Don't Beat Around the Bush! Come Grow Roots at Tall Pines!!

Tall Pines of New River is one of the newest neighborhoods growing in the southwest area of Jacksonville, North Carolina!  Located two miles from New River MCAS, and about fifteen minutes from MARSOC in Stone Bay, there is no question that this is the place to grow roots!

The entire neighborhood is be surrounded by original "tall pines."  The builders and developer decided that instead of eliminating all the vegetation and wiping the slate clean, it would give the neighborhood a better feel in providing for a more established homesite, and I agree!  

Homeplans such as the Edenton, by 70 West Builders, will be planted in Tall Pines, and you'll be barking up the right tree with the features it has to offer!  Each home built by 70 West Builders will be beautifully appointed with granite countertops, contemporary style interior doors, upgraded trim packages, stylish designer cabinetry, exciting kitchen design plans, and "No-Slam" doors and drawers on all the cabinetry.  On the first floor of these homes you will find gas log fireplaces, smooth ceilings and crown molding in place as fun standard features!  With many energy efficient features put in place throughout the building process and the comprehensive warranty included with every home, you can be assured that these builders care about the homes, and mostly the homeowners!  H&H Homes of Fayetteville will also be building homes in Tall Pines of New River.

Are you ready to come home to your new home, minutes away from the beaches of North Carolina, but tucked away from it all?  Tall Pines of New River might just be for you!

For your personal tour, call me!  I would love to help with all of your real estate needs!  And I'm never too busy for any of your referrals!

Foreclosures Are Here! Jacksonville Real Estate

Foreclosures are here!

The current market comprised of foreclosure properties is an unfortunate situation for all parties involved, and is increasing daily. HomeTeam Real Estate has positioned itself with local and national banking institutions including national REO asset management companies, which allows us to understand the process more thoroughly, have access to more inventory and work more efficiently for our buyers.

What is a foreclosure?
Foreclosure is the legal process by which a bank seeks to recover the amount owed on a mortgage typically due to default. There are several stages in the foreclosure process:

• Pre-Foreclosure / Short Sale: Basically, when the proceeds of a home "fall short" of what is still owed on a mortgage. During this time, the owner may possibly have the option to sell to a third party for less than what is owed on the mortgage and the bank may potentially avoid a costly and lengthy foreclosure process by accepting this lesser amount.
• Auction: If the property is not sold during the pre-foreclosure period (if there is one), a public auction is then typically held to sell the property to the highest bidder. Foreclosure sales may include a minimum bid amount along with accrued interest, attorney fees and possibly other foreclosure fees. Typically, the property is purchased "as-is."
• Bank-Owned / REO (Real Estate Owned): If the property fails to sell in the pre-foreclosure stage or at auction, ownership reverts back to the lender.

Short Sales

• Mortgage servicers have 10 days to accept or deny a short sale request. After a sale is completed, the borrower could be completely released from debt.
• Borrowers are eligible to receive a $1,500 moving allowance, if they sell their home through a short sale.
• Mortgage servicers will receive $1,000 for each completed short sale.
• Investors who hold first mortgages can get as much as $1,000 for allowing second lienholders to release their liens.
• Second lienholders can get only as much as $3,000 in proceeds from short sale to release their liens.
• The property must be the homeowner's principal residence.
• The homeowner is delinquent on the mortgage or default looks likely.
• The loan was made before Jan. 1 this year and is less than $729,750
• The borrowers' total monthly mortgage payment exceeds 31 percent of their before-tax income.
Source: Keeping Current Matters 3/2010, HAFA Guidelines

Avoid Foreclosure Checklist -- Homeowners' Options

• Bring your loan current and maintain regular payments in a timely manner.
• Work out a repayment plan.
• Refinance your home with better rates and terms.
• Modify your current loan with your lender.
• Rent your home and make the mortgage payments to your lender.
• Sell your home and pay off the loan amount due.
• Borrow money from a relative or friend to bring your payments current.
• Get protection under the Service Members Civil Relief Act (SMCRA).
• Enter into a Deed In Lieu of Foreclosure or "friendly foreclosure."
• File for bankruptcy protection to stall the foreclosure process.
• Sell your home in a "short sale" if the lender will accept a discounted payoff for the outstanding mortgage due.
• For more information about foreclosure laws in your state visit http://www.foreclosurelaw.org

For homeowners struggling to make ends meet or who can no longer afford to keep their mortgage current, there are options!  A qualified REALTOR® can help you realize those options, whether it be a loan modification, short sale, or other type of government relief.  I would love to discuss your options with you, or if you know someone that could benefit from a consultation, please let me know!  

