I don't know about you but sometimes it takes FOREVER to find a worthy movie to watch. Here are some of our favorites (older and more recent) that made our top 30 list:
ACTION/THRILLERS
Deja Vu
Mr. & Mrs. Smith
The Dark Knight
The Invisible Man
Fantasy Island
Die Hard
The Bourne Identity
Red Eye
Panic Room
Salt
COMEDY
Fools Gold
Bad Boys for Life
Like a Boss
Anchorman
Old School
Trainwreck
The Heat
MYSTERY
Zodiac
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Gone Baby Gone
Gone Girl
Get Out
SCI-FI
Interstellar
The Martian
Avatar
Inception
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Wall-E
Hope you find something you will enjoy!
Positive happenings during this time of the unknown:
C O M M U N I T Y S P I R I T I S R I S I N G
I haven't seen this many people offering to help others in a long time. I've seen media posts and flyers everywhere offering to do grocery shopping and helpful choirs for people in need that can't do it themselves (FOR FREE). Neighbors are parking their lawn chairs on their front yards and porches and balconies in order for other lonely and bored neighbors to see them and offer a sense of connectivity. Have you seen the videos of musicians playing music on their balconies in Spain?! Or the people singing together in chorus from their 2nd story windows to people walking by on the street in Dallas,
"You just call on me brother, when you need a handWe all need somebody to lean on."
w a t c h h e r e
People all over the world are wanting to help others, no matter their race, gender, ethnicity or beliefs; and that is heart-warmingly amazing.
E L D E R L Y A R E G E T T I N G S P E C I A L L O V E
https://www.uchealth.org/today/older-adults-coronavirus-can-be-more-serious/
Panic buying has been especially harder on our senior citizens, some of whom are less able to travel to stores regularly. Supermarkets have responded by offering special spots reserved for elderly to not miss out on essentials. Not only is this smart, but it provides the support to our elderly that they might not be getting anywhere else.
P O L L U T I O N D E C R E A S E A L L O V E R T H E W O R L D
Courtesy of NASA.
NASA’s Earth Observatory pollution satellites took photos of China before and after the outbreak created massive shutdowns, showing “significant decreases” in air pollution. This is unbelievable... The photo on the left was taken in January and on the right you can see the huge decrease in air pollution just after one month. Obviously the shutdowns of many factories and businesses is hindering our economy and hurting many workers reliant on their wages, but if it continues at it's current rate over the rest of the year, it could save up to 100,000 premature deaths and improve the air quality which will impact the whole world.
Here is another photo proving the pollution decrease in Beijing before and after the outbreak started:
https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2013/01/15/169422960/beijings-pollution-seen-from-space-in-before-and-after-photos
M I L L I O N S I N D O N A T I O N S A R E B E I N G M A D E
https://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/28940073/fifa-tournament-la-liga-players-raises-money-combat-coronavirus
This is pretty cool. To help combat this crisis and help in some way, 128 professional clubs from the English Football League, the Premier League & across the globe are competing in an online FIFA tournament with thousands of fans watching online. Each club is nominating one of its players to go up against another player from a different team eventually winding down to a final between two players of the top 2 teams. These fans that are watching are donating money which is being raised for research into COVID-19. So far, the online tournament has raised around $150,000 for Covid-19 relief efforts.
C H E L S E A ' S M I L L E N N I U M H O T E L O P E N S
T O M E D I C A L W O R K E R S
https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/s/chelseas-millennium-hotel-opens-its-doors-nhs-staff
Many NHS (National Health Service) staff have been transferred to different places around London, so to make this transition easer, the Premier League club, Chelsea, has offered NHS workers free stay and accommodation at the Millennium Hotel at it’s Stamford Bridge ground for the next 2 months. They said, “Many of the medical staff will be working long shifts and may not be able to travel home or would otherwise have to make long commutes. Local accommodation helps maintain the health and well being of these crucial personnel at this critical time.” The cost is being covered by club owner Roman Abramovich.
This is just ONE example of the generosity happening all around the world. People are opening up their businesses and personal office or housing buildings for more patients and health workers to combat this virus.
F A M O U S V E N I C E C A N A L S A R E C L E A N E R T H A N E V E R
PHOTOS Courtesy of Twitter
Without the gas and rising sediment that comes with boat traffic everyday on the canals in Venice, the water has become crystal clear. Venetians haven't seen this happen in decades. Along with the clear waters, dolphins fish & even swans have returned to the channels making it an even more definite sight to see. The water is so clear, hundreds of fish can be seen swimming along and the reflection of the clouds outline the top of the water.
