September & October Events
Hello All. Craig Emmerich here. Wow, Craig's RealTeam has had a busy September and October!
Did any of you receive my "Piano Man" brochure in the mail? I am getting a lot of positive feedback from people on my mailing list who liked the brochure. I welcome your comments and suggestions for any of the Craig's RealTeam marketing or informational materials.
For those of you who don't know what "Piano Man" has to do with selling real estate, it is this: For many years now, I have been playing piano for Middle Street Moods, a local band that performs jazz and standards. I take my piano playing as seriously as I take my real estate career! I wanted my brochure to show my friends and clients the other sides of my life that do not get as much exposure as my real estate career. I have received wonderful comments on the photographs of my wife, Anne, and I walking our dog, as well as my interest in music.
If you failed to receive a brochure, but you would like to have one, please send me an email at craig@realteamnc.com and I'll get it right out to you.
Did you see Craig's RealTeam at the New Bern Business Expo in September?
We were there in full force with all the team members, and I was playing my electronic keyboard! You can see a miniature video of expo footage on the RealTeam website. Click on the "Events" button—you may happen to see yourself if you were walking by as we were taping!
New Bern Business Expo, September: (L-R) Craig Emmerich (Team Leader), Arnie Edgerton (Listing Specialist) and Keever Carpenter (Buyer Specialist)
New Bern Business Expo, Sept. 2006 (L-R) Craig Emmerich, Yvonne Guy (Marketing Director), Front Center, Dana Morgan (Buyer Specialist), Keever Carpenter (Buyer Specialist) and far right, Arnie Edgerton (Listing Specialist)
We conducted a prize drawing for two free tickets to dinner, a Broadway musical, and hotel and breakfast. Response was awesome—this was a great prize so a lot of people entered. Out of the entries at the end of the day, Craig's RealTeam dipped into the entry box and came up with two lucky winners! Here they are:
WINNERS OF TWO TICKETS TO: Broadway South Musical (Lion King) in Raleigh, Hotel Accommodations with Breakfast and Two Free Dinners….
JANE & SAM STENGER
Congratulations Jane & Sam! They have already used their tickets and told us they had a very wonderful time—the show and dinner was excellent!
Following are the major local events Craig's RealTeam members attended in October:
New Bern Home Builder's Association Annual BBQ Cook-off
New Bern Home Builder's Association Cook-off (L-R) Dianne Edgerton (Arnie's wife), Chef Arnie Edgerton (Listing Specialist), and Keever Carpenter (Buyer Specialist)
Standing in the center in the photo above, Arnie Edgerton (Craig's RealTeam Listing Specialist) is a "Chef for the day" at the New Bern Home Builder's "Cook-Off" event held in October 2006. Arnie won a 2nd place award for his ribs. He was assisted by Keever Carpenter (Buyer Specialist), Tracy Muse (Special Projects Director) and his wife, Dianne Edgerton. Many of our Craig's RealTeam members were in attendance, including myself!
New Bern Home Builders sponsors the barbecue cook-off annually. A member of the New Bern Home Builders Association, Arnie took painstaking care in the preparation of a fine meal for area homebuilders, guests, and other association members. The "Y'all Come Menu" included "Nail Gun Beans with Ham & 'Maters, Smokin' Back Ribs with Freeloader Sauce, and Womp Biscuits with Honey Butter"!
The womp biscuits were a huge hit at the cookoff. Here is Chef Arnie's secret recipe for womp biscuits (No—he's not sharing his secret BBQ recipe!):
Womp Biscuits with Honey Butter
- Pillsbury Canned Biscuits
- Honey
- Real butter
- Powdered sugar
- Hot vegetable oil
Drop the canned biscuits (they are called "womp" biscuits because you womp them on the countertop to open them!) one by one into very hot oil in deep fryer. Carefully remove the biscuits when golden brown and fluffy and drain. Fold honey into your butter in a separate sauce pan. Dip the cooled biscuits into the honey butter. Sprinkle top and bottom with powdered sugar. Makes a great "easy" dessert! You can make miniature doughnuts using the same recipe. Simply invert a coke bottle to make the center holes in the biscuits before deep frying.
