Americans will set their clocks ahead by an hour this weekend, as daylight saving time begins Sunday. “Springing forward” creates another hour of sunlight in the evening. It also has some effects on health and public safety that many people are unaware of. Interesting facts about daylight saving time include:

1. Officially, it’s “daylight saving time,” not “daylight savings time.” But don’t feel bad if you thought there was a final “s” on “saving”; far more people Google the incorrect phrase than the correct one.

2. Daylight saving time has mixed effects on people’s health. Transitions into and out of DST can disturb people’s sleeping patterns, for example, and make them more restless at night. Night owls tend to be more bothered by the time changes than people who like mornings, Finnish researchers concluded last year.

3. There’s a spike in heart attacks during the first week of daylight saving time, according to another study published last year. The loss of an hour’s sleep may make people more susceptible to an attack, some experts say. When daylight saving time ends in the fall, heartattacks briefly become less frequent than usual.

4. People are safer drivers during daylight hours, and researchers have found that DST reduces lethal car crashes and pedestrian strikes. In fact, a study concluded that observing DST year-round would annually prevent about 195 deaths of motor vehicle occupants and about 171 pedestrian fatalities.

5. A U.S. law signed by President George W. Bush in 2005 extended the length of daylight saving time by four weeks. It now begins at 2 a.m. on the second Sunday in March. It ends on the first Sunday in November.

6. Also in 2005, Kazakhstan abolished daylight saving time, citing negative health effects. The country’s government reportedly calculated that 51.6 percent of Kazakhs responded badly to the time change.

7. Many other countries observe daylight saving time, but not all do so on the same day. That can create confusion for international travelers, business communications, and more.

8. Daylight saving can also cause confusion close to home. In March 2007, a Pennsylvania honor student was mistakenly accused of threatening his school with a bomb. He had actually called an automated line to get info about scheduled classes. Someone else made the bomb threat an hour later.

9. Two states-Arizona and Hawaii-and four U.S. territories-American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands-don’t observe daylight saving time. Indiana adopted DST in 2006.

10. Local time determines when DST begins, so America’s eastern time zone makes the switch before the rest of the country. This Sunday, cities like New York and Atlanta will be two hours ahead of the central time zone, instead of the usual one-hour difference, from 3 a.m. to 3:59 a.m. EDT. New York City will be four hours ahead of Los Angeles-instead of the usual three-from 3 a.m. to 5:59 a.m. EDT.

11. Daylight saving time was first used during World War I, as part of an effort in the United States and other warring countries to conserve fuel. In theory, using daylight more efficiently saves fuel and energy because it reduces the nation’s need for artificial light.

12. The first American to advocate for daylight saving was Benjamin Franklin. He realized in 1784 that many people burned candles at night yet slept past dawn in the summer, wasting early-morning sunlight.

13. The effect of DST on energy use has changed over time and varies from place to place. Experts even disagree on whether DST still saves the nation energy. But so many people like to “spring forward” that it might be hard for officials to end the tradition, even if they determined it’s wasteful.

Originally published in US News.

Spring forward into a new home! Your new home search starts here.

The Wilmington NC Real Estate Market Statistics for February 2010 are now available on our website. Find out about the real estate activity going on in your neighborhood.  These statistics include information regarding days on market and absorption rate, listed homes, sold homes, and more.

View it on our website here.

In today’s market, the home inspection results can make or break the sale of a home.
Here are a few of the most common defects revealed during inspections and what home owners can do to prevent them from scuttling a sale:

Improper electrical wiring. The most serious problems often stem from faulty electrical wiring done by home owners or unqualified contractors. A host of issues is often found, such as insufficient electrical service to the house, inadequate overload protection, or wires tied together without being housed in a box, which poses a potential fire hazard. Prepare for the inspection: Ensure that you have had the proper building permits for any jobs requiring electrical work. Without adequate permits, you may face municipal penalties and may have to rip open walls so that the inspector can view the job. Check with the local building department to see what permits are needed.