MORAL OF THIS POST:
Yes, this is tragic and frustrating and devastating, but try NOT to focus on that as best as you can. There are great things happening all around the world. And above all, people are coming together no matter the age, race or economic background, to help others and be there for our neighbors. It is amazing to see humanity come together to help each other because in the end, we are all in this together.
OTHER NEWS:
– A network of Canadian scientists are making excellent progress in Covid-19 research, as well as many other scientists and researchers around the world.
- A 103-year-old Chinese grandmother has made a full recovery from COVID-19 after being treated for 6 days in Wuhan, China.
- On March 19, China reported no new locally transmitted cases had been reported for the first time since the start of the pandemic.
SOURCES: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/21/air-pollution-falls-as-coronavirus-slows-travel-but-it-forms-a-new-threat.html
https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/covid-good-news-list-accurate/
G R E E N S B O R O , N C
Greensboro, NC is big enough to have everything you need but small enough to regularly run into people you know. Typically, people that live here love it and can’t find any reason to leave. Those who do leave often return home to eventually raise a family. Part of the Piedmont-Triad, (which also includes Winston-Salem & High Point) Greensboro got the nickname “Gate City” with good reason. Greensboro is smack dab in the middle of all other major cities in NC. Head east about 3 hours for a warm & sunny beach weekend, or travel west 3 hours to hit the slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
https://matadornetwork.com/read/greensboro-north-carolinas/
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g60845-d1557391-i96426788-The_Greensboro_Arboretum-Greensboro_North_Carolina.html
There is absolutely no shortage of entertainment, recreation, shopping, restaurants & arts to keep you busy. Greensboro is also home to the region’s largest hospital, and it proudly exhibits 170 well-kept public parks & gardens. From new and modernized to historic and preserved, there is a broad range of neighborhoods that can fit into any spectrum of taste for local home buyers. As a “southern” state, there is a strong sense of community giving a neighborly feel for all residents.
https://biztechnologysolutions.com/locations/it-support-greensboro-nc/
With the weather in Greensboro you get a little bit of everything. There are 4 distinct seasons here, each bringing their best to the table. The winters are a little milder than in cities to the north and annually, sunshine is expected on more than 200 days out of the year. However, summers can be very humid and very hot, so be sure to stay hydrated and bring the sunscreen!
https://downtowngreensboro.org/listings/lebauer-park/
There is a wide range of age groups attracted to Greensboro. The city center is generally what millennials and students are attracted to, while the broader metro area is more attractive for families. From classic historic homes and single-family homes to upscale condominiums and student housing complexes, Greensboro has it all.
https://library.greensboro-nc.gov/research/north-carolina-collection/highlights/the-blandwood-mansion
There is an exciting revitalization in Greensboro that has been happening for the past few years, mainly Downtown. It is evident with its several art galleries, antique shops, nightclubs, upscale lounges, breweries and bars. There are also more than a whopping 90 miles of trails available for biking walking & hiking. Meanwhile, a favorite and popular activity in Greensboro is golf. In fact, Sedgefield Country Club hosts the Wyndham Championship in August!
There is so much more in Greensboro, it’s pretty hard to name everything. You just have to explore yourself and trust me, you will soon come to find there are hidden (and well known) gems all across this fabulous city.
D I D Y O U K N O W
that the color blue is the color that most makes you feel at ease & relaxed?! Or that the color red makes you feel the most energized and passionate out of all colors?!
If you are redecorating or just simply adding a splash of color in your home, it can actually be a tough decision. There are so many great colors to choose from!
Here is a short breakdown of 8 colors and what emotions & moods they bring about:
G R E E NSOURCE: Inspirations & Ideas Interior Decorating Ideas: 10 Stylish ...
Okay, green is all over the planet for a reason. Struggle with anxiety? Green walls or décor can actually help! Yes! Green reduces anxiety and gives a sense of prosperity, restoration & composure as it clears your mind. Similar to how the color blue truly speaks to ‘by the water’ lovers, green can really suit people that crave that natural feeling of being outdoors.
W H I T ESOURCE: Ways to Use White in a Bedroom
Obviously white is the easiest color to get dirty… but it has a great purpose. The color white Is often used strategically to enlarge spaces and give a more spacious neutral feel. It doesn’t really set an immediate mood, but it typically makes us feel clean and pure. And it also goes with everything! Very helpful if you truly can’t decide on any other color because it’s the easiest to paint over.
