Gary Barker Real Estate

8 Tips for Finding your New Home

2012-01-23T08:43:00.000-05:00

8 Tips for Finding Your New Home
A solid game plan can help you narrow your homebuying search to find the best home for you. Read

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Seven Tips to Stage Your Home

2011-10-05T10:06:00.000-04:00

7 Tips for Staging Your Home
Make your home warm and inviting to boost your home’s value and speed up the sale process. Read

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How do you measure a FROG (finished room over garage)?

2011-09-30T12:53:00.000-04:00

With a tape measure. All kidding aside not everyone understands how to accurately report the heated square footage of a finished room over garage. Consumers have placed a great deal of importance in the heated square footage of homes. Many buying decisions are based on these numbers. This reliance on a number versus the utility of a floor plan may not be the best basis for determining value. We are however faced with the reality that the consumer gives great consideration to these calculations. Because of this fact a standard for reporting has become necessary. The Real estate Commission has published standards for reporting these numbers. (NCREC guidelines).

The first determination is whether the FROG can be included in the Living Area of the home.

The NC Real Estate Commission defines the Living area (sometimes referred to as "heated living area" or "heated square footage") as space that is intended for human occupancy and is:

Heated by a conventional heating system or systems (forced air, radiant, solar, etc.) that are permanently installed in the dwelling - not a portable heater - which generates heat sufficient to make the space suitable for year-round occupancy;
Finished, with walls, floors and ceilings of materials generally accepted for interior construction (e.g., painted drywall/sheet rock or panelled walls, carpeted or hardwood flooring, etc.) and with a ceiling height of at least seven feet, except under beams, ducts, etc. where the height must be at least six feet four inches [Note: In rooms with sloped ceilings (e.g., finished attics, bonus rooms, etc.) you may also include as living area the portion of the room with a ceiling height of at least five feet if at least one-half of the finished area of the room has a ceiling height of at least seven feet.]; and
Directly accessible from other living area (through a door or by a heated hallway or stairway).

If the space meets the criteria above it is included in the stated space of the home. If the ceiling is sloped you must first determine where the slope ceilings become less than five feet tall. Most frogs have sloped walls on opposing walls. Measure from the five foot mark to the opposing five foot mark or the vertical wall if its height is more than five feet. When measuring ground floor space you measure to the outside of the exterior walls. In a second floor space that is different than the first floor space below it you measure to the interior wall and add six inches for each wall. Once the measurements are made a multiplication of the dimension is made. Don't neglect to include the space of the stairs. Sometimes it is missed because it may ascend over unheated space of the garage.

If the FROG's space does not meet all of the criteria above, the amount of space could be stated in the MLS or in advertising but not included in the main living area. Great care in describing the space would be required to not misrepresent the property.

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Kitchen Remodeling Tips

2011-09-20T21:24:00.001-04:00

6 Green Kitchen Remodeling Tips
Turn your kitchen remodel bright green with these six resource-conserving tips. Read

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Replace Old Windows with Energy Efficient Models

2011-09-17T16:31:00.000-04:00

Replace Old Windows with Energy-Efficient Models
Adding new energy-efficient windows can pay off at resale, as well as boost your energy savings—$126-$465 annually—if you choose the right ones. Read

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Save Money by Repairing Windows

2011-09-16T10:12:00.000-04:00

Save Money by Repairing Windows
Repairing worn windows, rather than replacing them, can save you thousands of dollars. Read

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New Bern, NC Buyer's Agent

2011-09-03T14:27:00.002-04:00

Please watch the short video following.

As a Buyer's Agent I can make your next real estate purchase smooth and worry free.

