https://activerain.com/blogs/franklinrealtor en-us https://activerain.com/blogsview/3068655/first-gmac-foreclosure Here is my first REO Property from GMAC.  Here is the listing description: Lovely Home on large lot located in Iotla Valley. Mountain Views without the steep terrain. House features Hardwood floors in living and dining area. Spacious Kitchen with lots of counterspace and Breakfast Bar. 3 bedrooms and 2 full baths. Master bedroom has walk-in closet and bath with his and her sinks and garden tub. Relax on large deck and enjoy the mountain views. Must see at this price! This is a must see home at this price!  Check out the virtual tour and full listing here.  http://www.mountainpro.co/listing88.htm Benjamin Vanhook (Mountain Pro Real Estate) Tue, 20 Mar 2012 00:48:11 -0700 https://activerain.com/blogsview/3068655/first-gmac-foreclosure https://activerain.com/blogsview/2887764/new-hud-reo-in-north-carolina I was delighted to find I would be receiving HUD foreclosure listings for WNC.  I have just received my first HUD listing.  It is a cute 2 Bedroom - 2 Bath home close to both Murphy, North Carolina and Tennessee.  Home has a finished basement, level yard, and storage building.  Home qualifies for FHA 203k and can be bought for as little as $100 down.  Priced to sell only $70,000.  Home is very  close to Fields of the Woods! There are many nearby Mountain Lakes, creeks, rivers and streams  You can view the virtual tour: http://youtu.be/AWT9PAgyf3c .  I hope this is the first of many HUD listings so keep checking back. Benjamin Vanhook (Mountain Pro Real Estate) Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:45:47 -0800 https://activerain.com/blogsview/2887764/new-hud-reo-in-north-carolina https://activerain.com/blogsview/2675358/why-you-should-be-living-in-franklin-north-carolina Everyone has a preference of where they want to go and what they want to do.  Young Adults want adventure, excitement, and an up beat lifestyle.  Middle aged couples need a medium pace with nice restaurants and social entertainment.  Seniors want the slow relaxed pace with relaxation and quite evenings.  Its hard to believe but in a small rural town located in North Carolina everyone can have it all! Young Adults: Franklin is in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  With in 30 minutes of Franklin you will find the nations top white water rafting, hiking, and rock climbing.  Also, you can visit one of 6 lakes with in 30 minutes of Franklin to enjoy water sports such as skiing and fishing.  When winter arrives enjoy snow skiing and tubing!  Franklin is growing and offers great night life in town  along with bigger dance clubs with in an hour.  Looking to have some real fun? Enjoy Harrahs Cherokee Casino just 30 minutes from downtown Franklin.  Soon to be offering live dealers! If you are looking for work Franklin has great tech, factory, and government jobs available. Middle Aged Couples:  Come to Franklin and experience the best we have to offer.  Franklin is surrounded by the top trout streams in the world, both hatchery supported and native streams.  With a growing deer, bear, and turkey population there is something to do all year round.  Franklin also offers over 30 restaurants offering BBQ, Italian, Mexican, Steaks, Cajun, Tai, and many other cuisines.   Franklin has put a vast amount of resources into the "Greenway" which offers biking and hiking along the Little Tennessee River.  Also, enjoy some of the top ranked Golf Courses in the world just minutes from downtown Franklin. Seniors:  Franklin has a great senior schedule provided by the Senior movement.  Enjoy shuffle board, softball, cards, and many more activities offered at the Rec Department.  If activities isn't your cup of tea Franklin has the southeast biggest antique mall along with many other antique malls that offer true "picked" antiques from across the United States.  For entertainment enjoy plays, shows, concerts, but on at the Great Smokey Mountain Center for the performing arts.  Names such as Randy Travis, Charlie Daniels, The Inspirations, Little Big Town, and many more have came to Franklin to entertain.  Also, there is the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad offering fun for both the Grandparents and the Grandkids! Franklin has everything a senior could possibly want! If your looking to buy Real Estate in the Mountains or just find real estate for retirement.  Franklin is a great place to be and the best place to live! Benjamin Vanhook (Mountain Pro Real Estate) Fri, 30 Dec 2011 03:09:12 -0800 https://activerain.com/blogsview/2675358/why-you-should-be-living-in-franklin-north-carolina https://activerain.com/blogsview/2635567/invest-you-ira-into-north-carolina-real-estate In reading the latest investment strategies published by many of the Top Investment firms. The only thing I find in common that every firm agrees on; is its time to find investments to Hedge again the dollar and euro.  