As we watch with horror the impact natural disasters have on those affected, it is only natural that we ask ourselves,” Would I be able to sustain such losses?  Would my insurance policy cover the costs of rebuilding my home? The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)) recommends that you use your annual renewal notice or any improvements to your home as a reminder to touch base with your agent or insurer to recheck how much insurance you really need.  Do you have sufficient coverage for rebuilding and replacement? Amy Bach, executive director of United Policyholders, a consumer advocacy group, urges homeowners not to blindly trust that their home insurer has all the bases covered. With fluctuations in the market, coverage equal to the current replacement cost (excluding... 09/12/2014

In July, the number of properties that received a foreclosure filing in Greenville, NC was 39% higher than the previous month and 400% higher than the same time last year, according to RealtyTrac.com. Greenville NC Foreclosure Status Distribution The current distribution of foreclosures based on the number of active foreclosure homes in Greenville, NC.Auctions were 24.0% of the foreclosure activity in July, Pre-foreclosures were 68.0% and Bank-owned properties were 8.0%.   Greenville NC Foreclosure Activity by Month The number of Auctions increased 50.0% from the previous month and remained the same as the previous year. Bank-owned properties remained the same from the previous month and dropped 60.0% from the previous year.   Greenville NC Foreclosure Geographical Comparison Greenvill... 09/05/2014

The number of new listings increased by 5.4% in July 2014 compared to the previous year. Pending sales decreased by 1% while the number of homes sold increased by 24% compared from July 2013. The average sales price dropped by less than 1%. Days on the market decreased by 12 days. Date New Listing Pending Sales Sold Listings Avg Sale Price DOM July 2014 154 99 113 $171,678 137 July 2013 146 110 91 $172,549 149 Billionaire Says Real Estate Best Possible Investment Billionaire money manager and founder of The Paulson & Co, John Paulson believes buying a home to live in is the best investment possible.   Search all Greenville NC real estate and homes for sale. Whether you are considering buying a home, selling a home or both, Liz Freeman knows the Greenville, North Carolina area inside and... 08/28/2014

   pond on #4  Ironwood Golf and CC      Tar River runs along the  back 9 , Ironwood Golf and CC   Michele Connors,  #2 tee box   Ironwood Golf and Country Club is located close to Vidant Medical and East Carolina University on the western side of  Greenville ,NC.  Home prices range from mid 200's for patio home lifestyle to custom and  luxury homes in the 350k  to million+.   The  clubhouse/ pro shop offers formal and informal dining, social and private use, community involvement like bridge, bunko and crafts. Men's and Women's golf leagues which are fun whether you are a beginner or skilled golfer.  There is a pool with lifeguard and snack bar, great place to order lunch and relax. Lighted tennis courts and putting, chipping and driving ranges. Enjoy the sidewalks around the community... 08/24/2014

The previous blog about preventing identity theft during a move dealt primarily with precautionary steps to take from your old residence to thwart clever criminals. So you’re now safely ensconced in your new home. And you can breathe a sigh of relief, right? Actually, no. Unfortunately, there are clever identity thieves waiting at that end of your relocation, also, and your efforts to outwit them must continue at your new address. Read on for more advice: Once you have reached your new home, check to make certain that you have all the important papers and documents you carried with you—and immediately put them in a safe, secured place. Locate and unpack the box containing your electronic possessions—tablet, IPhone, computers, etc. Account for each one and consider changing your password... 08/15/2014

  Thank you USA Today  and TopRetirements.com for the shout out !!! I have known for some time how special Greenville NC and the surrounding area is. Just an hour or so west of Raleigh, we have evolved into a well respected and thriving town.  Aside from the accolades mentioned I wanted to add that Pitt County NC was recently recognized in Forbes as " #27 Best Small Places for Business and Careers " and proudly home to  East Carolina University , Vidant Health, Brody School of Medicine.   Retire to Greenville NC USA Today                                                                                          Michele Connors , Broker Realtor Advisor The Overton Group LLC  Greenville NC Buy and Sell with Michele ! 252-342-7066 Thinking of retiring to the area ?  call or email me  Connor... 08/09/2014