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4200 Elizabeth Avenue - Rent - Buy - Rent with Option

2011-07-22T08:38:00.000-04:00

Very cute two bedroom, two bath home convenient to shopping and employment is available for rent or purchase. The current tenant will be moving out August 16,2011. If you or your client needs to rent but ultimately wants to buy, this home could be for you. Many folks moving here for employment or with USMC orders may have a home elsewhere that has not sold. Most folks would not want to move twice. We can fix that. My client (my sister) will rent this home for $795 per month and will enter a contract for sale for $109,000 with a due diligence period equal to the lease. In plain language that equates to renting with an option to purchase. This a no risk opportunity for someone who needs a rental but would like to purchase a later date.

We are looking for a tenant purchaser who is credit worthy. Please have a credit score of 680 or higher. Someone who is trying to repair their credit is not eligible.

This home has an open floor plan. The bedrooms are split. Great for roommates or small families. The master has an incredible walk in closet and large master bath. The kitchen has a large pantry cabinet and lazy Susan lower. The home sits on one of the larger corner lots in the neighborhood. But not to worry the POA keeps the yard mowed. This make this home great for someone who travels or works long hours. It is a great neighborhood for someone whose spouse may deploy.

If you have an interest or have a client for whom this home would work call me at 252 635 1100. If you are working with a Buyer's Agent give them the address or MLS number 82400 and they will arrange for a viewing. For more pictures and information visit the web page below.

http://gary-barker.com/4200elizabethavenue.html

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Do I need a buyer's agent?

2011-07-12T14:48:00.000-04:00

The answer for almost everyone is a yes! Sometimes people think they can save money by not using a Realtor. By the way not all real estate agents are Realtors. A real estate broker using the title Realtor has voluntarily joined an association that requires higher standards of education, ethics and professionalism.

In most markets sellers sign listing agreements with Realtors. Those agreements many times call for that agent to share the commission with a buyer's representative. So if you purchase the property without using a buyer's agent the full commission is paid to the selling agent. The seller' net proceeds is the same and you have not realized any savings. In most cases without the advice provided by an agent you will have paid more or made expensive mistakes.

A good buyer's agent will have assisted with finding home inspectors, lenders and closing attorneys that are competent and reasonable. A buyer's agent will have the resources to provide comparable sale data. He or she will also have experience in negotiating price and other terms. A Realtor will provide standardized contracts that are fair, clear and that avoid pitfalls for buyers. If you buy a home that is listed, the seller will have a seasoned professional on their side. They have handled dozens or even hundreds of transactions. My fellow Realtors are very good at what they do. Going into a real estate transaction without a professorial on your side would be like stepping up to the plate at a MLB baseball game without ever holding the bat. Unless you get hit by the pitch the outcome will be you walking back to the dugout talking to yourself.

OK, you are still determined to try to save a few dollars. Perhaps twenty per cent of real estate may be sold as a for sale by owner(FSBO). Your thinking I can get it for the fair value minus the commission. Who determines what the fair value is? Do you have the experience and files necessary to make that judgement? Do you know how to determine the heated square footage of the home? Is the seller's asking price fair? Many FSBO are priced well above fair market value. Many FSBO have been rejected by brokers because the owners insisted on prices well above the market value. This is especially true for properties bought at the peak of the market. Do you know how to search out that information at the Register of Deeds?

Perhaps the property has hidden flaws that the seller does not want to disclose. Licensed real estate brokers are held to a much higher standard than an individual seller. Once you close on the transaction getting any relief from the seller will be very difficult. Realtors and other licensees are required to reveal any material facts that can effect the value of the home you are purchasing.

For most the purchase of their home is the largest transaction they will ever have. Can you afford a mistake? Enlist the help of a Realtor willing to represent your interest to the exclusion of all others, even his own. When purchasing real estate employ a Realtor. I believe it will save you heart ache, time and money.

Gary Barker

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Trying to Sell - Clear the Clutter

2011-07-10T07:02:00.002-04:00

We live in a time of a competitive real estate market. You need every advantage available. In my reading, I find a lot of discussion of properly staging a home. One of the first things discussed is getting rid of the clutter. Listen to your Realtor, they can help you decide what needs to go. If budget allows use a professional stager. Some Realtors may provide this service for a small fee.