Everyone agrees that inflation is almost inevitable. To hedge against inflation investment firms are suggesting to invest in commodities including Gold and Land.  North Carolina Mountain Real Estate offers a great opportunity for investment. Investment properties include Rental Properties returning 10 to 15% after all fees are paid to management companies.  In comparison to many IRA accounts this is 5 to 7 times the normal IRA return.  Properties are rented and many of the owners are needing cash now and willing to take a hit on price.  Franklin, North Carolina has a growing economy with Drake Software, Catepiliar, Tektone, and other corporations located there.  The rental market continues to remain stable and in most case rise.  With these factors rentals in Franklin North Carolina continue to be a very popular investment. One great commercial property with 9.32 acres and a hotel can be bought for $1 million with a guarantee of a 6% return for the next 3 years paid directly to the buyer or investment holder.  This is 3 to 5 times what IRA accounts or CDs are paying. While earning the 6% return the buyer is also making a solid investment in a growing commercial economy.  The property is located on the highest traffic count highway in the far Western Counties of North Carolina. Mountain lots are another avenue for investing.  Lots that previously sold for $100k, $200k, up to $500k can be bought for around $10k!  Less than 1 penny on the dollar!  Lots are in gated sub divisions and offer fantastic views.  Lots can be bought through IRA's for future investment or pay now and have a solid investment you can use or sell. If you are buying through an IRA there are several rules to follow.  I have a great Self Directed IRA company that takes care of all the headache and paperwork.  Its as simple as sending your info to them and finding the investment that's right for you.  They even help manage the investment while you own it.  If you have any other questions or comments please feel free to email me at anytime. ****Benjamin Vanhook nor Mountain Pro are investment firms or give investment advice.  Benjamin Vanhook and Mountain Pro are Real Estate Brokers (Firms) and can help with the buying or selling of property.  Always perform due diligence before making a real estate investment. Benjamin Vanhook (Mountain Pro Real Estate) Tue, 06 Dec 2011 07:55:04 -0800 https://activerain.com/blogsview/2635567/invest-you-ira-into-north-carolina-real-estate https://activerain.com/blogsview/2598996/invest-in-mountain-lots Now is a better time than ever to invest in Mountain Lots in North Carolina.  Mountain View Lots, Lake View Lots, River View Lots, Golf Course Lots, and Easy Building Lots can be bought for literally a penny on the dollar.  Lots in communities with amenities such as clubhouse, pool, golf course, paved roads, underground utilities, water frontage, and long range mountain views are all available and can be bought for as little as $5k.  The best part is you can buy these lots using your Self Directed IRA or other retirement accounts.  This is a great way to build your IRA portfolio for future growth or to have a retirement place for the future.  Lots in Franklin, Lots in Bryson City, Lots in Sylva, Lots in Murphy, Lots in Cashiers, Lots in Glenville, Lots in Highlands, and Lots all over Western North Carolina are available and ready to be bought at amazing discounts.  Of course not all lots are equal and you need an agent to help perform due diligence to locate lots in established communities for future growth.  Now is a great time to buy! Benjamin Vanhook (Mountain Pro Real Estate) Fri, 11 Nov 2011 01:55:38 -0800 https://activerain.com/blogsview/2598996/invest-in-mountain-lots https://activerain.com/blogsview/2570037/what-to-consider-before-buying-your-lot If your looking to buy a lot in a sub division in the Mountains of North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, or Virginia there are several factors to consider.  Yes there are over 1 million lots on the market and some lots can be bought for under $10k; but before buying one you better look to see what your really buying.  In most cases paying more can actually save you money now, in the future, and when it comes time to build. When first buying land consider who is maintaining the sub division.  Is it a bank? a developer? home owners association? or in alot of cases ANYONE? ...... Ask questions like ..... How much are HOA DUES? What do the Dues Cover? How often are they mowing the roads? If the roads are gravel how often will the roads be scrapped and graveled? Is there a water system? Who maintains and test the water system? Is  there a clubhouse and common area? If so.... Who pays power? Maintains Pool? Cleans?...... There are a lot more questions to ask and you need to keep a list with you to make sure you don't forget anything. Next consider how many lots are in the sub division.  Are there previous sales and how many.  If the sub division does not sell any other lots; can the sub division maintain itself with the sells already in place.  