Pam's Real Estate Ponderings

DYNAMITE IN DAVIE COUNTY! Advance, NC

2012-02-09T07:06:00.001-09:00

February Landscaping tips : It's Still Winter Time

2012-02-05T06:51:00.000-09:00

This is great information provided by Lawnmasters Lawn & Landscape.

Even though it's still winter time, it is getting closer to the time to get ready to get busy! In our area of the US, (North West Tennessee) on Ky. Lake, we usually start getting cabin fever around this time. The first week or two of February will usually bring a few days where the temperatures get up into the 60's.

This brings everyone outside to start taking measure of what will need to be done to start bringing the Lawn and Landscape back to life. One of the most important things is to get all the leaves up. Either rake them, mow and vacuum them or blow them off. It doesn't matter how you get rid of them, just get them off the lawn. If leaves stay on the grass for a few weeks and get thick enough to totally block out the light, they will kill the grass. I have had several customers over the years that hired us to seed the lawn in the fall, we get them a great stand of grass, in Oct. the last time I see the property the grass looks great, then in spring they get the leaves up and there is no grass under them. I leave explicit instructions with everyone on how to take care of a new lawn after we seed, sod or sprig it, some people just don't follow directions and wind up with a bare lawn. So, this is what can happen if you don't get the leaves up off the lawn. It is better to mow and mulch them a little bit at a time through the fall and winter than to come in all at once and try to mulch them when they are thick. This leaves too much leaf material on the ground and this material itself can smother the grass. If you see your going to have so much leaf material that it will cover the grass, then you will need to remove the leaves. So let yourself be warned, if you have a deep over of leaves that you left out over the winter, you may want to consider reseeding

If you do have a lot of leaves on the lawn your Ph will be going to the acid side which means you will need lime. Fall and Spring are the best times to apply lime but you can put it down anytime of the year. I like to use the Dolomitic lime, or Pelletized lime some call it. It is in a brown colored granule and flows out of a fertilizer spreader easier than the old fashioned white powdery ag lime. This stuff will stop up a spreader, its hard to get it out, and it coats every thing with a white powder, including you when spreading it, so use the granules. If you have a pretty thick cover of trees that are putting down a lot of leafs each year, and you are mulching them, you will need a minimum of one 40# bag of lime per thousand square feet of lawn area. If you have moss growing on the surface you will need two bags per K. Usually the lawn is in such an acidic state if it hasn't had regular lime applications that it will need lime, but if you want you can have a soil test done. But let me just say, If you have a bunch of trees.....You need lime! Also if you happen to be in an area like we are in Northwest Tennessee, that has an abundance of rocks and clay soil, you will need lime.

Also, mulching the leaves leads to another problem, loss of nitrogen from the soil. The leaves are a high carbon material which requires a lot of nitrogen to break them down and decompose, so along with the lime applications a dose of 15-15-15 will go a long way towards keeping the lawn looking good. 6 # of this per K sq. ft. is the usual rate if you are putting down 1# of N -P - K per thousand sq. ft. of lawn area.

NEW PRICE ON THIS GREAT HOME!

2012-02-03T06:42:00.002-09:00

FABULOUS IN FIDDLER'S GLENN

2012-02-03T05:24:00.000-09:00

SUPERIOR IN SHERWOOD HILLS

2012-02-03T05:11:00.001-09:00

Price Reduction!

2012-02-02T07:36:00.000-09:00

Classic in Clemmons!

2012-02-01T06:59:00.002-09:00

BEAUTIFUL IN BRECKINRIDGE!

2012-01-31T05:50:00.000-09:00

2012-01-27T05:35:00.001-09:00

Housing Crisis to End in 2012 as Banks Loosen Credit Standards | LinkedIn http://ping.fm/hTUVV

AIN'T THIS SO TRUE!

