The document provides an update on the real estate market in November 2015 from Helen Adams Realty. It notes that while national housing numbers have been low, jobless claims are at their lowest levels since 1973. Locally, new listings decreased 3.1% but pending sales increased 21.2% and inventory levels fell 21.6%. Median sale prices rose 3.9% and time on market decreased 8.2%. The Federal Reserve is expected to raise interest rates slightly by the end of the year. Overall, the local housing market remains optimistic despite seasonal slowdowns.

1. On the MOVEThe Helen Adams Realty Monthly Market Update
November 2015
Transitory periods in the market are
common this time of year, and after a
persistent period of steady year-over-
year climbs in sales metrics, recent low
national numbers have not fulfilled
what many predicted. But on a positive
note, jobless claims have also been
at low levels, coming in as the lowest
number since 1973. As always, every
market and situation is unique, so some
numbers seen in national trends may
not always line up with local markets.
New Listings in the Charlotte region
decreased 3.1 percent to 3,998. Pending
Sales were up 21.2 percent to 3,562.
Inventory levels fell 21.6 percent to
12,375 units.
Jobless Claims Lowest Since 1973
Reprinted from October 2015 CRRA Monthly Indicators
P2 Myth-Busting VA
Loans
P3 Is Your Home an Easy
Target for Burglars?
P4 Vital Signs &
Beth’s Bits
In
this
Issue
Prices continued to gain traction.
The Median Sales Price increased 3.9
percent to $185,000. List to Close was
down 8.2 percent to 112 days. Sellers
were encouraged as Months Supply of
Inventory was down 32.6 percent to 3.6
months.
Interest rates are an area to pay attention
to as rate hikes are widely expected
beforetheyearends.TheFederalReserve
Bank has skipped two opportunities to
raise rates this fall, but the final meeting
in December will likely include a minor
rate hike. Although we are headed into
a slower time of year, as housing activity
goes, there are still many nuggets of
optimism to mine from monthly figures.
www.helenadamsrealty.com
Ballantyne Office
15235-J John J. Delaney Dr.
Charlotte, NC 28277
Beth Haemmerlein
BROKER/REALTOR®
Cell: 704.243.8773
beth@helenadamsrealty.com

2. Myth #1: VA Loans are lousy loan products.
Fact: VA loans are one of the best loan options on the market. Qualified buyers can purchase up to $417,000 without
a down payment. Furthermore, because they are government-backed, VA loans tend to have interest rates 0.5-1.0%
lower than conventional or FHA loans. Additionally, having no mortgage insurance can save veterans more than $200
every month. Lastly, the VA limits what lenders can charge in closing costs and allows sellers to pay all of closing costs
and up to 4% in concessions, which allows some veterans to close on their homes with $0 due at closing.
Myth #2: VA Loans take forever to close.
Fact: If a lender is experienced in VA home loans, then closing can often happen within 30-45 days. The VA-approved
lender is given flexibility to guide closing. Even a borrower with extenuating circumstances may close quickly, depend-
ing on the lender.
Myth #3: You need great credit to get a VA Loan.
Fact: You don’t even need “good” credit. VA Loans are more lenient than conventional when it comes to your credit
history. In fact, VA has no credit limit, though it is true that VA lenders generally look for a 620 FICO score, which,
in layman’s terms means “Fair” credit. VA Loans also allow veterans and active military to bounce back faster after a
bankruptcy, foreclosure or short sale. You can be eligible for a VA Loan two years after a Chapter 7 bankruptcy dis-
charge; one year after filing a Chapter 13 bankruptcy; and two years following a foreclosure.
Myth #4: This is a one-time benefit.
Fact: This is not a one-and-done benefit. Qualified veterans can use the VA Loan Guaranty Program over and over
again. In fact, it’s possible to have more than one active VA Loan at the same time. Even losing a VA Loan to foreclo-
sure doesn’t mean that you’re no longer eligible.
Myth #5: VA purchase loans are not for short-sales or foreclosures.
Fact: VA home loans can be used to purchase foreclosed and short-sale. A VA appraiser is trained to certify value and
safety and can spot red flags of distressed properties, so they may help you determine your risks.
Myth #6: All realtors are good VA home loan advisors.
Fact: A VA certification for real estate agents does not exist. Real estate agents who are not well-informed about VA
loans can even unintentionally dissuade VA-eligible borrowers from choosing the program. If you’re curious about VA
loans, make sure your Realtor has the knowledge and experience to help.
For more information on the VA Home Loan program, give me a call or check out the Dept of Veteran’s Affairs website:
http://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/
Change in
Closed Sales
Pending
Sales
Change in
New Listings
Average
Sales Price
Total
Active Listings
Average Days
List to Close
Months Supply of
Homes for Sale
-3.9%
3,073
-3.1%
3,998
-8.2%
112
+21.2%
3,562
-21.6%
12,375
+4.4%
$237,646
-32.6%
3.6
(1)
(1) Data Represents change in data since this time last year. (2) Data Represents the most recent month’s data for CMLS.
(2)
Monthly Market Snapshot
Myth-Busting the VA
Home Loan Program

