KCM Blog |
Posted: 05 Aug 2011 04:00 AM PDT |
Friday, August 5, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
Can you tell me more about New Bern, NC?
We sure can! Here's a great article about New Bern from the SOUTHEAST DISCOVERY blog. They've given me permission to repost it, and you can find their blog by clicking here: Southeast Discovery....
New Bern North Carolina - Pepsi, Bears, History and Much More...
July 24, 2011 - 5:51pm
Actually, Tryon Palace is as good a place as any to start, because it’s where all things past - join with today’s technology to offer a living history experience. It’s actually comprised of several oft-visited sites. The Governor’s Palace, a Georgian-style structure built in 1770 for Royal Governor William Tryon and his family; the North Carolina History Center, which is “anything but a stuffy museum,” say its promoters, and includes live performances of historic events as well as multimedia exhibits; theDuffy Exhibit Gallery, which in 2011 is hosting “Bern New Bern,” an international exhibit celebrating the relationship of New Bern to its mother city, Bern, Switzerland; the Pepsi Family Center, which will transport you back to 1835 to sail a ship, distill turpentine in the forest, help piece together a quilt, help customers in a dry goods store, or help publish that day’s newspaper, all via interactive exhibits; the Cullman Performance Hall; and numerous historic homes, plus acres of manicured gardens throughout the property and along the riverfront (and there’s no admission to the gardens on the first Sunday afternoon of each month from March through October). If you need more proof that Tryon Palace is, indeed, living history - and more – here’s a glimpse of what’s scheduled there throughout the summer and fall of 2011: 
Meanwhile, the summer and fall are great times to visit some great places in and near New Bern, North Carolina. The Birthplace of Pepsi on Middle Street is where pharmacist Caleb Bradham invented “Brad’s Drink,” which later he patented as Pepsi Cola. Also on Middle Street is the Bank of the Arts, a circa 1913 bank that’s now home to the Craven Arts Council and Gallery, and features changing exhibits of various media such as painting, sculpture, photography, pottery, and fiber art by artists of the southeastern U.S. While on Middle Street, hop onto one of the trolleys run by New Bern Tours for a 90-minute tour that includes a visit to the New Bern Academy Museum. Or try an evening tour offered by Carolina Carriage & Tours of New Bern’s downtown historic district or riverfront.
For most communities along or near the coast, water is the lifeblood of their economies – swim in it, sail on it, fish from it. Bad weather means bad business. But in New Bern, North Carolina, there’s more to life than sand and sea.
There’s 160,000 acres of forests, 300 years of history, a number of bears and, quite possibly, a few ghosts. In fact, one spirit is alive and well in New Bern – that of William Shakespeare, who comes to life each summer in the form of the Carolinian Shakespeare Festival. For 2011, Shakespeare’s tale of Othello - the noble Moor who loved not wisely but too well – is performed every Thursday-Sunday in August, at Cullman Performance Hall, part of the North Carolina History Center at Tryon Palace.
And, it’s almost as though New Bern has heeded the words of The Bard himself, when he wrote, "This above all: to thine own self be true." (Hamlet: Act I, Scene III). New Bern is true to its roots as North Carolina’s first state capitol, the state’s second oldest city; and home to the original Pepsi. But New Bern is so much more than history, as you’ll soon discover.
Actually, Tryon Palace is as good a place as any to start, because it’s where all things past - join with today’s technology to offer a living history experience. It’s actually comprised of several oft-visited sites. The Governor’s Palace, a Georgian-style structure built in 1770 for Royal Governor William Tryon and his family; the North Carolina History Center, which is “anything but a stuffy museum,” say its promoters, and includes live performances of historic events as well as multimedia exhibits; theDuffy Exhibit Gallery, which in 2011 is hosting “Bern New Bern,” an international exhibit celebrating the relationship of New Bern to its mother city, Bern, Switzerland; the Pepsi Family Center, which will transport you back to 1835 to sail a ship, distill turpentine in the forest, help piece together a quilt, help customers in a dry goods store, or help publish that day’s newspaper, all via interactive exhibits; the Cullman Performance Hall; and numerous historic homes, plus acres of manicured gardens throughout the property and along the riverfront (and there’s no admission to the gardens on the first Sunday afternoon of each month from March through October). If you need more proof that Tryon Palace is, indeed, living history - and more – here’s a glimpse of what’s scheduled there throughout the summer and fall of 2011:If music on the 4th of July left you whistling for more, there are workshops every Tuesday and Thursday in July for Fife & Drum Corps wannabes. You might even be recruited by the Revolutionary Army to play at one of numerous events throughout the year (if you’re planning to become a resident, of course). The Corps is already booked for one gig – theStanly-Spaight Duel, or, rather, a re-enactment of the 1802 “gentlemen’s” match between a prominent New Bern lawyer and former governor, to be held Sept. 5 at New Bern Academy Green.
