3BR/2BA Home for Sale - Newton, NC $110,000

• Location - Newton, NC
• Square Footage - 1144 Heated SqFt + 546 Unheated SqFt
• Central Heat & Air
• 3 Bedrooms
• 2 Baths
• Walk-in Closet
• Gas Log Fireplace
• Acerage .69

Additional photos...

Great house for those on a budget.  This home is conveniently located and has two large workshops and a storage building on the property.

Saving Money on Your Electric Bill

Winter is well on it's way and with it comes higher than normal utility bills.  I've compiled an assortment of links with information on how to reduce your energy consumption and save some money.

Energy Draining Vampires - What are they and how to reduce their impact.

Heating Tips

How much does keeping your thermostat set at 72 degrees instead of 68 actually cost?  Thermostat Calculator.

 Is one type light bulb really better than another?  Lighting Calculator.

Water Heater Calculator - Would making a change be worthwhile?

Rinnai - America's number one selling tankless hot water heater.

Buy implementing several of these tips I've managed to cut my energy consumption by 25 - 30 percent this past year.  I enjoy keeping more of my money for myself and know you will too!

Just Listed

1377 Pear Drive - Conover, NC

$126, 750

 

3BR/2BA, 1.5 story home on a large 0.82 acre lot. Features include beautiful laminate floors, ample storage, double detached garage, storage building, partially fenced yard, professional landscaping, huge patio with scenic view, rocking chair front porch, security system, smooth top range, appliances/window treatments. Great location! Priced to sell...

Friends in Need

I've spoken with numerous persons in the last year who were attempting to put together a local "Couponing for Christ" group.  So far those efforts have not come to full fruition.  In the interest in moving such an idea forward I wanted to share some of my own strategies for helping others in need without blowing your budget. 

The following local groups maintain food banks:

St. John's Lutheran Church
2126 Saint Johns Church Road Northeast
Conover, NC 28613-8975
(828) 464-4071


Eastern Catawba Cooperative Christian Ministry
245 East N Street
Newton, NC 28658
828-465-1702

Christian Crisis Center of Alexander County
223 5Th Ave Sw
Taylorsville, North Carolina 28681
828-632-0022

Each of these groups work diligently in our communities to help provide for those in need.  Items which are always in demand are: Macaroni & Cheese, Soups, Treet Meat or Spam, Canned Tuna, Juice, Peanut Butter, Crackers, Oatmeal, Cereals. 
 
Since I live on a budget (as we all do) I have certain items that I purchase with coupons to get the most value possible.  Here's my personal list.
 
Wal-Mart has cans of chicken noodle and tomato soup for 68 cents each.  The Charlotte Observer frequently runs coupons for Campbell's soup and you can purchase 10 cans of soup for about $6.00.  The store brand of crackers costs about $1.27 each and the food banks typically distributes crackers by the sleeve instead of by the box due to them being an in demand item.  Other items I purchase at Wal-Mart are the Great Value jars of peanut butter, macaroni and cheese, Sweet Sue Chicken & Dumplings and family sized cans of Chef Boyardee products.  
 
The Eastern Catawba Cooperative Christian Ministry also has a Thrift Store that is desperately in need of coats and sweaters.  Please take the time to go through your closets (especially children's closets) and donate any coats or sweaters that you do not need.  Outer wear is very expensive and families who have experienced job loses will not be able to purchase warm coats (where needed) for themselves or their children this year.
 
The first month I did this I decided I'd hold the food for one month (so I wouldn't be embarrassed by the size of my donation) and was very surprised when I had six bags to turn in.  I encourage each of you to take the time to go through the coupon section of the paper weekly and use them in conjunction with weekly specials at your favorite grocery store.  You'll be surprised at how many meals you can provide.

Marketing Plan For Sellers

As a Prudential agent I'm proud to let you know that we received the J.D. Power award for "Home Seller Satisfaction" this year.  Our online seller advantage program gives you daily or weekly access to information regarding your competition, new listings, sales of other homes in the area, and tracks your online activity.  Online Seller Advantage will be used in conjunction with my own specialized marketing plan.  I've listed the basics of that plan below.



COMMUNICATING


Education – Keep you educated and up-to-date on listing and selling market conditions in your area. You will be connected to Prudential Online Seller Advantage which will keep you informed of what’s happening in the local market.

Keeping You Informed – Provide updates on all activity regarding your home: you’ll receive emails (daily or weekly – whichever you decide) regarding online activity, agent showings, open house attendance, agent tours, sign inquiries, etc.

PREPARING YOUR HOME FOR SALE

Home Preparation - Suggest constructive changes to your home to make it more appealing.

Home Staging - Present you with professional advice on presenting your home to show exceptionally well, and sell for the highest possible value.

PROMOTING YOUR HOME TO REAL ESTATE AGENTS

MLS Exposure - Submit your home listing for exposure to over 700 active agents in the Catawba Valley Multiple Listing Service system.

