4th Quarter 2011 Newsletter
12.8.11 12:00 AM
"U.S. News & World Report recently issued a positive report on Boone, N.C. In its article, entitled “The 10 Best Places to Retire in 2012” and written by Emily Brandon, Boone placed at No. 2 on this exclusive list. The reporter referred to Boone as an “affordable mountain town.”
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U.S.
NEWS NAMES BOONE
NO. 2 PLACE TO RETIRE
 U.S.
News & World Report recently issued a positive report on
Boone, N.C. In its article, entitled “The 10 Best Places to
Retire in 2012” and written by Emily Brandon, Boone placed at
No. 2 on this exclusive list. The reporter referred to Boone
as an “affordable mountain town.”
“Pricey
Aspen and Vail might be beyond your budget,” Ms. Brandon
wrote, “but that doesn’t mean you can’t spend your retirement
years appreciating spectacular mountain views or making runs
on the slopes.”
In the article,
Ms. Brandon pointed out that there were plenty of skiing,
hiking and snowshoeing facilities, as well as the Blue Ridge Parkway, in the area
also. She also mentioned the presence of Appalachian State University and the
free bus service offered by AppalCART.
“It
is fitting that U.S. News & World Report gave Boone a high
rating as an area for people to retire,” said Martitia
Mortimer, managing partner of the Boone office of CENTURY 21®
Elliott Properties. “The High Country is also appreciated for
its cool, comfortable summertime climate, when most of the
South is extremely hot. This makes our area popular for summer
activities, such as fishing, canoeing, hiking and golf. These,
as well as the great home prices we have here, make the High
Country a great place for retirees to enjoy their golden
years.”
PLANS ANNOUNCED FOR SPEEDING UP CONSTRUCTION
OF GREENSBORO URBAN
LOOP
Plans for the
construction of urban loop projects in Greensboro and five
other cities were announced last month, and it appears that
the final phase of the Greensboro loop will begin in 2019.
Land acquisition for this segment, which will connect Lawndale
Drive to U.S. 29 on the loop, is slated to begin in 2016.
Construction of the segment that will connect Lawndale to
Battleground Avenue has been moved up from 2019 to 2017.
Construction for the Bryan Boulevard
to Battleground segment is now scheduled to begin in 2014,
while the U.S. 70 to U.S. 29 segment is scheduled to begin in
2017. Governor Beverly Perdue had hinted earlier that these
two projects might begin at earlier dates.
Meanwhile, right-of-way land
purchases for the first segment of the Winston-Salem beltway
will begin in 2012. This segment, part of the future I-74,
will connect U.S. 158 to Business 40 in Kernersville.
“Investing
in our state’s infrastructure is about jobs,” said
Gov. Perdue, who noted that funding for these projects
were coming from Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle
Bonds, which allow the state to borrow against future
federal funding. “Not only will it create jobs, but it
will also build an efficient transportation network that will attract new businesses and
bring more jobs to our state in the future.”
RICHARD OSBORNE AND MARGARET PELC
EARN TOP PRODUCER HONORS
 Richard
Osborne was named Top Producer for the Third Quarter of the Boone
office of CENTURY 21® Elliott Properties, while Margaret Pelc took the
corresponding honor for the company’s Greensboro office.
“Richard
is living proof that the CENTURY 21 Global Referral Network® enhances
a real estate agent’s production,” said Martitia Mortimer, managing
partner of the Boone office. “Most of his closings this year have come
through referrals. Of course in order to take advantage of referrals,
you have to have a knack for real estate, which he has.”
This is the second
consecutive quarter that Margaret has led the Greensboro office in
production.
“Margaret
knows how to get things done,” said James Piedad, broker-in-charge of
the Greensboro office. “She brings computer skills to the table with
her professional background, and she has the tenacity to effectively
work with people in a sales environment.”
ASU
ENTRY WINS
PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD IN
INTERNATIONAL SOLAR HOUSING
COMPETITION
Solar
Homestead, Appalachian State University’s entry in the Department of
Energy Solar Decathlon 2011, won the People’s Choice Award in the
contest that included college teams from China, Belgium and New
Zealand, as well as throughout the United States. The ASU team also
finished second in the communications competition and third in the
architecture competition.
As in the case of the
other teams, ASU students designed and built the building that formed
indoor and outdoor living space.
“ASU’s
solar-powered house exemplifies the forward-thinking energy strategies
and the talented workforce coming out of North Carolina,” said Kay
Hagan, who represents North Carolina in the U.S. Senate. “Our
unbeatable colleges and universities, along with North Carolina’s
leadership in renewable-energy research and development, are a recipe
for growing businesses and job creation.
N.C. Governor Beverly
Perdue signed a proclamation declaring October 28 through November 4
as Appalachian State University Solar Homestead Week.
