Tamara Heyward's (carolinarealt) Blog

When we bought our first home, we made a substantial downpayment. We raided our savings accounts and borrowed from our parents. We sweated as the lender combed our credit reports and turned their noses up at our income, student loan debt, self-employed status and work history. We panicked as the ...

The local Durham volunteer network has posted the schedule for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program on their website. Free tax preparation is available at several sites throughout Durham, NC. You can see a full list of locations and the schedule for free tax prep by clicking this li...

I recently received this release from our sister organization, the Center For Responsible Lending. Thought I'd pass it along...   How to Get $78 From Bank of America If you were hit with an overdraft fee from Bank of America (BAC) (or one of the banks it acquired) between 2000 and 2007, you may b...

Below is a great post from Jeff Geoghan about sustainable design in general, and the Make It Right Foundation that is building sustainable homes in post-Katrina new Orleans. Jeff makes some great points about how sustainable equals practical and affordable, which is a definite departure from the ...

    Tamara Heyward | Self-Help CDC | 919-956-4423 1020 Kent Street, Durham, NC NC Sustainable Design Competition Winner 3BR/2BA Single Family House   offered at $120,000 Year Built 2008 Sq Footage 1,180 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial Floors 1 Parking Unspecified Lot Size 5,000 sqft HOA/Ma...

Tax season is coming up fast. For some of those who anticipate a refund, that wonderful lump sum is a great way to pay down some bills. For others, it's party time - new car, new clothes, new furniture, maybe even a vacation. But would you believe that your tax refund can get you into a new house...

OPENING THE DOOR TO NEW POSSIBILITIES. COME JOIN US THIS WEEKEND! OPEN HOUSE AT NEW CONSTRUCTION HOME FOR SALE 1036 Kent StreetDurham, NC 27707Lyon Park Area Saturday, October 11, 20082:00pm-4:00pm Tour this new construction home and learn about financing  for 1st time buyers.  Low monthly payme...

Credit Suisse has reported that a second wave in the foreclosure crisis may be on the horizon. Option ARMs, which I've probably ranted about enough (see Wachovia Reigns In Pick-A-Pay Parts I and II), are scheduled to start resetting en masse around 2009, with the most reset volume coming in 2010-...

Self-Help was featured in a local paper, the Raleigh News & Observer, over the weekend. Our mantra when selling homes and lending money is to use common sense and always look at the big picture. It's kept us afloat so far, and hopefully will allow us to continue to do good things for the people ...

We toured our sustainable design home at 1020 Kent Street a few days ago. The more visible sustainable and energy efficient elements are now being installed as the home is completed. We were there as the light fixtures went up and the carpet went down. Here are some photos from our visit:  Here's...