Latitude 34 - Go Coastal in Carolina with The Burchfield Group

Coastal Iron Chefs duke it out

2012-03-21T21:24:00.001-04:00

March 19, 2012By Alison Lee Satake

Sixteen of the NC coast’s favorite chefs will battle it out during an Iron Chef-like competition that is sweeping from the mountains to the beach. The “Fire on the Dock” cooking competition begins this month with chefs going head-to-head to create a six-course meal incorporating a surprise feature ingredient. The quality and presentation will be judged by a panel of celebrity judges.

All of the coastal cooking competitions will be held at the Shell Island Resort located at 2700 North Lumina Avenue in Wrightsville Beach through May.

The North Carolina Department of Agriculture is sponsoring competitions in four regions: Fire on the Rock (Blowing Rock), Fire on the Dock (Wrightsville Beach), Fire in the Triangle (Raleigh) and Fire in the Triad (Greensboro) as part of its campaign to celebrate local North Carolina products and agriculture and to showcase the culinary ingenuity and talent across the state.

The following chefs will compete in Fire on the Dock:

March 26: Cape Fear Country Club vs. Elijah's

March 27: Bento Box vs. YoSake

April 3: Hall’s Rx vs. Marc’s on Market

April 4: Swim with the Fish vs. Pilot House

April 17: Chefs 105 (Morehead City) vs. Manna

April 18: Pine Valley Market vs. Persimmons (New Bern)

April 24: Circa 81 (Morehead City) vs. Coral Bay Club (Atlantic Beach)

April 25: Cameo 1900 vs. Big Thai

The playoffs will continue through May; the final competition will be held on May 22. And for the winning chef? A prize of $2000 plus a fancy chef's coat.

Tickets for each competition are $49 plus tax and gratuity. Those in attendance will sample the dishes and vote for their favorite chef. For reservations and more info, visit: http://www.competitiondining.com/events/fire-on-the-dock

NationalJournal.com - The Cook Report: The Home Front - Friday, June 3, 2011

2011-06-03T17:56:00.000-04:00

NationalJournal.com - The Cook Report: The Home Front - Friday, June 3, 2011

The Cook Report: The Home Front

Despite the housing slump, Americans of all political persuasions have a visceral desire to own their own home.

Updated: June 3, 2011 | 9:45 a.m.
June 2, 2011 | 5:00 p.m.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Slow growth: The housing sector is weighing down the recovery.

Last week’s confirmation that the gross domestic product grew only 1.8 percent in the first quarter came when economists were already busily revising their growth forecasts downward for the rest of this year. A double-dip recession remains unlikely, but this is the weakest recovery since the Great Depression and the first one not being led by housing. The nearly moribund housing sector is, in fact, weighing down the recovery.

The conundrum is very real. On the one hand, the subprime-mortgage crisis and easy money—loans with minimal down payments and scant documentation—brought the U.S. economy to its knees just three years ago. Clearly, changes had to be made to prevent that from recurring. On the other hand, housing-industry leaders now fear that the pendulum is swinging too far the other way, potentially decimating an already battered sector and further stifling the anemic recovery. Although we hear the perennial debate over limiting the homeowners’ mortgage-interest deduction, which would hurt the middle and higher end of the housing market, other proposed regulations really terrify the industry. These rules include increased down-payment requirements and loan restrictions for all but those with near-bulletproof credit ratings.

A bipartisan national poll of 2,000 likely voters to be released next week by the National Association of Home Builders makes clear the unique position that homeownership holds in Americans’ minds and the delicacy required in dealing with the issue.

The May 3-9 telephone survey, conducted by Celinda Lake and Jonathan Voss of the Democratic polling firm Lake Research Partners and by Neil Newhouse and Robert Blizzard of the GOP outfit Public Opinion Strategies, found that 75 percent of voters believe “that owning a home is the best long-term investment they can make and is worth the risk of ups and downs in the housing market.”

Interestingly, a high percentage of people in different financial situations felt this way, including 81 percent of those who own their homes outright, 76 percent with mortgages, 67 percent who are renters, and 65 percent with underwater mortgages. Respondents were also asked whether they would recommend buying a house to a close friend or family member just starting out. Eighty percent of all voters said yes, including 78 percent who had underwater mortgages. Seventy-three percent of the respondents who do not own a home said that their goal is to eventually buy one. Clearly, the decline in home values and economic turmoil have not diluted their dream of homeownership and the aspirational element that makes the notion a core value.

Some have suggested that the government end tax incentives for homeowners, but the survey suggests a hostile voter reaction to that plan. Told that “since the federal income tax was introduced in 1913, the federal government has used the tax code to encourage homeownership,” respondents were then asked: “In general, do you think it is appropriate and reasonable for the federal government to provide tax incentives to promote homeownership, or do you think it is not a good idea?” Seventy-three percent of all voters thought those incentives should be provided, including 71 percent of Republicans, 68 percent of independents, 79 percent of Democrats, and even 68 percent of those who support the tea party movement.

When asked about requiring a 20 percent down payment to purchase a home, respondents split evenly, with 49 percent supporting such a threshold and 49 percent opposing it. But among those most likely to be affected, mortgage holders and renters ages 18 to 54, opposition was strong, with 58 percent of younger mortgage holders and 59 percent of younger renters opposed to adding that hurdle to buying a home.

Given this kind of visceral connection to homeownership, it’s not surprising that 71 percent of respondents oppose eliminating the mortgage-interest deduction and 63 percent oppose lowering it. Moreover, 58 percent oppose eliminating the deduction for home-equity loans or limiting the deduction for those who earn more than $250,000 a year. Fifty-seven percent of voters said they would be less likely to support a candidate for Congress who wanted to eliminate the mortgage-interest deduction; only 26 percent said they would be more likely to support such a candidate.

