Monday, December 07, 2009

Freddie Mac (NYSE:FRE) recently released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) in which the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 4.71 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending December 3, 2009, down from last week when it averaged 4.78 percent.

Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 5.53 percent.

The 30-year has never been this low since Freddie Mac began its weekly survey in 1971. It's a great time to buy real estate!

Dianne Dunn
www.NewBernHomes.com
www.SearchNewBernHomes.com

Local New Bern News - Market Update

This column is customized each month so that I can share with you, the current monthly statistics. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions! Or, visit my website at www.NewBernHomes.com.

HOMES SOLD (Closed), November 1 through November 30 (from NRRAR MLS Service)

Under $99,999 = 13
$100K-$139,999 = 24
$140K-$179,999 = 26
$180K-$219,999 = 12
$220K-$259,999 = 09
$260K-$299,999 = 05
$300K-$349,999 = 02
$350K-$399,999 = 01
$400K-$499,999 = 02
$500K-$999,999 = 01
Over $1,000,000 = 00

Total November 2009 = 95
Total November 2008 = 69
Total November 2007 = 121

NEIGHBORHOOD PROPERTIES "SOLD", November 1 through November 30 (from NRRAR MLS Service)

NEIGHBORHOOD PROPERTIES "FOR SALE" (from NRRAR MLS Service)

For the BEST Internet Marketing, and the Most Responsive Service in New Bern, Contact DIANNE! Email Dianne (252) 636-3301 or Toll Free: (888) 781-8800

www.NewBernHomes.com

Search ALL Properties in New Bern!

Tuesday, December 01, 2009

Happy Holidays from Dianne Dunn & Team New Bern!



Dear Friends and Neighbors,

This holiday season is a special time to reflect on the year that is nearly over, and to be thankful for those closest to our hearts. I hope that you'll enjoy the information in the web site links that follow.


Planning a Holiday Meal?

Don't have time to plan dinner? Meals.com has done all the planning for you with over 15,000 recipes!

Sill feeling overwhelmed? Here is a list of tips, and some printables to help you in planning your holiday meals.

The holidays can be a tough time for families, especially families dealing with diabetes. This site has all the help you need.

Need a cookbook?
Here is access to name brand recipes and great ideas for a holiday meal.

If your idea of a holiday meal doesn't include meat, you can get some vegan holiday feast ideas from the The Low Fat Vegetarian and the Vegetarian Resource Guide. The Vegetarian Kitchen has a great selection of recipes too.

Mrs. Claus has lots of great holiday recipes for you to enjoy!
Click on each image and you will go directly to her cookbook!





Stressing About the Holidays?

Worried about gaining weight this holiday season? Join WebMD's weight loss clinic and party without adding pounds. The holiday season and all that comes with it can cause a great deal of stress for you and your children. Find out how to relieve it at Parenting.org.

Check out this site for the Top Ten Holiday Lists.

Want some great ideas for keeping collected after the holidays are done? Post-Holiday Cleanup has the "Best Hints for Undecorating and Packing Away Your Christmas Decorations."

Where do you go to ship that gift last minute? Help is here! Here are some packaging tips and services:

United States Postal Service

UPS.com
FedEx.com
DHL.com

Still Don't Know What to Give?

What to get for him....still don't know? Does he love history? Give him a distinctive gift package tailored to his historical interest. Find gifts for him for all occasions.

And now for her! Want to give her something unique? These gifts ideas are loved by Courtney Cox, Renee Zellweger & more stars! Give her something to snuggle up in from PajamaGram.com, and you don't have to wrap it! Or, give her something that will make her heart and her eyes sparkle from BlueNile.com.

Giving gifts to your co-workers or your employees can be a tricky business...this site can help. Do you know picky people who only like the best.

Looking for Hanukkah gifts? FTD.com has baskets, figurines, toys and more.

Send Holiday Cheer with an e-Greeting


Send your friends and loved ones Holiday cheer with a Holiday e-card from:
123 Greetings - Hanukkah

123 Greetings - Christmas
Blue Mountain Greetings


Holidays for the Kids

To keep the kiddies occupied before and after the holidays, there are games and entertainment galore at these sites:

The Holiday Spot has crafts, games, quizzes, and tons of fun stuff for all ages.
Billy Bear makes the holidays fun for all ages.