Y E L L O WSOURCE: Yellow Kitchen Yellow Kitchen Yellow #Kitchen Beautiful ...
Say it with me… “S U N S H I N E”. Who doesn’t love the yellow glaze of the warm sun flowing through their home or warming their skin?! Yellow paint can give off a very similar feeling. People tend to have yellows in their kitchens amongst most places. This is one of the common places in a home, especially in the mornings. Getting to wake up to a feel-good vibe in your kitchen of yellow tints can increase your energy and even brighten your mood.
O R A N G ESOURCE: 25 Amazing Orange Interior Designs || Hot Trend: 25 Vibrant Home Offices with Bold Orange Brilliance
You have to be particular about oranges. Not so great for a bedroom or living room, but incredibly usable in an exercise or high energy room. Why?! Orange is an exciting color that brings about enthusiasm and bursts of energy. It can also stimulate your appetite! So, if you are on a diet or trying to be more conscious of what you’re eating… definitely don’t paint your kitchen orange.
R E DSOURCE: 35 Examples Of Eye-Popping Red Interior Design
Red is a color used for a very wide spectrum of things - from love, romance & roses to rage, hostility & danger. Where do you draw the line?! Honestly, I don’t know very many people that recommend painting full walls red. Unless it’s for a particular reason. Sometimes however, red can be used fantastically in a social space to create a focal point on a wall or in the room. Just try to keep it to rooms used for socializing and not necessarily relaxing.
B L U ESOURCE: 8 Top Interior Designers Share Their Favorite Blue Paint ...
This one is kind of obvious. I LOVE blue. Who doesn’t?! Maybe because it is so calming and can make you feel centered, relaxed & serene. Blue is known to clear the mind; help steady one’s breathing & even can lower blood pressure. This may be true for the color, but it also can come across as cold and chilly. Especially the darker blues. But the light & warmer blues can be great to use with balancing warm hues & furnishing.
P U R P L E SOURCE: 12 interior design trends 2018 | HELLO!
A dramatic & rich color, purple is actually historically known for its resemblance for luxury and royalty. If purple is your color and you need it to be in your home, consider using deep purples in a space that can be portrayed as romantic or mysterious with a luxurious vibe. The deeper purples are supposedly great for sparking creativity. Although, in a bedroom you may want to consider the lighter purples like lilac or lavender because they are more calming tints.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST… P I N K
SOURCE: How to Decorate a Pink Bedroom
Okay I had absolutely no idea about this effect until I researched it, but apparently pink has a tremendous impression on our mood. It is actually called the ‘Pink Effect’. Interestingly enough, if you are exposed to large amounts of the color pink, it can have a very significant calming effect on the nerves and even help relieve feelings of aggression, neglect & anger. Taking this into consideration, this is why pink is great for children’s rooms promoting feelings of kindness, love & playfulness.
NOW LET’S PAINT!
SOURCE:
https://www.countryliving.com/uk/homes-interiors/interiors/a732/how-colour-affects-mood/
So, it’s your best dream but also your worst nightmare – your home listed For Sale has TONS of interests and appointments, but nobody is putting in an offer…. What’s next?
Well, there’s some good news and some bad news...the bad news is there is no magic “trick” or single method or marketing campaign that will do the deed of selling your home on its own. BUT, the good news is, there is still opportunity; opportunity to take action & analyze the facts of the property to determine what needs to be done in order to get the house sold.
1 - First Things First – Create a New Competitive Market Analysis
3 – What About Leasing-to-Own?
Research and think about potentially becoming a landlord and leasing out your property instead. Again, with this option, make sure to look at the competition of the market with leasing options and price points etc. Also, make sure you are well aware of the realities of becoming a landlord. With this in mind, it wouldn’t hurt to even check out property management companies like Palmetto Equity Group to do all the work for you. Property management companies know all of the ins and outs with renting out houses and landlord responsibilities. So if this option has true potential for you, don’t hesitate to ask a management company for advice in which path to take next.
4 - Set up Tours of Other Competing Homes
To get a better glimpse of your competition, set up appointments to view similar homes in the area. It's possible sometimes to have false ideas of what you 'deserve' from your listing without doing proper research. Go out to some houses around the area to compare your listing, its updates and the details of its price point.