These numbers are pretty much across the board: Sixty-three percent of Republicans, 56 percent of independents, 55 percent of Democrats, 61 percent of tea party supporters, and 58 percent of those voters in congressional districts held by freshman Republicans would be less likely to support a candidate who favored killing the deduction. With the unusually large sample, the pollsters segmented respondents who live in congressional districts that The Cook Political Report rates in the swing category. Fifty-eight percent of that group were less likely to support such a candidate, with 56 percent of those voters in swing Senate states and 54 percent in states that The Washington Post’s Chris Cillizza rates as swing presidential states.

The clear message is that owning a home is among the values that Americans most cherish—an important part of the American Dream.

Fun Things to do in Surf City, NC for 2011

2011-05-16T15:53:00.000-04:00

May

20^th (Fri) – Concert – Dixon Middle School Jazz Band

June

3^rd (Fri) – Movie – Nanny McPhee Returns (PG)

10^th (Fri) – Concert – Lucia and Levi

27^th (Fri) – Concert – The Mako Band

13^th (Mon) – Concert – The Langley Winds

13^th (Mon) – 17^th (Fri) – Summer Camp

17^th (Fri) – Movie – Despicable Me (PG)

18^th (Sat) - Father’s Day Youth Fishing Tournament

20^th (Mon) – 24^th (Fri) – Summer Camp

20^th (Mon) – 24^th (Fri) – Basketball Camp

24^th (Fri) - Concert – The Stump Sound Ramblers

27^th (Mon) – July 1^st (Fri) – Summer Camp

July

1^st (Fri) – Movie – Karate Kid (PG)

2^nd (Sat) – Concert – Longo & Co.

3^rd (Sun) – Independence Day Celebration/Concert – Mark Roberts & the Breeze

6^th (Wed) – NC Aquarium Outreach Program – Amazing Amphibians

8^th (Fri) – Concert – Highway 17

11^th (Mon) – 15^th (Fri) - Summer Camp

11^th (Mon) – 15^th (Fri) - Basketball Camp

13^th (Wed) – NC Aquarium Outreach Program – Wild Wetlands

15^th (Fri) – Movie – How To Train Your Dragon (PG)

18^th (Mon) – 22^nd (Fri) - Summer Camp

20^th (Wed) – NC Aquarium Outreach Program – Scaly Survivors

22^nd (Fri) – Concert – Sea Pans

25^th (Mon) – 29^th (Fri) - Summer Camp

27^th (Wed) – NC Aquarium Outreach Program – Our Living Seashells

29^th (Fri) – Movie – Furry Vengeance (PG)

August

1^st (Mon) – 5^th (Fri) - Summer Camp

3^rd (Wed) – NC Aquarium Outreach Program – Turtle Tales

5^th (Fri) – Concert - Camouflage

8^th (Mon) – 12^th (Fri) - Summer Camp

10^th (Wed) – NC Aquarium Outreach Program – Shark Attack

12^th (Fri) – Movie – Tangled (PG)

15^th (Mon) – 19^th (Fri) - Summer Camp

15^th (Mon) – 19^th (Fri) - Basketball Camp

19^th (Fri) –Concert/Back to School Party – Pamlico Joe & Clean Water Flow

26^th (Fri) – Movie – Sorcerer’s Apprentice (PG)

September

2^nd (Fri) – Concert - James Rimes and Friends

10^th (Sat) – Y-Tri Series Triathlon

October

1st (Sat) – Fire Prevention Day

28^th (Fri) – Fall Festival & Costume Contest

November

19^th (Sat) – Christmas Tree Lighting

December

10th (Sat) - Breakfast w/Santa

Pet friendly Biltmore Estate from ezinearticles.com

2011-05-07T17:30:00.000-04:00

May 02

2011

Pet Friendly Biltmore Estate

Asheville, Biltmore, Featured Articles, Gallery, Pet Friendly, Things to Do | By Martha Abraham | No comments

When visiting pet friendly Asheville and hopefully staying with us at Ponder Cove don’t miss the Biltmore.
From article published on ezinearticles.com…

Biltmore Estate Embraces Pooches Past and Present

I recently grabbed my dog Buck to check out how dog-friendly the Biltmore Estate really was. We knew dogs were welcomed on the grounds. So we assumed that we’d be walking some trails, cruising some gardens and home we’d come. AU CONTRAIRE…We were allowed all over the place and a good time was had by all.
I always park at the Arboretum and then hike up the stairs to the estate. I just love this garden area that leads to my favorite vantage point where I view our beloved blue hills. It is right above the wisteria that leads to the house. Dogs are not allowed inside the house itself much to the chagrin of my pooch. He reminded me that since the Biltmore had been the home to St. Bernards, Russian Wolfhounds and Sheepdogs he was certain the pets past wouldn’t mind. He eventually understood that we all must do our part to preserve such an heirloom. And risky it would be to allow pets within the walls of the famed home.
While frolicking on the front lawn we met up with some traveling pooches, one delightful cocker and two mini dachshunds. With a bit of a scramble and entanglement of leashes the introductions were made and the consensus from the dogs was that they were having a marvelous day. So, we trotted on. After a wonderful romp around the grounds and a stop off at the Bass pond we then jumped in the car and headed for Cedric’s, the pub in Antler Village named after Vanderbilt’s infamous pooch. We were looking forward to lunch at the Biltmore’s dog-friendly restaurant and so it came to be, of course al fresco. The staff was delightful and treated Buck with genuine Biltmore hospitality.
We were eager to find out all we could about Cedric. It seems George Vanderbilt’s trusted Saint Bernard was the first pet at the Biltmore. No one is sure how George came to own Cedric, but they do know that he brought him to Biltmore from Pointe d’Acadie, his summer home in Bar Harbor, Maine, sometime around the opening of Biltmore House in 1895. They went on to state the obvious and that life was good for a pet of the Vanderbilt’s. Cedric not only had free reign of at least the first floor of Biltmore House, which he often spent lounging in the Library or Billiard Room or sunning himself on the Loggia, but he also frequently accompanied his master and other family members on excursions throughout their vast estate.
With our bellies full we headed to Biltmore Farm which was just a hop, skip and a jump. The staff attendant could not have been nicer encouraging us to take funny pictures of our beloved Buckaroo using an old wagon and straw hats as props. We finished off our day with a stroll (trying to work off our yummy fish and chips) around the bike path with a view of the Swannanoa River.
If you choose to take in the house on the same day as your visit of the grounds note there are a few kennels. You must ask the gate keepers upon entering and you will be directed to them. You are the master of the lock and key if you are lucky enough to obtain an empty kennel. Pets must be leashed at all times for safety and comfort for all guests. Dogs are not allowed in the main house but we were welcomed in several of the other buildings. Of course we asked permission and were on our best behavior.
The Biltmore is a site you must see and it is truly more fun with your pooch in tow.
For other ideas when traveling to pet friendly Asheville read more…

