I Am A Local Real Estate Expert - Zillow Is Not - 07/31/10 10:49 PM
Amen!  Zillow sure can put us in a bad spot and make us sound like shysters when we try to explain to a client who arrives with reams of paper of zillowestimates.  Theses zestimates in many cases are way off the board for the local market.
Leesa Finley writes a great blog explaining how Zillow arrives at their figures.
Sue of Robin and Sue
Via Leesa L. Finley, REALTOR®/RE Strategist Wake Forest NC Real Estate & Wake County (Circa Properties - Your Wake Forest NC Homes Specialist):
I Am A Local Real Estate Expert - Zillow is Not Whether you are thinking of buying a … (11 comments)

Black Algae - 07/25/10 08:46 PM
Thanks to Jay Markanich, a Home Inspector in Bristow, Va, for this informative post on "black algae" on roofs.  I know I've seen many roofs that look like the roofs in these photos in our area.  He not only points out the possible problem but provides a solution that might be of interest to you.
Sue of Robin and Sue
Via Jay Markanich (Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC):
Prevalent in Northern Virginia, and to the south, is a roof staining problem called "black algae."  It looks like a dripping, running black stain, usually on a shaded roof, or on the side facing away from … (4 comments)

Hendersonville NC - Concert By The Lake - Free - 07/24/10 10:55 AM

Hendersonville NC - Concert By The Lake - Free
Warren, Bodle and Allen will be performing at the July Music by the Lake at Blue Ridge Community College, Hendersonville.  Their music is a combo of bluegrass and contemporary folk-rock and country-rock tunes.  No, they aren't the guys in the photo!
The concert is from 5 to 7 PM Sunday.  If it is raining the concert will take place in the Thomas Auditorium in the Sink Building.
If this is your kind of music come out and enjoy.
For information on Hendersonville area real estate and local info visit Robin.
… (5 comments)

Your Alive -- Stay That Way! Texting and Driving! - 07/21/10 12:47 AM

 
Your Alive -- Stay That Way!  Texting and Driving!  A great new aspect has been added to the Drivers Ed Class at East Henderson High School here in Henderson County, NC.  The kids are getting to experience the danger of what can happen when being distracted by being shown through example.  They run through a test with a golf cart and orange traffic cones.  First without texting and than again by being distracted with a text message from a friend and a passenger talking to them.  The result on the second phase of the test is many more knocked over traffic … (19 comments)

NEVER Pressure Wash A Deck! - 07/15/10 05:15 PM
Wow, thanks to Jay Markanich for this post re decks being pressured washed!  Not a good thing to do and now I realize why our deck was deteriorating after a yearly house power washing since 1994.  Hopefully this info will help others to avoid damaging their decks when power washing.
Sue of Robin and Sue
Via Jay Markanich (Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC):
I tell my neighbors.  I tell my clients.  I tell everybody who will listen.  NEVER pressure wash a deck!  When the pressure-wash companies send their college kids to knock on my door to "wash" my deck, I tell them … (7 comments)

The house you fell in love with today... - 07/11/10 03:05 AM
Marcie in Bethesda, Maryland wrote a fine post on tips for Buyers to fine tune their requirements and to be ready to move on a property when they find one they would like to purchase.  No matter what your local market conditions these are qualified points worth reading.
Via Marcie Sandalow - Evers & Co. Real Estate, Inc. DC/MD ( Evers & Company Real Estate, Inc. ):
The house you fell in love with today...  
You hear it all the time... "Oh- we made an offer on a great house, but we didn't get it."  The reasons can run the gamut:
We were overbid. Our price … (0 comments)

Henderson County NC Lists New Services For County's Seniors - 07/11/10 02:52 AM

Henderson County NC Lists New Services For County's Seniors
Dr. Joanne Helppie is the founder of the Henderson County nonprofit Aging Projects Inc. and she is the only registered geriatrician in Henderson County.  Aging Projects was started in September 2009 by Dr. Helppie in conjunction with the Council of Aging and Pardee Hospital in Hendersonville, NC.This worthy project is aimed at keeping people in their homes instead of facilities.  One of its main objectives is to allow seniors children to assist in their parents care from their locations in other areas.
The Website is simple and without bells and whistles and provides a list … (0 comments)

Hendersonville and Western NC Regional MLS June Market Report - 07/10/10 12:41 AM


Hendersonville and Western NC Regional MLS June Market ReportThese numbers are provided by the 4 County Western NC Regional MLS system and represent residentialhome sales in Buncombe (Asheville Area), Haywood, Henderson (Hendersonville Area) andTransylvania (Brevard Area)  counties.  Land/lots are not included in these figures.  If you would find other stats helpful, such as by county, let us know. 
 
