Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall Arrives in Oak Island

Posted in Events In Our Area, News You Can Use, Team Gale on Jul 02, 2015

A 244-foot replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the most visited monument in our nation's capital, has arrived in Oak Island just in time for the America's birthday weekend. The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall received an honorable escort into town, thanks to volunteers with The Warrior Ride and The North Carolina Patriot Guard.

Southern Brunswick County is home to the 4th of July Festival, held annually in Southport. The quaint coastal town is just about 12 miles from Oak Island, making the arrival of this monument an added draw for 50,000+ visitors and veterans who are expected to pass ...

Things to Consider During "Selling Season"

Posted in Market Reports, News You Can Use, Team Gale, Wilmington NC Real Estate on May 22, 2015

Spring is the busiest time for home sales, and an unbalanced market gives sellers a real advantage. Sales are occurring at a faster rate than new listings, so buyer's with newly approved, low interest loans are scooping up the attractive area properties.

Have you been on the fence for a while now about selling your home?

Last month, RIS Media's House Call column pointed out five key items to consider in making the decision to move. 

First, are you frustrated by lack of space, constantly rearranging closets and hesitant about hosting overnight guests? Have your kids' outgrown their shared bedro...

The Knolls Earns Silver in 2015 Parade of Homes

Posted in Events In Our Area, News You Can Use, Open House, Team Gale on May 15, 2015

The 29th Annual Parade of Homes was held over the weekends of April 24-25 and May 2-3. This event, organized and judged by the Cape Fear Home Builders Association, features a bus tour, luncheon, and open houses throughout communities in Pender, New Hanover, and Brunswick counties. The Parade of Homes, which dates back to 1987, showcases the craftsmanship of local developers' townhouses, single family homes, and custom estates. A record seventy five properties were featured, with prizes given in thirteen categories: ten price brackets, townhomes, energy efficiency, and "People's Choice."

The Kn...

StarNews Predicts Luxe Amenities You Have to Have

Posted in Home Improvement, News You Can Use, Team Gale on May 12, 2015

StarNews Online compiled a list of 10 forward-thinking items that are trending in home improvement! Writer Paul Steven considered some of the luxe amenities to be seen at the 29th Annual Parade of Homes.

1. Gone are the days of ward-wired speaker cables snaking through the house! The Sonos Wireless HiFi system is highly sought after.

2. 3-5 foot wide Linear Fireplaces with gas hearths add a modern coziness to any room

3. Smart Climate Controls are the thing to have now. Adjust your temperature systems remotely with your phone, based on automatically transmitted "weather reports" from your hous...

Fannie Mae Offering "Ready Buyer" Educational Incentive

Posted in News You Can Use, Team Gale on Apr 24, 2015

Fannie Mae has teamed up with Framework®, a nonprofit created by the Housing Partnership Network and Minnesota Homeownership Center, to offer first time home buyers an educational and financial opportunity.

The HomePath® Ready Buyer™ program is nine sessions, completed online, that last about 30 minutes a piece. The course costs $75, but the buyer will be reimbursed for this registration fee at closing. Additionally, completing the HomePath® educational program will make the buyer eligible for closing cost assistance on up to 3% of the purchase price.

Criteria for this incentive is fairly simp...

NAR & HUD Agree to Amend Credit Criteria

Posted in News You Can Use, Team Gale on Apr 13, 2015

The National Association of Realtors was not messing around April 1st when they co-hosted a "Credit Access Symposium" with the Asian Real Estate Association of America and National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals.

The top priority for all groups present was how to incorporate "non-traditional" data into the credit evaluation process, so more Americans may qualify for home ownership.

Following the event, NAR commented that the housing and lending industries are challenged by "changing technology, lifestyles, and demographic trends in the U.S., because up-and-coming minority an...

Mortgage Debt Forgiveness: 10 Key Points

Posted in Buyer Tips, News You Can Use, Team Gale on Feb 20, 2013

The following article we are sharing about Mortgage Debt Forgiveness can be found here, Mortgage Debt Forgiveness: 10 Key Points, on the IRS official website where it was originally posted.

Mortgage Debt Forgiveness:  10 Key Points

Source:  IRS Tax Tip 2012-39, February 28, 2012

Canceled debt is normally taxable to you, but there are exceptions. One of those exceptions is available to homeowners whose mortgage debt is partly or entirely forgiven during tax years 2007 through 2012.

The IRS would like you to know these 10 facts about Mortgage Debt Forgiveness:

1. Normally, debt forgiveness res...

August 31st Mortgage Minute With Cameron Pearson

Posted in News You Can Use on Sep 01, 2011

August 31st Mortgage Minute With Cameron Pearson

August 24th Mortgage Minute With Cameron Pearson

Posted in News You Can Use on Aug 24, 2011

August 24th Mortgage Minute With Cameron Pearson

August 17th Mortgage Minute with Cameron Pearson

Posted in News You Can Use on Aug 17, 2011

August 17th Mortgage Minute with Cameron Pearson