Congratulations to J-P Peron who is now one of the first REALTORs on the Outer Banks to have earned the NAR Green designation!

Green Tip #6 Turn off lights when exiting a room, office, or conference room

Green tip #5 Unplug battery chargers when the batteries are fully charged or the chargers are not in use.

Green Tip #4 - Use a power strip for appliances and office equipment and turn off when not in use

Green Tip #3 Using cold water can save up to 80 percent of the energy required to wash clothes.

Living Green Tip #2 - Use a timer for taking showers & cut down on energy use.

Morgan Mason just listed - Corolla NC Whalehead Beach 4 BDR/2.5 BA $550,000 http://ping.fm/6X9rv

Energy Star Fact Sheet

The Environmental Protection Agency is launching a year-long "Change the World: Start with Energy Star" campaign. The EPA is asking consumers to pledge to take steps to reduce their carbon footprint and combat climate change. These steps include replacing at least one light with an energy-efficient compact fluorescent light and choosing Energy Star-rated products when replacing appliances. Individuals can take the pledge online at: www.energystar.gov/changetheworld.To celebrate the launch of the campaign ENERGY STAR sent over some facts to help you reduce your footprint:

• If every American home replaced just one light with an ENERGY STAR, we would prevent 9.3 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions per year. (6 billion kWh, $642 million, 773,000 cars)

• If every American household added insulation to their attic, we would prevent 24 billion lbs. of greenhouse gas emissions per year. (12.6 billion kWh, $1.8 billion, 2 million cars)

• If every American household serviced their heating and cooling systems, inspected their ducts for leaks and programmed their thermostat to save energy while they’re away or asleep, we would prevent 169 billion lbs of greenhouse gas emissions per year. (78 billion kWh, $14 billion, 14 million cars)

• If each desktop and monitor in U.S. homes was to sleep when not in use, we would prevent more than 16 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions per year (10.7 billion kWh, $1.1 billion, 1.4 million cars)

• If each TV, DVD, and home theatre system purchased in the U.S. this year was ENERGY STAR qualified, we would prevent more than 3 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions per year (2.5 billion kWh, $269 million, 324,000 cars)

• If every home office product purchased in the US this year were ENERGY STAR qualified, we would prevent 2.9 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions per year (1.8 billion kWh, $200 million, 240,000 cars).

• If every refrigerator, dishwasher and clothes washer purchased in the US this year were ENERGY STAR qualified, we would prevent 4.5 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions per year (2.6 billion kWh, $663 million, 380,000 cars)

• If every decorative light string purchased in the US this year were ENERGY STAR qualified, we would prevent 4 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions per year. (2.6 billion kWh, $ 277 million, 330,000 cars)

• If every American household took part in the pledge, we would save more than 110 billion kilowatt hours of electricity, more than $18 billion in annual energy costs, and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of more than 18 million cars.
  

Courtsey of Energy Star

Home Inspections: Why?

This post asks a serious question:  What is the purpose of the home inspection?  

I ask this because in my last two transactions where I represented the buyer, the home inspections turned out to be worse than worthless. 

For example one home had non functioning HVAC on the day the new owners moved in.  Subsequent service evaluations proved it was impossible the system was working at the time of inspection.  The inspection report specifically noted that all HVAC units were functioning properly. That is a $6000 repair bill before the furniture is even delivered!  On this same property, there was a serious water leak in one bedroom after a storm.  The service person found, after crawling up to the very top of the attic, a series of pans the sellers had apparently been using for quite some time to collect the water coming from poor flashing around the badly constructed chimney plus other structural defects.  Currently the chimney is being rebuilt, dry wall & carpet replaced; another costly repair.  Of course, there is no way these problems were non existent at the time of inspection, less than 45 days prior to the rain. 

Before the closing I asked the seller's agent explicitly if there were any leaks or roof damage known to the sellers and was told there were none.  The buyer commented, "Even if we had known about these problems we would have still bought the house.  If they had been honest with us, at least we would have known what we needed to budget to fix this mess." 

Another property also required repairs that should have been noted in the home inspector's report.
Thank goodness I included home warranty insurance in the contract so some of the repair costs were covered! 

Lately in my world, home inspections seem to be a formality rather than a tool guiding the buyers and sellers during negotiations.  So, why do we rely on home inspections at all?  Are they of any use?  Is there another way to insure the property is not in need of such major repair?  What recourse does the buyer have for remedy?

Your thoughts and experience on this topic please!  HELP!

Five Earth Saving Actions You Can Take Right NOW

Cleaning up the environment does not have to be complicated.  One does not need a grand plan to make a difference.  Just look for what you can do right now; no community meetings to attend, no organizations to join, no fancy science to understand.  Just taking these five action steps will help save the planet.

