Andrea Burke's Blog by Andrea Burke

Frugal Lessons for the New Year

Andrea Burke — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 11:56:00 GMT

Clarky Davis, a professional credit counselor and finance expert based in Raleigh, N.C, has this to say:

“People are realizing that they really don’t own their stuff, their stuff owns them,” says Davis. “They want to make a change.”

To help make that change, Davis offers some basic tips to help stabilize our finances in 2009:

- Make your finances a priority. You may have spent more during the holidays, so the New Year is the perfect time to make a change.
- Stay calm and don’t make any major financial moves like cashing out your 401(k). The recession has been here since December of 2007 so there is no need to panic.
- Reevaluate your spending habits. Go through your last six months of bank statements. Do this every two months in 2009 to make sure you stay on track.
- Build a monthly budget and set financial goals by ..(read more)

Happy New Year!

Andrea Burke — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 11:26:00 GMT

Where has 2008 gone? With a blink of an eye, 2009 will be upon us!

Statistically, in Berkeley County our total sales dollars thru November were $14M - down from $21M in 2007; average sales price went from $206K down to $192K; and the number of homes sold went from 101 down to 73. As of this report (compiled 12/8/08) there were 1340 homes for sale, and just 73 sold...leaving us 18 months of inventory. There is no way of telling how many of these homes are potential short sales, or how many are foreclosures. And there isn't much difference in price between good honest Sellers needing to sell their homes and shortsales/foreclosures - there has been no other choice to stay competitive and sell their homes.

So is it a great time to buy? YES!!! We won't know when we've "hit ..(read more)

Winter Solstice..

Andrea Burke — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 11:38:00 GMT

Today is Winter Solstice - the day the sun shines directly over the tropic of Capricorn. The sun is at its lowest and weakest, a pivot point from which the light will grow stronger and brighter. This is the turning point of the year. There are many, many types of celebration of this day - click on this link for more information: http://www.candlegrove.com/solstice.html

For me, it's always been a cleansing sort of day - reflecting back on the year's success and challenges, learning the lessons and cleaning my slate for a new year!

I'm very proud of myself for staying in the real estate business with this very challenging market. Brian Buffini and Company offers a coaching program, and I signed up for it in June! We have two scheduled calls a month where we go over activites from the last call, come up with a plan for the next two weeks for the next call, and talk about ..(read more)

Have yourselves a Merry Little Christmas!

Andrea Burke — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 07:28:00 GMT

from our house to yours....

May your home be filled with the love and laughter of family and friends - and may all your dreams come true in 2009! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

Andrea and Jim Burke

Shop Locally for the Holidays!

Andrea Burke — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 08:29:00 GMT

So when is the last time you were in the Art Centre??? Besides being a fabulous old building, this time of year the gift shop is open and they are featuring many beautiful local artists with their artwork for sale!!! And, it's affordable! Here are some pictures to give you some ideas of what is available:

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Christmas in Downtown Martinsburg

Andrea Burke — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 07:55:00 GMT

If you've not been downtown Martinsburg lately, please make it a point to make it a special part of your day - you won't be sorry! The Festival of the Trees has been spread out from the Art Center and most of the trees are located in various store fronts downtown! Bidding is open until 12/5 so you still have time to participate. Here are some pictures:

The streets are decorated beautifully:

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The Rest of the Story...

Andrea Burke — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 08:02:00 GMT

All we hear on the news is doom and gloom, the sky is falling, and we're headed for another great depression. It's just NOT true!!!

There are 72 million households. 24 million of those own their homes free and clear. 48 million have mortgages - and 97.2% of them are NOT in foreclosure or headed in that direction. 93.7% are current!

So - yes, restaurants are in trouble as families are eating at home more. We are having to keep our cars for more than three years. And we may have to wear the same outfit twice! Is that so bad to live within our means??? NO!!!!!

This information all coming from a recent Brian Buffini Turning Point Retreat I just attended in Richmond, VA recently. Predictions for next year are going to be very similar to 2008. Economics is based on supply and demand - so is real estate. We have an oversupply of homes right now, but in three years or less we will have a ..(read more)

Please vote today!

