John Poltrock Meets Dave Ramsey

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Here I sit at the StarPower 2010 Conference in Nashville TN, and I got to meet the man himself – Dave Ramsey. He spoke last night for roughly 1.5-2 hours and it was a PHENOMENAL speech. He’s a great speaker and although I have heard many of his materials and stories before (I teach Financial Peace University at my church, have been through the course, and often listen to his radio show on my iPod), it was a power delivery that left the crowd laughing and engrossed.

After the course, Randy Dockery and I were the ONLY people able to get our picture with Dave, and you can see us here! 😀

If you are unfamiliar with Dave Ramsey, he changed Jessica and my life financially speaking. We learned things from him we should have already known, but were not doing. We’ve managed to turn the page financially and are much more sound than we’ve ever been. He has helped us help others in our business because we no longer have to stress about money, and when you don’t, you’re able to serve others better and look out for their interests better. Simply put, it makes us a better Realtor, real estate agent, couple, and family.

It’s a privilege to be here, meet Dave Ramsey, and bring back all of the knowledge we’re learning here and help others meet their goals. I love it!

John Poltrock – The Poltrock Team – RE/MAX Mountain Properties – Murphy NC Real Estate – www.MyMurphy.com – JohnPoltrock@gmail.com

The POWER of an Educated Realtor in Murphy NC

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Realtors are an incredibly diverse group of people. You have folks who are young, old, middle aged, well educated, high school drop-outs, and everything in between.

No matter the options, its important to make sure your Realtor is on top of all the latest tools and knowledge.

With all that said, I love to get more ideas to continually improve our business and our service. I’m in Murfreesboro, TN at the StarPower 2010 Convention – and its been great – and today is only the opening session! We heard from greats like Howard Brinton, Alex Charfen, and Denny Grimes. Tomorrow, I’m going to hear from tons more – like Dave Ramsey!

It’ll be a great experience and I can’t wait to come back to Murphy, North Carolina with some extraordinary ideas and opportunities!

The Poltrock Team at RE/MAX in Murphy NC – www.MyMurphy.com – Call Toll Free at 1-866-687-7496 – Murphy’s #1 Real Estate Team

Joe Hanlon Has Great Experience Buying Land from The Poltrock Team at REMAX in Murphy NC

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I have been a Certified Public Accountant and accountant for more than twenty four years. Before my career as an accountant, I was a licensed real estate sales person and qualified to become a real estate broker; the purpose of my letter is to provide a qualified testimonial about Mr. John Poltrock and The Poltrock Team at RE/MAX Realty in Murphy, North Carolina.

I have had the pleasure of working with The Poltrock Team, more specifically John, over the course of the last eighteen months. During this time, I have found John to be an exceptional Realtor. He has always expressed a sincere interest in working with me,  has always been patient (eighteen months) with me, and he has provided accurate information to me about the properties he represents. John is exceptional; I would recommend anyone to list a property with him or to allow him to find the right property for your needs and wants.

Joe Hanlon, CPA. CITP
Stuart, FL

Should I Sell My Murphy NC Home Furnished?

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Tastefully Decorated Cabin Decor
Tastefully Decorated Cabin Decor

There are a lot of home owners who wrestle with the question, “Should I list and sell my home in Murphy NC fully furnished?” When it comes to working with real estate buyers, this question doesn’t have a direct answer because there are a couple considerations that come in to play.

Is your furniture nice and will it target your likely buyer? Then you certainly need to consider the option of selling it furnished. If it’s cabin furniture in a nice chalet or something of that nature, then you’d better believe it will help. If you want to keep some pieces for yourself, you need to say so in the listing or leave a “Detail Sheet” that will specifically tell them what goes and doesn’t.

Does it clash? You don’t want Florida beach decor in a mountain cabin, and believe me, people try to. If it doesn’t fit the look and style of your home, it’s likely that it will hurt you and you need to get rid of it.

Is the furniture junk you don’t want to move? Although an abrupt and direct question, if its junk and you don’t want it either, the buyer probably doesn’t want it either. In fact, it may be advantageous to get rid of your furniture and spruce it up. You can donate it to many organizations who will appreciate it, like Christian Love Ministries. You’re paying for professional service, so ask your Realtor what to do – what to keep, get rid of, etc.

Not sure – it’s not junk and not sure if the buyer will want it either? Ask your Realtor. Also, I would encourage you to separate the furnishings from your listing. In other words, put “Furnishings Negotiable” on the listing. That way, if they want them, you can work out a separate agreement while keeping them out of the real estate side.