2012-01-26T11:40:00.000-09:00

BEJEWELED IN BERMUDA RUN WEST! Bermuda Run, NC

2012-01-26T07:30:00.002-09:00

MARVELOUS IN MEADOWBROOK! Clemmons, NC

2012-01-26T07:18:00.000-09:00

NEW PRICE ON THIS GREAT HOME!

2012-01-25T07:21:00.000-09:00

MARVELOUS IN MEADOWLARK DOWNS!-Winston-Salem,NC

2012-01-25T07:04:00.000-09:00

9 ways to keep lid on energy bills

2012-01-07T03:54:00.000-09:00

9 ways to keep lid on energy bills

IRS's top 10 tax tips for home sellers

2012-01-05T07:35:00.000-09:00

Real Estate Tax Talk
By Stephen Fishman
Inman News™

Share ThisFrom time to time the IRS releases tips designed to help people with their taxes. Some of these are quite useful.

Last week the agency released "Ten Tax Tips for Individuals Selling Their Home," (IRS Summertime Tax Tip 2011-15).

As a real estate agent or broker, it is not your job to give home sellers tax advice. Indeed, it is advisable not to, since you could end up getting sued if you give wrong advice.

Instead, refer sellers to this list of IRS tips. It's a good starting place for them to begin to understand this often complex area of tax law. You could even print it out and hand it to anyone who asks you about these issues.

Here are the IRS's top 10 tax tips for home sellers:

1. In general, you are eligible to exclude the gain from income if you have owned and used your home as your main home for two years out of the five years prior to the date of its sale. 

2. If you have a gain from the sale of your main home, you may be able to exclude up to $250,000 of the gain from your income ($500,000 on a joint return in most cases). 

3. You are not eligible for the exclusion if you excluded the gain from the sale of another home during the two-year period prior to the sale of your home. 

4. If you can exclude all of the gain, you do not need to report the sale on your tax return. 

5. If you have a gain that cannot be excluded, it is taxable. You must report it on Form 1040, Schedule D, Capital Gains and Losses. 

6. You cannot deduct a loss from the sale of your main home. 

7. Worksheets are included in Publication 523, Selling Your Home, to help you figure the adjusted basis of the home you sold, the gain (or loss) on the sale, and the gain that you can exclude. 

8. If you have more than one home, you can exclude a gain only from the sale of your main home. You must pay tax on the gain from selling any other home. If you have two homes and live in both of them, your main home is ordinarily the one you live in most of the time. 

9. If you received the first-time homebuyer credit and within 36 months of the date of purchase, the property is no longer used as your principal residence, you are required to repay the credit. Repayment of the full credit is due with the income tax return for the year the home ceased to be your principal residence, using Form 5405, First-Time Homebuyer Credit and Repayment of the Credit. The full amount of the credit is reflected as additional tax on that year's tax return. 

10. When you move, be sure to update your address with the IRS and the U.S. Postal Service to ensure you receive refunds or correspondence from the IRS. Use Form 8822, Change of Address, to notify the IRS of your address change.

These tips can be found on the IRS website at http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/content/0,,id=104608,00.html.

KLASSIC IN KING! King, NC

2011-12-21T13:09:00.002-09:00

KLASSIC IN KERNERSVILLE! Kernersville, NC

2011-12-20T06:12:00.000-09:00

DECORATE SAFELY FOR THE HOLIDAYS

2011-12-16T04:59:00.000-09:00

The holidays should be merry and bright, but the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) annually warns consumers that the holidays also bring dangers associated with the improper use of decorative lighting. By avoiding such hazards as dried out Christmas trees, unsafe lights and unattended burning candles, thousands of holiday-related injuries can be prevented. By all means enjoy yourself this holiday season, but make following the fire/electrical safety tips outlined below a priority in your merrymaking.

