can deliver the keys.
This article was furnished through Automated Homefinder, the Longmont real estate experts in Colorado. From my website www.GaryGiffin.com Articles
The following fire departments are located in Burke County. Please select a fire department in Burke County to view the details.
Chesterfield Fire Rescue 2160 Hwy 18 Us 64 Morganton, NC 28655
Drexel Fire Department 201 Church St Drexel, NC 28619
Enola Volunteer Fire Dept. 2559 Enola Rd Morganton, NC 28655-7357
George Hildebran Volunteer Fire Department 7470 George Hildebran School Rd Connelly Springs, NC 28612
Icard TWP Fire & Rescue 100 First Ave Ne Hildebrane, NC 28637
Jonas Ridge Volunteer Fire Department 6680 Dogwood Knob Rd Jonas Ridge, NC 28641-0031
Lovelady Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. 748 Malcolm Blvd Rutherford College, NC 28671-0126
Morganton Public Safety 304 College St Morganton, NC 28655
Oak Hill Fire & Rescue 2400 Nc 181 Morganton, NC 28655
Salem Fire and Rescue Protection Association, Inc. 1315 Salem Rd Morganton, NC 28655
South Mountains Volunteer Fire Department 8204 Gus Peeler Rd Connelly Springs, NC 28612
Town of Glen Alpine Volunteer Fire Department 103 Pitts St Glen Alpine, NC 28628
Triple Community Fire Department, Inc. 505 Mountain View Dr Morganton, NC 28655-8925
Valdese Fire Department 121 Faet St Valdese, NC 28690
Burke County's Medical Community
All Emergencies: Call 911
Health clinics:700 East Parker Road PO Box 1266 Morganton, NC 28680-1266 Main Phone: 828-439-4400 Fax: 828-439-4444 Environmental Health: 828-438-5430 Nursing: 828-439-4410 WIC: 828-439-4420
PUBLIC HEALTH CLINICS
If you would like to make an appointment for an Adult Health physical, please call 828-439-4400.
Come and experience the wonderful health care you will receive at Burke County Health Department Maternity Clinic. Pregnancy Test Appointment - 439-4400 Maternity Clinic Appointments - 439-4438
If you would like to make an appointment for the Child Health Clinic, please call 828-439-4400.
Adult Dental Clinic Dr. Wil James and his staff provide dental care to adults with Medicaid in Burke and the surrounding counties. The Adult Dental Clinic is located at the Burke Mission Station / Good Samaritan Clinic, 305 West Union Street, Morganton, NC 28655. We also provide services for clients with dental emergencies, that qualify for free care through the Good Samaritan Clinic. Services provided include cleanings, dental education, fillings, extractions and referrals for oral surgery.To schedule an appointment at the Adult Dental Office, please call 439-4448 or 439-4445
Children's Dental Clinic Dr. Perry Justice and his staff provide dental care to children with Medicaid in Burke and the surrounding counties. The Children’s Dental Clinic is located at the Burke County Health Department, 700 East Parker Road, Morganton, NC 28655. We also provide services through the TIN (Teeth In Need) program in conjunction with school nurses. Services provided include cleanings, dental education, fillings, extractions, referrals for braces and referrals for oral surgery.
The Burke County Health Department is pleased to offer the Family Planning Clinic to everyone. At the Family Planning Clinic, you can receive an exam, birth control and education to help you plan your future family. We offer many different types of birth control and a competent staff to help you with the such an important decision. 439-4449
Need to get vaccinated for college? Does your child need vaccinations for school? Do you need to get vaccinated before your next vacation? Call 439-4400 for an appointment with a nurse
Burke County's Places of Worship
Abundant Life Tabernacle (828) 758-2722 See reviews on Local 2979 Playmore Beach Rd Morganton, NC Map
Amherst Baptist Church (828) 437-7803 See reviews on Local 1024 Amherst Rd Morganton, NC Map
Antioch Baptist Church (828) 437-7740 See reviews on Local 2441 Antioch Rd Morganton, NC Map
Arneys United Methodist Church (828) 437-8584 See reviews on Local 3625 Fish Hatchery Rd Morganton, NC Map
Asheville Street Bapt Prsng (828) 437-7255 119 Asheville St Morganton, NC Map
Asheville Street Baptist Chr (828) 438-8225 See reviews on Local 119 Asheville St Morganton, NC Map
Bethel Baptist Church (828) 438-9272 See reviews on Local 3861 Pax Hill Rd Morganton, NC Map
