The North Carolina Real Estate Exam Pass Fail Statistics for March 2017

     The North Carolina Real Estate Commission released the pass fail statistics for the North Carolina real estate exam today.  This is the best pass fail ratio we have had in twelve months.

     Seven hundred and seventy three real estate license applicants attempted the North Carolina real estate exam in March throughout the state.  Four hundred fifty five passed both the national portion of the exam and the North Carolina portion of the exam.  That is a sixty per cent pass rate.  Three hundred and eighteen of these test applicants will be paying $92 to take the North Carolina real estate exam again.  The worst pass rate we have experienced lately was in April of 2016.  Only 51% passed then.

Study aids to help you pass North Carolina Real Estate Exam

     This North Carolina real estate exam is no picnic.  There is a lot to learn and to remember.  If you are soon taking this difficult exam, study.  Study more than you think is necessary.

     There are lots of ways to study.  Some study methods are too obvious.  Read your textbook.  Read every word of it.  Answer the questions at the end of the chapters.  Grade yourself.  If you are not getting ninety per cent of these correct, you are not ready for the North Carolina real estate exam.  Answer these questions whether your instructor requires you to or not.

     Another simple and easy way to study is to watch my free real estate math videos on You Tube.  These videos teach you how to do any math that is on the North Carolina real estate exam.  The exam is 15% math. If you can not amortize a mortgage, you need to learn how before you show up at the test center.  If you can not compute excise tax, you better learn how before you go take the North Carolina real estate exam.  If you can not compute the seller's net at closing, you need to watch my videos.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuHYf3DYhIU&t=131s     This math is on the North Carolina real estate exam.  If you are hoping to pass without being able to do these computations, you better be studying the other stuff a lot.

     On July 1, 2017 , the price of failure is going from $92, which it is now, to $164.  I think the North Carolina Real Estate Commission raised that price to give applicants more motivation to study.  Watching my math videos is free.

     How do repeat test takers fare on the North Carolina real estate exam?  Two hundred twenty three repeat applicants attempted the North Carolina real estate exam for the second or third or fourth or fifth time in March of 2017.  Fifty seven of those repeaters passed.  That 26%.

     Study, study, study.  You could make flash cards.  You take a three by five card.  Write,"What clause in a mortgage allows a mortgagor to change the priority of the mortgage?"  on the front of the card.  Write, "subornation clause" on the back of the card.  Make about 400 of these cards.  Keep them with you all the time.  Go through them when you have a spare minute or two.  With modern technology, you can do this on your phone instead of a 3x5 card.

     At First Real Estate School in Hendersonville, we have several study aids on our website www.firstrealestateschool.com  to help you pass the North Carolina real estate exam.  One of the best study aids available is Dearborn's book, "Guide To Passing The AMP Real Estate Exam"  AMP is the private company that gives the North Carolina exam.

     This 370 page book is full of practice tests and games to help you learn what you need to know to pass the test the first time.  https://portal.recampus.com/re/FirstRE 

     I have a practice test posted online. http://rondclimer.blogspot.com/2015/04/real-estate-practice-exam-for-north.html  Go take my practice exam.  Take it like a real test.  Take my test near the end of
your class.  Grade yourself.  If you are not making an 85% on my practice test, keep studying.  Please do not underestimate the North Carolina real estate exam.  If you did not make at least a 85% on your class test, keep studying.

     Here is some good advice.  When you go to take the North Carolina real estate exam at the AMP test center, leave some paper or a recorder on the seat of the car.  If you return to your car with a failure notice, start writing down questions that were on your test.  Look up those answers.  Know that stuff when you come back and pay $164 to try again.  You will very likely see the same concepts next time.

     Study, study, study!   Study too much.  Study in the morning.  Study at night. At $164 per try,
passing the first time seems like a good idea.

If you live anywhere near Hendersonville, First Real Estate School would love to help you start a new career.  Call us.

Tryon. North Carolina Rolling Art Antique Motorcycle and Car Show

November 5, 2016, the fifth annual Tryon Rolling Art Antique Car and Motorcycle show was held in the parking lot of Thompson,s Garden Supply in downtown Tryon, North Carolina.

Guess whose 1961 Harley Davidson Super 10 won second place.  MINE.  It was a popular vote from the general public.  Jim Wright's 1998 Ducati won first place for the general public vote.  Carl's 1960 BMW with a sidecar won the vote from the participants.

Carl is looking good on that 1960 BMW

A 1935 Rolls Royce won for the cars.  A 1957 Chevrolet truck won for the trucks.

Ferrari s, Packards, Pontiacs, Plymouths, Studebakers, Corvettes were all over the place.  Every one looked better than the last one.  There were Shelbys and Volkswagens and MG and bug eyed Sprites.

There were BMW bikes and Harley Davidson bikes and and Kawasaki bikes and  Triumph bikes and Norton bikes and Royal Enfield bikes and BSA bikes and Honda bikes and Indian bikes and Suzuki bikes and Yamaha bikes and racing bikes like you see on TV.

