Virtual Assistants for the Home

Virtual assistants aren't just for uber-busy business execs or jet-setting celebrities anymore. If you frequently run out of time on projects, or you find it a hassle to perform certain tasks, a virtual assistant could be your solution. 

Sites like fancyhands.com and zirtual.com are specifically geared to provide general virtual services, while Odesk.com and elance.com offer thousands of specialized virtual tasks performed by those with certain skillsets. 

Costs for these services vary, starting at $25 a month, and are typically based on the number of task requests you make per month. 

Here are a few ways you can use a virtual assistant to make life easier: 

Bookkeeping, tracking bills and staying on top of banking information are popular, albeit time-consuming tasks better left to assistants. 

Online shopping for finding and sending birthday gifts and wedding presents, or for comparing and locating items to be purchased later, is another popular task to delegate to virtual assistants. 

Data-entry can be a pain, but assistants can help with everything from bills to managing calendar events to setting up money management software. 

Managing email is a hassle for lots of busy folks. Let virtual assistants help you sort and prioritize. 

Travel and vacation research can also be delegated to help you find the best travel deals. 

Finally, Knowledge preparation for business meetings, reports, homework, potential opportunities, or anything you want to know more about, can be outsourced to save you time. 

Time is money, and sometimes it pays big dividends if you have a little help! These ideas scratch the surface of tasks a virtual assistant can handle for you. Delegating tasks you don't have time for (or simply don't enjoy) will pay off in the long run.

Ken Keegan Real Estate Broker
(910) 523-0903 mobileEmail Mewww.KenKeegan.com Click here for more information on Brunswick, County Real Estate St. James Plantation

Southport going back 'Under the Dome' for series' second season

Filming permits that would make it official are not yet in hand, but apparently Southport will be going  “Under the Dome” again this season. 

 

Scouts and production representatives for the sci-fi series were in the city last week reviewing several locations that were used in the CBS series last year, including an East Bay Street home. Interior, exterior, side- and back-yard shots and the detached garage were all featured at times during the first season. Crew members have inquired about reconstructing a façade bunker door in the property’s side yard previously featured.

 

“The production has informed us of their intent and interest in returning to Southport to shoot for a period of about six months,” city tourism and economic development director Cindy Brochure said. “No permits have been filed, so things can always change, but I think we can say with a 99-percent certainty that they will be back.”

After opening production offices in Wilmington in early January, work on episodes, the first of which will be directed by Stephen King, are to start the first week of March. The famed horror writer wrote the 2009 source novel and played a major part in the pilot episode last year. 

Crews last year also utilized inside and outside shots of Trinity United Methodist Church, Old Smithville Burying Ground and Ocean Trail Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center. Southport Motor Cars and Spike’s Dairy Bar also appeared in the initial season, but only briefly. 

One location that likely won’t be seen again in the series is the pilot tower, which  stood in as the Chester’s Mill radio station, which was burned down by “Big Jim” during the show’s 12th episode, “Exigent Circumstances.”

State Port Pilot Article

Ken Keegan Real Estate Broker
(910) 523-0903 mobileEmail Mewww.KenKeegan.com Click here for more information on Brunswick, County Real Estate St. James Plantation

Roll-out of new 90-gallon recycling bins in St. James expected next week

As many as 2,500 90-gallon recycling carts will begin showing up in St. James before the end of the month, town council members learned during their monthly work session on Thursday.

 

Member Wayne Deutscher reported that provider Waste Industries plans to deliver the carts on flat-bed trucks to The Members Club lower parking lot beginning Monday, January 27. The rest of the week, smaller trucks will distribute the carts throughout the community. Each cart will have a computer chip installed identifying it with a specific household.

 

About 100 persons responded via an e-mail survey that they wished to continue using the 18-gallon bins they already have; Waste Industries will not deliver carts to those addresses, but if later the homeowner changes his mind and wants a cart instead, he may call and the company will change-out the containers at no cost.

Those receiving new carts may choose to keep their 18-gallon bins for another use, or they may “recycle” the plastic containers by leaving them at curbside when the carts are placed there to be emptied.

With the seasonal absence of some homeowners, “There are going to be some bins out for a while,” town administrator Josann Campanello acknowledged. Considering this, Waste Industries has said it will place the carts near the garage entrance to be as out-of-sight as possible.

“It may be tumultuous for a month or two,” Deutscher said.

Article From State Port Pilot

Ken Keegan Real Estate Broker
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Hearing set Friday on coastal insurance rate hike of 35-percent; 25-percent overall

As local government units line up in opposition, the state is gearing up for its first-ever public hearing on an industry proposal to raise standard homeowners insurance rates by 35-percent in coastal southeastern North Carolina and 25.3-percent overall.

