BIG ROCK FISHING TOURNAMENT
Below is an exert from the Big Rock Newsletter. The Big Rock Marlin Tournament is held in Morehead City and soon to celebrate its 50th anniversary. The tournament brings in tourists and sports fishermen from all over to Carteret County.
“Big Rock History”
The Big Rock Blue Marlin tournament began in 1957 when a few local businessmen known as the Fabulous Fishermen decided to offer $250 silver dollars to the first fishermen who could catch a blue marlin off the Crystal Coast. On September 14, 1957 Raleigh angler Jimmy Croy fishing aboard the Mary Z with Capt. K.W. “Bill” Olsen, landed a 143 pound blue marlin. A tournament was born. In the early years, the Big Rock could barely be considered a tournament. There were no rules of consequence and only a few boats participated. In 1965, a listing of prizes included one quart of varnish. Wow, has it ever grown from that!Entries in 1970 were 35 and in 1973 Bump Styron, owner of the Morehead City Yacht Basin gave the tournament its current name, Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament. The tournament entrants topped 111 in 1979 and grew to 177 boats in 1989. The Big Rock currently averages 190 boats and nearly 1500 competitors. The purse has exploded from that first 250 silver dollars into a whopping $1,568,950 in 2007.
Home Fire Safety in Ludlow VT
With this week’s news coverage of the devastating fires in California, home fire safety is a most timely topic. Although we may not be at great risk for wildfires here in Vermont, we do tend to enjoy cozying up by the fireplace on a winter’s night – an activity that can be a big fire hazard. An important part of responsible homeownership is being prepared to both prevent a fire in your home and to rescue yourself and your family should there be a fire in your home.This printable Fire Safety Checklist, provided by FireSafety.gov, is a great resource for determining what fire hazards may lurk in your home, how to reduce those hazards, and what to do if there is a fire. The Today Show also provided some useful tips
to ensure homeowners would be prepared to evacuate their homes with little or no notice in the event of an emergency such as fire. These tips include:
Make copies of your documents. Either put them in a waterproof and fire-proof safe, or give the copies to a trusted friend or relative. Make electronic copies, as well. Remember that valuables left in a safe deposit box at a bank could also be destroyed in the case of a widespread natural disaster.
Get your insurance information in order. If disaster strikes, make your claim right away, and be sure to take pictures of the damage.
Prepare an emergency kit. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Gather essential items such as a battery operated radio, bottled water, food, medication, blanket, first-aid kit, etc.
Come up with a family plan. Again, do it now! Make sure everyone knows where the important documents are, and agree on a meeting place in case you become separated.
Get your insurance information in order. If disaster strikes, make your claim right away, and be sure to take pictures of the damage.
Prepare an emergency kit. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Gather essential items such as a battery operated radio, bottled water, food, medication, blanket, first-aid kit, etc.
Come up with a family plan. Again, do it now! Make sure everyone knows where the important documents are, and agree on a meeting place in case you become separated.
Many of these items are tips we hear over and over again, but they never really seem useful until a disaster strikes close to home. By the time that happens, of course, it is generally too late to put the tips to use. Preparedness now can save time and, possibly, lives later.
If you are thinking of becoming a homeowner in Ludlow VT, please call me today at 802-353-1983 or visit ISellVermontRealEstate.com. You may also begin searching Ludlow VT real estate here!
Visit a Pumpkin Patch in Ludlow,VT!
The temperature is dropping, the leaves are beginning to change, and autumn is officially in full swing in Vermont. That means Halloween is just around the corner!
A great way to spruce up your home’s curbside appeal during this season is to decorate with a few locally-grown pumpkins – maybe even add some hay and a scarecrow to really get festive! Visiting a local pumpkin patch is also a fantastic way to enjoy the fall weather with your family and get some of those always-cute snapshots of the kids picking out their pumpkins. Why not start a new tradition this year and visit one of these local pumpkin patches?
To learn more about living here and Ludlow VT real estate, please visit my website or call me at 802-353-1983. You can also request complimentary copies of my e-Books here!
Buyers Beware When Investing in Foreclosures in Ludlow VT
We’ve been covering the hot topic of foreclosures a lot lately, because the number of homeowners defaulting on their home loans has been rising at an unprecedented rate across America. Today I want to look at the topic from a different angle.This article from RealEstateJournal.com covers some of the caveats to investing in foreclosures. If you are investing in a property with the hopes of “flipping” it for a quick re-sale, you should consult an experienced Realtor first to get a clear picture of the current real estate market in your area. Homes may not be selling quickly in your area, which means you could end up with a property that continues to sit on the market while you keep making payments on it. Also, most homes purchased at auction cannot be inspected first, so your new property may come with major structural damage, hidden liens, or utility bills that need to be paid. It is up to the potential buyer to weigh out how much you are willing to invest in improvements over and above the actual price of the property.email or call me at 802-353-1983. You can also visit ISellVermontRealEstate.com or begin searching the MLS here. I would be happy to help you invest in your future in Ludlow VT.
While there are many homeowners today who are struggling to meet their mortgage payments, there are just as many would-be investors who are eager to capitalize on the situation by investing in foreclosures and – they hope – selling them for a hefty profit.
This may seem easy on the surface, given the rising number of foreclosed properties; however, potential investors should take the time to understand what they are getting into before heading to an auction or purchasing any bank-owned property.
