Real Estate in the 21st Century

Are you so busy that you have forgotten how to live?

I received a newsletter in 1999 from a loan officer friend.  We had just had a conversation about being frustrated about our business and industry.  He sent to me an email and it is something that I keep with me all the time.

"All too often, in the crush of daily life, we fail to notice all the good things in our lives.  We focus on the less than ideal job or the endless commutes or on the mountain of bills.  By taking a few minutes out of your busy day to count your blessing, you will bring a sense of perspective to your life that might be missing.  Give silent thanks for the great country you live in, your good health and loving family, the fact that you have a roof over your head and food on the dinner table.  Counting your blessings will remind you of the good in your life that most take for granted."

He remains one of my dear friends.

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Winston-Salem is a large vibrant community centrally located in North Carolina.  Approximately 3 1/2 hours from beautiful beaches and 1 hour from the Blue Ridge Parkway, area residents are the recipients of the best that nature has to offer.   Businesses are attracted to the city for a variety of reasons.  The area transportation system boasts large updated airports, an excellent highway and rail system as well as a population that is diverse in its education, skills and abilities. 

The city has a rich heritage.   The Moravians came to the area in the mid eighteenth century.  First establishing the town of Salem, which is one of the oldest towns in America, they continued to expand and started the town of Winston just down the road.  Combined to form the city of Winston-Salem,  the Moravians brought  a cultured philosophy,  based on the arts,  education and a deep abiding faith in religion.  These core beliefs are evident today in the Winston Salem, also known as the "City of Arts."  Education is big.  Salem College, the oldest women's college in America continues to graduate our future leaders.  With its campus located in Old Salem, it timelessly blends the old values with the new technologies of today.  Just as Salem is a true gem for Winston Salem, another national recognized university calls Winston-Salem home.   Wake Forest University, home of the Deacon Demons, provides a more world wide flair with its acclaimed Wake Forest  Baptist Medical Center.  A teaching hospital, it is on the cutting edge of medicine.  Brenners Childrens Hospital has provided exception medical treatment for thousands of our nations youth.  And the city has its own namesake, Winston Salem State University.  WSSU is a widely known traditionally black university that has seen tremendous popularity in recent years and has grown to be a dominate force for quality education in the South.  The North Carolina School of the Arts, part of the 16 campus state university system contrasts itself with more traditional institutions by producing many of the nations leading artists, actors, writers and producers. 

Winston-Salem has more than its share of art galleries and museums.  The Old Salem Museum and Gardens provides a glimpse of the past   A visit to Historic Bethabara Park can be  enjoyed by all ages  ges.  The Reynolda House Museum of American Art has one of the finest collections of American Art in the nation.  You can also imagine the lifestyle of one our nations first "barons" since Reynolda House was the ancestral of  R.J. Reynolds, the founder of the giant tobacco company.  Take a leisurely stroll through the Downtown Arts District.  Visit the Piedmont Craftsman, a guild founded by craftsmen to honor the unique works of our area artisans. Don't miss a performance by the Piedmont Opera or an evening with the Little Theater. 

Winston Salem is lively after dark.  Students and area citizens visit the many pubs and coffee shops that occupy many of the historic buildings in the downtown area.  A Sunday morning brunch at a local downtown restaurant will bring a perfect close to an exciting weekend in Winston Salem.  Tree lined streets are the norm; the city is alive with nature blending well with its modern skyline. 

There are many more things that make up the great city of the arts, Winston Salem.  You will just have to visit to find out!

This is one of a continuing series of public service articles produced by the Home Realty Group.  For more information about Winston Salem, maps, and more, contact us at http://hrgproperties.com .

Should buyers wait for more bad news?

Everybody wants to make the best decisions on their investments and buying a home at the right price is very important.  A home should be viewed as an investment since for many folks it represents a large portion of their wealth.  So should you be buying in this down market?

Evidence suggests that housing is at or near the bottom in most places.  If you live in an area that had great appreciation, such as resort areas or large metropolitan cities there may be more declines.  But even those are ultimately bottom out and demand for real estate will increase in those areas.  Let's look at situation objectively.

