March 2010
Volume 1 Issue 2
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In this Issue
-Spring Forward to Home Improvements
-The Porch Light
-Tips for Preparing Your House for Sale
-First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit
-Eating Healthy for a Fitter You This Spring and Summer
-Thoughts From Jamie
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Congratulations to
DAVID CARRIGAN
for
winning our
trivia contest
last month.
David,
I hope you enjoyed the
Giovanni’s pizza!
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We also offer Commercial Financing
Why not consider commercial investing
and add revenue to your
2010 income.
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“You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him.”
~James D. Miles
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WIN A FREE LARGE PIZZA!
Take Our Trivia Challenge And You Just Might Win. Each month we’ll give you a new trivia question. The first 10 people to contact us with the correct answer will be eligible to win. You will receive a certificate good for 1 Large Giovanni’s Pizza!
Here is this month’s question.
Q. What are people born between 1978 and 2000 referred to as?
A. Baby Boomer's Children
B. Generation Y C. Millennials
Email or fax your answer to us being sure to give us your name, phone number and email address so we can contact you if you are this month's lucky winner!
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Phone:
828-632-0650
or
Toll Free:
1-888-538-4663
Address:
340 NC Highway 16 South Taylorsville, NC 28681
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Thank you to everyone who sent a contribution following last month's newsletter to the Haitian Relief efforts through World Vision or Compassion International.
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Hi Friends,
Is it spring yet? As I’m writing this, I’m at home looking out across the mountain range and it looks so cold and desolate that it gives me a chill. But it won’t last forever. I think people all across the country are eagerly anticipating warm weather and I’m no exception. Old Man Winter has been hanging around much longer than normal and I’m ready to see those first daffodils poke their little heads through the snow. I told Lanny that if this continues, we’ll have to move south. He said ‘We are in the South!’
Anyway, I want to welcome you to the second edition of The Front Porch for 2010. In this issue, we want to bring you the first glimpse of spring time with tips
for home improvement, how to prepare your home for sale as the spring selling season approaches and of course some fitness tips because we won’t be wearing these heavy winter clothes much longer. We really enjoyed hearing from you after our first newsletter. Please continue to send us your comments and questions. I truly appreciate your friendship and referrals.
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What's Up at United Carolina Group
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This month I want to spotlight our newest loan officer, Martha Conrad. Congratulations are in order to Martha as she has just completed several months of training, as well as having passed very intensive state and federal examinations to become a Mortgage Loan Originator. We all know that the last two years have been a time of unrest in the mortgage industry and in the economy as a whole. Entry into our profession with a mortgage bank is now difficult so I am very proud of Martha and her accomplishments.
Martha is married to Greg Conrad and they live in the Bethlehem community with their son Ryan and dog Tessa. Martha says after nearly 30 years of working with children in the school system, she is excited to help her past students that are now adults, to purchase their first home. Her passion is for these first time homebuyers and for her friends here in the community. Feel free to give Martha a call today to see how she can help you.
We’re here to help you get the right loan for your situation.
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Spring Forward to Home Improvements
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The season of snow and cold temperatures will soon be behind us, ushering in spring. Yeah! In the spring we begin thinking about all those home improvement projects we have had on the back burner during the holidays and the winter months. As I look around the house, I see so much that needs to be done – when it warms up. But beware! Spring is also the time homeowners can fall prey to contractors traveling around offering their services for everything from driveway paving to roof repair. Never give money to someone you don't know and never pay an entire amount to any contractor up front. Most contractors will require a down payment with the remainder due at the time the job has been completed and inspected by the homeowner. Lanny and I are real estate investors and even with experience, I’m embarrassed to have to admit that we have been scammed before too. Don’t think it can’t happen. If they are professionals, they will understand that you expect them to act as such.
Ask for referrals or contact home improvement stores. They pre-screen the contractors on their list and most of these contractors have done work for the store and their customers. Plan out your project budget and get your materials before you begin. This will help everything to go smoothly and help you keep your sanity. Good luck with your spring projects!
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The Porch Light
Each month we spotlight someone very special to us...
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This month's spotlight is on Rodney and Janet Bolick:
Rodney and I just want to Thank You for the wonderful service that you all provided in refinancing our mortgage! It was so reasurring to be led through this confusing process by such a kind and caring group of people. Thanks for all of your prompt responses to our many questions. Let me assure you we will recommend you highly to all of our friends. We also would like to thank you for the wonderful gift that was sent to us. It was greatly appreciated!
Thanks again for everything!Rodney and Janet Bolick
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Tips for Preparing Your House for Sale in the Upcoming Busy Spring and Summer Market
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As a home seller there are some things you can do to maximize the selling price by showing buyers how much they are actually getting for their money. Think like a buyer when getting your home ready to sell. Here are a few tips:
- Start With Curb Appeal - Create an unforgettable first impression. Personally I love color on the front door, especially red!