Roof deterioration. Old or damaged shingles can lead to leaks. If you don’t routinely check the roof for damage, you might face costly repairs later on (average replacement cost on a mid-level roof: $19,731, according to Remodeling Magazine’s 2009–10 Cost vs. Value Report). However, easy and inexpensive repairs to damaged tiles and shingles, as they arise, can stave off costly fixes. Residents of warmer climates need to be extra vigilant about inspections since the sun and heat can cause the roof to deteriorate faster than roofs in other parts of the country. Prepare for the inspection: Use binoculars to check for damaged, loose, or missing shingles. ASHI also recommends cutting back tree limbs growing near the roof that may pose a threat.

Plumbing problems. Dripping faucets are literally money down the drain. And there’s no excuse for ignoring a drip that often can be fixed by replacing a 50-cent seal. Corroding or mismatched piping materials, faulty fixtures, and improperly installed hot water heaters are sources of common plumbing troubles. Rocking toilets—caused by loose bolts in the floor—can also cause water damage to the floor. Prepare for the inspection: Make sure toilets are securely bolted. Check sink faucets, hose bibs, and valves regularly for potential leakage. Fix leaks right away because even slight problems can lead to a host of other difficulties, including mold, mildew, and structural damage to a home.

Improper surface grading or drainage. Water can enter a home and cause major damage if proper drainage, which takes water away from the home, isn’t in place. Basements and crawl spaces tend to be the most vulnerable. Gutters or downspouts outside the home can help keep moisture away. Prepare for the inspection: When it rains, grab an umbrella and observe how the home sheds water. Does it disappear into a window? You might need to install, realign, or repair a damaged gutter and downspout system to ensure proper drainage.

Poor overall upkeep. Cracked, peeling, or dirty painted surfaces and broken fixtures or appliances can signal overall neglect. Decayed caulking around doors and windows may be more than just an eyesore; it can compromise the efficiency of your heating and cooling systems and needlessly hike up utility costs. Prepare for the inspection: Walk around the house at least once a year with a scrutinizing eye. Many home inspectors can conduct a maintenance inspection to point out what’s starting to fail and what conditions may lead to more serious defects later. It is recommended to get such inspections every three to five years.

If you’re thinking about selling your home in today’s real estate market, these tips should help you prepare to put your home on the market. Nothing beats a pre-inspection, however. If you’re serious about selling your home quickly and for top dollar, invest in a home pre-inspection. It might save you some headache down the road.

Adapted from: The Home Inspector’s File

Terri Parrish, David Fann, Sandy Borowiec, Jeff Broadbridge, Van Coley, Beverly Femia, Whitney Leonard, Cecilia Litvak and Polly Floyd with CENTURY 21 Sweyer & Associates have earned the nationally recognized Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource certification. The National Association of REALTORS^® offers the SFR certification to REALTORS^® who want to help both buyers and sellers navigate these complicated transactions, as demand for professional expertise with distressed sales grows.

According to a recent NAR survey, nearly one-third of all existing homes sold recently were either short sales or foreclosures. For many real estate professionals, short sales and foreclosures are the new “traditional” transaction.  REALTORS^® who have earned the SFR certification know how to help sellers maneuver the complexities of short sales as well as help buyers pursue short sale and foreclosure opportunities.

“As leading advocates for homeownership, REALTORS^® believe that any family that loses its home to foreclosure is one family too many, but unfortunately, there are situations in which people just cannot afford to keep their homes, and a foreclosure or a short sale results,” said 2009 NAR President Charles McMillan, a broker with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Dallas-Fort Worth. “Foreclosures and short sales can offer opportunities for home buyers and benefit the larger community, as well, but it’s extremely important to have the help of a real estate professional like a REALTOR^® who has earned the SFR certification for these kinds of purchases.”

The certification program includes training on how to qualify sellers for short sales, negotiate with lenders, protect buyers, and limit risk, and provides resources to help REALTORS^® stay current on national and state-specific information as the market for these distressed properties evolves. To earn the SFR certification, REALTORS^® are required to take one core course and three Webinars.

