1. Dorsey’s Knob Park- Dorsey’s Knob is a 70 acre park with one of the highest points in Monongalia County. From its “sky rock” you can see for miles and miles. Lodging at the Dorsey’s Knob Lodge is also available!
2. Forks of Cheat Winery- This hometown winery started out from 1 acre of grapes to now 16 acres. It has expanded into a 5,000 square foot facility which welcomes visitors for wine tasting and sales and is a premiere spot for special events. If you’re a wine lover this is a must do!
3. Seneca Center- Seneca Center is a historical landmark with a fascinating history! Built in 1898 the center draws upon its authentic glass manufacturing tools and murals of the glass making process along your journey of specialty shops and restaurants. Both the red water tower located at the front of Seneca Center and the towering 100-foot glass furnace chimney are well-known landmarks to the Morgantown area and a must see!
4. Cheat Lake- Whether its spring, summer, or fall, Cheat Lake is a must do for all kinds of fun! If you like to boat, fish, or golf Cheat Lake has them all!
5. High Street- With an eclectic small town feel, High Street is full of excitement! It is lined with boutique shops, restaurants, and nightlife events. The Metropolitan Theater is also located on High Street and boasts of famous comedy events and many plays.
6. WVU Creative Arts Center- If you love the arts then the WVU “CAC” is a place for you! Whether it’s a musical, play, or concert, the “CAC” is a place to find all! Mountain Stage which offers a wide variety of up and coming musicians is also held at the CAC and is a must hear!
7. The Caperton, Decker’s Creek and Mon Rail Trails- If you are a runner, walker, or
biker these trails offer you not only beautiful sites of the Mon River but also a view of
different areas of Morgantown. The Caperton and Decker’s Creek trails are an estimated
25 miles of paved and crushed limestone trails for your enjoyment! While the Mon Rail
Trail runs from the Pennsylvania state line to Prickett’s Fort State Park.
8. WVU Public Rapid Transit- Morgantown is best known for being home of not only
West Virginia University but also the WVU Public Rapid Transit or “PRT”. The PRT is
open to the public and is a great way to get around town. Whether you’re going from
downtown to the Milan Puskar Stadium to cheer on the Mountaineers during football
season or just making your way to dinner on High Street, the PRT is an environmentally
friendly way to view Morgantown!
9. WVU Sporting Events- Morgantown is filled with Mountaineer spirit. In the Fall and
Spring WVU sports fills the town with excitement! The blue and gold is adorned through
out the city. Whether you enjoy watching football, basketball, soccer, baseball, or even
gymnastics, WVU has a variety of nationally ranked teams that keep you up out of your
seat! Any WVU sporting event is a must go!
10. Morgantown Festivals and Fairs- Through out the year Morgantown holds many
festivals and fairs. From Wine and Jazz to the University Motor’s Mountaineer
Balloon Festival. You can find an event for you year round!

Click here to find out more! http://www.morgantown.com/

Thinking of replacing your old appliances? Now, there is a Federal Program that offers rebates on the purchase of new energy-efficient home appliances.

Starting this fall you will get cash to help buy new home appliances. The Federal Government allotted $300 million for the program as part of the economic stimulus plan. The Department of Energy hopes to encourage conservation by getting us to replace old, wasteful appliances with new more efficient Energy Star certified machines.

Rebates will vary state to state. Most of the rebates will be in $50 to $200 range. So what does that mean for us Realtors? Let your clients, landlords, new home builders, and flippers know it might be worth it to wait until the funding is in place. Who couldn’t use a little extra help and maybe its time for you to get that front loading washing machine or replace the tired old appliances in your kitchen and at the same time better the environment! Links to information about stimulus projects by state can be found on the Energy Department’s Recovery Act Web site at http://www.energy.gov/recovery/

There are many misconceptions concerning FHA. However, FHA insurance volume increased from $59 billion in Fiscal Year 2007 to over $180 billion in Fiscal Year 2008. The first quarter for Fiscal Year 2009 shows that FHA’s total endorsements have increased 70%, including both home sales and refinances. FHA has changed and here is how:

• FHA financing is a lot simpler than it was 25 years ago. It used to be a difficult and tedious process, but now a direct-endorsed lender has complete control all the way from application to closing. One precautionary step to take would be to ask your lender if they are up-to-date on current and continually changing FHA guidelines to ensure the process goes smoothly.
• Buyers will also find good values with FHA. Interest rates are comparable, if not better than current ‘prime’ rates. FHA requires low down payments and underwriting costs are very competitive.
• FHA also has an excellent loss-mitigation program, with a solid track record of helping borrowers work through tough times.

