Real Estate in the 21st Century

$4.50, $4.00, $3.50, $3.00, $2.50, $2.00.......how low will it go?  Just a few weeks ago, we were all up in arms complaining about the high cost of gasoline.  In a few short weeks, we have seen a 50% decline in the cost of a gallon of gas.  Where is the joy? Where are we all traveling this week?  Maybe we haven't been talking about it because the media hates good news, even though this news is coupled with a terrible economy.  At least you won't have to sell your youngest child to fill up your tank! 

I am definitely looking forward to Sunday where I can watch the Carolina Panthers play football and then lounge around and be lazy the rest of the day.  This will be the first Sunday in a long long time where I won't have to listen to commercials from politic ans telling me the world has ended and only they have the answers. 

I for one would listen to a cow moo and believe that it had the answers before I would believe any politican.  And let me be the first to say sorry to the media which had a field day with advertising, now they will have to come back to earth and actually report the news.   Also a fond farewell to the millions of signs on the sides of our roads.  What a waste of money.  If the candidates would only give the money spent on advertising to the charities of our country, what a difference that would make.  If fact, how about citizens just giving money in the name of a candidate! 

So, don't wake me up if I fall asleep Sunday, I really deserve it.

One day after the historic election of Barack Obama, the stock market came back to earth, sinking 486 points.  The loss was cause in part by some profit taking but most investors were bothered by reports of additional job cuts in the industrial sector. 

The losses underscore the true nature of our economy, one that is linked with the rest of the world and all its ups and downs.  Americans will have to learn to live with the basic fact that it is easier to come down than to be raised up.  With Americans enjoying the highest standard of living in the world, with international companies finding the US a mature market for many products, companies are moving to where they can get the best opportunities for growth.

Our leaders, especially president elect Obama, will need to get a strong grip on the realities facing our country and do so quickly.  The rest of the world awaits.

See our website at http://www.yadkinvalleynow.com  for more information about the Yadkin Valley.  Serving Yadkinville, Jonesville, Hamptonville, Boonville, Elkin, Lewisville, Mocksville and the surrounding areas.  Real estate at http://www.hrgproperties.com and new construction at http://www.whiteoakcustomhomes.com

That was the refrain from the left for years when you were talking about anything wrong.  Bush was the problem, he broke it!  It didn't matter if you were talking about the war in Iraq, the economy or even your sink faucet, it was his fault.

With the historic victory by Obama, (and I did not vote for him) the country showed that it can be moved to action by events and circumstances.  With a record turnout, the citizens exercised their right to vote-something that billions of people in the world do not get to do.

Will he be successful in accomplishing his campaign promises?  Do they even make sense?  I don't know and only time and history will tell.  But the real winner last night was the American way of life.  Maybe the country will be lead by a different sort of person going forward.  Maybe our country will look different.  I for one see change coming, but instead of being scared or bitter and clinging to my guns and religion, I will take a different tack.  I will try to hold those elected to a higher standard.

Let's rejoice in our rights as citizens of the greatest country on earth- and let's all work together so that it remains so.

The annual Yadkin Valley Grape Festival was held this past Saturday in downtown Yadkinville.  The event is sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and the Yadkin Arts Council.  Beginning in the early morning hours,  vendors began to arrive and set up booths.  Many of the area's wineries were there, bringing their wines for the attendees to sample.   The air was rather crisp, more like a winter day instead of the warmer Fall days that have been so common recently.  Artisans were also there, displaying the beautiful and surprisingly affordable wares that are made in this region.  The food vendors were part of the annual Chili Cookoff that is also part of the event.  As the weather began to thaw, the crowds began to show up.   Young and old were having an enjoyable day in Yadkinville.   Music was provided by various local bands and artists. 

See all the pictures at http://yadkinvalleynow.com

Home Realty Group

http://yadkincountyrealestate.com -Providing real estate services for the Yadkin Valley  including Yadkinville, Jonesville, Hamptonville, Elkin, Mocksville, and Boonville.  Also serving Yadkin County, Davie County, Forsyth County, Surry County and the town of Lewisville and the City of Winston Salem.

Check out our additional sites,  http://hrgproperties.com and http://yadkinvalleynow.com and for new construction, http://whiteoakcustomhomes.com .

Did you know that today is Columbus Day?  You know, that dude that discovered America?  We honor him for the achievement, but do you really know why it matters/

BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT IS CLOSED FOR THE DAY!

Our world works better when we don't have to contend with the government messing up things.  At least today, no additional money was spent, no new taxes created, no dumb comments by politicans.  What a beautiful day it is!

Most of Americans have decided who they are going to vote for the upcoming Presidential race.  What is not being talked about are some of the most important issues facing the nation if one or the other is elected.

First, how will America face an upcoming energy shortage?  For all practical purposes, $3.50 gasoline makes us concerned, $4.00 makes us angry.  What will $5.00 gas and beyond do to Americans.  Will we take our our guns and go hunting for politicians?  The next President will help dictate our nation's energy policy during their term.  Also the winner will push forward agendas that range from higher domestic spending to our focus on world terrorism. 