First the purchase of real estate has to be viewed in context with other investments.  If you believe that you are in a somewhat stable market, you may be better off buying now rather than later.   A $200,000 home with a 10% down payment that averages just a 7% appreciation, will be worth $214,000 next year.  Based upon the power of leverage, your $20,000 would have netted a 70% return.  If you wait you may lose the returns.  Of course there is no guarantee that prices will not fall further.  The added bonus to purchase would be you get to live in the home, and will get the tax deduction on the interest paid.   You must also take into account interest rates.  Will the rate you get today be lower than the one you get after waiting?   That will cost thousands in additional interest expenses.

Talk to a Realtor for advice on home prices and the housing market before you leap.  

Q: How do you cancel PMI?

A: Homeowners who put less than 20 percent as down payment are typically asked to pay PMI. The Homeowners Protection Act of 1999 requires your lender to let you know when you're eligible to cancel that coverage. You can ask to have PMI canceled once you have paid down your mortgage to 80 percent of the original purchase price or the appraised value of your home, whichever is less. Or the lender must automatically cancel PMI once you've reached 22 percent equity. The law, however, only applies to loans made on or after July 29, 1999.

IT'S NOT AUTOMATIC

You're mostly paying finance charges during the first several years of your mortgage, so it can take a number of years to get down to 80 percent of the original loan value. You can reach that bar a lot faster if property values are increasing in your area, or by making extra principal payments.

If you have a loan of $200,000 and a house appraised at $250,00, then you have a loan-to-value ratio of 80 percent.

Nine out of 10 borrowers cancel their PMI within 60 months, according to Mortgage Insurance Companies of America.

Some loans, such as government-insured FHA and VA loans, require PMI for the life of the loan.

Call or send your lender a letter requesting that they drop your PMI. By law, your lender is required to give you contact information to request this.

By law, you must be told at closing and once a year about PMI, what it is and how to cancel it.

Advance Homeowner Pond Project

This water project is located in Yadkinville NC at the main office of Home Realty Group, who designed and built the pond.  The cost of the pond was $5,000 and required 4 days.  Should you want a pond of this size and scope, please be aware that this is an advanced project. 

Requirements:  heavy equipment to dig out hole and to move rocks.  A bobcat will work, but will take longer.  A backhoe is the best piece of equipment to use.  Determine the position of the pond and dig to a depth of 3 ft, sloping the bottom to create a ledge of about 1 ft under water.  This will allow aquatic plants and wildlife to have a refuge, and the water is cooler.  The ledge also serves an additional purpose of providing a stepping point to clean out any debris that enters the point.  You will need to determine the height and length of your water runs so that you can buy the correct pumps.  Filtering devices can be found on the web and instructions for their use are usually included by the manufacturer.  A pond liner will be required and purchase at least 25 % more than the size of the pond, due to the depth.

 Day 1

Dig the hole and use a tapper to even out the bottom and sides.  Remove all rocks and anything sharp so as to not cut your liner.  This is very important.  Pour a 2-3 inch base of sandbox sand on the bottom and try to bring it up the sides.  This is to help with the liner not being cut.  You can use old newspapers if you want, just make it thick.  On the side of the pond you will have water lines from your lower water retention system (note bottom left) and they will run to where ever you want to make your waterfall or return.  These are connected just like a plumbing system, read the manual that comes with your pump.    The water returns will have filters and can be cleaned easily.  Assemble your plumbing and call it a day.

 Day 2

 At this point you have rested and now will need to move dirt.  Using a shovel or bobcat, move the dirt around and over your plumbing, creating a higher drop point for the water.  Assemble the filters and water returns at this time if they have not already been completed.  Now the tricky part.  Lay the liner over the pond with its center point at the center of the pond.  Stretch the liner and smooth it out to where there are little or no ridges, flaps, creases etc...  Do not cut it to remove these items.  Continue to work on them by hand until they are removed to the best of your abilities.  You will have some that can not be removed due to the contours of the pond.  Take your time; this will cut down problems later.   Next began to place small rocks on the bottom of the pond to a depth of 2 inches.  Walking on the liner may expose it to the grit on your shoe soles; take off your shoes if necessary.  Make sure you purchase smooth rocks.  Now began to place the main rocks around the sides and up the water ways as to best expose their beauty.  Please keep the sharper edges away from the liner.    Lay the rocks next to each other and then start to overlap, creating a level edge.  Moving big rocks takes time and depending on the size, you may need a bobcat to pick them up and bring them to you.  Some of the rocks above are 200 pounds or more.  Step back and look at the position of each rock.  The shape and position of your largest rocks make up the bulk of the ponds beauty. 