3. Is Your Home an Easy Target for Burglars?
Here’s a profile of the typical burglar, what attracts them to your home, and what you can do to protect yourself. This summary
was taken from a Real Simple article by Katiyln Pirie, where she interviewed Paul Cromwell, Ph.D., a professor of public affairs
at the University of South Florida in Tampa. He cowrote Breaking and Entering, in which burglars were interviewed about
their techniques.
The typical burglar:
Usually lives close to their target (within a mile or two) and is usually young – 15 – 24 on average.
Which homes are safer?
Homes in a culs-de-sac tend to be more safe from theft, because
it’s harder to escape. The opposite makes homes on street
corners safer – they are too visible.
How do you decrease the likelihood that your home will
be broken into?
Make it hard to hide – keep landscaping lower around your
doors and windows. Have an alarm installed and advertise it
on the lawn or in your windows. Install dead bolts that go into
the door frame 1.5 inches. On sliding doors – install a lock
that goes through the doorframe (a broomstick in the track
won’t necessarily prevent an entry, the door could be lifted
off the track). Unfortunately, knowing a dog is in the home
won’t necessarily stop a burglary, but a barking dog could draw
attention to one.
How quickly can a burglary happen?
The goal is usually in and out in 5-7 minutes – they run through the house generally targeting the master bedroom first and
then usually offices. Sometimes they will pair with service people who have been inside homes to get info about what was
inside the house. A little suspicion can go a long way – know who’s been in your home.
What to do when you’re heading out on vacation:
According to Dr. Cromwell you want to create an “illusion of occupancy.” First of all – don’t advertise on social media that you
are on vacation – wait until after your trip to post about it so you don’t advertise your absence. Put timers on a few lamps or
lights inside your home so the house is lit after dusk to a normal “bedtime” hour. Have someone take garbage cans in and out
if you will be gone for a while – and enlist someone to cut your grass or shovel snow depending on the time of year. Have your
mail and newspaper held so they don’t pile up. Install motion-sensor lights outside.
A few simple steps can keep your home off of a burglar’s watch list!
Read the full article www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/home-improvement/burglarproof-your-house, or purchase Breaking and Entering for more info.

4. The Vitals:
A look at Charlotte’s Overall Real Estate Market
• Inventory continues to shrink, with new
listings in the Charlotte region decreasing year
over year 3.1% to 3,998 and total inventory
down 21.6% from last year.
• Condo sales continue to improve, with a
25.5% year over year increase in sales.
• The price range with the strongest sales year
over year is $300,001 and up.
• Year to date, the percent of original list price
received sits at 95%, an increase of 1% year
over year.
• Although we are moving into the slower real
estate season, conditions still remain in favor
of the seller. That being said, mortgage rates
are still historically low allowing home buyers
to afford more.
Monthly Average 30-Year Fixed-Rate Mortgage Rates
as reported by www.freddiemac.com
4.044
3.86
3.67
3.71
3.77
3.67
3.84
3.98
4.05
3.91
3.89
3.8
3.5
3.6
3.7
3.8
3.9
4
4.1
Oct. 14 Nov. 14 Dec. 14 Jan. 15 Feb. 15 Mar. 15 Apr. 15 May. 15 Jun. 15 Jul. 15 Aug. 15 Sep. 15 Oct. 15
Beth's Bits:
As soon as November rolls around, the “Gratitudes” start popping up all over Facebook. You’ve probably
seen them, “Day 1: I’m thankful for my beautiful family…” “Day 11: I’m thankful for all our Veteran’s…”
“Day 20: I’m thankful for the roof over my head…” It’s truly a beautiful thing to see, but at the same time, I
think sometimes we miss part of it – the action part. Take Veteran’s Day – it warms my heart to see so much
gratitude toward our Servicemembers and Veterans. However, there’s so much more that could be done
than just a “Thank you for your service” or a Facebook post. So here’s some ideas on ways to act out those
gratitudes:
Help a Veteran or a Servicemem-
ber with their civilain job hunt – if
you’re in hiring, HR, management
or something similar, offer to give
them a “civilian perspective” on
their resume. Or help them net-
work with people in their target
fields or companies. Or just help
them become connected in your
community, especially with other
Vets (and don’t forget about their
families, too).
Volunteer for a couple
hours at a soup
kitchen or homeless
shelter. If you don’t
have the time, drop
off some groceries or
toiletries (especially
travel size) for their
clients.
Call a nursing
home and ask if there
are some residents who
don’t get many visits. Go
visit them. If you don’t
have time, send them a
card. Have your children
make homemade cards
to send.
Pick up the next
piece of trash you see on
the sidewalk, in a park, or
on a trail.
Buy your receptionist,
secretary, janitor, or
other under-appreci-
ated coworker a cup of
coffee… or just a quick
note.
Give at least one
compliment daily.
Send a thank you note,
even if its for
something small, once
a week.