Tryon Rolling Art Motorcycle Show

What a pleasant way to spend a fall afternoon in western North Carolina.  You see old friends and meet new friends.  You see new cars like the new Maserati and old cars like the Model A Ford.

Put Tryon Rolling Art car and Motorcycle show on your calendar for 2017.  If you like antique cars and antique motorcycles, you will love Tryon in the fall.

Ron Climer's 1961 Harley Davidson Super 10

If you are riding your bike to the show from Spartanburg or Greenville, stay off that nasty old interstate.  Take U.S. 176 north from Spartanburg.  U.S. 176 runs right through downtown Tryon.  If you are coming from Greenville, take highway 14 through Greer.  When you get to Landrum, turn left on U S 176 .  Follow that into Tryon.  You can stop Bird Mountain Wine and Spirits at the state line on U S 176 and put on your helmet.  Tell Ken I said hello.

While you are riding in the neighborhood, check out White Oak Mountain http://rondclimer.blogspot.com/2016/02/a-waterfall-motorcycle-destination.html   Ride up White Oak Mountain if you need an adrenaline rush.

If you are riding in from Asheville, take U S 176 from Hendersonville to Saluda to Tryon.  This is one of the best motorcycle roads in North Carolina.

Tryon Rolling Art car and Motorcycle show was A plus.

Shelby Looking Good

Ride Your Bike To Pearson Falls on U.S. 176 in North Carolina

     If you ride near Asheville, North Carolina or Greenville, South Carolina or Spartanburg, South Carolina and you love riding Carolina motorcycle roads, come to Tryon, North Carolina.  Ride up the Saluda grade on U.S. 176.  This strip of road is a motorcycle road extraordinaire.

U.S. 176 between Tryon and Saluda is twisty

     There is a abandoned railroad track that runs from Landrum, South Carolina through Tryon, North Carolina and up the steepest railroad grade in the eastern United States to Saluda, North Carolina.  Before cars were common, people traveled by train.  The railroad company kept an extra locomotive in Tryon (at the bottom of Saluda grade) to help push the train up the mountain to Saluda.

     Downtown Tryon is quaint.  Downtown Saluda is quaint.  The oldest grocery store in North Carolina is in Saluda.  The Pacolet River follows U.S. 176 between Tryon and Saluda. If you are coming from South Carolina, stop at Bird Mountain Wine And  Spirits at the South Carolina North Carolina state line  on U.S. 176 and put on your helmet.  Tell Ken I said," hi."   North Carolina law requires a helmet.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s30px9xoHKo   Watch this video

      If you want a nice afternoon ride, go to Tryon on U.S. 176 up the mountain towards Saluda.  If you are coming from Asheville, North Carolina that would be down the mountain towards Tryon from Saluda.  It is the same scenery no matter which direction you are heading.  Get on U.S. 176 in Hendersonville, North Carolina.  Take exit 54 from Interstate 26 to U.S. 176 if you are coming from Asheville.  

Pearson Falls between Tryon, N.C. and Saluda, N.C. is cool

     About halfway between Tryon and Saluda on U.S. 176 is Pearson Falls.  These is an enormous waterfall that is worthwhile to stop and take a look.  There is a two dollar fee and you have to walk about a half mile.
Bring a picnic lunch and check it out.  http://www.pearsonsfalls.org/   There are other waterfalls between Saluda and Tryon.

This waterfall is right on U.S. 176 between Saluda and Tryon

 When you leave Saluda, don't go home the same way you got there.  If you are returning to Tryon, go home on Howard Gap road.  It is not as twisty and turney as U.S. 176 but it is a fun road.  Ditto!  If you traveled from Asheville to Tryon on U.S.176 and are headed home, go back up the mountain on Howard Gap Road.  Before you leave Polk county, go over to Columbus on hiway 108 and ride up White Oak Mountain.  http://rondclimer.blogspot.com/2016/02/a-waterfall-motorcycle-destination.html   Here is a link to an article about that.  White Oak Mountain Road is a very challenging road.  It is COOL.

     Enjoy the western Carolina Roads.  Ride safe.  Stay off the interstate.  

    www.ronclimer.com  

The Tryon Rolling Art Antique Car Truck and Motorcycle Show

     October 31, 2015 in Downtown Tryon, North Carolina was the Tryon "Rolling Art" Antique Car, Truck and Motorcycle Show.  I thought I would take my 1961 Harley Davidson Super 10.  Maybe I could win a prize.  I knew there was no chance of that when that 1927 Indian Four showed up.

Tryon Antique Car and Motorcycle Show was won by a  1927 Indian

There were over a hundred great looking antique cars and trucks and bikes at  The Tryon Car show in Tryon, North Carolina.  A Ferrari won for the cars.  A 1930 Ford Truck won for the trucks.  The prizes were decided by popular vote.  The weather was perfect.

