Breaking News -Starting December 1st, financial help is available for North Carolina homeowners who are struggling to pay their mortgages because they’ve lost their jobs or experienced other temporary hardships.

The N.C. Housing Finance Agency announced today that its new N.C. Foreclosure Prevention Fund is now available statewide through participating HUD-approved counseling agencies. The new program is financed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s “Hardest Hit Fund.”

“We expect the N.C. Foreclosure Prevention Fund will enable 21,000 North Carolina unemployed workers to keep their homes,” said A. Robert Kucab, executive director of the N.C. Housing Finance Agency. “By reducing the number of foreclosure sales, the effort will also help stabilize property values in communities across the state.”

Kucab said the Fund will make mortgage payments for qualified unemployed workers while they seek jobs or complete job training in a new field. Others, who through no fault of their own, have gotten behind on their mortgage payments because of divorce, illness or other temporary hardship, may qualify for help while they seek jobs to get back on their feet. The program is expected to be available over the next three to five years.

The assistance will be provided as a zero-interest, deferred loan of up to $24,000 or 24 months of mortgage-related payments. In high unemployment counties designated as "hardest hit", the maximum assistance is $36,000 or 36 months.

See listing of "hardest hit" counties here.

Homeowners will resume making their own mortgage payments at the end of the loan period. If the owner continues to live in the home for 10 years, the loan will be considered satisfied and no repayment will be due.

To be eligible, homeowners must have a good mortgage payment history prior to the job loss or hardship, have potential to resume their mortgage payments once the assistance ends, and meet other program guidelines.

For more information about eligibility, homeowners in Western North Carolina should call OnTrack at 828-255-5166 or 1-800-737-5485 or visit the NC Foreclosure Prevention Fund website.

The Treasury’s “Hardest Hit Fund” is authorized under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. It is available in 18 states and the District of Columbia, which have experienced high unemployment or a steep decline in property values. North Carolina was selected because of the large percentage of the population living in counties with high unemployment rates in 2009.

The North Carolina Housing Finance Agency is a self-supporting public agency. It has financed 196,000 homes and apartments in the last three decades, including 81,000 for first-time homebuyers.

Good morning,

I have extremely exciting news to share with you!

J.D. Power and Associates announced today that RE/MAX ranks highest in customer satisfaction, for both buyers and sellers, in its 2011 residential real estate survey.

That's right – we've earned the highest level of appreciation from BOTH groups of consumers, which is a remarkable statement about the Outstanding Agents in our organization.

I want to personally thank and congratulate every one of you for contributing to this prestigious recognition. It truly reflects your professional excellence, your enthusiasm for education, your commitment to distressed sellers, your individual drive, and many other qualities that serve the interests of your clients. Your efforts change lives, and those people have spoken.

Our team at Headquarters is working with J.D. Power and Associates to determine how we can use the results of the survey, as well as their name and logo. As soon as possible, we will let you know what the guidelines are.

In the meantime, celebrate this incredible achievement and enjoy the fact that once again you've proven yourselves to be the best in the business.

Congratulations!

Dave

Sent by Dave Liniger, Chairman and Co-Founder, RE/MAX World Headquarters

http://janiceruizzo.housingtrendsenewsletter.com/

Dexter Hubbard

828-361-4710

Court House in Murphy, North Carolina

If you are facing foreclosure, be assured that you are not alone. North Carolina has several resources to help you obtain foreclosure prevention counseling, mortgage payment assistance, and protection from fraud. You don't need to be behind on your mortgage payments to seek help. If you feel you are at risk, contact one of the state's free resources right away. We are here to help.

Free Counseling

Regardless of why you are in danger of foreclosure, you can access free counseling through the State Home Foreclosure Prevention Project (SHFPP), funded and led by the NC Office of the Commissioner of Banks. HUD-approved housing counseling agencies, state and federal agencies, legal assistance organizations, mortgage servicers and community organizations are working with the Office of the Commissioner of Banks to help you protect your home.

To get help, call 1-866-234-4857 or visit www.ncforeclosurehelp.org You will be referred to a HUD-approved foreclosure counselor and other services in your area.

Mortgage Payment Assistance

If you've lost your job or your income has been reduced, the NC Foreclosure Prevention Fund can pay your mortgage while you seek or retrain for new employment. You also may be eligible if you are facing a temporary financial setback, such as a divorce, serious illness or death of a co-owner, and need help to pay your mortgage while you look for work.

The Fund is offered by the NC Housing Finance Agency, a self-supporting state agency, and funded through the US Department of the Treasury. Services are provided by participating HUD-approved counseling agencies statewide at no cost to you.

If you qualify, the Fund offers zero-interest, deferred loans of up to $24,000 to pay your mortgage for up to 24 months while you seek or retrain for a new jo. In the state's high unemployment counties, the maximum is $36,000 (36 months of assistance). The loan balance is reduced every year you remain in your home after the fifth year, and is fully forgiven after the tenth.