Each case can be different, so be sure to hire a professional who can not only sell your home in the mountains – but can also guide you through the process and coach you on how to capitalize the best from your investment. If you don’t have a Realtor, call us!

Sell your Real Estate with Murphy’s #1 Real Estate Team – Call The POLTROCK TEAM Today! Toll-Free 1-866-687-7496 – www.MyMurphy.com – JohnPoltrock@gmail.com – REMAX Mountain Properties in Murphy NC

John and Linda Tuttle Look for Realtors – and after many Bad Attempts finally get The Poltrock Team in Murphy NC

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If we had to sum up John Poltrock in one word, it would probably be integrity.  We came to John after having been with 2 other Realtors for 10 months.  The previous Realtors did almost nothing to promote or sell our house.  We did not see Realtors in a very positive light after our negative experiences with the previous ineffective Realtors. 

JT and Linda Tuttle
JT and Linda Tuttle

We read about the Poltrocks on the Internet, about their credentials and success rate, and hoped we were making the right decision in choosing them.  It was hard to stay positive when the market was so poor.  I believe when John took over our property, there were approximately 800 houses for sale in the Murphy area and over 200 were 2 bedroom 2 bath chalets like ours.  We were very discouraged at times and John kept us pumped up.

We were angry and annoyed at times when difficult decisions had to be made, but John always dealt very tactfully and professionally with us taking great patience to explain the housing market and the necessity of doing things to keep our house in the running.  We loved our house and had taken very loving care of it since originally we had planned to retire in Murphy.  Plans changed, however, and we had to put our house on the market in the worst of times.  It seemed like a very long struggle, and it was considering we paid an extra mortgage for 18 months (10 months before John took our house over, then 8 months until it was sold).

John got our house up and out there right from the start.  He used all kinds of techniques and was diligent in promoting our house.  We were very happy to see potential buyers finally coming through our house.  It still took a long time to get THE buyer, but there were so many times that we thought it would just never sell, even though it is a beautiful, new house in a great subdivision.  John’s efforts never wavered.

When the right buyers did come along, there were still difficult decisions to make.  But John continued to patiently explain things and encourage us in the direction that would complete the sale.  We are very happy that we listened to John because he knew what he was talking about and he gave us excellent advice.  My only regret is that we didn’t find him 10 months sooner.  My husband and I would wholeheartedly recommend The Poltrock Team to anyone who wants to get their house sold. 

P.S. John is a really nice guy, too.

 John & Linda Tuttle
Pinellas Park, Florida

The Poltrock Team – REMAX Mountain Properties in Murphy NC – Call Toll Free 1-866-Murphy-NC or 1-866-687-7496 – JohnPoltrock@gmail.com – www.MyMurphy.com

Jeff and Dawn McCurdy Get Great Results Selling their Home in Murphy NC

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The Poltrock Team is very professional and knowledgeable They go above and beyond what you would expect from a Realtor. They’re honest and work hard – and that can be hard to find. We will definitely use them again whether we sell or buy real estate here in Murphy, North Carolina.

Thanks guys – you’re great!

Dawn and Jeff McCurdy
Murphy, NC

The Poltrock Team – REMAX of Murphy NC – www.MyMurphy.com – JohnPoltrock@gmail.com – Call Toll Free 1-866-Murphy-NC or 1-866-687-7496

Home on almost 4 Acres for Sale in Tanglewood Forest in Murphy NC!

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Home for Sale in Tanglewood Forest in Murphy NCHere’s a value that rarely shows its head! This 2 bedroom, 1 bath home for sale in Murphy NC boasts an astonishing 3.94 +/- acres! With this much land, you can enjoy some serious privacy and even use the acreage later!

In real estate, you always hear location, location, location, and this has it! Situated in Tanglewood Forest, this property is less than 5 minutes from downtown Murphy. Tanglewood features several community ponds you can enjoy, paved roads, and great folks.

The home itself is full of features – paved driveway, double carport, spacious and open floor plan, stone fireplace, gas logs, screened in front porch, bonus room, central heat pump (central heating and air conditioning), and a whole lot more! This home is in amazing condition and is a sure show stopper for a home priced in the LOW 100’s!

This Home is Now SOLD!!!

Click Here to see ALL of The Poltrock Team at REMAX in Murphy NC’s Listings

Click Here to Search the ENTIRE MLS for FREE! Be sure to contact us when you find something that really strikes your interest!