16 Sailview on Cape Island in North Topsail Beach

2011-05-06T14:13:00.000-04:00

From the North Carolina Department of Transportation

2011-05-06T14:02:00.000-04:00

The N.C. Department of Transportation is launching an exciting effort to guide transportation planning for the next 30 years, and we need your help.

We are updating our Statewide Long Range Transportation Plan called the 2040 Plan, which will help us determine North Carolina’s transportation needs in 2040 and how to best meet them. In addition to highways, the plan will address aviation, ferries, rail, bicycles, pedestrian facilities and public transportation.

Transportation is an integral part of the lives of all North Carolinians. Therefore, we feel it is important to hear from citizens about their thoughts, ideas and concerns about the future of transportation.

To do this, we would like to request your assistance with communications and with sharing 2040 Plan information, surveys and other materials with your constituents or members. We know organizations such as yours can help us reach many people.

One of the easiest ways people may provide input during this initial launch period of the effort is to complete a survey about their thoughts regarding the future of transportation. This survey is available online and in written form. The survey and other materials that have been developed to provide more information about the 2040 Plan and encourage participation can be found at www.ncdot.gov/performance/reform or at www.m.ncdot.gov on mobile devices.

Please help us find out what North Carolinians think about the future of transportation by sending them a link to the 2040 Plan web address, or making copies of the survey and distributing it to your members or constituents. If there are other ways we can reach your members or constituents, please let us know.

If you have questions or would like more information, please contact NCDOT Statewide Plan Engineer Tyler Bray, PE at tbray@ncdot.gov or (919) 707-0963.

We truly appreciate your efforts to assist with this important endeavor.

Sincerely,

Eugene A. Conti, Jr.

Secretary of Transportation

Waterfront Buying: Top 10 Tips from Agents : HGTV FrontDoor Real Estate

2011-04-28T11:54:00.000-04:00

Waterfront Buying: Top 10 Tips from Agents

Before purchasing that dream home, master these tips from the experts.

From pre-approval to paying points, buying a home is always a complicated process. But throw "waterfront" in the mix, and things get even more complex. Fortunately, real estate agents who regularly deal with waterfront properties know the ins and outs of this process. These 10 tips from the pros will give you a heads-up on what to expect when purchasing a home by the water.

Find a real estate agent who's a true waterfront specialist. The average agent won't have the detailed knowledge of waterfront properties in your area to help you find the best deal on a property that's right for you, says Ramara Garrett, owner of Waverly Property Group in Daytona Beach, Fla. "You may think you've found a great deal, but the reason it's a great deal is because there are oyster beds and people can't get their boats in and out," Garrett says.
Consider the property more than the structure. "Oftentimes, people fall in love with a house, but after they buy it, they realize the swimming is mucky, the view's not very good, it's difficult to get down to the water, or the place is not very private," says Tom Ferent, a broker with Mr. Lakefront, which specializes in lakefront properties in Maine. You can change the house, but you can't change the location, so buy a property that you really love.
Choose a property that truly fits your lifestyle. You may find a beautiful property for sale, but it's half an hour away from getting out to the ocean. "If you love to go out deep-sea fishing, that's going to make a difference in how often you actually do it," Garrett says. Focus on the activities you're passionate about and choose a property accordingly.
Look into loans early. Since many waterfront properties are more expensive than other properties, loans will often fall into the jumbo mortgage category, Garrett says. Lenders will therefore only consider very qualified buyers. "Buyers ought to start that process before they start looking for a property because that can take a lot longer than a normal home loan," Garrett says.
Make sure the structure can withstand the weather. Waterfront homes receive more abuse from the elements than the average home, so extra measures should be taken to protect them. For instance, Garrett recommends investing in storm shutters for homes in hurricane-prone areas and stainless-steel locks to avoid corrosion from salt air.
Insurance can be costly and complicated. Look into this early to make sure you know what you're getting into. For instance, Garrett says waterfront homeowners in Florida have to buy three policies (a wind policy, a flood policy and a general hazard policy) typically not all through the same insurer.
Find out what you can do with the property. If you want to make any changes to your waterfront property, such as adding a dock or a seawall, start this process early to ensure that these alterations will be possible. "Government agencies are very strict to deal with, and you don't want to commit to purchasing a million-dollar home without knowing that you can really do what you want to make it your own," Garrett says. Also find out what kind of activities are allowed on the body of water, as some areas have restrictions on jet skis, speedboats and other watercraft, says Les Taylor, principal broker of Waterfront Properties of Maine.
Talk to neighbors. Get insider information from neighbors by asking if they enjoy living in the community, if they have any issues with the property you're thinking about purchasing, or if there are any waterfront-related problems, Taylor says.
In rural areas, look into utilities. Waterfront buyers who are accustomed to the convenience of suburban life may assume that electricity, clean water, an adequate septic system, cable and Internet will be readily available at their new property, but this is not always the case. Bringing these services in to remote areas can be very expensive, says Taylor, so investigate these issues before buying.
Get to know your responsibilities as a waterfront homeowner. If you're part of a homeowners association, find out what kind of upkeep and maintenance of the property will be required from you by reviewing the conditions, covenants and restrictions, or CC&Rs, and talking to the HOA's management company, says Gordon Baker of Re/Max Elite in Chandler, Ariz.