One Sunday every month, you can learn about 300 years of African-American history on a walking tour of New Bern's historic district. The tour, which covers 16 blocks, lasts approximately 90 minutes. And, every other month from July through November, at Cullman Performance Hall, the African-American Lecture Series brings academics, historians and civil rights leaders to take attendees back to Civil War times to meet the people (well-known and unknown) involved in the efforts to abolish slavery: No Quarter (July 21) details why African American Union soldiers feared capture more than death; The Spirit of Frederick Douglass (Sept. 15) delves into the speeches and letters of the man who took his efforts to the top – a meeting with Abraham Lincoln; and The First Year of Freedom in North Carolina (Nov. 17) will use first-hand accounts to re-create that historic period.
Looking for ways to make people “green with envy” about the retirement or vacation home you’ve purchased (or are considering)? You’ll get plenty of “green thumbs-up" at Tyron Palace’s horticultural happenings: On Aug. 20 in Cullman Performance Hall,Bringing Bits of Eden to the South features regional gardening guru Felder Rushing, who will share “green” technology, including from England’s unique Eden Project. And, on Oct. 7-9, “MUM’s the Word’ at Tryon Palace. A three-day MUMfest Weekend will feature thousands of chrysanthemums in the Palace gardens. Free informal garden tours will be given each day. And, on the grounds of the Governor’s Palace that same weekend is theAnnual Heritage Plant Sale, with perennials, herbs, annuals, trees, and shrubs grown in its greenhouse for sale, and master gardeners will be on hand to answer questions.
Elsewhere in New Bern, North Carolina, there’s enough entertainment through the summer and fall to leave even ardent fans struggling to keep pace. Each month, from July through December, is the Bear City Opry at the Masonic Theater; it’s a musical show that’s billed as “fun for the whole family” and features “live music of all kinds, played like you heard in the good old days.” Similarly, the Golden Age of Radio returns Oct. 1, when the North Carolina History Center hosts The Monkey’s Paw, an adaptation of W. W. Jacobs' harrowing tale of three wishes gone horribly wrong; it’ll be performed in “radio style,” with voice actors and sound effects artists.
A more contemporary return to the past will happen Aug. 13 at Grover C. Fields Performing Arts Center Auditorium, when the 1964 Beatles Tribute takes the stage in what Rolling Stone Magazine called the "Best Beatles Tribute on Earth." Then, on Sept. 16, the History Center’s Mattocks Hall hosts Barbershop, Bluegrass and Barbeque, a night of toe-tappin', knee slappin' music complemented by Tommy Moore's barbeque. If, to you, symphonic music is a “classical gas,” the North Carolina Symphony will perform Schubert selections Sept. 18 and a Holiday Pops concert Dec. 15, both at the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center. The performing arts spotlight for 2011 was on the historic Athens Theatre as it hosted The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon July 8-16, when two narrators attempted to combine all 209 Brothers Grimm fairy tales in a wild, fast-paced extravaganza; and Gypsywill run July 21-31 at the Masonic Theatre. And at the New Bern Civic Theatre, there are dramas, comedies, musicals and even performances in sign language planned throughout the year.