     Thompson Garden Center donated their parking lot for the Tryon Antique Car Show.  They had the movie,"The World's Fastest Indian" playing on the DVD in the lobby .  If you are a motorcycle enthusiast and you haven't seen that movie starring Anthony Hopkins, check it out.  It is a super motorcycle, human spirit movie. 

Start your saving account now!

 Harley Davidson Super 10 at the Tryon Antique Car Show

Any antique car show is fun.  This one seemed a little cooler than most.  There were lots of British cars including a 1937 Rolls Royce.   Antique car shows let you know how far automobiles have come since they were invented.  Here,in 1937, the finest car in the world was built with no heater.  That luxury Packard didn't look like much of a car compared to that Rolls. There were lots of Volkswagen.  There were a few rat rods.

1937 Rolls Royce at Tryon Antique Automobile Show

Rick Greer's 1960 Willys looks good at the Tryon Car Show

There were 56 Chevys and Plymouths and cool looking trucks were everywhere.  The Tryon "Rolling Art" Antique Car Show sponsored by Mother's Car Polish is one car show will be at next year.

There were lots of Triumphs at The Tryon Motorcycle Show

There were over fifty old bikes at The Tryon Antique Show

This Lotus has the steering wheel on the wrong side

Side Car racing?

An antique Porsche at the Tryon Rolling Art Car Show

Several Racing Ducatti bikes at the Tryon Motorcycle Show

Rat rods and Chevys at The Tryon Antique Car Show

1960 Ford Thunderbird at the Tryon Antique Car Show

Yesterday's RV at the Tryon Antique Automobile  Show

A BMW dragging a trailer at Tryon Antique Motorcycle Show

     Put the Tryon Rolling Art Antique Automobile, Truck and Motorcycle Show on your list of events to be at next year.  It was big this year.  It will be huge next year.  It is in October in Tryon, North Carolina.

Lake Adger North Carolina Lot For Sale

     I have just listed a fabulous lakeview lot in Lake Adger in Mill Spring, North Carolina.  What a view of the beautiful Lake Adger in Polk county , North Carolina.  This lot is at the end of a cul de sac named Village Park Lane.

This lot is in Lake Adger North

Call Ron Climer , Come look at this lot

     At the bottom of this lot, there is a park that belongs to the HOA.  There are boat docks and picnic tables.  At $115,000 , this 1.5 acre lot will not last long.  Call me, Ron Climer, if you are thinking of building near Tryon, North Carolina.  This is your spot.

Lake Adger, North Carolina Lots For Sale

     If you are interested in owning a lot on Lake Adger in North Carolina or a house on Lake Adger, here is a list of what is available as of February 14, 2015.  I will continually update this list.  I think Lake Adger in Mill Spring, North Carolina in Polk county is one of the best kept secrets around.  Lake Adger is a beautiful lake.  It is just a few miles to the new Tryon Equestrian Center.  It is just a few miles to Asheville, North Carolina. It is just a few miles to Hendersonville, North Carolina.   Where can you have breath taking mountain views and a huge lake in your backyard?  Lake Adger is a jewel.   Here is the list of available lots for sale There are 57 .

Ron Climer at 828 755 6996 is happy to show you any lot in Lake Adger

Lot 23 on North Coast Parkway for $149,000
Lot 25 on Silver Ridge Road for $59,000
Lot 2 on Highland View Lane for $199,000
Lot 18 on Summer Lane for $169,000
Lot 32 C on Lake Adger Parkway for 119,000
Lot 12 Indian Summer Drive for $199,000

Lot 10 on Sloping Meadow Drive for $194,950
Lot 9 on Indian Summer Drive for $149,000
Lot 16 on Jackson Cove Parkway for $129,000
Lot 5 Husky Point for $134,000
Lot 28 Mountain Parkway for $195,000      

Lake Adger is huge

Lot 3 Mountain Parkway for $219,000
Lot 66 Lake Adger Parkway for $148,000
Lot 10 Laurel Crest Lane for $249,000
Lot 17 North Park Village Lane for $94,900
Lot 3 Indian Summer Lane for $125,000
Lot 3 N. Highland Road for $46,300
Lot 28 Silver Ridge Road for $95,300
Lot 10 Lake Adger Parkway for $120,000
Lot 18 Mountain Parkway for $175,000
Lot 13 Deer Run Court for $185,000
Tract 2 Jackson Cove Parkway for $225,000
Tract 3 Jackson Cove Farms for $225,000
Tract 4 North Coast Parkway for $110,000
Lot 53 and 54 Mountain Parkway for $198,000
Lot 27 South Cove Road for $229,500            

Where else can you get mountains views and a beautiful lake?