How many lots have foreclosed in this sub division and does the bank still own them?  Are you looking at a lot that is a foreclosure?  If so this might tell you about the rest of the sub division. Finally consider why are you buying this lot.  Investment, retirement, vacation home, your new residence, or because you have always wanted land in the mountains?  How much are the taxes going to be? (In most cases especially in WNC taxes are very cheap for land) What are the HOA dues going to cost each year or month and what is covered?  If the sub division stops maintaining itself can you still use your lot? (Paved access, gate codes, clubhouse maintenance). What will be the future cost to build? Will you have to drill a well? Pay a tap fee? Put in a septic? What will be the cost to grade the lot? How much will the future foundation cost? (Foundation cost can range from $10,000 to $200,000+ depending on the slope of the lot) Right now is great time to buy a lot in the mountains.  Prices are literally pennies on the dollar and you can get so much more for your money. But take some time, do your due diligence, and pick out a lot that will increase in value.  DO NOT make a quick decision and regret it later.  ALWAYS contact a local REALTOR who is working for you and one you feel comfortable with. Benjamin Vanhook (Mountain Pro Real Estate) Mon, 24 Oct 2011 06:04:24 -0700 https://activerain.com/blogsview/2570037/what-to-consider-before-buying-your-lot https://activerain.com/blogsview/2553365/great-time-to-buy-large-acreage-in-north-carolina Over the past 3 years it has been apparent that large acreage is not selling..... anywhere!  From 2000 to 2007 raw land prices went through the roof.  Buyers and Sellers alike contributed to this.  Buyers were willing to pay anything to get their hands on a tract of land and sellers kept raising prices for raw land with really no basis to go on; besides the fact people would buy it no matter what.  Now however, a harsh truth has hit the sellers of large acreage tracts especially in the Mountains of North Carolina.  Land prices have bottomed! Bad for the Sellers but good for the buyers!  Now buyers can afford to own 5, 10, 20, even 100 acreage tracts.  Perfect for gardening, hunting, fishing, recreation; or for those people wanting seclusion; or land to pass down to their grandkids.  It is a fact! Land is a commodity.... Definitely not making anymore...at least not anytime soon.  So with prices low and supplies on the upper end, now is the best time to buy large acreage tracts of land for now and the future.  No matter if your in the market for 5 Riverfront Acres going for $65,000 or 122 pasture/wooded acres bordering USFS listed at $500,000 you will never see a better time than now to buy! Benjamin Vanhook (Mountain Pro Real Estate) Wed, 12 Oct 2011 09:33:40 -0700 https://activerain.com/blogsview/2553365/great-time-to-buy-large-acreage-in-north-carolina https://activerain.com/blogsview/2539170/why-wouldn-t-you-buy----------you-can-have-it-all------ As we move into the fourth quarter of 2011 there have been good news days and bad news days.  Recently the good news day came with the release home prices had moved up for the fourth straigh month.... The bad news (Or Good News if Your buying) is interest rates continue to go down and this may produce record inflation over the next decade.  As economist talk about how this will continue to kill the American Economy; I want to try and find a silver lining.  For me this lining comes in the form of what home buyers can get now and have later...... Cause at this very moment if your buying a home you can have your cake, eat it,.......AND EASILY PAY FOR IT..... (Note I'm not an economist nor do I claim to be, I do have a B.S. in Math Education and this number are pretty startling to me) 1. We have all heard it and its true...Even though home prices have went up for 4 straight months there still way down from record highs.  You can get almost double the house now than you could a few years ago for the same amount of money.  This also holds true for building a New Home.  Cost of Building is way down and cost of land has went back to pre 2000 levels.  You want a home on a prime lot? (View, Water Front, etc.)...or a home with large acerage?...or just a home in a specific location....Now is the time you can afford it! 2.  So fact one is not new news for you Real Estate agents or buyers in the market and to be honest this second fact isn't either.  But the number is amazing..... As a buyer you can get financing on a 30 year note for less than 4% interest.... WHAT????  Thats insane.... Compare your payment amount at 4% interest and 6% interest on a $200k loan and you will save almost $250 a month.... Put that $250 a month back on top of your payment, and pay your house off in less than 18 years.  Interest rates have to go up sometime so why not lock in at the low 4%? 