A happy thirteen year old taking her first riding lessons at Baymount Farm in Statesville, North Carolina.  She is learning to canter on our oldest (26 years young) appaloosa mare, Sprinkles, and had a blast on a bright and sunny day. Her mom decided to take riding lessons also.  And this truly is a mother and daughter affair.  This riders mount, Eclipse, is the 8 year old daughter of  Sprinkles.  Both riders had a great day and are continuing their lessons on a daily basis. For more information on riding lessons in Statesville, North Carolina, contact Sherry@ 704-902-7345.   www.sherrymills.net 03/13/2009

Mooresville/Statesville NC Back on Top for Business Growth   from press release  Published: March 10, 2009    Statesville/Mooresville, North Carolina, regained its number one micropolitan community ranking in 2008 for new and expanding facilities by Site Selection magazine, the official publication of the Industrial Asset Management Council. These Iredell County communities have achieved the top ranking four out of the past five years.  Statesville and Mooresville had an excellent year in 2008, with a total of 17 projects and total new capital investment of $ 377 million.  "New capital investment and job creation is critical to the ongoing success of Iredell County," said Godfrey Williams, chairman of the Iredell County Commission. "Our past success is impressive and we can build off of... 03/12/2009

College students spend spring break building for Habitat in Statesville NC By Chyna Broadnax | Statesville R&L Published: March 5, 2009 The buzzing of saws and pounding of hammers to nails resonated through a Habitat for Humanity construction site Wednesday.  Nearly a dozen students from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pa., are helping build three Habitat homes in the Fourth Creek Village subdivision off Garner Bagnal Boulevard.  The students are participating in the Collegiate Challenge, in which students spend their spring break volunteering with local Habitat affiliates constructing homes.  Natalie Laucis, 19, who spent her last spring break not doing much, wanted to make sure she was productive this time around.  "I really wanted to do something to help out a community," she said.... 03/10/2009

It seems that foreclosures in North Carolina are finally declining.  Down 7% in January from the previous month, and down 29% from January 2008.  Statistics show that North Carolina's home values did not decline as far as the national average during the past year.  Foreclosures are still an excellent investment for those investors interested in flipping properties.  Unfortunately, many foreclosures are trashed, but as long as they are structurally sound, quick and easy repairs can give you a good return on your investments.  The trick is to find the right priced home in the best location.    For more information go to RealtyTrac.com.    Foreclosure Activity Counts in North Carolina   Foreclosure Activity Per Month in North Carolina   www.SherryMills.netwww.SherryMills.HomesandLand.comww... 03/05/2009

From this........ To this in one week!   Well, almost, but it was 14 degrees on Monday morning here and the high was 32 degrees that same day and here it is on Thursday and the high is supposed to be in the 50's and yet, the high for Saturday is going to be 70 degrees!     What a difference and what a range of temperatures!  I'm still looking at snow on the ground knowing that in two days it will be sunny, warm and dry!  That's why when you travel to North Carolina you need to be prepared to dress in layers because you never know what the weather will bring. But with warm weather brings lots and lots of outdoor sports and activities.  Gardening, horseback riding, water skiing, fishing, boating, tennis, cycling, running, hiking and just about anything else you can think of to do.  We hav... 03/05/2009

After moving here more than 12 years ago, I can certainly think of more that 10 reasons to live in Statesville, but I will highlight what I feel are the best attributes of Statesville and the surrounding areas.   #1. Weather!  After moving here from New England, I can tell you that warmer is better.  When winter extends to 9 months, that's just a little too long for my blood.  I have also lived in Florida and I can say that is almost a little too warm there.  Just like "the three little bears", Statesville is "Just Right".  With average temperatures in the winter around 40 - 50 degrees and a summer average of 65 to 75 degrees, it is pretty comfortable all year round.    Source:  City-Data.com  #2. People:  Come to Statesville and you will find the true meaning of Southern Hospitality.  ... 03/04/2009

Little Donk, one of my favorite pets I have on the farm and one of three minis.  The other two are miniature quarter horses.  Little Donk was born on the farm next to us.  He is roaming the yard freely in this pic and I thought he was very nice to stand for a pic.   This is his first snow as he is only 10 months old. This is one of the reasons I love my farm.  Beautiful private lake views on a snowy day.  And of course, my quarter horse, Lakota investigating the camera.  Wish you could be out here to see how beautiful it really is with the horses running through the snow sending white sprays up in the air as they gallop and play.  The dogs are trying to tunnel through the 6 inches of snow we received and loving every minute.  And me and my daughter making snow angels, rolling and laughi... 03/03/2009