39 Peninsula  Drive for $149,000
Lot 6  North Highland Road.  for $149,000
99 Lake Adger North Parkway for 64,900
17 Hawk Ridge Drive for $64,900
Lot 4 Mountain Parkway for $109,900
18 River Park Lane for $34,900                           

19 River Park Lane for $34,900
Lot 15 Forest Hills Drive for $185,000
0 River Park Lane for $149,000
Lot 30 Lake Adger Parkway for $115,000
Lot 14 Piney Pointe Lane for 149,900
Lot 30 &31 Silver Ridge Road for $49,900
3125 Lake Adger Parkway for $99,000
Lot 9 Laurel Crest Lane for $39,900
31 South Cove Road for $55,000
Lot 2 Lake Adger Parkway for $65,000
30 South Cove Road for $55,000
13 Parkway North for $89,900
21 North Mountain Lane for $109,000
Lot 24 North Mountain Lane for $169,000
Lot 10 South Cove road for $149,000
Lot 19 South Pointe Road for $46,600
0 North Mountain Lane for $199,900
Lot 17 North Coast Drive for $89,900
Lot 17-5 Village Parkway for $115,000
There you have it for today.  This list is constantly changing.  I will attempt to keep it current.  If you have any interest in owning a lot on Lake Adger , call me, Ron Climer, at 828 755 6996.  If you have a lot on Lake Adger that you would like someone else to own, call me.  I can make that happen.  If you would like more details , you can use the entire Hendersonville MLS at our website at www.hendersonvillekw.com  If you are looking for a hard working Realtor , Google my name. 

Qualifying For a Real Estate Mortgage In Hendersonville, North Carolina

     You hear so much about qualifying for a real estate mortgage.  "Experts" talk about it like it is a big mystery who can qualify and who can not qualify for a real estate mortgage .  The bank, the lender, just wants to know if it is likely that you will pay back the mortgage loan.

     Two things are vital for the mortgage lender to know.  The lender wants to know your payment history.  In today's world, this is expressed as your credit score. The lender feels that if another bank repossessed your car last year and you have defaulted on a couple of credit cards in the past, it is unlikely that you will make your mortgage payments.  If you have paid well on your car and your credit cards in the past, it is very likely that you will be approved for a real estate mortgage.  You know whether or not you pay your bills on time.

Ron Climer at Keller Williams Realty in Hendersonville, N. C. 

     The second important thing that the Mortgage lender wants to know is your income ratio.  This is just common sense.  If your income is $3000 per month gross, it is very unlikely that you can make a $3000 per month house payment.  The mortgage lender requires that your house payment (principal,interest, taxes & insurance) not exceed 28% of your income.  If you and your wife earn $3000 per month (gross) , the mortgage lender will not loan you money with a payment of more than 28% of your income or $840.  If your gross income is $6000 per month, you could have a house payment of $1680 (PITI).  That is pretty simple.  Don't you agree? 

     It gets complicated when the bank looks at your total obligation ratio.  If you are earning $6000 per month income and you already have debts the bank looks at your total obligations.  .  You already have a car payment and a boat payment and a ATV payment and a motorcycle payment and a credit card payment.  All your monthly obligations including your house payment can not exceed 36% of your gross monthly income. $6000 x 36% equals $2160.  If all your obligations exceed $2160, your loan will be disapproved.   The mortgage lender does not assume that you will pay your house payment first.  If you have these other obligations, the mortgage lender does not want to put you in a situation where you don't have enough money to pay all your bills.  The maximum total obligations ratio is 36%. 

     If this is as simple as I describe, why do most Realtors require you to get a pre qualification letter from a mortgage lender before they will show you houses or submit your offer to a seller?  The answer to this question is that many,many people forget that their car was repossessed last year or they forgot about that bankruptcy two years ago.  When you enter into a contract with a real estate seller to buy his house, he takes his house off the market.  No Realtor shows that house.  It is marked 'pending' in the MLS.  Mr. Seller wants to know for certain that the buyer has the financial ability to qualify for the mortgage loan.  Don't be mad if Mr. Seller does not want to take your word for it.  Mr. Seller having his house off the market can cost him several thousand dollars in interest and other carrying costs.  This is serious.

     Pre qualifying is better for the buyer too.  After talking to a mortgage lender, many buyers find that they can qualify for a larger loan than they thought they could.  Many buyers have the reverse experience.  Either way, it is better to know the facts.  If you can qualify for a $400,000 mortgage, you probably won;t find a $300,000 house that you like.  Inversely, If you are out looking at $400,000 houses and you can only qualify for a $250,000 mortgage, that will only result in disappointment and frustration.  Get yourself pre qualified before you start looking at houses.If you would understand this better with a video  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wy1Y7zDO3M4     Watch this.  If you have a friend that is looking for a house, send this link to them. 

