Great Day! Meeting with our Technology committee (Co-Chair) working on new MLS provider for our Western NC MLS with nearly 4000 agents. Offer on a home that just might work!

Brevard NC Farm Fair http://ping.fm/V4bx8

Take time to let this sink in. It took me several reads before it made since.
"Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler" Albert Einstein March 14th 1879 to April 18, 1955

MYTH: Scientists are not sure that radon really is a problem.


FACT: Although some scientists dispute the precise number of deaths due to radon, all the major health organizations (like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Lung Association and the American Medical Association) agree with estimates that radon causes thousands of preventable lung cancer deaths every year. This is especially true among smokers, since the risk to smokers is much greater than to non-smokers.


MYTH: Radon testing is difficult, time-consuming and expensive.


FACT: Radon testing is easy and inexpensive.


MYTH: Radon testing devices are not reliable and are difficult to find.


FACT: Reliable testing devices are available from qualified radon testers and companies.


MYTH: Homes with radon problems can't be fixed.


FACT: There are simple solutions to radon problems in homes. Hundreds of thousands of homeowners have already fixed radon problems in their homes. Radon levels can be readily lowered for $800 to $2,500 (with an average cost of $1,200)..


MYTH: Radon affects only certain kinds of homes.


FACT: House construction can affect radon levels. However, radon can be a problem in homes of all types: old homes, new homes, drafty homes, insulated homes, homes with basements, and homes without basements. Local geology, construction materials, and how the home was built are among the factors that can affect radon levels in homes.


MYTH: Radon is only a problem in certain parts of the country.


FACT: High radon levels have been found in every state. Radon problems do vary from area to area, but the only way to know your radon level is to test.


MYTH: A neighbor's test result is a good indication of whether your home has a problem.


FACT: It's not. Radon levels can vary greatly from home to home. The only way to know if your home has a radon problem is to test it.

"Worrying does not rob tomorrow of it's troubles, but today of it's Joy." - Corrie ten Boom

Impressive year-round Long range parkway & valley views. House will be built at a cool 2600'+ elevation. House will be built not only to your specifications with change orders and to be built upon a contract to build. This is a pre construction pricing and there are many options like adding a full unfinished basement or have it finished, and 660 sq. foot second level with 4th bedroom, bath and a bonus room. Second story finished is only $58,000 more. Here is a link to the house web site: My web site http://ping.fm/qNdK8

The house at base price is full of custom features, like some ceilings as high as 20+ feet and finished in wood, hardwood floors # 2 grade 3 1/4" oak or to your choice, Tile in baths and laundry, carpet in 2 bedrooms with master having hardwood. Granite counter tops in the kitchen with all fixtures in Oil Rubbed Bronze. Crown molding in the master, dining, keeping room and kitchen. 2 stone floor to ceiling fireplaces with one in the keeping room and one in the family room. Ceiling heights are from 9 feet to 20+ feet with some rooms like master and master have in a tray ceiling, master bath has a vaulted ceiling. 2 huge covered screened in decks to enjoy the long range views with one off the master and one off the family room. Large front covered porch with flagstone, from your level entry with rock.

Besides the 2 car garage the front of the house is accented in rock, shakes and board and batten hardy plank siding for easy care as well as what you would expect in a home of this quality.

House is situated on the lot so you can enjoy the year round views from the keeping room, kitchen, family room and master suite as well as bedroom 2. Sylvan Heights is located just a short 12 minutes to historic downtown Brevard NC. You can be at the DuPont State Forest and the Pisgah National Forest in 15 minutes.

Sellers are North Carolina Realtors and builders are Crone Custom homes. Richard Crone and Tim Henderson have a long time quality reputation for building some of the finest homes in Transylvania County. www.cronecustomhomes.com

Give Jay Kaiser a call today for further information 828-421-0375 or Jay@HomeINBrevard.com

Old World Charm with Privacy for under 100K
Current owner has heard the part of the house was built in the 1800's. No signs are left except the stone work on the Chimney. Priced to sell!
Less than 3 miles to downtown Brevard & close to Brevard High School. All one level rustic home with large shop & carport, several storage buildings/sheds. Over 2 acres of privacy, garden space, turn of century house turned into kids clubhouse, suspect hardwood floors thought-out with vinyl laminate over top in living room. Newer well pump & lines, septic system, metal roof, large level yard, paved drive & parking, 37' covered front porch. There is even a newly built 2 hole outhouse to keep the old world charm!
This link is good for 30 days after this posting. If it fails to work let me know and I will update the link.
http://ping.fm/mOTbu

Transylvania County Library
phone:828-884-3151
website:Transylvania County Library
History:
The Transylvania County Library was founded in 1912 by the local chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy. The library's collection began with the gift of 300 books willed to the city of Brevard by W. Lowndes Hume, the son of Robert W. Hume, a Confederate veteran and prominent Charlestonian. The original library building was purchased by the U.D.C. at public auction and had been constructed as the club house of a failed development called the Appalachian Club Estates. The small green frame structure stood immediately east of the Courthouse, on property owned by the County. In 1956, the brick building beside the Courthouse which now houses the County's Administrative Offices, was erected as a new library and the little green "cottage" was demolished.



