John Poltrock is Dave Ramsey’s Endorsed Local Real Estate Provider

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Dave Ramsey ELP Poltrock TeamJessica and I are incredibly fortunate to have graduated from Financial Peace University. It literally changed our lives! So much so, we even taught it at our church. Dave Ramsey is a household name in financial education, both due to his nationally syndicated show The Ramsey Show, which is listened to by 18 million people each week, as well as his bestselling books such as “Total Money Makeover” and “The Legacy Journey”.

Fast forward to today, I’m actually Dave Ramsey’s Endorsed Local Provider for real estate in Murphy NC and Cherokee County! This endorsement is an incredible advantage for anyone buying or selling real estate in the local area. It means you can be assured that you are working with a team who takes Dave’s mantra of “serving with the heart of a teacher” seriously. And not only that, The Poltrock Team is also widely recognized as Murphy’s #1 Real Estate Team.

This endorsement serves as both a badge of honor and an assurance of excellence. Buying or selling property is one of life’s more significant transactions and having the trust of someone like Dave Ramsey speaks volumes about how seriously we take the responsibility of helping you buy or sell property locally. With a wealth of experience combined with the trusted endorsement from Dave Ramsey, you can be sure your real estate needs will be taken care of efficiently and effectively. If you’re looking for premier real estate services in Murphy NC or Cherokee County, give us a call today at 828-837-6400. We’re here for you!

John Poltrock – 828-837-6400

Selling your Real Estate or House in January in the Mountains of North Carolina

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Are you thinking of selling your home in Murphy, NC? Now is a perfect time! January is an ideal month to list your house for sale. This time of year, buyers are out in full force shopping for new homes. With fewer homes on the market than in spring months, your home will get plenty of attention and have a greater opportunity of being sold quickly and at a great price.

When buyers start looking at homes in January, they already have an idea of what they’re looking for. Many will shop online to create their own “shopping list” from which they can choose when it comes time to buy. With fewer options available at this time of year, by listing now you could be giving them the option to select your home as their number one choice.

Selling during the winter months also has financial benefits. December is often a slow month for real estate sales due to the holiday season, so many sellers wait until spring or summer before listing their house on the market. However, by not waiting until everyone else lists their house you’ll be taking advantage of less competition and more potential buyers who may be willing to offer you a higher price for your property.

January is also a great month for staging and organizing open houses for prospective buyers. It’s easier to showcase a well-kept property during this time of year without worrying about overgrown grass or plants that need trimming due to changing seasons. Plus, with its mild weather throughout the month, Murphy makes it easy to keep energy costs low while showing off your home’s best features both inside and out!

Listing your house during January gives you all these advantages plus much more! By selling now instead of waiting until traditional peak selling times later in the year, you’ll have more opportunities for making profitable deals on your property sooner rather than later! Make sure to contact a Realtor with The Poltrock Team at RE/MAX today and start listing your house for sale while demand is still high—you won’t regret it! We’re here to help at 828-837-6400.

Pressure Washing May Be The BEST Investment When You Say “Sell My House!”

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Introduction

Pressure washing is one of the best investments you can make to help sell your home. It’s quick and easy, and it has the potential to increase the sale price of your house by over $5,000 (or more). That might sound like a lot, but consider this: if you pay someone to pressure wash your house for $600 and then sell it for $5,000 more than before (which is entirely possible), that means that one-time expense resulted in a return of over 800%! That’s an investment any homeowner would be crazy not to make.

One of the best things you can do to make your home more attractive to buyers is pressure washing.

Pressure washing will clean the exterior of your home and remove dirt, mold, mildew, and other contaminants from the surface. This process makes your house look newer, cleaner, and well-maintained. All of that will assist in helping it sell faster.

Yes, pressure washing will cost a little money upfront, but it can mean a much better sale price.

You may be thinking, “This pressure washing thing sounds great and all, but it’ll cost me money. I need to make sure I don’t spend anything unless it will bring in a return.”

And that’s exactly what we’re here to share: pressure washing is an investment that will pay dividends back to you. It’s a small price to pay for the chance to make more money on your home sale than you would have otherwise.