  Unlike most other mortgage products, FHA underwriting is not credit-score driven. With higher debt/income ratios, buyers quite often qualify for a higher mortgage amount with FHA than what is available to them with other popular products. In today’s lending environment, where credit ratings are largely driving interest rates and approvals, we need to look at FHA as possibly being a better way to get buyers into a home. In today’s market, we need every possible tool available to us to help get buyers into a home. For more information, visit www.fha.gov.

  
  
  
  Seven Reasons to Buy Your First Home Today

  If you are a potential first-time home buyer who’s been sitting on the fence, now may be the time to act. Here are seven good reasons:

  1. Softened Prices Increase Home Affordability

  The National Association of Realtors most current survey shows that more buyers are able to financially afford to purchase a home today. The survey shows that in order to purchase the average median priced home of $164,600.00, a buyer would only need a qualifiying annula income of $34,416. This is based on 20% down payment and a monthly principal and interest payment of $717 and a mortgage rate of 5.1%. Softened prices may not be good news for sellers, but it definitely benefits first-time buyers.

  2. Low Interest Rates

  Interest rates are the lowest they have been in over forty years, which makes now an excellent time to lock in a long-term fixed rate. You will not only be able to afford more home, but you will also know that you have made a sound financial decision taking advantage of historically low rates.

  3. Large Inventory to Chose From
  Combine low prices, low interest, with a large inventory and it’s a buyers dream! Markets of the past, placed many first-time buyers in very small, almost cramped, starter homes. With today’s inventory throughout many parts of the country, you’ll be able to select a home that exceeds your first-home expectations. But be cautious and do not spend too much time searching or you might miss the opportunity.

  4. An $8,000 Tax Credit Bonus

  If you are a first-time homebuyer making your purchase before December 1, 2009, you could recieve a tax credit of 10 percent of the purchase price up to a maximum of $8,000. Unlike previous credits, this one is refundable…meaning that you can claim it on your taxes, even if you have little or no federal income tax liability to offset it. For example, if you have a tax liability of $2,000 and recieve the tax credit of $8,000, you will receive a check for $6,000 from the IRS.

  5. Mortgages may Cost More in the Future

  The mortgage meltdown of the past two years has caused lenders to re-think their risk.reward positions, causing addtional costs to be added to many mortgage programs. It is likely that this trend will continue. With many of the secondary markets requiring help and foreclosures stripping away at insurance reserves, the financial markets have been left vulnerable. This could result in higher mortgage insurance premiums for borrowers, more closing costs, and tougher qualifying all around. This makes buying now affordable, no matter what type of mortgage loan you choose to finance your home.

  6. If you’re Pre-Approved to Buy, Act Now

  It is funny how just one little glitch in your life can separate your from buying a home. That is why you should make a move to get pre-approved for a loan if you are employed, have an acceptable credit score, and enough cash for a down payment and closing costs. Once you are pre-approved, do not go buying a big ticket item or opening new lines of credit…this could mess up your chances of getting the loan. Keep your credit and financial picture the same until you reach the closing table.

  7. Home Ownership Creates Long-Term Financial Stability

  Historically, Americans that have purchased their own homes have created greater long-term financial stability than those who do not own a home. It’s all about appreciation. For example, if you purchase a home for $150,000 today and there is a 3% annualized appreciation… in one year, the house would be worth $154,500… in two years, $159,135 and in three years, $163,909. This means that with appreciation and the compounding affect of building equity, you are now $13,909 richer, just from buying your home today.

  Sure buying a first home is a big step, but with many of the positive market factors in your favor and the help of a great agent…it makes sense to become empowering and make the first stride to financial stability.

  **Taken from The REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL May/June 2009

  
  
  
  6 Landsaping Tricks to Wow Buyers or just spruce up your home

  Try some of these tips to add a little bit of Curb Appeal to your home.