“These
students have shown America that we can do things here in North
Carolina,” Gov. Perdue said.
DAVID HATTON, SANDY WINDELSPECHT AND TERESA ROWE JOIN CENTURY 21®
ELLIOTT
PROPERTIES
 David
Hatton and Sandy Windelspecht have joined the Boone office of CENTURY
21® Elliott Properties while Teresa Rowe has joined the Greensboro
office of the company.
“David has been a
REALTOR® in the High Country for many years,” said Walt Petersen,
general sales manager of the firm’s Boone office. “He joined CENTURY
21® Elliott Properties because of the exposure he knew he would get
that he wasn’t getting at his previous company.”
Sandy, who is
married to a biology professor at Appalachian State, lives with him in
Blowing Rock.
Sandy is an
accomplished, Internet- savvy person,” Walt continued. “She has offered
to design websites for some of her fellow agents and help us find
other ways to market properties over the Internet.”
Teresa holds the
e-Pro and Fine Homes Specialist designations.
“Teresa is a
hardworking agent and a go-getter,” said James Piedad,
broker-in-charge of the Greensboro office. “She certainly brings a
great amount of knowledge and experience here.”
GOOD
CREDIT MEANS GREAT DEALS IN HOUSING
The current economic
situation allows for incredible bargains for those who are financially
able to buy a new home.
“It’s
hard to see the possibility of losing on a home purchase right now,
with these mortgage rates,” said Dean Baker, co-founder of the Center
for Economic and Policy Research. “Prices may go lower, but not by
much.”
Despite the deals, both in home prices
and credit rates,
currently in the market, sales remain
sluggish. Tighter credit standards have something to do with the lack
of activity in the housing market, but the problem goes beyond that.
“Houses
are cheap right now,” said Karl Case, co-founder of the Case Shiller
home price index, “but a lot of people are too scared to buy, no
matter what kind of deal they get.”
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RENTING YOUR PROPERTY
CAN BE PROFITABLE
 Bargain
housing prices, historically low interest rates and plenty of
colleges and universities present opportunities for
entrepreneurs to purchase and rent out homes in the High
Country and Triad areas. Since this type of business is
improving on a national basis, an article appeared recently in
The Wall Street Journal that was geared to novice and
prospective landlords. The article, written by Karen
Blumenthal, is entitled, “Six Mistakes That Landlords Make.”
Those mistakes are:
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Confusing a low price for a bargain. Some factors that
keep the price low could also keep prospective tenants
from wanting to rent.
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Overlooking costs beyond the purchase price.
Not only
will there be closing costs when you buy, but also when
you sell. There are also holding costs, in addition to
costs of property improvement and maintenance.
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Failing
to understand the price of time.
When the property has
no tenant, the landlord is losing money.
Assuming
all tenants will pay their rent.
Not only will some
tenants fail to pay rent, but some will also damage, or
steal fixtures from, the home. Therefore, prospective
tenants must be carefully screened.
Underestimating the cost of repair.
Experts recommend
landlords replace carpets in rental property every five
years, paint after tenants move out and keep a fund handy
in case of need for major repair.
Figuring
ownership of rental property is like home ownership.
Plan on paying a month’s worth of rent a year, for
attracting and screening tenants, and 10% of the rental
income for management fees.
HISTORY, SCENERY AND CHARM MAKE VALLE CRUCIS AN EXCLUSIVE COMMUNITY
 Some
of the most desirable property in the High Country is located in the
unincorporated community known as Valle Crucis. The name is Latin for
“Vale of the Cross.” One of its valleys contains three converging
streams, creating an image roughly similar to an archbishop’s cross.
This inspired the name of this area that is rich in religious history.
In the 1840s an
Episcopal missionary named William West Skiles arrived and established
Easter Chapel and later Valle Crucis Mission School. Skiles also
founded the Brotherhood of the Holy Cross, the first U.S. monastic
order within the Episcopal Church.
With its scenic
location along N.C. 194, climate and historical attractions, Valle
Crucis has become a tourist destination, as well as a highly desirable
residential area in the past quarter century. Legendary television
journalist Charles Kuralt may have promoted that when he described the
community between Boone and Banner Elk,
as being “close to heaven on earth.”
Leonard and Pam Cosmo, husband-and-wife agent team at the Boone
office of CENTURY 21® Elliott Properties, point out that Valle Crucis is North Carolina's first
Rural Historic District
to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
“A
sense of history is strong in the Valle Crucis area with the Mast
General Store, The Farm House and the Baird House Bed and Breakfast,”
Pam noted. “Development along the main highway in Valle Crucis is
controlled by the Rural Historic District guidelines.”
As Valle Crucis’
popularity has grown, the Baird House, which goes back to the 1700s,
and other locations outside of the original community are now
considered to be part of the Valle Crucis area.
