http://www.stonepropertiesnc.com/blog Lake Norman NC Real Estate Wed, 04 Feb 2009 16:05:23 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Ideally, the seller should not be present at their open house. Other effective open house tips include: invite the neighborhood; use well-positioned signs to attract potential buyers; offer comprehensive fact sheets and brochures; maximize the curb appeal of the home; show a clean home with no clutter; bake cookies or ... http://www.stonepropertiesnc.com/blog/?p=56 A home warranty covers repair and replacement costs for appliances and other home systems that break down during a covered period. A home warranty can protect a homebuyer from any potential problems after the purchase. Home warranties were introduced in the early 1970s as a result of numerous lawsuits stemming ... http://www.stonepropertiesnc.com/blog/?p=55 "Stagers" are designers who conduct home makeovers. They rearrange furniture, de-clutter, buy accessories, install light fixtures, and repaint walls, with the goal of showing potential buyers a home that is tasteful and impersonal enough to allow them "to mentally move in." A recent study in San Francisco recorded staged homes on ... http://www.stonepropertiesnc.com/blog/?p=54 A biweekly mortgage requires a loan payment every two weeks. The end year result is one extra monthly payment toward the loan principal. Consequently, the loan amortizes faster than a loan with normal monthly payments. For example, a thirty-year fixed rate loan with biweekly payment terms will be paid off ... http://www.stonepropertiesnc.com/blog/?p=53 Remove screens from windows and install storm windows Clean out gutters and downspouts Insulate pipes in your home's crawl spaces and attic Store firewood at least 30 feet away from your home Familiarize responsible family members with the gas main valve and other appliance valves Clean the clothes dryer exhaust ... http://www.stonepropertiesnc.com/blog/?p=52 According to the U.S. Census, 47% of householders in the U.S. owned their homes at the beginning of the 20th century. By the 1940s, the homeownership rate declined to 44%. Post World War II population and economic growth coupled with better mortgage lending methods produced steady increases in homeownership. By ... http://www.stonepropertiesnc.com/blog/?p=51 President Ronald Reagan signed the Tax Reform Act of 1986 into law. The act simplified the income tax code, broadened the tax base and eliminated many tax shelters. It also increased incentives favoring homeowners. The home mortgage interest deduction was increased while other tax adjustments were made to favor homeowners ... http://www.stonepropertiesnc.com/blog/?p=50 Traditional shopping malls are giving way to lifestyle centers. Lifestyle centers are outdoor shopping centers with plazas, fountains and pedestrian streets. According to a recent report by the International Council of Shopping Centers, less than five new traditional shopping malls have opened since 2006. During the same period, more than ... http://www.stonepropertiesnc.com/blog/?p=49 Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange (CLUE) reports check insurance claim history for a property. Traditionally used by insurers, CLUE reports are playing an increasingly important role in real estate transactions. Many buyers now stipulate a CLUE report on the home be included with the real estate contract. Some state legislatures are ... http://www.stonepropertiesnc.com/blog/?p=48 According to the EPA, various forms of mold are found in up to 50% of all structures. Mold is a biological pollutant that grows in moist conditions and is considered a serious health hazard. Real estate home inspectors are increasingly on the lookout for mold before closing a home sale. ... http://www.stonepropertiesnc.com/blog/?p=47