  1. Add Splashes of Color- with the changing of the seasons, the landscape should provide a new dispaly of color, textures and fragrances. “It’s best to use one or two and repeat them,” states Michael Glassman, a landscape designer.

  2. Size Trees and Shrubs to Scale- these should be planted in the right scale with the house, so that windows, doors, and the architectural features are not blocked.

  3. Maintain a Perfect Lawn- a velety green lawn demnstrates tender loving care. You can add some rock, pebbles or ornamental grasses to generate more of an appeal, especially in drought areas.

  4. Light up the Outside- Good illumination allows passer-bys to see the home at night and it adds drama. Use low-voltage lamps to highlight certain trees, the front door, walk and corners of the house.

  5. Let them Hear the Water- The sound of water is appealing. A small fountain accented with rocks provides a pleasant sond and blocks street noise.

  6. Use Decorative Architectural Elements- A new mailbox, planted window boxes, and a low fence wrapped in potato vines add a pleasing element, particularly during the winter months. Colors should complement the landscape and the home, just don’t over do it.

  Source: REALTOR Magazine, April 2009 Edition

  
  
  
  Painting Tips

  Painting is a quick and easy way to liven up your home. Some smart prep work can make a huge difference in the quality of the results.

  1. Get the surface ready. You want the paint to glide on smoothly, so be sure the surface is clean before you paint.

  2. Select a paint sheen and color. The choices can get overwhelming! Many strores are offering small trial sizes of paint that can make it easier to narrow down the look you are wanting to acheive, so test out the colors at home before you make the big purchase. Remember to consider the sheen: high sheen is good for ceilings because it reflects light; low-lustre finishes can offer more warmth than flat paints and can be more durable for high traffic areas.

  3. Don’t go cheap on paint. It is tempting to save a dollar, but it might not be worth it on paint. Painting is a big job and you want the expense and quality to show.

  4. Choose the right paint tools. If doing the work yourself, make sure you have the right tools. If you are using a roller, make sure you have the right length of roller nap cover for the proper paint coverage. The smoother the painting surface, the shorter the roller nap should be.

  5. Call a Professional! If you are too busy or unsure, call a professional. It is worth it in the end.

  **Most tips were taken and revised from REALTOR Magazine, April 2009 Edition.

  
  
  
  Helpful Moving Tips

  Recently, I helped my son and daughter-in-law move from Pittsburgh to Florida. After a couple of hectic days, I want to share my advice to make your next move a smooth transition.

  • Organize: Label boxes as to what is inside and also what room it is to be placed in at your new location so you are ready when the movers arrive.
  • Records: Get copies of you and your families medical records, as well as any veterinary records for the family pet. You might also consider transferring current prescriptions to your new town.
  • Stored/Repaired Items: Don’t forget items that you may have taken to the cleaners or any items that you may have stored or repaired. Remember to return movie rentals that you have checked out.
  • New Address: Keep your new address handy– helpful for forwarding mail and keeping in touch with friends. In the midst of a hetic move, you would be surprised what information you cannot recall!
  • Clean: Leave out cleaning supplies for a final “once-over.”
  • House Information: Remember to have a folder to put all appliance information, any documents the new owner might need and covenants and restrictions for your neightborhood if applicable. Any names and numbers of repair people that are familiar with your home would be very helpful to the new resident.
  • Garage Door Openers: Don’t forget to take the garage door opener out of your vehicle and leave for the new residents or your REALTOR.
  • Keys: Collect all the spare keys to the house and retrieve them from the neightbors and relatives. Place them in a safe spot inside or make arrangements to drop them off to your REALTOR.
  • The Family Pet: Plan ahead and pack leashes, bedding, food, and water so they are as comfortable as possible on the trip.
  • The Fun Box: For the little ones (or not so little ones) pack a box containing nonperishable snacks, a couple of toys and books, maybe even put in something brand new for them to enjoy, a change of clothes, pajamas, their blankets, etc. so they can unpack it when you arrive at your destination and be as comfortable as possible.
  
  
  
  Welcome to Kathy’s blog

  Thank you for visiting my blog. Please check back here often for updates and news.