School is starting soon for Onslow County, NC!

Where did the summer go??  The lazy days of summer are coming to an end and it's time to start gearing up for school!  Good news though- this helpful website gives parents some great tips to save money for back to school shopping!  North Carolina is offering two tax-free shopping weekends in 2012.  The back to school tax free shopping weekend will be August 3-5, 2012.  Parents will be able to bargain shop, tax free, for clothing, shoes, school supplies and some computer equipment!

The official start date for Onslow County schools this year is August 27, 2012!  Students will start back to school bright and early Monday morning!  For a complete list of Onslow County schools and how they stack up, click here.  

"As long as there are tests, there will be prayer in schools." - Author Unknown

Look Good....Spend LESS!

That's what we all want in the end anyway!  A great looking home that feels comfortable and smells inviting, with a little extra change in our pockets.  It's really not too much to ask for.  


The secret to most home remodels is the finishing touches.  If the paint looks even and not smudged, if the trim has been caulked and painted and the fixtures are modern instead of dated, your finished product will be just that....Finished!
If you've been staring at your kitchen with discontent in your eyes and a sledge hammer in your hand, take a breath, put down the hammer and read this blog.  It might spark a little bit of patience, creativity and excitement, instead of a "Hulk Smash" mood while possibly saving you some greenbacks!


•Reinvent your 1980's style cabinetry by repainting or refinishing them!  This is a fairly simple project that doesn't need the expertise of Bob Villa.  Updating with a fresh coat of paint in a warm inviting tone will help reinvent the entire feel in the kitchen.  Update the hardware on the doors as well.  Change out the older pulls, knobs and hinges with a more modern style- there are thousands out there, so go with something simple with a  modern finish.
•If you have an island or a bar in your eat-in kitchen, try to add some pendant lighting.  It will accent the area as well as offer more light and with all the designs and colors that is available for pendant lighting, you'll have plenty of options for colors and styles.
•One of a kind crayon drawings are precious and priceless.  But it might be necessary to replace them with a framed vintage print.  You can choose from different styles, usually under $10 at craft stores.  But if the the crayon masterpieces really are too precious to put away, try framing them with a funky frame and make it a focal point in the kitchen.
•Instead of replacing your entire kitchen counter space, maybe replacing a well used portion of it with butcher block is an option.  Butcher block is a timeless utilitarian piece that most chefs find indispensable.  Show off your style and culinary genius with this idea!
•If your kitchen is the size of a Volkswagon Beetle, or smaller, you probably don't have a lot of room to move around, let alone options on reinventing the style.  To create a more spacious and airy feel to a cramped kitchen, remove the doors from the upper cabinets.  Paint the inside a light clean color to draw in light and give a finished look.  Also, add semi sheer fabric shades.  They still allow light and add some color to the space as well.
•Under cabinet lighting!  This will change the whole look of your kitchen.  It adds a diffused light which will draw colors from the other features.


All of these DIY projects are relatively inexpensive and can dramatically change the look and feel of your kitchen.  Try researching how-to videos and ask the associates at your hardware store for more insider tips and methods!  Good Luck!

"I'm never too busy for any of your referrals!"

"I want to buy a house. What the heck is an ABR®?"

An ABR® is an Accredited Buyer Representative, recognized by the National Association of REALTORS®.  
What does that mean to you?  A buyer's representative in a transaction should look out for the buyer's best interests in a transaction.  However, a buyer's representative that has taken extra education and undergone the requirements and training to earn the ABR® designation has obtained the benchmark of excellence in home buyer representation and will skillfully be able to:

• •Help determine locations and neighborhoods to fit your interests.
• •Find properties in those locations to suit your needs.
• •Help you establish an affordable price range.
• •Preview properties and accompany you to showings.
• •Examine and research properties for possible issues or problems and present material facts about properties.
• •Advise you in making a purchase offer.
• •Present your offer to the seller or the seller's representative.
• •Confidently and competently negotiate the price and terms for you.
• •Help you get the appropriate financing for your property.
• •Assist you in finding experienced and professional vendors for additional services such as movers, painters, carpenters, etc.

Call me today for all your real estate needs!  I'd love to discuss your options with you and see how I can best help you!

What's a Short Sale??

Short Sale?  Let's get the facts straight!

A quick and dirty definition of a short sale is when a seller sells their home for less than what they owe on the mortgage.  The bank must approve the sale, and who pays the deficiency is up for negotiation.

