House Calls at HiddenCoast

In the Kitchen

2011-11-09T07:58:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, I stumbled upon a wonderful cookbook? history? tome in the children's department of the Chapel Hill library; The American Ethnic Cookbook for Students by Mark H. Zanger. It has recipes from almost every imaginable American ethnic group. Some you probably didn't imagine.

This would be great to cook your way through with your children or your gourmet group. Even if you don't cook, this book is a treasure. You learn about people, you learn about history and you learn about food.

The Guamians (Chamoros) recipe I tried yesterday called for a fresh coconut. The first step was to pierce the eyes of the coconut and drain the liquid. The technique I use to cut acorn squash in half works well for coconut piercing, too. Namely, place the pointed end of squash or coconut in the clean kitchen drain to keep it steady, then proceed with cutting or piercing, depending on the produce being used.

Deer and Car Collisions

2011-11-09T07:39:00.000-08:00

This piece of info from an insurance agent acquaintance: Deer-vehicle collisions are three times more likely to occur on a day in November than they are on any day between February and August!

October is the second most likely month for a crash involving a deer and a vehicle… December is third.

Collisions with deer and other large animals can cause significant damage to vehicles, may cause injuries to the driver and passengers, and cause suffering to the animal. A deer collision claim is covered under the Comprehensive section of your auto policy. It is considered a non-fault accident and will not cause you to incur any insurance points on your policy.

Realtor to Real Estate Agent: Why Some Realtors are Defecting

2011-11-04T12:08:00.000-07:00

You may not know there is a difference between a real estate agent and a Realtor. Most folks use the terms interchangeably, however, a Realtor is an agent that is a member of the National Association of Realtors. The big difference? Realtors have access to the MLS.

This year the National Association of Realtors made a huge decision against the wishes of 80% of it's membership. It is requiring a mandatory $40 political fee for the years 2012 and 2013.

As Eric Blackwell reports:

At the National Association of REALTORS midyear meetings, NAR’s board voted to approve and put into effect a mandatory $40 increase in fees, known as RPPSI, that would provide that money for NAR to use for donations to political candidates of their choosing. While NAR officials indicated that there was not much discussion about it at the midyear meetings, on the street in the industry, the story brought apparently a number of different reactions.

“I want to quit NAR” was one reaction.

“I REALLY don’t like the fact that I have to donate to political candidates that may or may not be of my choosing.” was another.

“Am I now a union employee? Forced to donate to candidates that I don’t like in order to have my listings on the MLS?”

One thing that is almost universally true. In the people we have talked to, almost no one who is an agent or broker and has to pay the dues agrees that it is a good idea. The issue does not appear to be the amount of money, but the principle of donating to candidates that they disagree with. EB

Being forced to give money to candidates that I am actively working against is my issue and why I am going independent for the next two years, perhaps forever. In the new economy of social media and buying local, the MLS is not the end all that it was at one time. If it were, agents would not be on Trulia, Zillow, private company virtual tours, CraigsList, etc.

The ability to assist sellers to prepare their property for market and getting that property in front of the right eyes is what your real estate agent needs to do whether she/he are members of the MLS or not.

Buyers need an experienced real estate agent that knows the area and the market and negotiate the best deal.

Realtors are independent contractors. They get no salary. They get no benefits. Now they get no voice.

Tip for the Cook

2011-10-31T12:16:00.000-07:00

To get the smell of garlic or onion off your hands (difficult no matter how much you wash) rub your fingers and hands on the metal spout of your faucet. Works like magic.

Log Homes: Things to Consider

2011-10-24T07:53:00.000-07:00

Log homes are the dream home ideal for many people. However, there are things to consider you may not have thought of when choosing to build a log home.

There may be more maintenance with a log home than you imagine. Repointing every few years is not uncommon.

Insect pests (carpenter bees and termites) may not be covered by your insurance.

Speaking of insurance, log and timber homes are insured differently than conventional homes. Talk to your insurance agent.

