Monday, December 27, 2010
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
On the Very Top of Tavia's Wish List: MacMania™ 12 Cruise: Pacific Coast
Vancouver to San Diego
September 9–12, 2011
Simplify and enrich with your Mac and digital devices. Get the scoop on iPad, iPhone, OSX amidst West Coast splendor.
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Monday, December 20, 2010
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Friday, December 17, 2010
Owning a home still the American Dream, despite housing bust - Dec. 16, 2010
Housing bust? So what? We still want to own
By Les Christie, staff writerDecember 16, 2010: 5:19 AM ET
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- The American Dream is still alive and kicking, including within immigrant and minority communities, according to a survey from mortgage giant Fannie Mae.
The housing crisis hasn't quenched the homeownership thirst, the company found. More than 51% of people said the bust did not change their willingness to buy a home and an additional 27% said it actually made them more likely to do so.
"The crisis has not put a dent in the desire to own," said Doug Duncan, Fannie's chief economist, "although it may have changed the reasons that people want to own."
The report, the first close analysis Fannie has taken of consumer attitudes about the rent-or-own decision, found that qualitative reasons -- like having the ability to remodel or to send the kids to a better school -- have overtaken financial considerations as the primary motivators for homeownership.
Some misperceptions about financial benefits may help to keep it high.
"People's attitudes don't always line up with empirical facts," said Duncan.
For example, although trillions of dollars of equity were wiped out by the housing bust and millions of people will lose homes to foreclosure, nearly two-thirds of people surveyed still believe purchasing a house is a safe investment. That could be viewed as a major disconnect.
Also, more than half the public thought buying a home was a good idea financially even if they plan to move out in less than three years. That's actually rarely true because transactional costs like real estate commissions, title insurance costs and mortgage fees take a big cut off the top of selling and purchase prices.
Furthermore, a huge majority, 86% of those surveyed, cite income-tax benefits -- mostly the mortgage interest deduction -- as a big reason to buy. That benefit, however, is very small for most homeowners or even nonexistent.
"Lower-income homeowners, for example, don't itemize," said Duncan, "so there is no tax benefit for them at all."
Broad homeownership hopesFannie found that no matter what their ethnicity or immigration status, Americans generally share similar positive attitudes toward homeownership, even though there are substantial differences among these groups in homeownership rates.
It seems that economic opportunities, not attitudes, account for much of the variation.
Only 44% of African Americans own homes, for instance, compared with 71% of whites, but that disparity starts to vanish among families in stronger financial circumstances. African Americans' homeownership rises to 60% for those earning between $50,000 and $99,000, for example.
The survey findings have implications for Fannie's business model. Non-Hispanic whites are projected to account for just 46% of the population by 2050. Immigration will account for most of the population growth between now and then.
And since, as the report stated, "strong homeownership aspirations exist across races, ethnicities and immigrant groups," Fannie can count on future demand for owner-occupied homes remaining strong, as long as the economy cooperates.
That's the kinda news I like to hear!!! :)
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Saturday, December 4, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Banks are freezing foreclosures. What does that mean? - Oct. 8, 2010
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Halted foreclosures? Robo-signers? Shoddy paperwork?
The foreclosure crisis has entered a new phase, with at least three major banks halting foreclosure proceedings and sales in nearly two dozen states. One just expanded the ban on foreclosure sales across the nation. The developments, however, have left homeowners with many questions. CNNMoney.com tries to cut through the confusion.
Why are major banks halting foreclosures? (read on...)
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Haywood County NC Home Sales Thru September 2010
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Sunday, October 10, 2010
Haywood County Memory Walk at Lake Junaluska a Big Success!
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Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Morning at Lake Junaluska, NC
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Sunday, September 19, 2010
One of Waynesville's Favorite Bands, Son de Cuba, was Back in Town Tonight!
Waynesville was shaking tonight on Main St. at Ceviches with quite an eager crowd of fans enjoying Cuban dance music compliments of a special performance by a trio from Son de Cuba : Joe Rothenberg, Nick Rothenberg and Bert Lopez. Also sitting in on a couple of numbers were Kelsey Rothenberg and Michelle Plexico.
Son de Cuba were popular performing regulars on Main Street for a number of years, prior to the founding members relocation to Charlotte. But, they have certainly not been forgotten! It was great to have them back!
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Saturday, September 18, 2010
Son de Cuba at Ceviches on Main Tonight at 7 PM!!! (Waynesville, NC)
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Thursday, September 16, 2010
Re/Max Mountain Toured Some Great New Listings on Wednesday
We had beautiful weather for touring homes that have recently been listed for sale with Re/Max Mountain Realty. I enjoyed practicing with my new camera, too. Here are slide shows of some of the properties we viewed:
120 Horizon Trail, Clyde NC
107 Megan Dr, Clyde NC
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REALTOR Magazine-Daily News-10 Reasons to Buy a Home
Time magazine is being overly pessimistic in its recent cover piece that called into question the benefits of homeownership. In fact, now is a great time to buy. And, what's more, tomorrow will be a great time to own, because the fundamental strength of homeownership hasn't changed.Why is now a great time to buy? Here are 10 reasons:
1. You can get a good deal. Prices are down 30 percent on average. They're at a level that makes sense for people's income.
2. Mortgages are cheap. At 4.3 percent on average for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, your costs to own are down by a fifth from two years ago.
3. You can save on taxes. When you add up the deductions for mortgage interest and others, the cost of owning can drop below renting for a comparable place.
4. It'll be yours. The one benefit to owning that never changes is that you can paint your walls orange if you want (generally speaking; there might be some community restrictions). How many landlords will let you do that?
5. You can get a better home. In some markets, it's simply the case that the nicest places are for-sale homes and condos.
6. It offers some inflation protection. Historically, appreciation over time outpaces inflation.
7. It's risk capital. If the economy picks up, you stand to benefit from that, even if you're goal is just to have a nice place to live.
8. It's forced savings. A part of your payment each month goes to equity.
9. There is a lot to choose from. There are some 4 million homes available today, about a year's supply. Now's the time to find something you like and get it.
10. Sooner or later the market will clear. The U.S. is expected to grow by another 100 million people in 40 years. They have to live somewhere. Demand will eventually outpace supply.Source: Wall Street Journal, Brett Arends (9/16/10)
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Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Haywood County Schools are Performing Well!
The Haywood County Board of Realtors met at the Maggie Valley Club today for their monthly meeting. Lunch was tasty, as usual. Guest speaker was Dr. Bill Nolte, Associate Superintendent of Haywood County Schools, who had great news about how are schools are performing! Details are available on the Haywood County Schools website: Haywood County Schools Performs Well on State Tests
Cabin With Views Near Golf @ Maggie Valley Club--$250,000
Monday, September 13, 2010
Beautiful Late Summer Evening at Maggie Valley Club, NC
September is a wonderful time to visit Western NC! There's just a hint of the fall color that's soon to come.
Temperatures are warm in the daytime and pleasantly cool and crisp at night--perfect golf weather!
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