If you’re facing foreclosure, there are options. Contact us in confidence today via email or by calling 1-800-848-0021 to speak to one of our Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource certified agents. We’d be happy to talk with you about your options no matter what stage of the foreclosure process you are in.

We are very excited to welcome Lisa Sledzik to our company.  She is joining the Landfall sales office and brings 23 years of real estate experience with her.  Prior to real estate sales, Lisa worked in mortgage lending as a loan originator and underwriter.  Lisa and her husband, David, live in Wilmington and have 2 sons.  In her free time, she enjoys cooking, boating, and traveling.

For all things real estate, visit Century21Sweyer.com.

We announced today that with the combined efforts of our Sales Division; Community Management Division, CAMS; and the Rental Division; in 2009 our company donated close to $80,000 to local charities including Easter Seals UCP, New Hanover Regional Hospital, UNCW, and Boy Scouts of America.

“Difficult economic times is when it’s most important to bring focus and awareness to worthy causes such as education and the disabled, among others. They need our help and support the most when the economy is down.  And it is a great pleasure to realize that there are people in our community who are still willing to donate their time and resources to support others,” said Dave Sweyer, owner of CENTURY 21 Sweyer & Associates.

“Our company has been providing real estate service to the area for 22 years and truly believes in building strong relationships through community support.  We are so thankful to everyone who contributed: our sponsors, sales agents, and employees, and we are looking forward to topping 2009’s contributions in 2010,” said Jeff Sweyer.

Thanks to our incredible family of real estate agents and staff that helped in the raising of funds for these charities. The best part of being a local business is the opportunity to give back to the local community. We are proud to be a part of that effort!

For all things real estate, visit Century21Sweyer.com.

When the winter cold starts breaking and spring is on it’s way, you’ll find lots of Wilmingtonians at the New Hanover County Arboretum. If you haven’t been yet, what are you waiting for?

You’ll find the most gorgeous NC gardens at the Arboretum and best of all, it’s completely free of charge so you can take the entire family without feeling guilty! A winding trail will take you through all of the gardens including the veggie patch, the Japanese garden, the butterfly garden, the children’s garden (complete with playhouse), the bog garden and more. In the middle of it all sits a spectacular water garden atop a pretty pond.

Our family visits at least once each season and it has become a tradition for us. If you’re planning a visit to Wilmington NC, make sure you stop by. There’s beauty hidden behind the Arboretum’s grey brick exterior just waiting for you to discover it.

The Arboretum is located on Oleander Drive right before you cross the bridge to go to Wrightsville Beach.

Lisa Ashby is the Marketing Coordinator for CENTURY® 21 Sweyer & Associates. For all things real estate, visit Century21Sweyer.com.

Every month, we pull the market statistics from the previous month for our local area including New Hanover County, Pender County, and Brunswick County. As a buyer or seller, this information is important to know as it can give you an edge in today’s market. For more information on these statistics or , call one of our local offices or your CENTURY 21® Sweyer & Associates REALTOR®. We’re happy to help.

Century 21 Sweyer Market Recap December 2009

THE VILLAGE AT HAWKESWATER

Now Selling!
Prices starting in the low $200’s

FEATURES:
- Brick & hardiplank homes on wooded lots.
- Convenient to downtown Wilmington.

AMENITIES INCLUDE:
Pool, Clubhouse & Tennis Courts

MODEL HOME OPEN:
Monday-Saturday 12-5
Sunday 1-5
or by appointment

Call:
Sandra Britt (910) 262-4400
Tim Kelly (910) 540-3607

Directions:
Cross Cape Fear Memorial Bridge. Take First Leland Exit. At traffic light turn left onto Hwy 133; Go about 1 mile.  Turn Right into Hawkeswater.

More Information: http://www.SandraBrittHomes.com

For all things real estate, visit Century21Sweyer.com.

Have a safe & cheerful New Year!