The Transylvania County Library moved to the corner of South Broad and Morgan streets in 1974. Constructed in 1940, and dedicated as a United States Post Office in 1941, this building is a typical example of WPA civic architecture. The building's heritage is also reflected in the Pietro Lazzari mural "Good News" which depicts a rural mountain scene and the arrival of the postman. Substantial renovation took place to make the building ready for library service, including the addition of the north end. The Children's Department and the Sarah Keels Tilson Historical Room were dedicated in 1986.



The Library moved to its new home at 212 South Gaston Street in May of 2006. The new library has 35,000 square feet of space for a variety of features including a community room, a local history room that contains the county archives, a reference area with 24 public computers, a young adult area, popular browsing area, and children's area.

The Gratitude Campaign
http://ping.fm/bQsn4

How much deeper would the ocean be without sponges?

It is wonderful how much time good people spend fighting the devil. If they would only expend the

same amount of energy loving their fellow men, the devil would die in his own tracks of ennui.

Helen Keller

Fantastic Straus Lot

Wonderful easy to build on lot with long range winter views and possible year round. Enjoy all the amenities of Straus Park and Brevard NC. Straus features a lake for swimming, fishing, canoeing, miles of trails, Lake House for parties or just sitting around a fire, clay tennis courts. Straus Park is Brevard’s most upscale community ideally located minutes from downtown, shopping, hospital & medical, Pisgah National Forest & more. http://ping.fm/nMWQm

As a Planning Board Member I am encouraged by the progress that Brevard and Transylvania County is Making!

Transylvania County Economy - Snapshot

There were no new commercial building permits issued during July. There were seven commercial additions/alterations permits issued in July with a value of $291,121. There were 13 new residential building permits issued in July with a value of $3,872,900. The occupancy tax collected for June totaled $40,658. The June unemployment rate was 8.6%.

Business Development

•¨ The Economic Development Advisory Board is currently working with staff to develop a new draft 2009-2012 Economic Development Strategic Plan that incorporates results from the recent business and community survey. Staff is working to have a rough draft ready for the EDAB to review at their August meeting.

•¨ Planning staff and the Planning Board continue to work on the zoning ordinance for the Pisgah Forest corridor. We held one special meeting in July as well as the regular Planning Board meeting to review the ordinance. The Planning Board members will continue to review the draft at a special meeting August 12th and their regular meeting August 20th. The Board will meet with the residents of Pisgah Forest to seek additional input in September. The draft zoning ordinance is available at http://econdev.transylvaniacounty.org then hit the Pisgah Forest Zoning button.

•¨ Have spoke several times with a business interested in relocating to the County. Have also provided them with demographics and available property in the county.

•¨ We have received six business plans for the Transylvania Partnership's Business Development Competition. The winners will be announced at the Business Appreciation Luncheon in September.

PLANNING HIGHLIGHTS

•¨ The draft Flood Damage Prevention ordinance update sent to the Board of Commissioners was approved by the State. A public hearing was held on July 27 at the Commissioners meeting. They will act on adoption of the draft at a later date.

•¨ Phase 1 of Glenlaurel Preserve subdivision is almost complete with the roads being paved and the water and sewer system complete pending State approval.

•¨ The Planning Board began reviewing and revising the draft Pisgah Forest Corridor Zoning Ordinance at their regular meeting on July 16 and continued at a special meeting on July 30. This process will continue for several months.