Your log home or any rural home for that matter, may be a challenge for a fire truck to access. Again, talk to your insurance agent before building and ideally before purchasing your property!

Finally, if you ever have to sell, the number of potential buyers is smaller. Many buyers fear the house will be dark or they will tire of all the wood.

Duct Work: An Easy Fix to Save Bucks

2011-10-24T07:34:00.000-07:00

At a Green Builders meeting a year or so ago the following stats were relayed:

Most newer homes lose up to 10% of the heat in the duct work.

Homes 15 years and older lose about 40% in the duct work.

THAT got my attention. And energy prices are expected to increase by 50% in the next 7 years.
Now. while it is cooling down but before it gets too cold, is the perfect time to make sure the seals to the heat registers are secure, the ducts are sealed and the returns are sealed.

One inspector told me he has noticed a higher incidence of mice chewing holes in flexible ductwork than in the past. Here in the south where crawlspaces are common, it pays to check your duct work for holes every couple of years.

Solar Skill Set: Real Estate Agents Need to Become Familiar with Residential Solar Options

2011-10-24T07:31:00.000-07:00

Last year I attended a two day workshop in Pittsboro on solar power. We discussed the pros and cons of grid tied systems (about 95% of systems), hybrid grid tied systems (more complicated but useful in areas that have frequent power outages) and off grid systems.

Title Insurance and Surveys

2011-10-17T07:21:00.000-07:00

Many lenders no longer require a survey. While most Realtors and closing attorneys recommend them, cash strapped buyers often opt not to purchase a survey. This is NOT the place to save money.
You will get the accurate boundary of your property as well as learn of any encroachments or undisclosed easements.

Here is another reason to get a survey: The title insurance you buy may only cover the lender unless you ask your closing attorney to include title insurance for the buyer. In other words....if there is a title dispute you could be on your own. Please get a survey when purchasing property!

An example at how wrong things can go with no survey:

While touring a property with a client, we noticed a fairly recently built building near by with a condemned sign on it. The property we toured was appealing to my client, so of course, she wanted to know what the issue was with the condemned building.

My inquiries turned up the fact the duplex had been built in the Duke Power easement.
How could that have happened? NO SURVEY!

No one ever lived in the property. It will now have to be moved or torn down.
How it got a building permit and passed inspections up to completion is another story.

Get a survey! It is money well spent.

Be Prepared for Unexpected Repairs

2011-10-17T07:12:00.000-07:00

When things break, they always break at the worst time.You know, on the weekend, during a party, etc.

When our well pump stopped working it was in mid shower on the weekend. After a tirade of colorful language, my husband did the smart thing. He turned off the well pump. We had enough hot water stored in the tank for the necessities until morning.

Happily, we had the phone number to the repair person on a magnetic business card on our hot water tank and he came right away. Even though I have numberous resource numbers in my database, it was comforting to not have to rifle through names and numbers while under the stress of no water.

The take away? Have your repair service contacts at the point of the problem; electrician at the breaker box, HVAC person at the air handler, etc.

By the way, turns out a fuse caused our problem. My husband saved our pump by turning it off.

What the IRS Considers An Improvement vs. A Repair

2011-10-17T07:10:00.000-07:00

Improvement vs. Repair?

Planning to make improvements to your home? You can include them in the cost basis of your house and thus reduce your capital gains tax if you ever sell ( be sure to keep the receipts). If you're making repairs, however, there is no tax benefit.

What's the difference?
According to the IRS, an improvement "adds to the value of your home or prolongs its life," whereas a repair keeps it in "ordinary, efficient operating condition." There is a fine line between the two, but here are some general guidelines:
Improvements:

Wallpapering
Installing tile floors
Replacing lighting fixtures
Paving your driveway
Adding insulation
Installing a water heater
Installing metal roof

Repairs:

Painting your home
Refinishing wood floors
Replacing broken window panes
Sealing your driveway
Replacing gutters
Installing new pipes
Repairs to asphalt roof