Investors who want to side-step the carnage underway in the single family home segment should look hard at the flip side of residential real estate — rental apartments. While the home ownership rate is falling and foreclosures are at record levels, the apartment market is showing solid growth.

You don’t need to be a billionaire to participate — you can invest in apartment real estate investment trusts or REITs — stocks of large, publicly-traded companies that own, manage and often develop diversified portfolios of rental housing. With hundreds of thousands of people leaving homeownership because they can’t afford their mortgage bills, guess where they’re heading: They’re moving into rental apartments they can afford. (more…)

In normal real estate markets, only a few sellers are willing to take on the role of financier. However, now days that portion of mortgage financing is likely larger than it was a few years ago when lenders had plenty money to lend. Today’s home buyers are having a tough time finding mortgage money and sellers are having a tough time finding buyers.

Seller financed mortgages come in a variety of formats. All terms are normally negotiable between the buyer and seller. The best financing from the seller almost always occurs with properties that are mortgage free and clear. The seller simply accepts a note as a legally binding loan contract from a qualifying buyer. (more…)

search for : mortgage financing, Seller financed mortgage

Vacation property, an investment for retirement or a permanent residence, this Lake James waterfront home may be your dream property.

The beautiful water front home is located in a private community with spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It has a double deck boat dock, an enclosed boat garage and a private ramp to launch your own watercraft. The home was built originally in 1972 and totally renovated in 2002. A four car detached garage was built in 2002.

There is a total of 264 ft. of water front. Beautiful three tier sea walls accent this elegant home. Hard wood and tile floors, modern appliances and vaulted ceilings are only a few of the amenities that capture you with this home.

Private dock permit.

List Price: $1,800,000
Flexibility: Willing to finance
Acreage: .75 acres
Type: Waterfront

Floors: 2
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 4
Sq. Footage: 3700
Garage Size: 4.0
Year Built: 1972, totally renovated in 2002
School District: Nebo

Suitable Use: Residential

Topography: Rolling
Road Frontage: Private Road
Location: Lake James, Burke County, NC

Amenities: Waterfront, Fireplace, Central AC, Alarm, Wood Floors, Gas Range, Patio, Wheelchair Accessible, Nature/Bike Paths, Boating, Controlled Access, Spa/Jacuzzi

click here for more information

search for : Lake James waterfront home, Blue Ridge Mountains, Lake James, Burke County, NC

Population increases in many fast-growing counties, particularly in the South, started slowing last year. The demographic shifts suggest that the housing crunch may be forcing many Americans to stay put. People may bee paralyzed in their quest for jobs in growing areas in many parts of the country because the housing market has shut down across the board.

There has been a marked deceleration in population growth in several suburban counties that are farthest from urban centers. These are the counties to which some city residents had flocked in prior years for bigger houses and a different lifestyle. At the same time, urban areas and close-in suburbs were seeing population decreases slow, and in some cases reverse.

Americans continue to seek out the Sunbelt. The 10 counties with the largest population increases were all in California, Nevada, Arizona and North Carolina. (more…)

According to the United States Census Bureau, persons 65 years of age and older numbered 35 million in 2000. While the years since the last census have altered the numbers, it showed the over-65 group represented 12.4 percent of the population. The census data showed nearly 80 percent of the nation’s seniors own their own homes with 73 percent owning free and clear of any mortgages.

It’s the 27 percent that do not own their homes free and clear that could be at risk. Lenders are finding that some seniors have refinanced in recent years and now cannot afford the monthly payments due mostly to declining incomes in their retirement years. Many seniors are now turning to reverse mortgages that will tap the equity in their primary residence. Reserve mortgages are most often been made to homeowners age 62 or older and exclusively on a primary residence.

(more…)

search for : reverse mortgages

It’s a new age for home stagers. Many today are using natural products that lend an air of casual living, making the home enticing to prospective buyers. However, it isn’t just about cashing-in on what might appeal to buyers; it’s really about creating a better environment and lessening potential health issues that can come from synthetic materials. Non-natural products are known to be the cause of allergies and can even be carcinogenic.

Getting started in the natural décor theme doesn’t have to break the bank. Home stagers know that using something that is also 100 percent natural fiber helps the environment. An inexpensive start might be with throw pillows and curtains. When shopping for products to use in home staging, experts recommend that you turn over the product label and look at it. You might be surprised by what you find. (more…)

search for : home stagers, natural décor

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

Can a 150-square-foot backyard garden include little orchard? More and more homeowners and condo dwellers are cramming their spare space with fruit trees, fruit-bearing vines and bushes. Among the plant varieties are cherry and apples trees, plums, and grapevines. Those interested in growing edible-fruit trees at home will find a number of books available to help them make the right choices..

One book “The Backyard Orchardist” includes help on selecting the best fruit trees and information about each stage of growth and development, along with tips on harvest and storage of the fruit. Those with limited space will learn about growing dwarf fruit trees in containers. Appendices include a fruit-growers monthly calendar, a trouble-shooting guide for reviving ailing trees, and a resource list of nurseries selling fruit trees. (more…)

search for : The Backyard Orchardist

According to a recent survey, more than seven in 10 condo and townhome residents say they are satisfied with their purchase. Satisfaction is a big trend in housing communities governed by homeowners associations due to a host of reasons. A huge reason is that compared to single-family homes, condos are generally less expensive.

Also, given the average condo has a smaller square footage footprint than the average single-family home, keeping the interior spic and span is easier and condo owners spend much less time and money on upkeep than with the average sized single-family home.

The survey also reports that eighty-six percent said they knew they were moving into a homeowner association governed community when they decided to purchase, 61 percent had no qualms about the association’s existence, and 30 percent said the association made them more likely to buy or rent. (more…)