The Easy Life @ 8334 Primanti Blvd October 26, 2010

Are you a busy person that loves the better things in life but doesn’t have time to do the upkeep? Do you enjoy being minutes to just about everything? Do you want the feel of a single home but just don’t have the time for the maintenance of the exterior of a home or the lawn? Well… you are in luck!!! This spacious townhome lives like a single family home, with its windows on 3 sides, since it is on the end. It is also located next to the quaint neighborhood park which is fenced and has additional landscaping allowing more privacy for your home. The great news is that the lawn and exterior is covered by your HOA dues.

This home is in a great location in many ways. It is convenient to Brier Creek Golf course, 540 which soon will stretch to Apex and highway 64! Can be used to get to the RDU Airport and I-40 in just minutes. It makes it so easy to pick up friends and family at the RDU Airport when you are a few miles away.

Looking for some outdoor activities on a sunny Carolina Weekend? You are 10 minutes from Umstead State Park, a few miles from The American Tobacco Trail, Raleigh Greenway System, NC Museum of Art along with their walking trails!

If shopping is your thing then you will love Crabtree Valley Mall’s location or Brier Creek Commons! The Triangle Town Center is just a few minutes away on 540.

Interesting Places & Info:

www.8334PrimantiBlvd.com

Video of Home

Shopping at Brier Creek

Crabtree Valley Mall

Downtown Raleigh

Umstead State Park

Gorgeous End Unit Townhome offers 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, loft and bonus room plus 2 car garage!

Check out this neighborhood park nestled right next to this home. What a rare find!

Location, Location, Location @ 7 Bonham Court October 22, 2010

It’s funny how the same word keeps popping up with so much meaning! In real estate location is so often key to what is important to home-buyers.  A home is not just a place to eat, sleep and hang out when you aren’t at work! It is the hub of your life. Most people shop, have their children in school, go to church, have their favorite restaurants, go to work within 10 – 15  minutes of their home… you get the picture.

That is what’s so great about the home located in Ashley Forest at 7 Bonham Court in the Brier Creek area.  Whether you work in RTP, downtown Raleigh or Durham you are about 15 minutes away. Fabulous shopping, entertainment and restaurants are only 5 minutes away. HWY 540 which will get you connected to just about anywhere quickly is also only 5 minutes away. Umstead State Park is just down the road off Hwy 70!
Talk about location… WOW is about all you can say!!!

Istvan has lived in this lovely home most of the home’s life… and really cared for the home! Now that his children are grown he no longer needs this much space, almost 2600 sq ft. He has decided to let another family enjoy this great home,  making wonderful memories of their own! BUT… being the truly proud homeowner he is – the home had to shine before being put on the market. That is why the interior has been freshly painted, new carpet has been installed, new interior and exterior lights have been added, tile floors were put down in the baths and more. All we need is a new family that wants a great home at one of the best prices around… is that you?

Local Finds:

www.7BonhamCourt.com

Home Video

Shopping at Brier Creek

City of Durham

Downtown Raleigh

Crabtree Valley Mall

Umstead State Park

 

Lovely brick front home w/ 2 car garage on quiet cul-de-sac!

Living the Dream @ 2026 Pinebark Lane October 20, 2010

Have you ever wondered what it felt like to come home after a busy day or a busy week and really relax leaving the worries of the day behind? The minute I drove into this neighborhood I felt that way. I have gone by their entrance and never known it was there. One you turn into the community you get to drive several blocks through a gorgeous tree-lined street before the homes start to appear on their estate sized homesites. What is the absolute most incredible aspect of the whole thing is the affordability of these homes. We are talking about $100 per sq ft for homes sitting on an acre or more of lovely landscaped lawns!

When I saw Tammy and Steve’s home it looked like something out of Southern Living. The sweeping lawn with flowers blooming, the wide wrap around porch made for a swing and summer afternoons, the oversized deck looking out on the huge private backyard as well as the screened porch welcoming the outdoors to the indoor living spaces… I felt the tension slipping away!

I could tell as I spoke with Tammy and Steve that they hated the thought of leaving their home but their jobs would not allow them to stay. They spoke of the way their daughters had grown up in their home and the friends they had made. What a wonderful location it was to downtown Clayton, Garner and Raleigh. In their own words… country ease with every city convenience!

If you are tired of the rat race and want a little slice of heaven… this just might be your lucky day!