Meanwhile, the summer and fall are great times to visit some great places in and near New Bern, North Carolina. The Birthplace of Pepsi on Middle Street is where pharmacist Caleb Bradham invented “Brad’s Drink,” which later he patented as Pepsi Cola. Also on Middle Street is the Bank of the Arts, a circa 1913 bank that’s now home to the Craven Arts Council and Gallery, and features changing exhibits of various media such as painting, sculpture, photography, pottery, and fiber art by artists of the southeastern U.S. While on Middle Street, hop onto one of the trolleys run by New Bern Tours for a 90-minute tour that includes a visit to the New Bern Academy Museum. Or try an evening tour offered by Carolina Carriage & Tours of New Bern’s downtown historic district or riverfront.Of course, if you feel “tugged” to tour using something other than your feet, a trolley or carriage, then follow your urge – take a tug boat cruise along the Neuse and Trent rivers from Randy’s Water Cars & Tug Boat Cruises at the marina. Or, for a true “bird’s-eye view,” consider Crystal Coast Helicopter Tours, based at Coastal Carolina Regional Airport. And, to stretch your (aviation) wings, visit the Havelock Tourist & Event Center USMC Aviation Exhibit, just south of downtown New Bern. It features an aviation exhibit that highlights Marine Corps aviation in Eastern North Carolina, with four aircraft on loan from the U.S. Marine Corps and Department of the Navy. There’s also a waterfront park along Slocum Creek featuring a nature boardwalk and boat ramp.
If you stop by the weekly Farmer’s Market for fresh locally-grown produce and fantasize about a day at a farm, then a short drive to nearby Cove City might be just the ticket. At 183 Woodrow McCoy Road is A Day at the Farm, where you’ll see historic dairy barns, milking equipment and period antiques, as well as farm animals, fish and duck pond and, depending on the season, a pumpkin patch or peanut patch. And, if that makes you want to experience more of what nature has provided those who live in or near New Bern, it’s time you spent some time – as much time as you want – at Croatan National Forest, just south of town. Its 160,000 acres provide outdoor recreation opportunities ranging from camping and picnicking to hiking, hunting and fishing. The Croatan has been nationally recognized for its trails and recreation opportunities. Also, since 2011 is the 150thanniversary of start of the Civil War, history buffs might like to know that the forest was one site of a battle that was fought in New Bern during that period.
Carolina Colours, a residential golf course development located in New Bern has been a quality community for folks to consider for those who are looking to retire and relocate to New Bern or choose this historic town for their second home. With an 18 hole golf course, completed clubhouse and a welcoming atmosphere amongst the residents, Carolina Colours has enjoyed the success of its attractive location in New Bern. There is a selection of wooded and golf course lots to purchase with no time frame to build a custom designed home as well as already built homes that range in price from the mid $200's to over $800,000.
Now, back to the beginning of this piece… Remember the bears? Blame it on a baron – a homesick one, at that. In 1710, Baron Christopher de Graffenried founded the city, naming it after his hometown, Bern, Switzerland. And we’re told that “bern” means “bear.” So, it stands to reason that, coinciding with New Bern’s 300th anniversary, some 50 fiberglass bears, each uniquely hand-painted by local artists, are spread throughout New Bern, and each has an interesting story to tell you. Just follow the tracks.
And about the “ghosts” mentioned earlier… Hey, a 300-year-old city’s bound to have spirits (and we’re not talkin’ 80-proof spirits here). To find out for yourself, let Ghosts of New Bern take you on an hour-long walking tour, past haunts – er, buildings – and streets rumored to have ghostly presence…
But how do New Bern residents spend their summers and falls? Lee Wilson Bettis, Jr. says, “On warm summer nights after a long day, I load the family on our skiff and head up the river for a night of fishing, shrimping, or just watching the painted sunset give way to a million stars…” His day-job? Mayor of New Bern.
For more information on the New Bern area or Carolina Colours development, send your inquiries to info@southeastdiscovery.com and we'll get back to you with a prompt reply.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Will the New Bern area housing market rebound soon?
Well, my crystal ball is still a bit cloudy. But there seems to be some good news on the horizon.
According to a Daily Real Estate News* article published July 11, 2011 by Realtor.org, two of the “feeder” markets for transplants to New Bern have been tapped as the #1 and #2 top performing major markets in the US:
So what does this mean to New Bern home sellers? Most of the Baby Boomers who relocate to the New Bern area to retire come from the Northeast portion of the US. The New York and Washington, DC, metro areas provide a large chunk of those retirees. So the more houses that sell in these feeder markets for higher prices, the more buyers will filter south into our neighborhoods.
And this IS good news.
Click here to read the entire posting:
*Compiled from data collected from Clear Capital’s Home Data Index
Well, my crystal ball is still a bit cloudy. But there seems to be some good news on the horizon.
