Posted: June 14th, 2010 | Author: Lisa | Filed under: For Buyers, For Sellers, budget saving, home improvement, remodeling, renovations | No Comments »
Did you know that all of us here at BIG Savings Realty can not only help you gain “BIG Savings” on all of your real estate transactions, but also on your home improvement projects?
Taking advantage of the Lowes Realtor (R) Benefits allows us to offer YOU – our clients, friends, and families – Project Starter coupons, which are sent every six months. These coupons are unique to each recipient and offer $10 off your purchase of $50 or more at any Lowe’s store!
So, who’s ready to get on THAT list? 
Feel free to let any of our team members know that you’d like to get in on the savings and we’ll be happy to get you taken care of!
Posted: June 10th, 2010 | Author: Lisa | Filed under: For Brokers, HUD, Word of the Week, legislation, mortgage services, real estate terms | No Comments »
First things first, I’m sure you’re asking “What the heck is RESPA”? RESPA is an industry acronym for “Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act”. (Basically, the paperwork and final details that get ironed out at the end of your real estate transaction.)
Essentially, in November 2008, the Department of Housing and Urban Development added the new regulations to the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, including new Good Faith Estimate and HUD-1 forms, along with rules and timelines for their use. Some lenders implemented them last year, but as of 1/1/2010, all lenders must comply with the new procedures for providing Good Faith Estimates (GFEs) and transparent accounting of closing terms.
RIS Media recently published three basic points to be aware of now:
3-day Rule
Lenders now must provide borrowers with a GFE within three days of receiving a loan application. HUD does allow lenders to provide general information worksheets in lieu of the GFE during the pre-approval process as long as no specific property is identified. If consumers ask for a GFE, however, one must be provided whether the borrow is ready to buy or not.
Fee Categories
The new GFE includes three categories of closing fees. They are (1) fees that cannot change at closing, such as origination fees (2) a group of charges that collectively can increase up to 10% only, such as government recording fees, and (3) costs that are permitted to change if a buyer chooses to shop around for services, such as homeowner’s insurance.
Checks and Balances
Consumers should confirm their lender’s compliance with the new RESPA rules by carefully reading and reviewing the GFE and HUD-1 forms.
You can read the full article online at http://rismedia.com/lowes/8355/8685. Check out Realtor.org for more information or feel free to contact us with any questions!
Posted: June 7th, 2010 | Author: Lisa | Filed under: For Buyers, home improvement, investment property, property management, remodeling, renovations, rentals, updating your property | No Comments »
Found this in my email inbox last week… what a crafty way to sell tools! Aside from the marketing factor, it is actually a pretty handy list for all homeowners to keep in mind when stocking any garage, tool box, or utility closet!
To check out the full list, and Overstock.com’s selection for each category, visit Top 10 Tools Every House Should Have.
My top 3 from the list?
Screwdrivers (and to really save time… a power drill!)
Tape Measure
and Heavy-Duty Tape
…because if I can’t fix it myself… heavy-duty tape just may hold it in place until I can call in reinforcements
Posted: June 4th, 2010 | Author: Lisa | Filed under: home improvement, property management, remodeling, renovations | Tags: contractors, home improvement, laws, lead, maintenance, property management, remodeling, renovation, repairs | No Comments »
Many thanks to the NC Association of Realtors for sharing this important update!
New Lead-Based Paint Regulation in Effect in North Carolina
North Carolina now has a new law. North Carolina’s Lead Hazard Management Program (LHMP) for Lead-Based Paint Renovation, Repair and Painting (RR&P) Rule became effective January 1, 2010.
These rules require that contractors performing renovation, repair and painting activities provide the “Renovate Right: Important Lead Hazard Information for Families, Child Care Providers, and Schools” lead hazard information pamphlet to the owner/occupant before the renovation begins and follow specific lead-safe work practices.
To get more information on this new rule, visit the North Carolina Lead-Based Paint Hazard Management Program online at http://www.epi.state.nc.us/epi/lead/lhmp.html
Happy renovating!
Posted: March 15th, 2010 | Author: Lisa | Filed under: Community Service Committee, RRAR, RRAR Community Service Committee, Raleigh Regional Association of Realtors, community, events, volunteer opportunities | Tags: community, Community Service Committee, CS Committee, events, Raleigh Regional Association of Realtors, RRAR, volunteering | No Comments »
The Raleigh Regional Association of Realtors Community Service Committee has secured a volunteer date for The Miracle League of the Triangle!
On Friday, April 16th, the Community Service Committee will sponsor “A Night at the Ballpark” by providing all of the volunteers for that evening’s game. In order to do so, we will need 60 volunteers. Please consider encouraging your offices, friends, family, and church groups to sign up and donate a few hours for a good cause!
Volunteers will be asked to arrive at 5:30pm and need to plan on being at the park until approximately 9pm.
