Another FABULOUS Tate tool has been unveiled... if you are like me, seeing something makes it so much more clear than hearing it or reading it. Well, voila! A Carolinas Market Report via video! http://athome.allentate.com/2012/07/stay-in-the-know-with-video/

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!

Winston-Salem, NC!

Great post today on Allen Tate's blog, At Home in the Carolinas, about Winston-Salem and all she has to offer. As a native of the area, I take some of these things for granted! Click here for the article.

What Do I Need to Ask???

There is a GREAT post on Allen Tate's At home blog today. I didn't realize that I haven't posted in over a week (YIKES!), so I guess I should be ashamed for just pointing you in the direction of another blog, but I really do think the info is relevant. I was especially impressed by the "other obligations" question. That has really become relevant for me, as yes, as a matter of a fact I DO have other obligations now... namely an adorable 2 year old and precious 1 year old! But, never fear! I realize this may be a hindrance to our partnership. Everyone is totally cool with the need for family time, but let's face it, when you want your agent, you want your agent NOW. So, yet another reason why I am soooo thankful I have partnered with Lisa. She can fill my gaps, and I can fill hers. Aaaahhhh.... it's a 2 for 1 deal!

The other part that really spoke to me dealt with what communication mode you prefer. I will text, email, tweet, call, etc... and not all agents can say that. If texting is important, make sure you work with an agent who regularly communicates that way. If phone calls are important, make sure your agent has her mobile phone with her constantly. If email is your preferred method, make DOUBLY sure they have mobile email capabilites and don't just check their messages once or twice a day. Time is of the essence, folks!

Read the full article here.

Good Housekeeping Tips!

Ever wonder how people years ago kept their homes clean? I mean, they didn't have our science or technology, so they must have had problems with general cleaning, right? Wrong!

The Allen Tate blog (http://athome.allentate.com) has a great post today about common household items and how they can be used for cleaning. Check it out here!

It Works Both Ways

Please understand... I love people. I love this business. I love doing something different every day. I love getting to know people. I love exceeding people's expectations.

What I don't love is unrealistic expectations. A lot of agents are out there. Some are experienced, some are not. With experience comes wisdom, confidence, and practical advice. Most folks out there do not want to be an agent's first client... they don't want to be the one who has to learn hard lessons along with the agent. They want their agent to have already learned those lessons and for their relationship to benefit from those experiences.

But here's the problem... an experienced agent is probably also a very busy one. To get the benefit of working with an experienced agent, you may have to "share" your agent with others. This does not mean your needs are not importyant, but it may mean that your agent is dealing with an emergency with another client and can't call you back until later.

I want all of my clients to feel like they are my only client, but I also need them to know that they are not. If you work with me based on my experience and track record, please understand that I probably have several transactions going at once. I will do my best for you, and if it is an emergency you will come first, but if there are other more pressing matters you may have to wait a few hours for a return phone call. There are agents out there who may be able to give you 100% of their time, but I think in those situations consumers need to ask why they are able to do that... Is it because they are brand new and inexperienced? Is it because they do not have a good reputation in the market? Is it because all of their clients have fired them? Is it because they have been on a month long vacation and therefore know nothing of current inventory?

In a nutshell, with experience comes an occasional need to compromise. If I don't call you back because I am on the phone with another client until after 10pm (which is later than I am usually up anyway!), rest assured you will be first on my list to call in the morning!

Foreclosure Buzz

Good info on the recent foreclosure halt on the Allen Tate blog, "At Home in the Carolinas". Clink link to see more!

Real Estate v Baseball

OK, I admit it... this is copied from the At Home in the Carolinas blog -- I love baseball, so this one was very enjoyable!


South Carolina produced major league standouts like Camden’s Larry Doby and Anderson’s Jim Rice. North Carolina brought us Williamston’s Gaylord Perry, Hertford’s Catfish Hunter, and Raleigh’s Josh Hamilton. And while the Carolinas do not have a major league baseball team (yet), minor league teams such as the Durham Bulls, Charlotte Knights, Carolina Mudcats, Burlington Royals, Greensboro Grasshoppers, and Winston-Salem Dash keep the game relevant and thriving.
Being a fan of the sport, I recently spent some time thinking about the game and its myriad of rules, rituals and strategies developed over its many decades. Turns out, there’s a lot we can learn from the game when talking real estate:
 Baseball is a rewarding long-term investment of your time. So is real estate.
 In a Buyer’s market, it’s better to be the batter than the ball.
 Numbers are important. You can’t properly analyze a baseball team or a real estate market without understanding them.
 Deferred maintenance never works to your advantage (Apologies to the Baltimore Orioles).
 Waiting until next year is not always the best strategy. Get your home sold now before inventories explode. Buy a home now before mortgage rates leave the basement.
 Past performance does not guarantee future performance. Watch out for underperforming “superstars” and housing bubbles.
 Trust your coach. Love your trusted REALTOR®.
 Sometimes homeownership throws us a curve. That’s when you’re happy to have a home warranty.
 A well-maintained lawn is more valuable than artificial turf.
 Spitting should never be permitted in a dugout or a living room.