Real Estate News
By Amy Hahn, Pine Knoll Shores Realty
It’s not what’s on the outside that counts—or is it?
We have all heard the phrase “It’s not what’s on the outside that counts.” But when it
comes to selling your home, what is on the outside counts just as much as what is on the
inside—if not more. Remember, you never get a second chance to make a first impression.
While you do not need to spend a fortune, a little cash (and sometimes no cash) and a lot
of elbow grease can go a long way toward improving your home’s curb appeal:
• A fresh coat of paint on the front door and some brightly colored flowers in pots
can make a big difference.
• Replace the hardware on the front door to make it really shine.
• Fix the broken fence, and remove all debris and trash from the yard.
• Keep the yard mowed and the shrubs trimmed.
• A new door mat may be just the perfect touch.
• Make sure the mailbox is standing up straight, and paint it as well.
• Pressure wash. You can make the driveway and vinyl siding look brand new in a
couple of hours. Use caution with wood or other painted surfaces and remember
to use low pressure to clean those areas to reduce splintering and chipping. Most
home improvement centers rent pressure washers if you do not own one.
• Keep the windows squeaky clean.
When placing your home on the market, keep an open mind. What are the first
things you notice when you pull in the driveway? Are the troll collection and other
Wn ornaments in the garden a distraction? Are the house numbers clearly visible? Are
the gutters clean and properly installed? Can you see the roof through the pine straw?
^re the weeds taking over? Are the shutters faded or, worse, falling off? Are the window
boxes filled with dead flowers and stems? Are the outdoor lights working properly? Try
to look at your home as a potential buyer would.
Once the outside looks fabulous, make sure the inside matches. And, yes, sweat the
Small stuff. It can make all the difference.
For Our Longer Lives
Byjoan Lamson
It has been just two years since the Town of Pine Knoll Shores established an informal
advisory committee on Aging in Place. As you might remember, some research showed
htat things that are good for an aging population are also good for all ages. An example
ts that it takes as much space to turn a stroller as it does a wheel chair. Thus, the Advisory
Committee changed its name to the Age-Friendly Community Advisory Committee, and
^he Commissioners subsequently passed a resolution to support an Age-Friendly town.
We formed two tracks—one on what the government of the town can do, and the other
what citizens can do. Track one has been discussing the eight elements as identified
°y the World Health Organization (WHO) in its “Guide for Global Age-Friendly
pities.” The eight elements are: 1) Outdoor spaces and buildings, 2) Transportation, 3)
housing, 4) Social participation, 5) Respect and social inclusion, 6) Civic participation
^nd employment, 7) Communication and information, and 8) Community support
**^d health services. The elements where the advisory committee feels we have early
opportunities are in housing, transportation, social inclusion and communication.
The town, through the Strategic Planning Committee’s, work, is setting some goals and
objectives toward these issues. For example, under the Strategic Planning Committee’s
^raft plan. Strategic Area—Residential/Commercial Development, Objective 4, is to
tpjrovide a supportive environment for developing an age-friendly community.”
^rther, in more detail, goals are stated as: “Consider aging-in-place options for future
^Welopment, Advocate and support expansion of public transportation service in Pine
^oH Shores, and Review zoning policies that could inhibit age-fi-iendly development.”
What to Expect for the
2016 Primary Election
By Phyllis Makuck
Voter Rights Coalition
of Carteret County
A NonPartisan Organization
The nonpartisan Voter Rights Coalition of Carteret
County is continuing its series of educational talks,
events and articles on new North Carolina voting laws.
For more information, go to voterrightscoalition.org.
The March 15, 2016, Primary in North Carolina
will have Democratic, Republican, Libertarian and
Nonpartisan ballots, with candidates for each office
listed in random order. If you are registered for one
of the parties, you will be given that party’s ballot.
If you are registered as unaffiliated, you will have
your choice of ballots. You may select a Nonpartisan Ballot, but if you do, you will only
be voting on the local school board and Connect NC, the Improvement Bond issue.
Sample ballots are available at carteretcountync.gov.
The main purpose of the primary is to select candidates who will represent the
parties and run for office in the November 8 General Election. Since there are more
Republican candidates running, that ballot is the longest. Depending on the party you
select, there may or may not be multiple candidates for each of the following:
• U.S. President
• U.S. Senate
• N.C. Governor
• N.C. Lieutenant Governor
• N.C. Attorney General
• N.C. Treasurer
• N.C. Secretary of State
• N.C. Superintendent of Public Instruction
• N.C. Commissioners of Agriculture, Labor and Insurance
• Carteret County Commissioners
Ballots will also have a nonpartisan section for electing a candidate to the Carteret
County Board of Education and voting for or against the ballot measure, “Connect NC,”
a two-billion-doUar Improvement Bond referendum. Seventeen-year-olds who will be
18 by the November 8 election will receive a special ballot since they may vote in the
March Primary but may not cast votes for the Board of Education or on the bond issue.
General requirements (unless U.S. District Court rules otherwise)
• For the first time in North Carolina, a valid photo ID is required unless you are
curbside voting, voting by absentee ballot, have requested an exemption due to
religious objections or make a Declaration of Impediment.
• You should vote at the polling place for your precinct on Primary Election Day,
but you may cast a provisional ballot in another precinct and have that ballot
counted.
Note: U.S. District Court in Winston-Salem could overturn photo ID requirements
and/or ratify the 2013 law discounting provisional ballots cast out of precinct.
The second track, “what citizens can do,” has focused on informing our citizens on
issues of interest through the Third Thursday Forums at Four-(TTFF). We have presented
speakers on various topics that might be of interest to our aging folks, but also to those
who are just starting to age. A recent forum held at the Bogue Banks Public Library
let us hear from the volunteers who read to children at the story-hour programs. We
also learned more about the presentations, receptions and computer offerings from the
library. Other partners in our quality of life here, such as the aquarium, will be future
venues for our TTFE
The TTFFs are held on the third Thursday of each month at 4 p.m. We finish the
presentation and discussion by 5 p.m., and invite everyone to stay for a brief time of
refreshment. We hope you can join us for the next one.
Mapihaoie J