Maintenance-Free Azalea Model at Rose Hill!
May 31st, 2010 categories: Real Estate News
Our exclusive LongMeadow Builders at Rose Hill in N.W. Asheville have hired a decorator, Yesterday’s Tree, to stage our Azalea model. I can’t tell you just how happy that made me! The Azalea’s square footage at 1,425 is laid out as good as any open-concept could hope to be, but sometimes the visual is lost when you don’t have furniture to show you what your options will be regarding placement. Wonder no more!! You can now see just how cozy and appealing this floor plan is.
The Azalea will no doubt get the nod from empty-nesters and/or retirees that want to scale down to a simpler way of life. The Rose Hill lifestyle is completely maintenance-free and a collection of ammenities you won’t often find offered all in one place. A beautiful clubhouse that can be reserved for parties or meetings, a large in-ground pool and separate spa that are heated May-October, a fitness room with all brand new equipment, raised-bed gardening, walking trails and a security entrance to the development.
Beyond the Azalea model, we also offer 7 other floor models ranging from 1,425 to 2,300 square feet, 2 to 4 bedrooms, full basements are available too! We have some fantastic exterior rim lots with unobstructed views, sound good? Just drop me a quick email and I’ll be glad to send you out the full info!!
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Memorial Day
May 28th, 2010 categories: Interesting Tidbits
Leadership Requires Sacrifice
By Gino Blefari
President & CEO
Intero Real Estate Services, Inc.
Next Monday is Memorial Day. Most of us will celebrate at backyard barbeques, in the company of friends and family, enjoying the fruits of our hard work.
But what are we celebrating?
We are celebrating – indeed, we are honoring – the courage of those who do what must be done, who bear the load for others so that they may be free to live their lives.
On Memorial Day we bear witness to the leadership demonstrated by the members of the armed forces – those who sacrifice so we don’t have to.
General Norman Schwarzkopf, who led America’s combat forces to victory in the first Gulf War, understands this sacrifice that comes with leadership.
In a speech about leadership to several hundred real estate executives assembled for a conference he posed the question, “Why do the troops go? Why do their families let them go?
His answer: They go because their country asks them to.
Schwarzkopf continued, “As I speak to you right now, somewhere in this great nation, servicemen and women are saying goodbye to their families as they go off to war. I know what it’s like. Think of the anxiety of a family that is saying goodbye to a loved one with absolutely no idea when they will see them again or worse yet if they will ever see them again alive.”
The general defines leadership as the ability to inspire people to willingly do that which they wouldn’t ordinarily do. He distinguishes managers from leaders: whereas managers oversee processes, systems or equipment, leaders lead people who have their own dreams and ambitions.
Sounding like a preacher delivering a Sunday morning sermon, Schwarzkopf emphatically stated: “Leadership involves a sense of duty. Leadership involves a value system. Leadership involves ethics. Leadership certainly involves integrity.”
So, as you enjoy our American freedoms this Memorial Day, join me in reflecting on the model of sacrifice and leadership embodied in the men and women of our Armed Forces.
Think, too, how you might apply that model to inspire others around you to higher ideals – those places they might not otherwise go.
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An Asheville Housing Shortage?
May 26th, 2010 categories: Real Estate News
Did you know that home builders must add 1.6 million to 1.7 million housing units each year to make up the difference between population increases and replace demolished homes? Looking towards the future and beyond our immediate place in the market, I found this very interesting article that gives hope to the idea that once again our market will normalize, and we may see a Seller’s market again – sooner than you think.
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President Obama’s visit to Asheville
May 5th, 2010 categories: Interesting Tidbits, Real Estate News
Asheville was abuzz recently when President Obama spent 3 days here on a mini vacation. The President stayed at the Grove Park Inn and took advantage of playing on the beautiful golf course that my husband Gary works at. Gary was ready for any presidential encounter he may have the good fortune to have, with Flip camcorder and digital camera in had. But alas, the closest he got was by positioning himself on Charlotte street with other hopefuls. He was able to take a few photo’s, this one among them & a short video of President Obama about 10 feet away, but didn’t get the elusive handshake or autograph.
So who lucked out? Big time? It was Beverly-Hanks Mortgage Specialist Cameron Lewis and his son. Can you imagine how surreal it would be to walk into a workout room and seeing the President on a treadmill? Lucky guys Cameron and his 6 year old son Cameron where one of the very few allowed in the gym while the President was doing his daily workout. Instructed by the Secret Service not to approach the President, Cameron complied and kept to himself on the treadmill until he heard a very familiar voice in back of him saying “Do we have two Duke fans here?” Cameron and little Cameron wore their Duke t-shirts as usual, but didn’t know it would lead to a conversation of a lifetime! Cameron and the President had a casual 20 minute conversation that was a mix of sports, real estate and the mortgage industry. How thrilling!