Trees:

Look for the label "Fire Resistant" when buying an artificial tree. While this label does not mean the tree won't catch fire, it does signify the tree will resist burning and should extinguish quickly.
Check for freshness when purchasing a live tree. You can do this by looking for deep green trees with needles that are hard to pull from branches and do not break when bent between your fingers. The trunk butt of a fresh tree is sticky with resin. When tapped on the ground, the tree should not lose many needles.

Be sure to place trees (artificial or live) away from fireplaces and radiators. Live trees dry out quickly in heated rooms so be certain to keep the tree stand full of water at all times.
Place trees out away from traffic paths and do not block doorways.

Lights:
Use only lights that have been tested for safety by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or another recognized testing laboratory. A UL label indicates the lights conform to certain standards. Use only lights that have fused plugs.

Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections. Throw out damaged sets. Always replace burned-out bulbs promptly with the same type and wattage bulbs. Using the wrong bulbs can cause overheating.

Connect no more than three standard-size sets of lights together.
Make sure extension cords are rated for the intended use.
Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights, and a person touching a branch could be electrocuted.

Before using lights outdoors, check labels to be sure they have been certified for outdoor use.

When hanging light strings, stay away from the electric power lines that may run from utility poles to your home.

Fasten outdoor lights securely to trees, house walls, or other mean of supports to protect the lights from wind damage. Use only insulated staples to hold strings in place, not nails or tacks. Or, run strings of lights through plastic hooks.

Since damage or a short-circuit could quickly start a fire, turn off all holiday lights when you go to bed or leave the house.
Use caution when removing outdoor holiday lights. Never pull or tug on lights – they could unravel.

Outdoor electric lights and decorations should be plugged into circuits protected by ground-fault circuit-interrupters (GFCIs). If there is no GFCI-protected receptacle available, a portable device should be used.

Decorations:
Use only non-combustible or flame-resistant materials to trim a tree. Choose tinsel or artificial icicles of plastic or nonleaded metals. Leaded materials are hazardous if ingested by children.
Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other evergreens. Always use non-flammable holders, and place candles where they will not be knocked down.

In homes with small children, take special care to avoid decorations that are sharp or breakable, keep tree trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children, and avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food that may tempt a child to eat them.

To avoid eye and skin irritation wear gloves and glasses or goggles while decorating.

When using artificial snow sprays, follow container directions carefully to avoid lung or eye irritation.

Do not burn wrapping papers in the fireplace. A flash fire may result as wrappings ignite suddenly and burn intensely.

Remember, these tips are only general guidelines. Since each situation is different, contact a professional if you have questions about a specific issue.

Thanks to Scott Dampier at HouseMasters Home Inspections for this information. More home safety and maintenance information is available online at www.housemaster.com.

14 tips for furnace and fireplace safety - Beware the silent killer

2011-12-15T04:01:00.000-09:00

Q: Our house was built around 1940; the fireplace is original; and we
installed forced-air gas heating about 10 years ago. We haven't had the fireplace or furnace inspected. What do you guys recommend to get the fireplace and the furnace ready for winter?

A: Regular inspection and servicing of fireplaces and furnaces adds to comfort, makes them more economical, and most important, keeps them safe. Regular inspections can prevent a deadly house fire or the introduction of a silent killer: carbon monoxide.

Here's our checklist to keep you cozy and safe during the winter months:

Wood-burning fireplaces

1. Inspection by a certified chimney sweep is a must. For heavy use, the chimney should be inspected and cleaned annually. Go up to five years if the fireplace is used only occasionally. The sweep should inspect for proper operation of the damper and for cracks in the flue liner, as well as sweeping the flue to remove creosote and other combustion byproducts.

2. Close the damper when the fireplace isn't in use.

3. Install a chimney cap if you don't already have one. You don't want creatures building their nest in your flue.

4. When starting a fire, "prime" the flue by holding lighted newspaper at the back wall of the firebox to start the warm air rising.

5. Burn aged, dry hardwood if possible. Fir or pine burns hot and deposits creosote in the chimney. Don't burn construction debris. It may contain toxic chemicals that will vaporize in the fire and could enter the living space.

