Staging Tips

The following tips are from the April-June, Vol 89 No. 2 issue of Insight magazine (NAR):

-- Place a new floor mat at entry, a new mailbox if existing one is aged, and new mulch around flower beds
-- Paint, stain, or varnish front door and install a new kick plate
-- Clean and de-clutter foyer (light fixtures and floor); add a small entrance table with fresh flowers
-- Put away all "collections", political and religious mementos, and business, sport, and personal awards
-- Remove all crowded furniture
-- Remove extra leaf from dining room table and place nice white tablecloth and flower arrangement on it
-- Remove all magnets from refrigerator and stow all small appliances in cabinets
-- Downplay dated ceramic tile with white rugs, towels, and window treatments; replace rusty sinks or touch up rusty spots; repair or replace old exhaust fans
-- Clean out closets to make them appear larger
-- Remove stains from garage floors
-- Clean all windows and cobwebs in corners
-- Repair all screen holes or replace completely; make sure outdoor furniture is clean and orderly

As you can see, most of these are very simple and cheap... but the impact they can have can make a huge difference!

Is it Over?

A lot of people these days are asking "Now that the tax credit deadline is over, is the excitement over as well?". The answer is a resounding NO! There are still tons of beautiful homes out there, and interest rates are still wonderful... so it is still a fabulous time to buy. Email me today for an email account where you can search homes for sale in REAL time... unlike a lot of search engines where homes showing as available sold or went off the market 30 or even 45 days ago. If you don't want an email account because you worry you will get an inbox stuffed with property details, then just visit AmandaShore.com, which is updated every 30 minutes. All Triad homes for sale through our multiple listing service are there. If you are looking beyond the Triad to another part of NC, nationally, or even internationally, let me know... Tate is a part of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, which is an elite referral network covering the globe. Put your move in the hands of someone with experience and knowledge!

We've Moved!!!

WINSTON SALEM, N.C. - Allen Tate Realtors has moved its Winston-Salem sales office to a building at 147 S. Cherry St. Allen Tate will lease 9,110 square feet of space on the first floor. The new location will accommodate Allen Tate Realtors formerly working at the Stratford Street location, with extra space for new agents who join the company.

Mike Thornburg is the branch leader and broker-in-charge. Terri Massengale recently joined Allen Tate as the sales manager for the Cherry Street location and business development manager for the Winston-Salem market. Read more at http://bit.ly/cjvNX0

Current Rates

Rates are still great! According to Jennifer Tuttle and the Allen Tate Mortgage Minute, the FHA rate is 4.875, and the conventional rate is 4.75... BUT economists are predicting they will be up to 6 or higher by Christmas. That can make a huge difference, especially with the increased FHA up-front PMI now required. Call me to act now!

Way to Go Tate!

Allen Tate Company is Top Carolinas-Based Real Estate Firm
Company ranks #7 among independent brokers on REAL Trends 500 report

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (May 3, 2010) – Allen Tate Company (www.allentate.com) is the top real estate firm based in the Carolinas and ranks #7 among the country’s largest independently owned, non-franchised brokers, and #15 among all brokers, based on closed transactions sides for 2009, according to the REAL Trends 500 report.
The annual report, which ranks the country’s top 500 real estate firms, will be published this month by REAL Trends, the nation’s leading publisher of trends and analysis of the residential real estate brokerage industry.
Allen Tate Company closed 12,600 transaction sides in 2009 to earn the rankings. The company also ranked #10 among independent brokers and #21 in the country among all brokers, based on 2009 closed sales volume.
“Allen Tate continues to lead the Carolinas as the top-ranked real estate firm based here,” said Pat Riley, president, Allen Tate Company. “It’s also a great honor to have name recognition among relocating clients who move here from other parts of the country and are familiar with us because of our national ranking.”

About REAL Trends 500
The REAL Trends 500 is an annual research report which identifies the country’s largest and most successful residential firms as ranked by closed transaction sides and separately by closed sales volume. This report represents the most trusted standard of measuring the performance of the nation’s leading realty service firms.

Pending Sales on the Rise!

(Reuters) - Pending sales of previously owned homes hit a five-month high in March as buyers rushed to sign contracts before a tax credit expired, while a jump in factory orders underscored manufacturing strength.

http://bit.ly/dsnOuh

Is the Madness Over?

If you a Realtor, you are probably feeling a little dazed from the mad rush of folks trying to take advantage of the tax credit over the last couple of weeks. While I do think some of the urgency is gone, I think when people realize that rates will be rising we will be right at it again! I know the last couple of days my phone has not rung quite as much, but folks are still on the hunt. Happy Spring!

Now... to the potential buyers out there... Rates today are 4.875 for conventional and FHA, but they will not stay that way. Economists and leading real estate indices are indicating a rise over the summer... and on a $100,000 property, even a half point can make a difference. So, even though you may have missed out on the tax credit, the early bird still catches the worm. Call me today if you have questions or are ready to get started!