When most people buy a television, they measure the wall where they want to put it and then pick the largest screen that will fit. That is exactly the right way to buy a big TV, but it misses the point if you want the right TV.

The good news is that picture quality has improved radically in the last five years, even as prices have plummeted. The bad news: there are a bewildering number of specifications and features to consider. Many of them will matter only to hard-core videophiles, but some are critical to everyone. Read more »

Waterfront on New River

Heritage Estates Lot 46. 1.3 acres. 100 feet on the river. Anchored gazebo stays. Septic permit. Shared well. Graded and ready to build on. Paved road.

MLS Number: 54345
List Price: $110,000

Very nice lot on New River. Good neighborhood, paved road to lot. Over 100′ on river, has a new gazebo anchored on lot that stays. Septic permit has been pulled as per seller. Grading has been done and shared well on lot. Ready to build on.

Ashe County
Lot Size, Apx Acreage: 1.37
Type: Waterfront
Suitable Use: Residential
Topography: Level, Stream/Creek
Utilities: Total Electric
Water/Sewer: Community Water, Septic Tank
Road Frontage: Private Road, Paved Road
Miscellaneous: 1-5 Acres

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The $858 billion federal tax bill signed into law by President Obama on Dec. 17 was a mixed bag for American homeowners, with elements of both the Grinch and Santa squeezed into the same bulging package.

The goodies for select groups were well-publicized – unemployment benefits extension, payroll tax cuts, continuation of the Bush income tax rates and favorable estate tax treatment for wealthy individuals, among others. The bill even pushed back the expiration date for the tax deductibility of mortgage insurance premiums for another year.

But other provisions in the bill could be bad news for homeowners interested in remodeling projects to conserve energy next year. The legislation slashed the popular tax credits for energy-efficient remodeling from the current 30 percent of an improvement’s cost ($1,500 maximum per taxpayer) to just a 10 percent credit with a $500 maximum for expenditures on insulation materials, exterior windows and storm doors, skylights and metal and asphalt roofs that resist heat gain. Read more »

The Malone Bay community features 18 lots at W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir. Fourteen (14) are Lakefront and meet private dock requirements. All lots have access to public water, saving owners from $5,000 to $10,000 on drilling a well. These lots have public water and will save you the cost of drilling a well. The entire development also features underground utilities.

This is a gated community with lots ranging from 2.3+- acres to 6.8+- acres on the Hwy 421 side of the lake just off South Minton Road, Wilkesboro, NC 28697

W. Kerr Scott Lake is 1500 acres with 50 miles of shoreline and is controlled by the US Army Corps of Engineers. It is clean water with good fishing and is excellent for boating, kayaking, skiing, and swimming. The property is surrounded by National Parks. Wilkesboro is a beautiful community and town with friendly people. It is located just 40 miles east of Boone and Blowing Rock, NC and one and a half hours northwest of Charlotte.

Lot #10

MLS Number: 54632
List Price: $450,000
Lot Size: 2.8 acres
WATERFRONT, PRIVATE DOCK PERMIT, GATED COMMUNITY, PUBLIC WATER, UNDERGROUND UTILITIES
Wilkes MLS Area 2
Suitable Use: Residential, Single Family
Topography: Rolling, Lake/Pond, Exceptional View
Utilities: Underground Utilities
Water/Sewer: Public Water, None-Sewer
Road Frontage: Private Road, Paved Road, Road Maintenance Agreement
Miscellaneous: 1-5 Acres, Hardwoods
Location: Malone Way

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The American Dream is still alive and kicking, including within immigrant and minority communities, according to a survey from mortgage giant Fannie Mae.

The housing crisis hasn’t quenched the homeownership thirst, the company found. More than 51% of people said the bust did not change their willingness to buy a home and an additional 27% said it actually made them more likely to do so. Read more »

MLS #: O56045A
List Price: $329,900
Williams Farm Rd Wilkesboro, NC 28697

APX ACREAGE: 2.44
SUITABLE USE: Residential
TOPOGRAPHY: Lake/Pond, Heavily Wooded, Exceptional View
AREA: Area 2
SUBDIVISION: Williams Farm
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Wilkesboro
MIDDLE SCHOOL: Cntrl Wlks
HIGH SCHOOL: Wilkes Central

LOT SIZE: 2.44 Acres
PARCEL ID: 0302666
RESTRICTIONS: Yes

OWNER NAME: Ziegler, Nanci and Brent
TERMS OF SALE: Cash, Conventional
POSSESSION: At Closing
DOCUMENTS ON FILE: Survey/Plat, Deed Restrictions
SHOWING INSTRUCTIONS: Sign, Show Anytime, Other-See Remarks
UTILITIES: Underground Utilities
WATER/SEWER: None-Water, None-Sewer
ROAD FRONTAGE: Private Road, Paved Road
MISCELLANEOUS: 1-5 Acres
REMARKS: 2.44 Acre point lot with Main Channel Lake View. 500 feet of waterfront. Private Dock Permit in Place. Community with only 17 Lots.
DIRECTIONS: Hwy 268 West 5.5 miles. Turn Right onto Williams Farm Road, Lot 16 on right just before the end of Cul-de-Sac. Sign on Lot.
MISCELLANEOUS: Association Dues are $195. per year.

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All It Takes Are Free Online Tools and Search Engine Research With Google

By Jay Arthur

With so many people out of work during this recession, it should come as no surprise that many are thinking about starting their own businesses. And with so many jobs moving offshore, even people who are still employed might consider starting a business as a back-up plan. Even if you’re the owner of a successful start-up, the recession might have you worried. 

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EXTERIOR FEATURES: Patio/Deck, Wooded Lot, 1-5 Acres, Lakefront
GARAGE/CARPORT: None-Garage
ROAD MAINTENANCE/SURFACE: Public Maintained, Paved
LOCATION DESCRIPTION: Gravel Drive, Lake View, Other-See Remarks

Waterfront-Beautiful like new cedar lakefront home has exceptional quality in all aspects of construction & features. Great room has vaulted ceilings, a massive stacked stone fireplace & accents, loads of windows and is open to the kitchen w/glazed concrete counters, stainless appliances and island with breakfast bar. Large Master, lower level game room, catwalk & upper level bed & bath. Dock.

DIRECTIONS: Hwy 268 N. Left on Grace Drive. Sign on left.

EA Carter Real Estate (#:23)
Main: (336) 818-0482
Fax: (336) 464-2233

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Despite some of the best home-buying conditions in years — affordable prices, low interest rates and lots of choices — fear of buying has infected the market.

It has paralyzed house hunters, making them unable to pull the trigger even on attractive deals. Some are worried about making the payments, while others are convinced they’ll save even more if they wait.

It’s perfectly natural that they should feel that way in the wake of the housing bust, said Lawrence Yun, the chief economist for the National Association of Realtors. “It’s like when the stock market is crashing,” he said. “People are waiting to see if deals will get better.” Read more »