The strong Buyer's Market continues but June's SOLD figures have shown a very welcome increase.  We generally attribute this to the rush in meeting the deadline for the Buyers Federal Tax Credit Program.  Inventory continues to be high which affords to … (3 comments)

Tricks to Keep Your Home Cool - 07/05/10 10:56 PM
Ernie Steele from PA sent along some fine tips from Rismedia on helping to keep cool and save some money and wear and tear on the AC -- run those fans!  Here in the Hendersonville, NC area we are having a second mini heat wave and these tips are very timely.Sue of Robin and Sue
Via Ernie Steele ~ Lebanon, PA Real Estate ~ 717-273-3774 (Prudential Homesale Services Group):
… (5 comments)

Cleaning For A Reason - A Great Organization! - 07/04/10 07:56 PM

 
Cleaning For A Reason - A Great Organization!
This is a very special organization preforming a great service.  Life today can/is difficult enough without the extra baggage of having cancer and undergoing chemo treatment and the malise emotionally and physically this creates.
Cleaning For A Reason offers to make a difference one home at a time.(tm).
If you have not already heard of them you will find their Website of interest for any of your clients/customers/friends or family who might benefit from their assistance.
They offer a cleaning service for women undergoing chemo for 4 cleanings.  Possibly they could provide … (2 comments)

Hendersonville NC - Fourth of July Events! - 07/04/10 02:28 AM

Hendersonville NC - Fourth of July Events!
Sunday July 4 Jackson Park in Hendersonville NC will start celebrating our Independence Day Remembrance at 2 PM until dusk ending with a great fireworks display sponsored by Pepsi.This is a favorite family event to celebrate the day with many activities for all to enjoy.
There will be live music, the SAWA Lumberjack Series Competition, food and craft vendors, car show, wrestling show and a kid's area provided by STJ's.
Here's a schedule of events for the July Fourth Events at Jackson Park and map if you are not familiar with the Jackson Park location.
This is … (1 comments)

Old Henderson County Courthouse To Host a Play in Hendersonville! - 07/02/10 03:26 PM
 
Our Old Henderson County Courthouse To Host a Play in Hendersonville!  The Flatrock Playhouse has staged "Twelve Angry Men" in our Historic Henderson County Courthouse in downtown Hendersonville, NC.  How neat is that!I'm sure many are familiar with the story line of the twelve jurors given the task of judging a sixteen year old boy accused of murdering his dad in their Bronx, NY apartment.  As the jurors convene in the jury room and had hoped to reach a fast guilty verdict there is one dissenter who votes not guilty.  As the discussions drag on the passions and personalities of the … (0 comments)

Tax Credit Deadline Extended! - 07/01/10 07:09 PM
The news is out -- Tax Credit Deadline Extended.  This is good news for anyone who couldn't meet the June 30 deadline.  Many of the qualifying Contracts were held up by contingencies, etc and would have been a great disappointment for all who were counting on it.Sue of Robin and Sue
Via Danielle "Dee" Baldwin (Infinity Group Realty):
Congress has approved the extension of the closing deadline for claiming the federal homebuyer tax credit.  This will allow homeowners who were under contract by April 30th, 2010 but may not have the ability to close before the previous deadline of June 30th to be … (1 comments)

Hendersonville NC Raising Parking Meter Rates! - 07/01/10 02:22 AM

Hendersonville NC Raising Parking Meter Rates!  A sign of the times.  City Manager Bo Ferguson is reminding folks that parking meter rates in the city limits of Hendersonville are being raised effective 1 July 2010.  That's as of now!In an effort to assist the tight budget it was decided that Hendersonville's rates were low compared to other communities.  Sooo, the rates go from 0.25 to 0.50 an hour for parking at meters.It will be interesting to see if this has an effect on visitors to our beautiful downtown and businesses.  Non metered parking can be hard to find in downtown … (0 comments)