It may be a good time to throw some things away. They say that if you have not used something in three years it needs to go. If you can't pull the trigger on that option it is time to get some boxes and begin the moving process. Having a head high stack of boxes filling up the garage isn't the answer. The potential buyer wants to see that their boat, jet ski, Harley and grill will fit into the garage.

The solution, rent a space at your local mini storage. Face the fact that you will be moving anyway. If you unclutter that will happen sooner. Many people have too much furniture in their rooms. If your stager or Realtor suggest moving some out, heed their advice. When moving day comes there will be less to move. Pack away those things that haven't been used in a long while. Put the items that you think you might need near the door of the mini storage.

Whole-House Sound Hath Charms to Soothe the Savage in You

2011-06-24T09:26:00.001-04:00

By: Caralee Adams

Published: May 3, 2011

Whole-house sound sets the mood, reduces sound system clutter, and adds value. Run wires behind the walls or go wireless—there’s a system for every budget.

High end: Get wired

The highest-quality whole-house sound travels through structured wires embedded in your walls. Wires run from your sound system, neatly tucked into a storage room or closet, through the ceiling into speakers mounted in rooms you select. This is the gold standard option for the music purist and should be installed by a sound specialist.

Structured wiring most easily is installed in new construction, and nearly half of all new homes built in and after 2008 have it. Retrofitting a house with structured wiring will cost $700 to $2,700 per room, depending on the control units you select. A pair of speakers for each room can cost from $100 to $2,000.

Mid-priced: Leverage existing wires

Leveraging existing wires is a less intrusive way to achieve whole-house sound because you aren’t cutting through walls to run new wire. Expect to sacrifice audio fidelity, but it’s minimal.

A source hub—a central device that iPods, CD players, and other source equipment plugs into—sends audio signals in a digital format over existing electrical wires. A receiver plugged into a wall outlet in each room converts digital back into analog music.

Costs run $500 to $1,000 per room including speakers; it takes a day or less to install.

Budget luxury: Go wireless

Installing a wireless system is the easiest, most affordable way to get whole-house sound—and the only one you can do yourself.

Music is distributed from your computer, through a router, and into a small player box (about the size of toaster) placed in each room you choose. If you want sound in five rooms, you’ll need five player boxes and five sets of speakers.

Wireless systems cost about $400 per room and can be set up in a couple hours.

Caralee Adams, a veteran journalist, has written for Better Homes & Gardens, Parents, and Fitness.

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6 Tips for Buying a Home in a Short Sale

2011-06-21T07:08:00.000-04:00

By: G. M. Filisko

Published: March 19, 2010

By preparing for a real estate short sale, you can emerge with a great home at a favorable price.

1. Get help from a short sale expert

A real estate agent experienced in short sales can identify which homes are being offered as short sales, help you determine a purchase price, and advise you on what to include in your offer to make the lender view it favorably. Ask agents how many buyers they've represented in short sales and, of those, how many successfully closed the transaction.

2. Build a team

Ask agents to recommend real estate attorneys knowledgeable in short sales and title experts. A title officer can do a title search to identify all the liens attached to a property you’re interested in. Because each lienholder must consent to a short sale, a property with multiple liens, like first and second mortgages, mechanic’s and condominium liens, or homeowners association liens, will be harder to purchase.

A title search may cost $250 to $300 up front, but it can help weed out less desirable properties requiring multiple approvals.

3. Know the home’s fair market value

By agreeing to a short sale, lenders are consenting to lose money on the loan they made to the sellers to purchase the home. Their goal is to keep those losses as low as possible. If your offer is dramatically less than the home’s fair market value, it may be rejected. Your agent can help you identify the price that’s good for you. The lender will determine whether approval is in its best interest.

4. Expect delays

There are two stages to a short sale. First, the sellers must consent to your purchase offer. Then they must submit it to their lender, along with documentation to convince the lender to agree to the sale.