According to a Daily Real Estate News* article published July 11, 2011 by Realtor.org, two of the “feeder” markets for transplants to New Bern have been tapped as the #1 and #2 top performing major markets in the US:
- Washington, DC – Arlington, VA area
- New York-Long Island, NY - Northern NJ
So what does this mean to New Bern home sellers? Most of the Baby Boomers who relocate to the New Bern area to retire come from the Northeast portion of the US. The New York and Washington, DC, metro areas provide a large chunk of those retirees. So the more houses that sell in these feeder markets for higher prices, the more buyers will filter south into our neighborhoods.
And this IS good news.
Click here to read the entire posting:
*Compiled from data collected from Clear Capital’s Home Data Index
What exactly is a Short Sale?
To keep it very simple, a short sale is a partnership of sorts between a mortgage lender and property owner/borrower to sell the house and pay off most of the loan when the amount due is higher than the home’s value.
If an owner/borrower must sell and doesn’t have the financial ability to pay the negative difference between the loan balance and sales price, lenders might agree to take a loss rather than go through the long and costly process of foreclosure. REO (real estate owned) properties can sit vacant for months before they are publicly offered for sale, still require maintenance, insurance and management, and often sell for substantially less than the short sale might have brought.
If an owner/borrower anticipates being in this position, immediately contacting the lender is urgently important. Banks are often willing to cooperate with their borrowers if a short sale appears to be a better option than full foreclosure.
Beware that other recorded lien holders (property tax, HOA’s, junior mortgages, equity lines of credit, etc.) also must agree to the short sale price or they can block the sale and force a foreclosure. And depending on negotiations with lenders and creditors, the deficiencies (shortfalls between the amounts paid and the total amount due) might still be an obligation to the owner/borrower.
One final caveat – a short sale is still a voluntary foreclosure and can show up as such on credit reports for as long as seven years.
Obviously short sales are complicated. For specifics, contact your lender. For general or informational assistance, contact me or one of Neuse Realty’s experienced agents.
A source of easy to understand information is contained here: Short sales
To keep it very simple, a short sale is a partnership of sorts between a mortgage lender and property owner/borrower to sell the house and pay off most of the loan when the amount due is higher than the home’s value.
If an owner/borrower must sell and doesn’t have the financial ability to pay the negative difference between the loan balance and sales price, lenders might agree to take a loss rather than go through the long and costly process of foreclosure. REO (real estate owned) properties can sit vacant for months before they are publicly offered for sale, still require maintenance, insurance and management, and often sell for substantially less than the short sale might have brought.
If an owner/borrower anticipates being in this position, immediately contacting the lender is urgently important. Banks are often willing to cooperate with their borrowers if a short sale appears to be a better option than full foreclosure.
Beware that other recorded lien holders (property tax, HOA’s, junior mortgages, equity lines of credit, etc.) also must agree to the short sale price or they can block the sale and force a foreclosure. And depending on negotiations with lenders and creditors, the deficiencies (shortfalls between the amounts paid and the total amount due) might still be an obligation to the owner/borrower.
One final caveat – a short sale is still a voluntary foreclosure and can show up as such on credit reports for as long as seven years.
Obviously short sales are complicated. For specifics, contact your lender. For general or informational assistance, contact me or one of Neuse Realty’s experienced agents.
A source of easy to understand information is contained here: Short sales
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Fairfield Harbour Fishing Club Sponsors “Wounded Warriors” Fishing Trip
My husband, Bob, recently had the pleasure of joining members of the Fairfield Harbour Fishing Club on an outing with some of America's finest, wounded veterans of our armed forces. Here is Bob's report from the trip:
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| Wounded Warriors and their Catch |
On a windy, but warm Wednesday morning, June 8th, the Fairfield Harbour Fishing Club took 13 Wounded Warriors on a fishing trip 1½ hours offshore from Swansboro. We were aboard the Nancy Lee, a 52’ foot charter fishing trawler under the command of our skipper, Captain Lee Manning. George Maravelas coordinated the outing with retired Marine Lieutenant-Colonel Chris Hedgcorth and Ms. Emma Riley, Outdoor Adventures Director, Hope for the Warriors, Jerry Dilsaver, Outdoor Sports Writer for NC Sportsmen magazine and Ed Wall, Outdoors Sport Writer for the New Bern Sun Journal also accompanied the group. Jerry has been heavily involved with the Wounded Warrior program and outdoor events for some time and helped George with logistics for the event. Five members of the FH Fishing Club went along as hosts for the troops. In addition to George, other FHFC members included Bob Bruggeworth, Frank Picco, Jim Phillips, and Bob Dumon, the trip’s photographer. George’s Grandson Dillon Maravelas also joined us.
