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Roanoke, VA Real Estate News

By Todd McKee
(Wainwright & Co. Realtors)
Time for the latest update on what I've learned about the Droid.  First off, the coolest thing I've found useful for me, is the turn by turn GPS.  My wife will attest the the fact that I have the worst sense of direction of anyone she has ever known.  I'm getting a ton of use out of that right now. As far as aps go, if you are a RE/Max agent, there is a RE/Max university ap that has some useful tips for realtors, no matter how long you have been in the business.  The best part is that it's free.  You can also create your own ap.  There are a few realtors who have their own ap available.  I'm looking into how to create one of those, and I'll let you know how that goes.  Seems like a great tool to have to stay connected to current clients, and picking up new ones. The only thing I've noti...
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By Todd McKee
(Wainwright & Co. Realtors)
Here's the first in what I'm sure will be a long line of updates on the new piece of technology.  I can't just call the Droid a phone, because it's way beyond that.  I've only had it for 3 days, and I haven't even scratched the surface of it's capabilities. Just a quick example of what it can do.  I was looking for a phone number to a local tire store over the weekend, and was blown away at how easy it was to find it.  The Droid has built in GPS, so it already knows where you are.  You just open the web browser, type in your search, and just like on a computer, it pulls up the most popular site for your search.  What makes it better though, is this will also let you call the business by simply tapping the phone number on the screen.  I was literally talking to the shop in less than 2 mi...
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By Todd McKee
(Wainwright & Co. Realtors)
It's a late Christmas gift to myself, but I FINALLY moved forward into the technology age.  My Droid was delivered yesterday.  I can't wait to sink my teeth into all the features it has.  Of course, my 2 girls think they got a new toy everytime it talks to them. I could really use any feedback from fellow Droid users on how to use this as an effective tool in business.  I know about the e-mail and web capabilities, but are there any aps designed to help us realtors out?  Time is of the essense on getting rolling with it.  I think it's going to open up a world of possibilities when I'm showing or listing houses. Thanks in advance for your feedback and tips.  Have a great day!
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By Todd McKee
(Wainwright & Co. Realtors)
I'm sitting in the parking lot at work at 4 in the morning, getting ready to start yet another 12 hour day.  I've missed blogging, and keeping up with the AR network, but life sometimes throws us curve balls. Since we last spoke, I've listed another short sale (get in touch with me if you want details on it), and started working with a few new clients.  Nice to have business picking up on the real estate front.  It keeps me sane when everything else seems to be going crazy. My wife and I are currently helping her mom out.  She lost her job as a care giver recently, so things have gotten a little hectic in our life, but I'm not complaining.  I feel blessed that I'm fortunat enough to be able to help out family.  I know a lot of people are not as fortunate.  Grandma loves being around the...
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By Damon Gettier, Broker/Owner ABRM, GRI, CDPE
(Damon Gettier & Associates, REALTORS- Roanoke Va Short Sale Expert)
Life as a Roanoke Virginia Short Sale Listing Agent has been extremely busy the last month or two!  I spent almost the entire week last week trying to stop Wells Fargo from Foreclosing on a Roanoke Virginia Home that we have had a contract on since September 1, 2010.  Nothing is more frustrating than dealing with a bank that just doesn't care whether or not a house forecloses.  Ultimately I was successful in postponing the Roanoke Virginia Foreclosure and hopefully we will have a successful closing on this Roanoke Virginia Short Sale property.  Here's to more good Short Selling this year!
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By Todd McKee
(Wainwright & Co. Realtors)
It's been a while since I've blogged, but I have a good reason.  Any of you who have read my previous posts know that I am a part-timer with a full time job.  At my other job, things are really picking up!! In my other life, I build utility trucks (the ones that work on power lines).  The 4th quarter of this year has seen a steady increase in orders, and the 1st quarter of 2011 is looking even stronger!  We are projected to have a 7% growth in that time, so needless to say, I've been working a good bit of overtime.  Not complaining, because it sure helps pay the bills. Things are looking so good in fact, that we will be adding 100 new employees in the next month.  Our industry tends to show the trend for the entire economy since we have a lot of customers who also specialize in new cons...
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By Todd McKee
(Wainwright & Co. Realtors)
Just some oppinions on Tuesday's election results... I couldn't help but notice that the stock market made significant gains today.  I don't know if it's coinsidence, or that there has been a power shift in Washington.  I hope it's the later.  I hope it's because the financial experts beleive that the balance of power has been pointed toward common sense economic ideas that will get this country moving in the right direction. Now that control has shifted to the other side of the isle, I hope that those who have been given the PRIVELAGE of legislating this country have been given thier wake up call.  America does pay attention, and WE, NOT YOU know what is best for this country.  A lot of promises have been made to the people of this country, and rest assured, we ARE paying attention.  M...