Just the facts:

www.2026Pinebark.com

Video of Home

Town of Clayton

Downtown Raleigh

Raleigh’s Farmers Market

NC Museum of Art

Crabtree Valley Mall

Raleigh Flea Market

Town of Garner

 

Lovely Victorian Style Home with Wrap Around Porch & 2 Car Garage

This wonderful 4 Bedroom 2 Full Bath/2 Half Bath home is nestled on a 1.5 Acre Homesite

Creating Personal Wealth @ 4611 Centrebrook Circle October 19, 2010

Do you rent an apartment or a home? Do you wish you had a place of your own? Have you ever thought that you could have  a home with a floor plan that would allow you to rent out the lower level?  That  renting out the lower level could cover most of your house payment? Consider this home… it is a ranch style townhome with 2 bedrooms, 2 full baths, kitchen, living room & dining room on the first floor that you walk directly into from the front door. On the lower level with its own entrance there is a 3 bedroom with its own private bath, a large bonus room and an extra room that could be a kitchenette. There is also an oversized 1 car garage.

Home ownership comes in all sizes and shapes. We are fortunate that we have several colleges and universities in our area. That can be beneficial in the rental market. Investors have known for a long time that having someone else make your mortgage payment for you is one of the best ways to create personal wealth.

If you need all  1888 sq ft of this wonderful townhome for yourself that is great. This home is priced below tax value for a quick sell! It also qualifies for the NC Down Payment Assistance Program which can be very helpful for first time buyers! Please give me a call for more details about this program to see if this might be of help to you!!!

 

Check out the information about this great home and see what you think!

www.4611Centrebrook.com

Video of Home

Triangle Town Center

Downtown Raleigh

North Hills Shopping

Northern Wake Tech Campus

Town of Wake Forest

 

Wonderful End Townhome w/ Extra Landscaping

Oversized Garage & Private Entrance to Lower Level

840 Nowell Ridge Road October 14, 2010

Have you ever heard the saying… Location, Location, Location? Well apparently the location of a home is very important to buyers. This home is in a neighborhood that is a true hidden gem and rare find! It is located nearby EVERYTHING… truly everything… parks, shopping, hospitals, entertainment, schools, grocery stores, hiking trails, lakes, golf course, access to major highways, concert venue, flea market and the list goes on… you name it… that’s right,  it’s just minutes away! Whether you are headed downtown or the Research Triangle Park the commute is convenient.

Homeowners, Lisa and Trent, have wonderful memories of fun times in their neighborhood. With 2 children they have enjoyed community events such as watching the 4th of July fireworks from their cul-de-sac. The location of the fairgrounds makes this a perfect place to enjoy the fireworks without having to leave home! Later in the fall the Halloween Parade is a fun activity for everyone.

If you are looking for both a gorgeous home and a neighborhood that feels like home... look no further… this is the one. This home was priced well at $299,900. We decided to do the negotiating on the price for you! The new price for this fabulous home is $285,000!

Points of Interest

Visual Tour

Umstead State Park

RBC Center

NC Museum of Art

Crabtree Valley Mall

RDU Airport

Downtown Raleigh

 

Gorgeous Craftsman Style Home

Private Fenced Backyard

 

October in Raleigh September 30, 2010

Wow… Raleigh has a lot to offer during the month of October. Whether you are looking for design or remodeling ideas, a new home or just want to have fun… there is something for you! Starting the very first weekend of October and running through the 3rd weekend is our annual Parade of Homes. If this is your first year to experience the Wake County Parade of Homes… grab your keys and one of the Parade of Homes books or special inserts about the showcase homes and start your tour. It is so much fun. Looking through the homes, finding one that you might like to call your home now and one that might just be your “dream home” down the road!

If seeing homes is not your cup of tea… we have our state fair. The fair is scheduled to arrive October 14th – and be here until Sunday 24th . You can enjoy the rides, which is one of my favorites. Yep… I like to get dizzy… always have. You can go see the exhibits from cake decorating, also a favorite, to the livestock. Then of course, there is the food. Everything that you can possibly imagine, from candy apples to fried candy bars! I love the fair. The crisp fall weather coupled with the sights and sounds of people having fun. It just makes me smile!

Here is something about our fairground that you may not know if you are new to our area. We have one of the best Flea Markets around! It is open 11 months out of the year. They normally close about a month prior to the fair arriving. The vendors who have shops in the buildings pack up and move their shops for the month of October. Newcomers to our area may not know that you can get “REALLY” great deals on the last weekend or moving weekend from the Flea Market vendors. Just a little known fact.

You should also check out some of these flea market vendors such as Woods Watch Company, Dennis Woods. Dennis can do watch repair, change a band in just minutes and what you might pay at jewelry store is much less since his overhead is less.  Shanda with Myra Home Accents also offers reasonable prices on home furnishings if you are looking to jazz up your home or office. Don’t discount the Flea Market because they offer discounted prices. The permanent buildings have permanent vendors. Next time you are in the area give them a look see!

Here are a few websites that you might find useful:

Parade of Homes Info:  Wake County Parade of Homes 2010

State Fair Info:   NC State Fair Info

Flea Market Info:  http://www.raleighfleamarket.net

Weekend Getaway September 22, 2010

If you are from the NC Triangle Area or currently live in the NC Triangle Area you are probably very familiar with parts of our coast line. One of my favorite places to visit is Wilmington,NC. I think it is because it reminds me so much of my hometown of Pensacola, FL  in so many ways. You have the town and you have the beach. You can enjoy two different types of atmosphere in one trip. Both towns are also very rich in history!