About Miracle League of the Triangle
In Late in 2004, after seeing a program about the Miracle League on television, local businessmen Robin Rose and Tony Withers were inspired to establish the Miracle League of the Triangle. The principle was simple: to provide children with special needs the opportunity to play America’s Favorite past-time…. the game of Baseball. The hope was to have 40 children (4 teams) and over 100 volunteers for Opening Day.
On September 16, 2006 The Miracle League of the Triangle opened its first season with over 100 players (8 teams) and over 200 volunteers from throughout the Triangle.
On April 14, 2007 we proudly celebrated both the dedication of our field* to our Founding Field Sponsor “Andy’s Foundation” and our growth to over 160 children (12 teams) with over 300 volunteers.
Currently we have over 200 players (18 teams) and over 500 volunteers. We encourage you to come be a part of our history as we grow and touch more and more lives.
Click here to visit Miracle League of the Triangle’s website.
Click here to download a flyer to share! Want to sign up to help out? Email Priscilla Erwin at PriscillaE@RRAR.com.
Posted: January 25th, 2010 | Author: Lisa | Filed under: Raleigh, classes, continuing education, investment property, local events, property management | No Comments »
This is from the City of Raleigh’s weekly eNews:
Registration is open to enroll in the City of Raleigh’s Landlord Training Program, a one-day course for rental property owners and managers, real estate agents, lawyers and others who deal with rental issues.
Three sessions are planned for this year: March 10, May 12 and Oct. 20. The sessions will be held at the Raleigh Housing Authority’s multipurpose community room, located at 971 Harp St. To register or receive more information, call the City of Raleigh Community Services Department at 996-6100 or visit the City’s website at www.raleighnc.gov/communityservices.
The North Carolina State Bar and the North Carolina Real Estate Commission have approved the course for continuing education credits.
The Landlord Training Program covers such topics as screening rental applicants, strengthening rental agreements and taking legal steps to resolve problems. It also addresses the federal Housing Choice Voucher Program and the role of the City Police, Inspections and Community Services departments.
In addition, participants receive tips on reducing the likelihood of nuisance violations and drug, gang and illegal activity around rental property. They also learn about the City’s rental dwelling registration ordinance and its probationary rental occupancy permit (PROP) ordinance.
Instruction is provided by the City of Raleigh Police, Inspections and Community Services departments; City Attorney’s Office; Triangle Apartment Association; Sentinel Real Estate Corporation; Raleigh Housing Authority; and Hatch, Little & Bunn LLP.
Since the City of Raleigh began offering the Landlord Training Program in 2006, a total of 385 people have participated. Combined, they managed 29,205 rental units throughout Raleigh and had an average of 5.8 years of experience as landlords or property managers. Based on post-training session evaluations by attendees:
- 75 percent of program participants said they would make positive changes to their property and/or management practices as a result of the Landlord Training Program;
- 97 percent of program participants found the class to be worthwhile; and,
- A total of 14 participants enrolled in the program because of PROP violations.
The course is not very expensive (only $25.00!) and seems like it would be very valuable to industry professionals and real estate investors alike!
The link provided in the release is a little hard to navigate, so here is the direct link to a Word document with more information and then the link to the informational PDF (used for registering).
Posted: December 11th, 2009 | Author: Lisa | Filed under: go green, home improvement, neighborhoods, neighborly | No Comments »
One of the many benefits of being a Realtor(R) is that we have the opportunity to serve as a reliable source of information for homeowners – before, during, and after their purchases or sales. If you have a friend, family members, or neighbor who may benefit from this information, please pass it along!
New Wake County Program Weatherizing their Homes May Qualify for Referral to a New Wake County Program
Source: Town of Garner
The Town of Garner is now referring homeowners to the Wake County Weatherization Program. The Wake County Weatherization Program is designed to make your home more energy-efficient, which will lower your heating and cooling bills and make your home a safer and healthier place to be.
This weatherization program is available to residents that meet the following requirements:
- Must be a Wake County Resident
- Must be a Homeowner or Renter (with landlord approval)
- Must be a U.S. Resident
- Live in a single family home, mobile home, or certain multi-family dwelling (within program guidelines)
The Weatherization Assistance Program is a free program that reduces energy costs for low-income households by increasing the energy efficiency of their homes, while ensuring their health and safety. Low-income households typically spend 17% of their total income in energy vs. 4% for other households, which forces low-income families to
choose between heat and other necessities.
Thousands of Wake County homeowners and renters qualify to have their single-family homes, mobile homes and certain multi-family dwellings (for which special guidelines apply) weatherized, as part of an increased effort to help control energy use and cut bills.
There is no age limit to participate in the program but applicants must qualify based on their income. Please review the following income scale to determine if you qualify for this program.