     At Keller Williams Realty Mountain Partners in Hendersonville, North Carolina, we have an in house mortgage lender right in our office.  This pre qualification process is quick and painless.  If I can help you get pre qualified or help you find your next house, call me, Ron Climer, at 828 290 1245 or www.ronclimer.com  or  www.hendersonvillekw.com
     

Real Estate Agents Must Obey The Fair Housing Act in Hendersonville, North Carolina

     In 1866, Congress passed a law that made it illegal to discriminate based on race.  In 1968, Congress passed a law, the Fair Housing Act, that made it illegal for anyone anywhere in the United States of America to discriminate based on race, religion, sex, national origin, color, familial status of handicap.

     When customers are working with Realtors, they need to understand the position that this puts the Realtor in. It is a violation of federal law for a Realtor to discuss race or sex  or religion  or national origin etc.  of the neighbors in a residential transaction.  Your real estate agent may or may not agree with the law.  They are bound to obey this law.  The consequences of disobeying this law are severe.  Often, Mr. Customer can not understand why Mr. Realtor will not answer his questions about whether or not there are lots of kids in the neighborhood.  Mr. Realtor will not answer your question about kids in the neighborhood because it is a violation of the Fair Housing Act to discus "familial status".  Mr. Realtor will not discuss race or religion or any of the other protected classes. It is a violation of federal law for Mr. Realtor to discuss this with you.

     Customers ask Mr. Realtor,"Is this a good Christian neighborhood?"  Mr. Buyer is not violating the law by asking but Mr. Realtor is violating the law, the  federal Fair Housing Act by answering.  A smart Realtor will tell his customer that he can not discuss these matters and take this opportunity to explain to his customer about fair housing.  It is the law.  It is not PC.  Don't be mad at your real estate agent for obeying the law.  Mr. Buyer is not violating the law by asking but Mr. Realtor is violating the law if he answers these questions.

     However, Mr. Seller would be wise to read this article twice as well as get plenty of more information about the Fair Housing Act.  If Mr. Seller instructs his real estate agent that I do not want my house shown to people of a certain religion or to people from a certain country, Mr. Seller is violating the Fair Housing Act by making this request.  A smart Realtor will advise his client, Mr. Seller that he can not accept that instruction to break the law.  He will ask the seller to please withdraw that instruction.  If Mr. Seller insists on discriminating even after his Realtor has told him that this is unlawful, a smart Realtor will withdraw from this relationship.  You can always find another customer.  It is hard to find another North Carolina real estate  license.  The truth is, if Mr. Realtor conspired with the seller to violate the Fair Housing Act, losing his real estate license would be the least of his problems.

     If a lawsuit should occur, it will occur in federal court.  Federal court is more expensive than local court.  Ask you attorney.  Understand this law.  Understand that your real estate agent has no reasonable choice but to obey this law.  Do not be mad at your Realtor.  She probably wasn't even born when this law was passed.  If you are looking to buy or sell a house in Hendersonville or Saluda or Tryon or Columbus  or any where else in western North Carolina, contact me, Ron Climer at 828 290 1245 or   828 755 6996 or www.ronclimer.com              www.hendersonvillekw.com

Start A Lucrative Real Estate Career In Hendersonville, North Carolina

     How do you like your job?  What is the likelihood that you will double your income in the next five years?  Have you ever considered changing careers?  Selling real estate is a great way to increase your income.  Almost all real estate is sold on 100% commission.  This is a scary thought for many people.  There is no salary.  There is no boss.  There is no paid vacation.  There is no one to make you work on Saturday.  There is no paid health insurance.  Selling real estate in western North Carolina is not for sissies.

     Think about this.  Let's say you have a J.O.B. making $20 per hour.  Twenty dollars times forty hours equals eight hundred dollars per week plus your benefits.  The boss pays your health insurance and maybe pays you during vacation.  $800 per week times 52 weeks is $41,600.

     To earn $41,600 at Keller Williams Realty Mountain Partners selling houses, you would have to sell one average house per month.  Let's say you are earning $83,200 per year at your J.O.B.  You would have to sell two average houses per month at Keller Williams Realty Mountain Partners to stay the same.  If you sold two average houses at Keller Williams Realty Mountain Partners every month, you would not be getting any plaques or awards.  Plenty of your peers are doing more than two houses per month. 

     The hard part of getting started with a real estate career in Hendersonville, North Carolina is getting started.  Starting a new real estate career is like a very powerful train engine sitting still on the railroad tracks.  It takes a lot of effort to get it started.  Once it gets started, it gets momentum.  Momentum is powerful medicine.  After about five years in real estate, your career goes on autopilot.  I once had a young trainee tell me that he was going to watch Suzy Superstar that was selling ten houses per month.  He was going to see what she was doing and then do the same thing.  What he quickly discovered is that Suzy mostly just answered her phone.  Suzy had momentum.  After a few years in real estate, most of your business comes from referrals from past customers and past customers coming back to do business with you again.  That does not happen when you are brand new in real estate in Hendersonville, North Carolina.  Getting started is the hardest part of a real estate career. 