In June, the number of properties that received a foreclosure filing in Greenville, NC was 20% higher than the previous month and 100% higher than the same time last year, according to RealtyTrac.com. Greenville NC Foreclosure Status Distribution The current distribution of foreclosures based on the number of active foreclosure homes in Greenville, NC.Auctions were 22.2% of the foreclosure activity in June, Pre-foreclosures were 66.7% and Bank-owned properties were 11.1%.   Greenville NC Foreclosure Activity by Month The number of Auctions decreased 63.6% from the previous month and increased 100.0% from the previous year. Bank-owned properties decreased 50.0% from the previous month and dropped 71.4% from the previous year.   Greenville NC Foreclosure Geographical Comparison Greenville... 08/07/2014

With all the news concerning retailers databases being compromised and resulting in consumer identity theft, you need to be acutely aware of the increase of identity theft during a move and take precautions to prevent your becoming a victim of enterprising criminals. Moving often makes it easier for identity theft to occur: we leave information behind that others can use---mail that is not rerouted to our new address, important papers that aren't shredded but left in the trash, or through hiring rogue movers. The following steps are essential to ensure your protection: If you are using a moving company, be sure that you know it is a trusted and reliable firm. Sometimes simply getting recommendations from friends, family members, and real estate agents is not enough. Make a change of add... 07/31/2014

       Photo:Michele Connors   As a severe ( but fast moving) thunderstorm rolled through Eastern North Carolina today, I quickly shot this photo from my backyard as I put away our patio furniture ... this little church sits on the roadside across from the 4th fairway at Ironwood Golf and Country Club....  7-27-14   12: 40 pm   Michele Connors, Broker, Realtor , Advisor Buy and Sell with Michele :  Your  Eastern NC Real Estate Professional The Overton Group LLC  - Residential, Commercial and Property Management Specialists Greenville North Carolina  ConnorsTeam@gmail.com 252-342-7066   07/27/2014

The summer heat is here and while we humans have the ability to limit our time outside and escape to the relief of air conditioning and fans, the plants in our gardens are not so fortunate and must withstand high temperatures and frequent dry conditions. Just as we make an extra effort to watch over young children and the elderly during the summer months, so, too, we need to be aware of the needs of our plants. The following tips should be useful in ensuring enduring greenery through the fall: Dead heading: Remove the spent flowers (called "deadheading") as they die, so the plant can put its energy into producing more flowers. This is particularly beneficial for geraniums, marigolds, roses, and most perennials. Cutting back: When greenery such as petunias, impatiens, and trailing types ... 07/24/2014

Greenville NC Home For Sale: 105 John Avenue, Greenville NC 27858MLS# 115105 Recently Updated! Updated centrally located Ranch with two living areas, new roof, newer HVAC, Granite counter tops, sun porch, wired 16x20 workshop with heat (gas) and AC wired w/220. Walking distance to ECU bus route. Marketed by Greenville NC Realtor Liz Freeman! 07/21/2014

If you sold your primary residence and made a profit, you may be able to exclude that profit from your taxable income. Here's how it works. Individuals can exclude up to $250,000 in profit from the sale of a main home (or $500,000 for a married couple) as long as you have owned the home and lived in the home for a minimum of two years. Those two years do not need to be consecutive. In the 5 years prior to the sale of the house, you need to have lived in the house for at least 24 months in that 5-year period. In other words, the home must have been your principal residence. Just like calculating capital gains, the formula for calculating the gain or loss involves subtracting your cost basis from your selling price. The formula for calculating your cost basis on your main home is as follo... 07/17/2014

Not to be confused with homeowner’s insurance, which covers the structure and contents of your Greenville NC home, a warranty service contract is designed to cover systems and appliances that stop working due to normal usage.  Basic coverage generally includes the repair and replacement of major appliances such as heating/cooling system, water heater, refrigerator, dishwasher, stove, etc.  Plumbing and electrical systems are also usually covered, and some companies include washer, drier, microwave, and roof maintenance in the basic tier. Gaining in popularity with both buyers and sellers, warranty service contracts serve to reassure owners that they won’t face major repair/replacement costs.  Sellers use them to protect the home while it’s on the market and as an incentive to attract bu... 07/11/2014

Because disasters, from floods and fires to hurricanes and tornadoes, and major household mishaps such as a burst pipe, electrical fire, or gas leak can strike without warning, it is critical for every Greenville NC home owner to set up an emergency plan and create a list of things everybody in the household should know. Your safety plan could involve maintaining a list/map of emergency shut-off locations, information sources, and basic tools.  In addition, develop a list of emergency numbers and an escape plan for the family. Some of the things you might do are standard homeowner things, like ensuring that you have working smoke detectors and fire extinguishers (and knowing how to use them) and understanding how you would get out if there is a fire. To get started on the actual family ... 07/03/2014