From: Mark R. Burrows, Director Planning and Economic Development Transylvania County

“Buy this $285,000 home and keep a $254,000 payment.” That’s right and you ask how? The seller is willing to buy down your interest rate from the already historic lows to an even lower one. What this means for you is a lower income needed to qualify for the loan, and a lower payment! Call for details!
http://ping.fm/kotdu

That’s right and you ask how? The seller is willing to buy down your interest rate from the already historic lows to even lower. What this means for you is often is lower income to qualify for a loan, lower payments. As an example at a 5.25 to 5.449% the seller is willing to buy down you loan to a 4.25 or 4.437%
Give me a call so I can explain the benefits of this program. 828-421-0375
MLS listing http://www.wncrmls.com/wnc/maildoc/a001nR2239.html

Has Your Listing Gone To The Dogs?
I recently saw this posting by Patricia Kennedy and had to pass it along. Humor with truth. I have 3 outside dogs and 2 inside but the house is not for sale.
OK, I have as much trouble as the next person being totally straight with a potential seller about that beloved, often spoiled rotten, family member who barks.

Yes, I have certainly been known to suck up to a dog who terrified me in order to get a great listing. I'm a dog person, after all.

But here's the thing. The dog (or dogs) can be a strong negative when it comes to getting your listing sold.

Yesterday, I showed a bunch of condos. One had really strong appeal in a lot of ways. When I called the agent, he alerted me to two small dogs who were caged inside the apartment, and said they shouldn't be a problem. And in a way they were not. In another way, they were a huge problem!

When I got to the apartment door, there was a cacophony of bark coming from the other side. They didn't sound small. They didn't sound caged.

But hey! I'm a dog person! The agent assured me they were caged and not of the Realtor® eating variety. So I decided to go in first to make sure it was safe.

And it was, if you were immune to hearing loss. It was clear that these two little chihuahuas would rather be home in Mexico than caged in a Dupont Circle condo! And they made a huge racket for the entire time we were there.

It made it impossible for my buyer to fully appreciate the pretty crown moldings, they gray marble bath, the walk-in closet, the cherry cabinets or granite counter tops in the kitchen, or the back garden. It was like showing a listing with the alarm system going off!

My buyer is making an offer, but not on this place!

So, if you're listing a house with a dog, and if you're too chicken to tell it like it is, email me at housepat@mac.com, and I will send you the pet chapter from my book. It's called "Your Family Calls Him Fido; Your Broker Calls him Fang". Just give it to them to read. It will do the job for you.

Tips to Service Your Air Conditioner Between Professional Inspections

Turn off the unit before you begin. Start with the coils. Dust and dirt act to reduce heat flow, so cleanliness is practical. Central air conditioners have two coils. One, located inside (usually connected to the furnace ductwork), absorbs heat from the house, chilling the air and removing humidity. The second, outside the house, expels heat as a large fan blows air over the coils. A good shop vacuum should be up to the task. You may want to use a spray cleaner to loosen accumulated debris and dirt. Air conditioning removes moisture that drains into a pan and then to the outside. Clean the drain pan. Keep this drain system clean to prevent mold, etc. (A pro can add a tablet to the pan to keep bacteria from growing.) Make sure the condensate drain system and all filters and fans are clean. Clean or replace filters each month during the periods of use. Source: Minnesota Office of Energy Security.

TO DIE for Oreo Truffles
SO- by popular demand I am giving away my secret recipe--thanks Lucky ;) I first had these truffles about a year ago and something was missing so I amended the recipe and handed them out at local events and now I am known for these things. So here is my secret...
1 8oz. package of softened cream cheese
1 stick of melted butter
1 package of regular oreos--crushed
2 blocks of white chocolate almond bark
Blend together first three ingredients for about 3 minutes, you want the mixture smooth. Chill for one hour. Roll into bite size balls and then dunk in melted almond bark chocolate. Let cool on wax paper. Then cool again (I usually put them in the refrigerator over night and they are ready to go the next day.) Hint: Don't over heat the chocolate--it won't work then. Just put in for 1.5 min and then stir and then put in for 30 sec. intervals until smooth.
AND WAHLAAA....they are really good and I warn you that you can't have just one... Thank you and good luck!