 

The hearing on the proposal is set for the Dobbs Building in Raleigh from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, January 24. E-mail comments will be accepted through January 31 at 2014homeowners@ncdoi.gov.

 

Brunswick County and the municipalities of Caswell Beach, Oak Island, Bald Head Island, Boiling Spring Lakes and St. James have all passed resolutions opposing any increase. The resolution points out there have been five rate increases since 2002.

“Homeowners in coastal communities already pay … premiums two to three times the rate charged for the same type of homeowners policies (fire, theft) of inland properties, in addition to having separate flood, as well as wind and hail policies,” the resolution states.

Article from State Port Pilot

Ken Keegan Real Estate Broker
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What the new mortgage rules mean for you

New mortgage lending rules are going into effect Friday that aim to put an end to the worst mortgage lending abuses of the past.

The new rules are designed to take a "back to basics" approach to mortgage lending and lower the risk of defaults and foreclosures among borrowers, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which issued the new rules.

"No debt traps. No surprises. No runarounds. These are bedrock concepts backed by our new common-sense rules, which take effect today," said CFPB director Richard Cordray in remarks prepared for a hearing Friday.

Related: Million-dollar housing markets

Mortgage lenders are being asked to comply with two new requirements: The Ability to Repay rule and Qualified Mortgages. Here's how they will impact borrowers:

Ability to Repay

• Lenders must determine that a borrower has the income and assets to afford to make payments throughout the life of the loan. To do so, the lender may look at your debt-to-income ratio, which is how much you owe divided by how much you earn per month, including the highest mortgage payments you would be required to make under the terms of the loan. To calculate your debt-to-income ratio, add up all your monthly obligations -- including student loan, credit card and car payments, housing costs, utilities and other recurring expenses -- and divide it by your monthly gross income.

Calculator: How much house can you afford?

• In an effort to put an end to no- or low-doc loans, where lenders issue risky mortgages without the necessary financial information, lenders will be required to document and verify an applicant's income, assets, credit history and debt. For borrowers, that means more paperwork and longer processing times.
• Underwriters must also approve mortgages based on the maximum monthly charges you face, not just low "teaser rates" that last only a matter of months, or a year or two, before resetting higher.

Qualified Mortgages

• To make sure you aren't taking on more house than you can afford, your debt-to-income ratio generally must be below 43%. This rule is not absolute. Banks can still make loans to people with debt-to-income ratios that are greater than that if other factors, such as a high level of assets, justify the risk.
• Qualified mortgages cannot include risky features, such as terms longer than 30 years, interest-only payments or minimum payments that don't keep up with interest so your mortgage balance grows.
• Upfront fees and charges cannot add up to more than 3% of the mortgage balance. That includes title insurance, origination fees and points paid to lower mortgage interest rates.

The rules also restrict "steering," or practices that give financial incentives to loan officers or mortgage brokers for pushing people into higher-interest loans that they can't afford -- a practice that was all too common leading up to the housing bust, Cordray said.

Related: American dream homes: What you'll pay in 10 cities

"We think the new rules are balanced and well-drawn. They will offer consumers protection without limiting credit to qualified borrowers," said Gary Kalman, the policy director for the Center for Responsible Lending.

Lenders don't seem to be too worried about the new rules, according to Keith Gumbinger of HSH.com, a mortgage information provider. "It's no surprise; everybody has been preparing for the change for months," he said. "Because there will be additional underwriting scrutiny, it could gum up the works initially and slow loan processing, but it's really just the codification of things that are already in place."

A significant factor is what's not in the rules. There's no minimum down payment or credit score requirement.

"[The qualifed mortgage] is not taking a one-size-fits-all approach. It ensures that first time homebuyers can still come to the table," said Kalman.

Related: 5 most and least affordable housing markets

If the rules required a minimum down payment of, say 10% or 20%, it would eliminate many first time buyers who would have a difficult time raising that much cash.

The lack of a credit score requirement will enable lenders to loosen currently tight underwriting standards in the future should conditions warrant, according to Gumbinger. For the moment, most loans will still have to be backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and, with a few exceptions, they won't approve applicants with scores below 620.

Original CNN Article

Ken Keegan Real Estate Broker
(910) 523-0903 mobileEmail Mewww.KenKeegan.com Click here for more information on Brunswick, County Real Estate St. James Plantation

Top 10 Home Staging Tips

Staging, which can be often overlooked by home sellers, is a necessary part of the selling process. Home staging involves cleaning, decorating and de-cluttering your home. Your goal is to highlight your Southport NC home's best features and get potential buyers to picture a life in your home.

