Back To School</h1> <article> <h1>Back To School</h1> <p>Wed, 20 Aug 2008 18:24:00 GMT</p> <div style="font-family:arial, geneva, lucida, sans-serif;"><p></p> <p>It’s that time of year again when the ring of the school bell begins again. Sharpen your pencils and get ready to go!!! However, before you do, you might want to check out these resources to help you get ready to go back. </p> <ul> <li> </li> <li>If you are new to the area or just in need of information on the schools in your area visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.greatschools.net/"><font color="#800080">Great Schools.</font></a> It is a valuable resource for parents with <font style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff99">children</font> in grades K-12. </li> <li>Update your child’s emergency ID kit. The next time you are at a community festival or expo and you walk by a booth with your local law enforcement agency offering child identification kits, take the time to do one for your child. If you haven’t seen one ..<span style="font-size:90%;margin-left:5px;color:#0000FF;vertical-align:baseline;"><font size="-3" color="gray">(</font><a style="text-decoration:none;" href="http://thesmartmoveteam.com/blog_post.asp?post=16372">read more</a><font size="-3" color="gray">)</font></span></div> </article> <article> <h1>New Housing Bill Signed</h1> <p>Wed, 13 Aug 2008 18:08:00 GMT</p> <div style="font-family:arial, geneva, lucida, sans-serif;"><p>After vows from the White House of vetoing a bill designed to help rescue homeowners buried under increasing <font style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff99">mortgage payments</font>, President Bush quietly approved and signed a new housing bill behind closed doors. The bill will give the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/fhahistory.cfm">Federal Housing Administration</a> the authority to help homeowners refinance with mortgages backed by the federal government. Current lenders, however, will have to agree to take a loss on their loans. The new bill will offer up to $300 billion in loans and will reportedly help as many as 400,000 homeowners refinance and be able to keep their homes. </p> <p>This bill also gives the Treasury Department the authority to protect the mortgage giants <a target="_blank" href="http://www.freddiemac.com/">Freddie Mac</a> and ..<span style="font-size:90%;margin-left:5px;color:#0000FF;vertical-align:baseline;"><font size="-3" color="gray">(</font><a style="text-decoration:none;" href="http://thesmartmoveteam.com/blog_post.asp?post=16186">read more</a><font size="-3" color="gray">)</font></span></div> </article> <article> <h1>Flood Insurance: Are You At Risk?</h1> <p>Tue, 05 Aug 2008 17:09:00 GMT</p> <div style="font-family:arial, geneva, lucida, sans-serif;"><p>What would happen if you woke up tomorrow and your house was underwater? What would you save? What would you do? It’s a scary prospect isn’t it? Even if you are dealing with a few inches of water, <font style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff99">flooding</font> causes serious damage to your home.</p> <p>There is a slogan that comes from <a target="_blank" href="http://www.fema.gov/">FEMA</a> (Federal Emergency Management Agency) is that “Everyone Lives in a <font style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff99">Flood Zone</font>”. While this certainly doesn’t sound optimistic, it is true. Even where there have not been floods for 40 years or more, floods do happen, the recent floods this spring are a sobering reminder. </p> <p>The hard facts are that a regular homeowner’s insurance policy does not cover flooding. <font style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: ..<span style="font-size:90%;margin-left:5px;color:#0000FF;vertical-align:baseline;"><font size="-3" color="gray">(</font><a style="text-decoration:none;" href="http://thesmartmoveteam.com/blog_post.asp?post=15966">read more</a><font size="-3" color="gray">)</font></span></div> </article> <article> <h1>Selecting a Lawn Care Company</h1> <p>Wed, 30 Jul 2008 03:54:00 GMT</p> <div style="font-family:arial, geneva, lucida, sans-serif;"><p>You have seen them on television- lawns that are immaculate. You scan over their green lushness to find their blooming flowers and perfectly pruned hedges and shrubs. But, what happens then if you don’t have a green thumb, let alone time to fuss with the crab grass and dandelions? You hire a <font style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff99">lawn care maintenance</font> crew! So what do you look for in a lawn care crew? </p> <p> </p> <p><strong>How much does this cost?</strong></p> <p>Lots of companies provide a table or scale for <font style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff99">lawn care</font>. If you don’t already have the tools to maintain a lawn, the start up can be quite expensive. Call around and get a few quotes and find out what a general fee is like and what they handle. A good place to start is the <a target="_blank" ..