5 – Possibility of Taking the House off the Market
Honestly, sometimes listing a home and the timing of it together are all about luck. Some listings (along with all of its details such as location & price) are just not listed during the most prosperous time. Depending on the year and location of the listing, there are certain times that are more advantageous to list. With this in mind, after doing research and comparing your listing to other similar ones in the area, determine if you are willing to take your home off the market to re-list when the time is most opportune (like during the Spring when weather is nice and more people are opt to move).
6 – Is it Possible a Price Reduction Will be Successful?
What is the potential of decreasing the price point – if and when the home starts to slow down on showings and interest? Most of the time, when a property is sitting on the market with no interest, it could be a great move to reposition the price to reflect prospective buyers’ expectations. If you do end up decreasing the price, make sure the marketing with this change goes hand-in-hand. It is critical to keep the marketing campaigns and listings up to date as much as possible.
7 – Are There Possible Improvements That Could be Made?
Most of the time, this can be the hidden key to getting a lingering listing sold. You would be surprised how a little bit of sprucing up and staging can totally alter the amount of attention your listing is getting from prospective buyers. Simply freshening up the curb appeal with new greenery or rocking chairs on the porch can bring in tons of people wanting to see more. However, if price is an issue here, do your best to research contractors who will accommodate waiting for payment until closing.
8 – Using an Improved & New Marketing Campaign
Property updates and price changes are crucial to market about. Especially if you have the house staged or had improvements made. You will most likely need new photos, new flyers, and new marketing strategies for OPEN HOUSE. Consider partnering with a great food place or even a charity so that not only will your ‘open house’ be marketed to more people, but your outreach of prospects will be larger. Lastly, be sure to post about the updates and new price on all media sites you can. The more the merrier!
9 – Always Stay Updated
Weather you are listing as an owner or having an agent list for you, make sure you are always on-top of what is going on not only with your listing, but the others in the area!
Source: https://magazine.realtor/sales-and-marketing/feature/article/2019/11/9-tips-to-sell-that-lingering-listing
There are so many living options in the world, but they basically boil down to either renting or buying. Considering Real Estate is constantly in flux and can be extremely local, there is not really a universal ‘good’ or ‘bad’ or ‘better’ choice between renting or buying. Especially when you take into consideration that every single person looking for a place to live is in a completely different stage of life. Taking these facts into play, here are some pros and cons of renting vs. buying!
P R O S O F B U Y I N G A H O M E
P R O S O F R E N T I N G
C O N S O F B U Y I N G A H O M E
C O N S O F R E N T I N G
With this information in mind - hopefully you are able to make the right decision for you and your family when the time comes in renting or buying your next home! Remember, you can always give Palmetto a call if you have any questions about these pros & cons or even just need Real Estate advice.
Good luck!
Source: https://www.thetruthaboutmortgage.com/renting-vs-buying-55-pros-and-cons/
IS YOUR HOMEMAKING YOU SICK?
FUN FACT: Did you know the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) projects that indoor air has the probability of being 2 – 5 times MORE polluted than the outdoors?
Many people really don’t realize the massive importance of taking care of your home’s indoor air quality. There are common & well known sources of indoor air pollutants such as carbon monoxide, second-hand smoke & radon. In addition to these, however, there are lesser known sources of common indoor air pollutants people don’t think about.
One of the most surprising pollutants known as ‘ozone’ actually comes from air purifiers or common indoor air pollutants. Hundreds if not thousands of dollars go into investing in these gadgets to help kill mold and bacteria. Little do we know, that these “shock treatments” to the air are actually filled with enormous amounts of ozone which yes, may be an effective treatment, but the reality of it is health officials have disagreed. Ever heard of smog? It’s definition from Google reads, “fog or haze combined with smoke and other atmospheric pollutants.” Ozone is actually the chief component of smog which can trigger asthma attacks, cause coughing fits and even scar lung tissue among other health problems.
3 COMMON INDOOR AIR POLLUTANTS
Paint. The strong chemically balanced solution paint is, it can release a dangerous amount of organic compounds over long periods of time. If these are inhaled extendedly, it can lead to serious health problems. Keep in mind to battle these problems, always use ventilation & open as many windows as you can. Have fans blowing etc… You can also select low-VOC or no-VOC paint to begin with. This includes small paints just used for canvas painting and other substances with strong smelling chemicals.