1. De-personalize your home by removing all family photos and memorabilia.
2. Set your dining room table and include a new, eye-catching centerpiece.
3. Only include 50% of what is usually in your closet to give the allusion it is larger and add bright lighting.
4. Clean your entire home from top to bottom.
5. Include lots of plants, greenery and fresh flowers throughout the house.
6. Use minimal window treatments to showcase the views outside and the natural lighting.
7. Make the house a comfortable temperature, which means turning on the heater or air conditioner as necessary.  68-70° F is usually comfortable for most people.
8. Make sure your home smells fresh and clean, especially if you normally have pets in the house.
9. Don’t neglect your patio or deck outside. Make sure it is clean and inviting.
10. Offer potential home buyers candy or fresh cookies to give them a feeling of warmth and comfort in your house.

You can do home staging yourself or you can invest in a professional home stager for around $1500 to $2500. Using a professional home stager can help you sell your home faster, and in such a competitive market it may be worth the extra cash. Whatever you decide, be sure you take the time to make your home presentable for potential home buyers.


Ken Keegan Real Estate Broker
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P.E.O. Appraisal Fair offers chance to find out antiques' values

If you've been wondering what that old china plate in the cabinet is worth or if you've been trying to figure out what that thingamabob that Aunt Matilda gave you for a wedding gift is, head down to the Southport Community Center from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 27, for the eighth annual Antiques Appraisal Fair.

Chapter CB of the Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O) has an extensive lineup of experts to help identify and value antiques and collectibles. The experts include Carol Mahoney of Northrop Antiques Mall, Charles Gaiser of Potpourri Antiques, Robert Brown, Ellen Jones of Southport Antiques, Deanne Karnes of the Ivy Cottage, Alan Perry of Perry's Emporium, Daniel and Jessica Williams of Time on My Hands Clockworks, Dot Smith, Bob Smith, Ella Oliveira and Pam Newton of the Fancy Flea Antique Mall, and Jim and Frances Nichols of Castle Street Antique Pickers Mall.

These experts volunteer for this P.E.O. fundraiser. They have a wide variety of expertise including porcelain, Staffordshire, china, sterling, antique prints, clocks, watches, art, antique woods, glass, jewelry, music boxes, phonographs, baseball/sports cards, comic books, toys, dolls and children's items.

Lines have been long at some of the past appraisal fairs.

"We have more appraisers and more generalists this year," said Jean Savage, chairman of the event. "We have learned how to speed up the process so we think we'll be right on time this year."

The Appraisal Fair has been such success that other North Carolina chapters have asked the CB chapter to share their knowledge. Savage is writing formal guidelines so other chapters can hold antique appraisal fairs. 

P.E.O., founded in 1869, supports education for women through six programs. They own and operate Cottey College, a two-year college in Nevada, Mo. It lends money to higher education students. The International Peace Scholarship Fund provides scholarships to international women doing graduate study in the U.S. and Canada. The program for continuing education provides needs-based grants to women in the U.S. and Canada whose education has been interrupted and who find it necessary to return to school to support themselves and/or their families. The scholar awards program supports merit-based awards for women in doctoral level degrees or postgraduate study or research at an accredited college or university. The STAR Scholarship provides a $2,500 award to high school senior women who wish to pursue post-secondary education. 

"One Southport woman is benefiting from our educational loan fund for graduate work at UNCW," said Savage.

No advance tickets will be sold. Tickets are $7 for each item appraisal with a limit of 3 items per person. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call Polly Stimmel at 363-4183.

 Full Article

Ken Keegan Real Estate Broker
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Some interesting stats from NAR!

Among the findings of NAR’s “American Attitudes About Homeownership” survey:


The vast majority of both home owners and renters say that owning a home is a smart decision over the long term. Even in today’s challenging economy, 95% of owners and 72% of renters believe that over a period of several years, it makes more sense to own a home.

Home owners are much more likely to be satisfied with the quality of their family and community life than renters. While more than half of owners (56%) are “very” or “extremely” satisfied with the overall quality of their family life, only about one-third (36%) of renters report the same levels of satisfaction. Also, 43% of home owners are “very” or “extremely” satisfied with their community life, compared with 30% of renters.

An overwhelming majority of home owners are happy with their decision to own a home. A full 93% of owners surveyed would buy again.

Most renters aspire to home ownership. The majority of renters (63%) say they are at least somewhat likely to purchase a home at some point in the future. Among them, young adults (18- to 24-years-old) have the strongest aspirations for home ownership.

The survey also confirmed that home owners and renters continue to have concerns about the economy:

In today’s market, many aspiring home owners face worries about job security and credit worthiness. Among renters who are “very” or “extremely” likely to buy a home in the future, three out of five consider confidence in job security or creditworthiness to be an obstacle.

Home owners and renters both believe that the mortgage interest deduction should not be targeted for change. 74% of owners and 62% of renters say it’s “extremely” or “very” important that the MID remain in place.
 
Original Stats
 
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Ken Keegan Real Estate Broker
(910) 523-0903 mobile
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http://www.kenkeegan.com/
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