6. Do not clean out the fireplace when the ashes are still hot. And dispose of the ashes in a place where wayward embers won't start a fire.

Fireplace with gas starter

1. If the flame goes out, wait at least five minutes before attempting to relight the fireplace. This allows time to clear the fireplace of gas.

2. Be alert for unusual odors or odd-colored flames, which are often a sign that the fireplace is not operating properly. In such cases, contact your dealer or licensed technician for servicing. Contact the gas company if you smell gas when the unit is off.

Gas furnace maintenance

1. An annual maintenance check of a gas furnace extends the life of the appliance and ferrets out any hidden problems. A qualified heating contractor should vacuum out the unit, inspect the blower motor, inspect the heat exchanger for cracks, check the electronics and perform a multipoint checklist to make sure the furnace is operating properly.

2. Clean or replace the furnace filter frequently during the heating season. This ensures that air returning from the inside of the house is unobstructed and clean when entering the combustion chamber.

3. Keep vents, space heaters and baseboards clear of furniture, rugs and drapes to allow free air movement.

4. Ensure there is free airflow around your furnace and make sure there are no storage items obstructing airflow.

5. Do not store or use combustible materials, such as chemicals, paint, rags, clothing, draperies, paper, cleaning products, gasoline, or flammable vapors and liquids in the vicinity of the furnace.

6. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless and lethal gas that can occur any time there is incomplete combustion or poor venting. Any home that contains fuel-burning appliances, such as a fireplace or furnace, should have a carbon monoxide alarm installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Info provided By Bill and Kevin Burnett
December 15, 2011

CHARMING IN CARRIAGE COVE! Winston-Salem

2011-12-07T19:08:00.002-09:00

MARVELOUS IN MAYFAIR! Winston-Salem

2011-12-07T19:06:00.000-09:00

New Price: SUPERIOR IN SEQUOIA! Lewisville

2011-11-28T12:48:00.000-09:00

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

2011-11-24T03:00:00.001-09:00

'Twas the night of Thanksgiving, but I just couldn't sleep -
I tried counting backwards, I tried counting sheep;
The leftovers beckoned - the dark meat and white,
But I fought the temptation with all of my might!
Tossing and turning with anticipation...
The thought of a snack became infatuation.

So I raced to the kitchen, flung open the door
And gazed at the fridge, full of goodies galore!
I gobbled up turkey and buttered potatoes...
Pickles and carrots, beans and tomatoes;
I felt myself swelling, so plump and so round,
'Til all of a sudden, I rose off the ground -
I crashed through the ceiling, floating into the sky
With a mouthful of pudding and a handful of pie.

But I managed to yell as I soared past the trees...
Happy eating to all, pass the cranberries, please!
May your stuffing be tasty, may your turkey be plump,
May your potatoes 'n gravy have 'nary a lump;
May your yams be delicious, may your pies take the prize;
and all that I wish for is that
My Thanksgiving dinner stay off of my thighs

New Price - BEJEWELED IN BROOKBERRY FARM! Winston-Salem, NC

2011-11-04T15:15:00.000-08:00

New Price: Wonderful In Wellington! Winston-Salem, NC

2011-10-31T17:13:00.000-08:00

HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS

2011-10-29T06:00:00.001-08:00

TRICK-OR-TREATERS
Carry a flashlight

Walk, don't run.

Stay on Sidewalks

Obey traffic signals

Stay in familiar neighborhoods

Don't cut across yards or driveways.

Wear a watch you can read in the dark.

Make sure costumes don't drag on the ground.

Shoes should fit (even if they don't go with your costume)

Avoid wearing masks while walking from house to house.

Carry only flexible knives, swords or other props.

(If no sidewalk) walk on the left side of the road facing traffic

Wear clothing with reflective markings or tape.

Approach only houses that are lit.

Stay away from and don't pet animals you don't know.