The lender approval process can take weeks or months, even longer if the lender counteroffers. Expect bigger delays if several lienholders are involved; each can make a counteroffer or reject your offer.

5. Firm up your financing

Lenders will weigh your ability to close the transaction. If you're preapproved for a mortgage, have a large downpayment, and can close at any time, they’ll consider your offer stronger than that of a buyer whose financing is less secure.

6. Avoid contingencies

If you must sell your current home before you can close on the short-sale property, or you need to close by a firm deadline, your offer may present too many moving parts for a lender to approve it.

Also, consider ordering an inspection so you’re fully informed about the home. Keep in mind that lenders are unlikely to approve an offer seeking repairs or credits for such work. You’ll probably have to purchase the home “as is,” which means in its present condition.

This article includes general information about tax laws and consequences, but isn't intended to be relied upon by readers as tax or legal advice applicable to particular transactions or circumstances. Consult a tax professional for such advice; tax laws may vary by jurisdiction.

G.M. Filisko is an attorney and award-winning writer who luckily has avoided the need for a short sale on her properties. A frequent contributor to many national publications including Bankrate.com, REALTOR® Magazine, and the American Bar Association Journal, she specializes in real estate, business, personal finance, and legal topics.

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Do-It-Yourself Home Security Check: 5 Essential Steps

2011-06-17T06:23:00.001-04:00

By: Joseph D'Agnese

Published: November 12, 2010

Conduct a do-it-yourself home security check by walking around your house to assess what needs to be done to reduce the risk of a break-in.

1. Keep your home well-maintained on the outside

Burglars want an easy target. Stand on the street outside your house and ask yourself: Does my property look neglected, hidden, or uninhabited? A front door or walkway that’s obscured by shrubbery offers crooks the perfect cover they need while they break a door or window. To improve security, trim shrubs away from windows and widen front walks.

2. Install motion detector lights

All sides of your house should be well-lit with motion-activated lighting, not just the front. Simple motion-activated floodlights cost less than $50 each, and installing them is an easy DIY job if the wiring is already in place.

3. Store your valuables

Thieves want easy-to-grab electronics, cash, jewelry, and other valuables, though some are not above running down the street with your flat-screen TV. Most make a beeline for the master bedroom, because that’s where you’re likely to hide spare cash, jewelry, even guns.   Tour each room and ask yourself: is there anything here that I can move to a safe deposit box? Installing a home safe ($150 to $500) that’s bolted to your basement slab is a good repository for items you don’t use on a daily basis.

4. Secure your data

While you probably won’t be putting your home computer in a safe anytime soon, take steps to back up the personal information stored on it. Password protect your login screen, and always shut off your computer when not in use (you’ll save energy, too!) Don’t overlook irreplaceable items whose value may hard to quantify, like digital photos.

5. Prepare ahead of time in case the worst happens

Take a photo or video inventory of items of value in your home, and store the file online or in your home safe. Check that you’re properly insured for theft. Note that high-ticket items in your home office, such as computers, professional camera equipment, or other business essentials, may require an additional rider or a separate policy.

Joseph D’Agnese is a journalist and book author who has written numerous articles on home improvement. He lives in North Carolina.

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7 Hot Home Improvement Trends that Make Your Home Work for You

2011-06-14T10:26:00.002-04:00

By: Lisa Kaplan Gordon

Published: May 13, 2011

Home improvement trends embrace energy efficiency, low maintenance exteriors, and double-duty space.

TREND #1: MAINTENANCE-FREE SIDING

We continue to choose maintenance-free siding that lives as long as we do, but with a lot less upkeep. But more and more we’re opting for fiber-cement siding, one of the fastest-growing segments of the siding market. It’s a combination of cement, sand, and cellulosic fibers that looks like wood but won’t rot, combust, or succumb to termites and other wood-boring insects.

At $5 to $9 per sq. ft., installed, fiber-cement siding is more expensive than paint-grade wood, vinyl, and aluminum siding. It returns 80% of investment, the highest return of any upscale project on Remodeling magazine’s latest Cost vs. Value Report.