At Santa's Countdown to Christmas, the kids can send their very own email to Santa!

In the mood for Christmas caroling? Check out this website for some popular sing-along songs!

Discover the spirit of the season as the four Theme Parks of Walt Disney World Resort present magical holiday celebrations for the entire family. Join the festivities and ring in the holiday season with millions of lights on a studio backlot, stunning Candlelight Processionals, snow at Magic Kingdom Park and, of course, holiday parades featuring Santa. Come celebrate at the "Merriest Place on Earth."

If you enjoy viewing Christmas trees in all of their splendor, then head to New York City's Rockefeller Center to see the most famous tree of all!



Best Wishes for a Wonderful Holiday!
Dianne

Feel free to forward this page to your family and friends, and please recommend me as your
Realtor for both New and Resale Properties. Thank You!

Dianne Dunn and Team New Bern
Keller Williams Realty

New Bern, NC


Email Dianne!
Visit our Website
Search All Properties in the New Bern area.

Monday, November 09, 2009

Breaking News - Homebuyer Tax Credit Extended and Expanded!

Earlier this week, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed an extension and expansion of the homebuyer tax credit. The House of Representatives approved the agreement reached in the Senate by a vote of 403-12, and the bill was signed by the president!

Below is a summary of the new modifications in the extension and expansion of the tax credit:

1) The $8,000 tax credit will be extended and available for first-time purchases before May 1, 2010.

2) A new $6,500 tax credit will be available for repeat buyers who purchase between December 1, 2009, and May 1, 2010. To qualify for this provision, buyers must have used the home sold or being sold as a principal residence consecutively for 5 of the previous 8 years.

3) Prospective purchasers with binding contracts in place as of April 30, 2010, will be allowed an additional 60 days to complete the transaction.
4) Income limits are expanded to $125,000 on a single return and $225,000 on a joint return.

The following two links by the National Association of Realtors will explain the bill in more depth:

NAR Issue Brief
Questions and Answers

If you know anyone looking to buy their first home at a time when prices and interest rates are still down, or if you are thinking of buying another home and getting the new $6,500 credit please contact me today ... we're glad to help!


Dianne Dunn
www.NewBernHomes.com
www.SearchNewBernHomes.com

Thursday, November 05, 2009

Local New Bern News - Market Update

This column is customized each month so that I can share with you, the current monthly statistics. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions! Or, visit my website at www.NewBernHomes.com.

HOMES SOLD (Closed), October 1 through October 31 (from NRRAR MLS Service)
Under $99,999 = 12
$100K-$139,999 = 14
$140K-$179,999 = 28

$180K-$219,999 = 15
$220K-$259,999 = 09
$260K-$299,999 = 04
$300K-$349,999 = 02
$350K-$399,999 = 01
$400K-$499,999 = 01

$500K-$999,999 = 00
Over $1,000,000 = 01

Total October 2009 = 87
Total October 2008 = 104
Total October 2007 = 128

NEIGHBORHOOD PROPERTIES "SOLD", October 1 through October 31 (from NRRAR MLS Service)



NEIGHBORHOOD PROPERTIES "FOR SALE"
(from NRRAR MLS Service)



For the BEST Internet Marketing, and the Most Responsive Service in New Bern, Contact DIANNE! Email Dianne (252) 636-3301 or Toll Free: (888) 781-8800

www.NewBernHomes.com

Search ALL Properties in New Bern!

Tuesday, November 03, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving from Dianne Dunn & Team New Bern

Dear Neighbors and Friends,

Fall is upon us! With the leaves beautifully turning colors, I have decided to share with you a few fall recipes that I have collected. For a tasty snack, try this toasted pumpkin seed recipe. For a hearty meal, try this flavorful baked corned beef recipe. Served with tender baked potatoes, this meal is guaranteed to be a hit!
A Great Way To Enjoy Your Thanksgiving Meal

Got your feathers ruffled worrying about having the folks over for Thanksgiving? "Stuffed" with dozens of recipes, cooking tips, with a thawling video and suggestions for leftovers Butterball talks turkey!