Congratulations Cameron on a once-in-a-lifteme experience. You may have heard Cameron’s name before in some of my past posts, he contributes information regarding up-to-date mortgage information. He also happens to be my favorite mortgage specialist, this man is sharp, knows his craft and is a dream when following up with my clients. Need a good mortgage professional? Call Cameron Lewis 828-258-1945.
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Have you seen the Rose Hill Azalea Model?
April 22nd, 2010 categories: Real Estate News
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I’m really getting into the video thing! I had a good friend email me a couple weeks ago saying they will be visiting the Asheville area from New London, New Hampshire. Knowing they like the Craftsman style architecture, I decided to video the Azalea model at Rose Hill in NW Asheville (Leicester).
Rose Hill is a maintenance-free, LOCK N’ GO community with an abundance of ammenities and Fabulous Views. Rose Hill is located on a large hill and terraced so that every home will have a Blue Ridge Mountain view! There’s a beautiful clubhouse, complete with a party kitchen and fitness room (see my clubhouse video), big in-ground pool and hot spa that are heated May-Oct. A Sport Court, which is a combination tennis court/basketball court, Walking trails with comfy benches along the way to stop and just enjoy the day. A large gated entry with coded security gates, and last but not least, Raised-bed gardening where every resident gets their own dedicated plot to plant vegetables or flowers, what a great way to meet your Rose Hill neighbors!
As the On-Site Manager for Rose Hill, I will be doing videos during the process of new construction, so stay tuned . . . Want to know more about Rose Hill? Go to www.MyRoseHillPlantation.com
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5 Good Reasons to buy that home now!
March 30th, 2010 categories: Buyers, Real Estate News
If you are considering whether or not to purchase a home in the near future, let us discuss why this might be the optimal time to do so. There are five excellent reasons to buy a home now instead of waiting until later. Let’s go over them quickly in this post. Read the rest of this entry »
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5 Reasons to see your Lender first
March 24th, 2010 categories: Buyers
I talk to potential buyers every day. Most of them give me a call about a specific property they have seen on the Internet that they want to see right away.
At some point in the initial conversation, I ask if they have talked to a lender about prequalification. Most admit that they have not, but indicate that they have excellent credit and have purchased many homes in the past.
Often, when I try to tell them that the criteria for obtaining a loan are much more stringent these days, they feel like I just don’t want to show them the property. That is only partially true. I don’t want to show them property until they talk to a lender.
There is nothing worse than having a buyer fall in love with a property that they later discover that they cannot purchase. It is morally devastating and a frustrating waste of time and effort.
It is much better start the process correctly, and to have a preapproval letter in hand, ready to attach to an offer to purchase. No time is lost, and the offer is much more appealing to the seller.
And even more importantly, it is better to discover potential stumbling blocks early in the game, when they can be addressed and corrected.
So when I ask a buyer to speak to a lender, I am not putting them off unnecessarily. I am only doing my job as a professional to serve them better.
And to help you get the best deal on your next home purchase.
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What’s the best log cabin?
March 17th, 2010 categories: Property Videos, Real Estate News
Today I stepped into the world of custom log cabins at the Blue Ridge Log Cabin factory and model home center in Campobello, South Carolina. I took along my trusty Flip camcorder and put together a video to show you what I saw through my eyes. Having been through the “log cabin” experience myself some 25 years ago, I knew this would be a world apart from the time when we went through the countryside looking for an abandoned 100+ year old log cabin. Back then, we could buy a one room cabin for $50-$100 including the original stone for the fireplace. After numbering each log in correct sequence, they were moved to the new site, re-assembled, chinked and voila!
But that was then . . . Today, the advances this industry has experienced and specifically Blue Ridge Log Cabins, I found out you will experience no waiting, no agonizing over delays, no scheduling problems with contractors and little-to-no settling since factory-produced components end up more energy efficient.
I learned things like solid wood structures perform between 20% – 30% more energy efficient than stick built structures as a result of “thermal mass”. Blue Ridge Logs contain less than 18% moisture content, as their team carefully selects and kiln dries each log. They are designing and building dream homes with an extraordinary turnaround period, in their facility’s ideal temperatures and conditions under a team of watchful eyes to ensure that it’s built with excellence, and has their—and your—stamp of approval.
You may have seen Blue Ridge Log Cabins featured on HGTV’s “Amazing Log Homes. They were contacted by the popular television network stating they were going to create a new television series titled, “Amazing Log Homes”, and they wanted to highlight Blue Ridge Log Cabins in a premiere episode. After the first airing, HGTV stated it was one of the most requested episode they have ever produced. The success of the show, which continues to air today, emphasizes Blue Ridge Log Cabins’ ability to build high-quality log homes at affordable prices.
So, here is my walk through this amazing company. If you would like more information on building a log home with this company all you need to do is drop me a line through e-mail or a quick call and I’ll have a complete package sent to you. My company Beverly-Hanks, is a proud partner representing Blue Ridge Log Cabins.
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Have you seen the Biltmore under snow?