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By Damon Gettier, Broker/Owner ABRM, GRI, CDPE
(Damon Gettier & Associates, REALTORS- Roanoke Va Short Sale Expert)
Roanoke Virginia Foreclosure Stopped!  Last week my attorney and I were contacted by a Roanoke Virginia Homeowner who was facing foreclosure....today at 12:45 PM, wanting to know if we could stop the foreclosure so he could do a Roanoke Virginia Short Sale.  Today at 10:00 AM we were contacted by the lender to tell us that the Roanoke Virginia Foreclosure sale had been canceled.  I am not going to sit here and tell you that my lawyer is awesome....but my lawyer is awesome! Keep posted for tomorrow's new blog about Roanoke Virginia's newest Short Sale Listing.  When you contact Roanoke Short Sale Superstars, you don't only get me but you get my team which includes my attorney!
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By Walter Grewe III, Realtor, SFR, A-REO, Roanoke Homes and Real Estate
(Long and Foster Realtors)
 Roanoke, Va. Norwood Subdivision 3rd Quarter Update November 2010     Presenting the 3rd Quarter 2010 Real Estate Report for Norwood. A free service provided by Long & Foster Roanoke North office and myself. This report is designed to keep you informed of the neighborhoods changing real estate market. If you would like a personalized evaluation of your home and its current market value you can contact me at 966-6234. Please feel free to share this report with friends, family or business associates. I would encourage you to keep this report for future reference. I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to provide you with this snapshot of the real estate market in your neighborhood. At the Long & Foster North Roanoke office we strive to provide the very best in personal real estate servic...
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By Todd McKee
(Wainwright & Co. Realtors)
So, I feel like I have to share this since I feel like the AR family is an extension of my own.  Me and my wife had the first Dr's appointment yesterday for the new addition.  I know it's my 3rd, but it still amazes me the first time I hear the heartbeat!!  I guess I'm just a big softy at heart, because I was caught wiping a tear away.  I had something in my eye, and that's the story I'm sticking too!! Thanks for letting me share that daddy moment with you, and I look forward to hearing some of your mommy/daddy moments.  They make it all worth while, don't they?
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By Todd McKee
(Wainwright & Co. Realtors)
Toni ght my band The Pop Rivets, is playing at Awful Arthurs at Towers Mall in Roanoke.  It's been a long time since we've rocked that place, so come on out and make some noise. If you haven't heard us, we play a wide variety of soul, rock, punk, and funk.  Always a good time.  If you're a member of AR, I'll be working sound and lights, so come on over and say hi.  I'd love to meet some fellow bloggers in person. Showtime is at 9:30.  Hope to see you there! -T
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By Damon Gettier, Broker/Owner ABRM, GRI, CDPE
(Damon Gettier & Associates, REALTORS- Roanoke Va Short Sale Expert)
Roanoke Virginia Historic Homes for Sale. Roanoke Virginia has one of the largest Historic Districts in the State of Virginia.  The architecture is classical early 1900's in design.  There are many homes that have kept the original look and feel of the architecture while including some of the modern day conveniences of today.  In Roanoke Virginia we have three main concentrations of historic homes:  Old Southwest Roanoke City, Raleigh Court Roanoke City and South Roanoke (Crystal Springs) Roanoke City. The price ranges of the three run the gambit from low $100,000 range to up close to $1,000,000!  There is a house in a price range for all! If you are interested in a historical home with tons of architecture in Roanoke VA, give me a call!
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By Damon Gettier, Broker/Owner ABRM, GRI, CDPE
(Damon Gettier & Associates, REALTORS- Roanoke Va Short Sale Expert)
Awful Arthur's Towers Mall is Roanoke Virginia's premier hots spot for Night Life! Awful Arthur's located at Tower's Mall has been Roanoke Virginia's destination of choice for Night Life for years now.  Under new ownership with new owner Barry Caldwell (Barry was the manager of Awful Arthur's Towers Mall Location for almost 8 years), Awful Arthur's Towers Mall has made many changes this year! Awful Arthur's still has the same great mix of local and national bands, a multitude of flat screen LCD TV's for Game Day, Pool Tables,  and a brand new stage for the entertainers!   Barry, with help from Assistant Manager Travis Sorrels, has installed a new bar, new stage and sound system, new tables and chairs and totally new seating arrangement in the back so that Awful Arthur's can accommodate ...