By Shannon Petrie, FrontDoor.com | Published: 9/24/2008

Credit Scores can Lead to Confusion

2011-04-20T14:20:00.002-04:00

Credit Score Confusion Leads to Controversy

For a key to your financial future, $7 to $20 doesn't seem like much to pay – which is why consumers regularly pony up for a peek at their credit scores. Now a new lawsuit suggests that what they're getting may not be worth it.
Consumers can now order their credit scores from more than 20 web sites, up from around five just a few years ago. But while consumers tend to think of one, uniform credit score, there are actually seven different scores for sale, each of which relies on its own magic mix of payment history, credit applications, debt and other factors. In at least one instance, whether consumers understand the difference between credit scores is now a matter for the courts: A new class-action lawsuit alleges one company is deliberately trying to confuse consumers about which score they're buying.

More on credit and credit scores:

Filed in the southern district of California about two weeks ago, the suit accuses Consumerinfo.com , a subsidiary of credit-reporting bureau Experian, of deceptive advertisements to consumers, according to the complaint. At issue is the PLUS score – often sold for $14.95 with an Experian credit report -- which the lawsuit says is advertised as a credit score used by lenders to determine a consumer's creditworthiness. The lawsuit claims that the company's fine print states the score "is not currently sold to lenders." "This is a proprietary scoring system sold to consumers that has no value in the marketplace," says Jason Hartley, a partner at Stueve Siegel Hanson LLP who's representing the plaintiff.
An Experian spokeswoman says the company's policy prohibits it from sharing "any information regarding threatened or ongoing litigation, if any." (The company has several more weeks to respond to the lawsuit, says Hartley, but has not yet.)

Experts Explain: How Credit Scores Work
Behind the three-digit number that determines so much about your financial life. ( Watch video )

Other credit bureaus, which market other scores, say lenders don't rely on only one scoring model to determine a borrower's creditworthiness. "There are hundreds of scoring models in use in the market today by a variety of financial institutions and credit providers," says a spokesman for TransUnion, a credit bureau that sells a credit score called VantageScore. "No one credit score [is] used to make decisions about one's creditworthiness," says a spokeswoman for Equifax ( EFX: 37.66*, +0.48, +1.29% ) , which also sells its proprietary score as well as the FICO score.
According to the lawsuit, there's more to it. While banks and other lenders may subscribe to or access many different scores, the FICO score, created by Fair Isaac Corp. ( FICO: 29.48*, +0.58, +2.00% ) , is by far the most widely-used, by more than 90% of lenders, according to the lawsuit. Its popularity is in part due to the fact that Fair Isaac developed the first general risk credit score in the late 1980s, says John Ulzheimer, president of consumer education at SmartCredit.com , a credit monitoring site. "It's really your FICO score that matters."
Given the increased marketing of credit scores, analysts say they expect to see more lawsuits like the one filed in California. "There's no question there will be people pursuing cases against other companies – we wanted to start off going after the big guy," says Hartley.
While many of the scores currently for sale rely on similar sets of data, there can be significant differences. For example, VantageScore, which is sold to consumers by Experian and TransUnion, ranges from 501 to 990, while a credit score sold by Equifax's credit ranges from 280 to 850, and FICO scores range from 300 to 850. Others add extra information. For example, in December, Experian started factoring in data about on-time rental payments in some renters' credit reports, data that would impact a VantageScore from that bureau, although a VantageScore from another bureau would not take that into account.
But even a small difference between two credit scores can be enough to confuse a consumer, says Odysseas Papadimitriou, chief executive at CardHub.com . Like the FICO score, the Experian PLUS score maxes out at 850, and it's often quite close to the FICO score; the difference could be around 40 points, says Ulzheimer. That's enough for lenders, who consider a 40-point differential enough to offer better terms to higher scorers. If a bank is relying primarily on the FICO score, a consumer with a high PLUS score but a lower FICO score could find himself disappointed by the bank.
Many companies simply say their scores are meant for educational purposes and that they often give the consumer a ballpark range of where they'll stand with the lender. "It gives a great representation of how your credit is doing," says Catherine Buzzitta, director of marketing at Quizzle.com , which offers its CE Score to consumers with a credit report for free every six months and charges $7 for more frequent access.
For consumers who are satisfied with a ballpark estimate of their credit scores, there are also free options. Bankrate.com features a credit score estimator where consumers plug in information about their credit lines and debt load to get a free estimate of their FICO score; iPhone users have a similar option via the free myFICO app . Sites like CreditSesame.com , CreditKarma.com and Quizzle also offer credit scores for free.

Topsail Island and The Oaks at Boca Bay Townhomes, It's a Saturday Garden Party!

2011-04-08T16:19:00.000-04:00

The community of

Boca Bay

Surf City, NC

This weekend while you are out showing property, be sure to stop by the clubhouse in the community of Boca Bay, located in Surf City on Saturday, April 9th, from 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM. There will be food and drinks, units open to tour, and informational packets to take with you.