Andrea Burke — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 14:31:00 GMT

I hope everyone votes today for whomever they believe in, but choose for the right reason. Vote FOR someone not AGAINST someone. And when it is over, we must work together to make the next 4 years better. We are still the greatest country in the world, though we have been tested. Our new leader, no matter which one, has an enormous task ahead, let's hope they can work together to get us back on track.

You are invited to an art show in Martinsburg

Andrea Burke — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 14:44:00 GMT

I will have some artwork at this show, along with many other artists! Come check us out!!! Here is more information for you about Art Berkeley:

Biographical Speech for Rotary

Andrea Burke — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 15:32:00 GMT

I am a proud new member of Rotary International here in Martinsburg. As a new member, I was asked to give a biographical speech about myself as an introduction to the group. I had so much fun putting it together, I thought I would share it for those of you who might be interested. Please click on the following link:

http://www.visualtour.com/show.asp?T=1687768

Thank you,

Andrea

Short Sales - a breed of their own...

Andrea Burke — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 06:51:00 GMT

Definition of a short sale according to NAR: "short sales are defined as a transaction where title transfers; where the sales price is insufficient to pay the total of all liens and cost of sale; and where the seller does not bring sufficient liquid assets to the closing to cure all deficiencies".

When you see a listing that says "potential short sale" or "third party approval", the price that is on the listing is a price that the Seller is hoping will attract buyers - it does NOT mean it's a price that the bank is willing to accept.

Listing Agents are supposed to change the status from active to CONT/NO KO once an offer has been accepted by the seller and EMD given to the listing brokerage. However, many are still showing them as active and submitting multiple offers to the bank. So, when we have Buyers interested in a potential short sale, we need to first call and see if an offer has been ..(read more)

The Amish Country in PA

Andrea Burke — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 08:50:00 GMT

My Mother-In-Law is in a nursing home near Philadelphia - we go up to visit at least once a month and get her out of there for change of scenery - and she LOVES it! This weekend we took her out to the Amish Country - on route 30/340 between Philadelphia and Lancaster. If you've not yet been there, its wonderful! Less than 180 miles from Martinsburg! The farms are so pristine, their craftsmanship is unbeatable! Many of their handcrafted items are for sale in the little towns. They do ride horse and buggies still - just like in the movies - and lead such a pure, clean life! Here are some pictures just for fun:

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"Nothing to fear but fear itself" FDR...

Andrea Burke — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 11:59:00 GMT

So, is the sky falling, Henny Penny??? Between the Bailout and the Election it seems everything has come to a screeching halt. Can the Feds inject capital directly into the banks to get things moving again?? I wish I was smarter about all those things...I studied economics in college as part of my curriculum, but that doesn't mean it made any sense to me. Except supply and demand - I GET THAT! Especially as a REALTOR! :-) But I won't even pretend to understand what all is involved in the bailout, how it will help, how long it will take, and what needs to happen to get us back on track.

It's a great time to take some classes - we had one yesterday with Michelle Yam, Compliance Manager of our multiple listing service, MRIS. It was very interesting and enlightening and she certainly has her plate full!

We're going to a HUD class re REO bidding, closing procedures, etc to learn more about working with ..(read more)

Downtown Martinsburg

Andrea Burke — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 07:41:00 GMT

If you've not been downtown lately, come on down! The scarecrows are so much fun! Here are some pictures:

This is Leia Wood's scarecrow (from Not Right Minded)!

Some really clever people!

If you missed the Annual Chili Cookoff, please make an effort to come next year - it was really fun! Lots of great chili and they even served beer this year!

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Fun events this weekend

Andrea Burke — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 12:19:00 GMT

Ah, the onset of Fall - my favorite time of the year! So many fun events going on, the changing colors, arts and crafts are just the beginning!

Friday Night 6-8 pm - come to Not Right Minded art store and gallery 406 W. Race St. - artist reception for Tina Godsey. She's doing multi-media - has mermaids, Alaskan themes, fairies - all fun, bright and beautiful - just like Tina (did I mention she's my best friend??)

Saturday - downtown is the last "First Saturday" event for the calendar year. Come see the colorful scarecrows decorating King and Queen Streets and participate in the community judging.

While you are walking downtown, enjoy the artwork in the windows - many members of Art Berkeley (myself included) have artwork displayed there! And we get to put more artwork up in the Dunn Building November.

Opening Reception for Frank Herrera at Frank Herrera ..(read more)