20,019 Points! Good For Me! Good For ActiveRain!

Thank you to all the wonderful bloggers who have helped me so much while becoming addicted to late night blogging.

And thank you to ActiveRain for this opportunity.  A couple weeks ago I received my first client referral for an ActiveRain Associate, which was thrilling.  Plus, it is a great client with cash!!!  Hurray!

Finally, passing 20K in points seems like a silly thing to celebrate, but to me it represents a turning point in my relationship with my fellow REALTORS.

Gotta love ActiveRain.  Good night, all!

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!

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.

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

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!

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.