Clubhouse is located at:

101 N Boca Bay Lane

Surf City, NC 28445

Click on the photo below for a virtual tour:

Website Directions

202A N Boca Bay Lane, Surf City

~ OPEN HOUSE ~

Saturday, April 9th

11:30AM - 1:00PM

MLS#: 85340, 418449

Sales Price:$429,900

Bedrooms: 4

Baths: 4

Sq.ft: 2400

Description: Great location and fabulous sound views! Walk over to the beach for a swim or go for a swim at the community club house and pool. Well designed home allows for the perfect mix of natural light to make this home bright and airy and add to your beach experience. Relax on one of the many decks. Outdoor storage and hot/cold shower to rinse off after a day at the beach.

131A S Boca Bay Lane

PRECONSTRUCTION

Stop by the Clubhouse

Saturday, April 9th

11:30AM - 1:00PM

MLS#: Jacksonville:113784, Wilmington:452550, Topsail:92340

Sales Price:$339,900

Bedrooms: 4

Baths: 3

Sq.ft: 1803

Description: Bird Watcher Floor Plan in the gorgeous pristine and secluded community of The Oaks at Boca Bay in Surf City. Savor remote, private-island living, with the tranquil waters of the sound embracing the entire community. Go for a swim in the community pool or walk to the beach. Don't miss your opportunity to capture coastal seclusion for yourself. This is a pre-construction listing.

Clubhouse & Pool:

You've explored the Topsail Island beaches, perhaps spent some time on the ocean, or even the greens. Now it's time for a refreshing dip in the Boca Bay community pool. The pool's clubhouse fits pleasingly into the resort-like feel of the neighborhood and offers a comfortable meeting room and changing facilities.

Beach:

You get the best of both worlds at The Oaks at Boca Bay. The beauty of the sound and Intracoastal Waterway views from your home and the beauty of the beach within walking distance of Boca Bay. Stroll over to the beach and spend the day and return to your home to watch the sunset over the sound.

Day Dock:

The waters of the sound invite you to explore its life. The proposed day dock at The Oaks will allow you to drop in

your kayak and glide along the marsh's smooth surface.

Or remain on the dock where a spacious proposed gazebo makes the perfect setting for gathering with friends and family over a glass of exceptional North Carolina wine.

Rand Burchfield

910.352.1414

randburchfield@seacoastrealty.com

www.randburchfield.com

$500 Investments for Your Home Improvement

2011-04-08T15:45:00.000-04:00

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
Invest a Tax Refund in Your Home: $500  Projects
Here  are five great ideas for investing a tax refund in your home if you  receive $500 or less back from the IRS this year. Read

                             Visit houselogic.com for more  articles like this.
  Copyright 2011 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Anyone with miles to go before they sleep will appreciate this IPad app

2011-04-04T16:32:00.000-04:00

Keyoobi is the first iPad application that lets users see their day’s appointments as a route using Google Maps. It shows users the amount of travel time they’ll have between appointments, displays the best route to get there, and identifies clients or prospects in the vicinity that may be scheduled in along the way.
Keyoobi will:

Integrate with Contacts, Calendar and Maps
Work for Enterprise users who synch their calendar and contacts with Exchange servers or Gmail
Display appointment times and Color code routes based on travel time and appointment time
Group Contacts with customizable pins and categories that are shown on the route map
Route your next appointment in real time based on current location.

As a real estate agent – I could see using this to plan out appointments with clients, to plan a route for Broker’s Tour or even to plan a route for taking clients out to view property.I also really like that it maps your route most effectively – saving you time. Who doesn’t like to save time?!

Keyoobi retails for $9.99 and is available for download now in the App Store.

Wells Fargo study finds new kind of homebuyer on the way: Millennials

2011-03-31T13:21:00.000-04:00

Wells Fargo study finds new kind of homebuyer on the way: Millennials

Friday, March 25th, 2011, 10:47 am

The still struggling housing industry might actually be scraping the surface of the largest home-buying opportunity in generations: the Millennials.

According to a study from Wells Fargo (: ), there are 51.5 million potential first-time homebuyers born between 1979 and 1991. Roughly 6 million more of these Millennials are reaching the prime homebuying age than baby boomers did in 1977.

Often characterized as hoodie-wearing college kids strapped to iPods and iPhones, this generation is the most diverse, more technology driven and actually more inclined to trust institutions than their predecessors, the Gen Xers and baby boomers, according to a Pew Research Center study.

In fact, when Wells surveyed more than 3,000 Americans, it found attitudes toward homeownership are still optimistic, especially in this younger crowd.

For the last three years, the mortgage industry has been mired in problems throughout the process. Poorly written loans taken out by homebuyers who could not afford them on the origination side drove foreclosure levels to new heights, overwhelming servicers, who quickly found themselves embroiled in investigations and new stricter regulations.

The result has been a growing shadow inventory of foreclosed homes needing to be sold, reaching as high as a 10-year supply in New York, according to Standard & Poor's. Meanwhile, home sales plummeted as recently as February to its lowest rate since the Commerce Department began measuring the statistic.

Between 1980 and 2000, membership at the National Association of Realtors hovered around 750,000. But by 2006, that number grew to 1.36 million. Since the collapse, membership fell to about 1 million, according to NAR.

Of the Realtors still in the business, 40% reported gross income of less than $25,000 in 2010.

The upcoming qualified residential mortgage could dry up home sales even more. The QRM rule could force lenders to retain 5% of the risk after securitization on any loan written without 20% down. What the rule will definitively say is still speculation at this point. In a letter written to regulators, NAR and the National Association of Homebuilders said it would take a family earning a median income 14 years to save the 20% necessary for the down payment on a new home.

Despite all these setbacks, homeownership is still a destination. More than 70% of those surveyed by Wells Fargo still want to own a home. Millennials even responded to more rigorous credit requirements favorably, describing them as beneficial to their goal of remaining in the home once they make the purchase.