1.  Pick Up The Poop 

Stormwater runoff pollution is created mainly by toxins from animal feces.  While the birds do their part, canine feces comprises the largest percentage of these.  So pick up the poop using biodegradable bags only. 

2.  Recycle ALL Plastic And Glass 

If your community does not have recycle pick up, find the local recycle center.  Take ALL your hard plastic items and glass there for recycle.  The numbers on the bottom of the bottles are resin numbers to help the recycle folks separate the plastic, not indicators of whether or not they should be recycled.  ALL hard plastic and glass can be recycled.

3.  Recycle Plastic Bags

Most supermarkets have bins for the collection of plastic bags, making this a simple task.  And it keeps our beaches clean too.

4.  Use Organic Fertilizers And Pesticides

Everything we put on the ground remains in the environment for a long time.  Chemicals we use enter our food supply to poison us as well as the insects!  Today, alternatives are readily available and effective.

5.  Pick Up The Trash And Improve Your Health

On your street, in your neighborhood, at the beach and in parking lots you will find opportunities to help clean up your community daily.  Bending over to pick up trash, bottles and discarded cigarette butts is great exercise too!

Morgan Mason has a new, mostly humorous blog post. See it at http://ping.fm/ENiUx

5 Myths About A Sick Real Estate Agent

Today I emerged from 10 days of a flu that exceeded my worse fears, that pain can actually cause death.

For 5 days I was unable to move. For 2 days I moved a little, then a little more. For all 10 days I could not put together a sentence, answer the phone, let the dog out or sleep. And yet, from the messages I received from other agents, I realized that there are at least 5 Myths circulating the Outer Banks about an idle, ill real estate agent.

Myth #1

You must be bored and anxious to do something! Good thing you have that new listing to write up.

Myth #2

You will feel better if you get productive. This isn’t a vacation, you know.

Myth #3

This is a good time to catch up on those marketing phone calls since you have time to really chat them up.

Myth #4

How nice that you have quiet time to whip out that Business Plan for 2010.

Myth #5

And isn’t it thrilling that you have time to write all those blogs you talk about! Lucky you!

All I can say is, ARE YOU INSANE!

Oh, and thanks for calling, it will be nice to return to work tomorrow to see all of you and begin again.

Anyone ever feel like your body was hit by a truck but no fever or cold? HELP!

Is Anything Selling in Southern Shores?

Everyone is always asking me "What is the market doing?" or "Is anything really selling?". So I am going to post each sale in Southern Shores as it happens with a photo, address and sold price. If you want any more information about the specific property, please give me a call or shoot me an email. Enjoy!

Here is what we have for 2009 so far:
10/16/09 63 Ocean Blvd $689,000
10/5/09 92 Duck Woods Rd $620,000
10/2/09 264 Sea Oats Trl $365,000
10/1/09 19 First Ave $385,000
9/28/09 44 Skyline Rd $378,875
9/28/09 163 Happy Indian Ln $300,000
9/25/09 249 Ocean Blvd $680,000
9/25/09 116 Last Hunt Ln $435,000
9/21/09 173 Happy Indian Ln $394,00
9/17/09 204 Ocean Blvd $3,050,000
9/16/09 24 Spindrift Trl $375,000
9/4/09 238 Sea Oats Trl $291,000
8/28/09 141 Beech Tree Trl $349,900
8/28/09 19 Palmetto Ln $295,000
8/25/09 62 Trinitie Trl $325.000
8/24/09 50 Duck Woods Dr $405,000
8/17/09 24 Eleventh Ave $380,000
8/12/09 29 Pintail Ct $470,000
8/11/09 258 N Woodland Dr $264,750
8/7/09 9 Thirteenth Ave $875,00
7/31/09 111 Pudding Pan Ln $535,000
7/24/09 106 Landing Trl $240,000
7/24/09 1 Mallard Cove $294,500
7/16/09 45 Ocean Blvd $845,000
6/30/09 149 Poteskeet Loop $460,000
6/12/09 30 Juniper Trl $174,000
6/12/09 9 Second Ave $565,000
6/12/09 43 Eleventh Ave $500,000
5/29/09 314 Sea Oats Trl $465,000
5/29/09 133 Chicahauk Trl $300,000
5/15/09 118 Tall Pine Ln $575,000
5/4/09 40 Skyline Rd $220,000
5/1/09 49 Ocean Blvd $475,000
4/23/09 228 Ocean Blvd $1,250,000
4/7/09 26 Eighth Ave $445,000
3/30/09 236 Hillcrest Dr $450,000
3/23/09 112 Landing Trl $255,000
3/18/09 18 Mallard Cove Loop $329,000
3/17/09 116 Duck Woods Dr $440,000
3/6/09 147 Holly Trl $600,000
2/27/09 33 Tenth Ave $443,000
2/13/09 68 E Dogwood Trl $341,550
2/13/09 38 Spindrift Trl $550,000
2/12/09 91 Trinitie Trl $525,000
2/6/09 347 Sea Oats Trl $850,000
1/9/09 1 Hickory Trl $3,100,000
1/9/09 52 E Dogwood Trl $290,000

Largest percentage of run off toxins in our water ways after storm is small mammal feces. Pick up your dogs poop!!

