One of the safer, cash-flow producers in tough economic times is ownership of self-storage facilities for small-scale investors. There are more than 52,000 nationwide. But the industry racks up $20 billion a year in sales, according to Self Storage Association, the major trade group in the field, and people always need a place to keep their extra “stuff.”

Better yet, many centers generate positive cash flows even with unit vacancy rates above 30 percent, so small-scale local investors who have a knack for management and marketing can often do well – even in a down economy. One strategy with self-storage is to buy existing facilities in the $2 million and up range that have significant potential for growth in value by boosting rental revenues and occupancy rates through intensive management oversight and modest fix-ups. (more…)

$5,850,000

MLS Number: 50913

City: [tag]Valle Crucis, NC[/tag]
Stories: 2
Bedrooms: 4 Baths: 4.5
Area: Boone-[tag]Blowing Rock, NC[/tag]
Year Built: 1990
Plus Five fully furnished 1,400 sq. ft. Rental Cottages. Each built in 1996 on approx. 1/2 acre sites. Current cottage average annual rental income $150,000.

39.4 acres with 360 degree view of [tag]Blue Ridge Mountains[/tag].

5,200 sq. ft. main house built in 1990 on 1.24 acres.

No restrictions and no zoning offer many other options:

* Family compound
* Corporate retreat
* Religous retreat
* Horse farm / Dude ranch
* Recording studio
* Cottages can be sold separately
* Land can be further subdivided if desired

Contact Elizabeth Carter, 336.973.5594 or Greg Stikeleather, Broker, 704.880.5247 or email eacarter@charter.net

click here for more information

If you are thinking about a mortgage refinance, you might want to consider many types of mortgage refinance programs. For example, you might want to look into a 15-year fixed rate mortgage refinance. In this plan, your mortgage payments are somewhat higher than a longer-term loan, but you pay substantially less interest over the life of the loan and build equity more quickly. (Of course, this also means you have less interest to deduct on your income tax return.)

You also might want to consider a mortgage refinance if you have an adjustable rate mortgage with high or no limits on interest rate increases. You might want to switch to a fixed rate mortgage or to an adjustable rate mortgage that limits changes in the rate at each adjustment date as well as over the life of the loan. (more…)

WEST JEFFERSON NC MOUNTAIN PROPERTY

87.5 +/- Acres Available For Residential Subdivision Mountain Development, 7 miles from West Jefferson, NC

Paved Road and Bridge Built To State Specifications.

Average of $23,000 per acre.

This Property Should Retail For Approximately $50,000 to $60,000 per acre.

ALL PROPERTY HAS LONG RANGE MOUNTAIN VIEWS

Contact Greg Stikeleather, Broker, 704.880.5247

or

email Greg at grstike@charter.net

click here for more information

If you are thinking about a mortgage refinance, you might want to consider many types of mortgage refinance programs. For example, you might want to look into a 15-year fixed rate mortgage refinance. In this plan, your mortgage payments are somewhat higher than a longer-term loan, but you pay substantially less interest over the life of the loan and build equity more quickly. (Of course, this also means you have less interest to deduct on your income tax return.)

You also might want to consider a mortgage refinance if you have an adjustable rate mortgage with high or no limits on interest rate increases. You might want to switch to a fixed rate mortgage or to an adjustable rate mortgage that limits changes in the rate at each adjustment date as well as over the life of the loan. (more…)

Vacation property, an investment for retirement or a permanent residence, this Lake James waterfront home may be your dream property.

The beautiful water front home is located in a private community with spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It has a double deck boat dock, an enclosed boat garage and a private ramp to launch your own watercraft. The home was built originally in 1972 and totally renovated in 2002. A four car detached garage was built in 2002.

There is a total of 264 ft. of water front. Beautiful three tier sea walls accent this elegant home. Hard wood and tile floors, modern appliances and vaulted ceilings are only a few of the amenities that capture you with this home.

Private dock permit.

List Price: $1,800,000
Flexibility: Willing to finance
Acreage: .75 acres
Type: Waterfront

Floors: 2
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 4
Sq. Footage: 3700
Garage Size: 4.0
Year Built: 1972, totally renovated in 2002
School District: Nebo

Suitable Use: Residential

Topography: Rolling
Road Frontage: Private Road
Location: [tag]Lake James, Burke County, NC[/tag]

Amenities: Waterfront, Fireplace, Central AC, Alarm, Wood Floors, Gas Range, Patio, Wheelchair Accessible, Nature/Bike Paths, Boating, Controlled Access, Spa/Jacuzzi

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The credit crunch and tough times in the mortgage market are creating new profit opportunities in a highly-specialized real estate investment niche: Buying seller “carryback” mortgage notes.

Carrybacks, also known as “seller takebacks,” are essentially replacements for standard mortgage financing, and become popular whenever banks tighten down credit standards sharply.

For example, say you’re selling a house that you own free and clear, or that has only a small amount of debt on it. Your buyers have downpayment money and solid incomes, but they can’t quite qualify for a conventional loan. (more…)

Rates on mortgage loans are the lowest in the 37-year history of the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey, according to a weekly report released Wednesday. The average 30-year, fixed-rate loan issued to borrowers declined to 5.1%, with 0.7 up-front points, for the week ending December 31, according to the survey.

The rate dropped from an average of 5.14% last week, which was the previous 37-year low. Freddie Mac (FRE, Fortune 500) began surveying lenders back in 1971. The 30-year fixed was at 6.06% a year ago. The average for a 15-year, fixed rate loan was just 4.83%, its lowest level since March 25, 2004, when it hit 4.70 percent. (more…)