PARENTS
Make your child eat dinner before setting out.

Children should carry quarters so they can call home.

Ideally, young children of any age should be accompanied by an adult.

If your children go on their own, be sure they wear a watch, preferably
one that can be read in the dark.

If you buy a costume, look for one made of flame-retardant material.

Older children should know where to reach you and when to be home.

You should know where they're going.

Although tampering is rare, tell children to bring the candy home to be
inspected before consuming anything.

Look at the wrapping carefully and toss out anything that looks
suspect.

HOMEOWNERS
Make sure your yard is clear of such things as ladders, hoses, dog leashes and flower pots that can trip the young ones.

Pets get frightened on Halloween. Put them up to protect them from cars or inadvertently biting a trick-or-treater.

Battery powered jack o'lantern candles are preferable to a real flame.

If you do use candles, place the pumpkin well away from where trick-or-treaters will be walking or standing.

Make sure paper or cloth yard decorations won't be blown into a flaming candle.

Healthy food alternatives for trick-or-treaters include packages of low-fat crackers with cheese or peanut butter filling, single-serve boxes of cereal, packaged fruit rolls, mini boxes of raisins and single-serve packets of low-fat popcorn that can be microwaved later.

Non-food treats: plastic rings, pencils, stickers, erasers, coins.

Tips provided by Blake Honeycutt, Allen Tate Insurance.

Just Reduced! 1 Level with Bonus Room, Winston-Salem, NC!

2011-10-19T07:00:00.002-08:00

Great New Price in Winston-Salem, NC!

2011-10-19T06:57:00.002-08:00

BEJEWELED IN BROOKBERRY FARM! Winston-Salem, NC

2011-10-13T19:17:00.000-08:00

PRISTINE IN PEPPERTREE! Clemmons, NC

2011-10-13T19:14:00.002-08:00

New Price on 4 Bedrooms in Forsyth County!

2011-10-12T06:39:00.000-08:00

Steve Job's Seven Secrets of Success. Come on and steal them, he wants you to!

2011-10-09T05:19:00.000-08:00

Steve Job's Seven Secrets of Success. Come on and steal them, he wants you to!

1. Do what you love-don't settle, passion is everything. Do it because you love it.

2. Put a dent in the universe. Develop a clear and concise vision. Have the courage to follow your heart.

3. Say no to a thousand things. Focus. Reduce the clutter, make it simple. Get the spark back. Simplicity of
having only half dozen people you consult with.

4. Kick start your brain by doing something new. Develop an inquiring mind. Unexpected connections. The apple stores are based on the 4 seasons.

5. Sell dreams, not products. Re-think something as an entirely new experience. Example, the iPhone revolutionized the telephone experience.

6. Create insanely great experiences. Innovate by creating an extraordinary consumer experience.

7. Master the message. Steve re-invented the phone. It 's all about how well you communicate.

Steve Jobs was a Genius, a Perfectionist. The ultimate visionary. Steal his secrets, he expects it!.

Steve once said " Good artists copy, Great artists steal

New Price in Forsyth County!

2011-10-08T13:39:00.000-08:00

Check Out New Price in Clemmons, NC!

2011-10-08T13:28:00.001-08:00

Irresistible in Ivy Glen! Winston-Salem

2011-10-05T09:58:00.002-08:00

New Price: WONDERFUL IN WASHINGTON PARK! Winston-Salem, NC

2011-10-05T06:49:00.000-08:00

TERRIFIC IN TWIN GARDENS! Winston-Salem, NC

2011-09-29T06:01:00.002-08:00

CREAM PUFF IN CLEMMONS! Clemmons, NC

2011-09-29T05:49:00.000-08:00

GREAT NEWS ABOUT SALEM GLEN GOLF COURSE IT IS

2011-09-25T06:48:00.000-08:00

Regaining its game

GO WINSTON-SALEM!