John Poltrock – The POLTROCK TEAM at RE/MAX Mountian Properties – www.MyMurphy.com – Call us TOLL FREE 1-866-687-7496

Winter – the Best Time to Sell Real Estate in Murphy NC

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“I’ll wait till the Spring to sell my property, then I’ll do it.” I hear this rather frequently. It’s as though the spring season sells real estate itself.

Mountain Cabin House in SnowThe upcoming winter wonder land will do a lot for us – it will bring about three of my personal favorite holidays. It will unite family members who haven’t seen each other in far too long. It’ll bring warm cups of marshmallow embedded cocoa around warm, crackling fireplaces. Yes, winter brings people together in ways no other season can. It also sells real estate.

Contrary to an incorrect popular belief, real estate sells well in Murphy, North Carolina in the middle of winter. Why or how you might ask? First my experience then facts.

I’ll let you in on a privy secret. Yes, buyer volume decreases slightly in winter. However, the buyer quality skyrockets. Buyers become more willing and dedicated to finding the home or land they want to purchase. Although I can’t explain it, it is certainly true. The best I can think of it is if someone travels all the way to Murphy to look at real estate while it’s cold outside, they certainly want to find their parcel. Not only that, the cat is out of the bag. Winter is one of the best times to buy. You can see the way land lays, the neighbors and surrounding land, and even the potential views the property has. Winter truly reveals more about the property than Spring or Summer could even dream of.

Now for the facts. The first quarter of 2008 produced outstanding results. In fact 19 homes and 20 parcels of land sold per month – that’s 39 properties sold each and every month, in the dead of winter! When an average of 1.3 properties are selling per day, that’s really good by pessimist’s standards. 39 property owners went against popular belief and fully succeeded in selling their property – why would you want to miss that opportunity?

Couple 1.3 sales per day with the reality that winter is when folks coming in Spring begin their research. They begin compiling the list of homes and land for sale they want to see in person when they get here. I’ve had buyers watch a house for months eagerly awaiting to see it! If your property is actively advertised during that time, you get the exposure to those “Springers” you would otherwise miss.

Truth is, now is an extraordinary time to list and sell your property. If you want to find out what your property’s value is in today’s market, call The POLTROCK TEAM or your Realtor today. While those who believe winter is a bad time, you can capitalize on their popular belief. While they’re missing a huge opportunity, you can seize the moment.

Want to Sell Your Home or Land in Murphy NC or Cherokee County NC? CONTACT The POLTROCK TEAM Today!

Written by John Poltrock, The POLTROCK TEAM at RE/MAX Mountain Properties. He can be reached at toll free 1-866-687-7496 – www.MyMurphy.com – JohnPoltrock@gmail.com

Ideas to Help Foreclosure Problems Locally in Murphy NC and the US

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Being a Realtor, I get to see the good, the bad, and the downright ugly. There’s nothing uglier right now than foreclosures. They’re a hot topic among buyers and faux pas amongst owners – and rightfully so. No matter who you are or your situation – a vacation home, a primary home, a speculative investment – I wouldn’t wish a foreclosure on anyone.

It seems the hot topic amongst politicians and the media right now is health care reform . In college, I studied the work of a man named Abraham Maslow who developed a “hierarchy of needs.” Summarizing it, the need for shelter is far more important than the need for security in health care. It seems that we would do a better job of addressing one of the most important aspects of people’s lives.

There are so many opportunities our government and financial institutions should be pursuing to help families in this predicament. Here are a few things our representatives should be actively pursuing:

  • IRS Forgiveness – when a struggling family has a short sale on their home or investment (sell it for less than the bank is owed), do not make the forgiven debt income on their tax return to be turned in to the IRS. If you can’t pay your home mortgage, you won’t be able to pay the coming IRS bill. It’s more of an incentive to go into foreclosure than to have IRS problems. Who would you rather have chasing you? A bank or the IRS? It shouldn’t be this way.
  • Make secondary market mortgages more flexible – loans that are at community banks and owned by community banks are having much more success in getting modifications to help families. Where the major problem is loans that are sold in the secondary mortgage market (most are) are totally inflexible. 3 months late? Foreclosure. Simple. Stupid. Many families want to keep their home and if they are legitimately striving to pay and/or find jobs and have the prospect of it, they shouldn’t be kicked out. Take the payments they miss or payments they can’t make and put it on the back of the loan. The bank or investor makes more money and families get to keep their home. It’s not rocket science, but rarely can it happen because mortgages are not flexible or take too long to change. It will take a literal act of congress to make the change.
  • Time – banks are getting all this money and turning around to use the government loaned money to buy up other banks. So we, the taxpayers, who need help are financing things that do not directly help us. What will help people in foreclosure the most is simply time. People should be able to let their bank know as soon as they see trouble on the horizon and get a modification or other idea that will make the difference between owning their home or losing it. Many banks are trying to do loan modifications, but not fast enough. It can take 30 days for a decision maker at the bank to even look at a loan modification or offer to purchase a short sale! Not only that, they many times claim you must be 2 months or more late before they’ll help. This is not acceptable.

