Real Estate in the 21st Century

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.

The fifth annual Yadkin Valley Grape Festival is scheduled for Oct. 18th in downtown Yadkinville.  Area wineries are gathering to present their products for tasting.  Arts and crafts, food and music will highlight the day.  Thousands are expected to attend, get there early for easy parking. 

The event is for the promotion of the the Yadkin Valley Wine Association.  Area wineries bring to the community much needed revenue from their operations.  Come out and support your neighbors and enjoy the day.

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 .

I had the great fortune to be invited to view a private development near Morganton, North Carolina this weekend.  The development was named "Sanctuary" by its owner and developer, Randy Terry.  The location is adjacent to the Pisgah National Forest and comprises a few hundred acres, which pales beside the thousands right next door in the protected forest.   With wide gravel roads that are in keeping with the back to nature look of the area, one travels at a leisurely pace.   The area is also known for the natural wonders of its views, such as Table Rock.  A great hiking and camping area, the National Forest is also home to many of the more exotic animals that most people only get to see in the zoo.   Bears are common, coyotes will wake you in the night with their playful sounds, deer and wild turkeys are in abundance.   The Wildlife Commission recently introduced rattlesnakes to the area in an attempt to increase their numbers in a previously populated area.   But enough of the forest, Sanctuary is for the person looking to own a special place where time stands still.   The home sites are as remote and beautiful as they might have been hundreds of years ago for the first settlers.   Today, with modern machinery, the sites become beautiful places for families and friends to enjoy each other and what nature provides.  Each parcel is at least 10 acres and has its own winding driveway already in place for the new owner.   Streams, with water as clear as it can be, abound all around the development.  Nature walks, Four Wheel trips are the tunes of the day, with no other humans around.  End each day at a fireside with your neighbors for great food and relaxing conversation.  I spent only one day there and felt I had found a home.  I asked Randy how it all came about.  He said," I had been looking to buy some land close to the forest for some time.  As a boy, I spent a lot of time with relatives in these mountains and really love the area.  When the opportunity came about to fulfill a dream, I had to take it.  Now, the development is almost complete,  with just a few parcels left.  My new neighbors all have one thing in common, a love for the outdoors and a desire to keep the land as pristine as it was before man settled here."  He also added."  Of course, it doesn't hurt to have great neighbors, one makes his own wine that he shares with us, and usually brings freshly caught rainbow trout to eat!   Our fireside dinners are getting rather famous in these parts."

My time at Sanctuary came to a close with a firm handshake and an invitation to return.  For a short time, no worries had invaded my thoughts.  Now as I travel home, my calendar is already marked for a new adventure, one that includes Sanctuary at Table Rock.

For more information on how to purchase one of the few remaining parcels contact this blog and I will get you in touch with the developer for your own private showing.   

Forget the bailout, forget the reasons behind it.  The House of Representatives are going to vote today on the bailout bill that in essence is the same one that was voted down earlier in the week.  What is different is that there are more "pork" barrel projects in the bill to hopefully change some reluctant congressmen or women to change their minds.

This is what got us here in the first place.   The if it is good for me type games that our elected officals play.  There has got to be a stop to this!

I have already made up my mind.  I am going to go with someone that I believe has the best qualifications to lead the country going forward.  I have watched the Republican party do it best to emulate the Democrats on spending our tax dollars in the most frivolous manner.  I have watched the new Congress, which about two years old I might add, literally do nothing.  Neither party has excelled, but has produced some of the worst legislation in the past 10 years, that iwill permanently change the face of my country forever.  Sub-par, below average performance is what we have received for the billions of dollars spent. 

So, I am going with the McCain/Palin ticket.  Of the four individuals that make up both party tickets, Palin is the only one that is clearly not a Washington insider.  McCain and Biden have been and are part of the problem.  For decades, both have voted thousands of times against the will of the people.  Both have shown a lack of understanding about the problems in our communities.  Both would rather take care of foreign interests instead of our own.  Also, I can't vote for Obama because I fundamentally disagree with his beliefs about what government should provide for the citizens of America. 

So I am left with hoping McCain wins, has an apethine and hands the reins over to Palin.  What could she do worse than the current adminstration and the sitting Congress?  So what she has little experience.  Do you  really need experience to balance a checkbook?  To say NO to the children in Congress, big business and the idiots that run the other countries in the world?!  She comes with little baggage to a job that needs little experience.  Most Americans believe that they themselves could right our countries ship, why not her?  Haven't you wished for the appearance of a new face, someone that isn't "connected" at the hip with special interests?