2011-09-25T06:44:00.000-08:00

'Cities have egos too': The importance of national rankings

New Price on this fabulous home in Clemmons, NC!

2011-09-22T08:17:00.002-08:00

Check out my #constantcontact newsletter

2011-09-16T05:25:00.000-08:00

Check out my September 2011 newsletter

Pams Real Estate Ponderings -- News about real estate and our community

Winston-Salem ranks high as retirement haven

2011-09-16T05:12:00.000-08:00

CNNMoney.com puts Winston-Salem in top 25, citing arts support

BY TRAVIS FAIN
Winston-Salem Journal

CNNMoney.com confirmed Thursday what plenty of people already knew: Winston-Salem is a fine place to retire.

The city made the website’s annual top 25 list of best places to retire, largely on the strength of its “long-standing tradition supporting the arts” and its “bustling downtown arts district.” Winston-Salem was the only North Carolina city on the list.

The city frequently makes these lists, and they often cite the fair climate, relatively low cost of living and a commitment to the arts.

Retirees are a desirable demographic: They still pay taxes, but generally don’t have school children. They have spare time, making them fertile ground for volunteer recruitment efforts. In fact, of Senior Services Inc.’s 2,000 volunteers, most of them are retirees, according to President Richard Gottlieb.

Jerry and Marjorie Silber are examples of retirees who have made Winston-Salem their home. They moved here from Arlington in 2005. Marjorie Silber had visited in 1999 and just loved the place. “This town feels good. It’s just a lovely city, and it had everything,” Marjorie Silber said, adding that she and her husband love the arts and the Winston-Salem Symphony.

The Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County is actually working now to determine “what kind of things we need to increase the city's appeal to retirees, council President and CEO Milton Rhodes said Thursday. Rhodes said the effort is focusing on activities retirees like, and making them easy to get to.

Rhodes also noted that many executives transferred to Winston-Salem by their company end up staying here in retirement. They are surprised (how much there is to do here), Rhodes said. But weıre not surprised. The city also has a lot of services for retirees as they transition into senior citizens, Gottlieb said, including wonderful continuing-care retirement communities.

CNNMoney.com's list put a premium on the cost of living, home prices and low taxes, as well as things for retirees to do. The methodology led to a number of seemingly unusual choices, including Marquette, Mich.; Boise, Idaho; and Danville, Ky. Being near the beach didnıt count for much: Only two Florida cities made the list: Cape Coral and Clearwater. That's the same number of cities that Michigan has on the list.

Winston-Salem has made several lists as an outstanding place to retire. Where to Retire magazine, in its September/October 2009 issue, profiled Winston-Salem as one of eight cities with low housing prices and varied lifestyle amenities. The magazine bills itself as the only magazine in America geared to helping people with retirement-relocation decisions.

Winston-Salem prides itself on its arts and cultural scene with museums, galleries and theaters aplenty, the magazineıs report said. Retirees will find great variety and great value in housing with lower prices compared to other cities in the region. In January 2007, the city was listed as having the second-best retirement community by Warren Bland, a retirement analyst and the author of Retire in Style: 60 Outstanding Places Across the USA and Canada. In August 2007, the city was ranked as the 10th best retirement community in North America by TopRetirements.com, a website aimed at baby boomers.

To see CNNMoney.com’s story that lists Winston-Salem as one of the top 25 cities in the country to retire in, go to

http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2011/real_estate/1109/gallery.best_places_retire.moneymag/10.html

Living on the Lake in Clemmons!

2011-09-15T11:59:00.000-08:00

New Price: MARVELOUS IN THE MEADOWS! Winston-Salem, NC

2011-09-15T11:46:00.001-08:00

"A Room-by-Room Guide to Making Your Home Safer"

2011-09-13T04:16:00.010-08:00

Just came across this article today about how to make a home safer, and I thought of all of you. Let me know how you're doing and if this article was useful! Here's the link to the article:

Making Your Home Safer

FANTASTIC IN FARMBROOK! Winston-Salem, NC

2011-09-12T08:49:00.000-08:00

New Price in Winston-Salem NC!

