ComeHomeToClemmons.com Featured in Video

Neil Brown of Brown Advertising put together a video of client testimonials highlighting his talents as a graphic and web designer. Lisa and I were honored to be included in the video (and it's proof positive we need to stick to selling homes as opposed to our movie careers!). Honestly, though, if you are looking for an edge for 2012 in your marketing, contact Neil. HE WILL NOT TRY TO SELL YOU, but his products will do it anyway. Just no other Realtors, please... :-). Simply click "video" above --

Seriously, to get an idea of what he can do, look at ComeHomeToClemmons.com. I literally said "Here are some photos, some general info... run with it and see what you can do." It really is dynamic and represents Warren's Gate beautifully. Way to go, Neil!

Photo Op!

Lisa and I were fortunate to be featured in The Winston Salem Journal's recent HomePlace. We spoke about our utilization of social media, and how we have incorporated it into our "toolkit" for both buyers and sellers. Click here to see the article.

It's Crunch Time

I had 2 different people ask me today about the local market, and that is such a loaded question! Lisa and I are extremely busy, and for that we are so grateful, BUT we are also having to have some very difficult discussions with our clients. Sellers are no longer joyous when they hear they have an offer -- instead they cringe and ask "how bad is it?" Buyers are no longer optimistic about the value they are getting -- instead they are asking "what if the value ends up going down even more?" We don't have crystal balls, but it is more important than EVER to hire a trusted real estate professional. We can walk you through the process, whether buying or selling, and eliminate some of the guesswork. Contact us today -- don't wait for spring. Rates will be higher, and more homes will be on the market with which sellers have to compete. It's definitely crunch time!

Triad Real Estate (and other musings...): Mortgage Breakdown http://ping.fm/TvQ25

Mortgage Breakdown

I came across this inforgraphic in my monthly Lowes Realtor benefits newsletter. It breaks down a mortgage payment into its possible 4 parts, and if you are like me, a picture is a great way to finally understand a concept. Click here to see it!

Triad Real Estate (and other musings...): Leaving a Legacy http://ping.fm/Y1ra6

Leaving a Legacy

The Triad area lost one of its finest last week. Buck Horn of Buck Horn Construction passed away from complications from leukemia at the young age of 54. I had worked with him several times throughout my real estate career, both across the table in transactions as well as on the same side of the closing table. He was a professional colleague, but I also considered him a personal friend.

Buck was truly larger than life... when he walked into a room, he commanded attention not by demand but by natural charisma. Always smiling, always putting an interesting "spin" on things, always putting thinsg into perspective, and ALWAYS building others up and helping others out... that was just Buck. If you didn't get a chance to read his obituary, seek it out -- every single word is true.

Buck is most well known in our area for his home construction business, but he was so much more. He was an entrepeneur, a wonderful husband, a devoted father, a lover of God, and a friend to many. He was behind the scenes supporting so many causes and individuals and families... just standing in line after the memorial service, I learned of so many ways he had helped others while never asking for recognition of any kind.

Buck, you are missed.

Up and Out!

I often get chided by my buyer clients because I am always looking "up" and "out" -- up at the ceiling and out at the yard. Maybe it's because I grew up in a floodplain and literally remember standing with my brother as he fished off the carport into our backyard (true story!), or maybe it's because my otherwise incredibly maintained rental apartment in law school (that's a whole other story...) had a minor but consistent leak around an exhaust pipe which resulted in major roof expenses, but I am ALWAYS looking up and out when viewing a home. Does the yard slope towards the home? Are there any slushy patches that hint at poor drainage? Are there any cracks that are more than the typical settling crack in a ceiling or over a door? Are there any water spots on the ceiling, old or fresh? Of course, when any of these are seen, my advice is to always consult the seller's agent but then, most importantly, consult a certified home inspector. Steve Martin with Pillar to Post sent out a blog about this very thing today, and here is an excerpt:
From "popcorn" to plaster to drywall, there are many different ceiling materials in today's homes. Look for signs of damage no matter what the material. Ceiling stains can indicate water damage from leaking pipes, a bathroom fixture overflow, or a leaking roof. Before any attempt is made to repair water damage, it must be determined if the cause of the leak will continue to affect the ceiling, or if it the damage is related to a single event in the past. If water is dripping from the ceiling, the source of the water will need to be found and stopped, and the ceiling will need to be thoroughly dried before attempting any repair work. If the damage is severe, a professional contractor specializing in structural drying should be consulted.... Minor ceiling cracks are not uncommon and may simply be the result of the home settling. Even older homes can continue to settle for decades. If the cracks are minor, they can be repaired with relative ease. The technique used will depend on the ceiling material. Old plaster ceilings will often sag and crack over time, and can be patched with drywall instead of new plaster. Popcorn ceiling cracks can be covered with aerosol sprays made specifically for this use. Major cracking can be due to seismic activity or structural issues and should be assessed by a professional before repair or replacement.


To learn more about Steve and his home inspection services, visit www.pillartopost.com.

Adventures in HomeBuying -- THE END!

Genevieve and Amy wrap it up with the final installment of the Allen Tate Company's "Adventures in Home Buying" series on YouTube. If you don't have time to watch the video, here are some pointers to remember:

 Talk with a Realtor®.
 Keep an open mind.
 Check your credit score.
 Do the white glove test.
 Location affects price.
 Check out the area.
 Get pre-qualified.
 Better safe than sorry.
 Insurance isn’t one-size-fits-all.
 Offer is more than price.
More information can be found on these on the Allen Tate blog athome.allentate.com.

I'd definitely encourage you to view the videos... viewing something makes me much more likely to remember it, and I fgure many of you are the same. Just go here to see them, and if you decide to embark on step #1, call us today!