Carpets. Think about the manufacturing of carpets. Sometimes when you open a fresh new carpet it has that funky manufacturing smell.. that’s because they use certain chemicals to manufacture carpets that are dangerous - like formaldehyde. This chemical can irritate respiratory systems dramatically. Keep that in mind next time you get yourself a new carpet! Maybe air it out outside for an hour or so OR vacuum it really well.
Cleaning Products. Antibiotic pesticide and chlorine are two VERY potent and often toxic ingredients and guess what…. Many off-the-shelf household cleaning solutions are filled with them.
Now that you know about many toxins here is some advice on how to reduce them.
Toxins are sneaky. They can be hiding anywhere and all throughout your home. One of the first important places to look is the kitchen. Think about your food containers, water and even foods you are eating. Obviously, water is crucial to live, but not everyone realizes how harmful tap water can be. Sometimes, runoff water can run through waste encountering many toxins in the ground which will eventually make it’s way through the systems of humans, animals and even plants causing harm. This is where investing in a high quality water filter will be worth it. Get one that doesn’t just reduce the harmful toxins, but eliminates them.
Water bottles can also pose another threat when it comes to concerns of toxins. Bottles of water (depending on the brand) can contain harmful amounts of the toxin bisphenol A (BPA), which is an endocrine disrupter, AKA it blocks natural hormones from behaving properly. There are many side effects of being exposed to BPA, such as the mimicry of female hormonal estrogen which upsets normal processes of development for growing babies and young children & the functions necessary for maintaining an adult body. The best way to avoid this is to simply drink out of glass or stainless steel water bottles.
Pesticides. Many foods are sprayed by pesticides. If the produce and grains aren’t cleaned afterwards, we just may be putting these pesticides into our own mouths. In theory, pesticides are great because they protect the ground grown foods we eat from fungi and pests, but in practice this can also be harmful to our bodies. A way you can avoid this is by buying organic foods as much as possible. Yes I know, organic can be expensive! So in this case with organic produce being unattainable – go for vigorous washing before eating normal store bought food.
Perfumes. Colognes. Air fresheners. These all smell AMAZING – but are unfortunately full of harmful toxins. To reduce these, try essential oils instead! Essential oils give plants' distinctive smells, protect them and also aid in plant pollination. They have many other significant uses such as food preparation, health-care practices & even beauty treatments!
Regarding air fresheners, they also have essential oil diffusers. These are awesome because there are so many different types and looks for you to choose from and they are easy to use PLUS smell fabulous. Make sure to buy one that has an auto shut-off feature!
A very important way to reduce toxins in your home is through the use of plants. There are several types of plants that have air purifying properties. Some of them include peace lilies, which will flower during the summer; spider plants, which are very hardy and easy to grow; and snake plants, which are hard to kill, making them great for me to buy… ha! Some of the harmful toxins these plants remove are benzene, ammonia & formaldehyde.
For our final point, always remember one of the best ways to purify your air is to consistently change your air filters when needed! This will not only help the life of your HVAC system, but will help you and your family breathe clean air. If you have small (thin) air filters, those typically need to be changed every 3-4 weeks. The thicker & larger filters can be changed every 2-3 months.
Hopefully these toxin-removing helpful hints are able to aid you in de-polluting your home.
Sometimes, all you need is fresh air. Make your home a place that can give that to you.
Source: https://www.advantaclean.com/blog/2017/august/how-do-you-reduce-toxins-in-your-home-/
What an amazing community we live in. Not only does Greensboro have DELICIOUS food and a captivating downtown historic culture, but it also is crawling with volunteers wanting to help and better our community. There are so many charities & nonprofits all around us. It’s important to know about them and what role they could be playing or need to be playing for your family, neighbors & even friends. Check out these 8 awesome nonprofits in our lovely town!
1) Family Service of the Piedmont
“Family Service of the Piedmont is a private, not-for-profit agency focused on building safe and healthy families in the Piedmont Triad. We serve more than 18,000 clients each year, addressing issues of domestic violence, child abuse, mental health and financial stability.”
They serve more than 18,000 local adults and children each and every year, while helping manage and address the issues of child abuse, mental health, domestic violence & financial stability.
LOOK AT THEIR IMPACT FROM THIS YEAR!
--- photo taken from the impact reports
Find out more here: https://www.fspcares.org
2) Greensboro Urban Ministry
“Greensboro Urban Ministry’s mission is to express the love of God to our neighbors in need by offering food, shelter and solutions. Our vision is stable lives for our neighbors.
We have served the Greensboro community since 1967.