All-cash offers are an unusual real estate tactic, but often times are a winning strategy at the negotiating table, and are presently on the rise. The National Association of Realtors® reports market share of all-cash purchases has risen and currently makes up 33 percent of the market. This is a unique trend, especially since the market has experienced a decrease in distressed homes and investor activity. Economists point out many reasons for this popular trend. One is restrictive lending standards have caused many buyers, especially wealthy ones, to forgo a loan. Another is the aging baby boom generation, many of whom are trading down and paying for their purchase with cash accumulated from decades of equity. Some also point to foreign buyers; home purchases by foreign buyers in the U... 06/25/2014

Greenville NC Home For Sale: 3180 NC Hwy 43 N,Greenville NC 27834MLS# 114628 3 bedrooms | 3 baths | 2,084 square feet New Construction. No City Taxes. Two story Vinyl home with 2 bedrooms down and one up and large bonus room. 3 lovely baths, two have whirlpool tubs. Spacious kitchen with bar and bar stools. Nice fenced backyard. Tankless water heater. Search all Greenville NC real estate and homes for sale. Whether you are considering buying a home, selling a home or both, Liz Freeman knows the Greenville, North Carolina area inside and out.  Most of her team members were born and raised in Pitt County, NC which has provided them with strong ties to the area, allowing them to become a successful Greenville NC real estate team. Liz Freeman and her team have distinguished themselves as l... 06/23/2014

You probably already know that you can invest your IRA money in stocks and bonds and even in mutual funds if you so desire, but did you know that you can also invest those IRA funds in Greenville NC real estate?  Doing so, however, is a bit complicated, and IRS rules concerning such purchases must be followed to the letter.  Usually, when you take money out of an individual retirement account before you reach age 59 1/2, the IRS considers these premature distributions. In addition to owing any tax that might be due on the money, you'll face a 10 percent penalty charge on the amount.  This is not the case, however, when you use the money to buy your first investment real estate.  (Note: Technically, you don't have to be purchasing your very first home or building. You qualify under the ... 06/13/2014

FSBO - "For Sale By Owner" Why consult a Professional?       I recently got a call from a FSBO who was moving out of the area, during the call the "sellers" never told me it they had been listed as a FSBO. Upon meeting the clients I had prepared a Market Analysis of their home  like I would with any listing. We met discussed the reason for selling and moving and I explained my Marketing Program and moved forward with the listing. Once I shared my listing price the clients told me they had been on the market as a FSBO for three weeks with no activity! My listing price was $10,000 more than what they had listed the home for as a FSBO, the sellers ask how will you get that price? When you consult with a real estate professional we know the market trends for the area and recent statistics f... 06/09/2014

In April, the number of properties that received a foreclosure filing in Greenville, NC was 54% lower than the previous month and 25% lower than the same time last year, according to RealtyTrac.com. Greenville NC Foreclosure Status Distribution The current distribution of foreclosures based on the number of active foreclosure homes in Greenville, NC.Auctions were 50.0% of the foreclosure activity in April and Bank-owned properties 50.0%.   Greenville NC Foreclosure Activity by Month The number of Auctions decreased 72.7% from the previous month and increased 50.0% from the previous year. Bank-owned properties increased 50.0% from the previous month and dropped 50.0% from the previous year.   Greenville NC Foreclosure Geographical Comparison Greenville NC foreclosures were 0.08% below n... 06/08/2014

Today’s housing market is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for first-time buyers. Interest rates are at near-record lows, homes are more affordable than they have been in years, and there are plenty of homes for sale (with more on the way, thanks to foreclosures). Conditions are certainly right for first-time buyers to successfully acquire the Greenville NC home of their dreams. So, the market is doing its part; the rest is up to the potential buyer.  Read on… What used to be termed “tips” for the savvy would-be buyer are now pretty much considered “rules” and include the following items: Determine a budget—and stick to it!:  Banks will tell you that you can spend up to 28 percent of your gross monthly income (GMI) on your mortgage, taxes, and homeowners’ insurance premium, and up to 36... 06/01/2014