If you are serious about avoiding probate costs and delays for your heirs and want to avoid conservatorship court proceedings if you become incapacitated, “The Complete Living Trust Kit and CD-ROM” by attorney Karen Ann Rolcik will show you how. This new book has superb explanations showing how homeowners can benefit their heirs by avoiding costly mistakes. Rolcik emphasizes that the costs of distributing an estate through probate court typically are at least 3 percent of the estate’s net assets and can take a year or two after the decedent passes on. More important, the author explains the major probate drawbacks, such as making your will public knowledge and delaying asset distribution to heirs for many months.

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For a one-time premium paid at the time a property is purchased or when a mortgage lender originates a loan, the title insurer promises to pay title losses that may occur while the owner and heirs own the property. The list of insured title risks includes forged signatures in the chain of title (the major cause of title losses), encroachments, surveys (if specifically included), recorded documents affecting a property, such as easements, income-tax liens, and mechanics’ liens, title search errors, and many other title risks. In addition, mortgage lender’s title policies include zoning, water rights, and conditions obvious from a property inspection, such as an unrecorded power line easement.

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Suffering a loss is never a good thing. Large or small, the policy owner wants the repair made fast and done right. But, before the homeowner calls the insurance carrier to report a potential claim, the question must be answered, whether the loss is covered by the homeowner’s policy. Generally, the policy will stipulate that the damage to the home needs to be “sudden and accidental.” Some examples would be a pipe that freezes and breaks; a washing machine or a toilet that overflows; an electrical circuit that overheats and starts a fire; a wind storm that causes shingles to blow off the roof or a tree limb to come crashing down; or a drunk driver that misses the corner and smashes into the front of the house.

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As we are in a buyers’ market, this may be the time when your could start asking for significant concessions. Price is always the first consideration. But, there are other factors worth considering and make for reasonable points of negotiation. Home and radon inspection are self-explanatory. Make sure you ask for and get both reports. Study the inspections and note any potential problem areas. Ask for repairs or adjustments in the asking price if you find any areas that might indicate that the property is less desirable than first appearances dictate. A home warranty is a valuable commodity as well as another important concept — closing costs. Don’t be afraid to ask, who knows, you might get more than you could possibly imagine.

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A diverse cast of characters combined to launch the once-in-a-lifetime housing boom of the past five years. Traditional mortgage companies and banks unleashed a barrage of loans, many to borrowers with iffy credit histories who didn’t bother to read the fine print about upwardly mobile interest rates. Wall Street egged on the often-reckless underwriting by buying vast quantities of home loans for repackaging as securities. Now that the boom has fizzled and foreclosure rates are rising, the important role of large home builders as lenders is coming into sharper focus.

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The practice of green building, as defined by Wikipedia, can lead to benefits including reduced operating costs by increasing productivity and using less energy and water, improved public and occupant health due to improved indoor air quality, and reduced environmental impacts by, for example, lessening storm water runoff and the heat island effect. According to new research, it appears that consumers, too, are catching on to the many benefits of green building, and they are willing to pay extra for them. A survey of more than 250 residential builders across the United States released by Green Builder® Media and imrecommunications.com reveals that buyers are willing to pay a premium of between 11-25 percent for green built homes.

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In common wall homeowner associations, this observation resonates loudly. HOA barriers abound in a plethora of options including chainlink, brick, stone, wood, stucco, vinyl, concrete and siding. Besides the visual differences of these barriers comes practical considerations. In common wall communities like condominiums, the HOA is responsible for the maintenance, repair and replacement of such structures. Materials like chainlink are inexpensive, have a long life and low maintenance, but aren’t very attractive and don’t afford privacy. Sided walls are expensive to build and maintain and are subject to dryrot in wet climates. There is a great alternative which is attractive, low maintenance and long lived called the “Good Neighbor Fence” (Frost would be proud).

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

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

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

2.86 acres.

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

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

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With the number of older aged Americans on the rise and in need of specialized services, is there market space for senior specialty services for expansion-minded builders? According to seniorresource.com, the term “aging in place” is in reference to living where you have called “home” for many years. Called a Naturally Occurring Retirement Community, or NORC, residents age in place by staying in their current homes where neighborhoods typically evolve into senior communities. Residents, or their loved ones, actively seek and acquire the necessary services and products to live comfortably. NORCs are for seniors who choose not to relocate.

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