house: New Stats for Catawba Valley - 03/08/10 01:52 AM
I just updated the Housing sale stats for the Catawba Valley in North Carolina on my website.  It's a little bleak but there always bright spots for those looking to move up.
 
See the details at www.BillWilliamsRealestate.com
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house: THIS MAY BE YOUR TIME TO MOVE - 02/15/10 02:39 AM
Have you been thinking about moving but don't know if the time is right?  The opportunity you've been waiting for may be here.  Because of low interest rates and government incentives, more potential buyers have been looking around.  And since you may qualify for the new $6500 tax credit also, this may be the right time to move on or move up.
Even though you may have to discount your house to sell it, you'll get a greater discount on the house you buy.  And if you lose money on the house you sell you may be able to write those losses … (0 comments)

house: MOVE OUT, MOVE IN! - 11/10/09 06:08 AM
The home-buyer tax credit has been extended and expanded!  The government has extended the $8000 first-time home-buyer tax credit for buyers who have not owned a home in the previous three years.  And homeowners who have been in their house for at least five years may qualify for a $6500 tax credit.   And under this program you NEVER have to pay it back!  Use the money for improvements to your home, retirement, or whatever you'd like!
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house: PRICING YOUR HOME - 10/15/09 10:43 AM
I had mentioned that it might not be the best time to sell your house.  If there is no pressing need to move and you can afford to stay in your house, then you might better served to tay in your home for awhile.  But if you need to sell and can afford to sell it there are some good things to consider.
Some homes sell quickly and some don't.  Frustrated sellers will blame a bad market, while a good real estate professional will tell you that many times, a slow sale is often attributed to the listing price.  If a … (1 comments)

house: REALTOR STATISTICS - 10/15/09 10:14 AM
THESE SERVICES ARE PART OF THE SERVICE REALTORS PROVIDE
 
-REALTOR.com has 1.3 million members, and statbrain.com estimates REALTOR.com gets 1.6 millionhits per day.
-CENTURY21.com receives over 2 million hits per month and the average visitor views the site for almost 20 minutes.
-ZILLOW.com and TRULIA.com are real estate websites used by real estate agents to list and search for homes for their clients.
-Activerain.com is a real estate agent web site where agents share information, listings and services via blogs and profiles.
-BillWilliamsRealestate.com is my website which offers VIRTUAL TOURS of your home for free.
-VIRTUAL TOURS are used by out-of-town … (0 comments)

house: Hickory Home-Sales Statistics - 10/15/09 10:07 AM
INVENTORY IN THE CATAWBA VALLEY
2,231 houses are currently for sale.
100K-150K, 8.4 mos.;151K-250K, 11.9 mos.
251K-400K, 25.6 mos.;  401K+  46.6 mos.
 
AVERAGE DAYS ON MARKET(DOM)  
634 houses were sold in the last 3 mos.
$100K-$150K, 157;  $151K-$250K, 167
$251K-$400K, 197;  $401K+, 220
 
PERCENT SOLD BY A REALTOR  
(national average according to national statistics)
93-97% of all homes are sold by a REALTOR.
 
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house: BE INFORMED AS A BUYER - 10/15/09 09:12 AM
Buying a house?  Before you start looking at houses and thinking about real estate agents there are some things you ought to think about.
First of all, remember an agent is not necessarily on your side.  Most buyers see a house they like and call the agent on the sign.  The agent shows them the house and the buyer decides if they like it or not.  If they do like the house, the agent helps negotiate the deal, schedules the inspections and does the leg work to facilitate the closing.   Little does the buyer know that the agent is working for the seller and … (0 comments)

house: YOU MUST MOVE NOW TO GET THE $8000 TAX CREDIT! - 09/24/09 03:19 AM
Currently the government is offering tax credits up to $8000 for buyers who have not owned a home in the previous three years.  And under this program you NEVER have to pay it back!  Use the money for improvements to your home, retirement, or whatever you'd like!  There is talk that this may be extended, but it is not for certain. 
In order to get the credit you must close by November 30.  That means you need to be finding a home and lining-up financing now to have time to take care of all those last minute details that seem to … (0 comments)

house: OPEN HOUSE at the BEST-LOOKING OFFICE in NC - 09/24/09 02:41 AM
Century21 American Homes in Hickory, NC was selected BEST-LOOKING OFFICE in North Carolina.  Today, September 24 we celebrate our one-year anniversery in this beautiful office with an OPEN HOUSE, and invite you to come by and join in the festivities from 4 -6 pm.  We are located at 2258 Highway 70 SE, Suite 201 next to the world famus Hickory Furniture Mart and across from The Olive Garden. 
Light Fare and Beverages will be served, so swing by on your way home from work or shopping.
www.c21americanhomeshickory.com
http://www.visualtour.com/show.asp?t=1999768
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house: SALES COMMISSIONS HELP SELL YOUR HOUSE - 06/16/09 10:01 AM
There are many sellers who act as though their listing agent, and all other agents for that matter, is just "one of the other parties" in the transaction.  For this reason, as well as the typical financial reasons, they feel they are working in their best interest to negotiate lower than reasonable sales commissions. But in fact they do themselves no good service to chisel the sales commission of their REALTOR.
The sales commission, which is not set but negotiated, is difficult to discuss among agents because ethically and legally we cannot and should not set them.  But we can keep … (0 comments)

house: REDUCED TO $133,900 in Mountain View, NC - 06/03/09 08:29 AM
 
Great 3 bedroom/2 bath with 2.41 wooded acres on a quiet dead end street.  The inviting backyard has a 10x20 patio, 10x12 deck and fire pit for entertaining. This house was built in1992, has a storage shed, new heatpump and gas log fireplace and ceiling fans in living and bedrooms. The separate laundry room is right off the kitchen.