 Day 3

The heavy lifting is over and its time to try the pond out.  Turn on the water and fill the pond.  Look for areas in the water course that water is going over or spraying on.  This will reduce your water fill by thousands of gallons over a short period.  Let the water pump filter the water at least overnight to see if the liner has any holes or problems. 

 Day 4

If your pond water level did not drop overnight, you are okay to start with landscaping.  Plants that have leaves that can get into the pond should be avoided.  Start with just a few, they will grow and take up more area as time goes on.  You do not want to have too much around the pond.  It makes cleaning difficult and will reduce your pleasure of your new pond.  The water should filter out clean in a few days and you can add some fish or plants.  Read up on all the fish and plants that you want before you purchase them.  Some fish and plants are not for small ponds and it can get expensive to buy more.  Now go and enjoy!

This is a continuing installment in a series of Homeowner Projects prepared by White Oak Custom Homes and Home Realty Group.  For more information and for estimates to complete your project, contact us at http://whiteoakcustomhomes.com or http://www.hrgproperties.com .  This is not a full description of all the tools and items needed to complete this project.  White Oak Custom Homes and Home Realty Group take responsibility as to your project based on these suggestions.     Copyright 2008

Yadkin County Now!

One of the great things about living and working in a small community is the many treasures that the community has that are not known to the surrounding larger areas.  Malls are a fixture in many large towns, but virtually non existent in smaller ones.  Larger companies like Wal-Mart often bypass these communities because they don't "fit" their marketing models.  Yadkinville is blessed in that regard.  Smaller, more customer service friendly companies abound.  One such company, The Treasure Hutprovides a host of products and services that larger franchises only wish they could provide to their customers.  The company was started a 3 years ago by our own local treasure, owner Dot Lynch.  What once was a weekend only gift shop at the Vintage Flea Market has grown to a full time operation located at 223 E Main St, Yadkinville.  Dot, a retired nurse of 23 years has a passion for weddings! 

The Treasure Hut can provide wedding services for those that want minimal fuss and for those who desire all the trappings down to the getaway honeymoon.  One of the more interesting things is Dot believes that everyone deserves special consideration, regardless of how much money they want to spend.  With average wedding costs being approximately $25,000, not including bridal showers, bachelor parties, and other personal wedding related expenses, her level of service is all that more remarkable.  While many of her competitors reluctantly work with smaller events, Dot makes allowances for all.

The cozy shop on Main St has many beautiful flower arrangements on display.  Sit down with Dot and you'll feel right at home.  One of the things that you will soon become aware of is that she knows her craft and has your interests placed first.   Visit our local "treasure" today.

This is a continuing installment in the Yadkin County Now series, highlighting local businesses, area attractions and the special citizens of Yadkin County.    Dale Terry,  YadkinCountyNow.com

Yep, it's a hard job right now, but somebody has to do it.  You really want to be at the beach, or mountains enjoying yourself.  But your made your mind up. This market isn't going to defeat you!

What a great attitude to have, this world is a better place for it!  But have you looked into crystal ball and thought about what others are going through?  Many of your neighbors and friends are having it tough too.  Maybe they work for a supply house or a local service organization, it seems most of us are feeling a little less comfortable these days. 

So, looking for something to do, something that can make you feel good and maybe help your wallet?

Each year, somewhere there are many disasters.  Floods, storms, heavy snows, etc... find their way into our daily lives.  Flooding in the heartland, wildfires in the west, hurricanes are coming.  Maybe this year you can be proactive.

Here are some gratifying things to do for the next few months.