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By Damon Gettier, Broker/Owner ABRM, GRI, CDPE
(Damon Gettier & Associates, REALTORS- Roanoke Va Short Sale Expert)
Kohl's is coming to Roanoke VA!  Since the new Super Walmart was finally approved for the Clearbrook area of Roanoke County and the construction has begun, plans for moving a Kohl's into the old Walmart Building located across from Hunting Hills!  This seems to excite many women in the Roanoke Valley but is sure isn't doing much for me!  Why can't we get a Cabelas or a Bass Pro Shop!?!?!?
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By Damon Gettier, Broker/Owner ABRM, GRI, CDPE
(Damon Gettier & Associates, REALTORS- Roanoke Va Short Sale Expert)
Kids eat free at Henry's Memphis BBQ on Tuesday Night! My little brother just moved to Roanoke VA from Williston ND with his wife and 4 kids.  All of a sudden I am paying attention to where in Roanoke Virginia kids eat for free! Just a couple of blocks from Raleigh Court in Roanoke you will find Henry's Memphis BBQ on Brandon Ave just across from Towers Mall.  Henry's has GREAT BBQ and Incredible Fries!  The best part is that on Tuesday Nights from 4-9pm, KIDS EAT FREE!  One child per adult, enjoy the best BBQ in Roanoke VA!
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By Damon Gettier, Broker/Owner ABRM, GRI, CDPE
(Damon Gettier & Associates, REALTORS- Roanoke Va Short Sale Expert)
Breaking News!!  Free Moving in the Roanoke Valley of Virginia!  OK, there is only one thing that is more miserable than moving, and that is moving in the heat of summer.  To make your lives more enjoyable and to make your Selling and Buying Experience in the Roanoke Valley of Virginia the best it can be, if you sell your house with me and buy your next house with me, I will pay a Roanoke Moving Company to move you for free!This is how it is going to work: You list your home with me and we get it sold. You buy your next home through me. I will pay local a local Roanoke Moving Company to move you! I used to lease a moving van and let people use it to move.  The problem with that is that you are still moving in the heat, lugging boxes and furniture in and out of your home.  NO FUN!!  The...
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By Damon Gettier, Broker/Owner ABRM, GRI, CDPE
(Damon Gettier & Associates, REALTORS- Roanoke Va Short Sale Expert)
Henry's Memphis BBQ has to be one of my favorite Restaurants in Roanoke and it is definitely my favorite BBQ Restaurant!  Henry's Memphis BBQ is located on Brandon Ave, just across from Towers Mall.  While Henry's Memphis BBQ is not located in Raleigh Court, Henry's is definitely Raleigh Court's and Roanoke BBQ Restaurant of Choice!  Henry's almost always caters my REALTOR Luncheon's and company meetings.  I have copied a small snippet from Henry's website below.  If you want great BBQ, give Henry's Memphis BBQ a try, you will not be disappointed! The Menu contains all items that are available for order in the restaurants, carry-out, and bulk orders. Phone ahead for bulk orders. Henry also provides catering services.  Pick-up, delivery, or deliver & serve options are available.  A minim...
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By Walter Grewe III, Realtor, SFR, A-REO, Roanoke Homes and Real Estate
(Long and Foster Realtors)
4 Tips to Determine How Much Mortgage You Can Afford By knowing how much mortgage you can handle, you can ensure that home ownership will fit in your budget. Read Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this. Copyright 2010 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
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By Walter Grewe III, Realtor, SFR, A-REO, Roanoke Homes and Real Estate
(Long and Foster Realtors)
                            Lets clear up the confusion regarding the Homebuyer Tax Credit extension.    People keep asking me has the Homebuyer Tax Credit been extended again?            Yes, Congress passed an extension of the Homebuyer Tax Credit deadline to Sept. 30, 2010.  It only applies to homebuyers who had a written and binding contract in place as of April 30, 2010, but have not yet closed.      The National Association of Realtors (NAR) said that up to 180,000 homebuyers were eligible for the tax credit, but were unable to finalize the contracts by the deadline due to the amount of last-minute deals that overwhelmed the system. This was particularly critical for short sales, where a lender allows a home to sell for less than the amount owed. The Internal Revenue Service says ...
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By Walter Grewe III, Realtor, SFR, A-REO, Roanoke Homes and Real Estate
(Long and Foster Realtors)
      Getting the lead out in Roanoke Virginia has a whole new meaning with the new  EPA Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule. The rule's regulations took effect April 22 after years of drafting, litigation and "promulgation." The focus is work on structures built before a 1978 ban on lead paint. The goal is to protect children from lead disturbed during remodeling and renovation work.       In Roanoke, more than 86 percent of houses fit that description, according to Lead Safe Roanoke II. Many advocates celebrated the EPA rule as additional progress toward protecting vulnerable groups, especially children, from lead poisoning. But many regional contractors insist the lead standards go beyond what is necessary to safeguard homeowners, children and employees.       Among a host of o...
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