It’s time to start thinking about how to make your home stand shoulders above the rest if you are planning to sell in 2008. However, don’t make unneeded repairs for which you won’t be able to recoup the improvement costs. The most important concepts of making your home salable are to give the appearance of being neat, clean and spacious.

Remodeling magazine found that homeowners could recover 83% of the cost of a minor kitchen remodel at resale compared with 78% of a major kitchen remodeling. Therefore, logic suggests that you replace a countertop if it’s crumbling but not if its only fault is having an outdated appearance. And, there’s no need to update to granite unless the competition has granite countertops as well. (more…)

This one-of-a-kind lakefront lot is truly unique within the Malone Bay community. It is one of the most desirable, if not the most desirable lot among the few remaining properties with waterfront access to W. Kerr Scott Lake.

Malone Bay features 18 lots at W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir. 14 are Lakefront and meet private dock requirements. This is a gated community with Lots ranging from 2.3+- acres to 6.8+- acres On the Hwy 421 side of the lake just off South Minton Road, Wilkesboro, NC 28697

Main Channel Views.
300 feet of waterfront.
Dock with boat slip and 2 jet ski slips.

2.86 acres.

MLS Number: 51155
List Price: $359,000
Lot Size: 2.86 ac.
Apx Acreage: 2.86
Type: Waterfront
Area: Area 2
Suitable Use: Residential

Topography: Rolling
Utilities: Underground Utilities
Road Frontage: Private Road
Restrictions: yes
Water/Sewer: Public Water
Miscellaneous: 1-5 Acres
Location: Malone Way

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search for : Malone Bay, W. Kerr Scott Lake, W. Kerr Scott Dam

United States banks are losing billions of dollars from the mortgage debacle. As credit woes threaten the broader economy, investigators are trying to determine whether Wall Street investment banks bundled risky loans with good ones without properly disclosing such risk to investors.

Law enforcement officials are scrutinizing whether banks and mortgage lenders helped fuel the crisis by misleading investors about dicey housing assets and then covered up losses when the markets turned sour. Many of the bank assets that diaappeared were explicitly marketed as involving borrowers with troubled credit histories, alerting investors that they were high-risk bets. (more…)

search for : mortgage debacle, mortgage lender

Being that we all use or kitchens more during the holiday season, most kitchen remodels begin as soon as the holidays end. That’s usually when the taste of antiquated appliances, fixtures, cabinetry and odd-colored finishes are still fresh in everyone’s mind.

We will all probably agree that the kitchen is the single most complex room in our homes. So justifiably so, we need to be sure to study each and every aspect as thoroughly as possible before you spending a dime on the remodeling project. (more…)

search for : remodels

MSN is featuring a fine article entitled “Find a superstar real-estate agent”. Presented in a time-line fashion, the article details steps a prospective homeowner might fine useful in selecting the “right” agent for their home purchase or sale.

In fact, the difference between an average real-estate agent or a superstar can mean thousands of dollars in the pocket of a consumer. It can mean selling a home for top dollar or losing the house of dreams to a more organized buyer. (more…)

The amount paid in local and state property taxes in the country increased 50 percent from 2000 to 2006, according to Census data cited by some U.S. Congress members when discussing the topic. During that time, inflation rose 17 percent and median household income dropped 2 percent. Local governments and states leaning more heavily on property taxes to meet revenue shortfalls and rising home values pushing up assessments.

Homeowners only know they have to find a way to pay the bills and are pressuring their legislative leaders to do something. At least five states this year cut property taxes and 21 tried to provide homeowners relief from higher bills, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. In 2008, more legislatures are expected to try to find solutions to rising taxes. Congress has gotten involved through proposals that would allow people who don’t itemize to deduct all or portions of their local or state property tax bills from their federal income tax. (more…)

search for : property tax, cut property taxes

“Green Building & Remodeling for Dummies” by Eric Corey Freed may be the perfect give for the house or condo owner that 1) is interested in doing a bit of remodeling and 2) leans towards protecting our environment.

The book is a step-by-step guide to every facet of this earth-friendly method of construction. Building with eco-friendly materials involves designing and constructing buildings and homes to reduce energy use, conserve water, improve indoor air quality, and reduce reliance on nonrenewable natural resources.

Eric Corey Freed teaches sustainable design at the Academy of Art University and the University of California, Berkeley. He sits on the board of numerous environmentally focused nonprofits and museums. (more…)

search for : eco-friendly, reduce energy use