Ten individuals and ten teams from the RE/MAX Carolinas Region in North Carolina were recognized among the elite in a network of successful real estate professionals for 2012. Justin Harrell was recognized for being the 6th Top Individual in sales in the region. RE/MAX Carolinas Region Director, Ed Vieira, came to Franklin personally to give Harrell his award. Harrell had a volume of $10,895,050 in sales for 2012.

As the housing recovery continues, RE/MAX associates have earned top recognition by the RE/MAX Carolinas Region for their success in 2012. With more than 110 offices and more than 1,700 agents, these select professionals demonstrated growth, determination and outstanding productivity last year.

For those who are unemployed and could benefit from improving their job search skills, Southwestern Community College offers “employability” labs in Jackson County on the Jackson Campus in Oaks Hall, Room 104 Mondays and Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to noon and Fridays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.; in Macon County at the Macon Annex Room 104 Mondays & Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

“With today's new and rapidly changing technology and competitive job market it is important to make yourself stand out,” said Darlene Anderson, Educational Opportunities Director. “The job of finding a job requires many of the same qualifications it takes once you are hired. The Employability Lab helps you determine the qualities that make you most marketable to prospective employers, helps you get that interview, and then win the job.”

Everett Cash Mutual Ins. Co. (ECM) is celebrating its 100th anniversary by creating the ECM Centennial Scholarship program. $100,000 has been established by the board of directors for potential applicants who are policyholders, agents, or employees of ECM or their immediate family. According to president and CEO Randy Shaw, “We want to give back to those who have helped us become what we are today. What better way to celebrate the past than to help future leaders.”

The term “capital asset” for tax purposes applies to almost everything you own and use for personal or investment purposes. A capital gain or loss occurs when you sell a capital asset.

Here are 10 facts from the IRS on capital gains and losses: