December 2016 Newsletter

Happy Holidays from Mountain Properties by Carol! View this email in your browser Why You Should Sell Your Home during the Holidays By Matt Parker Despite the fact that most shy away from listing their home during the holidays, it’s actually a great time to sell your home. Below are reasons you should deck your halls—and then sell them. Time Off – The holidays are a great time to sell! There can be people relocating before the New Year, or people who have time off to shop for a home. Weather – It can be good for buyers, too, because in states with wet weather, buyers will see homes when it matters, not when the sun has dried everything out and made everything look pretty. After all, roofs never leak in August! Blackout Dates – For sellers, avoid stress by advertising the days you don’t want to show your home so you are not bothered—maybe Christmas Eve/Day, New Year’s Eve/Day, and Thanksgiving weekend. It causes a lot of stress on whomever maintains the home to worry about providing a happy holiday and keeping the house clean! Decorations – Decorate to the hilt! Have fun! It will exemplify the love you have for your home. Personal holiday photos are an exception; you still want to keep the house rather “mute” as far as truly personal innuendo. That is the only thing that might turn off a buyer. Variables – Many sellers and their agents argue about the best time to sell. The reality is that if you want to sell, the best time is usually now. A day, a week, or a month can change interest rates, the economy, the political climate, and even your health. Selling a house is hard, and if you want to sell, why put it off if you can do it now? New Home on The Market Recipe of the Month: Chicken Rice Ingredients: 1 can Chicken Rice Soup 1 can Chicken Gumbo Soup 1 cube Butter 1 small can Sliced Miushrooms 1 cup Rice Mix all ingredients except rice in saucepan. Bring to boil. Add rice, then put in covered casserole dish in oven at 350º for 20 minutes. You can also fry pork chops, bury in the rice mixture in casserole dish, and finish cooking with rice in oven. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Thought to Ponder: Every word you say and action you take has a ripple effect.

Winter is Coming. What Shape is Your Roof In?

Winter is a tough season for roofs. But, it doesn’t have to be with these tips from Sunrun!

VICTORIA KEICHINGERDEC 5, 2016

Guest post from Sunrun, a leading home solar energy & solar panel company

Winter is a tough season for roofs. In snowy areas, snow and ice add a lot of weight to the roof, and excess water can cause leaks. In areas where there’s a big winter temperature swing between day and night, those temperature variations cause the roof material to expand and contract, putting stress on the materials. Few roofs last longer than 25 years – with most having an average useful life of roughly 20-50 years, depending on materials, maintenance, local weather and other factors.

Before winter arrives in full force, it’s a good idea to perform a roof inspection. The good news is that they don’t take very long.

How Do I Know If I Need A New Roof?Inspect it! Luckily, if you have an attic, doing an inspection on your own is fairly easy. According to GAF, North America’s largest roofing manufacturer, there are four key things to look for while doing an inspection of your roof from the attic:

1. Water leaks
2. Ventilation – make sure vents are clear.
3. Animal damage
4. Structural problems

If you don’t have an attic, an outdoor visual inspection is the next best thing. You can do this from the safety of your yard without the risk of going up on a ladder.

Which Roof Type Is Best?If you need a new roof, how do you choose which type of roofing material to use? Asphalt shingles are by far the most common in the U.S. There’s also tile, wood, stone, and metal, each offering their own pros and cons. Realtor.com has a pretty detailed overview here.

If you’ve been considering home solar, note that most solar companies won’t install on certain roof types. Why? Usually it’s because either the roofing material is too fragile (in the case of clay tile for example) or the material is too difficult to seal up properly after the solar installation. The most common roof type – asphalt shingle – is ideal for solar installations. Sunrun offers an overview of our qualification process here.

I’ve Been Considering Home Solar – How Should I Factor That In?If you’ve ever thought about adding solar to your home, you’ll first need a healthy, stable roof as a foundation. For that reason, it’s a great idea for homeowners who are considering a roof replacement to consider going solar during that process. In fact, a great home solar company will actually work with your roofing contractor on your behalf to make sure your new roof is solar-ready. Sunrun has a strategic partnership with Power Home Remodeling, one of the fastest growing home remodeling companies in the U.S. Together, we offer a streamlined process for Power’s roofing customers that decide to go solar with Sunrun. Power Home Remodeling has also been designated a Master Elite® Dealer by GAF, a recognition only given to companies with a track record of quality and professionalism.

Have a question about solar power that isn’t answered here? Tweet @Sunrun and use the hashtag #SolarRealEstate.

GREEN ROOF ROOF SOLAR SOLAR PANELS SOLAR POWER SUNRUN

Victoria Keichinger

Victoria Keichinger is the Brand Engagement Manager with Coldwell Banker Real Estate. She grew up in New Jersey, before attending the University of Miami and still remains a proud 'Cane. Going back to her roots, she currently lives in Hoboken, NJ where she enjoys runs along the Hudson and eating at great restaurants. A true francophile, she loves to travel and will go anywhere there are ski slopes.

