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Save web pages as pdf files

January 23, 2010

If you are like me, you have bookmarked dozens of web pages that might come in handy … someday. This  clutters up my bookmark lists and favorites folders and creates situations where I can’t find what I need for all the mess.

It’s a lot like my desk. But where the stuff on my desk stays the same and remains in existence forever (sigh), that simply isn’t so with many web sites. How many times have you gone back to that carefully saved site to learn how to repair the doohickey that’s attached to the whatsis, only to get the dreaded Error 404 that the site no longer exists? Arghhhh!

Instead, how about saving these web pages as pdf files? Pretty cool, huh? Even better is that the links on the page are also saved to the pdf file. And it’s FREE. Visit www.pdfmyurl.com

If you want to test it on a web page, test it on my web page — www.JustCallPowers.com

Or my other page — www.MyHomeFreeAndClear.com

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Used phones benefit victims of domestic violence

January 14, 2010

My daughter had a slight mishap with her cell phone; it went through the wash. Tom and I both were entitled to free phones, and Christmas break seemed like an ideal time to address her immediate problem and get new phones for all of us.

Which got me to thinking. I remembered hearing about a program where used phones can be used to benefit victims of domestic violence. This is not one of the needs that immediately comes to mind when you think about helping someone who is escaping an abuser, but it makes perfect sense. If they are to create new lives for themselves, good communication is a must.

Verizon Wireless has a program called Hopeline. Used phones can be dropped off at any Verizon Communications Store, and they will be used to benefit domestic violence victims. This is a really good thing, and I will be dropping off the two perfectly good phones. <Click here to learn more. >

If I can help you with your real estate needs in the Triangle, please visit — www.JustCallPowers.com

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Raleigh area assisted living facilities

January 4, 2010

I suppose the new year is as good a time as any to think about the approaching golden years for ourselves and loved ones. By golden I actually mean slightly past golden, as in old and decrepit (to quote my 92-year-old mother).

Mom calls her place “the old folks’ home.” She has her own apartment, and there’s a dining room that provides three meals a day (except Sunday) and weekly maid service. That’s it. To get more help, she needs to hire “room girls” or move to the wing that provides more care. Others call them assisted living facilities or adult care facilities.

North Carolina has just enacted tougher standards for “adult-care centers.” Up until now the highest rating was three stars, and 95% of the facilities met that standard. That represents 1,250 assisted-living centers and group homes across the state.

The new standards will take into account “recent penalties for violations such as medications errors and failure to stop residents from wandering.” Facilities will have to meet high standards for two years to qualify for a new fourth star.

Where to check for information?

If I can help you with your real estate needs, please visit www.JustCallPowers.com.

[Information from Raleigh News & Observer, 1/4/10.]
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Holiday gift suggestions

December 11, 2009

This has been a difficult year for so many families. One part of me cries out for lots of spending (in locally owned stores) to boost the economy and rebuild the job base. Another part cries out for less spending on friends and family and more giving to those in need. So here are my holiday gift suggestions:

I’m sure you know where your stores are, so let me concentrate on charitable giving. There are plenty of scammers out there, and it is important to see that your donations go where they ought to. A good place to search is Charity Navigator (www.charitynavigator.com).

Other than that, I recommend contributing to your local food bank. Many grocery stores have collection bins this time of year, and many churches accept food offerings. My church collects food for the Western Wake Crisis Ministry located at 103 E. Chatham St. in Apex (www.wwcm.org).

How about Goodwill, Salvation Army and Habitat for Humanity’s Re Store (2420 Raleigh Blvd. in Raleigh and 5501 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd. in Durham)? Don’t just donate things. Buy things.

If you have a family member suffering from Alzheimber’s, you know how badly we need more research. In Fuquay Varina there’s a thrift shop whose proceeds go to this purpose: Guardian Angel Thrift Store on 742 N. Main St. (www.guardianangelthrift.org).

It’s my own personal thought that Christmas isn’t about spending lavish amounts of money. It’s about being creative and thoughtful.

If you are thinking of purchasing a home in the near future, do NOT load up your credit cards or drain your bank account for Christmas. Give yourself the FREE gift of checking your credit on www.annualcreditreport.com (not the one you see advertised on TV).

Now, about that new home — please visit www.JustCallPowers.com.

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Cap and Trade requirements for selling your home

December 2, 2009

Not long ago I received an email that obviously set out to scare the bejeezus out of every homeowner. This email stated that the Cap and Trade legislation passed by Congress would require EVERY existing home to meet new energy standards before it can be sold.

Ah come on. Homeowners are one of the biggest interest groups out there. The proof for how much power this group wields is the fact that no one dares to interfere with the mortgage interest deduction. We homeowners are a muscular bunch, and no one is going to mess with our ability to sell our homes.

But don’t take my word for the falsity of the claim. Here is what Snopes.com has to say about it–
http://www.snopes.com/politics/business/captrade.asp

For sane and sensible help with selling your home or buying a new one, please visit JustCallPowers.com.

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Home and property values in the Triangle

November 20, 2009

The press is still reporting dismal news on property values. “Property values will be off 40 percent to 50 percent from their peak, vacancies will rise, rents will decrease, and credit will remain scarce,” quotes David Bracken in an article in the Raleigh News & Observer.

Besides what that means for all of us as citizens, it’s enough to make any self-respecting Realtor want to pack up her signs and move to outer Elbonia.

