Green homes are becoming increasingly more popular. Finding ways to advertise a home as being energy-efficient can spark a level of interest in prospective buyers. And as the seasons start to change and spring pollen floats into the air, having a solution to keep the pollen out of a home and save on a home’s electricity bill is a plus.

“Every season I am miserable because of allergies and so is everyone else,” says Paul Honnen, CEO of Screens, Inc. That caused Honnen to research and develop a partnership with a 150-year old specialty textile company in Europe that manufactures window screens that filter out the airborne pollens. His company is now the exclusive distributor for North America. (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

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The $75 billion foreclosure prevention program announced Wednesday by President Obama will go a long way to helping millions of distressed borrowers and to stopping the housing market’s downward spiral, experts said.

The multipronged plan, which calls for modifying loans for borrowers both at risk or already in default and for allowing those with little or no home equity to refinance into more affordable loans through interest-rate reductions, has made some strange bedfellows.

“It cuts the Gordian knot that has eluded everybody,” said Scott Talbott, senior vice president of government affairs at the Financial Services Roundtable, a lobbying group. He called it a “solid approach” to preventing foreclosures. (more…)

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

The beautiful water front home is located in a private community with spectacular views of the [tag]Blue Ridge Mountains[/tag]. 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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Freddie Mac released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) in which the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 5.16 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending February 12, 2009, down from last week when it averaged 5.25 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 5.72 percent.

The 15-year FRM this week averaged 4.81 percent with an average 0.7 point, down from last week when it averaged 4.92 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 5.25 percent. (more…)

Many of the subprime loans that helped fuel the housing boom – those that didn’t require borrowers to show any proof of income, or that let homeowners make minimum payments – are are simply no longer available. But even buyers looking for a traditional mortgage are now faced with different factors to consider.

Borrowers can pay points – one-time, up-front fees – in order to reduce their mortgage’s interest rate over the life of the loan. One point represents 1% of the mortgage value. But they often assume that they should never pay points, according to Alan Rosenbaum, founder of mortgage broker Guardhill Financial. That’s a mistake, in his opinion. When interest rates were high, paying points didn’t make sense because borrowers were very likely to refinance after rates dropped. They wouldn’t hold their original loans long enough to recoup their up-front costs. (more…)

The Malone Bay community features 18 lots at W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir. Fourteen (14) are Lakefront and meet private dock requirements. All lots have access to public water, saving owners from $5,000 to $10,000 on drilling a well. These lots have public water and will save you the cost of drilling a well. The entire development also features underground utilities.

This is a gated community with lots ranging from 2.3+- acres to 6.8+- acres on the Hwy 421 side of the lake just off South Minton Road, Wilkesboro, NC 28697

W. Kerr Scott Lake is 1500 acres with 50 miles of shoreline and is controlled by the US Army Corps of Engineers. It is clean water with good fishing and is excellent for boating, kayaking, skiing, and swimming. The property is surrounded by National Parks. Wilkesboro is a beautiful community and town with friendly people. It is located just 40 miles east of Boone and Blowing Rock, NC and one and a half hours northwest of Charlotte.

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