BUYERS GET OFF THE FENCE IN STATESVILLE NC    While reading the article below, I could not agree more and wonder why more Buyers were not taking advantage of the BUYERS MARKET that we are experencing in Statesville NC.  Now is the time to get off the fence and buy.  When the market turns around and it will, the home buyer will have instant equity on their investment.    If you need help finding your next home, please call me at 704-880-5490, visit my website or send me an email at Shannon@MyExitHomeTeam.com Shannon Griffith, Realtor with Exit Home Team Realty in Statesville NC.  I specialized in providing Professional, Honest & Personalized service for all of your Real Estate needs.     Get off that Fence! by Denise Lones I've been saying it for months, and I'll say it again.  NOW is th... 02/26/2009

If you are one of the many hardworking people that have been finding it increasingly difficult to make those house payments every month, you may find relief coming soon.  The new Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan is going into affect on March 4, 2009.  Some key points to be aware of is that this is not for everyone and your lender does not have to accept your request to refinance.  However, the Plan does give the lender incentives to meet your request and more lenders are expected to take advantage of these incentives.  So here is the skinny: 1)  You may have the opportunity to refinance into a 30 - 15 year fixed rate loan.2)  Eligible loans will now include new first mortgages (including refinancing costs) that do not exceed 105% of the current market value of the property.  e... 02/24/2009

You tell me.  I have lived here since 1992.  It's full of wonderful people.  I have seen the town grow and continue to improve on a yearly basis.  The Statesville Chamber is very active in working with people all over the state to constantly improve our city.  Spring is just around the corner and we will have wonderful displays of flowering plants.  People will be out in their yards again waving to passerbys.  That is one of the great things about this city.  The friendly atmosphere.  Another great thing about Statesville, NC is the lack of heavy traffic.  If you are used to zipping around town and fighting traffic, then when you come here you will be slightly miffed a time or two at how slow we move here.  But after a few days, you will wonder why you were so upset with the slow local ... 02/22/2009

Practical Real Estate Advise for Practical Real People First of all, let me say this article is not for the faint of heart.  This advise may not be what you want to read or hear.  If you are thinking about listing your home for sale because you would like to move for whatever reason, DON"T, unless you have the perfect salable home that anyone would be interested in buying.  Or, unless you truly are a practical person realizing that you can no longer make a profit on your house.  I'm not saying this to be discouraging but actually to help you take heed of what is going on.  S & P is predicting that unemployment is going to reach over 9% by the first quarter of 2010 and that is when things will start to turn around.  How do they know this?  Crystal ball I guess, but they usually aren't of... 02/21/2009

I have lived in Statesville, NC since 1992.  We first came here when our children were small looking for a place to raise them where they would not have quite so much to get into.  We had traveled through Statesville early on in 1985 and fell in love with it even then.  Surprisingly, the city really hasn't changed that much in peoples attitudes, but wow, has it grown in neighborhoods.  Some of the more prominent neighborhoods when we first arrived were, of course, Baymount Meadows, Meadowview, Shannon Acres; better known as the Country Club, and many of the much older neighborhoods around town.  But since I have seen a lot of neighborhoods pop up over time, so many in fact, I have a hard time myself keeping up with all of them.  For instance, there is Fox Den Country Club, just off I 77... 02/21/2009

We really are located in an ideal area for winter weather or summer weather for that matter.  I say this because of the recent loss of homes, businesses, crops, etc. that the Midwest suffered through this winter.  I have two sisters and my mom who lived through that ice storm this year and they were without electricity for two weeks.  My sister in Kentucky has lost her peach trees and many of her blueberry bushes.  My sister in Missouri lost five trees in her yard and had to live at mom's house for a week before they were able to get a generator for their home.  There was so much loss in that area it is hard for me to believe how incredibly lucky we are here in this area.  This is partly due to the Blue Ridge Mountains that protect us from the northern flow of pressure systems that swee... 02/20/2009