Maintenance is limited to a cleaning and some caulking each spring. Repaint every 7 to 15 years. Wood requires repainting every 4 to 7 years.

Trend #2: Convertible spaces

Forget “museum rooms” we use twice a year (dining rooms and living rooms) and embrace convertible spaces that change with our whims.

Foldaway walls turn a private study into an easy-flow party space. Walls can consist offancy, glass panels ($600 to $1,600 per linear ft., depending on the system); or they can be simple vinyl-covered accordions ($1,230 for 7 ft. by 10 ft.). PortablePartions.com sells walls on wheels ($775 for approximately 7 ft. by 7 ft.).

A Murphy bed pulls down from an armoire-looking wall unit and turns any room into a guest room. Prices, including installation and cabinetry, range from $2,000 (twin with main cabinet) to more than $5,000 (California king with main and side units). Just search online for sellers.

And don’t forget area rugs that easily define, and redefine, open spaces.

Trend #3: A laundry room of your own

Humankind advanced when the laundry room arose from the basement to a louvered closet on the second floor where clothes live. Now, we’re taking another step forward by granting washday a room of its own.

If you’re thinking of remodeling, turn a mudroom or extra bedroom into a dedicated laundry room big enough to house the washer and dryer, hang hand-washables, and store bulk boxes of detergent.

Look for spaces that already have plumbing hookups or are adjacent to rooms with running water to save on plumbing costs.

Trend #4: Souped-up kitchens

Although houses are trending smaller, kitchens are getting bigger, according to theAmerican Institute of Architects’ Home Design Trends Survey.

Kitchen remodels open the space, perhaps incorporating lonely dining rooms, and feature recycling centers, large pantries, and recharging stations.

Oversized and high-priced commercial appliances—did we ever fire up six burners at once?—are yielding to family-sized, mid-range models that recover at least one cabinet forstorage.

Since the entire family now helps prepare dinner (in your dreams), double prep sinks have evolved into dual-prep islands with lots of counter space and pull-out drawers.

Trend #5: Energy diets

We’re wrestling with an energy disorder: We’re binging on electronics—cell phones, iPads, Blackberries, laptops--then crash dieting by installing LED fixtures and turning the thermostat to 68 degrees.

Are we ahead of the energy game? Only the energy monitors and meters know for sure.

These new tracking devices can gauge electricity usage of individual electronics ($20 to $30) or monitor whole house energy ($100 to $250). The TED 5000 Energy Monitor ($240) supplies real-time feedback that you can view remotely and graph by the second, minute, hour, day, and month.

Trend #6: Love that storage

As we bow to the new god of declutter, storage has become the holy grail.

We’re not talking about more baskets we can trip over in the night; we’re imagining and discovering built-in storage in unlikely spaces--under stairs, over doors, beneath floors.

Under-appreciated nooks that once displayed antique desks are growing into built-ins for books and collections. Slap on some doors, and you can hide office supplies and buckets of Legos.

Giant master suites, with floor space to land a 747, are being divided to conquer clutter with more walk-in closets.

Trend #7: Home offices come out of the closet

Flexible work schedules, mobile communications, and entrepreneurial zeal are relocating us from the office downtown to home.

Laptops and wireless connections let us telecommute from anywhere in the house, but we still want a dedicated space (preferably with a door) for files, supplies, and printers.

Spare bedrooms are becoming home offices and family room niches are morphing into working nooks. After a weekend of de-cluttering, basements and attics are reborn as work centers.

Lisa Kaplan Gordon is a HouseLogic contributor and homebuilder.

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National Realtor Open House June 4 and June 5

2011-06-02T15:46:00.000-04:00

Saturday and Sunday
Two to Four

428 Conner Grant Road
New Bern, NC

Features
2400 Heated Square Feet
Four Bedrooms
Three Full Baths
Screened Porch
Concrete Patio
Large Two Car Garage
Cathedral Ceilings
Front Porch
Large Game Room
Laundry Room
Mother in Law Quarters
Spacious Kitchen

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Mini Storage - How Much Space?

