Clayton, NC

I know, crazy fool! What is he thinking?

Well let me explain, I am talking about the figures just released from the town of Clayton, North Carolina where the building permits issued for new construction in the last fiscal year were 103, compared with 272 for the previous year. Not to single Clayton out but rather to use their numbers as an example of much of the area, in fact Clayton has done a very good job of managing its growth and looking to the future and will weather this storm in great shape.

How can this be a good thing? First of all, where would we put all those homes if the pace had kept up like that. How would all those people get to work? What schools would they go to? How many of those homes would go in cul-de-sac strips in the middle of a cotton field ( yep we still grow cotton down here).And how many of those homes would end up back on the market three years from now as a short sale or foreclosure.

The fact is, of course is that we would still be building like mad had it not been for the recession that came along to rain on the parade. So we are in a time out, when will it end...who knows?

We have homes sitting on the ground waiting for buyers. We have some homes that were built in 2005-2006 when there were 424 building permits issued for new construction appearing as short sales and foreclosures and complicating, to no end the process of selling homes. Homes that builders need to sell, that Realtors need to be paid on, that communities need to sell to complete their subdivisions,etc, etc.

So I'm all about selling houses, don't get me wrong but I am in Real Estate for the long haul and I want a regular pay check month in and month out, year in and year out.

Time and time again we have seen that a steady managable pace is a better long term approach to sustainable growth. So it's obvious, we need to move the homes on the ground, clear out the short sales and in tandem restore confidence in buyers... mmm. I don't know when all that will happen, but one thing we really need to do is get people off the notion that they are buying an investment!

It's a home! You pay for it, you can live in it!

"Land. They're not making any more of the stuff." Will Rogers

That quote was made many years ago. But it's still true today, isn't it! If it were possible to make more land, where would you want it located? That's your future neighborhood.

Do you know where you want to live? Do you need help selecting the best home for the money? If so, you'll value my experience and our RE/MAX Premier Customer Service. You can trust my track record in helping people just like you to find the right home.

You'll see information to help you buy, sell, or study the real estate market at @www.SoldByAprilStephens.com@. Why don't you email me back and send me a note if there is something I need to check out for you, or if we need to talk?

A Clayton NC Home Inspection last week turned up several minor issues and one structural problem. When inspecting the crawl space we noted the soil around a block pier was cracked and slightly lower than the surrounding soil. The pier was slightly leaning and it was no longer in contact with the girder above it; pier is supposed to support the girder. The pier sunk and a PE will need to evaluate further to determine if the pier has stabilized or if work is needed. Also, during our Clayton NC Home Inspection, we found a good deal of wet soil and foundation wall - gutters and grading changed were needed at this home. This Clayton NC Home Inspection paid for itself many times over. Photo in comments section.

We completed a Clayton NC Home Inspection yesterday and found the heating system to be in need of repair. The temperature split for this heat pump was inadequate and we told the client a mechanical contractor needed to evaluate the unit. During this Home Inspection we found several other items that needed repair but the heat was the most significant. For more information about our Clayton NC Home Inspection services, please see our web site.

All are welcome to attend the Greater Cleveland Chamber members night at the Cleveland Draft House. $7 per person for an evening of Great food and Great networking. 5:30 PM until. The Drafthouse is located off of Hwy 42 just before the 1-40/42 interchange.

Feel free to call or email me for additional details.