“The
Watauga River meanders through the valley, providing fishing, tubing
and a scenic byway,” Leonard said. “Valle Crucis really is an idyllic
place.”
CENTURY
21® WINS
INNOVATION AWARD
 CENTURY
21®, the franchisor of CENTURY 21® Elliott Properties, was presented
with the Inman News 2011 People’s Choice Award, during the recent
Inman Real Estate Connect Conference in San Francisco. In awarding the
award for innovation, Inman officials credited CENTURY 21® for being
the first national real estate franchisor to comply with the National
Association of Realtors (NAR) policy to implement a search
functionality for indexing and displaying Internet Data Exchange (IDX)
information.
“This
award is a testament to the CENTURY 21® System’s commitment to serving
the next generation of home buyers and sellers through the delivery of
superior innovations,” said Bev Thorne, chief marketing officer of
CENTURY 21®. “By enhancing the home-search experience on
century21.com, potential home buyers may now more easily view all home
sale listings in their communities.”
Alex
Perriello, president and CEO of Realogy Franchise Group, LLC, the
parent company of CENTURY 21®, appreciated what CENTURY 21® has
accomplished.
“We
applaud CENTURY 21® for being so quick to implement NAR’s new IDX
indexing and display functionality on its website,” Mr. Perriello
said. “This rapid application speaks volumes to CENTURY 21’s
commitment to serving real estate consumers, as
well as the business
needs of its brokers and agents.”
Walt
Petersen, general sales manager of the Boone office of CENTURY 21®
Elliott Properties, said, “Working for a CENTURY 21® affiliated
company not only gives us instant name recognition, but also an
advantage in Internet-based home marketing, which is so important in
today’s real estate business.”
James
Piedad, broker-in-charge of the Greensboro office of CENTURY 21®
Elliott Properties notes other recent innovations accomplished by
CENTURY 21®, including the redesigning of its website, the launching
of its company blog called Home Matters, and a new version of its
iPhone app.
“It’s
great to be part of a company that is recognized, not just by peers,
but also the public, as an innovator in a very competitive field,” Mr.
Piedad said.
CENTURY 21®
ELLIOTT PROPERTIES EMPOWERS AGENTS
 At
CENTURY 21® Elliott Properties, we strive to provide the best working
environment for REALTORS® to build their real estate careers. We also
work to assist REALTORS® in effectively marketing the properties of
our clients. We not only offer many marketing services, but we charge
no monthly fees to our agents for them. We charge:
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No technology fee;
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No errors and
omissions insurance fees;
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No monthly
advertising fee;
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No business copies
and stationary charges
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No management fee;
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No desk or office
fees;
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No lock-box
charges; and
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No yard-sign
charges.
Top producing agents receive a 100%
commission schedule.
If you are interested in learning more
about a career with CENTURY 21® Elliott Properties, please call Walt
Petersen at (828) 264-9111 or James Piedad at (336) 854-3070. You can
also visit our websites at www.c21elliottboone.com or
www.c21elliottgreensboro.com.
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TRIAD WINDOW SHOPPING
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704 Brigham Road
Greensboro
This 5.68 tract of land
is approved for horses and has all sorts of possibilities. It
contains a beautiful 1,700 square-foot, brick home and is
currently zoned residential. However, the tracts of land on
either side are already zoned commercial, and the home could be
converted into an office. The property is located near the
airport, as well as I-40 and U.S. 68. $445,000
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6905 Deermont Road
Gibsonville
This custom-built, Cape
Cod home lies peacefully in the
desirable Holly Brooks subdivision. Located on a private,
two-and-a-half-acre wooded lot just off Highway 61, this
three-bedroom, two-bath home has a beautiful brick and vinyl
exterior. The den has a vaulted ceiling and a fireplace. The
master suite includes separate showers and cultured-marble
garden tub. $239,900
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3116 Peninsula Drive
Jamestown
This stately four-bedroom
home, located near Piedmont Parkway and with quick access to
Interstates 40 and 85, contains a bonus kitchen with an island
and clever built-ins in the breakfast area. The kitchen opens to
a spacious den with a fireplace. The main level has nine-foot
ceilings, and this exclusive property also includes a two-car
garage, good-sized deck and a separate workshop/storage unit.
The price has been significantly reduced to only $270,500.
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Pisgah Church Road,
Bent Oak Court and Pisgah Church Circle
Greensboro
This 30.42 acre spread is
the largest available plat of land in Greensboro. Surrounded by
all sorts of homes and plenty of shopping, this land can easily
be rezoned for apartments, condos, town houses or a housing
development. It is divided in two MLSs, but all the land on them
must be sold together as a single entity. $3,500,000
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205 Homewood Avenue
Greensboro
Not only is this
spacious, beautiful home priced below the cost it would take to
build it, but it is also located in the prestigious Starmount
Forest neighborhood. The 5,600 square feet of living space
include six bedrooms 5½ baths, a finished basement, a sun room
and a super kitchen with granite countertops and
commercial-quality, stainless-steel appliances. Other features
of this amazing home include a two-car garage, fenced-in back
yard, four bedrooms on the first level, outside entrance to the
basement and plans to convert the second floor into a master
retreat.