When my husband, Glenn, and I decided to purchase a home away from home there was no question… Wilmington. It is less than 2 hours away and we can always find something new to see or do.  Our last weekend trip we decided to take a horse-drawn trolley ride. Did you know that the horses they use are rescued horses? These horses are bred for work and after about 6 years are normally put down because they cost too much to feed. Our state finds homes for them in places like Wilmington where they can do what they love… work! They only work for 1 week a month and live a long and happy life. It makes me proud of my state!

Then there is the “Old City Market” on Water Street. Full of all sorts of shops. Stop in and talk to Sarah Pearson at Eclectic Everything. She grew up in Wilmington and has stories of her and her sister when they were kids growing up in the historic area! There is nothing like talking to a native of the area!

Just down the street along the river is the Polka Dotted Flamingo. Ladies… you can get fabulous bargains on some cool looking earrings at this local store!

There are countless great places to eat and always something new to see like the “Venus Fly Trap” glass and metal artwork along the River Walk. If you haven’t had time to check out Wilmington, the Fall is an excellent time when the crowds have thinned a little but the city is still going strong!

Glass & Metal Art on River Walk

Historic Horse Watering Trough

9008 Pleasant Meadow Drive September 20, 2010

Do you know how you drive around and all of a sudden you find a neighborhood that seems to be tucked away but truly is within walking distance to just about everything… and I mean everything!!! That’s Becky and Ray’s home in Stoney Manor. This neighborhood is close to perfection with its prime location, quiet streets, neighborhood restaurants, the YMCA just minutes away and of course friendly neighbors!!!

Their home is in mint condition, that goes without saying, but it also has  recent exterior paint on the fiber cement exterior plus lots of fresh interior. The rooms are large, sunny and airy the way you want rooms to feel unless you are a mushroom! I think you’ll love this home as much as they do… come check it out!

www.9008PleasantMeadow.com

1-888-298-2091 PIN#138

mls# 1747040

There is Change in the Air!!! September 16, 2010

I don’t know about where you are but here in Raleigh, NC there has been a real change in the temperature! It’s funny that when it’s winter we can’t wait for the summer to get here and when it’s 95 degrees and climbing we long for cooler days!

I guess I was spoiled growing up along the gulf coast of Florida we truly got the “gulf breeze” and a gentle rain that even in hot weather made it bearable OR maybe it is always cooler when you are running around in a swimming suit!

The same seems to hold true with the real estate market. When the market is really strong buyers feel like they are paying top dollar and when the market seems weak the sellers seem like they are giving their homes away. Out mls system generates a scale of 1-5 as to what type of market we are in based on all sorts of data such as homes on the market, homes sold that quarter, percentage of list price to sales price,etc.

The scale is structured like this; a 1 is a total Buyer’s Market and a 5 is a total Seller’s Market. For the past year and more the scale as been at a “2″ showing that the NC Triangle Area has been more of a buyers market than a seller’s market. However, this past quarter saw a change for the first time in a long time to a “3″ putting us back into a more neutral ground!

What does that mean for buyers and sellers. Well, unless something else happens to causes further financial ripples we are going to see a healthier real estate market emerge. We have already seen fewer short sales and foreclosures which has been the cause of some appraisal problems  in the past. Staying at the neutral level will allow both buyers and sellers to see that inventory is getting smaller but with the greater demands for better credit so is the buyer pool.

There are a lot of great homes to choose from that are priced to sell! Interest rates are still fabulous… if you have really good credit you can get an interest rate under 5%.  Home ownership is more than just buying a house… it’s investing in your life!

The Peak of Living @ 319 Chapel Valley Lane September 8, 2010

Have you ever walked into a home and felt like sitting down and putting your feet up… that’s the way you feel when you walk into this home. Suzanne and Kyle have made this house a real home! It’s not just a gorgeous home, which it is, it’s the way they have maintained their home with loving care.

The minute they saw the homesite with the 13 acres of permanent greenway they knew this was a special backyard! To enhance this space they enlarged their deck and made a covered porch so that their family and friends could indeed enjoy their fabulous outdoor living!  Of course,  Suzanne & Kyle didn’t stop there! You’ll be impressed with the wonderful landscaping in both the front and back yards!

Once you step indoors you will immediately notice all the extra trim work as well as the beautiful hardwood floors! Everywhere you look it’s something special to see!

Town of Apex

• www.319Chapelvalley.com

• Video of Home

• American Tobacco Trail

• Raleigh’s Farmers Market

• NC Museum of Art

888-298-2091   PIN#554

• Downtown Raleigh

• Crabtree Valley Mall

• The Research Triangle Park

• Raleigh’s Farmers Market

mls# 1745252