<span style="font-size:90%;margin-left:5px;color:#0000FF;vertical-align:baseline;"><font size="-3" color="gray">(</font><a style="text-decoration:none;" href="http://thesmartmoveteam.com/blog_post.asp?post=15762">read more</a><font size="-3" color="gray">)</font></span></div> </article> <article> <h1>Home Inspections</h1> <p>Wed, 23 Jul 2008 08:40:00 GMT</p> <div style="font-family:arial, geneva, lucida, sans-serif;"><p>Does the thought of termites, black mold or buying the home from the money pit fill you with terror? There are ways to avoid the hidden traumas that can come with <a target="_blank" href="http://www.thesmartmoveteam.com/buyers.asp">purchasing a home</a>. While most states require a <font style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff99">home disclosure</font>, if the house was a foreclosure OR there are issues that the home owner was not aware of, this does not offer any protection or warning of possible pitfalls your new home may have. </p> <p>With foreclosures, the bank is not going to be aware of any of the possible problems that a person who lived there might have been aware of. Nor is it likely that you would be able to contact the previous owner. If the home-owner was not living in the home for more than 90 days or if the house was being leased out/rented out. The ..<span style="font-size:90%;margin-left:5px;color:#0000FF;vertical-align:baseline;"><font size="-3" color="gray">(</font><a style="text-decoration:none;" href="http://thesmartmoveteam.com/blog_post.asp?post=15576">read more</a><font size="-3" color="gray">)</font></span></div> </article> <article> <h1>Real Estate Prorations</h1> <p>Tue, 15 Jul 2008 18:28:00 GMT</p> <div style="font-family:arial, geneva, lucida, sans-serif;"><p>At the closing, certain costs are often prorated between the buyer and the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.thesmartmoveteam.com/sellers.asp">seller</a>, typically property taxes. The reason for this is because taxes are typically paid toward the end of the year for which they are assessed. Often the <font style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff99">closing agent</font> must use the taxes from the previous year to compute the prorations for the sale. </p> <p>Taxes are not the only costs that can be <font style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff99">prorated,</font> below are some other prorations that a buyer may be charged.</p> <p><strong>Homeowner Association Dues-</strong>Some homeowner associations collect monthly dues upfront while others bill quarterly or annually. Thus, if a seller has not yet paid the dues, the dues will be paid from the seller's proceeds. </p> <p><strong>Insurance ..<span style="font-size:90%;margin-left:5px;color:#0000FF;vertical-align:baseline;"><font size="-3" color="gray">(</font><a style="text-decoration:none;" href="http://thesmartmoveteam.com/blog_post.asp?post=15319">read more</a><font size="-3" color="gray">)</font></span></div> </article> <article> <h1>Pool Safety</h1> <p>Wed, 09 Jul 2008 14:02:00 GMT</p> <div style="font-family:arial, geneva, lucida, sans-serif;"><p>Summer is in full swing and the sunny days and hot weather make the thought of a dip in the <font style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff99">pool</font> is a very tempting prospect. For children, it is even more tempting. It comes as no surprise that the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nsc.org/">National Safety Council </a>reports that the number two cause of injury-related death among children is <font style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff99">drowning.</font> About 1000 children drown each year and another 4000 are hospitalized for near-drowning. Many of these tragic events could be prevented by the installation of a <font style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff99">pool fence</font> or barrier.</p> <p>Most county and townships have specific requirements for a perimeter fence around a yard containing a pool. Those requirements have to be met to the letter. However, if your yard is ..<span style="font-size:90%;margin-left:5px;color:#0000FF;vertical-align:baseline;"><font size="-3" color="gray">(</font><a style="text-decoration:none;" href="http://thesmartmoveteam.com/blog_post.asp?post=15157">read more</a><font size="-3" color="gray">)</font></span></div> </article> <article> <h1>Independence Day In Chapel Hill</h1> <p>Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:34:00 GMT</p> <div style="font-family:arial, geneva, lucida, sans-serif;"><p>For many people the <font style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff99">4th of July</font> is the highlight of the summer. Backyard barbecues, parades, and of course fireworks! <font style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff99">Chapel Hill</font> has much to offer in fun for everyone. Take a look at what different events your family can enjoy together on this holiday!