Fraud Prevention

If you have been contacted by a foreclosure prevention or "rescue" company offering help, keep the following tips from the NC Office of the Attorney General in mind.

• Beware of companies that require payment before they "Help" you. Its illegal to charge an upfront fee for foreclosure assistance in North Carolina.
• Steer clear of companies that want you to make your mortgage payment to them, or who tell you not to talk to your mortgage company or to an attorney.
• Watch out for investors who promise to pay off your mortgage if you sign over the deed to your property, but not the mortgage. The investor then rents your home back to you or to a tenant but doesn't make mortgage payments and the bank forecloses.
• Check out companies with the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division and your local Better Business Bureau, get all promises in writing, fill out your own paperwork and only sign it after reading it thoroughly.

To report a scam or check out a company, call the NC Attorney General's Office at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM or file a complaint at ncdoj.gov

NC Office of the Commissioner of Banks, Joseph A Smith, Jr. Commissioner

NC Housing Finance Agency, Sam Ewell, Jr. Chairman, and A. Robert Kucab, Executive Director

NC Office of the Attorney General, Roy Cooper, Attorney General

To learn more, go to www.NCForeclosurePrevention.gov. or visit www.ncforeclosurehelp .org or call me toll-free at 1-877-837-3002 or send me an E-mail at: randy@randydockery.com 

Randy Dockery

Dear Randy:

Congratulations, I'm very pleased to announce that you've earned the prestigious designation of being the RE/MAX Carolina's Region #1 Commissions Paid - Commercial Individual, in North Carolina.

This is a tremendous accomplishment and even more extraordinary given the vast challenges within the real estate industry during the past year. Your clients are fortunate to work with such a successful and dedicated professional, and we are even more privileged to have you in the RE/MAX family.

We sincererly appreciate your support of the RE/MAX organization.

Warm regards and best wishes for 2011!

Kerron Stokes

Regional Vice President

RE/MAX Carolinas Region

5075 South Syracuse Street, Denver, Colorado 80237-2717

http://www.navicamls.net/displays/?n=309&i=765839&k=PGZcYj

http://www.navicamls.net/displays/?n=309&i=765844&k=HB80CM9d

I think that it's so important for buyers and sellers to know the facts before buying or selling a property.

I think that it's critical for buyers and sellers to be prepared for the market, but when it comes down to it, your Realtor should provide guidance. He or she is the person in the marketplace every day, has experience in negotiations and knows the process. It's very important to obtain the services of a Realtor who you feel will give you the best experience.

Here are some questions that you should ask about the people you are considering to be your buyer's agent

Is he or she:

• An expert in your market? You need to know where property values are rising … and falling; what's been selling … and what's not. Your Realtor should have done his or her homework.

• Willing to work with you before you're ready to buy? A good agent knows that homebuying is a process, and will get you started, educate you about the process, help you define your needs and wants, show you properties, and help you find a lender, even before you're ready to make the commitment — so when you are ready to buy, you will be prepared to find the right home, and get the best value.

• Willing to suggest more than just that one property you found on the Internet? Are there similar homes in the same area that you didn't see? Your Realtor should dig for others and have them ready to show you.

• A good listener? Will he/she listen to your requirements … and respect them; but also talk to you about other ways to meet your needs?

• Not going to push listings just because they're listed in his/her own office? Sure your Realtor could make more by selling his/her office's own listings, but a good agent will show you everything that meets your requirements, regardless of whose listing it is.

• Able to give you advice on financing and taxes? Realtors are not accountants or mortgage brokers, but the good ones have the experience and knowledge to help you analyze alternatives … and let you know when to consult with the professionals.

To read more of this article, please click this link:

http://www.citizen-times.com/article/20110116/NEWS/301160021/What-you-should-expect-of-a-Realtor

______________________________________________________________

Whether you are considering buying or selling a home now or not, I think it's important for you to keep up-to-date on the local real estate market in the western North Carolina and North East Georgia areas.

If you have any questions about buying or selling a home, contact me toll-free at 1-877-837-3002 ext 218 or via e-mail at: randy@randydockery.com

Randy Dockery

Are you looking for the best Real Estate company and the leading agents in "getting things done"...well, as you can see from the below information...Re/Max Mountain Properties is the best in Cherokee County, Clay County, and Graham County, NC in sales. The hardworking agents at Re/Max Mountain Properties amassed 29.76% of the total sales for 2010; that was more than any other real estate company in Murphy, Culberson, Andrews, Marble, Hayesville, Brasstown, Topton, Nantahala, and Robbinsville.

The numbers don't lie...the agents at Re/Max Mountain Properties are committed to giving you the best service available whether it be selling your property or finding you the best properties available.

http://msn.careerbuilder.com/Article/MSN-2465-Job-Info-and-Trends-Americas-25-fastest-growing-salaries/?SiteId=cbmsnhp42465&sc_extcmp=JS_2465_home1&gt1=23000

Call me today so I can discuss how I and the expertise of Re/Max Mountain Properties can help you.

Dexter Hubbard

828-361-4710

www.dexhubbard.com