Burlington, North Carolina is the perfect place to make good use of the $8,000 tax credit available to first-time homebuyers. What are you waiting for?

Burlington, North Carolina is located between the Triangle area of Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill and the metropolitan area of Greensboro. Commuting to either area is accessible via I40/85, the home prices are very reasonable and there is a varied selection of homes to choose from in order to take advantage of the tax credit!

Whether you want new construction in the suburbs (Graham, Elon, Gibsonville, Whitsett) or a pre-owned home in an established neighborhood, there are homes available that, combined with the tax credit, can make your dreams of homeownership come true!

There is plenty of shopping – both chain stores and local businesses, a regional medical center, many recreational opportunities, colleges and universities, beautiful parks ... and all in an area rich with the history of yesteryear blended with the successes of the future.

If you are a first-time homebuyer, or a buyer that has not owned a home in the past three years, then you could be eligible for this wonderful incentive.

Imagine! You could be spending the holidays in your very own home!

The best way to find out more about this wonderful tool ... contact a Realtor today!

Not just another small town! Burlington, NC has it all!

Have you ever heard of The Nester? Well, if not, get out from under that rock and check out her uber-popular blog, The Nesting Place, which she formed off the mantra that "it doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful." Not only does she have cute, creative, and economical decorating ideas, but she frequently blogs about the importance of staging your home for sale. Staging isn't about redecorating your home, but it is about using your own things to help your home put its best face forward and appeal to the largest number of buyers. We believe if you don't make some efforts to stage your home to sell, then you're just selling your neighbor's house first.

Check out Nester's latest installment in her staging series: http://nestingplacenc.blogspot.com/2009/03/staging-your-home-for-sale-stepping.html

There are some great pictures to help you get some ideas and get started!

This picture is copied from The Nester's blog.

"Just tell me the truth Elizabeth, screamed the caller. Can I get this for my home right now? Can I EVER get this price for our home. If so, you just come and stick the sign in the yard and we will sign papers RIGHT NOW!" That was the 1st caller...

10 minutes later...

"Elizabeth! Our tax revaluation came in the mail. We are so excited. Can you just tell us if it is correct because we are refinancing and hope to pull the equity to pay off debt."

5 minutes later...one is happy - one is sad and again and again the phone rang ALL week!

Now, do not get this wrong. I have loved the calls and added at least 20 new contacts to the database of new clients this week based on reevaluations and heard from clients that I have not chatted with in a while...The perfect chance to talk about the recent business changes and ask for leads!!!

Call Liz! Call Liz! Call Liz! I love it and want to help you!

So this blog is written to help those that are in my GROWING community and for fellow REALTORS that could experience this event in the future!

Tax revaluations in the state of NC are assessed one time EVERY 8 years. The last one was in 2001 so, it is our year for change!

The truth is this...Yes, our area has had a roller coaster ride of value changes and we have seen increases in home values so you should be prepared for an increase! The county stated that overall we have had an 18% increase over the 8 years...However, I have seen and heard lots of values in the last few days that are a bit off the charts compared to recent comps...IF you feel your value is way off you can appeal this and as your REALTOR I will be glad to send you comparables that you can use to appeal your value. However, please know that the majority of the valuations are correct! As a REALTOR, I have a code of ethic to follow and I have to be 100% honest and truthful on what the values are as of the day you ask...

The following link is from the county website and will answer tons of your questions.

http://www.alamance-nc.com/Alamance-NC/Departments/Tax/2009+Tax+Revaluation/

Please note that one of the great reasons people live in our City/County is that our tax rates are reasonable and I believe that other REALTORS in other States would agree with this.

See example and rates chart:

John buys a house in the city of Burlington with a tax value of $300,000.00. The county is Alamance County. He will pay $1875 for the City tax and $1740 for County tax TOTAL TAX: $3615.00 - If John lived in the County ONLY he would only pay the $1740.00. You can see the rates for each area otherwise known as: MUNICIPALITIES.