Great information here on the state of the housing market: http://ping.fm/yWnML

See update on OBX and "The Storm" http://ping.fm/GE8xA

Life's Surprises!

I used to live in Malibu CA and everyone asked me, “Why do you live where there are Fires, Mudslides and Earthquakes every year?”. Now I live on the Outer Banks of North Carolina and the same folks ask “How can you live where there are Hurricanes, and Nor’easters?”.

But you already know the answer; it is beautiful, the oceans are breathtaking and I am not looking for safety. I am content with paradise.

Life is like that. Adventure requires risk. Status Quo requires, well, maintaining the same old same old. That has never been my goal.

Real estate is a new career for me. It was my last resort. I did not choose it because of my love for real estate. On the Outer Banks, one of the few ways to earn a good living is selling real estate. And I wanted to stay here after my job taking care of my father ended with his death in February.

But like almost everything else in my life, the best things happen when I am trying to make plans! Real estate is the place for me, absolutely. But how would I have known? For 18 years I owned an executive search firm in Los Angeles. Not even close to real estate, I thought. In fact, in July, 2000, when I came to Southern Shores to keep an eye on my Dad I expected to be here a couple years, three tops, then return to Malibu, start another search firm and jump back into my life on the Pacific Coast.

What I would have missed if my dad had left that soon! His living to the age of 97 afforded me the luxury of developing a loving relationship with him as an adult and the time to recognize this Atlantic paradise is where I wish to be more than any place else on earth. I love The Outer Banks!

My past work experience taught me to treat everyone with respect, check the facts, take responsibility for my own actions, set goals and have fun. With that background, my real estate business already feels like an old friend. I am looking forward to building a business based on client relationships and referrals, which is what I know. My future feels full of promise when many of my peers are retiring. That may be their status quo, but for me adventure is where it is at!!

Thanks, Dad, for the everything. And thanks to life for the surprises.

Morgan's roaring ocean-Southern Shores NC Outer Banks http://ping.fm/qlBFk

Really... What is a Nor'easter? OBX folks look here- http://ping.fm/axGyC

New Buyer and New Listing Today! Love my job!!

REALTOR® Magazine-Daily News-Declining Inventory Sign of Stabilizing Market http://ping.fm/P9Q1M

Use A Local Lender For Real Estate Transactions

Transactions involving a lender outside our local area have been a nightmare! Here on the Outer Banks of North Carolina the market is mostly second homes, retirement homes and/or investment properties, especially in Southern Shores, my area of speciality. In most cases, my buyer and seller clients do not live here. Because of the logistics, sometimes a client will want to use “their bank” in their own hometown to purchase property hundreds of miles away. That is when the trouble begins.

Here are the reasons I argue for using a lender familiar with the area of the subject property.

1. Appraisals have become more complicated as they are more closely regulated. An appraiser sent by a lender not familiar with the area will hold up the transaction and/or not be able to appraise so another appraiser is sent. Deals die this way!
2. Lack of local market knowledge is harmful. It has been my experience that local lenders have an intimate knowledge of their own area which positively influences their decisions. Especially in coastal areas, knowledge of local geography, flood zones, etc. is critical.
3. Difficulty gaining access to decision makers can be a deal breaker. We all have relationships with our local bankers. It is such a waste not to be able to call on these folks for assistance. . The lenders I suggest to my clients are the best in every way and enhance the experience for everyone.
4. Our clients don’t get all the services we can provide when the lender is not part of the local team. I find my hands are tied when my clients really need my help.
5. Finally, on-line lenders are just another breed altogether! I don’t even know where to start with this one.

I would love to hear about your own experiences in this area. Perhaps you have some tips for me to use when I must deal with non-local lenders! Thanks!

Re-Branding The Outer Banks

One topic at our Realtor Association meeting last week was branding our community. As many know, the Outer Banks has been known as "Fishermen's Paradise" for generations. And our beaches are known as some of the best in the country. However, with the onslaught of the "Consent Decree" beach closings and increased fishing regulations, our Paradise is less about fishing & beaching each year! As one who loves casual bike riding, I think our community could be an ideal destination for others who cycle, either casually or seriously. What can we do to bring this sport into our brand? How about contiguous bike routes from Hatteras to Corolla? Some paths could be along the roads and some closer to the ocean and/or sound. We already have the most important ingredient for success, an unparalleled environment compatible with this sport for 8 months out of the year. It does not depend on "beach weather", would extend our season and expand our visitor demographic. Let's start a discussion around this topic beginning with cycling and moving on from there. What do you think?