Residents Income
1 $21,660
2 $29,140
3 $36,620
4 $44,100
5 $51,580
6 $59,060
7 $66,540
…add $7,480 for each additional household member
If you believe you or someone you know may qualify for this program, please contact Reginald Buie, Neighborhood Improvement Manager at (919) 773-4446 or by email at rbuie@garnernc.gov for additional information.
If you are not a Town of Garner resident, contact Ms. Janet Harrison, Weatherization Outreach Coordinator at (919) 630-7240 or the Wake County Weatherization Assistance Program directly at 1110 Navaho Drive, Suite 400, Raleigh, NC 27609 or by phone at (919) 713-1570.
Posted: December 1st, 2009 | Author: Lisa | Filed under: RRAR, RRAR Community Service Committee, giving back, local events | No Comments »
Just received this great email from our RRAR membership committees organizer, Priscilla, who keeps the Community Service committee rockin’ and rollin’ for its members between events and meetings. (You’ll see my CliffsNotes(R) in [brackets] in case you need a refresher on the projects we’ve been working on this season.)
Just wanted to pass along some terrific news.
All of the angels [Angel Tree gift drive for local children!] have been spoken for and will receive gifts on Christmas morning. We had approximately 50 angels left as of last Tuesday so I went on a shopping adventure during Thanksgiving break. The RRAR staff and I wrapped all of the gifts today.
Once I receive budget tallies from accounting, I will send an email detailing any additional [leftover cash from our annual budget] contribution we make to Inter-Faith [food shuttle].
I will also send an email noting how many boxes are shipped to the USO [donation drive of toiletries and other daily needs for our soldiers serving overseas!] once we box them tomorrow.
Lastly, because of our continued participation and support of The Shepherd’s Table and Inter-Faith Food Shuttle, the Realtor® Foundation of the Triangle (RRAR’s Foundation) will be donating $4,000 to each organization next Wednesday. At the last Board meeting, they reviewed different organizations supported by the various committees at RRAR and those were 2 of the 3 selected to receive donations.
Nothing like a little cheery news to start off the month of December!
Posted: November 2nd, 2009 | Author: Lisa | Filed under: RRAR, RRAR Community Service Committee, giving back, local events | No Comments »
Just a few quick updates from the RRAR Community Service Committee!
Support the Troops
The Raleigh Regional Association of REALTORS® will host another “Support the Troops” donation drive November 1st – 23rd. Because of your support, the drive held in June was a huge success. We sent more than 500 pounds of donated items to the largest USO distribution center in Baghdad. With your dedication, we can make this holiday drive even more successful. You can show your support to our soldiers by making a simple donation. For a complete list of requested donations, please visit www.rrar.com/rrar-events.html. The need is especially great for rags, hand sanitizer, chapstick and small bottles of shampoo and conditioner. Drop off your donations at the Board (directions) now through November 23rd and we’ll ship the items just in time for the holidays.
Project Angel Tree 2009
The holidays are quickly approaching and you can help put a smile on a child’s face by participating in Project Angel Tree 2009. The RRAR Community Service Committee is proud to sponsor this initiative, which provides gifts to children who would otherwise go without. If you would like to participate, please contact Priscilla Erwin at priscillae@rrar.com. For more information, please visit www.rrar.com/rrar-events.html.
Do these events sound right up your alley?
Looking for a few fun ways to “pay it forward?
Join the Community Service Committee!
The Community Service Committee is dedicated to making positive contributions to the community through a collective effort of service to charitable organizations. If you would like more information on how to join or to obtain information on upcoming volunteer opportunities, please contact Priscilla Erwin at priscillae@rrar.com.
Posted: September 29th, 2009 | Author: Lisa | Filed under: Hope Charter School, RRAR, RRAR Community Service Committee, local events | No Comments »
Just wanted to send a quick “Thank you!” to everyone who was so kind as to pick up donations for Hope Charter Elementary School.
Here’s a little update from Priscilla Erwin, the RRAR Member Services Associate who coordinated the project for us:
All of the food and snacks collected during the Project Hope Food Drive were delivered yesterday to Hope Elementary. Melinda, our contact person, was in tears when she saw the donations and learned of the fact we were donating a $1000 to support their efforts. Thank you so much for your support and for encouraging others to participate.
If you would like to see the pictures from yesterday, please visit http://picasaweb.google.com/ncsulilwolf/20090928RRARCSProjectHope?feat=directlink. At one point, the children were having a blast taking pictures so that’s why you’ll notice a picture of bananas. The pictures will be on the RRAR Facebook page by this afternoon.
Again, many thanks! Hope Elementary was extremely grateful for the support and stated the food and snacks collected will last them throughout the end of the school year!
Here is a link to the pictures if you’d like to check them out! We had a great time… the kids were a SUPER fun bunch!
What really amazed me was how much the school is able to do with what they have. They told us that the snacks provided will last them an entire year… a YEAR! Can you imagine?