The first benefit of investing in a good cleaning is that it can make your home more attractive for buyers—and who doesn’t want as many buyers as possible? The second benefit is speed: by making your home look nice and clean (and maybe even new), it will help move things along with the sale process so that no one has that as a reason not to buy your house!

If you’re planning to sell your home, consider pressure washing as part of your process.

If you’re planning to sell your home, consider pressure washing as part of your process. Pressure washing is a great investment that makes your home look better, can make it easier to sell and may even increase the sale price of your house. It’s also quick and easy!

Conclusion

You’re probably wondering how much pressure washing will cost. The short answer is, it depends on the size of your home and how much work it needs. We have a great network of vendors and people who can get the job done. When you decide to sell your house, we will make the connection for you and help get the job done! Whether it is pressure washing, repairs, you name it, we’ll help you get the job done so you can sell for the best possible price.

Call The Poltrock Team at REMAX at 1-866-687-7496. We’re here for you!

Selling your home and storing your furniture in Murphy NC

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When it comes to moving, let’s face it, moving is hard work. When you sell your house in Murphy NC, you want your furniture and furnishings to be safe from the elements. There’s nothing better than climate-controlled storage units. Your leather furniture, photographs, artwork, and more are protected from moisture and damage.

Storage Murphy is a great place to store your belongings for a short period of time or a long term as you locate a new home in Murphy or another area. Check out climate-controlled storage at StorageMurphy.com.  You can also call 828-888-9292.

View These 2022 Housing Market Predictions from the Realtor.com Crystal Ball

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As 2021 winds down, it’s an ideal time to define some major goals for 2022. If you’ve decided to buy a home or sell a home during the New Year, you’d like to know about upcoming housing market trends. Or, maybe you’re considering the purchase of a Murphy, NC investment property. As you move forward, you’d appreciate some details on the real estate investment market.

Fortunately, the Realtor.com housing market analysts have done their homework. After examining United States economic trends and market indicators, these market experts recently presented their 2022 Housing Market Predictions. Buyers, sellers, and investors will likely have some opportunities along with some challenges.

 

Home Inventories, Prices, and Sales

Three separate variables are integral to every home purchase or sale. The term “home inventory” refers to the properties available for sale in a specific market. Home prices fluctuate up and down according to standard supply and demand principles.

A market’s home sales are determined by the relationship of the first two variables along with other economic indicators. View this summary of the Realtor.com United States housing market predictions for 2022.

Growth in Property Inventories

In 2021, low property inventories meant frenzied buyer competition for available homes. Houses often sold within hours, and homes in several price points quickly received multiple offers. To add another level of complexity, investors snapped up many properties, leaving even fewer houses for individual buyers.

In fall 2021, an increasing number of homeowners signaled their intention to list their home within the next 12 months. As a result, the inventory of homes is expected to increase 0.3% on average in 2022.

Realtor.com also expects an increase in new construction, which translates into additional properties for sale. However, builders must first play catch-up, finishing their not-yet-completed homes before breaking ground for new ones. Therefore, you’ll need plenty of patience if you’re building a house in 2022.

Less-drastic Rise in Home Prices

Since 2012, home prices have seen single-digit annual increases (on average). In 2020, however, the COVID-19 pandemic led to an unexpected buying frenzy. At the same time, the nationwide housing market was already short 5.2 million single-family homes.

While home builders focused on adding more properties to the market, existing home prices were driven higher because of reduced inventories. From August 2020 to August 2021, the market saw a double-digit rise in home prices.

For 2022, Realtor.com expects a 2.9% rise in median home sale prices. While builders continue aggressive production, homebuyers must adapt to higher purchase prices and mortgage rates. Even with those factors, though, prices are still projected to rise at a relatively reasonable pace.

Continued Increase in Home Sales

Strong housing demand is expected to continue in 2022. Realtor.com expects 6.6% higher home sales numbers during the New Year. This translates to a 16-year high across the country and in many metropolitan markets.

