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!

What Can $10 Get You These Days?

Have you heard of the Habitat for Humanity ReStore? It is a wonderful concept where great deals abound... and it's all for a good cause! Right now 8 local design teams are competing for the Community Choice Award. Click here to vote for your favorite designer (of course, the one paired with Allen Tate Realtors is my personal fave :-)!). All votes are tax deductible ($10 each), and it's a great way to support not just Allen Tate but a wonderful community organization AND a grassroots business. My grandpa passed away a few weeks ago, and one of his favorite charities before Alzheimers took him was Habitat for Humanity, so this one is near and dear to me as well...

The Clock it is A-ticking!

Almost the end of October... hmmm, with loan processes taking longer now, that means there isn't a lot of time left to get in your new home by Christmas! Gone are the days of 30 days from contract to close -- even folks with substantial money down just aren't getting pushed through that quickly. So, if you have a pre-Christmas goal, better buckle down! Call your WinstonSalemTeam today!

They Feel Your Pain!

I know from experience that real estate transactions are stressful -- I often tell people "you aren't buying a sweater... you can't take it back." BUT, believe it or not, kinks in your plans will often remedy themselves if you just take a step back, sleep on it (or toss and turn relentlessly on it), and look at the big picture. Still, it's nice to know others may have experienced or are currently experiencing the same trials as you, right?

Well guess what? Allen Tate has a wonderful new video series about buying a home. It follows the journey of 2 first time homebuyers and shows the good, the bad, and the ugly as they look, investigate, and learn. I must confess that I just recently took the time to watch the videos, but I would absolutely recommend you do it now. I can't wait to see what the final decision will be! Click here to watch "Adventures in HomeBuying."

Patience is NOT Always a Virtue

"If you are thinking of selling, it would be wise to put your house on the market before prices fall again."

Read why here!

Info taken from KCMBlog.com

Picking the Right Agent

Steve Harney once again gives great advice to both buyers AND sellers on his KCMBlog. Read about why you need not just any agent but THE agent here.