- De-personalize your house. Pack away the family photos, collectibles and personal items. Clean all of the magnets, photos and artwork from your refrigerators, mirrors and windows. Remove personal items from countertops in the bathroom and on dressers and vanities.
- Clean out your closets and drawers. Put the things you are planning to take to your new home in an off-site storage unit so that your closets are clean. This will maximize the appearance of storage space in your home.
- Reduce the amount of furniture in each room so buyers can visualize their furniture in their new home.
- Remove or replace decorations and accessories that are too personalized. You want the buyer looking at the bones and the space of the house.
- Freshen up the paint. Keep the colors neutral like light yellow, white, beige, or tan. Make sure that the paint is in good condition by repainting any walls with major scratches, holes or marks.
- Clean, clean, clean! Plan for time each morning for a quick 15 minute cleaning and pick up before leaving home.
- Reduce and remove the signs of pets, because their items and odors can break the deal. During an open
- house, make sure the pets are away from the house. This one is hard for me but as a buyer, they will not love your pets as much as you do.
- Work with your children to help them reduce the number of toys. Put most of the toys in storage and confine the remaining toys to one area, preferably their bed rooms.
After you've finished getting your home in order get a new set of eyes. Your realtor, a friend or family member can look at your home objectively from a buyer's point of view.
By taking time to do these things now, you'll be prepared for the potential home buyers who are going to visit. The time spent will pay off dividends when you sell your home.
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Final Opportunity for the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit
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Time is Running Out for the First Time and Repeat Home Buyer Tax Credit! If you’re thinking about buying a home this year, you have until April 30th to have it under contract and until June 30th to close and still claim up to $8000 as a tax credit. And, did you know that even if you have filed your 2009 tax return, you can amend it to claim the credit now instead of waiting until you file your 2010 return next year? If you are selling your home and buying another one, don’t forget that you may be eligible for up to $6500 as a homebuyer tax credit for repeat buyers. The home must be your primary residence and there are other limitations that apply so be sure to check with your tax advisor. With low interest rates and an abundance of housing inventory, this may be the best opportunity ever to buy a home. And don’t forget the Energy Efficient Tax Credit for current homeowners! You can get up to $1500 as a tax credit for installing energy efficient products in your home during 2009 and 2010. This is for existing homes only. For lots more details go to: http://www.nahb.org/generic.aspx?genericContentID=113316
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Eating Healthy for a Fitter YOU this Spring and Summer
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Follow these diet and exercise tips to be in better shape for the spring and summer months ahead.
- Eat three servings of whole grains like bread, rice or pasta daily
- Eat fresh vegetables in season and stock up on frozen vegetables when fresh aren't available
- Eat a variety of fresh fruit every day
- Include milk, yogurt and cheese in your daily diet
- Go lean on protein by including low fat meats and poultry
Include physical activity into your daily routine. That can be as simple as walking or as rigorous as a workout at the gym. What matters most is that you are exercising your heart and lungs every day. Check with your doctor to make sure any exercise regimen is safe for you to begin.
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We’ve had one of the coldest winters that I can remember since I was a child. (We won’t talk about how long ago that was!) And also for the first time in many of our lives, we’ve had an economy that has felt just as cold. I’ve talked to very few families that have gone unscathed. But there is a commercial on TV that I really like. I think it’s an insurance commercial. The phrase that I really like – “Is this the great recession or is this the recession that will make you great?” It certainly caused me to stop and think – and to observe. I’m on the phone most of the day, talking to some of my favorite people, my customers. Many of you have struggled or still are struggling. I understand. With unemployment in double digits, everyone knows someone that has lost their job or who’s business has closed or is barely hanging on. My family is no different. Lanny lost his job in May 2008 as did my son, Todd. But I can’t help but notice how people deal with disappointment differently. Some look for someone or something to blame and begin to fill their lives with negativity and anger. Life doesn’t get better and they look for someone else to fix their problems or to bail them out. Oh wait, that would also apply to big banks or corporations! By the way, this is the same big banks that have no requirements placed on them to participate in the mortgage business. But then there are those that quietly and methodically reassess their situation and begin to strategize as to how they will continue and succeed in this ‘New Economy’. They don’t waste time or energy crying over what could have or should have been or retracing their steps to see where they can point a finger. Yes, they may mourn their disappointments for a very brief moment and then they ‘pull themselves up by their bootstraps’ as my Mamaw always said, and continue on from where they find themselves now. These are the people that will rebuild successfully. They adjust their standard of living until they can get back on track and they know how to shift gears quickly. They dig through the chaos before them and find the opportunities hidden like treasure. Same problems, different approaches, different outcomes.
In which category do you find yourself? Hopefully, the one that has gone untouched by it all! But if not, how are you handling it? Some of the most successful people in history came from difficult economic times. I’ve made major changes here at United Carolina Group by uniting with a mortgage bank and exiting the mortgage brokering business. It has opened doors of opportunity for me and the company but more importantly will provide quality loans for you and your friends and family. If you need help with a refinance or credit repair, please give me a call.
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