March 4th, 2010 categories: Property Videos
Although we North Carolinians are definitely over winter, the snow is beautiful and never more beautiful is the Biltmore Estate covered in a blanket of snow. Here is my drive through the grounds as a winter wonderland. Enjoy!
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Appeal your property tax bill!
March 3rd, 2010 categories: Real Estate News
The key is identifying properties that are very similar to your own in terms of size, style, condition, and location. Image: Ideal Roofing Co./Metal Roofing Alliance
Owning a home is an expensive proposition. There’s maintenance, landscaping, utilities, renovations, and, of course, taxes. It’s your civic duty to pay the latter, but it’s also your right not to yield a penny more than your fair share.
It’s possible to trim your property tax bill by appealing the assessed value of your home. But making a case against your real estate assessment, the basis for your property tax bill, requires doing a bit of homework. Initial research can be done online or by phone over two or three days, but the process can stretch out for months if you’re forced to file a formal appeal.
Read your assessment letter
A real estate assessment is conducted periodically by the local government to assign a value to your home for taxation purposes. An assessment isn’t the same as a private appraisal, and the assessed value of your home isn’t necessarily how much you could sell it for today. Real estate assessment letters are mailed to homeowners annually, or perhaps every two to three years, depending where you live.
The letter will include some information about your property, such as lot size or a legal description, as well as the assessed value of your house and land. Additional details—number of bedrooms, for example, or date of construction—can often be found in the property listing on your local government’s website. Your property tax bill will usually be calculated by multiplying your home’s assessed value by the local tax rate, which can vary from town to town.
If you think your home’s assessment is higher than it should be, challenge it immediately. The clock starts ticking as soon as the letter goes out. You generally have less than 30 days to respond, though the time frame varies not just between states, but within each state. Procedures are often outlined on the back of the letter.
Gather evidence
Start by making sure the assessment letter doesn’t contain any mistakes. Is the number of bathrooms accurate? Number of fireplaces? How about the size of the lot? There’s a big difference between “0.3 acres” and “3.0 acres.” If any facts are wrong, then you may have a quick and easy challenge on your hands.
Next, research your home’s value. Ask a real estate agent to find three to five comparable properties—“comps” in real estate jargon—that have sold recently. Alternatively, check a website like Zillow.com to find approximate values of comparable properties. The key is identifying properties that are very similar to your own in terms of size, style, condition, and location. If you’re willing to shell out between $350 and $600, you can hire a private appraiser to do the heavy lifting.
Once you identify comps, check the assessments on those properties. Most local governments maintain public databases. If yours doesn’t, seek help from an agent or ask neighbors to share tax information. If the assessments on your comps are lower, you can argue yours is too high. Even if the assessments are similar, if you can show that the “comparable” properties aren’t truly comparable, you may have a case for relief based on equity. Maybe your neighbor added an addition while you were still struggling to clean up storm damage. In that case, the properties are no longer equitable.
Present your case
Once you’re armed with your research, call your local assessor’s office. Most assessors are willing to discuss your assessment informally by phone. If not, or if you aren’t satisfied with the explanation, request a formal review. Pay attention to deadlines and procedures. There’s probably a form to fill out and specific instructions for supporting evidence. A typical review, which usually doesn’t require you to appear in person, can take anywhere from one to three months. Expect to receive a decision in writing.
If the review is unsuccessful, you can usually appeal the decision to an independent board, with or without the help of a lawyer. You may have to pay a modest filing fee, perhaps $10 to $25. If you end up before an appeals board, your challenge could stretch as long as a year, especially in large jurisdictions that have a high number of appeals. But homeowners do triumph. According to Guy Griscom, Assistant Chief Appraiser of the Harris County (Texas) Central Appraisal District, of the 288,800 protests filed in his Houston-area district in 2008, about 58% received reduced assessments.
How much effort you decide to put into a challenge depends on the stakes. The annual U.S. median property tax paid in 2008 was $1,897, or 0.96% of the median home value of $197,600. Lowering that assessed value by 15% would net savings of about $285. In some parts of New York and Texas, for example, where tax rates can approach 3% of a home’s value, potential savings are greater. Ditto for communities with home prices well above the U.S. median.
There are a few things to keep in mind as you weigh an appeal. The board can only lower your real estate assessment, not the rate at which you’re taxed. There’s also a chance, albeit slight, that your assessment could be raised, thus increasing your property taxes. A reduction in your assessment right before you put your house on the market could hurt the sale price. An easier route to savings might lie in determining if you qualify for property tax exemptions based on age, disability, military service, or other factors.
This article provides general information about tax laws and consequences, but is not intended to be relied upon by readers as tax or legal advice applicable to particular transactions or circumstances. Readers should consult a tax professional for such advice, and are reminded that tax laws may vary by jurisdiction.
Barbara Eisner Bayer has written about mortgages and personal finance for the past 15 years for Motley Fool, the Daily Plan-It, and Nurse Village, and is the former Managing Editor of Mortgageloan.com and Credit-land.com. She has successfully challenged her real estate assessment.
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