Bethel Church Of Christ (828) 438-9595 See reviews on Local 415 Bethel Rd Morganton, NC Map
Brookwood Baptist Church (828) 430-9671 See reviews on Local 210 Brookwood Rd Morganton, NC Map
Brown Mountain Baptist Church (828) 438-9414 See reviews on Local 2046 Brown Mountain Beach Rd Morganton, NC Map
Burke Community Bible Church (828) 430-8881 See reviews on Local 114 S Sterling St Morganton, NC Map
Burkemont Baptist Church (828) 437-2357 Web Site See reviews on Local 4668 Burkemont Rd Morganton, NC Map
Calvary Baptist Church (828) 437-2738 See reviews on Local 407 S Green St Morganton, NC Map
Calvary Lutheran Church (828) 437-0780 See reviews on Local 119 N King St Morganton, NC Map
Calvin Heights Baptist Church (828) 584-2876 Web Site See reviews on Local 107 Calvin Heights St Morganton, NC Map
Carswell Memorial Baptist Chr (828) 437-5120 See reviews on Local 3386 Carswell Church Rd Morganton, NC Map
Catawba River Baptist Assn (828) 437-0137 See reviews on Local 1812 US 70 E Morganton, NC Map
Catawba Valley Baptist Church (828) 437-9237 See reviews on Local 706 Lenoir Rd Morganton, NC Map
Central Baptist Church (828) 438-4198 See reviews on Local 108 Murphy Ct Morganton, NC Map
Chamber Chapel Baptist Church (828) 584-1544 See reviews on Local 4089 Chambers Chapel Cir Morganton, NC Map
Chesterfield Church Of Christ (828) 430-8714 See reviews on Local 2088 Hartland Rd Morganton, NC Map
Chesterfield Church Of God Inc (828) 437-9109 See reviews on Local 1998 Bristol Creek Ave Morganton, NC Map
Christ United Methodist Church (828) 433-1100 See reviews on Local 2314 Starnes St Morganton, NC Map
Christian Outreach Church (828) 437-8511 See reviews on Local 500 E Fleming Dr Morganton, NC Map
Church Of Christ (828) 433-0478 See reviews on Local 404 Lenoir Rd Morganton, NC Map
Corpening Chapel Ame Church (828) 584-6070 See reviews on Local 2961 Corpening Chapel Rd Morganton, NC Map
Cross Memorial Bapt Chr Prsng (828) 437-1957 See reviews on Local 900 Enola Rd Morganton, NC Map
Cross Memorial Baptist Church (828) 437-1021 See reviews on Local 650 Enola Rd Morganton, NC Map
Drexel Christian Ctr (828) 438-4775 See reviews on Local 521 Settlemyre Rd Morganton, NC Map
El Bethel Baptist Church (828) 437-0570 See reviews on Local 1731 N Green St Morganton, NC Map
Emmanuel Spanish Assembly-God (828) 433-8432 See reviews on Local 688 Kirksey Dr Morganton, NC Map
Enon Baptist Church (828) 879-9241 See reviews on Local 2059 Enon Rd Morganton, NC Map
Faith Presbyterian Church (828) 433-1052 See reviews on Local 605 Bost Rd Morganton, NC Map
First Advent Christian Church (828) 437-8206 See reviews on Local 211 Lenoir Rd Morganton, NC Map
First Apostolic Church (828) 437-8380 See reviews on Local 325 Drexel Rd Morganton, NC Map
First Assembly Of God (828) 433-6171 See reviews on Local 1955 US 70 E Morganton, NC Map
First Baptist Church-Morganton (828) 437-2544 See reviews on Local 502 W Union St Morganton, NC Map
First Hmong Baptist Church (828) 432-9890 See reviews on Local 301 Walker Rd Morganton, NC Map
First Pentecostal Church (828) 334-5770 See reviews on Local 301 Patterson St Morganton, NC Map
First Presbyterian Church (828) 437-1811 See reviews on Local 100 Silver Creek Rd Morganton, NC Map
First United Methodist Church (828) 437-0921 See reviews on Local 200 N King St Morganton, NC Map
Friendship Baptist Church (828) 437-7212 See reviews on Local 408 Church St Morganton, NC Map
Gaston Chapel Ame Parsonage (828) 437-4600 See reviews on Local 205 Inglewood Dr Morganton, NC Map
Gibbs Chapel Wesleyan Church (828) 584-0453 See reviews on Local 1741 Jamestown Rd Morganton, NC Map
Glen Alpine United Methodist (828) 584-1292 See reviews on Local 410 Linville St Morganton, NC Map
Grace Baptist Church (828) 433-1508 See reviews on Local 1939 Paul Shuping Ave Morganton, NC Map
Grace Episcopal Church (828) 437-1133 See reviews on Local 303 S King St Morganton, NC Map
Grandview Baptist Chr (828) 584-6785 See reviews on Local 2492 Nc 126 Morganton, NC Map
Green Street Presbyterian Chr (828) 438-4286 See reviews on Local 425 N Green St Morganton, NC Map
Hartland Baptist Church (828) 437-8940 See reviews on Local 3730 Hartland Rd Morganton, NC Map
Hartland Church Of God (828) 437-6137 See reviews on Local 3646 Piney Rd Morganton, NC Map
Hartland Missionary Methodist (828) 437-0113 See reviews on Local 2556 Piney Rd Morganton, NC Map