     Keller Williams Realty Mountain Partners is the best place to start a new career in real estate.  Keller Williams has the world's best training program to teach new Realtors how to get started selling houses and creating lifetime clients and gaining momentum.  Momentum is the magic.  What many Realtors figure out in three years, Keller Williams Realty Mountain Partners teaches our new Realtors in a few weeks. 

     Another very unique thing about Keller Williams Realty Mountain Partners is that you don't get started alone.  If you call me and I were instrumental in getting you started as a real estate broker at Keller Williams Realty Mountain Partners, I would receive a financial reward tied to your success.  I have a financial interest in your success.  You have an instant mentor.  You not only have a mentor that wants you succeed just to be nice, you have a mentor that has a financial stake in your success.There are very few real estate companies that implement a system like this in Hendersonville, North Carolina.  I don't know why.  It works like magic! 

     If you need to start a new career, let me suggest selling real estate.  If you need to start a new real estate career in Hendersonville, North Carolina,  let me suggest Keller Williams Realty Mountain Partners.  Call me, Ron Climer (828 755 6996 ).  Let me show you a better way to get that train engine moving.  Getting started will always be the hardest part.  If you need help getting started, contact me at www.hendersonvillekw.com    or  www.ronclimer.com 

     If you are currently enrolled in North Carolina real estate school, here is two tips for you.  To help you understand the North Carolina real estate math on the North Carolina real estate exam, watch my North Carolina real estate math videos on You Tube.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp0blrLu9xs  The second tip is, before you leave real estate school, get the name and phone number and email address for your classmates.  Get together with the smart ones and study together.  Studying together is a great way to study. Also, after you join us at Keller Williams Realty Mountain Partners, you can contact your classmates and invite them to join us too.  You will make money tied to their success.  Call me for details.

Selling Your House For Sale By Owner In Hendersonville, North Carolina

     First and foremost, if you are selling your own home without a Realtor in Hendersonville, North Carolina or anywhere, you need a written contract, a blank contract.  You need a contract form for the buyer and you to sign.  I spend a lot of time chatting with people that are selling their own house without a Realtor.  Exactly half of those people do NOT have a contract ready to be signed.  This seems to me like going fishing with no fishhooks.  " We will get some fishhooks after we find some fish.", they tell me.  If you are selling your own house, get yourself a contract.  When the buyer says," I love it I want it.", get them to sign the contract and get a deposit.  That how it starts.  Here is a good idea.  Read the contract.  If the contract says," Seller to pay North Carolina excise tax", find out how much that tax is .  Get a contract.  You will never get to the closing table without one.  You can't catch fish without fishhooks. 

     If a person has decided to sell their own  house without the aid of a Realtor, a little preparation will help a lot.  Get prepared to give potential buyers directions to your home.  Every one does not have GPS.  Get prepared to get the transaction closed.  Call an attorney or title insurance company.  Ask them what they need from you when you get a buyer.  Learn a little about buyer closing costs so you can tell the potential buyer.  Mr. Buyer will not buy your house until he knows how much cash he is going to need to get to closing.  You could contact a mortgage company to get this information for your potential buyer or you can hope you will find a buyer that already understands how financing works and what it costs.

     Another thing you need to know about is marketing.  If all you have is a little paper sign in the yard with your phone number, that is probably not enough marketing.  You do need a sign, a nice sign.  A sign down at the main road  with an arrow is a big help also.  Here is a tip.  Put your area code on the sign.  Many people that are looking to buy a house in Hendersonville are not from Hendersonville.  They don't know that the area code is 828 for  Hendersonville, North Carolina.

     If you go to Lowes to buy your sign, for a few shekels more, you can also get a little information tube to put flyers in.  It bolts to the sign.  You fill it up with flyers that tell potential customers about the property.  These are especially beneficial to for sale by owners because if your price is five hundred thousand and they can only afford  a three hundred thousand dollar house, they won't waste their time or yours calling you.  When you make your information flyers, put lots of pictures and all the information that you can think of.  Tell them the taxes, schools, grocery store, HOA dues. Put the price on the flyer.  If you advertise on Craigslist or any other internet sites, put lots of pictures.  Potential buyers love pictures. 

     The more knowledge you have, the easier your transaction will go.  Even though North Carolina is a caveat emptor state, most Realtors encourage their seller clients to use a written disclosure form as an addendum to the contract.  This is not required but it diminishes the likelihood of some aggravating  legal action after closing.  Maybe, as a for sale by owner, it would be a good idea to use a "latent defect" disclosure form letting Mr. Buyer know about any problems that you know about.  If your house was built before 1978, a lead base paint disclosure is required by federal law.  If you fail to disclose the existence of lead base paint, Mr. Buyer can come back after closing and bring a lawsuit when his kids can't memorize the times tables.  http://www2.epa.gov/lead/real-estate-disclosure   Pardon my sense of humor.  Here is a link to give you the real details. 

