Shakti's Blog

Know What Is Happening in Wilkesboro, NC: Visit my Local News Link

Shakti Rodriguez (Carolina Realty, Inc.) — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 15:04:18 -0600

Wilkesboro, NC Real Estate: I have created many custom pages which are constantly updated, and one of these is my Local News link, in which I post articles that I think may be interesting to those folks learning about the area and wanting to learn what is going on in and around Wilkes County, North Carolina.

My specialty is real estate, and I suggest to all my clients to do some homework on the area they are looking to invest in and possibly call their "home". That is why I dedicate so much time to my site, because for many it will be the first point of contact to anything Wilkesboro Real Estate and Wilkes County Real Estate.

Please feel free to browse around. I have pages dedicated to:

area information
upcoming events
community links (hospital, economic development, education...)
area maps
local weather
relocation information
retirement information
a photo gallery
and much more...

And of course, any question you may have that I have not addressed on my site, please contact me. I am here to help you! Sincerely, Shakti Rodriguez (336) 262-4077-Direct

Don't be fooled!!! Now IS an excellent time to buy a home/property

Shakti Rodriguez (Carolina Realty, Inc.) — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 08:19:13 -0600

Don't be fooled by the publicity of the housing market. It is true that the industry has changed, but what doesn't? And, as they say, what goes up must come down. And then again, if we are down, the only way to go is up. Therefore, now is a great time to buy that property and be able to be more aggressive with the sellers. Because let's face it, buyers are scarce, and qualified buyers are almost obsolete, which means if you are qualified, this out's you in the drivers seat. See the article below and know that buyers are coming out to buy the homes they've been waiting for.. and why not, with the interest rates as low as they are, it is as good as time as any.

To view this blog and my other blogs, please visit my website: www.wilkesrealestate.net, or click HERE.

Read the article below, numbers don't lie. Sincerely, Shakti Rodriguez Broker/Realtor Carolina Realty, Inc. (336) 262-4077

Mortgage applications up 28%

Mortgage Bankers Association says the number of people filing applications rose sharply last week; seasonal volatility and falling interest rates both factors.

January 16 2008: 8:12 AM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Mortgage application volume skyrocketed for the second consecutive week, rising 28.4 percent during the week ending Jan. 11, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's weekly application survey.

The MBA's application index rose to 906.4 from 706 the previous week, which was shortened due to the New Year's holiday. Mortgage volume slows during the winter, which can lead to greater volatility. Application volume jumped 39 percent during the same week a year ago.

Refinance volume rose 43.4 percent, while purchase volume jumped 11.4 percent. Refinance volume accounted for 62.7 percent of total application volume, compared with 57.7 percent the previous week.

The index peaked at 1,856.7 during the week ending May 30, 2003, at the height of the housing boom.

...

Applications rose as interest rates continued to fall. The average interest rate for traditional, 30-year fixed-rate mortgages fell to 5.62 percent from 5.73 percent. The average interest rate for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages -- which are typically used to refinance loans -- fell to 5.07 percent from 5.21 percent.

Rates for one-year adjustable-rate mortgages fell to 5.77 percent from 6.04 percent. To See Full article, click HERE.

North Carolina Has Most Folks Moving In

Shakti Rodriguez (Carolina Realty, Inc.) — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 16:03:18 -0600

NC Has Most Folks Moving In, Michigan Has Most Moving Out
03:00 am, January 11, 2008

A study by United Van Lines says Americans are still moving to North Carolina at a higher rate than any other state in the country. The nation's largest mover of household goods has been tracking moves since 1977. United spokeswoman Maya Lunnermann said the study reviewed nearly 213,000 household moves handled by the company last year. North Carolina had the highest inbound moving rate for the second straight year. Nevada was second, followed by the District of Columbia, Oregon and Alabama. Rust belt states are the biggest population losers.

It's no wonder... the state is a true delight. Yes, we have a state income tax, but we also have industry, prosperity, beaches, mountains and so much more. I am one of the ones who "moved in" and I am proud to say, I love it more and more each day! There is so much to do and so many opportunities for all, not to mention the great education with an abundance of top rated colleges and universities. I think I'll be staying for a while, and I hope you join me too.

My husband and I settled in a foothill community called Wilkesboro, located in Wilkes County, the stepping stone to the Blue Ridge Mountains. What a priviledged location... We moved from the metropolis of South FLorida, and wanted a change of life; you know to slow down, take in the greenery, but did not want to lose all of our amenities all together... hence, Wilkes County. Nestled in the beautiful Yadkin Valley in within a 45 minute drive to both skiing (on thw West) and big city life (on the East) and just due South lies Charlotte and the Lake Norman area.

Again, having come from such a tropical state, and having lived there most of our lives, we did not want to contend with the high country weather of high wind gusts and real snow. And we did not want to be IN the city nor in the outskirts, but wanted to have the accessibility within a short and of course scenic drive. Well... we found it, and we are staying. And of course, Wilkes offers everything we need and want on a daily basis: Wilkes Community College, Wilkes Regional Hospital, Hiking, Boating, Golfing, Wineries, Shopping, Theatre...

But of course, there are folks who love and need to be IN THE CITY, in the midst of it all, well consider: Charlotte and the Lake Norman area, the Triad, composed of Winston-Salem, Greensboro and High Point and th Raleigh-Durham area. All are very pretty and prosperous, and again... not too far away. I have friends that I have helped move to the Charlotte area. Our daughter is planning to attend NC State at Chapel Hill (wow have I got to sell a lot of houses :) ), and we just adore Winston-Salem. But, we get to come home the unspoiled country.. I sound spoiled don't I? I work hard and the peace I get from living here is the payoff!