$435,000 |
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208 Spring Creek Road
Summerfield
This beautiful,
spacious Cape Cod home, located on a 2.25-acre lot near
Greensboro National Golf Course, is actually in Rockingham
County, which means lower property taxes. The well-maintained
home has a wraparound, rocking-chair front porch, French doors
leading to the back deck and a walk-in attic over the two-car
garage, which has new doors. All the bedrooms, including their
closets, are enormous. The main-floor master has built-in book
cases, a large sitting room and twin vanities.
$225,000 |
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HIGH COUNTRY WINDOW SHOPPING
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256 Somerset Drive
Boone
This
five-year-old, freshly painted and carpeted home in the gated
community of Hampton Estates is currently earning $1,200 a month
in rent on a lease that runs through July of next year. The
three-bedroom, two-bath traditional modular home includes
42-inch cherry cabinets in the kitchen, Pergo flooring in the
living room, a fireplace with black marble surround and other
amenities that make it such a solid economical investment. The
corner lot is located along the Greenway Trail, which goes to
the new high school. $234,900 |
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181 Raven Road
Piney Creek
This beautiful log-sided
cabin is located near the Virginia state line in Alleghany
County within the fashionable gated community of River Country
Estates. Long-range, scenic, mountain views appear from all three
bedrooms, as well as the wraparound porch and double decks. The
cozy interior is decorated with a stone fireplace, and an
unfinished full basement presents a plethora of opportunities.
Living at River Country Estates allows one the use of its
clubhouse, indoor pool, sauna, whirlpool, playground and fitness
center. The property has been reduced to well below its tax
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310 Indian Paintbrush
Drive
Banner Elk
This beautiful
mountain getaway, located in the desirable gated community of
Echota, has proven itself to be a major rental-income generator.
Repeat clients are attracted by its hardwood floors, a unique
lighting system, custom cabinets, ceramic tile 3½ inch custom
plantation shutters and other upgraded features that enable this
luxury condo to blend in with its surroundings. Owners
and renters have access to two clubhouses, an indoor and an
outdoor swimming pool, two fitness centers, hot tubs, meeting
rooms and more.
$326,912
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838-A State Farm Road
Boone
This
income-producing property is currently leased as a medical
office, conveniently located just a few minutes away from
Watauga Medical Center. The first floor contains 2,300 feet of
office space, while the upstairs can be used for living
quarters. There are more than 25 parking spaces in the paved
parking lot and the property is zoned for general business.
$599,900
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159 Smith
Ridge Road
West Jefferson
This 5.6 acre spread,
within walking distance of the New Southfork River, contains two
ponds and a contemporary colonial, custom-built home that has
two separate living quarters, connected by a laundry room. The
unique home has two kitchens, two sets of appliances, two front
doors and two electrical boxes. One side has four bedrooms,
while the other side has one. Both sides have open floor plans
and custom Hickory cabinets in the kitchens, among other
amenities. This unique property has been significantly reduced
and now is priced at over $100,000 beneath its appraised value
at $465,000.
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1898 Broadstone Road
Banner Elk
This outstanding
property actually contains two houses on the nearly two acres of
scenic, fenced-in land, located in the heart of historic Valle
Crucis. The stately 4,500-square-foot Victorian main house
includes a piece of history with the hardwood from Ford Motor Company’s
original Model-A factory. It also has a family room overlooking
the great room, a stone fireplace, a custom kitchen, stained
glass windows, a basement workshop area and more. The 1,590
square-foot storybook cottage has wood and tile floors,
vaulted ceilings, a two-car garage/basement and a stone porch
with a hot tub. This one-of-a-kind property could be used as a
bed-and-breakfast, in addition to more conventional roles.
$895,000
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CENTURY 21® ELLIOTT
PROPERTIES AGENTS
BOONE OFFICE
Phone: 828-264-9111
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GREENSBORO OFFICE
Phone: 336-854-3070
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QUOTES OF WIT & WISDOM
“There
are people who, instead of listening to what is being said to them,
are already listening to what they are going to say themselves. “
– Albert Guinon
“Leisure
is the mother of philosophy.” – Thomas Hobbes
“Be
modest. It is the kind of pride least likely to offend.”
– Jules
Renard
“What
we call progress is the exchange of one nuisance for another
nuisance.” – Havelock Ellis
“It is better to sleep
on things beforehand than to lie awake over them afterward.” –
Baltasar Gracian
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