Poverty is an equal-opportunity destroyer. Lack of food, funds and affordable housing create true disasters in the lives of our guests. Our goal is to be there first with them to help them dig out of the rubble and return to stability as quickly as possible.”
There are so many ways to get involved with this organization! Volunteers come in all ages and abilities… all sharing the belief “in one’s power to make a difference.” Together, anything Is possible. There are 2 primary tracks for people called to serve those living in poverty: Program Volunteering & Event Volunteering. Click on the link below to learn more:
https://greensborourbanministry.org
3) United Way of Greater Greensboro
United Way of Greater Greensboro is leading a local movement to END poverty.
“That’s why we’ve created a community-wide network of partners that provides a path to financial stability at any stage of life. Our new holistic approach to ending poverty is working and we have the outcomes to prove it. Adults are becoming financially stable now and children have the proper foundations to be successful in the future.”
United Way, along with it’s community partner agencies were successfully able to deliver 137,109 service interactions to Greensboro residents from 2017-2018. Here are some of the outcomes! :
91% of parents increased time spent with their children to support learning at home.
89% of youth achieved acceptance to college/post-secondary programs.
99% of people connected to a primary health care provider and received needed services.
91% of children achieved on-time grade and middle school promotion.
94% of people landing a job remained employed for 12 months.
82% of people seeking assistance were provided needed shelter or housing.
https://www.unitedwaygso.org
4) Wheels 4 Hope
“Wheels4Hope is a non-profit, faith-based car donation program that turns donated cars into local blessings.”
Located in the Triad areas of NC, they have a strong mission to be able to provide reliable, affordable transportation to the less fortunate or economically struggling families/individuals referred to them by their partner agencies. They are an IRS approved charitable organization in which they exist only through the contributions of numerous generous donors, congregations, volunteers & partner businesses who understand and agree that reliable transportation is critical for self sufficiency in today’s society….also being a huge key to the pursuit of education, stable employment & the care of children.
Check out this heart-warming story from their website!
“Latisha and her 10 year old son, Bryce, received their 2000 Nissan Maxima last Thursday! After a year of using the bus, Latisha and Bryce took their last ride to the Wheels4Hope office to sign all the paperwork and purchase their car!
Latisha was referred from the Raleigh Rescue Mission, where she has been staying for the last year. She works two jobs and had been without a vehicle for 10 years! Latisha plans to use her car to pursue employment and housing options now that she is no longer limited to the bus route! Way to go, Latisha! Congratulations on all your hard work!”
Find more inspirational stories at
https://wheels4hope.org
5) Backpack Beginnings
"BackPack Beginnings’ mission is to deliver child-centric services to feed, comfort and clothe children in need. By ensuring food and basic necessities are given directly to children in need, we make a positive and lasting impact on their health and well-being."
Look at all of these amazing impacts that were made this year!
https://backpackbeginnings.org/about/
6) Out of The Garden Project"Out of the Garden Project's mission is to nourish families with food to grow, learn and thrive. Our vision is to connect people through partnerships that feed families, create community and build healthier outcomes."
“Out of the Garden Project is a story of miracles — the story of amazing things that would not happen but actually do — because people like you come together to move mountains of hunger. This is a story of hope. With your help, we have many more chapters to write, and the families we help get a chance to live better lives. Thank you for all you do in service of our kids and our community.”
I actually had the pleasure of volunteering with Out of The Garden and it was so much fun giving back to our community! This organization is incredible. The looks on peoples’ faces as they drove up to the food truck and saw how much food we were giving them (completely for free) was a treasurable moment each and every time. Check out some of these photos I took:
https://outofthegardenproject.org
7) Habitat for Humanity
“Habitat Greensboro has an open-door policy: All who believe that everyone needs a decent, affordable place to live are welcome to help with the work, regardless of race, religion, age, gender, political views or any of the other distinctions that too often divide people. Habitat Greensboro welcomes volunteers and supporters from all backgrounds and also serves people in need of decent housing regardless of race or religion. As a matter of policy, Habitat for Humanity International and its affiliated organizations do not proselytize. This means that Habitat will not offer assistance on the expressed or implied condition that people must either adhere to or convert to a particular faith, or listen and respond to messaging designed to induce conversion to a particular faith.”