2011-09-06T10:28:00.001-08:00

Spectacular in Spicewood Trails Winston-Salem, NC

2011-09-03T15:41:00.001-08:00

New Price: Character In Clemmons! Clemmons, NC

2011-08-30T18:15:00.002-08:00

Beautiful In Buena Vista! Winston-Salem, NC

2011-08-29T12:28:00.002-08:00

KLASSIC IN KINDERTON! ADVANCE, NC

2011-08-27T04:17:00.002-08:00

New Price in Winston-Salem NC!

2011-08-24T10:34:00.001-08:00

Beautiful at Bethabara in Winston-Salem, NC!

2011-08-23T06:46:00.001-08:00

If you are thinking of buying a new home CALL ME! Check out this article from the Winston-Salem Journal. 30-year fixed mortgage hits lowest known rate

2011-08-19T05:38:00.000-08:00

This is unbelievably good news regarding interest rates.

WASHINGTON — The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage has fallen to its lowest level on records dating to 1971.

The rate on the most popular mortgage dipped to 4.15 percent from 4.32 percent a week ago, Freddie Mac said Thursday. Its previous low of 4.17 percent was reached in November.

The last time long-term rates were lower was in the 1950s, when 30-year loans weren’t widely available. Most long-term home loans lasted 20 or 25 years.

Few expect record-low rates to energize the depressed home market. Over the past year, the average rate on the 30-year fixed mortgage has been below 5 percent for all but two weeks. Yet prices and sales remain unhealthy and are holding back the overall economy.

Five years ago, the average 30-year fixed rate was near 6.5 percent. In 2000, it exceeded 8 percent.

The average rate on a 15year fixed mortgage fell to 3.36 percent, also a record low. It’s the third straight week of record lows for the popular refinancing option.

Freddie Mac’s records date to 1991, but analysts believe the new low on the 15-year mortgage is the lowest ever.

— The Associated Press

Home Maintenance Tip -

2011-08-17T07:10:00.000-08:00

Here is some great information as we are all trying to economize! Thanks to Angela at Old Republic Home Protection for the info.

Tips to Save Energy Today

Easy low-cost and no-cost ways to save energy:

•Install a programmable thermostat to keep your house comfortably warm in the winter and comfortably cool in the summer.
•Use compact fluorescent light bulbs with the ENERGY STAR® label.
•Air-dry dishes instead of using your dishwasher's drying cycle.
•Turn off your computer and monitor when not in use.
•Plug home electronics, such as TVs and DVD players, into power strips; turn the power strips off when the equipment is not in use (TVs and DVD players in standby mode still use several watts of power).
•Lower the thermostat on your water heater to 120°F.
•Take short showers instead of baths.
•Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes.
•Drive sensibly. Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gasoline.
•Look for the ENERGY STAR label on home appliances and products. ENERGY STAR products meet strict efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency.
•Visit www.energysavers.gov for more energy-saving ideas.
Source: www.energysavers.gov

New Price: Wonderful In Whittier Point! Winston-Salem, NC

2011-08-10T06:43:00.000-08:00

New Price: Klassic In Konnoak! Winston-Salem, NC

2011-08-10T06:40:00.002-08:00

Primo On Polo Road! Winston-Salem, NC

2011-08-09T08:27:00.002-08:00

Magnificent In Meadowbrook! Clemmons, NC

2011-08-09T08:26:00.003-08:00

Stunning in Styers Crossing, Clemmons NC!

2011-08-05T04:19:00.000-08:00

New Price! Lakefront in Lewisville! Lewisville, NC

2011-08-01T11:34:00.000-08:00

New Price!!! AWESOME IN ARDMORE FARMS! - Winston-Salem, NC

2011-07-29T07:06:00.000-08:00

New Price!! Klassic In Konnoak!