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

January Contest Rules!

Happy New Year everyone! As you know, it is the time to make New Year's Resolutions! Studies show that you will be 68% more likely to keep it if you tell someone! In an effort to help you keep your resolution, I am holding a contest! All you have to do it go to my facebook pageHERE and tell me what your New Year's Resolution is! You must also "like" the page to be eligible. Only one entry per person please! The winner will be randomly selected and announced January 21st! 

Want to earn a 2nd entry? SHARE my facebook REALTOR page on your facebook! Once you have done that, make a comment on your New Year's Resolution and let me know you shared it! Good luck!

Since weight loss is the #1 New Year's Resolution, the winner will receive:
-A subscription to your choice of: Women's Health Magazine, Men's Health Magazine, Cooking Light Magazine
 -A $20 Visa Gift Card

Help the victims of Sandy Hook Elementary School!

UPDATE  - Another AWESOME way to donate stuffed animals is by purchasing them through Kohls.com (select the Kohl’s Cares animals and they will donate the profit so it’s a way to help in more than one way!!).
Also, if you can think of ANY other ways or have a shop where you sell stuffed animals etc, please feel free to leave it in the comments.
So I got to thinking…I have received several emails from several readers who want to support the Sandy Hook Elementary students and families of the victims by sending Stuffed animals/teddy bears and letters to them. Below is a P.O. Box that was set up to do just that!
And…I scoured Amazon looking for what I thought was a good deal on stuffed animals (see below, most are around $5 shipped). I was thinking, we could purchase these animals right on Amazon and have them sent DIRECTLY to the P.O. Box…that way you don’t have to worry about shipping them yourself and you can support them from your living room. Imagine if we all sent a stuffed animal or letter… what an impact!!
Here is the address to send letters (and stuffed animals if you choose):

Messages of Condolence for Newtown
P.O. Box 3700
Newtown, CT 06470

Amazon deals on Stuffed Animals to send directly to them:

You will get FREE shipping with Amazon Prime (sign up for a FREE 30 day trial here) or when you spend $25 or more with super saver shipping! OR, many of these are about the same price with shipping (just took to the right side of the screen to see more buying options).

Webkinz Velvety Elephant $6.29 shipped (Reg.$14.99)

Aurora Plush 12″ Baby Slushy Aurora Babies Polar Bear $8.99 (Reg. $11.99) My favorite!

Aurora World 12″ Teo The White Tiger $10.88 shipped! My second favorite!

Aurora World Esmeralda $5.49 (Reg. $9.99!)

Webkinz Pinto $6.49 (Reg. $14.99!)

Melissa & Doug Baby Roscoe Bear – Vanilla $8.75 + FREE Shipping So Loving and Cute

Webkinz Charcoal Cat $6.29 (Reg. $14.99!)

Webkinz Hippo $5.10 (Reg. $14.99!)

Webkinz Pom Pom Kitty $8.40 (Reg. $14.99!)

Webkinz Caramel Lion $5.99 (Reg. $14.99!) I LOVE this one!

Aurora World 14″ Lucky Puppy $5.99 (Reg. $14.99!) Super cute! 

Aurora World Shepherd Dog $6.08 (Reg. $9.99)

Webkinz Hedgehog $6.65 (Reg. $14.99!) 