Celebrating their 32nd year, Habitat Greensboro has successfully placed more than 490 families into affordable homes in our Triad community. Internationally, they have placed 450 families in homes they have BUILT restoring hope and the communities in whole. Habitat GSO makes incredible differences in so many peoples’ lives, ultimately creating an exciting & strong impact on the rest of the community.
https://habitatgreensboro.org/about-us-2/
8) Faith Action International House
"Faith Action serves and advocates alongside of over 3,000 new immigrants and refugees and their families from over 60 diverse nations each year at our downtown Greensboro house location.
Serving and advocating alongside 3,000 immigrants and refugees from over 60 diverse nations
Providing over 70 trainings and presentations to 2,500 people in school, city departments, nonprofits, and faith communities across North Carolina and beyond
Connecting thousands more across lines of culture, faith, and nationality through our Stranger to Neighbor and Faith action ID Programs"
Their bilingual (Spanish, English, and French), and culturally competent staff provide one on one help with:
· Basic needs (food and diapers, healthcare, and housing issues)
· FaithAction ID cards
· Education opportunities and employment readiness
· Safe space and accompaniment for domestic/sexual violence survivors
· Emergency assistance to families facing detention and deportation
· Referrals for furniture, clothing, legal services, etc…
https://habitatgreensboro.org/about-us-2/There are SO MANY more nonprofits around the Triad! These are just a few of the many generous organizations.
1) All Real Estate Agents are the Same
“So many options…. who should I choose to help sell my home? Hmm, I’ll just pick this one because all Real Estate Agents would probably do the same thing with my house anyways.”
- FALSE! Every Real Estate agent is not the same! Believing in this myth can lead to huge mistakes when selecting an agent to represent you and your interests. Every single Real Estate agent comes from a different background, with different capabilities & different experiences. For example, an agent that specializes in sales and has been working for 2 years with mostly townhomes will NOT have the same skills as an agent who has been in the market for 15+ years specializing as a buyers agent with luxury homes. Remember, there is a very significant difference between agents working with buyers verses sellers!
2) Real Estate Agents Will Say and Do Anything to Make a Sale
Not many people know all of the rules and policies that go into being a real estate agent. They are highly held to a certain code of ethics. Many (if not most) Real Estate companies, like Palmetto Equity Group, heavily rely on referrals from pleased past customers. Doing great business, being trustworthy and proving your skills creates many great referrals and positive messages with word of mouth. Not saying that there aren’t agents that may lie, but most don’t because they are smart and know the consequences. Remember, it is very important when buying or selling, to use an agent you can trust and be comfortable with to make the best decisions for your future.
3) Real Estate Agents Can Only Show Their Own Company’s Listings
Ever heard of the MLS?? It stands for Multiple Listing Service.
MLS ensures to not only even the playing field for all Real Estate companies around the town (big and small), but also allows for the public to get information on any property listed with the brokers discretion. So, to put it lightly, a Real Estate agent working for Palmetto Equity Group can show their own properties AND also properties that are currently listed by other companies.
4) A Home Doesn’t Need to be Prepared Before Going on the Market
This myth can cost you thousands of dollars as a seller. Most of the time, a house is not perfectly ready to put on the market without an agents advice. This advice includes curb appeal updates, interior updates and additions, staging to make the home be more appealing, vendor contacts for house updates/maintenance/painting etc... the list goes on! There are several details that go into selling a property quick, that most of the general public don’t think about. Most buyers now-a days are looking for a home to buy that is MOVE IN READY. Also, the first 3-4 weeks a home is listed are the most important. If you don’t touch your home, leaving it outdated and covered with small imperfections, it will leave a negative idea in the buyers’ mind when they view your home. This will happen more than once, next thing you know your listing has been on the market for 4 months and you have wasted hundreds if not thousands on marketing. Not to mention the longer a property is on the market, the more questions buyers will ask out of their own skepticism. Do yourself and your selling experience a favor and have your home prepared properly, priced correctly and marketed strategically. If this is done, it is more than likely (not guaranteed, however) that your home will be under contract in less than 2 months.
5) Selling a Home “For Sale by Owner” Saves a lot of Money
It is very common for first time sellers to immediately have the idea of selling their property themselves to ‘cut costs’. They will believe it is as ‘easy’ and ‘simple’ as putting a sign in the front yard and inputting the address on MLS. It’s really not that simple…Often when FSBO’s (For Sale By Owner’s) try to take this on all on their own, they don’t realize how time consuming it is and what work goes into the sale of a property. The FSBO could mistakenly over-price their listing, mishandle a negotiation with a potential buyer, or even falsely grant a transaction to take place with a buyer that ends up being denied months later. In this circumstance, it’s better to be sure of hiring a professional than being unsure and taking it on yourself.