How to Decorate Like a Christmas Elf on a Budget

Get your elf on with these affordable DIY ideas.

Lindsay Listanski Today

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!! Break out that rubbermaid and dust off your ornaments because it’s time to decorate your home like the elf that I know you are. Here are five affordable and totally adorable ways to decorate your home with Christmas ornaments.

Christmas Shadow Box

Adding Christmas Cheer to your home couldn’t be more easy than this easy DIY Christmas Shadow Box idea.

Christmas Ornament Wreath

This project may look difficult but in just four easy steps you will be humming jingle bells. Learn how here.

Window Display

Show your neighbors that you are ready for a Holly Jolly Christmas with this simple hanging ornament idea.

In a Glass Vases

Remind your family it is the Most Wonderful Time of the Year with these easy Vase ideas.

As a Tree

Your guests will be rockin’ around the Christmas Tree when they see this adorable DIY Ornament Tree craft.

57 Freedom Drive Murphy, NC 28906

Property Site: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/XMWT67/57-Freedom-Drive-Murphy-NC-263722

Come to the mountains and experience the best of the best in this custom true cedar log home! Enjoy the to-die-for views from every room in this large chalet? 2 walls of Windows to let the light in and take in the views. The master bedroom is on the main level w/private bath that includes jacuzzi tub & separate shower. Huge great room & half bath complete the main level. Upstairs has a large bedroom & loft area, both overlooking the views. The basement offers a large Familyroom, bedroom with another walk in closet, and 2-car garage. Outside you will enjoy the wraparound deck, and large gazebo with outdoor fireplace! Oh yeah, did I mention the views? Located in exclusive, gated community.

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 3

Price: $489,900

For more information about this property, please contact Carol Robinson at 828-342-5616 or MurphyCarol@earthlink.net. You can also text 4018739 to 67299.

See more listings at: MtnPropertiesByCarol.com

MLS ID: 263722

November Newsletter

Happy Holidays from Mountain Properties by Carol! View this email in your browser ‘Flintstone House’ Fails to Sell, Takes Up Residence on Airbnb By Paige Tepping ‘Flintstone House’ Fails to Sell, Takes Up Residence on Airbnb Selling a home as iconic as the ‘Flintstone House’ is not for the faint of heart (or for those looking for a quick sale in order to untether themselves from the real estate game so they can spend their retirement traveling). As the current owner of the Hillsborough, Calif., home can attest, it’s time to move on and share the quirky space that’s been on the market for over a year with others who will undoubtedly enjoy the home’s unique façade—and interior elements. From its sunken conversation pit with fireplace, 30-foot ceilings, glass countertops in the kitchen and nautilus shape, the house inspires creativity, even if prospective buyers aren’t knocking down the door. And thanks to Airbnb, those looking for a one-of-a-kind vacation experience have one more property to add to their list. So get in touch with your inner Wilma and Fred Flintstone and grab five of your closest friends (the space accommodates six, so choose wisely…) and plan your getaway today. Looking for more Flintstone fun? Be sure to check out our original post to take a peek inside. This post was originally published on RISMedia’s blog, Housecall. Check the blog daily for top real estate tips and trends. New Home on The Market Recipe of the Month: Granny's Peanut Butter Balls (great for holidays!) Ingredients: 2.5 lb powdered Confectioners Sugar 2 lb Creamy Peanut Butter 1 lb Butter (melted and thoroughly cooled) 26 oz Semi-sweet chocolate chips 1 cake of parafin Mix, by hand, above ingredients (except chocolate) until texture is totally smooth. Form into 1" balls. In a double boiler, boil water, melt chocolate chips and parafin. While chocolate mixture is kept hot, dip balls and put on wax paper to cool. Once cooled, place on tray and refrigerate. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Thought to Ponder: “You express the truth of your character with the choice of your actions.” ~Steve Maraboli

379 Ranger Estates Murphy, NC 28906

Property Site: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/75UW5C/379-Ranger-Estates-Murphy-NC-263109

All one level living and comfort in this GREAT cabin! A TRUE GREAT ROOM with gas log fireplace, all appliances, Corian counter tops, 2 bedrooms & 2 bathrooms, deep wrap porch, gazebo W/hot tub. Wired for generator, concrete floored workshop, 24' X 26 concrete pad, walk in closet in master with built ins, sliders to back porch & also a partially fenced yard.

Bedrooms: 2

Bathrooms: 2

Square feet: 1,152

Price: $149,900

For more information about this property, please contact Carol Robinson at 828-342-5616 or MurphyCarol@earthlink.net. You can also text 3975812 to 67299.

See more listings at: MtnPropertiesByCarol.com

MLS ID: 263109