Over 45 million millennials will be buying their first house during 2022. Other demographic groups will also be searching for the perfect residential or investment property. With an estimated 3.3% national income growth by late 2022, buyers will have more discretionary income to spend on a home.

2022 Outlook for Buyers, Sellers, and Investors

Real estate markets of every size have one universal truth: Buyers, sellers, and investors each have differing perspectives and goals. Each group interprets a specific market through a different lens, and they make their decisions accordingly. View the Realtor.com 2022 predictions for these three key market subgroups.

Homebuyers Must Quickly Make their Moves

With housing inventories projected to rise in 2022, homebuyers will have more potential “dream homes” from which to choose. However, the market will be flooded with buyers – especially first-time millennial homebuyers and other entry-level purchasers. With lots of competition for available homes, buyers must make fast decisions and be prepared to go “above and beyond” to win the bidding wars.

With home prices and interest rates expected to rise, finding budget-friendly properties will take skill and patience. However, increasing remote work opportunities may expand geographic search parameters to more affordable areas.

View Two Useful Home-buying Tips

To maximize their chances, homebuyers should set their home-buying budgets before making property-viewing appointments. Buyers should also run several simulations to determine how rising mortgage rates could affect their house payments.

Buyers should also refine their lists of “must have” and “nice to have” home attributes. By being more flexible in their choices, they’ll encounter a larger pool of potential candidates.

Home Sellers Will Enjoy Several Advantages

With higher expected home values and prices, sellers should be in a favorable position in 2022. Although there will be more homes on the market, realistically priced properties in nice condition have a good chance of selling quickly. In addition, sellers who purchased their homes awhile ago will likely receive a respectable amount of cash at closing.

Some sellers are chafing at the bit to list their homes for sale. However, they haven’t done so because they’re afraid they can’t find another home to purchase. Sellers who liquidate their current home, and who come up empty on another one, have few options other than renting until their luck changes.

Sellers ready to unload second homes, or who want to sell their vacation getaways, probably don’t need to buy another property right away. Therefore, they’re likely in the best position in this current market. However, sellers in vacation home markets may not see the same buying frenzy that occurred in 2021.

Investors Will Likely See Favorable Returns

Investors who hold rental properties will continue to receive good returns on those homes, says Realtor.com. Existing owners are well positioned to benefit from rising home prices. Rising rental costs may entice rental investors to keep buying homes, as the extra income may outweigh higher mortgage rates.

For perspective, note that in early 2021 many investors purchased homes at a higher rate than they sold them later in the year. If these investors choose to rent the properties, they should receive good yields because of continued demand and increasing rental prices.

Predictions May be Subject to Change

Note that the Realtor.com housing market predictions may (or may not) actually come to pass. The projections could be affected by economic conditions and other variables throughout the year.

To learn about predicted trends in your regional market, speak with your local realtor early in the New Year. The Poltrock Team utilizes sophisticated analytical data, along with its realtors’ local expertise, to provide you with second-to-none market analysis designed for your needs.

 

The Poltrock Team – REMAX Mountain Properties – Murphy NC   

 Call us Toll Free at 1-866-Murphy-NC or 1-866-687-7496

 Murphy’s #1 Real Estate Team      ilovemurphy.com

5 Maintenance Issues to Resolve Before Selling an Older Home

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Selling an older home is, in many respects, like putting a newer house on the market. As the homeowner, you’ll work with a realtor to list the property, and you’ll ideally get an offer in a timely manner.

Following one or more home inspections and other common milestones, the buyer will usually agree to proceed with the sale. That gives everyone the green light to begin the closing process, where you’ll receive the proceeds from the home sale.

An Older Home Requires Special Attention

At the same time, selling an older house is quite different than selling a more recently constructed home. First, the older structure may have been built with different building codes and construction standards than a 21st-century residence. Some earlier 20th century homes were built with few building codes in place (or sometimes none at all).

In addition, you’ll have a difficult time tracking down home maintenance records for pre-2000 homes. Some contractors may have gone out of business, and others may have purged your transaction(s) from their electronic or paper files.