     Knowledge of financing will help you get a buyer.  You don't have to be a financial expert.  It would certainly help if you can tell Mr. Buyer how much he needs down and how much are his monthly payments if he buys your house. He will need this information before he makes a final decision.  Maaaaaaaybe you will find a buyer that already knows about financing.  You only need to know for your price.  Call any mortgage company .  Tell them your price and ask them how much down and how much per month.  They will tell you.  Call me Ron Climer.  I will tell you. (828 290 1000) . 

     Knowledge of things about your property like where kids go to school, how much are your taxes and HOA dues and electric bill etc. is something that most buyers want to know.  Have this information available.  Most buyers want to know this information before they make a final decision.

     Another thing you need to get your house sold is patience.  You need patience and forgiveness with people.   Often buyers are slightly inconsiderate of your time .  Don't get mad if a buyer makes an appointment to look at your house at 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon, then NOT show up.  Here is a tip from an old experienced Realtor.  Call that potential buyer at 9 AM on Saturday and confirm that appointment.  Save yourself some aggravation.  You need patience and forgiveness when buyers say things that that you may find offensive.  Don't get mad when they tell you your kitchen is "dated".  What does that mean anyway?  Don't get mad if it becomes obvious that Mr. Buyer is wasting his time and your time by looking at your house.  That is just the way things are in the world of selling real estate.  I don't know why people spend their time looking at houses that they can not or will not buy.  But, they do.  Realtors spend a lot of time learning how to adios the ones that can not buy.  http://ronclimer.blogspot.com/2011/04/when-in-doubt-blow-em-out.html   As a for sale by owner, just smile, be patient  and say good bye.  It seems to me to be almost impossible for a for sale by owner to pre qualify buyers.  It would be OK to just bluntly ask them. "Can you folks afford a $$$$$$$ ( your price) house?"  They might lie to you but they might fess up and tell you no and leave.  Feel free to give them my name and number as they go. They can afford something, just not your house.  Patience and tolerance is necessary for your mental health.

     One last thing that I must address is your personal safety.  The North Carolina Real Estate Commission has added a personal safety session to the North Carolina real estate license course that  real estate brokers have to take to get their real estate license.  Be safe.  Put away any valuables and weapons when you are showing the house.  Be extremely aware that you have a total stranger walking through your home.  Please recognize that this is a dangerous situation.  Treat it as such.  I can and I will write an entire article about this subject.  For now, just be aware and be careful.  Be safe. 

     If you try for sale by owner for what seems to be an appropriate time and it doesn't work as well as you hoped, consider listing your house with a Realtor.  I would welcome an opportunity to talk with you and show you what we at Keller Williams Realty Mountain Partners do www.hendersonvillekw.com  to get houses sold faster and usually for more money and always with less hassle.  Call me, Ron Climer at 828 290 1245   or www.ronclimer.com if I can help you get your house sold.  Also, after it is sold, call me if you want to buy another house in Hendersonville, North Carolina.

In Hendersonville, North Carolina Will The Real Estate Seller Take Less Than Asking Price?

      Will the seller take less than the asking price for this house in Hendersonville, North Carolina?  This is a question that Realtors are often asked by lookers and buyers.  A smart Realtor will answer that question by suggesting that the buyer make an offer.  Looking at houses for sale in Hendersonville, North Carolina is no fun whether you are a buyer or a Realtor.  What is fun is buying a house in Hendersonville or Flat Rock or Tryon.  Buying is fun.

     If your Realtor has shown you a $1,000,000 house, he must believe that you can afford a million dollar house.  You must believe that you can afford a million dollar house or you would not be wasting your time looking at it.  The problem is that you believe, for some reason, that THIS house is not worth $1,000,000.  Don't waste your time asking the Realtor if the seller will take less than the asking price.  Let's cut to the chase.  Tell the Realtor what you are willing to buy it for right now.  Would you buy this house for $900,000?  If you would, tell the Realtor.  Don't make him guess and beg you to give him this vital information.  Tell Mr. Realtor that you are ready, willing and able to buy this house today for $900,000.  If you make your $900,000 offer and the seller says no, keep looking.

     Ask your Realtor," Can we make this offer and keep looking?".  I am sure he will say yes.  Your offer doesn't turn into a contract until Mr. Seller does say yes.  He will never say yes until you make an offer.  If you are a buyer, get over "offer reluctance".  If you take the time to look at the house, make an offer.  Don't try to guess what the seller is willing to do.  Don't try to guess how little the seller will take.  Don't lament that the seller is crazy.  Don't be mad at your Realtor for showing you overpriced turkeys.  Make an offer.  If you have this thought," I would buy this house for $875,000", tell your Realtor.  He will know what to do.

     As a Realtor, I have attended many seminars about how to read the buyer's mind.  I don't quite have it mastered yet.  Tell your Realtor what you are thinking.  If you don't tell him, don't be mad because he doesn't know. 