</p> <p> </p> <p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.chapelhillpreservation.com"> <strong>Old Fashioned July 4th at the Horace Williams House</strong></a></p> <p>Enjoy their famous celebration of America's birthday. Free ice cream, children's games, picnicking, and demonstrations of by historic fire equipment by members of the Chapel Hill Fire Department. Enjoy a free concert by the Village Band. At the Horace Williams House Grounds from 1 - 3 p.m. </p> <p><a target="_blank" ..<span style="font-size:90%;margin-left:5px;color:#0000FF;vertical-align:baseline;"><font size="-3" color="gray">(</font><a style="text-decoration:none;" href="http://thesmartmoveteam.com/blog_post.asp?post=15010">read more</a><font size="-3" color="gray">)</font></span></div> </article> <article> <h1>Summer Vacation In Your Own Backyard</h1> <p>Wed, 25 Jun 2008 15:51:00 GMT</p> <div style="font-family:arial, geneva, lucida, sans-serif;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: "Verdana","sans-serif""><font face="Arial" size="2">With record-high </font><a target="_blank" href="http://www.durhamgasprices.com/Chapel_Hill/index.aspx"><font face="Arial" size="2">gas prices</font></a> at the pump,<font face="Arial" size="2"> it is</font></span><font face="Arial"><font size="2"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: "Verdana","sans-serif""> forcing people to stay closer to home instead of driving or flying long distances for their <font style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff99">summer vacation</font>. However, that does not have to mean any shortage of fun. The <font style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff99">Chapel Hill</font> area area is full of fun things to do with something for everyone! You can ..<span style="font-size:90%;margin-left:5px;color:#0000FF;vertical-align:baseline;"><font size="-3" color="gray">(</font><a style="text-decoration:none;" href="http://thesmartmoveteam.com/blog_post.asp?post=14861">read more</a><font size="-3" color="gray">)</font></span></div> </article> <article> <h1>Bridge Loans</h1> <p>Wed, 18 Jun 2008 17:04:00 GMT</p> <div style="font-family:arial, geneva, lucida, sans-serif;"><p>You may have never heard of a <a target="_blank" href="http://www.1stbridge.com/">bridge loan</a> before and that is probably because the <font style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff99">housing market</font> has been doing well for so long that most people haven't needed them as homes sold within days of being listed. Homeowners did not have to worry about paying for their new homes before they'd sold the old ones. But in recent times, the housing market slowdown has given the bridge loan a boost in popularity.</p> <p><strong>What is a Bridge Loan?</strong></p> <p>Bridge loans are <font style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff99">temporary loans</font> to cover the difference between the sales price of a new home and a home buyer's new mortgage if the old home hasn’t sold. The bridge loan is secured to the buyer's existing home. The loan is then used as a down payment on the new home, helping ..<span style="font-size:90%;margin-left:5px;color:#0000FF;vertical-align:baseline;"><font size="-3" color="gray">(</font><a style="text-decoration:none;" href="http://thesmartmoveteam.com/blog_post.asp?post=14712">read more</a><font size="-3" color="gray">)</font></span></div> </article> <article> <h1>Chapel Hill-One Of The 10 Brainiest Places to Retire!</h1> <p>Wed, 11 Jun 2008 03:50:00 GMT</p> <div style="font-family:arial, geneva, lucida, sans-serif;"><p>When you decide to retire that doesn’t mean your brain has to retire too! In fact your brain needs more stimulation than ever. The good thing about <font style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff99">retirement</font> is that finally, you have the time to supply the required intellectual input. Keep in mind that the location that you decide to pick to retire can be key to that process. Most <font style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff99">retirees</font> want to continue learning and there are several communities that boast thriving intellectual centers where cultural activities keep residents (and their brains) as busy and interested as they want to be.</p> <p>According to the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.usnews.com/articles/business/best-places-to-retire/2008/05/20/the-10-brainiest-places-to-retire.html">U.S. News and World Report,</a> they consulted their list of more than 1,000 Best Places to ..<span style="font-size:90%;margin-left:5px;color:#0000FF;vertical-align:baseline;"><font size="-3" color="gray">(</font><a style="text-decoration:none;" href="http://thesmartmoveteam.com/blog_post.asp?post=14533">read more</a><font size="-3" color="gray">)</font></span></div> </article> <article> <h1>BBQ Safety</h1> <p>Wed, 04 Jun 2008 18:01:00 GMT</p> <div style="font-family:arial, geneva, lucida, sans-serif;"><p>Summertime means more time spent outside and more meals cooked on the <font style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff99">grill.</font> However, before you do it’s a good idea to go over a few simple safety tips to ensure that your trip to the <font style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff99">barbecue</font> does not end with a trip to the hospital.