2011-05-24T07:02:00.000-04:00

There are several basic sizes of storage units. Below is a quick-reference guide to help you plan what size unit you will need for your personal or business storage:

Storage of Personal Items

5' x 5' (25 sq. ft.) – Will hold a chest of drawers, a small mattress set, boxes and small items. Useful for garden tools, or seasonal decorative items.
5' x 10' (50 sq. ft.) – Will hold furnishings of a mid-size bedroom, including a queen-size bed, dresser, TV, and a few storage boxes.
10' x 10' (100 sq. ft.) – Will hold the contents of an entire family room or two full bedrooms.
10' x 15' (150 sq. ft.) – Will hold the contents of up to three bedrooms in this unit. Recommended for larger items such as pianos, couches, tables, or large-screen TVs.
10' x 20' (200 sq. ft.) – Will hold the contents of a five-bedroom house, including a refrigerator, washer/dryer, dining room table, chairs and large boxes.

Storage of Business Items

5' x 5' (25 sq. ft.) – Will hold the contents of a large office closet filled with files, books, office chairs, and a few storage boxes.
5' x 10' (50 sq. ft.) – Will hold the contents of one office room, including desks, bookcases, filing cabinets and large storage boxes. Ideal for storing equipment and tools.
10' x 10' (100 sq. ft.) – Will hold the contents of an entire office, including desks, chairs, computers and a few storage boxes.
10' x 15' (150 sq. ft.) – Will hold the contents of three office rooms could fit in this size unit, including several desks, computers and boxes.
10' x 20' (200 sq. ft.) – Will hold the contents of five office rooms (desks, computers, bookcases and file cabinets) in this size, or a five-year supply of business and tax files.

It is always a good idea to visit potential storage units to get a visual sense of the space you will be working with.

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New Video - 428 Conner Grant Road

2011-05-01T20:48:00.002-04:00

This home was removed from the market. We can assit you in finding another home.
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It Pays to Support Responsible Homeownership

2011-04-06T20:23:00.000-04:00

Helping others become homeowners protects your home's value and builds stronger communities.

When people move from renting to owning a home, they're more likely to vote, get involved in community groups, and care about their home's appearance. The children of homeowners do 23% better in school, according to a 2001 study by Harvard's Joint Center for Housing Studies. And a steady flow of first-time homebuyers makes it easier to sell your own starter home when you're ready to move up to a larger property.

Make housing affordable

One way to make more people homeowners is to make housing more affordable. All U.S. homeowners benefit from policies like the mortgage interest tax deduction. Many use government-backed mortgage insurance to lower loan costs. A variety of public and private programs offer low-cost loans and downpayment assistance to help Americans become homeowners. Help prospective homeowners save a downpayment by donating to sites like EARN, a non-profit that uses donations to match funds saved by low-wage earners.

Reduce foreclosures and preserve home value

Foreclosure matters because it hurts all homeowners. In 2009, foreclosures will cause property values to decline an average of $7,200 for about 70 million homeowners, resulting in a $502 billion loss in home equity, the Center for Responsible Lending estimates. Each foreclosure within 1/8th of a mile of your home lowers your property value about 0.744 percent, CRL says.

"One of the sad lessons of the [recent past] is that we aren't alone," says Nicolas P. Retsinas, director of the JCHS. "It's clear that if the family next door loses their home to foreclosure, my home's value will go down. Therefore, I have a vested interest in ensuring that people become homeowners and that homeownership is sustained over time."

One effective tool against foreclosure is educating homeowners before they buy. The Joint Center found that loan delinquencies fell 13% with homeownership counseling. People who go through pre-purchase and post-purchase counseling and learn about mortgages, family budgeting, and home maintenance are less apt to face foreclosure, says Michael Berti, senior homeownership specialist at the Rural Ulster Preservation Company in Kingston, N.Y.