Roughly 26,000 real estate agents attended a Wells Fargo presentation Thursday shown in 100 theaters nationwide. Brad Blackwell, executive vice president at Wells Fargo told the audience this wave of Millennials will be the new lifeblood for the industry.

"We're going to have to figure out how to reach them," Blackwell said.

Lisa Zakrajsek, another EVP at Wells and the leader on the study, told HousingWire after the presentation the bank will begin putting together homebuying workshops aimed at the younger crowd this year. The banking giant also plans to make changes to its website for this more tech-savvy generation.

"We've invested hugely in this infrastructure," Zakrajsek said. "We're making great enhancements to meet the needs of younger buyers."

Write to Jon Prior.

Follow him on Twitter @JonAPrior.

3.21.11 McDonalds Update.m2ts

2011-03-23T11:59:00.000-04:00

How to Buy a House - Closing the Deal

2011-03-04T14:13:00.000-05:00

Take a deep breath. All the work you (and your agent) have done over the past weeks is about to result in the keys to your home.

The sales contract prepared by you and your agent has been signed, initialed and dated. Your formal loan application has been approved. The performance dates in the contract have been met. Home inspection and any other inspections that you feel were necessary, have been done. A time for closing and the place of closing has been scheduled.

Just before closing, the final walk through of the house will take place. If there were repairs noted in the contract as needing to be done, now is the time to see if they have been accomplished. If they haven't, the seller (having agreed to the repairs, of course) must get this done.

So, now we are at the closing table. Once all the necessary documents have been signed by all parties involved, and you have handed over your check, you will be the owner of your new home. A word of caution. Until the deed is recorded for your new home, it is not actually yours. Normally, this is done the same day as closing, so the earlier you can schedule that time, the better.

Congratulations, homeowner!

How to Buy a House, Part Six

2011-03-03T12:28:00.000-05:00

Remember that list of needs and wants that you compiled? It's time for you and your real estate professional to begin narrowing down the choices. You've found just the right neighborhood and there are several houses in which you are interested. Believe me, unless you are keeping track, you'll forget that the house on Smith Drive had that wonderful kitchen but you weren't so keen on the backyard. Your agent will provide you with a flier that normally has a photo of the house on it, along with the address of the home, the city it is in, the subdivision (if applicable) and other pertinent info about the house itself. Use the reverse to make notes as you move through the house. Take a few photos and when you get home, print them out and attach them to the flier.

Once you've found a house that you'd like to make an offer on, you and your agent will sit down with a comparative market analysis. This will tell you what houses similar to the one you are offering upon have sold for within the past six months. You'll be able to base your offer (what you are willing to pay for the house) on this information. Your real estate agent will go over the Offer to Purchase with you and together you will address each one of the items. Once the offer is initialed, signed and dated, then your agent will to present the offer to the seller's agent.

It will then be up to the seller to accept it (congratulations!), reject it, or make an counter offer. A rejection simply means that your first offer was unacceptable to the seller, so you'll have to begin again. A counter offer means that while the amount of your initial offer was not enough in the mind of the seller, the seller has provided you with a number that would be. This is just a starting point for both of you in the negotiations. Often, there are multiple offers on a house and you must be careful not to become swept up into a competition. Sure, you might get the house but pay more than you should. Remember your plan. You have a set amount that you are willing to spend. You know what comparable homes have sold for in the area in which you are interested. You are fully and completely prepared. You have a professional on your side. While your agent will guide you through the negotiation process, you must be prepared to walk away if the price of the home cannot be negotiated to a price comfortable for you.

Tomorrow. We close the deal.

How to Buy a House, Part Five

2011-03-01T13:55:00.000-05:00

Now that you have selected your real estate professional, given him or her your lists (both need and want), you are ready to begin the search in earnest.

Location, location, location. Old and established or up and coming neighborhood? The former will be more expensive, maybe even out of your price range but how do you find an up and coming neighborhood? Just outside the boundaries of that well established neighborhood is the place to begin looking. How about a new home community? A brand new neighborhood, sometimes with amenities such as a clubhouse and swimming pool.

What is a good neighborhood? It is close to shopping, transportation, has parks and community centers, has well kept homes and a high percentage of owner-occupants and a low crime rate. Call the local police for the crime statistics. Call the city or county offices for information about the schools. Take a drive through the area you are interested in and see what life is like. Visit the parks and rec centers and talk to the people who live, work and play in the area. What do they think?

Your real estate professional can help you find out what the resale values are in the neighborhood. Ask your real estate professional how long houses in your desired area have been on the market. Are sales slow? Is that due to the economy or has the neighborhood experienced problems?

Have you found the perfect neighborhood? Not so fast. Drive to and from the neighborhood at different times of the day and from different directions. Talk to the people at city hall or the county seat and make sure there are no major construction projects planned for the area. Take an active, not passive interest in this purchase. You and your real estate professional are a team. Talk to them about any concerns you may have about a neighborhood in which you are interested. Their knowledge of the local market will be invaluable to you.

Tomorrow, THE HOUSE!

How to Buy a House, Part Four

2011-02-25T15:04:00.000-05:00

It is Friday, so you can spend the week end browsing the internet, looking at homes. This really is the fun part. There are a few things you need to consider, though.

Start with the location. How far are you willing to travel to work, to schools (whether for your children or yourself), to entertainment venues, restaurants, parks, shopping, etc.? Do you need a home that is close to an airport? How close do those amenities need to be before you are out of your comfort zone? What kind of roads will you be traveling to reach those destinations? Do you need access to a major interstate? Would you like to be able to walk to restaurants and shopping?