 Views of front of the house.

Back of house, patio and deck from firepit.

Looking at backyard from patio. 
 
Below: Living room and gaslog fireplace from the hallway.

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house: $8000 first-time buyer tax credit helping. - 05/26/09 02:26 AM
Since the implementaion of the $8000 tax credit we have had an increase in offers and closings of homes in the $100k to $150k range. I expect there will be an even larger increase when buyers are able to use it for down-payments. Hopefully this will flow up as the sellers of these houses, looking to take advantage of the value in the present housing market, upgrade to more expensive homes.
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house: OPPORTUNITIES FOR VACATION HOMES - 05/04/09 09:21 AM
Whether it's a lakefront cottage or a log cabin in the woods, a vacation home often seems to be a dream that only the wealthy can afford.  But these days, you don't have to be a millionaire to own one.
     A nationwide survey shows the median household income of second-home owners is $46,500.  And, according to recent statistics, there were 7.2 million U.S. households in 1990 that owned some kind of recreational property or second home for vacation purposes.  That number is expected to at least double and possibly triple over the next 10 years.  With today's continued low interest … (0 comments)

house: HOME SELLING TIPS - 05/04/09 09:15 AM
Maybe you're moving to a larger home to accommodate a growing family, relocating for a new career opportunity, or purchasing a townhouse for retirement.  Whatever the reason for the move, you'll need to take the necessary steps to sell your home for the best possible price, within a reasonable amount of time.  Where do you begin?
           
If you're like most people, you'll start by seeking assistance from a professional.  A local real estate sales associate, who knows your neighborhood, can help you determine a fair market price.  The sales associate should also recommend the extent to which you should make … (1 comments)

house: BE CAUTIOUS WHEN GETTING INTO THE REAL ESTATE MARKET - 05/04/09 09:11 AM
For many renters, the first step in buying a home is becoming educated about the process.  If you're like many people considering a home purchase, you've spent nights and weekends poring over your local real estate section.  You've talked to friends and relatives about their experiences.  Maybe you've even purchased a book or tow to help you become more familiar with real estate terminology and the various types of mortgages commonly used today.
          Coming up with a down payment and finding a loan that meets your needs are the greatest hurdles faced by first-time homebuyers.  So, you may even have … (0 comments)

house: PRICE YOUR HOME RIGHT - 05/04/09 09:08 AM
Why is it that some homes sit on the market for a year while others sell like hot cakes?  Frustrated sellers will blame a bad market, while a good real estate professional will tell you that many times, a slow sale is often attributed to the listing price.
              If a home is overpriced, buyers will stay away.  But, if the price is competitive with similar homes in the area and "shows" better than the competition, it will have a better chance of being sold quickly.
              The secret is perfecting a technique that's as American as apple pie: comparative shopping.
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house: SPOT THE BEST DEALS - 05/04/09 09:05 AM
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, particularly when it comes to buying a home.  Features that attract one home-buyer may repel another.
          However, the one feature of interest to every home-buyer is price.  Getting the most home for your money is paramount.  The real problem is figuring out whether that fixer-upper on one street is a better buy than the home in next-to-new condition two blocks away.  That's why knowing what to look for before you buy can save you time, energy and money down the line.
          The first step is figuring out what kind of house … (0 comments)

house: ELIMINATE HOME-BUYING HASSLES - 05/04/09 09:03 AM
Perhaps you'd like to take advantage of today's great buyer's market in housing but feel a little intimidated by everything that's involved.
            You know the routine: finding the right locale and the right house; negotiating an agreement; putting together a down payment; and selecting the best mortgage available.
            There are two things you can do to make every step run smoothly.  The first is to select a really professional agent who knows the real estate business, knows your local market, has both a solid reputation for integrity and a solid record of success, and clearly is eager to respond … (0 comments)

house: FIND A REAL ASTATE AGENT WHO WILL BE ON YOUR SIDE - 05/04/09 08:54 AM
In order to find a real estate broker or agent who meets your needs and makes your buying or selling experience a positive one, Century 21 Real Estate Corporation recommends you:
•1.      DO NOT  blindly walk into or call a neighborhood firm and ask for an agent at random.
 •2.      Ask friends and family for recommendations.
 •3.      Interview several real estate agents:•-          Find out their history with the brokerage, their experience and background.•-          Gauge their knowledge of your favorite towns.•-          Ask for a list of previous clients and their phone numbers.
 •4.      Pay attention to whether a potential agent is listening … (0 comments)

house: NOT ALL RENOVATIONS PAY OFF - 05/04/09 08:50 AM
What home improvements really pay off when the time comes to sell your house?
          That's an important question for any homeowner contemplating moving or remodeling.  And the only possible answer is a somewhat complicated one.
          That answer starts with the fact that really major improvements - room additions, total replacements of kitchens and baths, etc., -- rarely pay off fully in the near term.  It ends with the fact that small and relatively inexpensive changes can pay off in a big way in making your home attractive to buyers if your decision is to move now.
It's a simple … (0 comments)

 
Bill Williams-Broker,REALTOR (CENTURY 21 American Homes)

Bill Williams-Broker,REALTOR

Mountain View, NC

More about me…

CENTURY 21 American Homes

Address: 2258 Highway 70 SE, Suite 201, Hickory, NC, 28602

Office: 828(568) 212-1332

Mobile: (828) 312-3388



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