Rocky Mount, NC

The Congressional Budget Office has prepared a report that suggests ways for Congress to raise revenues. One key suggestion is that Congress cut deductions for home owner mortgage interest from the present $1.1 million cap to $500,000, phasing in the reduction by $100,000 annually starting in 2013.

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Recently I listed a real log home on 40 acres in a rural part of our county. Last year I listed and sold a Williamsburg Village (three homes moved to a river location all built about 1800). Two years ago I listed and sold a one hundred year home with acreage and an old country store. I have other stories but I am not writing this to brag!!! In each case listed above and others not listed, agents had been called in before me to list the property but either refused, did not follow up, or in one case told the client to call me!

Unique property is not easy to sell I admit, but listing and selling cookie cutter homes would be a long boring day. Cookie cutter properties are easy to price and take no imagination to advertise. How do you comp out a 100 year old REAL log home? How do you comp out a village? I am listing a new home next week with a work shop and paint booth...and a pool? There is no comps for those properties. Because of unique properties Real Estate is exciting, challenging, and rewarding.

Unique properties give an agent the chance to obtain leads, adapt properties to the buyers needs, and meet people from different walks of life. You can list them for about 10-15 percent higher than your gut tells you because...well it is unique and will take a unique person to buy! This person may pay more for a property that "just calls their name"!

So I bring up the question, "why do agents not want to list unique properties"? If you are one of those agents just call me and I will be happy to list whatever comes my way! If you have a unique property to sell in Nash or Edgecombe County of NC, please call me!

Nash and Edgecombe County property values increased by 26 percent since 2001 say tax officials.

Property values in Nash County increased 22 percent while Edgecombe County values increased roughly 32 percent.

Tax officials in both counties are prepared for a surge of complaints. The official notices are schedule to be mailed on 1/16/2009.

David C Recker, Associate Broker, Realtor ® licensed in North Carolina. Reach David at: 252-442-2687

Copyright © 2009 By David C Recker, NC Real Estate Web Blog. All Rights Reserved.. *2009 Property Revaluation Released*

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Make sure you choose a REALTOR® who will provide top-notch service and meet your unique needs.

1. How long have you been in residential real estate sales? Is it your full-time job? While experience is no guarantee of skill, real estate - like many other professions - is mostly learned on the job.

2. How many homes did you and your real estate brokerage sell last year? By asking this question, you'll get a good idea of how much experience the practitioner has.

3. How many days did it take you to sell the average home? How did that compare to the overall market? The REALTOR® you interview should have these facts on hand, and be able to present market statistics from the local MLS to provide a comparison.

4. How close to the initial asking prices of the homes you sold were the final sale prices? This is one indication of how skilled the REALTOR® is at pricing homes and marketing to suitable buyers. Of course, other factors also may be at play, including an exceptionally hot or cool real estate market.

5. What types of specific marketing systems and approaches will you use to sell my home? You don't want someone who's going to put a For Sale sign in the yard and hope for the best. Look for someone who has aggressive and innovative approaches, and knows how to market your property competitively on the Internet. Buyers today want information fast, so it's important that your REALTOR® is responsive.

6. Will you represent me exclusively, or will you represent both the buyer and the seller in the transaction? While it's usually legal to represent both parties in a transaction, it's important to understand where the practitioner's obligations lie. Your REALTOR® should explain his or her agency relationship to you and describe the rights of each party.

7. Can you recommend service providers who can help me obtain a mortgage, make home repairs, and help with other things I need done? Because REALTORS® are immersed in the industry, they're wonderful resources as you seek lenders, home improvement companies, and other home service providers. Practitioners should generally recommend more than one provider and let you know if they have any special relationship with or receive compensation from any of the providers.

8. What's your business philosophy? While there's no right answer to this question, the response will help you assess what's important to the agent and determine how closely the agent's goals and business emphasis mesh with your own.

9. How will you keep me informed about the progress of my transaction? How frequently? Again, this is not a question with a correct answer, but how you judge the response will reflect your own desires. Do you want updates twice a week or do you prefer not to be bothered unless there's a hot prospect? Do you prefer phone, e-mail, or a personal visit?

10. Could you please give me the names and phone numbers of your three most recent clients? Ask recent clients if they would work with this REALTOR® again. Find out whether they were pleased with the communication style, follow-up, and work ethic of the REALTOR®.

David C Recker, Associate Broker, Realtor ® licensed in North Carolina. Reach David at: 252-442-2687

Copyright © 2009 By David C Recker, NC Real Estate Web Blog. All Rights Reserved.. *10 Questions To Ask Before You Hire Your Realtor*

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