6) Getting Pre-approved is Done After Finding Your Dream Home
Many home buyers make the mistake of waiting to find their perfect dream home before getting pre-approved. Having your finances approved for a mortgage is a major step of the home-buying process that you should worry about sooner rather than later. To be more prepared and prevent disappointment down the road, before you find your dream home, get pre-approved by your mortgage lender so you have more confidence going into your home search. Keep in mind, another huge reason being pre-approved is important is so you can have a leg up over other buyer competition to win over your dream home in the case there are multiple offers.
7) You Get a Better Deal When Buying a Home Through the Listing Agent
Another common Real Estate myth is regarding the home-buying process when purchasing from the listing agent. Many potential buyers believe they can receive a ‘better deal’ on the home using the listing agent because they think the listing agent will cut their commission percentage based on receiving ‘both sides’ of the transaction. Nope. Even when this happens, the listing agent still represents the seller. Just remember, if this is the case for you, the listing agent will have both parties to keep in mind. You need to have a good idea with how hard the listing agent is willing to negotiate price with seller (their other client) and vice versa.
8) All Real Estate Agents Make Bank
Obviously successful Real Estate Agents are able to make a strong income. What many people don’t know however, is the amount of time, effort & money that top producing real estate agents need to put forth in order to be super successful. There are many expensive classes, tests and hours of continuing education involved. There are also many Real Estate agents that literally start from the bottom, with not many contacts or involvement having to step up, make cold calls and really work extra hard on their networking skills to get their name in the field.
9) When Selling a Home, Price it to Leave Room for Negotiations
When selling your home, correctly pricing it is one of the top 3 important keys. There are many different real estate pricing mistakes that sellers commonly make. For example, purposefully pricing a home higher to ‘leave room’ for negotiation. NO NO NO! Doing this can create massive frustration and could ultimately lead to your home sitting on the market for ages. For sellers, it is critical to understand who today’s buyers are and what their interests are all about – buyers are savvier and more prepared nowadays because of info they can get off the internet. They also won’t waste their time looking at a home that is overpriced by thousands of dollars.
Hope debunking these real estate myths makes you more prepared to hire a professional when the time comes! Palmetto is always here for you.
Greensboro, NC is filled with exciting adventure and beautifully architectured parks. The following are some of the most unique and family oriented destinations our community has to offer! Good luck choosing which one to visit first… they are all outstandingly gorgeous!
LeBauer Park
HOURS: 7AM – 11PMADDRESS: 208 N. Davie St. Greensboro, NC 27401
Features & Amenities
Center City Park
HOURS: 7AM – 11PMADDRESS: 200 N. Elm St. Greensboro, NC 27401
Features:
Barber Park
HOURS: 8AM – 8PM ADDRESS: 1500 Barber Park Dr Greensboro, NC 27401
Features & Amenities:
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Tanger Family Bicentennial Garden
HOURS: 8AM – 7PMADDRESS: 1105 Hobbs Rd. Greensboro, NC 27410
A relaxing retreat, this 7.5-acre garden is known for its massive bronze sculpture and annual plantings. As a historic site, the garden was created in 1976 to honor and recognize the 200th anniversary of the U.S.!
Make sure to check these out:
Guilford Courthouse National Military Park
HOURS: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PMADDRESS: 2332 New Garden Rd, Greensboro, NC 27410
This beautiful 220 ACRE PARK commemorates the Battle of Guilford Court House, fought on March 15, 1781, which ultimately paved way to American victory in the Revolutionary War.
Things to do at the park:
Hester Park
HOURS: 8AM – 5PMADDRESS: 3615 Deutzia St, Greensboro, NC 27407
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Greensboro Arboretum
HOURS: 8AM – 8PM (subject to change depending on the month)ADDRESS: 401 Ashland Dr, Greensboro, NC 27403
Featuring 14 plant collections, 17 stunning acres & a special display of gardens, this site is a must see. The extensive variety of plants offers rich educational opportunities for children and adults, landscape designers, and homeowners.
Bur-Mil Park
HOURS: 8AM – 8PMADDRESS: 5834 Bur-Mill Club Rd Greensboro, NC 27410
The Bog Garden
HOURS: 8AM – 8PMADDRESS: 1101 Hobbs Road Greensboro, NC 27410
This heavenly garden is open year-round & admission is free!