New Bern MumFest 2006
Craig's RealTeam at the MumFest Saturday morning, setting up the tent. (L-R) Pete Engel (Ellen's husband), Ellen Engel (Craig's RealTeam COO) and yours truly, Craig Emmerich (Team Leader).
Did you see Craig's RealTeam Booth at the New Bern MumFest? The photo above was snapped when we started setting up our tent early Saturday morning. On Saturday and Sunday, we gave away free photos with "the Ghoul Gang" –a season-themed backdrop. We took more than 300 photos for MumFest participants!
Craig's RealTeam is proud to have collected $182.66 in donations for New Bern's Teen Court program, a project that helps New Bern youth, sponsored by the Mediation Center of Eastern Carolina (MCEC.) See our media Page for the Press Release related to the event. We all had a great time. Arnie Edgerton, Keever Carpenter, John Lara, and Sally Morton from the RealTeam manned the booth on Saturday. On Sunday, Ellen Engel, Jaime Perez, Tracy Muse (Special Projects Director), John Lara and I were all present throughout the day. Youth volunteers with the Mediation Center of Eastern Carolina were a tremendous help to us in taking the photos. Thank you to MCEC staff and youth volunteers!
Craig's RealTeam is happy to support this worthy community organization. The MCEC has "built programs to help youth, families, and adult community members in Craven County to resolve conflict. MCEC serves Craven County with Teen Court, Resolve It Together, and other educational programs." Since 1989, MCEC has worked to develop the capacity of communities across Eastern Carolina to address the problems of violence and cultural differences. Contact the MCEC for more information at 252-633-2538 or visit their website at www.mceconline.com.
A number of people from the MumFest have visited our website to get copies of our free reports and e-books—have you ordered yours yet? Please do! We love to "give back" to our community any way we can. These free e-books and reports are on our website for you to take advantage of. Just visit the website at www.realteamnc.com and click on "Free Stuff".
You never know where Craig's RealTeam may appear next! Be on the lookout for our Craig's RealTeam tent at your next local event. We are always giving away "free stuff" to our friends and neighbors.
Until Next Time,
Craig Emmerich
The Piano Man
Team Leader
Craig's RealTeam
What's happening in New Bern, North Carolina?
By Craig Emmerich
Real estate in New Bern, North Carolina is always interesting, but the past few weeks have been especially so. Tracy (Special Projects Director for The RealTeam) and I have 10 homes under contract with very pleased buyers and sellers; and we have 10 equally exceptional active home listings. I have always told my clients that my team goes “above and beyond” the call of duty…but this month, I think we proved it beyond all doubt.
One of the homes we closed on recently was for buyers who were just relocating to New Bern, North Carolina. But they had one of those “move in” dilemmas—the home they loved and purchased was devoid of a washer and dryer.
So trusty Tracy put on her “super agent ” gear and solved the problem. She found out from our buyers what type of washer and dryer they had in their old home. Imagine their surprise and delight when they took the final walk-thru of their new home and found a new washer and dryer—the same brand name and model they already trusted—right where it should be, ready to go as soon as their family moved in. I joked with Tracy that maybe for the next house; she could lose the super agent garb and put on some overalls to paint the living room…
I can’t promise I’ll do that for every real estate sale, but its one example of “creative” solutions that my real estate team uses to produce win-win situations for all parties.
As the second-oldest city in North Carolina, New Bern, North Carolina, has a fascinating history. New Bern was first settled in 1710 by Swiss and German immigrants – upon land occupied for centuries by the Tuscarora Indian tribe. Baron Christoph deGraffenried legally founded the town, and it was named in honor of Bern, the capital of Switzerland.