My website: www.wilkesrealestate.net has a lot of area and community information. Please feel free to visit and either email me or call me with any and all questions.

Sincerely, Shakti.

Hello: New to the Rain, and I'm getting soaked... advice anyone?

Shakti Rodriguez (Carolina Realty, Inc.) — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 09:33:07 -0600

Hello there... I can imagine that most of you are feeling/or have felt what I am feeling: OVERWHELMED! There is so much information, I am not sure how to filter it all in? SUGGESTIONS?

Buy, Buy, Buy - Calling ALL Buyers and Brokers and Agents!

Shakti Rodriguez (Carolina Realty, Inc.) — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 21:25:03 -0600

Although the media glorifies that woes of the US economy and the downturn the mortgage industry is facing, it does not stress enough that right now is a wonderful time to be in they buyer's seat. Unfortunatley for sellers, there is a surplus amount of both new homes and resells on the market, but fortunately for buyers, interest rates have somewhat repelled down and sellers are more willing to negotiate now than they were say in 2005 & in the beginning of 2006.

North Carolina has been late in joining the game of surplus homes and the devaluation of prices. And although they say 'things' will worsen before they get better, this is a great time to buy, buy, buy. There are many deals in the real estate market. The number of short sales has increased two-fold in many areas of the country and this will continue for sometime. But NOW is the time to 'pickup' these homes, because the people who lost these homes, still need somewhere to live, and some of these 'lost' homes can still turn a return when used as investment/rental properties. And in the meantime, you are holding on to a piece of real estate that will eventually increase in value (or so we all hope).

Trends, will be trends, will be trends. Miniskirts were in, then out, back in, then out again. The waif was the model of yesteryear, then came the amazonian type models, waifs again and so on. The market goes up and down and up and down, and statiscally, will go up again. It is the informed few who take advantage when the timing is right, and that is now and in the near future.

The fact that lenders are changing their guidelines, by making them more restricted, is a good change. This will prevent another downturn in the very near future. Let's band together and turn the economy around. I truly believe it can be done. Whether you are in Texas, Florida, New York, Ohio, New Jersey, and of course, North Carolina... we can do it together!

As a Broker and Realtor, there is never a 'downtime' for marketing and advertising your business, your listings, in essence yourself. And the holidays are no exception. But starting now gives you an advantage for the New Year. Check out all Wilkesboro and Wilkes County Real Estate on my WEBSITE at: http://www.wilkesrealestate.net

Sincerely, Shakti.

Relocating to North Carolina, I Did and I Can Help You!

Shakti Rodriguez (Carolina Realty, Inc.) — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 10:25:04 -0600

Relocation: An opportunity for a major life change and carefully planned event, or a recipe for disaster?

There could be many reasons for a relocation: a new job, retirement, need for a change... My family and I had our roots deeply planted in Miami, FL and for over 30 years that is where we called home. But something began to chnage in the months preceeding our departure, I had a sense that I belonged somewhere else, but did not know where. My husband was very content and was happy just to stay put. And then... A last minute trip to the Carolinas changed our lives forever.

What was supposed to be a 3-day real estate shopping vacation turned into a 7-day 'what are we doing' trip. By the time we hopped on our return flight to MIA, we had put an offer on a house and Tony, my husband, had a job lined up. How would we break the news to our family was the discussion on the way home. They say that parents are one step ahead.. and boy was that true. They knew it before we said anything! And they were happy. HUH?

So long story short: we moved and we loved it... and love it more everyday. *NOTE* Our story was the unplanned version of a relocation which, after much thought (years after) could have been the recipe for disaster. Moving to a place we knew nothing of could have been scary and just plain wrong, but... it seemed it was destiny. And we have been blessed.

BUT, I do not plan our course of action for the faint of hear... actually I do not recommend it to anyone. Plan, research and work with a professional: that is where I come in.

If you are thinking of leaving your current address searching for a more quiet and peaceful setting, then I can help. I have helped folks move into beautiful Wilkes County. And occasionally Charlotte and the sorrounding areas, but my specialty are the foothills, .

Avoid a relocation nightmare by letting me help you from A to Z. There is so much that one can learn from an area from far away. Fell free to conatct me with any questions, and please fill out my relocation questionnaire by clicking HERE.

Wilkes County Home - JUST LISTED

Shakti Rodriguez (Carolina Realty, Inc.) — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 17:41:25 -0600

This is my personal home, now on the market! If you are in the market around this price range, then do not miss out on this one-of-a-kind house, and I don't say that just because I own it... remember I was a buyer when I purchased it. It has breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge mountains, the location is excellent, and the house itself, is well... SEE FOR YOURSELF, by clicking HERE.

Home boasts almost 5000 sq.ft. on 2.5 stories overlooking the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains and the valley in between. Views from almost every room, hardwood floors throughout most of home, soaring 20 +foot ceilings in the great room, wonderful neighborhood with excellent location on 6.1 +/- acres of mostly level and usable land. 5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, home-gym, loft, bonus room, mudroom, separate family and great room, large eat-in kitchen with sitting area and fireplace and large 2-car attached garage. This is rustic elegance at it's finest.

Will co-broke with all licensed North Carolina real estate brokers. House is priced right: $459,900. Do not miss the pictures and the virtual tour of this property.

Wilkes County is known as the Foothills, or Where the Mountains Begin. For more area information, please visit my website at: http://www.wilkesrealestate.net.

Sincerely,

Shakti Rodriguez * Carolina Realty, Inc. * (336) 262-4077