Why I Resigned From The Defenders Of Wildlife

I have resigned my membership in the Defenders of Wildlife, an organization whose efforts to save wolves from vicious aerial shooting I have supported for over a decade. Those who know me are aware of my love for all animals. But I believe their misguided participation in the beach closings on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore "consent decree" has damaged our culture, our economy and our wildlife. Over the 4th of July weekend, 67% of the beaches along the Cape Hatteras National Seashore had no access. The next weekend the number rose to 70%. After the first full year of the "consent decree" results are down for the oystercatcher and the piping plover. Cape Point, our prized surf fishing destination, inaccessible! For generations this environment has been treated with love and respect by its' inhabitants whose very lives depend upon the welfare of the birds, fish, turtles and land. Removing the stewardship of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore from those who care for it the most is unreasonable and shortsighted. The proof is in the damage done to the wildlife as well as the community's economy in just 12 months. Please join me in supporting bills moving through the US House of Representatives and the Senate that would restore the authority of the National Park Service to preserve the beach access to the seashore. They are H.R. 718 and S. 1557. Spread the word; call your congressman and senators. Please do whatever you can to help that future generations will have the opportunity to marvel in the wonder that is the Outer Banks! Help us Preserve and Protect, Not Prohibit. Go to Outer Banks Preservation Association.

Ten Things I Have Learned About Life From Living With a Three-legged Dog Named Fannie Rose

If you have read Fannie's Story on my website http://www.mysouthernshores.com --- you know that she is my 3-legged terrier. I believe that she came into my life to be not only my friend, but also my spiritual guide. She taught me many lessons about dignity and coping. I would like to share them with you now.

1. Life is not always what I thought it was going to be. I accept this fact and try to move on with the wonderful gifts I have been given.

2. I try not to pre-judge people by their looks. Upon meeting Fannie you couldn't possibly believe that she likes to run, but she most certainly does.

3. Sometimes I have to step out of my comfort-zone to learn new ways of doing things. Almost every time I do this, I grow.

4. I try to focus on my strengths instead of my weaknesses. Although easier said than done, it does help me to keep a positive attitude.

5. I always look people in the eye when I talk with them. Fannie has amazingly intelligent eyes and sometimes she can communicate with me without saying a word.

6. Simple pleasures, like a favorite sweater or a long walk are definitely the best. In Fannie's case, it is a silly little toy that I got for her from the Dollar Tree. It just makes her so happy.

7. Listen to what your heart tells you to do. When I first saw Fannie, I knew nothing good was going to come of her being in that pet shop. My heart told me to take her home and I am so happy that I did.

8. Patience is a virtue. It took Fannie time to heal. It takes time to grow a successful real estate business. Coping with the ambiguity takes patience and I intend to stick with my long-term goals.

9. I have learned that routines are important to both Fannie and me. We have to eat, exercise, and sleep to stay healthy and happy. We just do it together.

10. And as I gaze down upon Fannie curled beneath my feet as I work on the computer, I understand that unconditional love is the greatest gift one can ever give or receive.

Thank you for listening.

MM

Why I Live and Work on the Outer Banks of North Carolina

My name is Morgan Mason and I am a real estate broker living and working on the Outer Banks of NC.

I asked myself why did choose to live on the Outer Banks of North Carolina? There are very many reasons, but here are my top five:

1. Like many people, I have wonderful memories of spending childhood vacations here on the Outer Banks. I remember spending hours at the beach with my family. Those same beautiful beaches are still here, still pristine, and I can enjoy them now any time I want. I lost my Dad recently and I find myself walking on the beach sometimes just to remember him and to let the sound of the waves help me to heal. I have been told that the cure for most anything is salt water---sweat, tears, or the sea. I believe this may be true.

2. The feeling of community and safety that I feel living here on the Outer Banks. There is nothing like knowing your neighbors and sharing a common goal of keeping your environment clean, friendly, and safe for everyone.

3. This is a very dog-friendly place. Fannie Rose loves this and so do I. Even businesses here on the Outer Banks recognize that dogs are people too. For example, when we go to the bank, Fannie gets a cookie from the teller. Needless to say, she likes to go to the bank. Fannie only has three legs and she captures the hearts of people who see her out and about. They often comment on her gracefulness. It opens the door for us to meet new friends.

4. There are so many wonderful restaurants here that offer great food at reasonable prices. Three of my particular favorites are: Outer Banks Seafood Company in corolla, Kill Devil Grill, and Art's Place.

http://www.outerbanksseafoodcompany.com/

http://www.yelp.com/biz/kill-devil-grill-kill-devil-hills

5. And of course, the photo opportunities. I took the picture above while strolling along the beach at dusk one evening. Everywhere I look, I see beauty.

And these are my top 5 reasons for living on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

Thank you for listening.

MM