1.  Be the first to start a food drive

2.  Have a warm coat collection

3.  Go visit some senior citizens

4.  Take a policeman or sheriff to lunch

5.  Go by a local school and give a speech

6. Give Blood

7.  Do an emergency preparedness clinic

8.  Volunteer for a local festival

9.  Call the Salvation Army and ask what you can do

10.  Right now, enlist 3 people to help do something for your community

Hey all you visitors to Yadkin County, come by and visit.  You might find us sitting out on the deck with customers or grilling on our oversize grill.  We invite our clients and local groups often to eat a leisurely meal in the grass.  With a 40 year old shade tree providing the coolness and the many bird feeders that surround the property, you will probably see every species of bird that is in Yadkin County.  For those that have kids and need a respite, our front fountain contains aquatic life in the form of goldfish, bright and colorful.  Don't fall in, we take pictures for all to see!  Located less than a mile from downtown Yadkinville, our office is part of the Eastern Gateway, a beautification project for that path into our fair town.  Flowers are abundant and there is a sidewalk to get excercise.  Across the street is the Vintage Bed and Breakfast, the perfect place to hang your hat when in town.  If you just need directions or a potty break, come on in!

While visiting our office, look at local listings on line, maybe this is the place to put down new roots!  Our construction company, White Oak Custom Homes has many floorplans that can be seen as finished products, ranging from the basic to the very sophisticated.  With land that is abundant in the area, a newly constructed home may be just right.  Of course, we can also handle your financing.

If you are visiting one of our many wineries, take advantage of more than just the tours.  Area attractions abound and a day in the Yadkin Valley is like no other.  Try one of the many restaurants that have great food and spirits.

Visit our website to find the latest things going on in Yadkin County.  The best site for news, events, local photos, etc....  try YadkinCountyNow.com

Well, it's time to pat the burgers and visit with some new friends.  Hope to see you soon!

Styers Mill Park

Just a short drive off Hwy 421 is Styers Mill Park.  Featuring walking trails and a very nice, easily accessable water fall of North Deep Creek.  Approx. 4 miles from the town of Yadkinville, you can reach the falls off Shacktown Rd or Old Hwy 421.  Styers Mill Rd is a cut through to each.  There is a viewing deck and parking.  Come and enjoy for just a few minutes or take a book and enjoy all day, Styers Mill Park is one of the many things to take in while in Yadkin County.

Rooted in History
The legacy of the North Carolina Wine Industry is rooted deep in the colonial heritage of Sir Walter Raleigh's Colony on Roanoke Island where the first wines were produced.  Since then, wine has always been part of the rich agriculturial tradition that makes North Carolina  so special.   With rich soils and a mild climate, North Carolina has grown to be one of the largest wine producers in the country.  The Yadkin Valley was designated as an American Viticultural Area in 2003, the first in North Carolina.  Covering 1.4 million acres, the Yadkin Valley is the center of wine production in North Carolina.  As the wine industry expands, so does the fun and excitement.  The Yadkin Valley Wine Festivalis held the town of Elkin in October celebrating the viticulture of the Yadkin Valley.  Also in the month of October the Yadkin Valley Grape Festivalin Yadkinville.  The annual Shine to Wine Festivalis held in historic Downtown North Wilkesboro in June.  The River House Winefestat Grassy Creek is held in annually in July.  The area boasts a number of Bed and Breakfasts that are currently expanding their facilities to accommodate the larger tour groups.  These historic properties can provide quiet romantic evenings or just the starting point for your Valley adventure.  The Blue Ridge Parkway is just a stones throw away.  Thousands of visitors each year visit this scenic byway,named one of the most beautiful rides in America.  Once there, spend the night at one of the area campgrounds or rent a cabin for more privacy.  Camping, canoeing, fishing, tubing and more are available on the Yadkin and New Rivers.  Once you have visited, you can't wait to get back.  Looking for somewhere to hang your hat.  As the years roll on, more and more people are seeing the Valley as a place to retire.  With a slower pace, a respect for the land and what it has meant to our history, the Valley has plenty of room for you.  Don't feel left out.  With thousands of acres of land perfect for those that are looking for peace and quiet, everything is possible in the Valley.  Weekend getaways from the hustle and bustle of Charlotte, Raleigh and Atlanta make it possible for you to forget the stress of day to day living and remember a more enjoyable time- the time of youth.  A time when you could walk in a stream to catch crawldads, a run in a field for a butterfly and night time excursions for flreflys.  You will thank yourself for visiting the Valley, we hope you stay!