This Thanksgiving Feast is loaded (but no calories), with sites to prepare you for your big day, from Thanksgiving recipes to saying grace, to the scoop on diets (for after the big day!).

And to watch 30 famous chefs demonstrate their favorite Thanksgiving recipes, check out the Virtual Chef. Then check out the All Recipes for pie recipes. What do they serve in the rest of the nation? Epicurious has the menus! Reader's Digest has a Thanksgiving Guide for Entertaining, recipes and just plain fun.

If your idea of giving thanks doesn't include turkey, you can get some great holiday feast ideas. The Vegetarian Kitchen has a great selection of recipes as does the The Low Fat Vegetarian and the Vegetarian Resource Guide.

The History of Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving originated with three days of prayer and feasting celebrated by the Plymouth colonists in 1621. The first national Thanksgiving Day, proclaimed by President George Washington, was celebrated on Nov 26, 1789.

The First Thanksgiving has links to a picture timeline, a virtual voyage back in time to the seventeenth century. What did the Pilgrims really eat on Thanksgiving? Think it was tu
rkey? Find out at the History Channel's Thanksgiving page.

At Things you can say at Thanksgiving, you'll learn why turkeys gobble and just about everything you need to know about turkeys. But, just in case that's not enou
gh, you can check out the Thanksgiving Survival Guide to help you with your planning.

Thanksgiving Music


Just for fun, download Over the River and Through the Woods at Thanksgiving Traditions. And then, if it's Over the River and Through the Woods you go RoadTrip America will help you in preparing for your holiday travel plans.

For a Feast of Songs to go with your big feast visit Nine Stones. Or if you are a high tech listener check out this MP3
site for holiday music downloads.

Let the Thanksgiving Festivities begin with a Celebration of the first Thanksgiv
ing, with entertainment, music, stories and a virtual turkey to take home!

Thanksgiving on the Web has more turkey facts, postcards, fall colors in different state
s, recipes and Thanksgiving stories. And what do Pilgrims and football have in common? They're all part of the Thanksgiving tradition. Thanksgiving Trivia will tell you how well you know your Thanksgiving history.

Thanksgiving Cards to Send to Friends and Family

Send your friends and loved ones thanks with a Thanksgiving card from:


A Kid's Thanksgiving

To keep the kiddies occupied before Thanksgiving there are games and entertainment galore at these sites.


Kids just love watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade. It's an extravaganza! Find out how they inflate these huge balloons and create the floats! The site's drop-down menu has photos and information about all of the NY attractions and buildings.


Best Wishes for a Wonderful Thanksgiving!

Feel free to forward this page to your family and friends, and please recommend me as your
Realtor for both New and Resale Properties. Thank You!

Dianne Dunn and Team New Bern
Keller Williams Realty

New Bern, NC


Email Dianne!
Visit our Website
Search All Properties in the New Bern area.

Tuesday, October 06, 2009

Local New Bern News - Market Update

This column is customized each month so that I can share with you, the current monthly statistics. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions! Or, visit my website at www.NewBernHomes.com.

HOMES SOLD (Closed), September 1 through September 30
(from NRRAR MLS Service)

Under $99,999 = 26
$100K-$139,999 = 17
$140K-$179,999 = 33
$180K-$219,999 = 19
$220K-$259,999 = 10

$260K-$299,999 = 02
$300K-$349,999 = 01
$350K-$399,999 = 02
$400K-$499,999 = 01
$500K-$999,999 = 01
Over $1,000,000 = 01

Total September 2009 = 113
Total September 2008 = 127

Total September 2007 = 150

NEIGHBORHOOD PROPERTIES "SOLD", September 1 through September 30 (from NRRAR MLS Service)



NEIGHBORHOOD PROPERTIES "FOR SALE"
(from NRRAR MLS Service)



For the BEST Internet Marketing, and the Most Responsive Service in New Bern, Contact DIANNE! Email Dianne (252) 636-3301 or Toll Free: (888) 781-8800

www.NewBernHomes.com

Search ALL Properties in New Bern!