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| Getting to the Fishing Grounds |
While the breeze helped offset the heat from the sun, it also create a bit of a chop, however that didn’t stop the Marines from catching plenty of fish and having a great time. Several took home enough fish, mostly sea bass, along with a few grunts, porgies, and hog fish, for some very nice dinners. The one uninvited shark who was hooked after nosing his way into the event was quickly cut loose!Following the trip, everyone congregated at the nearby Riverside Park for a catered picnic. Chris Maravelas’ catering company, 2 Chefs Catering, prepared a terrific meal consisting of some truly sensational Southern Fried Chicken, cold slaw, baked beans, hot corn muffins, iced tea, and cake. The red, white, and blue cake was decorated with an American flag and the words, “Warriors - God Bless You and God Bless America.” After everyone finished eating, retired Lieutenant-Colonel Chris Hedgcorth presented George and the FH Fishing Club with a plaque thanking the club for the outing. It was a great day for all involved….
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| Plaque Presentation |
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Is now really a good time to buy a home?
According to the folks at the KCM Blog, it is. See why below....
Posted: 07 Jun 2011 04:00 AM PDT   We received some tough news on housing last week. Prices are still softening. There was a lot of negativity surrounding these reports. The news caused more consumers to be concerned. However, the real question is what this means to you and your family. This could actually be great news if you are buying (either as a move-up buyer or a first-time buyer).We don’t want you to take our word for this. Instead, here are excerpts from articles published last week by two of the country’s iconic financial publications: The Wall Street Journal and Forbes Magazine. The Wall Street Journal: Why It’s Time to Buy“Despite all the gloom, there are growing indications that it is a good time to buy… The long-term benefits of homeownership remain very much intact. For now, at least, you can deduct the mortgage interest on your taxes—a big perk for people in higher tax brackets. You get to paint your walls any color you wish, without having to clear it with a landlord. And assuming you can buy a home for about the same price as you can rent one, buying will give you the ability one day to live rent-free. Come retirement time, a paid-off mortgage means your monthly expenses are significantly reduced, and you have a chunk of equity to play with.” Forbes Magazine: 9 Reasons to Buy a House Now“If you’re planning to buy a house right now, the next few months may be the best time to buy… With a convergence of the factors (mentioned in the article) all of which are favorable to the prospective home buyer, there may not be a better time to buy than right now. It’s a buyer’s market, but like everything else in life, the bargain deals won’t last.” Bottom LineWhen the Wall Street Journal and Forbes have articles saying now is the time to buy, maybe it’s time to buy |
Monday, May 30, 2011
Why do I Need a True Professional to Sell My House?
From The KCB Blog - Keeping Current Matters
May 29, 2011
Many people ask us whether they should hire an agent to sell their home or whether they should first try as a For Sale by Owner (FSBO). In today’s volatile market, we believe this is an easy decision: you need an experienced professional!
You need an expert guide if you are traveling a dangerous path
The field of real estate is loaded with land mines. You need a true expert to guide you through the dangerous pitfalls that currently exist. Finding a buyer willing to pay fair market value for your home at a time that there are mass inventories of foreclosures and short sales will take a true real estate professional. Finding reasonable financing can also be tricky in today’s lending environment.
You need a skilled negotiator
In today’s market, hiring a talented negotiator could save you thousands, perhaps tens of thousands of dollars. Each step of the way – from the original offer, to the possible re-negotiation of that off after a home inspection, to the possible cancellation of the deal based on a troubled appraisal – you need someone who can keep the deal together until it closes.
Realize that when an agent is negotiating their commission with you, they are negotiating their own salary; the salary that keeps a roof over their family’s head; the salary that puts food on their family’s table. If they are quick to take less when negotiating for themselves and their families, what makes you think they will not act the same way when negotiating for you and your family? If they were Clark Kent
Bottom Line
We believe that famous sayings become famous because they are true. You get what you pay for. Just like a good accountant or a good attorney, a good agent will save you money…not cost you money.
The KCM Crew
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