</p> <p><strong><a target="_blank" href="http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Factsheets/Barbecue_Food_Safety/index.asp">Food Safety-</a></strong> There are a few things to keep in mind when cooking out.</p> <p>• The safe temperature for food is below 40 degrees and above 140. If food is kept outside of the safe range you risk food poisoning.<br /> • Foods should be refrigerated within an hour of when they finish cooking.<br /> • While you might like that steak really rare, remember that undercooked meats can give rise to several <a ..<span style="font-size:90%;margin-left:5px;color:#0000FF;vertical-align:baseline;"><font size="-3" color="gray">(</font><a style="text-decoration:none;" href="http://thesmartmoveteam.com/blog_post.asp?post=14418">read more</a><font size="-3" color="gray">)</font></span></div> </article> <article> <h1>Summer Festivals 2008</h1> <p>Wed, 28 May 2008 12:02:00 GMT</p> <div style="font-family:arial, geneva, lucida, sans-serif;"><p>Memorial day kicks off the summer season and our <a href="javascript:void(window.open('http://www.thesmartmoveteam.com/links.asp','','resizable=no,location=no,menubar=no,scrollbars=no,status=no,toolbar=no,fullscreen=no,dependent=no'))">area </a>offers many <font style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff99">festivals </font>and <font style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff99">events </font>all summer long to enjoy. From music to art and everything in between, there is sure to be something to do for everyone! Summer always goes quick so take time to enjoy the below events!</p> <p> </p> <p> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.americandancefestival.org/"><strong>American Dance Festival Performance Season</strong></a></p> <p><strong>June 5, 2008 - July 20, 2008 <br /> </strong>The largest and most influential modern dance festival in the world featuring more than two dozen modern dance companies and ..<span style="font-size:90%;margin-left:5px;color:#0000FF;vertical-align:baseline;"><font size="-3" color="gray">(</font><a style="text-decoration:none;" href="http://thesmartmoveteam.com/blog_post.asp?post=14271">read more</a><font size="-3" color="gray">)</font></span></div> </article> <article> <h1>Questions To Ask HOA's</h1> <p>Wed, 21 May 2008 03:18:00 GMT</p> <div style="font-family:arial, geneva, lucida, sans-serif;"><p>If you are looking to buy a <a target="_blank" href="http://www.thesmartmoveteam.com/properties.asp">house, condo or townhouse</a> you will likely look at some that are part of a <font style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff99">homeowners association</font>. New home buyers who have never lived in a community with an association before typically have many questions. The <a target="_blank" href="http://www.caionline.org/">Community Associations Institute</a> estimates that nearly one out of every six Americans lives in a <font style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff99">community association</font> and that, in 2007, HOAs governed 23.8 million American homes and 58.8 million residents. </p> <p>A<font style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff99"> HOA</font> is essentially an internal regulatory board often found in planned communities, gated communities, condominium complexes and subdivisions. A <a target="_blank" ..<span style="font-size:90%;margin-left:5px;color:#0000FF;vertical-align:baseline;"><font size="-3" color="gray">(</font><a style="text-decoration:none;" href="http://thesmartmoveteam.com/blog_post.asp?post=14146">read more</a><font size="-3" color="gray">)</font></span></div> </article> <article> <h1>Saving Money On Gas</h1> <p>Wed, 14 May 2008 04:09:00 GMT</p> <div style="font-family:arial, geneva, lucida, sans-serif;"><p>Everyone is talking about the steep gas prices and are feeling the pinch at the pump. The entire nation is seeing record high prices and the current average for a gallon of <font style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff99">gas</font> is now hovering at $3.73 according to a survey of stations by <a target="_blank" href="http://www.aaasouth.com/home.asp?zip=33101">AAA </a>and the Oil Price Information Service. Prices have now risen to the level at which the Energy Department forecasts they’ll peak in June, on a monthly average basis; that means prices may still go higher. Those feeling the sting the most are commuters as well as businesses that depend on driving as part of their job such as delivery persons and truck drivers. With summer coming up and the threat of stagflation -- inflation coupled with slower economic growth -- there doesn’t seem to be much relief in sight. </p> <p>To help ..<span style="font-size:90%;margin-left:5px;color:#0000FF;vertical-align:baseline;"><font size="-3" color="gray">(</font><a style="text-decoration:none;" href="http://thesmartmoveteam.com/blog_post.asp?post=10432">read more</a><font size="-3" color="gray">)</font></span></div> </article> </main></body></html>