What are your needs - how many bedrooms and baths? How much square footage for you and your family? A large fenced backyard for the children and pets? Think about your needs now and into the future. Are there home features that you want more than others? A patio or a screened porch? A large kitchen with a bar for seating or with a place for a table and chairs? A more compact kitchen? All one level or would a multi-level home be better? Hardwood floors or carpet? Consider your needs first and then your wants. What could you compromise upon? Make a written list of all the criteria that is most important to you.

Should you have a real estate professional to assist in your search? Well, why not? There is no cost to you, as the seller almost always pays the commission on the sale of the house. An agent has the tools to help you find a home that fits both you and your budget, and their in depth knowledge of the areas in which you are searching for a home may prove invaluable. Why not have a pro by your side as you move through the most expensive purchase you will ever make? Finding an agent is as simple as asking a friend, checking out the real estate guides online or in the newspaper. Start with an agency with whom you may be familiar. Facebook has become a great resource for meeting real estate professionals on a more social level. Make some calls, send some emails and interview agents. Ask questions. If pressure is applied or you feel uncomfortable, move on. One of them will be the right fit for you.

Once you have your agent, share your lists. It is now time for them to go to work for you. You and your agent will be on the way to finding your home.

On Monday, you'll see how to keep track of all those houses and how to narrow it down to your "home." Have a great weekend!

How to Buy a House, Part Three

2011-02-24T15:22:00.000-05:00

You have done a lot of groundwork in preparation for meeting with a lender. Your folder of information necessary to speak authoritatively with any financial representative is as complete as you can make it. Your credit score and report are golden. You know how much you feel comfortable spending each month on a mortgage payment. You are working your plan.

Fixed rate and adjustable mortgages are the two mortgage types available. A fixed mortgage offers a payment of principal and interest that does not change for the term of the loan, normally 15 or 30 years. Taxes and insurance cost amounts may change and are not guaranteed. An adjustable rate mortgage or ARM, has an interest rate that can go up or down as rates are established by the federal government. The principal and interest payment fluctuate with these changes as well.

The amount of your down payment (the cash you are going to hand over upfront) will also affect your mortgage. Typically, a down payment can be anywhere from 3 to 30 percent of the total home price. There are a number of different loan types available and you may qualify for one with an even lower or no down payment. First time home buyer loans, Veterans Administration loans, HUD loans and FHA loans are just a few of the loan choices available.

Finding the right mortgage lender may be as close as your bank or credit union. Check the internet sites and compare as many lenders as you can. Know what the mortgage rates are for your area.

You may be pre-approved for an amount much higher than you feel comfortable spending. Flattering, isn't it? Just to think that the bank would put so much trust in you. They aren't. It's the highest amount that your income will afford. The lending institution will make more money and you'll be left with less. You'll need your extra income for your own costs associated with your new home like repairs, moving costs, additional furniture, remodeling, etc. There may be increases in your monthly expenses for utilities. Whatever you do, stay within your comfort zone not the bank's.

I know, you've done a lot of work and it has been mostly drudgery. Buying a house is supposed to be fun. Well, now that you have chosen your lender, been pre-qualified and pre-approved for your home loan, it is time to see what is out there that meets your criteria and is in your price range. This is a wonderful time to buy a home. Interest rates are low and there are lots of homes from which to choose.

Tomorrow, you'll start looking for your home. Here's where your real estate professional can help.

How to Buy a House - Part Two

2011-02-23T15:51:00.000-05:00

You've determined that your financial house is in good order. No surprises in store for you! You have a plan.

Mortgage loan. Unless you won the lottery and can pay for your home upfront, in cash, you'll be applying for one. You'll be paying a little back every month until the loan is repaid. That monthly repayment amount consists of the principal (the original amount you borrowed from the lender), interest (or the cost that you will be charged for borrowing the principal amount), real estate taxes and homeowners insurance.

The total of your housing expenses alone should not exceed more than 28 percent of your gross monthly income. Whatever you owe (and because you have already done the credit report homework, you'll know this) for your car(s), credit cards, other loans, etc., should not exceed 36 to 40 percent of your gross monthly income. No need to include expenses for groceries or utilities. Sit down with a calculator and determine these amounts.

Use the following worksheet to calculate your debt-to-income ratio:

Minimum monthly credit card payments*:	_____________
+ Monthly car loan payments:	_____________
+ Other monthly debt payments:	_____________
+ Expected mortgage payments:	_____________
= Total:	_____________
Your debt-to-income ratio:
Total divided by monthly gross income =	_____________

*Your minimum credit card payment is not your total balance every month. It is your required minimum payment -- usually between two and three percent of the outstanding balance.

Now, it's time to talk with a lender. Before you even step foot into one of those homes you've been viewing on the internet, you'll want to know exactly how much you can spend. Here's what you'll need for that meeting and for that ever expanding folder of information: proof of your current income, the amount of debt you're carrying each month, copies of your W-2's and income tax returns from the last three years, copies of pay stubs and bank statements and a copy of your credit report.

But, what kind of a mortgage? A fixed or adjustable? What type of a loan? Down payment? How do you find a mortgage lender?

Tomorrow's post will answer those questions.

How to Buy a House

2011-02-22T14:51:00.000-05:00

Buying a house. The single largest financial commitment most of us will ever make in our adult lives. How do you go about buying a house? What should you do first?

Find out if you can afford it. Get your FICO score (just an acronym that stands for Fair Isaac Company, developer of the system). This score is one of the tools a potential lender will use to determine the interest rate that will be offered to you. All of your credit information is consolidated into this one three-digit number. Stellar credit will get you the best possible rate. A poor credit score will either get your mortgage application denied or you will be paying a higher interest rate.

Get your financial house in order. Pay off any outstanding debts and DON'T incur any new ones. There are a number of mortgage calculators online. You can get a pretty good idea of how much your mortgage will cost you. Remember the insurance, taxes and maintenance will be your responsibility, so you'll need to allow for those costs as well.

