New Lead-Based Paint Regulation in Effect in North Carolina

In April of 2008, the Environmental Protection Agency issued a new rule aimed at protecting children from lead-based paint hazards in places they frequent. The rule applies to renovation, repair and painting activities in housing and child-occupied facilities built prior to 1978. The rule was fully effective by April 22, 2010.
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. In North Carolina, the Health Hazards Control Unit (HHCU), certifies firms and renovators who perform renovations in housing and child-occupied facilities built before 1978, and accredits training courses and training providers who wish to teach the required renovator and/or dust sampling technician courses for certification purposes.
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 their web site - North Carolina Lead-Based Paint Hazard Management Program http://www.epi.state.nc.us/epi/lead/lhmp.html The NC Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division of Public Health, Health Hazards Control Unit (HHCU) can be contacted by calling (919) 707-5950.

Rates for 6-8-10 -- WOW

30 year fixed 4.625%
15 year fixed 4.250%
5/1 Conventional ARM 3.375%
FHA 4.750%
VA 4.750%
NCHFA 4.750%

Investment 5.375%

Professional Movers or Do it Yourself?

This is adapted from my monthly HomeNotes newsletter. If you would like to subscribe, please let me know!

If hiring a moving company, keep a few things in mind:
-- Hire a reputable company
-- Make sure the mover is properly insured
-- Request a home visit and written estimate
-- Avoid end of the month and summer moves
-- Let the movers pack your breakables so they will be insured
-- Document everything

If doing it yourself:
-- Make a pre-move packing list for each box
-- Have more boxes and supplies on hand than you think you will need
-- Keep similar items together
-- Have cleaning supplies handy
-- Safeguard valuable items


For more details or elaboration, text or email me. I can send you the actual newsletter. Have a good week!

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!