Existing home sales up in last quarter

Strong gains in existing-home sales were the predominant pattern in most states during the fourth quarter, with many more metro areas seeing prices rise from a year earlier, according to the latest survey by the National Association of Realtors.

Total state existing-home sales, including single-family and condo, jumped 13.9 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 6.03 million in the fourth quarter from 5.29 million in the third quarter, and are 27.2 percent above the fourth quarter of 2008.

North Carolina was no exception. Existing home sales for the state increased 8.4 percent in the fourth quarter and increased a 31.4 percent over last year's figures.

Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the Realtors group, said the first-time homebuyer tax credit was the dominant factor. "The surge in home sales was driven by buyers responding strongly to the tax credit combined with record low mortgage interest rates," he said. "With inventory levels trending down over the past 18 months, we expect broadly balanced housing market conditions in much of the country by late spring with more areas showing higher prices."

For more information, visit www.realtor.org.

Laura Sabatino joins Gentiva

Physical therapist Laura Sabatino has joined the staff of Gentiva home health of Salisbury as the Therapy Team leader. She graduated from the Medical College of Georgia in 2000 with a master's degree in physical therapy.

Sabatino has worked with patients in all stages of recovery from illness or surgery, including acute care, skilled nursing facilities and outpatient orthopedics. She has taken extensive continuing education courses in orthopedics, manual therapy, sports medicine and balance dysfunction to further her skill set.

In addition to being a physical therapist, Sabatino has a bachelor's degree in exercise and sport science from East Carolina University. She is also a certified strength and conditioning specialist. She teaches water aerobics at the YMCA and helps coach the Cabarrus County Special Olympics.

The Gentiva office is located at 205 E. Council St. and can be reached at 704-636-3334.

Panel to discuss insurance issues

Central Carolina Insurance Agency and the Cincinnati Insurance Co. are hosting a panel discussion Wednesday, Feb. 24, from 8:30 a.m. until 10 a.m. in the Food Lion Board Room of the Rowan County Chamber of Commerce. A continental breakfast will be offered at 8 a.m.

The two agencies have scheduled experts to answer questions on audits, certificates of insurance, additional insureds, claims, loss control and more.

Speakers include Joan Yates, loss control; Chris Coffaro, underwriting specialist; Phil Reeves, claims; and Sharon McDonald, auditor.

To register, contact Joanne Brown at brownj@centralcarolina.com or at 704-636-5311.

Weight Watchers hosts open house

"Having a Weight-Loss Friendly Kitchen" is the theme of Weight Watchers' free open house from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, at 704 Jake Alexander Blvd.

Guests will receive a free gift bag and a chance to win a door prize. Healthy refreshments will be served.

Participants will learn how to calculate body mass index and receive information and other tools for healthy living.

The basics of the Weight Watchers program will be presented several times during the open house hours, along with tips and strategies for losing weight and adopting a healthier lifestyle.

Weight Watchers memberships will be available for as little as $9.22 per week, with no registration fee (a savings of $20).

Staff and current members will be on hand to answer questions you may have about the Weight Watchers program. For more information contact 704-855-8353.

Lutheran Services buys site for home

Salisbury-based Lutheran Services for the Aging has finalized the purchase of a 12-acre tract of land in the heart of the Mountain View area of Catawba County.

The property will be the replacement site for Lutheran Home-Hickory West, now on 10th Street NW. Lutheran Services leased the circa 1973 nursing home in 2001 and purchased the home in 2006.

"Lutheran Home-Hickory West is a great nursing home with a wonderful reputation and excellent staff," said Ted Goins, president of Lutheran Services. "But the building is worn out, and very institutional with nearly all semi-private rooms. A new building is needed to provide the home-like care that Catawba County elders want and deserve."

Construction is slated to begin late in 2011 or in 2012. The new nursing home will offer a neighborhood-like design with more private rooms, a chapel, more common space, a playground for children, and expanded rehabilitation services. Twenty assisted living beds may also be added.

Construction will be financed in part through a state-wide capital campaign to be launched this summer.

"The people of Catawba County have been served by Lutheran Homes for 50 years, so people have seen our ministry in action," said Goins. "We can begin much sooner if we can raise $2 million dollars of the $15 million cost. It will take the 'widow's mite' to build this home — sacrificial gifts, and gifts from the heart."

In Salisbury, LSA operates Trinity Oaks Retirement Community, Lutheran Home at Trinity Oaks, and Abundant Living Adult Day Services. Credit CARD Act takes effect Monday

New consumer protections outlined in the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 become effective Monday. The Better Business Bureau says these are some features:

- More notice for new interest rate changes. Card issuers must give card holders 45 days advance notice in the event of an interest rate change. Additionally, promotional rates must apply for at least six months and, unless disclosed up front, card holders cannot have their rate increased in the first year.

- Cardholder opt-out. If there are significant changes to the terms of the account, card holders can choose to reject those changes and will have five years to pay off the balance under the original terms.

- Age restrictions added. Card issuers are no longer allowed to issue a credit card to anyone under 21 unless they can prove they have the means to repay debt or if an adult over 21 co-signs on the account. Credit card companies also face new restrictions on how they can promote cards to college students and can no longer offer free gifts as enticements on campuses.

- New rules for monthly statements. Monthly statements must now be mailed or delivered 21 days prior to the due date. Card issuers can no longer set a payment deadline before 5 p.m. and cannot charge card holders if they pay online, over the phone or by mail—unless the payment is made over the phone either on the due date or the previous day.