As if it weren’t bad enough that home prices are going down (way down), the cost of homeowners insurance is also moving in the wrong direction: up (in some areas, way up). And the worst increases aren’t confined to the hurricane-ravaged Gulf region. Just ask Paula Aschettino, who lives on Cape Cod, Mass., which hasn’t seen a major storm since 1991. Yet in the past two years, her premium has jumped 50% to $4,800 a year.

“My increase in premiums is outrageous,” says Aschettino. “Up here we just don’t see that kind of damage.” Granted, not every homeowner has suffered premium hikes of that magnitude lately. The most dramatic increases, ranging from 20% to a whopping 100% over the past five years, are showing up in coastal areas. (more…)

Don’t buy if you can’t stay put. If you can’t commit to remaining in one place for at least a few years, then owning is probably not for you, at least not yet. With the transaction costs of buying and selling a home, you may end up losing money if you sell any sooner.

Start by shoring up your credit. Since you most likely will need to get a mortgage to buy a house, you must make sure your credit history is as clean as possible. A few months before you start house hunting, get copies of your credit report. Make sure the facts are correct, and fix any problems you discover. (more…)

Laurel Springs is in the high country of beautiful Alleghany County, near the Eastern Continental Divide and between the towns of Jefferson and Sparta on Highway 18 near the Blue Ridge Parkway,

At over 3,000 feet elevation, this community is famous for it’s abundance of North Carolina Christmas Tree farms. Laurel Springs is a vacation and retirement paradise with motorcycle riding, hiking, canoeing, fishing, swimming, mountain biking, horseback riding, skiing, golf and much more.

With both the the New River and Mt. Jefferson State Parks nearby, visitors to Laurel Springs come to experience cool summer breezes, spectacular mountain scenery and outdoor recreation.

Contact Elizabeth Carter, 336.973.5594 or Greg Stikeleather, Broker, 704.880.5247 or email eacarter@charter.net

click here for more information

A lot of people assume that the federal bailout law is all about helping banks and buying toxic mortgage portfolios. That’s true, but Congress included some important tax items in the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act that could be of immediate use by owners and developers of investment real estate.

Tops on the list of winners: Anybody who builds or renovates properties using “alternative energy” features - especially solar panel applications. The bill extended a 30 percent federal tax credit for the next eight years for new commercial and residential solar installations - that means everything from multifamily rental projects to retail and commercial office buildings. (more…)

The Jacob’s Ridge community features 5 lots on W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir. All lots are lakefront and have access to public water, saving owners from $5,000 to $10,000 on drilling a well.

The entire development also features underground utilities. The lots are clustered around a “dead-end” cul-de-sac on a private road. Currently, the owner is offering $10,000 cash rebate to buyer!

Driving directions are 421 North from Wilkesboro NC towards Boone, turn left on South Recreation Rd., then right on Rocky Point Rd. Look for the sign at Nicole Ln., then turn right on Jacob’s Way.

W. Kerr Scott Lake is 1500 acres with 50 miles of shoreline and is controlled by the US Army Corps of Engineers. It is clean water with good fishing and is excellent for boating, kayaking, skiing, and swimming. The property is surrounded by National Parks. Wilkesboro NC is a beautiful community and town with friendly people. It is located just 40 miles east of Boone NC and Blowing Rock NC and one and a half hours northwest of Charlotte.

Contact Elizabeth Carter, 336.973.5594 or Greg Stikeleather, Broker, 704.880.5247 or email eacarter@charter.net

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search for : Jacob’s Ridge, W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir, W. Kerr Scott Lake, Wilkesboro NC, Boone NC, Blowing Rock NC

Why plant trees? Well, first off, trees produce oxygen. What else do you need to know? You’ve got lungs, right? According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1 acre of trees produces 4 tons of oxygen annually. That’s enough oxygen to sustain 18 people for one full year. Trees also act as carbon sinks by absorbing or sequestering carbon dioxide from the air, and leafy tree canopies intercept fine-particulate pollution and absorb pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide, ammonia, carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide.

These are reasons that trees are good for the planet, but there are more self-interested reasons to plant them as well: They can save you money. Strategically planted trees can block out the sun’s heat and keep your home cooler. “Planting trees on the west and east sides of your house can reduce air-conditioning costs by as much as 20%,” explains Lorna Vogt, manager of One Million Trees for One Million People, a Salt Lake County, Utah, agency that’s attempting to plant 1 million trees in 10 years. (more…)

$5,850,000

MLS Number: 50913

City: Valle Crucis, NC
Stories: 2
Bedrooms: 4 Baths: 4.5
Area: Boone-Blowing Rock, NC
Year Built: 1990
Plus Five fully furnished 1,400 sq. ft. Rental Cottages. Each built in 1996 on approx. 1/2 acre sites. Current cottage average annual rental income $150,000.

39.4 acres with 360 degree view of Blue Ridge Mountains.

5,200 sq. ft. main house built in 1990 on 1.24 acres.

No restrictions and no zoning offer many other options:

* Family compound
* Corporate retreat
* Religous retreat
* Horse farm / Dude ranch
* Recording studio
* Cottages can be sold separately
* Land can be further subdivided if desired

Contact Elizabeth Carter, 336.973.5594 or Greg Stikeleather, Broker, 704.880.5247 or email eacarter@charter.net

click here for more information

search for : Valle Crucis, NC, Blowing Rock, NC, Blue Ridge Mountains

Think of your marketplace as your playing field, not unlike an athlete views a football field, basketball court, or hockey rink. The better you know every inch of that playing field, the more you can exploit it to your advantage.

Real estate is like any other competitive endeavor. If you learn all there is to know about your playing field, you’ll acquire a competitive advantage that will distance you from the competition and build the basis of your success.

The most challenging aspect of gaining market knowledge is determining what facts to collect and where to find the information you need. Fortunately, a number of readily accessible resources are available to REALTORS®. All you have to do is contact the right people and ask the right questions. The following sections will help you on your data quest. (more…)