2011-07-27T06:25:00.002-08:00

New Price on this great home in Winston-Salem NC!

2011-07-26T03:45:00.002-08:00

Just Listed in Winston-Salem, NC!

2011-07-14T03:05:00.001-08:00

Featured in Kinderton Village, Advance NC!

2011-07-12T03:52:00.000-08:00

New Price in Northern Davidson County!

2011-07-11T18:53:00.001-08:00

New Price on this great home in Clemmons, NC!

2011-07-11T18:47:00.000-08:00

New Price in Winston-Salem, NC!

2011-07-08T05:48:00.001-08:00

New Price on this Great Home!

2011-07-01T05:37:00.001-08:00

CHARACTER IN CLEMMONS WEST! Clemmons, NC

2011-06-23T09:24:00.000-08:00

Classic On Clarendon! Winston-Salem, NC

2011-06-23T09:16:00.000-08:00

Prestigious in Prestwick! Winston-Salem, NC

2011-06-20T10:13:00.000-08:00

WONDERFUL IN WHITTIER POINT! Winston-Salem, NC

2011-06-20T08:30:00.002-08:00

New Price - CLASSIC IN CLEMMONS! Clemmons, NC

2011-06-20T07:39:00.000-08:00

Super In South Fork! Winston-Salem, NC

2011-06-13T17:50:00.000-08:00

BEAUTIFUL ON BEACON PARK LANE IN WALKERTOWN, NC!

2011-06-09T05:20:00.002-08:00

New Price: Delightful In Davidson! Davidson, NC

2011-06-07T16:42:00.002-08:00

New Price: Close To Hospitals In Camden Forest! Winston-Salem, NC

2011-06-07T16:31:00.000-08:00

New Price - Beautiful In Bethany Trace! Winston-Salem, NC

2011-06-06T09:15:00.002-08:00

New Price - Classic in Clemmons! Clemmons, NC

2011-06-06T07:57:00.002-08:00

Phenomenal in Pfafftown! Pfafftown, NC

2011-06-06T06:31:00.000-08:00

New Price! Marvelous In Mountainbrook! Winston-Salem, NC

2011-06-03T03:26:00.000-08:00

Klassic In Konnoak! Winston-Salem, NC

2011-06-02T12:23:00.001-08:00

DYNAMITE IN DAVIE COUNTY! Advance, NC

2011-05-26T06:18:00.000-08:00

WONDERFUL IN WASHINGTON PARK! Historic Winston-Salem, NC

2011-05-25T09:57:00.001-08:00

Lexington: New Price, 14+ Acres!

2011-05-24T20:59:00.001-08:00

Great New Price!

2011-05-05T08:44:00.000-08:00

CHARACTER IN CLEMMONS! Clemmons, NC

2011-05-04T12:51:00.000-08:00

KLASSIC IN KAYMOORE! Winston-Salem, NC

2011-05-04T12:45:00.002-08:00

MAGNIFICANT BUILDING LOT IN MEADOWS EDGE! Advance, NC

2011-05-02T08:33:00.000-08:00

Lovely in Lewisville! Lewisville, NC

2011-05-02T08:30:00.000-08:00

New Price: SPACIOUS IN SALEM WOODS! Winston-Salem, NC

2011-04-28T11:55:00.000-08:00

MAGINFICENT IN MOCKSVILLE, NC!

2011-04-27T18:09:00.001-08:00

New Again in Forsyth County, NC

2011-04-27T16:16:00.000-08:00

New Price: FLAWLESS IN FARMBROOK! Winston-Salem, NC

2011-04-27T12:25:00.000-08:00

CLOSE TO HOSPITALS IN CAMDEN FOREST - WINSTON-SALEM, NC

2011-04-21T03:28:00.000-08:00

KLASSY IN KINDERTON! ADVANCE, NC

2011-04-19T13:52:00.000-08:00