But so much of our way of life is tied to the cost of gasoline. I believe that most Americans do not want to believe that oil is the reason we are in the middle east and it is oil that drives the world.   So, should we run and hide, or continue our path of destruction by using "consumerism" as our chief foreign policy?

Congress recently "spent" a trillion dollars with literally no way to pay it back within my lifetime.  The average American is having to cut spending while our government is just doing what comes naturally- increasing our national debt. 

As more Americans conserve, more businesses will be forced to cut employees, maybe even closing their doors.  Others will continue to outsource for products and employees.   It would seem that Americans can't win either way.  This crisis has moved us further down the path to socialism and is sowing the seeds for future anarchy.

We need leaders that are willing to put America first.  Not at the expense of America, but at the expense of our enemies and the other countries of the world that we support with our tax dollars. 

I have a couple of things that we can immediately do.  One, the government can stop all payments to other countries.  All payments.  Let the governments of those countries understand the harsh realities of taking care of its own business.  We need to feed Americans, not the world.   We need to fix our roads and schools, not others.  We need to decouple from the world's financial system.  If China or the Middle East sheiks decide not to buy our treasuries, is that really a threat that means anything?  How about that we don't protect them from each other?  How about we tell them that we don't need all that oil from now on?  How will they survive?  

We can't be the bully of the world as some people believe and also be the only country that provides security, technology, money, etc. to billions on the planet.  We can't be there for the hurricanes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions and famines every time. 

My family and yours is facing a future that possibly isn't that dream that we have worked for all our lives.  I'm not going to let someone take that away from me.  Are you?

The Federal Reserve announced Tuesday that it would now begin to purchase short term commercial paper from banks in an effort to stop the stranglehold that the credit crunch has on American businesses.  The effort comes on top of the massive 850 billion dollar bailout of the same banks "bad" mortgages.  By taking on the debt, it is perceived that banks will now begin to loan money to businesses, consumers and among themselves. 

How is this good for the average taxpayer?  Unless you are wanting to borrow money right now, this problem really only affects your home values and possibly your job in the event of a deep recession.   But if the recession was going to come anyway, the chances are that you would have lost your job anyway.  So in essence, this is another fat cat bailout of those with more political power than you.  And the citizens are going to foot the bill. 

The National Association of Realtors once again shows how out of touch it really is- it is still promoting the "Soundness" of the commercial real estate market even though the evidence is to the contrary.  Makes it hard to trust a Realtor when the Association can't get it right.

Dale Terry

http://yadkincountyrealestate.com -Providing real estate services for the Yadkin Valley including Yadkinville, Jonesville, Hamptonville, Elkin, Mocksville, and Boonville. Also serving Yadkin County, Davie County, Forsyth County, Surry County and the town of Lewisville and the City of Winston Salem.

Check out our additional sites, http://hrgproperties.com and http://yadkinvalleynow.com and for new construction, http://whiteoakcustomhomes.com .

The Federal Reserve announced Tuesday that it would now begin to purchase short term commercial paper from banks in an effort to stop the stranglehold that the credit crunch has on American businesses.  The effort comes on top of the massive 850 billion dollar bailout of the same banks "bad" mortgages.  By taking on the debt, it is perceived that banks will now begin to loan money to businesses, consumers and among themselves. 

How is this good for the average taxpayer?  Unless you are wanting to borrow money right now, this problem really only affects your home values and possibly your job in the event of a deep recession.   But if the recession was going to come anyway, the chances are that you would have lost your job anyway.  So in essence, this is another fat cat bailout of those with more political power than you.  And the citizens are going to foot the bill. 

The National Association of Realtors once again shows how out of touch it really is- it is still promoting the "Soundness" of the commercial real estate market even though the evidence is to the contrary.  Makes it hard to trust a Realtor when the Association can't get it right.

Dale Terry

http://yadkincountyrealestate.com -Providing real estate services for the Yadkin Valley including Yadkinville, Jonesville, Hamptonville, Elkin, Mocksville, and Boonville. Also serving Yadkin County, Davie County, Forsyth County, Surry County and the town of Lewisville and the City of Winston Salem.

Check out our additional sites, http://hrgproperties.com and http://yadkinvalleynow.com and for new construction, http://whiteoakcustomhomes.com .

The Federal Reserve cut lending rates by a half point yesterday to help stop the spread of a global economic crisis.  It also cut rates charged to banks for borrowing at the "Discount" window to 1.75%. 

The average consumer will see a drop in their equity line payment or maybe a credit card.  Some who have mortgages that are tied to the prime rate should see their payment adjusted to a lower one if the mortgage is getting ready to reset. 

But how does this help the consumer?  We can't borrow money at what really is less than 0 percent with inflation thrown in.  The banks and Fed are trying to stop their bleeding, not ours. 

And the Fed isn't worried about inflation?  It sure was just a couple of months ago.  Where did it go?  Gas prices may have stabilized, but remain high.  Energy cost for winter are expected to be 15% higher this winter.  State and local governments are having to charge more for services due to their increased costs, this is a direct form of inflation that the Fed doesn't count.  Food prices are still high and income is down. 

Even if inflation is tame, with lower incomes, the average American is paying more out of pocket-so inflation is caused regardless. Less to spend- more of your paycheck.  Washington needs to get out of the business of helping business and start helping citizens.