The good news is that statement comes from interviews with 900 real estate professionals across the country. My sympathies go out to all the good folks in California, Arizona, Florida and other markets, but they aren’t us.

In the same article Jim Anthony is quoted as saying, “We don’t have the supply, and we do have the demand. They don’t have the demand, and they have all the supply.”

Average Prices Overall in the four county area of Durham, Johnston, Orange and Wake:

  • May 09 — $234,900
  • Jun 09 — $238,400
  • Jul 09 — $237,500
  • Aug 09 — $237,000
  • Sep 09 — $220,000
  • Oct 09 — $226,200

While prices have not been moving up, North Carolina’s Triangle is holding up well because “the region is widely viewed as having a bright economic future once the recession fades.”

For help in buying or selling your home, please contact me. Visit JustCallPowers.com.

[Raleigh News & Observer, 11/19/09, and Market Update, Triangle MLS, 10/09]

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Foreclosure home for sale in Clayton, NC

November 16, 2009

If you are looking for a foreclosed home to buy in Clayton, North Carolina, you owe it to yourself to take a look at this one:

  • 1908 sf
  • .33 acre
  • 3 bedroom/2-1/2 baths
  • Bonus room
  • Side load 2-car garage
  • Level lot with large backyard
  • Alarm system
  • 9′ ceilings
  • Crown molding and chair rails downstairs
  • Hardwoods in foyer, dining room and kitchen
  • $158,900

Conveniently located in Clayton, North Carolina, close to Talecris and Novo Nordisk. To learn more, please drop me an email at linda (at) justcallpowers.com.

Visit www.justcallpowers.com to learn more about the area.

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Homebuyers’ tax credit now includes more people

November 14, 2009

The original first-time homebuyers’ tax credit was set to expire on November 30, 2009, but thanks to Congress it has been extended and expanded. President Obama signed it into law on November 9th.

Don’t forget the dates (and please don’t wait until March 30th to begin the home-buying process) –

Homes must be purchased (closed) before May 1, 2010. Typically it takes about 30 days to close a home in North Carolina. To take care of odd things that can go wrong and push the closing past 30 days, if a home is under contract by April 30, 2010, it will qualify for the tax credit provided it closes before July 1, 2010.

Who qualifies and what tax credit they qualify for –

  • First-time homebuyers are defined as those who have not owned a home in the past 3 years. They may be eligible for up to $8,000.
  • Homeowners who have been living in their current home for five consecutive years out of the last eight and are purchasing a replacement home. They may be eligible for up to $6,500.
  • All U.S. citizens who file taxes are eligible to participate in the program.

Income limitations –

  • To receive the full tax credit, single or head-of-household taxpayers must make less than $125,000 (modified adjusted gross income). For married couples filing jointly the limit is $225,000.
  • Between $125,000 and $145,000 for singles and $225,000 and $245,000 for marrieds, homebuyers receive a partial credit.
  • If single and married homebuyers make more than $145,000 and $245,000 respectively, tough luck. They don’t qualify.

Property limitations –

So long as the property sells for less than $800,000 and will be used as the buyer’s principal residence, it will qualify. This includes new and existing homes, and they can be single-family detached, condos or townhomes. The property cannot be a vacation home or rental property.

Click here to view the entire article from www.rismedia.com.

If I can help you purchase your new home in the Triangle, please visit www.JustCallPowers.com.

After you have purchased your new home and run up your credit card with all your new purchases, I can help you pay off your mortgage and all of your debt in about half the time. Please visit www.myhomefreeandclear.com.

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New jobs in the Triangle

November 12, 2009

Well, I suppose Clayton isn’t technically in the Triangle, but it’s close enough. And there are a slew of new jobs coming as Talecris Biotherapeutics expands production in the next few years.

Talecris is a large biotechnology company with 4,700 employees worldwide and 2,200 in the Triangle. They will be adding hundreds of new jobs at their plant in Clayton.

If this sounds like an opportunity that interests you, Clayton is a charming town in thriving Johnston County. I have a nice property listed in an established neighborhood in Clayton. There are also great communities outside Clayton, including the popular golf course community of Glen Laurel.

Visit my website, www.justcallpowers.com, to learn more.

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Buying a home at a real estate auction

November 4, 2009

When the real estate market slows down, sellers sometimes approach the task of selling their homes using alternative methods. One of these is the sealed-bid real estate auction.

What it takes to buy a property at auction:

  1. The seller does not have to accept any offer.
  2. The buyer pays a 10% buyer’s premium. This covers commissions and the auction fee.
  3. The auction firm represents the seller and cannot serve as a dual agent.
  4. The buyer pays the 10% premium regardless of whether they have a buyer’s agent or not, and it is highly recommended that they have a buyer’s agent.
  5. Auction sales do not allow contingencies for financing, inspections, etc.
  6. Financing must be approved and ready to go before submitting a bid.
  7. Before making a bid, “prospective buyers tour the home, study the inspection report and appraisal, then submit a binding offer and earnest money.”
  8. A prospective buyer should have a contractor with them to view the property if the inspection report shows repairs will be needed.
  9. Sellers can open bids when they want to. “About half the properties sell on or before the auction date.”
  10. If bids are close, the auction company might contact bidders to see if they are willing to increase their bids.
  11. If the seller accepts a buyer’s bid, the buyer must close or forfeit the earnest money.

If you would like to pursue one of these properties, please contact me at www.JustCallPowers.com.

[From The News & Observer, 10/23/09]

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