Even with these two limitations, it’s certainly possible to sell your older home in a reasonable amount of time. Approaching the sale proactively is the key. Work with your realtor to develop a game plan, and keep up with your part of the bargain throughout the process.

Resolve Problem Issues Before Listing the Property

Before you put the property on the market, address the issues that will likely draw a home inspector’s attention. By taking time to do that, you’ll be more likely to enjoy a smoother sales transaction with fewer hiccups.

Foundation Problems

Old homes often have varying degrees of foundation issues. Causes can include normal age-related wear and tear, extremely wet soil, a well-established tree root network, or even seismic activity.

Signs of foundation problems include cracks in interior and exterior walls along with uneven floors. If some of the doors won’t latch, or windows won’t open, you likely have underlying foundation issues.

Serious foundation problems can threaten your safety and potentially make the home unlivable. In addition, your realtor will not want to list the home without addressing these issues. It’s always prudent to have a structural engineer assess the damage and create a repair strategy.

Roof Wear and Tear

Many older homes’ roofs display some degree of deterioration. Causes can include the roof grade, the shingles’ projected life span, and quality of the installation. The roof’s maintenance record can also be a factor. In some regions, weather extremes can affect a roof’s lifespan.

Signs of roofing problems include missing shingles and bowing gutters. Inside, check the top floor or attic for leaks or signs of moisture intrusion. Also, realize that the leak’s source may be hard to find, as water can migrate from the roof entry point to another part of the home.

To determine the extent of the damage, contact a professional home inspector with proven roofing expertise. Ask for a full written assessment along with a repair plan and estimate.

Obsolete Electrical System

Most older homes need some type of electrical system update. For perspective, know that pre-1960 wiring lasts approximately 70 years. Service panels require an update after 60 years while circuit breakers only have a 30-year useful life.

There’s also a good chance that an older home’s electrical system does not meet current electrical code requirements. A very old home may have been built without any code requirements at all.

From a consumer’s perspective, older electrical systems cannot handle the demands of today’s increasingly sophisticated systems and electronics. Smart home installations, smart appliances, and high-tech TVs and sound systems rely on electrical circuitry that can handle those needs.

Signs of electrical issues include dim or flickering lighting and/or regular power outages. If you have two-pronged outlets, or your outlets and/or light switches often feel warm, you most certainly have electrical problems.

Your realtor will want to ensure that the property meets current code requirements before listing the home. To resolve the issues, contact a certified electrical inspector. A licensed, insured electrician should handle all the electrical repairs and/or installations. Do not attempt to perform any electrical work yourself.

Compromised Plumbing System

Your older home’s plumbing system can be impacted by several problems. Depending on the system’s age, the pipes can contain dangerous lead. As the pipes age and begin to break down, bits of lead can leach into your drinking water.

Polybutylene pipes can also become a hazard. They can become corroded by bleach and/or other household cleaners. Depending on the degree of the corrosion, the pipes can burst without warning.

If your home is surrounded by well-established trees, the roots may have grown into the underground plumbing components. This can compromise your pipes’ integrity.

Signs of a substandard plumbing system include poor drainage in sinks, showers, and tubs. Leaks around the faucets are also a sign of inefficient plumbing. Finally, low water pressure will likely catch the home inspector’s attention.

Bringing your plumbing system up to current code requirements is the best strategy. Ask a licensed plumber to conduct a thorough inspection and provide an estimate for needed system repairs or replacement.

Worn-Out Mechanical Equipment

Your older home’s mechanical equipment might be near the end of its useful life. The water heater, furnace, or HVAC unit may have been in constant use for many years. Maybe it’s becoming increasingly unreliable or getting ready to stop working altogether.

If the water heater sounds noisy, or you see puddling around its base, it may be ready to give up the ghost. If your furnace makes noise, or does not heat the rooms evenly, it may be on the verge of a complete shutdown. Finally, increased humidity levels may signal that your HVAC system isn’t working correctly.

Proactively addressing these issues means they are less likely to become part of a home inspector’s report. Determine each appliance’s age and projected lifespan. Replace questionable items before listing the home for sale.