Aurora Plush 12″ Perry Flopsie $9.36 (Reg. $12.99) This one is bright and cheery

Gund Matisse Brown 14″ Bear Plush $13.18 Shipped – More expensive but SUPER cute and nice

Webkinz Pink Pony $6.60 (Reg. $14.99)

Melissa & Doug Luster Dragon $12.22

Melissa & Doug Princess Soft Toys 12″ Plush Sunny Yellow Lab $12.04

Melissa & Doug Princess Soft Toys Thatcher Bear

Melissa & Doug Princess Soft Toys 16″ Plush Lovey Lamb $11.86 Shipped $11.86

Look for more HERE!

Originally posted HERE.

Do you know the danger of Identity Theft?

Identity theft is a growing problem in the United States. Do not be a victim of this crime! Here are a few ways to protect yourself:

Credit Reports
Check your credit report! If you discover anything suspicious, especially in the form of a credit card you don't have or debt that does not belong to you. 

You are entitled one free credit report every year from each of the three nationwide credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and Transunion.

To get your free credit reports, go here or call (877) 322-8228. (HINT: To monitor your credit year-round, request a report from a different bureau every 4 months)

Security Freeze
A security freeze prevents credit bureaus from releasing any information about you to new creditors without your approval, which can stop identity thieves from obtaining credit in your name. For details, visit this website. All North Carolinians can get security freezes online. 

Social Security Number
Your social security number is a helpful tool for crooks who are trying to take out credit in your name. Protect it! Don't carry your social security card in your wallet. Do not print it on your checks. Do not give it out unless it is absolutely necessary. Always ask why it is needed, who will have access to it, and how it will be kept confidential. 

Shred
Your records often contain confidential information. Shred or erase hard drives from old copiers, printers, and computers that might hold private information. Clear all date from old cell phones to ensue that your private information can't be recovered. Shred outdated tax records, credit card applications, old financial statements, insurance forms, etc.

Finances
Watch billing cycles for missing bills, which can be an indication of ID theft or other financial fraud. Review monthly statements. If you discover incorrect charges, notify the company and dispute the charges. Reduce the private information on your checks and limit the number of credit card you carry. 

Notify your credit card company in advance when you travel, especially out of country. Photocopy credit cards (front and back) and keep the copies in a safe place in case a card is lost or stolen. Review your Social Security Earnings and Benefits Statement for errors. Call (800) 772-1213 to order a statement.

Passwords
Carry PINs and passwords in your head, not in your wallet or purse. Do not share PINs  or passwords with anyone, even close friends or relatives. Don't over-use the same PINs and passwords. Create different ones for different accounts. Passwords should have at least eight characters. Use letters, number and symbols (#%$). (HINT: Avoid consecutive numbers, family names, birthdates, SSN, phone numbers, etc.)

Online
Use public wi-fi hotspots for casual web surfing ONLY. Only access email, financial information, or enter private information on a secure wireless system. Make sure your home wireless router is encrypted and password-protected. Create a long, complex password to deter hackers from breaking in. Confirm that your computer is protected by an active firewall. Keep your operating system, spyware and virus protection up to date. 

Shop with online merchants that you trust. Do not click on pop-up messages or ads offering prices too good to be true. Never enter private data like your SSN or a credit card account number online unless you are on a secured website. Look for https (instead of http) in the web address and a "lock" icon somewhere on the screen. When you place an online order, print out your order confirmation. Keep receipts and copies of communications about your order, along with a description of the product and its price. Read refund and privacy policies.

When selling items online, watch out for (real-looking) fake checks and money orders. Be wary of overpayments and endorsed checks. Never wire "excess" payments back to the buyer or to someone else. Pay for online purchases by credit card. 

Email
Beware of emails that ask you to confirm your personal information or account number, or to transfer money. Avoid clicking on anything in an email, even it appears to come from a trusted source like your bank or a friend.  Forward spam emails to spam@uce.gov. Never send your SSN or financial account information by email unless they are encrypted. (HINT: Emails that say you have won money, can make a lot of money, or please for help are usually scams).

Mail
Stop pre-approved credit card offers by calling (888) 5-OPT-OUT or visit this website. Place outgoing mail containing private information into a locked mailbox. Avoid leaving your incoming mail in an unlocked mailbox. Consider getting a locking mailbox. Don't send money to cover taxes or fees on a prize, lottery or sweepstakes winning. It is a scam.