I just had to pass this along as I saw this from a fellow Realtor Patric Scott. I see so many truths and the one guarantee you will get is the Kaiser Team does not fit into the Ugly and Clueless!
My wife and I bought our first home in 1993. It was a different time for us, and we were both in modestly paying jobs (though by today's standards, in retrospect, we may have been doing fairly well). I was at such a low rung on the latter at the title company, the position doesn't even exist today. But I still remember some of the events during our quest to become former renters that have shaped my opinions about real estate agents. So, from a buyer's perspective, I thought I'd share a few thoughts, both positive and negative, that have remained in my memory.
Without the means to purchase in Chicago, we thought the immediate suburbs would be a good place to start. We were young enough, and free enough, that the city still had an attraction - and most of our friends were still there. We looked at a frame house with a fire place and a spacious yard. The place needed work, I'll admit. My parents walked through it with us and begged us to run, not walk, away from it. We went as far as to hire a home inspector, who placed a marble on the floor and it rolled rapidly to the wall. We were idiots, blind to the realities of that house.
The Bad Agent
The home inspector also explained to us that the foundation was unstable and that the home had serious issues. That was the moment our dreams for the home began to fade. We brought the concerns of the home inspector to the selling agent. You know what he said? "Foundation Shmoundation!" He actually said that. The guy actually tried to convince us that the foundation mattered little for the great price.
The selling agent, obviously sensing that he had not convinced us with the "foundation shmoundation" bit of brilliance, then layed down the ace in his sleave. It seems some developers were offering some pretty good money for the place so they could demolish it and build townhomes. Not being developers ourselves, we decided that we would not demolish the place and build townhomes ourselves - but the developers were welcome to do so without our competing bid.
The Good Agent
We were later referred to an agent about an hour out of the city, who met with us and listened to us. She asked about our finances and, more importantly, what mattered to us most in buying a home. She only brought us to homes that fit the description of what we wanted. She did not waste our time. And, above all, she did not try to push anything on us. She kept comments to a helpful minimum. We bought a home within weeks well outside of the city that we had hoped to remain near. But she let us make that decision. We are still in the same boony area to this day.
We recommended her to two of our friends, both of whom bought homes in the same area as we did, and they were both homes that she facilitated.
The Clueless Agent
As an aside, it is interesting to note that the first agent we had contacted to assist us in finding a home never gave up. After living in our new home for over two years, she called us up - at the home we had long since purchased - to inform us that she had finally found us a place in the city we could afford. "It's a real dump", she said, "but it's within your price range." Gee, lady, ya think a person's financial situation can change over the period of a couple of years?

The Fed's 5 Tips for Shopping for a Mortgage

On July 29, 2009, the Federal Reserve Board issued a new publication, "5 Tips for Shopping for a Mortgage," to help consumers find the mortgage that is best for them. The 5 tips, including advice and helpful links, are:

1. Know what you can afford.
2. Shop around—compare loans from lenders and brokers.
3. Understand loan prices and fees.
4. Know the risks and benefits of loan options.
5. Get advice from trusted sources.

RISMEDIA, July 29, 2009-In these economic times, the decision to purchase a home has become a very serious consideration, with cost of ownership in both the short and long term being in the forefront of the buyer’s mind. One of the most important factors consumers should consider when buying a home is its energy efficiency rating, as this can add up to substantial savings over the life of the home. Today’s energy efficient manufactured home is no different from any other home, except it has been built off-site, usually in a controlled factory environment, using the latest in energy efficient technologies. Coupled with a lower cost per square foot as compared to site-built homes, today’s manufactured home is a smart investment for savvy homebuyers.

Each manufacturer may have a different label, but one that stands out is the Energy Star designation. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) created the Energy Star logo as the symbol for energy efficiency because of the direct link between wasted energy and air pollution. Manufacturers and builders voluntarily display the logo on products and new homes that meet or exceed high energy efficiency guidelines. Some of these everyday products include heaters, air conditioning units, household appliances, residential light fixtures, and new homes. The Manufactured Housing industry is proud to display this designation on its quality homes.

By implementing these standards into the construction of today’s manufactured home, consumers and builders alike can reap the benefits of energy efficient housing solutions, further emphasizing a manufactured home is not any different when it comes to energy efficiency. Manufacturers who utilize energy efficient light fixtures and appliances show that they are doing their part to help preserve and protect our precious natural resources, while offering the consumer significant savings on their utility bills. Combined with an almost 30% savings on heating, cooling and hot water, manufacturers make it possible for the consumer to afford more home, due to the lower cost per square foot that is inherent to the factory construction process.

Another advantage of today’s energy efficient manufactured home is the tight construction that helps reduce levels of indoor pollutants, such as dust, mold, carbon monoxide, radon gas and pollen. Proper ventilation helps prevent the accumulation of unhealthy air and humidity within the home. Tight construction also means less maintenance is required, and the more money the consumer saves.

Energy experts agree that energy efficient homes are the only home choice today. Energy efficient dual-pane windows not only minimize heating and cooling loss, they also help protect the interior and contents from sun fading. With less energy loss, heating and cooling equipment performs more efficiently, maximizing its life span. The temperature inside is also more easily controlled and maintained while noise levels from outside sources are reduced to comfortable levels.

Look for an energy efficiency rating or label on your next manufactured home. Don’t settle for anything less, because in the end, an energy efficient manufactured home saves money.