Put yourself on a budget. Know where every penny of your income is going. Your new home won't come with a landlord ready to step in and fix that leaky faucet or replace the hot water heater. You'll want to be ready for that "rainy day".

So, financially you are on solid ground? Great! Read tomorrow's post for what to do next.

2011-02-17T13:37:00.000-05:00

Mid February here on Topsail Island. The weather is absolutely awesome. Sunshine, almost 70 degrees. High clouds but no rain threatening. The beach is uncrowded, just the occasional jogger, walker or shell seeker, often accompanied by a dog or two. It is a great time to be on the beach, either in Surf City, Topsail Beach or North Topsail Beach. The island is 26 miles long, so there's plenty of elbow room!

There is a lot of attention being given to our island listings. 103 Jennifer, for instance has an expansive view of the intracoastal. What a way to end the day, looking out at the sunset from the dock on the property. Kayak or jet ski, tie up a jon boat or just kick back in your favorite chair and watch the boats go by. Here's the link: 103 Jennifer, Surf City, NC

Over in Chadwick Shores at 173 Alligator Bay, we have a home on deep water with a boat lift. Beautifully maintained, it is ready for spring and summer fishing trips or vacations with loved ones. Take a look: 173 Alligator Bay, Sneads Ferry, NC

Those are only two of the listings that we have available. Visit the website at http://www.RandBurchfield.com to view all the properties ready to purchase at Latitude 34. Is it time for an attitude adjustment? Change your latitude!

The Cost of Waiting for Prices to Fall

2011-02-11T15:13:00.000-05:00

The Cost of Waiting for Prices to Fall

Living on Carolina Time - The Burchfield Group Newsletter for February

2011-02-07T12:32:00.000-05:00

January 2011 New CVS Update in Surf City

2011-02-03T14:50:00.000-05:00

New Cinderella film project starts here in February

2011-01-25T10:43:00.001-05:00

A division of Warner Bros. has set up shop in Wilmington to film “A Cinderella Story” which will air on the ABC Family television network.

The production staff offices have housed their operations in the Burnt Mill Business Park while they produce and shoot the 90-minute film, a contemporary Cinderella story with music. All of the show’s scenes will be filmed around Wilmington including such notable locations as Airlie Gardens, downtown Wilmington, St. James Parish, the Graystone Inn and UNCW, said the show's producer, Thomas Keniston.

The director, writers and song writers on this film have worked on another Cinderella before, but this one is not a sequel or a remake. The DVD division of Warner Bros. is producing the film, starring actress Lucy Hale of the network series "Pretty Little Liars." Filming is set for Feb. 9 to March 18.

Wilmington’s glass slipper

The production staff looked at several locations including Vancouver, Boston and New Orleans before choosing Wilmington. Several factors led them to the Port City. One, the exchange rate would have cost the production about $40,000 more to shoot the film in Canada. Two, the New Orleans film commissioner told them that the city was too crowded with current film projects and they would have to film in Shreveport, La.

"They have so much stuff [in Louisiana], they run out of crews," Keniston said.

Three, Boston is much snowier this time of year.

"And also, Wilmington is prettier," he said.

Prince Charming’s charms

A large part of the $5 million budget film will be spent here.

"We’ll spend about $3.5 million in Wilmington and North Carolina in the next seven weeks," Keniston said.

That includes rent for office space and housing, food, wardrobe, props and set dressing. He estimates the production will spend about $40,000 alone in gas.

Thus far, the film has employed about 57 local film industry professionals across various departments. Once shooting begins, that number will swell to about 100 people locally. They plan to wrap up the production by April 1. But, Keniston hopes to line up another project or two here.

"I always encourage people to come here, because it’s got great crews, you’re living on the beach, it’s so lovely and everyone’s so nice here and it’s a good quality of life," he said.

He has drafted a budget for a possible Warner Bros. children’s series he’d like to shoot in Wilmington. And, he said he’s spoken to a few other people interested in shooting independent films here.

The experienced and skilled base of film industry professionals that has grown in Wilmington over the years is the area’s biggest draw for film productions, he said.

"Of all the states outside New York and L.A., Wilmington has the best [and] is definitely third in line and fighting with New Orleans, but I think has the best crew base," he said. "Supporting those people, I think, is critical."

New Cinderella film project starts here in February

Latitude 34 - Go Coastal in Carolina with The Burchfield Group

Coastal Iron Chefs duke it out

Coastal Iron Chefs duke it out

NationalJournal.com - The Cook Report: The Home Front - Friday, June 3, 2011

The Cook Report: The Home Front

Despite the housing slump, Americans of all political persuasions have a visceral desire to own their own home.

Updated: June 3, 2011 | 9:45 a.m. June 2, 2011 | 5:00 p.m.

Fun Things to do in Surf City, NC for 2011

Pet friendly Biltmore Estate from ezinearticles.com

2011

Pet Friendly Biltmore Estate

Biltmore Estate Embraces Pooches Past and Present

16 Sailview on Cape Island in North Topsail Beach

From the North Carolina Department of Transportation

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Before purchasing that dream home, master these tips from the experts.

Credit Scores can Lead to Confusion

Credit Score Confusion Leads to Controversy

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Anyone with miles to go before they sleep will appreciate this IPad app

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3.21.11 McDonalds Update.m2ts

How to Buy a House - Closing the Deal

How to Buy a House, Part Six

How to Buy a House, Part Five

How to Buy a House, Part Four

How to Buy a House, Part Three

How to Buy a House - Part Two

How to Buy a House

The Cost of Waiting for Prices to Fall

Living on Carolina Time - The Burchfield Group Newsletter for February

January 2011 New CVS Update in Surf City

New Cinderella film project starts here in February

Updated: June 3, 2011 | 9:45 a.m.
June 2, 2011 | 5:00 p.m.