When homeowner associations are formed, Roberts Rules Of Order is most often named for the basis of decision making and maintaining decorum throughout the meetings. The system provides an efficient way to get business done in a civil and logical manner. However, parliamentary procedure is based on the democratic notion of “majority rules.” As an individual, sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. Americans have come to think this is the best option. While the system works pretty well, there is another process for decision making called “Formal Consensus” which is generally understood to mean that all parties agree to a proposal or the proposal fails. (more…)

Few homeowners in the cooler regions of the United States think much about air conditioning during the fall and winter. Depending on where you live, your heat may already be on for the season and you have raided your closet for warmer clothes. But, if your house doesn’t have central air, or if the system you have is older than 15 years, you might consider contracting for an AC installation or upgrade this winter. Not only will it automatically raise the value of your property, but you’ll probably be able to negotiate a hefty discount. Winter is a slow time for HVAC contractors. Typically, homeowners can realize a 10 percent and sometimes as much as 20 percent savings by scheduling a winter-time installation. That’s a savings of up to $3,000 on the $6,000 to $15,000 central AC costs. And, modern day, energy efficient HVAC systems have the ability to cut your energy bills in half. (more…)

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Small claims court is not for everyone — or every situation. The maximum award possible varies widely by state and jurisdiction. In California, it can be as high as $7,500, while in Massachusetts the usual limit is a mere $2,000. Exceptions to the rule based on type of claim and parties involved should be noted. There is also a statute of limitations or time limit in which claims can be filed. To access the small claims court in your state, type “small claims” and the name of the state into any Internet search engine. Most have links to local courts as well. If the type of case and dollar amount is in line with your situation and the case seems viable, the next step is to organize and evaluate the strength of your case. (more…)

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Chainsaws, like any cutting tool, are dangerous if not handled properly. That doesn’t mean you need to be afraid to use one, just that you need to exercise caution and common sense whether your are male or female. Chainsaws have an exposed cutting chain with highly aggressive teeth, and their length and weight can throw an operator off balance. Cutting often takes place in wooded areas or other areas with unstable footing, adding to the danger. The other thing about chainsaws is the unpredictability of the material that you’re cutting. Limbs can twist and bind the chain; trees can tip or fall in a direction you don’t intend; and the saw can occasionally kick back. (more…)

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Experts now agree that a lot of mortgages shouldn’t have been made in recent years. It was foolish for lenders and homeowners to bet housing prices would keep rising. But allowing millions of foreclosures to punish the imprudent isn’t smart. It’ll damage entire neighborhoods. “It’s not like ‘repo-ing’ cars, where you can move them around,” says Richard Syron, chairman and chief executive of mortgage giant Freddie Mac. An empty house loses 20% of its value in six months, he says. Even worse, the larger economy is at risk. Cue Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke: “A sharp increase in foreclosed properties for sale could weaken the already struggling housing market and thus, potentially, the broader economy.” (more…)

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Beautiful Wilkes County NC Timber Frame Home and Mountain Property.

MLS Number: 51166, List Price: $898,500

2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, 2 half baths, 2 car attached garage, full basement, and a barn on 5 acres of land.

These terms are used to describe thousands of homes and yet some things just can’t be described, they have to be experienced. This is one of those homes that really has to be seen to be appreciated.

This majestic Timber Frame home of the Bob Timberlake genre is not just another house, it provides a feeling of home that is not about walls and floors and windows and doors. It creates a feeling of the flow between your outdoor and your indoor environment that is seamless. Everywhere you look there is a view. Everything you touch feels natural and beautiful in a way that cannot be described, only owned.

Contact Elizabeth Carter, 336.973.5594 or Greg Stikeleather, Broker, 704.880.5247 or email eacarter@charter.net

click here for more information

The ugliness in today’s housing market is claiming a new class of victims — customers of insolvent home builders. What a builder’s troubles mean for its customers can vary depending on factors such as state law, contract terms and how long it takes to get the project back on track. In some cases, buyers may lose all or part of their deposit or wait a year or more for their house to be completed or the builder’s financial troubles to be sorted out. Homeowners who’ve already moved into a new development can find themselves living near a half-finished house where work has been halted. (more…)

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Major mortgage lenders have made it tougher for all types of customers to get loans over the past three months, according to the Federal Reserve’s quarterly survey of bank lending officers. This summer’s credit squeeze prompted an unprecedented tightening in lending standards at major banks. As credit standards toughened, demand for loans also fell, the Fed reported Nov. 5, providing some fresh details on the fallout from the credit crunch. Residential mortgages were harder to get than at any time in the 17-year history of the Fed’s survey of banks’ senior loan officers, the Fed said. The survey covers 52 domestic banks and 22 foreign banks, which together account for a majority of bank lending in the country. (more…)

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Fair market value is generally what a buyer is willing to pay for a property whose owner is not selling under duress. This is real estate’s version of that time-honored trading axiom, “what the market will bear.” Factors such as market demand, a home’s condition and “location, location, location” do play large roles in determining fair market value in residential real estate. Most real estate agents can calculate a reasonably accurate price based on “comps,” short for a comparative market analysis. You can create your own “comps” based on information from your local property tax office and perusal of Internet and newspaper sale ads, but this strategy probably won’t give you as accurate a picture as actual recent neighborhood sales in your price and size range. (more…)

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