If you are thinking of investing in Ludlow VT real estate, please
How to Avoid Foreclosure in Ludlow VT
If you have a mortgage on your Ludlow VT home, you have probably been paying close attention to the latest interest rates and are aware of the ongoing rise in the foreclosure rate across America.This article from FreddieMac.com outlines the terms associated with foreclosure and gives a good starting point with steps to take if you think you may soon be unable to pay your mortgage. Some of the topics covered in this helpful article:
– What to do if you can not pay your mortgage
– What if you can no longer afford to keep your home
– Beware of scam artistshere!
What would you do if you were actually faced with the prospect of foreclosure? Would you have the information needed to make an informed decision on your financial future? Many homeowners think it can or will not happen to them, so they do not take the time to learn what the options are on the best way to move forward in a stressful situation such as foreclosure.
I would like to add to the list of steps to take when facing foreclosure – contact an experienced Realtor! Along with a reputable lender, an experienced Realtor can help explain your options and guide you through the choice that is best for you.
For more information about Ludlow VT real estate, please call me today at 802-353-1983 or visit ISellVermontRealEstate.com, I would be happy to help you. You may also begin searching the MLS
How to Write Off Your Move to Ludlow, VT
Many home buyers are not aware of the fact that most moving expenses for a job-related move are tax deductible. If you want the savings, however, it is extremely important to keep detailed records of all moving expenses, including house-hunting trips, if your move is job-related.
If you are moving more than 35 miles from your current home, you can deduct all kinds of moving expenses, including but not limited to: your family’s travel expenses, including meals and lodging; the cost of transporting furniture, other household goods, and personal belongings; food and hotel bills for up to 30 days in the new city if you have to wait to move into your new home; and the costs associated with selling your old home or leasing your new home.
The IRS’s Publication 521, “Tax Information on Moving Expenses,” provides all of the details on deducting items related to your move, including limits to how much you may deduct. You can download the publication using the link above, or pick it up for free at any IRS office!
Thinking about moving to Ludlow, VT? Start by searching the MLS here, or call me at 802-353-1983 for all of your Ludlow VT real estate needs!
What Is Your Ludlow VT Home Built On?
Many of us may just think of it as the dirt and grass that our home is sitting on, but the makeup and quality of the soil upon which your home is built is extremely complex and varies from area to area. Investigating the soil on your property can tell you a great deal about the history and future of not only your home, but also about the land you have invested in.
But wait – does this mean we need to put on our ecologist hats and go digging in our yard with test tubes and Petri dishes? Of course not! The nice folks at the US Department of Agriculture’s have already done the “dirty” work for us and put together an extremely comprehensive Web Soil Survey website that contains digital maps and unbelievable amounts of digital soil data that has been methodically collected. Just type in your address and then explore almost anything you ever wanted to know about the soil upon which your home is sitting including chemical properties, erosion factors and likelihood, and its drainage class.
This is valuable information if you are considering building an addition to your existing home or just want to feel confident that the soil upon which your family treads every day is safe.
Please click here to request a complimentary e-book filled with information about selling your home and moving with kids and/or pets. Or feel free to visit my website or email me if you would like to learn more about Okemo Mountain VT real estate. I’m here to help!
Get Ready For Fall Foliage in Ludlow VT!
Summer is coming to an end and, in Vermont, that means the beautiful autumn foliage season is upon us.Visit this web site
to see photos of the incredible vibrant colors of fall, get and share tips of where to spot the most stunning foliage, and get started planning a trip to take in the wonders of this perfect season in Vermont. You can also see maps and timetables that show the changing of the leaves through the season so that you won’t miss seeing Okemo Mountain in all of its autumnal glory!
An Okemo Mountain area vacation home is the perfect investment if you find yourself drawn to the splendor of Vermont every year. Please visit my website or email me today to learn how to make your dream a reality!
How Walk-able is Your Ludlow VT Neighborhood?
Get great free widgets at Widgetbox! This week I came across a website that is just so neat, I had to share it. www.WalkScore.com allows you to type in any address, and it will rate the “walk-ability” of that property by calculating its distance to things like the nearest grocery store, movie theater, library, school, park, and pharmacy.10,000 steps per day to reap the many benefits of walking. Why not consider the walk-ability of a neighborhood if you are in the market for a new home or a vacation home in Ludlow? Or, if you have recently purchased a vacation home in Vermont, check out the walk-ability to various destinations in your new “neighborhood away from home.”website or call me today at 802-353-1983. I would love to help you find a new neighborhood to explore on foot!
We all know that walking is important for our health and, with all of the hype over “going green” lately, we know that walking instead of driving when possible is one way that we can all help to save the environment. In fact, it is recommended that adults tread
To learn more about Okemo Mountain real estate and neighborhoods, please visit my
Back To School in Ludlow, VT
The summer is flying by – as it always seems to do – and it is almost time to start thinking about sending kids back to school again!Whether you are new to the Ludlow area or already have kids in school here, now is the time to take a good look at how the schools are measuring up.
Below is a link to reports and data on Vermont schools – does YOUR child’s school make the grade?
Vermont School Reports
To learn more about moving your family and Ludlow VT real estate, please call me at 802-353-1983 or visit www.ISellVermontRealEstate.com.