Getting the Job Done Right

Working with a reputable contractor is the key to getting the job done right. Toward that end, The Poltrock Team’s “Gotta Guy” Page provides an updated list of nearby contractors who have built a reputation on good customer service.

Once you have brought your older house up to current standards, you can confidently list the property for sale. Work with a realtor who will showcase the home’s distinctive character and vintage charm. Or if that is more work than you care to do, we can sell your property as-is. Either way, The Poltrock Team exclusively uses professional real estate photography to showcase our properties and their features in the best way. Call us today to learn more about what we do for you and to get your property Sold.

The Poltrock Team – REMAX Mountain Properties – Murphy NC – ilovemurphy.com 

Call us Toll Free at 1-866-Murphy-NC or 1-866-687-7496 

 Murphy’s #1 Real Estate Team

Reverse Mortgages: What You Need to Know

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With homeowners’ cash needs often outstripping their available financial resources, many people are tapping the equity in their homes. Although home equity loans are a popular choice, some older homeowners have turned to a reverse mortgage to generate cash from their primary home.

 

The reverse mortgage product has been around since 1961, and continued to be revised through 2017. Before jumping on the reverse mortgage bandwagon, however, take time to understand the upsides and downsides of this income generation method. Continue reading “Reverse Mortgages: What You Need to Know” →

Meet The Poltrock Team’s Four Exceptional Realtors

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Preparing to buy (or sell) a home means you’re moving on to the next chapter in your life. To make the experience as seamless as possible, work with a realtor who knows the local market like the back of their hand.

A highly effective realtor knows about the changing trends that influence the local economy. This highly focused professional is also intimately familiar with the local real estate market. And, they combine that substantial knowledge with top-tier technology to get results – every single time.

Perhaps most of all, this extraordinary real estate professional has unparalleled concern for their clients. When other agents might say, “that’s good enough,” your realtor rolls up his or her sleeves and goes the extra mile without a second thought.

Meet The Poltrock Team’s Four High-Achieving Realtors
Here at The Poltrock Team, Murphy’s Top-Selling Real Estate Team, that’s simply the way we do business. Although each of our four high-achieving realtors has their individual style, each professional goes above and beyond to get the desired results for their clients. To sum it up: They love what they do, and it shows.

John Poltrock
Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)
Short Sales & Foreclosure Resource (SFR)
Mobile: 828-557-2270

Meeting John Poltrock is like reconnecting with a close high school friend you haven’t seen in years. John’s friendly Southern manner makes conversation a breeze, and you’re quickly chatting about every subject under the sun and then some. Simply put, even if you weren’t buying a home or selling a home, you’d enjoy spending time with John and come away smiling.

As The Poltrock Team’s Lead Listing Agent, John is known for his exceptional client service and sincere concern for his clients’ well-being. And, his many years spent in Murphy and Cherokee County give him the insider knowledge to be an effective advocate for his buyers and sellers.

In addition, John is deeply immersed in real estate market mechanics. In other words, he keeps a finger on the pulse of local real estate trends and the factors that drive them.

John is also a master of technology, and skillfully interprets data to shape the marketing strategies for his clients and for The Poltrock Team. To support these high-level endeavors, John relies on his Bachelor’s Degree in Financial Planning from Western Carolina University.

When John’s not engaged with the real estate world, he enjoys everything our beautiful mountain region has to offer. Hiking, camping, and boating are tops on his list. John and his wife Jessica have been married since 2005. They have a high-achieving daughter in college, and their energetic young son certainly keeps them on their toes.

Wayne CoferWayne Cofer
Mobile: 828-361-7603

The residential and commercial real estate markets are two different animals. Multiple factors affect each market at any given time. Getting results in each arena depends on whether a realtor has the skills to meet those market-specific challenges.

Fortunately, our Universal Realtor Wayne Cofer has the extensive business and management background to excel on both playing fields. And, he’s adept at working with both buyers and sellers. When obstacles arise during a real estate transaction, Wayne’s proven negotiation skills are essential to finding a “win-win” solution.