There are so many things our nation’s leaders can do to help us, and it’s important to realize there is no black and white answer for any of it. I’m also not promoting that people who are not paying their mortgage, or intend to, should be able to stay in their home. That’s not right – when you commit to pay back money you borrow to your momma or to a bank, you should make every attempt to do it. What I am promoting is to help people who are in a bad situation and need help. Just throwing TARP money at it will not fix the problem – it will take dedication and work.

In the more than 40 transactions I’ve closed this year, I’m quite thankful to say only a few of them were foreclosures or about to be. Behind every one of them there was a story – a family, and a set of circumstances that no one should have to bear. If our leaders are looking to change our nation one family at a time, here would be a great place to start. Ask your representatives what they’re doing to help – because if they’re doing nothing, they’re not doing a good job.

If you’re in a foreclosure situation or feel one is coming for you, give us or your Realtor a call. Sometimes you feel shamed and embarrassed. It’s tough, but you shouldn’t be. Tackle the situation head on and contact a professional who may be able to help.

Written by: John Poltrock of The POLTROCK TEAM at RE/MAX. You can contact him at JohnP@remax.net or toll free 1-866-687-7496

Facing Foreclosure or feel like it’s coming? Contact Us today!

July’s SOLD Real Estate Market Update Report for Murphy NC

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Good afternoon! 2009 is proving to be a beautiful summer. Lake Hiwassee is full; the weather has been great here in Murphy. Its summer and a great one at that!

All that good weather is bringing lots and lots of travelers. Driving down 64/74 (the 4 Lane as we call it), there’s tons of traffic and lots of out-of-state license plates. Tourism is great this year! Our new cabin rental company, Mountain Country Cabin Rentals, is experiencing a very good volume of renters and has several spectacular homes for rent. This is great because it means FOLKS ARE IN MURPHY!

Real estate sales volume has been holding very level this year and continues to do so. In the past two weeks, there have been 13 properties to close and an amazing 26 to go under contract. Almost one a day! If you remember from our Sold Update before July 4th, we’re down 4 closings over the past two weeks. Even down a fuzz, the great thing is that you cannot believe the hear-say. Real estate is selling.

Showings have been amazing. There are a lot of our RE/MAX agents and agents in other real estate offices burning up the roads showing homes and land. Every time I check the volume of showings on our listings, I’m pleasantly surprised at the amount of times homes have been shown. If market confidence will continue to increase, the sheer amount of showings will turn into some serious closings.

With that said, summer is getting close to being over. This year, the first day of Fall is September 22nd. That means the highest volume time of real estate selling is coming close to a close. It is proving to be very important to have your home or land well presented, priced aggressively in the marketplace, and to have exceptional marketing of it in place. 

You must be a subscriber of The POLTROCK TEAM’s
Bi-Weekly Real Estate Update to get the Link to
the sold properties for the past 14 Days.
See sold prices, pictures, and descriptions of what’s sold!
Email John at JohnPoltrock@gmail.com and join our SOLD Update!

            Of the ten homes that sold, here are some interesting market averages you should know.

  • $185,957 – The average listing price of homes
  • $167,414 – The average SOLD price of homes
  • 92.61% – The list to sell ratio – in other words, what percentage the house sold for compared to the original listing price
  • 102 – Average days on market before selling – WOW! Now that’s good! 

            It is very important at this time of the year to make sure your property is presented properly and aggressively marketed for the buyers who are out there. Your property can be on the SOLD list, and you need professional advice and marketing to get it done. Give us a call and it is our privilege to help you sell your property. If you already have a Realtor you know and trust, call them! If you’re looking to sell your home, there’s no better time than right now to do it. A professional Realtor can take these statistics and sold properties and tell you what you can expect from your property in today’s real estate market.

Written By: John Poltrock with The POLTROCK TEAM at RE/MAX Mountain Properties. You can get the results you deserve by contacting him at JohnPoltrock@gmail.com or by calling toll free 1-866-687-7496