About Alamance County, NC

So, the current circumstances of the stock market and housing market are affecting the numbers somewhat in Alamance County, NC. Though our local market is not as affected as larger metropolitan areas, we are still seeing results such as 26% less homes sold so far in 2008 than in 2007. With the recent drop in the stock market and bailout issues for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the number of homes sold in September dropped 23% from August. This is the lowest month for homes sold since April 2008. That speaks volumes about how the media is affecting the emotional state of buyers. The average days on market has remained consistent for 2008 but still slightly higher than the average for 2007. Also the number of listings sold dropped 2.6% from August to September. Lastly, the average closing price has consistently dropped since May of 2008.

So, what are you saying?

For Agents, buyers have been indoctrinated with fear from the media and they aren't coming to us. We have to find them. They need to know that it is not only ok to buy, but it's also a great time to buy. Also, we have to be honest with sellers and make sure they understand what is necessary to sell their home.

For Sellers, there are lots of homes on the market. The best way to get your home sold, and quickly, is to take a few necessary steps.

• If it's not a fixer, make sure your home is move-in-ready.
• Your home must be priced to sell (there is more competition and you want your home to be the #1 choice).

For Buyers, it IS a GREAT time to buy! Home values are lower, interest rates are still low and the tax benefits are worth it.

In Burlington, there is still a down payment assistance program for first time homebuyers. This income based program through the City of Burlington makes home ownership a possibility.

Though the numbers may be down, Alamance County continues to be a growing area conveniently located between the Triad and the Triangle areas. I believe change is on the horizon.

Thought this might be helpful to those of you who are representing buyers in the foreclosure market.

Don't be fooled by commission % listed in mls information. Be very careful when negotiating contracts with the various asset management companies. Carefully read the fine print in their lenghty addendums especially with respect to how they will pay commission.

I found out at the closing table that the seller of an REO property refused to approve the HUD as they decided to only pay commission on the NET SALES PRICE, after all seller concessions are deducted. For me, it was a significant difference. These sellers are deducting closing costs as well as repairs they agree to do. In my case, we added the closing costs to the sales price, but that didn't make a difference to the seller.

As we all know, we work very hard to earn a living, and our commissions are constantly being compromised.

Now more than ever, as our transactions include more and more REO properties, we have to be aware of the ever increasing pitfalls. Good Luck!

Oh BOY! The cat is now out of the bag! My assistant has taken a leap and joined AR! Is this a good or bad thing? I am sure it will be good because she is an excellent writer and you will find her to give you some sincere advice! The bad - well- that would be that she knows all of the good and bad on me! Does every top producer that has an assistant feel the same way?

She can tell you all kinds of things! They know our mood by the tone of our voice and do they may cringe when they see us call! They may dread the files we dump on their desk! All in all they are still there for us! Our right arms and they know it ALL! The Good - The Bad - The ugh ugh - UUUGGGLYYY! Oh my!

So with the Good - Bad and I hope not too often ugly I would like to introduce my AR family to MY RIGHT ARM! I really do not even like to call her an assistant. Sara is my partner. She is the best part of my business plan and is the key to running my top producer, sendoutcards, visual tours and my website. I like to tell Sara that I am really a better a person, a better mother, a better speaker and trainer because of her!

I would think this is why we seek an assistant or partner in real estate...To just be BETTER~

Sara told me she was joining AR and her 1st blog as going to be "What she has learned from me"! I laughed and really did not believe that she would do that! Well. she did it!

As I read it I was touched and honored. So, in return - Please welcome my SRWALLS~ I encourage you to subscribe to her blogs as she is one of those SOUL writers and you will eventually LOVE her voice here in the AR blog world!

To subscribe go here:

http://activerain.com/srwalls

To Welcome her and comment on her 1st Blog

(My head is BIG NOW - It is about ME!!!lol)

How Elizabeth Ward Small Taught Me To Live Busy Balance and Blessed

Elizabeth Ward Small, National Motivational Speaker and Senior Manager with SendOutCards is going to share with you a new and exciting tool based on her MLM blog on Active rain and how you can make money with SOC! This 45 minute webinar that will be your key to learning 1st hand an exciting new revolution in marketing, prospecting and follow up!

The 1st 15 minutes of this class is showing how to do a gift account walk with someone and the remaining 45 minutes will be based on the compensation plan and marketing for distributors of SOC. You do not have to be a distributor to attend this class, however it is encouraged! Following each MAKING MONEY CLASS WITH SOC Elizabeth will be teaching a marketing class using SOC for your prospecting and marketing with FSBO, EXPIRED LISTINGS, NEW LISTINGS and FARMING!

Please look at soclink.com/wardsmall if you have not already made yourself familiar with this great marketing tool!

SOC is thriving and growing MLM company! If you are looking for a great product to use for your existing business and gain a great residual income this marketing system is the best plan ever! A perfect fit for anyone!