Support groups that help homeowners

One way to do your part to help other homeowners is by donating your time or money to some of the many non-profits that promote responsible homeownership.

Habitat for Humanity partners with new homeowners to build affordable housing. Habitat homes aren't free. Homeowners work hundreds of hours, get homeownership counseling, and make mortgage payments.

The United Way supports many local programs that build affordable housing, help families build financial assets, and teach financial management skills. If you donate to United Way, you can direct your contribution to those causes.

HomeownershipSF, in San Francisco, tries to intervene where people facing foreclosure have the resources to catch up on their loan. If "the home can't be saved, we try to get a first-time homebuyer we've worked with into the home as quickly as possible to stabilize the neighborhood," says Interim Director Christi Baker.

Government programs support homeownership

Supporting federal state, and local programs that help create homeowners is another way you can expand responsible and affordable homeownership.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Federal Housing Authority provide mortgage loan insurance or guarantees that let people buy homes with only a small downpayment and borrow at lower interest rates.

Government-sponsored groups Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and government-run Ginnie Mae buy and securitize mortgage loans made by banks, freeing up money, so banks can keep lending.

Sites like Govtrack and RollCall help you stay on top of laws that affect homeowners.

HUD's HOME program provides financial support to state and local housing authorities to build and renovate for-sale and rental housing for lower-income Americans.

In U.S. cities of all sizes, the HOPE VI program has funded plans to replace deteriorating public housing with new low-rise, mixed-income homes. These developments sell most homes at market rates, but designate a percentage for use by low-income homeowners.

How to get involved

You can support responsible homeownership in many ways. Retired construction contractors France and Bill Moriarity travel the country in their RV managing Habitat construction projects. "We like it because it's a hand up, not a hand out," France Moriarity says. Habitat volunteers don't need construction skills and can sign up to work as little as one day at a time. Groups can volunteer together. Organizations like Rebuilding Together and NeighborWorks America sponsor once yearly volunteer events that help lower-income homeowners repair their homes.

In San Francisco, Gregg Lynn convinced 150 people from his professional network to donate a percentage of their income to EARN. Follow his lead by asking your professional network, trade association, or social group to contribute.

By: Dona DeZube

Dona DeZube has been writing about real estate for over two decades. She lives a suburban Baltimore 1970s rancher on a 3-acre lot shared with possums, raccoons, foxes, a herd of deer, and her blue-tick hound.

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© Copyright 2010 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

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The Best Buy in New Bern NC

2011-03-11T14:29:00.004-05:00

There is a spectacular opportunity in my neighborhood. I live in a home within the same development. The short virtual tour below shows some pictures of Units 2 and 3 Eastern Shore Townhomes. They have been combined in one 3000 square foot home. It is currently owned by the Bank of America. It is not in the local Multiple Listing Service. I have permission to show it and can represent you as a buyer's agent. It has magnificent views of the Neuse River. There are boat slips and a pool. All this for a price of $182,900.

Another home in the development has a price of $229,000 and it is only 1600 square feet of heated space. The tax value of this double unit is $340,000. You can visit my website to view more pictures and information. www.gary-barker.com/easternshore . Of course there are some negatives that as your buyer's agent I will tell you about. Please take time and read a disclosure about agency relationships at www.gary-barker.com/work.pdf . Remember if you contact me I can represent you in the transaction as a buyer's agent.You may call me at 252 635 1100. If you have a question or would like a call or email you may use the form below.

428 Conner Grant Road New Bern, NC 28562

2011-02-12T19:11:00.005-05:00

This home was removed from the market. We can help you find others.

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Is Homeownership Important?

2011-02-05T11:28:00.001-05:00

I believe the answer is an absolute yes. Especially for families with children. I believe that society is now divided more profoundly between renters and home owners than the other factors that divide us. In years past race, religion or ethnicity seemed to provide cultural barriers. It seems to me that those barriers have been eased during our lifetime.