3. Banks, Asset management companies, and sellers are offering crazy good incentives to buy their homes..... Pay no closing cost, get 100% loans, or buy down your interest rate lower than the insanely low 4%.  All these are being offered and all of these should be taken advantage of.  Again just another reason why buyers can get what they want.  Even builders have the ability to offer these incentives on new homes just being built or custom homes you design. 4. OK...Now for the fact you have been waiting for....This is a hard one for the average person to think about and I must say I can't explain the entire concept behind it in one blog nor will I try......But here you go.... According to economist inflation is going to happen... Everywhere you read, listen, or watch its going to happen period.... Now inflation is not bad in every way, especially if you are home buyer or the United States Government at this point (The Government is actually making it happen)  ... Basically Inflation means the dollar in the future is going to be worth less than the dollar today.... This also means their will be more money in the economy and on the market than there is today.... So the average person will actually make more money in the future than they do today; although it is worth about the same....So if a job position makes $30k in 2011 that same position (everything being equal) will make $45k in 2021.  This will also mean everything goes up in price, groceries, gas, and yes homes..... But there is more money on the open market and you should be able to easily pay off the $200k home you bought in 2011 simply because there is more money in the market(Even though its worth less).......... I know this has confused everyone but I can answer question about it........ In THE SHORT EXPLANATION....YOU ARE HEDGING AGAINST THE DOLLAR WITH YOUR BEST INVESTMENT EVER.......THE HOME YOU WANT WHERE YOU WANT IT.....And the dollar being worth less in the future will actually help you pay for your home and mean you pay less than you thought! Benjamin Vanhook (Mountain Pro Real Estate) Mon, 03 Oct 2011 13:11:51 -0700 https://activerain.com/blogsview/2539170/why-wouldn-t-you-buy----------you-can-have-it-all------ https://activerain.com/blogsview/2519326/government-assisted-usda-building-loans-will-disappear In my part of the World, the Mountains of Western North Carolina we has a community and Real Estate/Building company are very blessed to be able to offer low income families and very low income families the ability to build new homes on their land or family land with a Government assisted USDA loan.  This loan is subsidized by the Government and allows these families to keep their payments low but obtain a home safe and up to current building standards.  The only restrictions up until now is the limit on the loan was $179,000 and there were strict income limits on how much a family could make. However with the new regulations handed down by the "Authorities in Charge"  this loan and process will soon Disappear, and here is why.... Regulation has been passed (or seems to me just handed down without thought) that any new home built through this program can not be over 1400 sq. ft.  As stated by a USDA official they looked back over the past 5 years and found the average home "bought" through the USDA program (they did not mentioned built) was 1400 sq ft.  With that being the case they handed down a regulation without warning all homes built under the USDA Subsidized program had to be under 1400 sq. ft. and could not appraise for over $179,000.  The appraising for under $179,000 will not be a problem its getting a home 1400 sq. ft. and under to appraise for the cost of building! What USDA Officials do not understand is that in the mid range home there is very little cost difference between a 1500 sq ft home and a 1400 sq ft home.  There is however a huge difference in what a 1400 sq ft home will appraise for (In the Current Market and Conditions) and what a 1500 sq ft home will appraise for.  In fact on 2 recent appraisals one done on a 1400 sq ft home another done on a 1500 sq ft home there was $30k difference in the appraised value.  However the cost to build the 1500 sq ft home opposed to the 1400 sq ft home was only $5760! It actually made it impossible for the 1400 sq ft future home owner to build their home and USDA has told them there is nothing they can do about it. This is a very deserving qualified young couple who went through the strenuous approval process, got approved, got their hopes up and now the Government has made it impossible for them to achieve their dreams of being a new home owner. I could go on and on about how this will affect the economy, local hard working people, and so much more; but I would rather hear some feed back from other Realtors, Builders, and Potential Clients........... Let me know what you think... Benjamin Vanhook (Mountain Pro Real Estate) Wed, 21 Sep 2011 10:05:31 -0700 https://activerain.com/blogsview/2519326/government-assisted-usda-building-loans-will-disappear