Harvest Chapel Evangel Mthdst (828) 584-4278 See reviews on Local 910 Carbon City Rd Morganton, NC Map
Heritage Baptist Church (828) 433-6198 See reviews on Local 707 E Parker Rd Morganton, NC Map
Hopewell Baptist Church (828) 437-4823 See reviews on Local 1112 Hopewell Rd Morganton, NC Map
House Of Praise Fellowship (828) 438-0102 See reviews on Local 204 W Union St Morganton, NC Map
Iglesia Nueva Vida (828) 437-6365 See reviews on Local Morganton, NC Map
Islamic Center Of Morganton (828) 439-9487 See reviews on Local 203 Bethel St Morganton, NC Map
Jehovah's Witnesses (828) 584-6096 See reviews on Local 1663 Jamestown Rd Morganton, NC Map
Laurel Haven Baptist Church (828) 433-0818 See reviews on Local 4627 Blue Ridge Blvd Morganton, NC Map
Luz Y Verdad Church (828) 432-0561 See reviews on Local 805 Vine Arden Rd Morganton, NC Map
Mc Elrath Chapel (828) 584-2044 See reviews on Local 2714 Jamestown Rd Morganton, NC Map
Morganton City Hall is located at 305 East Union Street, Suite A100. Office hours are 8:00 - 5:00, Monday thru Friday, (828) 437-8863.
For after hours utility emergencies please call (828) 438-5277.
Burke County Utilities
Morganton Electric Department, Please call (828) 438-5277 to report a power outage or electric problem.Call (828) 438-5245 to apply for new service or for billing questions.
Electric & Water Service (828) 438-5245
To turn on or transfer Electric or Water/Sewer service
1. Please go in person to City Hall at 305 East Union Street, Suite A100. You can turn into the main City Hall Parking lot from Bouchelle Street, or East Union Street. Walk under the water tower (Morganton Trading Company) into the City Hall offices. 2. Go to Customer Service with the following: - A. a North Carolina driver's license, or B. another state driver's license, or C. a government issued picture ID.
Deposits for Residential Service
Electric - $100 Water deposit - $15.00 for inside city limits or $30.00 for outside city limits - Wastewater Deposit – $15.00 for inside city limits or $30.00 for outside city limits Deposits are not required for homeowners. Other customers with a good payment record having had prior service with the City for the past twelve months will not be required to provide a deposit. A letter of credit from another utility company stating that he/she has had a good payment history for the past 12 months may also be provided in lieu of a cash deposit.
Deposits for Commercial Service:
Call 438-5245 for details. Questions?
For questions about transferring or turning on service, e-mail:
Water: pduckworth@ci.morganton.nc.us or call (828) 438-5276
Electric: sstephens@ci.morganton.nc.us or call (828) 438-5245.
Cable TV & Internet (828) 438-5353
To get Cable TV or High Speed Internet
1. Please go in person to City Hall at 305 East Union Street, Suite A100. 2. Go to Cable Services with the following: A government issued picture ID First month's payment For questions about Cable TV or High Speed Internet service, e-mail:
willettem@ci.morganton.nc.us or call (828) 438-5353.
To report a water outage or for information regarding new construction of water/sewer taps, call (828) 438-5276 Tap water testing available
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For homeowners who cannot afford needed repairs or weatherization, 
Another great source for local assistance is the 
Price is one thing that most people have in mind from the start, but there are situations when a seller may want to be out fast, such as a pre-foreclosure, short sale, or divorce, or when a buyer may be willing to pay full price or higher, if there are multiple offers or they are wanting a home with specific features or a certain location.
Time can be the most important factor for some, especially in today's world of short sales, lost jobs, and foreclosures for sellers. Buyers can also be in a hurry to buy in time to relocate for a new job, or to get settled in with children before the school year begins.
Hassles are something many people anticipate in a transaction, and it's my job to deal with them before the become my clients' problems. In a problem transaction, or short sale with difficult conditions to meet, this may quickly become one of the most important issues for my clients, and is really one of the reasons many hire an agent to begin with.
