From all of us here at the N.C. Association of REALTORS®,

HAVE A HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

We’ll leave you with this amazing photo…

Last Call for Early-Bird rates at Convention!

'Savannah Chat’ from your 2009 Convention Chairs…

The early-bird deadline is here- be sure to sign up now for Convention! July 31st is the deadline to save money with the following special registration rates: Early Bird rate for all attendees, Invite a REALTOR® Referral Program, and 1st Time Convention attendee rate. Visit www.ncarconvention.org for further details regarding the special prices, event information and how to register.

We hope you join us in Savannah, September 27-29. Click here to take a look at who is already signed up to attend http://www.ncarconvention.org/look.cfm

Sincerely,
Kathy Carpenter & Deb Quaranta
Your 2009 Convention Chairs

Beware the Ides of….Mixed Signals?

On this day and in the days to follow, remember this: In a recovery that's just getting going, don't expect all the economic arrows to point the same way at any given moment. There will be good days and there will be bad.
Click here for a great article on accepting the mixed signals coming out of today’s market!

Barbara West
Communications Specialist
bwest@ncrealtors.org

A Bit of Inspiration for Your Monday and Beyond

At some point during the last year, have you found yourself feeling a bit anxious, worried or frustrated? Or maybe you’ve experienced all three? C’mon admit it, we all have!
But in times like these, it’s important to hold your head high and realize the true value of a positive mental attitude.
Follow the link below and discover eight ways that you can create and maintain a positive mental attitude in today’s market! Read and pass along!

http://rismedia.com/2009-06-25/8-ways-to-stay-positive-in-todays-market/#ixzz0JqUnmRR6&D

Barbara West
Communications Specialist
bwest@ncrealtors.org

Home Builders May Get Tax Help

State lawmakers are presently trying to give homebuilders a temporary break from property taxes on unsold homes. The state House recently approved a bill that would allow builders to defer for up to three years the portion of property tax generated by building a new home.

The builder would continue to pay tax on the value of the land. The increased property taxes generated by improving the land with a home would have to be paid by the builder when the home is sold or in 2013. The bill would apply only to new homes that have never been occupied.

The bill is meant to provide "temporary relief for a segment of North Carolina's economy that we all know has been hit hard," said Rep. Margaret Highsmith Dickson, a Fayetteville Democrat and co-sponsor of the bill.

N.C. Lawmakers May Slap Sales Tax on Services, Though Not on White Collar Jobs

North Carolina lawmakers are considering taxing a broad variety of everyday services. You could pay more for a haircut, a pedicure, a clutch replacement or getting your yard mowed. But the services of accountants, lawyers and other white-collar workers would be exempt.

A 4.5 percent state sales tax already applies to all goods and about 30 different types of services, including equipment rental and printing, among others. Both the House and the Senate have proposed expanding the tax to about 50 services including storage, entertainment, personal services, installations, repairs and maintenance.

Barbara West
Communications Specialist
bwest@ncrealtors.org