It seems like we’re usually good for one snow day a year, but we’ve actually been hit with a couple of them this year. Yesterday evening, after a day full of driving rain, the rain turned to snow and thus began a gentle snowfall that lasted well into the night.
Local schools called classes off for the day and many businesses opened late. While it wasn’t the biggest snow storm we’ve ever experienced here in Rock Hill SC, it was enough to cause some problems such as power outtages, traffic accidents, and parents wondering what to do with their kids for the day.
Here’s a quick list of tips for dealing with the occasional snow and/or ice we get here in the Rock Hill SC area.
Winter Driving:
- Slow down
- Don’t tailgate
- Allow more distance than you think you’d need when stopping
- Pay close attention to areas in the shade because this is where ice is likely to form
- Stop slowly – if you have ABS brakes, simply hold the pedal down firmly. If you DON’T have ABS brakes, pump the brake slowly
Keeping Warm in the Cold:
- Dress in several layers and wear a waterproof/windproof outer shell
- Wear a hat to conserve body heat and keep your feet and hands dry
- Avoid over-exhursion
Coping Without Power:
- Stay away from downed power lines or anything touching a downed power line
- Don’t stand under ice-laden power lines
- Don’t open freezers or refrigerators more frequently than necessary
- Never bring a charcoal grill or stove indoors for heat or cooking as the CO gas can be deadly
Filed under Fort Mill SC, Fun Stuff, Life In the Carolinas, Out and About in the Carolinas, Rock Hill SC by 
Home inspections really are a critical piece of the real estate puzzle. Because there are so many potential ‘problem spots’ or issues that could crop up with any home, new constructions or turn-of-the-century, it really it important to make sure your new house gets inspected prior to buying. And if you have any concerns or would like to get a heads up on any potential problem spots prior to selling your home, a home inspection can definitely help.
This short video shares why it’s so important to have a home inspection and what some of the questions you should ask when selecting the company to perform the inspection:
[media:http://sharonsellscarolina.com/media/videos/HomeInspectionsDoneRight.flv]
Of course I always recommend all my clients get home inspections performed prior to buying a new house. If you’re unsure of which companies to call, I’d be more than happy to offer my recommendations as I’ve dealt with my fair share of home inspectors!
Contact Sharon Salisbury today!
Filed under Carolina Real Estate by
As much as I LOVE helping people buy their dream house in the Rock Hill SC or Fort Mill SC and the surounding areas, one of the downsides of purchasing a new home is the 30 year mortgage that often times comes with it.
In fact, while many people get super excited about their new house, and they absolutely should be, it’s not until a few weeks later that they realize that even though they’re in a new home what they’ve really bought is a 30 year mortgage.
Of course it could be a shorter term, but regardless, until the note’s completely paid off, all you really own is a monthly payment. And according to the statistics, the average home owner refinances their home mortgage once every 4-5 years.
While I expect this statistic to change with the recent financial upheavel, I still expect that most people will refinance their mortgages periodically to take advantage of lower rates, cash out their equity, etc.
Now, it’s not that this practice is bad, but essentially what ends up happening is you ultimately push back the time when you could actually own your home free and clear. And if you’re dream is financial freedom, being completely debt free, and not being indebted to anyone, then I’d invite you to check out a powerful program created to help anyone with debt pay it off in record time.
Here’s a quick video that introduces this product and how it could help you reach your dream of being completely debt free much faster:
[media:http://csalisbury-videos.s3.amazonaws.com/MMAoverview6min.flv]
If you’d like to learn more about this system and how it could help you pay off your debt fast, visit:
www.PowerfulDebtPayOffSystem.com
Filed under Buy Your Dream House, Credit Repair by
According to a recent study commissioned by Combos snack foods and conducted by Sperling’s BestPlaces, Charlotte NC ranks as one of America’s Top 5 ‘Manliest’ cities. In fact, it ranks 2nd just behind Nashville, TN.
Some of the criteria that helped Charlotte rank so well include the number of professional major league sports teams, popularity of tools and hardware, and frequency of monster truck rallies. I guess it pays to live in NASCAR country, huh?
Anyway, I don’t know if this high ranking is such a good thing or not, but I guess anything that brings some noteriety and attention to this region is a good thing. Even if it implies a we might be just a little more ‘country’ than some other places around the country!
What do you think? Is this ranking a good thing or a bad thing for the Rock Hill SC and Fort Mill SC area? Go ahead and leave your comments below.
Filed under Charlotte NC, Fort Mill SC, Fun Stuff, Life In the Carolinas, Rock Hill SC by
A recent study released by RealtyTrac, a nationwide real estate data collection and analysis firm, reports that most foreclosures last year were packed into a very small number of counties in just a handful of states.  In fact, more than 1/2 of the nation’s foreclosures took place in just 35 counties across the country, a sign that the current housing crisis began in a few small corners of the country.
As one would expect, California and Florida led the way in foreclosures actions, and it was these 2 states that caused Wachovia Corp, the banking giant that was headquartered in nearby Charlotte NC, to falter considerably, paving the way for Wells Fargo to come in and purchase the bank late last year.
Fortunately, here in Rock Hill SC and For Mill SC we’ve been quite lucky in the fact that the number of foreclosures have remained relatively low, especially in comparison to other areas.
While President Obama’s recently revealed plan to help the mortgage crisis calls for some $75B worth of aid, it is sure to some significant challenges, especially given this revelation that much of the foreclosure activity is centered in small pockets across the country.
To see an interactive map of the nation’s foreclosure activity since 2006, visit the USA Today article here.
Filed under Charlotte NC, Market Trends, News Reports, Real Estate Research by