     My wife buys antiques.  Often she will drive several miles to look at an antique that is advertised for $500.  When she gets there, it is nice but it is only worth $300.  We have a cliche at the Climer household," You have done the hard part"   You have driven to look at the antique.  You know it is not worth $500.  You have done the hard part.  Do the easy part.  Make an offer.  You can be sure that she does offer the owner $300.  He can say yes or he can say no.  Often he says no and calls back six weeks later and says yes.  Does that happen in real estate ?  Yes, it does. Make an offer.  You have done the hard part.

     If you are looking to buy or sell real estate in western North Carolina, contact Ron Climer at www.ronclimer.com or call me at 828 290 1000.  That is the phone number for Keller Williams Mountain Partners, a real estate company that puts the customer's interest first.  www.hendersonvillekw.com  

Can The Owner Finance The House in Hendersonville, North Carolina ?

      The easiest way to get your house sold is to hold the mortgage for your buyer.  This is simple as pie.  Lets assume Mr. Seller has his free and clear house for sale for $100,000.  Mr. Buyer makes him an offer to buy it if he will take $30,000 down payment and hold a purchase money mortgage for $70,000 at 6% interest with payments of $500 per month.  How could Mr. Seller go wrong?  What are the odds that Mr. Buyer will default on this mortgage?  Pretty slim.  If Mr. Seller is reluctant, Mr. Seller could ask for $40,000 down and hold a $60,000 mortgage at 6% with $500 per month payments.  Where could Mr. Seller invest that money at a 6% safe return in today's world?  This is a good deal for Mr. Seller and Mr. Buyer.

      What is the advantage to the seller?  His property is sold.  He has a $500 per month income.  What is the advantage to the buyer?  He doesn't have to get the property appraised and surveyed and  beg the bank to loan him the money and pay them $3000 in junkola  fees.  Also read my other article about owner held mortgages.  http://ronclimer.blogspot.com/2013/04/seven-reasons-why-i-love-owner-financing.html  What is the advantage to the Realtor?  We are sitting at the closing table a week after contract.  You gotta love that.

     Why don't more buyers buy this way?  Why don't more sellers sell this way?  Because they don't understand it.  Their Realtor doesn't understand it .  Cash is easy to understand but is often hard to find.  Owner financing will solve every one's problem.  If you have any questions about owner financing or any aspects of a real estate transactions, call Ron Climer at 828 290 1000.  The more you know, the easier it is to sell or buy real estate .  If I can  help you get your real estate sold or help you buy some real estate , contact me.    www.ronclimer.com      www.hendersonvillekw.com

     If you prefer a video explanation   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRyWo--Wg0I 

Tryon, North Carolina The Stone House

     Western North Carolina is a magical part of the world.  The Blue Ridge Mountains are lovely.  The people are friendly.  Asheville, North Carolina is a beautiful city.  Cities like Brevard and Hendersonville and Waynesville and Black Mountain surrond Asheville. 

The Stone House at corner of Trade street and Pacolet Street in Tryon

     About thirty miles south of Asheville in Polk county is the small town of Tryon, North Carolina.  Tryon is the equestrian center of  North Carolina.  There are lots of horse people in Tryon.  Many people come to Tryon for equestrian events.  The Tryon Equestrian Resort  and Harmon Field host several horse shows frequently.  One of the largest tack stores in the Carolinas is about one mile out of Tryon in Landrum, South Carolina , The Farm House Tack Store on U.S. 176.  This is horse country.

Side Street Pizza is one block away from The Stone House

     If you are planning a visit to Tryon and looking for a place to stay, consider the Stone House.  The Stone House is a rustic cabin right in the middle of Tryon.  The post office is a half block away.  The First Baptist Church is a block away.  Several restaurants are within walking distance.  The Tryon Equestrian Resort is a few miles away.  Harmon Field is about one mile away.  The only movie theater in the county is across the street from the Stone House. 

     Come stay at the Stone House.  We rent it out by the day or by the week.  What a great place for a week vacation!  You can go whitewater kayaking one day and visit the Biltmore mansion another day.  You can hike to a waterfall one day and golf at the Tryon Country Club another day. 

The Tryon IGA grocery store is two blocks away on U.S. 176

      If you are planning a motorcycle trip from Florida or to Florida, spend a day or two in the Stone House.  U.S. 176 between Tryon, North Carolina  and Saluda, North Carolina is as challenging a road as anyone needs. ( lots of curves).  The Stone House sleeps six people very comfortably.  Join us in June for the Tryon Barbeque.  Here is alink to our video.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBTwjehmTO4   For more information about the Stone House, call us at 828 440 1064 or check out VRBO at http://www.vrbo.com/361170
   Put visiting the Stone House on your list.  If you are visiting Tryon, you can not find better, more affordable accommodations.  Stay at the Stone House.