2008/2009 TAX RATES

PER $100 VALUATION

COUNTY-WIDE .58

SPECIAL FIRE DISTRICTS

	54 EAST	.10
	ALTAMAHAW-OSSIPEE	.10
	E. M. HOLT	.08
	E. ALAMANCE	.085
	ELI WHITNEY/87 SOUTH	.08
	ELON	.105
	FAUCETTE	.0875
	HAW RIVER	.105
	NORTH CENTRAL ALAMANCE	.105
	NORTH EASTERN ALAMANCE	.07
	SNOW CAMP	.085
	SWEPSONVILLE	.10

MUNICIPALITIES

	VILLAGE OF ALAMANCE	.24
	BURLINGTON	.625
	BURLINGTON (SPECIAL DOWNTOWN)	.16
	ELON	.37
	GIBSONVILLE	.515
	GRAHAM	.48
	GREEN LEVEL	.34
	HAW RIVER	.48
	MEBANE	.50
	TOWN OF OSSIPEE	.0750

Finally, if you are not sure about the value you have within 15 days of receiving your new valuation notice options to appeal your valuation:

•· Return the Informal Appeal Form at the bottom of the notice (complete both sides of the form); or

•· Call 336-570-4117 to request an appointment for an informal review.

The review includes a meeting with Tax Office staff and may also involve an on-site inspection of the property. In May, you should receive written notice of the Tax Office's decision.

If you wish for us to send you data about your area please do the following:

Send an email with the subject line: Revaluation Request to ElizabethWardSmall@ColdwellBanker.com

In the email please give me your name and address and the new value you were given. Please also share phone, cell and if you plan to sell within the next few years. I will have you a return notice of comparables within 24 hours during the week.

Thank you and I look forward to serving you!

Elizabeth Ward Small, REALTOR

Coldwell Banker TRIAD

336-516-4506 Cell

www.wardsmall.com

PS: ENJOY THIS

People who complain about taxes can be divided into two classes: men and women. ~Author Unknown

A person doesn't know how much he has to be thankful for until he has to pay taxes on it. ~Author Unknown

Are you the Driver

or

the Passenger

in your Life?

It is your choice!

Are you oblivious to your destination?

You are a passenger.

Do you accept responsibility for the amount of speed in which you move ahead?

You are a Driver.

Do you sit and watch the direction in which you are going?

You are a Passenger.

Do you focus on the final destination?

You are a Driver.

There is not a lot of space between the drivers seat and the passengers seat. The cloth or leather may even be the same but the seat you choose in life has a major difference in the outcome of your life!

The passenger in life will just follow along and go where driven.

The driver sets the course and is in control!

I think most REALTORS are drivers but for some reason in 2008 many chose to ride in the passenger seat! I am trying to change that!

Personally, if there are bumps in the road ahead I want to be able to steer around them. If there is a road block I want the ability to turn around and find a new direction. If there is something I want to see or do, I want the choice to stop and go and do.

If you want to relax in 2009 be a passenger and enjoy the ride. When you reach your final destination you have arrived and you may be present but you will not own the car or be in charge of the keys!

Choose to DRIVE!

Get your map ready!

Outline the final destination!

Put the keys in place, start your life and DRIVE!

Elizabeth Ward Small is ready to help you DRIVE your success in 2009! Subscribe NOW to AR blogs to be notified of upcoming training classes and webinars as well as events coming to your area!

Tip #34 from Blog: 100 Marketing Tips to Launch Success in 2009!

34) Check with your lenders in the area and see if they offer any service provider loans. Share these plans with the teachers, police, fireman etc..and be their source or connection for buying or selling!

QUOTED FROM SUSAN BOYER, SellState Classic Realty, Round Rock, TX

I love the one...I'll have to go back and check the #....to go to the schools, firehouse, etc. and take them treats...that is wonderful, especially with the great financing we have in place for the Teachers, Firemen, Police and Emergency Workers. Did you know that if someone from one of these professions wins a bid on a HUD home (if they are going to actually live in it - not as investment property) they only pay 50% of what the winning bid is? Most of the wonderful people in these professions do not know this.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

CALLING ALL LENDERS: Here is your chance to share with everyone what you have! After reading a comment from Susan I was curious to discover what programs are available for service providers myself.

Is there still 100% loans with no money for teachers, firefighters etc...

I hope savvy lenders and REALTORS that are aware of these opportunities will post here and educate us all! Make sure to leave your name, number and website! Here is your opportunity to educate and teach us all about what you have!

Let's make 2009 SHINE!