Why would a homeowner do this?
There are a number of reasons homeowners are forced into financial hardship, many of which have nothing to do with how they manage their finances.  It could be anything from illness, relocation because of work, loss of employment, divorce, and so on.  It is estimated that most American families can only maintain their current living expenses for 30 days or less when income is interrupted for any reason.


Why not let it go into foreclosure?
While negative credit items fall off of an individual's credit report after seven years, the one question that is asked on every mortgage application is "Have you ever had a foreclosure?"  This item has staying power and will follow a person around indefinitely.  There are tax consequences to consider for either side of the argument.  The homeowner should consult a tax professional to discuss the best course of action.  However, there are laws in place to protect distressed homeowners.  Credit scores will drop- typically anywhere from 100-250 points, but usually can be repaired within 18 months.  Short sales are typically the lesser of the two evils and the damage caused can usually be repaired.


What a short sale is NOT:
It is not a "Get out of my mortgage free card."  A homeowner has to be approved by the lender and truly have a hardship, or have an impending hardship and on the way to foreclosure.  Just because a homeowner is upside down on their mortgage, does not mean that they qualify for a short sale.


How does a distressed homeowner get started?
First the homeowner should call me!  As a Certified Distressed Property Expert and an accredited Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource, I would love to discuss your options with you.  It never hurts to ask!!

"I'm never too busy for any of your referrals!"

Busting Home Buying Myths!!

We've all heard the hub bub in the media about how buying a home can destroy your finances, but as soon as you switch the channel, you hear the opposite!  What's fact and what's fiction?!
First you have to determine if buying a home is the right thing for YOUR situation.  Not your mother's, not your brother's, certainly not your Realtor's, but yours and yours alone.  
Consult a trusted real estate professional and ask questions about current home prices and trends.  A professional REALTOR is held to a code of ethics and should provide statistical data to you, if you wish.

Until, then, here are five common myths people commonly use as fact!

1.  "The Perfect Home Is Out There"  It may be!  But more commonly, it's a matter of compromise.  Many buyers tend to focus on the one thing a home doesn't have, rather than the 9 out of 10 things that it does have.  Decide up front, which features are deal breakers, and which ones would be nice to have.


2.  "The House Has To Speak To You"  Many people believe the home has to feel right when you walk through the door.  Companies spend billions of dollars every year to hire design consultants and staging professionals to ensure their home "speaks" to buyers.  Use a critical eye when viewing homes.  It's a process of elimination!  


3.  "The Listing Information is Always Accurate"  Listings are created by people.  People make mistakes!  Even with the best of intentions, REALTORS can accidentally misrepresent information.  Be on the safe side, measure the rooms for square footage, count the number of closets, get a home inspection.


4.  "You Should Buy as Much House as You Can Get"  Why?  Is it practical, either financially or otherwise, for a newlywed couple to buy a 4,000 square foot home, because they can afford it?  Not really.  Purchase a home so that you can live comfortably and enjoy your home, instead of working to pay the bills.


5.  "If Your Offer's Accepted Right Away, You Offered Too Much"  Not necessarily.  Buyer's remorse is a common occurrence- it's like cold feet at a wedding.  It's most likely the best decision, but people get nervous!  Just because your offer was accepted right away does not mean that you offered too much.  It may just mean that it's a buyer's market and sellers are ready to unload their homes!

Call me for all your real estate needs!  I'm never too busy for any of your referrals!

2012 BAH Rates for the Camp Lejeune area

The new 2012 BAH Rates have been published! Click here to use the BAH calculator!  Enjoy!!

Cornerstone Cottages!!

Cornerstone Cottages is an up and coming neighborhood just outside of Onslow County.  It's about twenty minutes from the shopping and restaurants and it's worth the drive home!  With a country atmosphere, you'll be able to enjoy the "no noise" and fireflies from your front porch!!

Call today for your exclusive preview of these fabulous homes!  American Homesmith was the 2011 Onslow County Showcase Winner of the Year for their fabulous floorplans and upgraded features in the homes.  

The homes in Cornerstone Cottages boast beautiful craftsman styling with vinyl siding and stone accents on the exterior.  The interior has nine foot ceilings, plush carpet and stainless steel appliances.  American Homesmith offers a 10 year Quality Builder Warranty on all their homes!

 The "St. Augustine" Floorplan

3bed/2.5 bath

$138,543!!