Happy Halloween from Dianne Dunn & Team New Bern!



Dear Neighbors and Friends,

A quick reminder that November 1st is Daylight Savings! Don't forget to turn your clocks back AND change the batteries in your smoke detectors!

It's scary but according to the International Mass Retail Association, Halloween has become the second leading holiday after Christmas.

More Scary Facts: This Halloween, Americans will:

1. Consume $2 billion worth of chocolate and candy.

2. Spend $2.7 billion on pumpkins, greeting cards and party supplies.
3. Spend $1.5 billion on costumes and $756 million on decorations.

4. The Association al
so says that Americans will buy an estimated 20 million pounds of candy corn this year.

A Calorie-Free Way To Enjoy Halloween
Just surf on by and have fun on these sites - cool sites for Kids and Adults:

Need a Costume for that Halloween Party?

This one is dedicated to help you come up with the best! Halloween Street has costumes and accessories for all ages. Then there's spooktacular designs at Star Costumes.

Halloween Recipes and Goosebump Treats

Halloween Recipes and Ben and Jerry's Flavor Graveyard is full of fun for the kids. And don't miss Mimi's CyberKitchen is full of tasty treats.

Pumpkin Carving Sites
Pumpkin carving 101 has great tips for all ages and Halloween Web has some trivia and monster folklore for your younguns. Check out Pumpkin Masters for techniques and patterns.

Jokes and Riddles & Scary Sounds and Cool Midi Music

Halloween Central is full of Witchy Wonders and Scary Stories. Or to clear-up all those Halloween myths try Halloween-Online.com. Super Globe has lots of cool sounds and music. This site will entertain you with spooky music while you surf it!

Halloween Cards to Send to Friends and Family

Bluemountain is always a favorite and Hallmark has some great ideas too! Marlo has some great cards for kids. For extra scary cards try this site.

Halloween Safety

Halloween Online has some helpful tips to make your Halloween happy and safe. Also, be sure to check out our Halloween Safety Guide, including tips on Trick-or-Treat Safety and Costume Safety! I hope that you've enjoyed this site.

Have a Happy and Safe Halloween!



Feel free to forward this page to your family and friends, and please recommend me as your
Realtor for both New and Resale Properties.

Dianne Dunn and Team New Bern
Keller Williams Realty

New Bern, NC


Email Dianne!
Visit our Website
Search All Properties in the New Bern area.

Wednesday, September 09, 2009

September News From Dianne Dunn & Team New Bern!

Fall is upon us! With the leaves turning beautiful colors, I wanted to share with you a few fall recipes that I have collected.

For a hearty meal, try this flavorful baked corned beef recipe. Served with tender baked potatoes, this meal is guaranteed to be a hit! For busy families, be sure to try this easy, "no-fuss" biscuit pot pie. In about 20 minutes, it is ready to be enjoyed.

This recipe for baked chicken with apricots takes full advantage of in-season fruits. Play around with this recipe, using pineapples or cherries, and discover a new family favorite!

For a tasty snack, try this toasted pumpkin seed recipe. Indulge your sweet tooth with this delightful baked caramel corn. Melted brown sugar, butter and vanilla provides a base for a syrupy concoction guaranteed to delight the whole family. Dig in!

Fall Fun In New Bern...

New Bern is the place to be! Looking for some fall fun? Click on the links below!

Cleaning Up!

Fall cleaning can be a hassle, but the links below have special tips to make saying your final good bye to summer a little bit easier.

Decorate With Style

Love the autumn, but feel stumped when it comes to decorating your home? I have found some great links that have amazing decorating ideas for the interior and exterior of your home!

About.com has a wonderful section dedicated to fall decorating. Gorgeous centerpiece designs are featured on Better Homes and Gardens. They also have a section dedicated to Outdoor Halloween Decorating. For more recipes and craft ideas, be sure to visit Happy Harvest. Get your kids involved! KidsDomain is your source for all things fall.


Enjoy your September!