Personal Promotion to Agents - Create a custom publicity flyer about your home for personal distribution to each active agent in the community.

PROMOTING YOUR HOME ON THE INTERNET

Internet Exposure on Google.com, Prudential.com, Yahoo.com, Frontdoor.com, Frontdoor.com, Realtor.com, Homes.com, Homesandland.com, Facebook, Craigslist, Activerain, BobVilla.com, and dozens of other websites

ADVERTISING YOUR HOME

Print Advertising - To promote your home as part of a full color ad in Homes and Land . This publication has country-wide circulation with thousands of readers, and, it is available online.  Your listing will also appear in the Iwanna Newspaper and Hickory Daily Record from time to time.

Custom Home Descriptions - Create a custom flyer of features and lifestyle benefits of your home for use by cooperating agents showing your home. Your homes attributes, local restaurants, school info, and nearby recreational facilities will be noted.  Copies of the flyer will be placed in your home to be available for prospective buyers during showings.

SHOWING YOUR HOME

Easy Access for Showings - Enhance convenience of buyer viewing by placing home on a keybox and using Centralized Showing Systems so someone is always available either by phone or online to book a showing regardless of what time of day or night it may be.

Professional Signs - Maximize showing exposure through professional signage.

Fall Maintenance

• 

  Appliance Maintenance: Water Heaters

  Keep your water heater running efficiently and reliably with this simple maintenance routine. Read
• 

  The Value of Home Maintenance

  Regular home maintenance is key to preserving the value of your house and property. Read
• 

  Essential Heating System Maintenance

  Getting your home’s heating system professionally serviced every year will keep it running smoothly and help keep heating costs under control. Read
• 

  8 Easy Ways to Seal Air Leaks Around the House

  For what the typical family wastes every year on air leaks—about $350—you can plug energy-robbing gaps, start saving money, and enjoy a more comfortable home. Read
• 

  Chimney Maintenance for Warmth and Safety

  Chimney maintenance and a fireplace inspection can make the difference between warm safety and drafty danger. Read

Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this.

Copyright 2010 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Articles For Home Sellers...

• 

  How to Use Comparable Sales to Price Your Home

  Before you put your home up for sale, use the right comparable sales to find the perfect price. Read
• 

  Listing and Selling Your Green Home

  If you want to get the full value for your green home when it comes time to sell, use a green real estate agent and a green MLS. Read
• 

  Make Your House FHA-Loan Friendly

  Know the basics of FHA loan rules and you stand a better chance of selling your house or condo. Read
• 

  6 Reasons to Reduce Your Home Price

  While you’d like to get the best price for your home, consider our six reasons to reduce your home price. Read
• 

  5 Tips to Prepare Your Home for Sale

  Working to get your home ship-shape for showings will increase its value and shorten your sales time. Read

Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this.

Copyright 2010 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Catawba Valley Lutheran Golfers Tournament

The sixth annual Catawba Valley Lutheran Golfers Association golf tournament will be held Saturday, September 25th at 1:00 p.m. at the River Oaks Golf Club, near Statesville.  All golfers must check in by noon.

The cost is $45 per golfer.  Fees include, golf, cart, food and trophies.  The tournament will begin with a shotgun start at 1:00 p.m.  The tournament format will be Captain's Choice.

For more information contact Pastor Paul D. Birner, St. Peter's Lutheran Church, 828-256-2970, stplcms@charterinternet.com.

Local Events

Autumn is just around the corner.  I'm listing a few events that will be occuring in the area this fall season.

Sept. 9-11     Bellwood, NC-----Bellwood Antique Tractor & Engine Show

Spet. 11         Newton, NC------Foothills Antique Powe Assoc. 2nd Annual Swap Meet

Spt. 25-26     Catawba, NC-----Murray's Mill Festival

Oct. 2            Taylorsville,-----Cruise-In (Car-Tractor Show) food provided for dontations 

    

Oct. 8-10      Dallas, NC--------Cotton Ginning Days

Oct. 15-17    Denver, NC------Stumptown/Killian Farm Antique Tractor and Engine Show

Oct. 21-23    Arden, NC------- Western NC Fall Harvest Days

Waldensian Festival

 August 13 & 14th Valdese, NC

Schedule:

Friday Night Music and Antique/Classice Cruise In on Main Street

"Sweet Revenge 6:00pm - 7:30pm

Welcome Ceremony

Emily Rhyder sinnging National Anthem

"The Catalina's" - 8:00pm - 10:00pm

Saturday Entertainment Lineup

The Moore Brothers 10:00am - 11:00am

Little Miss and Master Pageant 11:am - noon

Rick Cline Trio noon - 1:30pm

Local Dance Groups performance 1:30pm - 2:00pm

Throw Down Jones 2:00pm - 4:00pm

"The Fantastic Shakers" - 7:00pm - 9:30pm

Over 150 vendors, a fantastic variety of food and entertainment will be available.