Whether you’re ready to buy (or sell) a small mountain cabin or a large commercial building, having Wayne in your corner makes good business sense. And, he combines his impressive knowledge base with a personable manner that makes him an ideal business partner.

Outside of the office, Wayne enjoys mountain life with his wife Kathy. He also spends as much time as possible with his three grown daughters and four grandchildren. Wayne frequently explores our region on his touring motorcycle, and he’s an avid United States and world history buff.

Paige McKnightPaige McKnight
Mobile: 828-557-1234

The Poltrock Team’s newest realtor, Paige McKnight combines 14 years of experience with an unfailingly positive attitude. Although she’s a seasoned realtor with many successful closings under her belt, Paige views every property purchase or sale with a fresh perspective.

Naturally, every real estate transaction comes with its distinctive challenges. Financing, home inspection, and documentation issues are common hurdles. Contractors sometimes drag their feet on required repairs, and other issues may threaten to derail the process entirely.

That’s where Paige McKnight’s well-known perseverance and follow-through make the difference. She’s dedicated to meeting (and conquering) every challenge, and she goes to great lengths to support her clients throughout the process. And as you might expect, this determined lady gets results.

An Exceptional Support Team Makes the Difference
A highly effective support team enables our top-tier realtors to perform at their absolute best. First, our real estate professionals are backed by Re/MAX, the world’s largest real estate company. That coveted status means our support team can access Re/MAX’s proprietary software and management systems.

In addition, the Re/MAX website is the world’s highest-ranking real estate agency website. This gives The Poltrock Team unparalleled market visibility compared to our competitors.

On the local level, The Poltrock Team’s support staff includes a Client Concierge, who provides immediate assistance to potential buyers. Our highly efficient Listing Coordinator, Closing Coordinator, and Marketing Associate round out this top-notch group.

Every member of The Poltrock Team truly respects and supports each other. And, they’re all committed to achieving the best possible results for our clients. With countless testimonials from satisfied buyers and sellers, they’re confident they’re on the right track.

The Poltrock Team – REMAX Mountain Properties – Murphy NC – ilovemurphy.com – Call us Toll Free at 1-866-Murphy-NC or
1-866-687-7496 – Murphy’s #1 Real Estate Team

How to Get the Maximum Value from Your Real Estate Experience

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Preparing to buy or sell a Murphy, North Carolina home is an exciting proposition. You’re ready to progress to another chapter in your life, and you’d like the entire process to go as smoothly and efficiently as possible. Naturally, your realtor also wants you to have a good home-buying or home-selling experience.

To realize the best outcome, do your homework before you first meet with the realtor. Do some research, gather documents if needed, and generally “get your ducks in a row.”

When you take time to do that, your realtor can do the most effective job in the timeliest fashion. Whether you’re buying or selling, here are some valuable tips that will help you enjoy a good real estate experience. Continue reading “How to Get the Maximum Value from Your Real Estate Experience” →

Why the Holidays Are a Perfect Time for Buying (or Selling) a Home in Murphy, NC

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The Thanksgiving to Christmas holiday season is filled with festive gift giving, socializing with family and friends, and overindulging in your favorite foods and libations. But here’s the best-kept secret: the holiday season is also a great time to buy (or sell) a house in Murphy, North Carolina. Either way, we’ve got four compelling reasons to jump into the real estate market over the coming weeks.

Why the Holidays Are a Good Time to Buy

Reduced Buyer Competition
Let’s say you’re in the market for a new home. You’ve got your “Must Have” list of features, and you’d like to view properties that might fit the bill. If you find the ideal mountain home, you’re ready to make an offer. However, you’re slightly concerned about another buyer swooping in and grabbing the house while you’re trying to negotiate a good deal.

Here’s some good news: The odds of that outcome will be much lower during the holiday season. Simply put, there aren’t as many buyers looking at homes, so your chances of making a successful offer are considerably better. Continue reading “Why the Holidays Are a Perfect Time for Buying (or Selling) a Home in Murphy, NC” →