THE BEGINNING OF THE END OF THE ANDERSON HOUSE IN STATESVILLE NC   There are many opinions about the outcome of the Anderson House in Statesville NC.  The house is scheduled for demolition within the next few weeks, according to an article in the Statesville Record and Landmark seen below.  Please post your comments.    By Jim McNally | The Statesville Record & Landmark Published: February 17, 2009 The Anderson House is coming down.  No, really this time.  Demolition workers with Tucker's Hauling & Grading have been doing salvage work inside of the 115-year-old Walnut Street mansion since last Friday.  Company owner Marty Tucker brought in his wrecking crew less than 24 hours after the Statesville City Council essentially rejected a last-minute reprieve by the house's owner, William Tuc... 02/17/2009

     2008 was a tough year!  No doubt about it- for sellers that is!  For buyers, it was a fantastic time to buy and it is getting even better in 2009.  In Statesville NC, we have had our ups and our downs and I would like to share with some of the most recent local data for the Real Estate Market provided by a variety of sources.   1st, lets look at 3rd quarter data for Iredell County.  Keep in mind that these figures include the Lake Norman Area.  The following date was provided by the Carolina Multiple Listing Service, INC.  TA recent report shows our unemployment rate has increased from 5.4% to 6.8% in the 3rd quarter.  The average Price of a home was $295,000 (up from the 2nd quarter and forecast to increase in the 4th quarter).  The number of homes on the market and the number of... 02/17/2009

Yes, you read it right!  What all you traveling equestrians have been waiting for.  Finally, a place to stop overnight and rest your equestrian friends from that long, long haul down the Interstate.  Conveniently located five miles from the interchange at Interstate 77 and Interstate 40 in Statesville, North Carolina.  Either way you travel this is the perfectly located stop before heading on down the interstate.  Baymount Farm has six 12 x 12 stalls and an 80 x 60 turnout arena for your use.  Rates are $25/night and availabitlity is for overlays only.  There is plenty of lodging and restaurants down the road at I77 & I40 interchange and a Wal-Mart Shopping center five minutes away.  Please call ahead for reservations and remember to bring your current Coggins tests, horses won't be al... 02/10/2009

I KNOW you have all read articles and heard converstations on what a real estate agent can do for you.  I am sure you have all run into a real agent who is very competent at his/her job and worked very hard for you.  And let's face it, we have ALL run into a real estate agent who has promised you the moon but also must have moved to the moon because we never saw them again.  With so many agents representing so many homes what is a buyer to do?  Who do you trust?  Who do you stay loyal to? I have noticed that many people still want to use the listing agent as their buyers agent.  But most recently I have noticed buyers using one agent for days or months on end, just to buy a home from another agent.  Wait a minute!  Is this the best thing for you, as the buyer, to do?  You have just spe... 02/10/2009

Come one, come all, any age and try your hand at an all time favorite activity that is certain to give you plenty of exercise, fresh air and that happy feeling we all seek.  Baymount Farm is now giving riding lessons for beginners to learn the basics of horseback riding from grooming up all the way to learning to canter.  We have many different breeds to learn on and teach english or western riding.  If you have never been on a horse before but always wanted to, then don't be shy!  Ride on out and see what fun awaits you! Lesson are one hour long and cost $30.  We do give half hour lessons for half the cost and I would recommend this for your first time.  Want to brush up on your riding, we can accomodate that also.  Or try a different gait and ride one of our Tennessee Walking Horses.... 02/09/2009

CARRIAGE RIDES COMING SOON TO STATESVILLE, NC. Watch for more information on this upcoming activity.   Visiting Statesville and don't know what to do?  Don't worry, be happy.  Soon you will have the opportunity sit back, relax on a local farm and enjoy the scenery will taking a local carriage ride on a local farm.  Ride with the drive in a comfortable Meadow Brook cart (1 passenger only) or take a trip in a Wagonette for a family adventure (4 passengers only please).  Opening  April 1st 2009. $10/half hour ride $5/children under 10 Country setting and relaxed atmosphere Party of four only Call ahead for reservations and for more information.  www.SherryMills.net   704-902-7345   02/07/2009

Whether you live, work or play in Statesville, NC please take the time to visit with members of the Statesville Chamber of Commerce each Tuesday morning at 8:30 at the Fun Station 2000 on Highway 115 North, just off I40 west.  As a member of the Chamber you can join and meet each Tuesday morning for breakfast, local updates on new businesses and events happening in the city.  Members will introduce themselves and let you know all about their businesses. Visitors can come and find out more about the community, the local chamber and decide if joining the chamber is right for you.  This is a lively group so be prepared for anything. Enter a drawing to win donated gifts from chamber members.  You never know what useful item you will end up taking home.  www.SherryMills.net   02/07/2009