Walk the streets of the downtown historic district or take the guided tour, and you will see historic markers noting the home of a signer of the U.S. Constitution, and where George Washington slept. You may also see the office of William Gaston, the first chief justice of the state Supreme Court. Mr. Gaston composed North Carolina’s state song.
As a former board member of The New Bern Historical Society, I love sharing my knowledge of New Bern and coastal North Carolina homes, history, and attractions with my clients and associates. I’ve found that most people are interested in these factual tidbits, too.
Regardless of the season, there is always something intriguing happening in New Bern. In January and February of 2006, for example, some of the more interesting activities you could choose from include: a colonial puppet show in historic Tryon Palace, antique sales, a Russian ballet, or classical music at the riverfront convention center.
Be sure to stop in and see the “super agent ” team (The RealTeam) at Glenburnie Road, when you’re in New Bern, North Carolina. I promise not to wear tights!
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In his blog, “What’s Happening in New Bern, North Carolina,” Craig Emmerich brings you timely news, history, real estate information, and activities related to New Bern. Claim some fame –if you have an event or something noteworthy to share with my readers, send it in to: Craig Emmerich, Realtor® at cemmerich@coastalnet.com.
For more information about the New Bern Historical Society, visit their website at www.newbernhistorical.org or call (252) 638-8558.
May Blog
What’s Happening in New Bern, North Carolina?
By Craig Emmerich
I hope you’re enjoying the changes to my website. I’ve been working closely with a web developer to make the New Bern’s Best Agent website more user-friendly and to increase the real estate tools and information available to you. The news is all over the town! Have you heard it yet? I have built a great team of real estate experts, The RealTeam, each with a particular specialty. Please visit our new website: www.realteamnc.com, click on the link “Meet the Real Team” and you will find brief biographies for the team members.
We had a busy and enjoyable month. As I write, there are 23 homes for sale in Taberna, 7 homes for sale in Greenbriar, and 28 homes for sale in Trent Woods. Here are the MLS statistics for homes sold March 1st through April 14th:
Real Estate Market Update
HOMES SOLD (Closed), March 1st through April 14th
Under $100K……………………………………………………..22
$100K-$199,999………………………………………………….62
$200K-$299,999………………………………………………….23
$300K-$399,999………………………………………………….10
$400K-$499,999…………………………………………………. 6
$More than $500,000…………………………………………….. 4
Total…………………………………………………………… 127
In my quest to bring you the best tools and information available for all your real estate needs, I’d like to mention Craven County’s Geographic Information System (GIS). GIS provides information about a particular location. This GIS site (http://gismaps2.cravencounty.com/maps/) provides maps and tax assessor information for properties located in Crave3n County, North Carolina. You may obtain tax assessor information and maps by clicking on the Maps option. Digital files may also be downloaded for viewing on your PC by clicking on the Downloads option.
Don’t forget to download the free e-book available on my websites, How to Reduce Your Property Taxes. Discover real estaste professionals’ secrets of how to reduce your property taxes. A colleague of mine saved $9,000 over five years by following these easy steps. That’s not pocket change, so be sure to take advantage of this knowledge.
Community Calendar for May, New Bern, North Carolina
May 5: Pamlico Musical Society Concert: Paul Tardif, Piano & Emanuel Gruber, Cello 252-249-3362
May 5, 6, 12-14, 18, 20, 21: “Morning’s At Seven,” New Bern Civic Theatre 252-633-0567
May 12-14: 18th Annual Beaufort Music & Performing Arts Festival 252-422-6161
May 19: Grand Reopening of the NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shore 252-247-4003
May 19: North Carolina Symphony Performance, New Bern Riverfront Convention Center 252-638-9050
May 20: 4th Annual Downtown Morehead City Homes & Gardens Tour 252-808-0440
May 31: Opening Day for the New Bern River Rats, Coastal Plain League (baseball) 252-675-5689 |