As Realtors we are often asked which school district is the best. This prompts the question why are some schools more successful than others. School districts are designed to be diverse and racially balanced. That leads to an observation that the answer does not depend on racial or ethnic causes. Looking at the local districts I looked for reasons and differences between the local elementary schools. I do not believe that the difference are the teachers nor staffs of the school. Certainly there may be differences between one class and another in the same school attributed to the teacher's commitment and skill. I believe that those differences would balance out when considering an entire school. What does make the difference?

I believe school districts with a higher percentage of homeowners will have more academic success. I have included an except form a report by the New York City Habitat for Humanity below. To view the entire article click:

http://www.habitatnyc.org/pdf/Toolkit/homewonership.pdf

For more reading on the subject go to http://www.newtowncdc.org/pdf/social_consequences_study.pdf
That article lists several benefits of home ownership:

Child Outcome is Enhanced
Positive effect on Mental, Physical and Emotional Health
Increased Social Involvement
Increased Political Involvement
Environmental Awareness
Increased Stability
Less Vulnerability to Crime

Another benefit for children of home ownership is that they learn personal responsibility. They witness their parents taking responsibility for their home, its preservation and maintenance. Children of renters learn that someone else performs those functions. When the sink doesn't function you call the landlord. It reinforces an entitlement mentality.

The long term financial benefit of home ownership is very evident. If you are not a homeowner you have three things you can count on; Death, Taxes and the Rent.

Gary Barker
gary@gary-barker.com
www.gary-barker.com
www.facebook.com/garybarkerrealestate

The Poll Results - What will this year bring?

2011-01-28T12:07:00.000-05:00

Fifty per cent of the respondents felt the market would improve in the upcoming year while only 28 % had a pessimistic view. They believed that values would continue to fall. Twenty one percent felt that properties would maintain their values this year. This writer finds that having 72% of readers believe that values will hold or improve great news. The last several years have been the worst we have had in the last twenty years. I believe a slow and steady recovery is under way.

Poll - What will this year bring?

2011-01-20T12:47:00.001-05:00

I thought it would be interesting to take an informal poll on what the readers think the prospects for real estate will be this year. Will value and sales continue to fall? Will the market remain about the same as last year? Will the market improve? Or will we have a remarkable recovery? You will find the poll immediately to the right. Please select your answer. Be sure to place a check in the cirlce to the left of your answer and click on the vote button. You can check the results after you vote. I will publish the final results next week.

Historic Home Insurance - Why you need it and How to get it.

2011-01-14T10:28:00.000-05:00

(New!)
Historic Home Insurance: Why You Need It and How to Get It
Your unique historic home needs a unique historic home insurance policy that offers restoration coverage and full replacement options. Read

Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this.

Visit my Website or Facebook page.

2009 vs. 2010 in Craven County Real Estate

2011-01-02T21:25:00.002-05:00

For this comparison I examined residential sales in Craven County for 2009 and 2010. The average price decreased by 2.5%. The total sales volume decreased by 7%. The average days on the market remained virtually the same.

Even though the market continued its decline, the pace of that decline has slowed. Listening to financial news it seems as though the markets are improving. Apparently corporations have lots of cash sitting on the sidelines waiting to determine the direction the new congress will take. Many businesses are reporting substantial profits having cut expenses for the last two years. We are certainly primed for a recovery. Accurately forecasting the peaks and troughs of the markets are very difficult. I believe we are near the bottom and perhaps past it. I will advise my clients to buy. Interest rates will increase over the next twelve months. I believe the best time to buy real estate is now.

I would be interested in your opinion please leave a comment.

Visit my Website or Facebook page.

Gary Barker Real Estate

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The Poll Results - What will this year bring?

Poll - What will this year bring?

Historic Home Insurance - Why you need it and How to get it.

Historic Home Insurance: Why You Need It and How to Get It

2009 vs. 2010 in Craven County Real Estate