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MAKING MONEY WITH SOC: DISTRIBUTOR TRAINING
CLASS IS AT NOON EASTERN STANDARD TIME ZONE ON THE FOLLOWING DATES

SPACE IS LIMITED PLEASE REGISTER NOW!

September 11^Th: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/741890453

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CLASS IS AT 1:00 EASTERN STANDARD TIME ZONE ON THE FOLLOWING DATES

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September 18^Th: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/741149302

September 25^Th: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/823326740

THESE SOC WEBINARS ARE FREE

HOWEVER YOU WILL NEED TO CALL THE LONG DISTANCE NUMBER FOR THE AUDIO

Elizabeth Ward Small is a National Motivational Speaker and has been a MEGA Producer ranking #51 in the Nation for listings sold with Coldwell Banker TRIAD. Elizabeth teaches SOC as a high tech follow up system for marketing and prospecting! The best system Elizabeth has ever seen for relationship marketing and the perfect fit for all professionals!

"If you can go online you need an SOC account! If you want to make money and not steal time from your current business please join me for the Making Money with SOC! You will be amazed at what this system can do for you!" Liz

I created the The 3 B Method and it represents a life of being Busy - Balanced and Blessed!

It also now represents a life of Birthday Cards, Business Cards and Brownines with SOC!

This Blog is for notification only.

I know there is a time and a place for everything! I know that sometimes it is best to keep silent and just watch and listen and then there was this one time four months ago I had to speak up!

Let me explain: Just a few days ago, I saw Angela Hunter as I was visiting my children's school. Angela is a friend and an agent from my office. As I saw her across the room I could tell that she was anxious to see me. As her eyes caught mine it was not just the normal hey - hello smile. She quickly came over to me, grabbed me and gave me an enormous hug. Then, the hug was not just a simple hug. She squeezed me and as she let go she looked me right in my eyes and gave me the most shocking line I have ever heard: YOU SAVED MY LIFE!

Of course I was stunned and just looked at her in disbelief. She was not joking. She was "DEAD SERIOUS"!

I have been gone all summer and the was the 1st time I had seen Angie since June. Just before our kids got out of school we were together at an outdoor event and Angie was wearing Capri pants. As we sat together, I noticed a birthmark looking mole on her leg. As soon as I saw it I wanted to make a comment to her about it. At 1st, I thought...NO...I do not want to make her feel uncomfortable about this. Then a more nagging feeling insisted that I just ask...

"What is that on your leg?"

"Have you ever had that looked out for skin cancer?"

Angie was not alarmed and not offended that I asked. Although, it was just a mole she had on leg for as long as she could remember (she is not even 40) and she had NOT ever had it examined because it had always been there...

I insisted that she go and get it looked at. I insisted to the point that I called her the next day to make sure she had made an appointment.

I am sure you know now why she came up to and tole me that I had SAVED HER LIFE! She did go and get the mole looked at and the doctor insisted on removing it that very day! She left the next day for her July 4th vacation with 9 stitches!

She could not believe it when the doctors called her to tell her that the mole tested as Stage I SKIN CANCER! They removed it all and she is now on a 6 month full body follow up!

As I sat her tonight thinking of what I wanted to share with you, so many things are running through my mind. Not wanting to brag about the fact I saved a life I decided that the lesson she and I both learned would not be really learned if I did not BLOG about this and make sure you could benefit as well!

Sometimes we just need to speak up and share! I would rather take a chance on hurting someones feelings than losing another person in my life or your life to cancer.

Please learn the ABCD of skin cancer! Have someone look at you own back and I encourage you at any age to have a yearly full body exam! I have heard so many stories of people of all ages that think because a marking has been on them for so long it is just normal...Do not consider anything NORMAL anymore and please be safe instead of sorry!

Here are the ABC's of SKIN CANCER:

PLEASE VISIT THIS SITE FOR PICTURES of THE ABCD's:

http://caminomedical.org/dermatology/abcs.html

A: ASYMMETRY - Is half of the mole different from the other side?

B: BORDER - Does the mole have odd borders, uneven or jagged?

C: COLOR - Is the mole brown, red, tan or blue and does it have any variations?

D: DIAMETER - Is the mole larger than a pencil eraser?

I always have added the following:

E: EXPLORE: More often in places the sun is exposed (Butt cheeks still count even if you are not a nudist)

F: FULL BODY SCREENING: In only takes 1 doctors appointment for a full body screening! Take pictures and watch for changes if you insist on NOT going to the doctor...

I know this is not related to real estate but I felt the need to speak up on this over anything else that I am working on to share with you in upcoming blogs!

Elizabeth Ward Small is a REALTOR and a National Motivational Speaker. Elizabeth is the founder of THE 3 B Method, a system that teaches agents how to be live BBB! Busy, Balanced and Blessed. Elizabeth teaches weekly webinars and shares a FREE monthly newsletter. To register for the Newsletter feel free to visit with Liz on her site www.LiveBBB.com or just subscribe to her blogs! DO BOTH to make sure you DO NOT MISS anything!

Sorry no pictures...This wall of words needs to be fully read and absorbed without visual confusion!