Cary NC Real Estate, I had a closing today, but I remember the hug from last week... - 11/29/07 11:06 PM
I had a closing today.  Great.  "Cha-Ching!"  Nothing like going to the bank.   Especially after a little racking of the nerves, funding style.
We often talk about the value of the services we offer, and how important it is to act as a fiduciary, and how rewarding it is to help folks.  All of that is true.  But I couldn't do it without the pay day.  I haven't figured out how to do without my three hots and a cot.
Went to the bank.  Went to the office.  Went home and Sweetie told me how hard I work("Thank you, dear"), and the check stub is already … (14 comments)

Restrictive Covenants: No rendering plants, No trucks, "No person of any race other than the Caucasian race..." - 11/25/07 10:15 PM
"No person of any race other than the Causcasian race shall use or occupy any building or any lot, except that this covenant shall not prevent occupancy by domestic servants of a different race domicilied with an owner or tenant."
Seriously.  A walk down Memory Lane.  Not a particulary proud or joyful walk, either.
This quote was taken from the recorded covenants of a Raleigh, Wake County, NC, subdivision where I wrote an offer for Buyer clients this weekend.  I have heard of little notes like this, but it was the first time I have pulled something like this up myself. 
I … (15 comments)

Wake County North Carolina Property Tax: How to submit your Re-Assessment Appeals - 11/21/07 09:11 PM
With the average reassessment increasing property tax valuations 40% on average across Wake County, The first reactions of many people, after a little shock, was "How do I get THIS fixed."
Well, don't rush the Wake County Courthouse with torches and pitchforks...  It is well-secured.
 Wake County, NC, Courthouse: You won't get in with a pitchfork...
You can enter an assessment appeal by following the instructions that came out in today's mail with the reassessment notice.  Your best tool will be the price realized by Sellers in your neighborhood.  Good data is your friend.
Not sure how to proceed?  I have posted a link to the instructions … (12 comments)

Vanity License Plates...Who's got 'em? Who has the best one? - 11/20/07 07:16 PM
Some agents use magnetic sign panels, car wraps, or lettering to notify the public they work in real estate.
I have a license plate frame with my name and phone number on it.
Also, I have a vanity plate on my truck that says: ELEVATE!
I like it.  It's simple, conveys my optimism, and is also part of my erstwhile motto:  "ELEVATE YOUR GAME!"  I'm probably going to pop 30 Bucks to the North Carolina DOT to transfer it to the car that I drive daily.  I just couldn't believe it was available, without having to abbreviate or use an "8," or something
Before I got … (25 comments)

Cary NC Real Estate, Picardy Village: Wooded Lots and Custom Homes - 11/19/07 10:02 PM
  Picardy Village entrance sign
Picardy Village is a cozy neighborhood of custom-built homes in Cary, NC.  Picardy Village is off the west side of Lake Pine Road, between the Cary Parkway and US 64.    Picardy Village is adjacent to Picardy Pointe.
Click here to view currently available Active Listings in Picardy Village.
See the Picardy Village photo set on Flickr.
Downtown Raleigh and NC State University are about a 15-20 minute commute from Picardy Village.  The Research Triangle Park, "RTP," is about 25 minutes.  Heavy drive-time traffic can increase those commute times.

Picardy Village was developed in the mid-1990's by MacGregor Development Company.  Mostly 1.5 and two-story homes comprise … (9 comments)

Wake County North Carolina Property Tax Re-Assessments go public today. Average 40% increase! - 11/19/07 08:51 PM
Sounds bad, right?  A 40% increase in assessed Tax Values in Wake County, NC real estate tax values for 2008.
There's a little more to the story, as well-reported by WRAL-TV.
1.  The property tax bills will not increase by 40% immediately.  The Wake County tax rate will be reduced to prevent a massive increase in County revenue.
2.  Property tax assessed values are only tenuously linked to market value. 
3.  Rates are set annually, but assessments are only updated every eight years.  Assessments are NOT updated when a home is sold.
4.  The current Wake County rate is .678 mills.  It will be reset at … (4 comments)

Cary NC Real Estate, "Remove shoes?" My reply: "Please turn up the HEAT!" - 11/19/07 02:45 PM
Sure, I press my clients to remove shoes in a nice clean home, when the Seller makes the request.  It is courtesy, and reasonable.  And some cultures just do not wear shoes in the house.  Respect.  I'm all for it. 
But we are approaching winter in North Carolina.  NC winter is not Arctic, but it does get cool.
So, the first two homes I showed on Saturday were vacant.  One had laminate floors.  The other had a lot of hardwoods.
And the heat was OFF in the first one, and very low in the second one.
I was in the company of a young … (12 comments)

Cary NC Real Estate, I have no choice...It is going to be a GREAT day! - 11/16/07 06:38 AM
Crystal clear blue sky.
Stepped to the curb to pick up the paper.
Might be a light frost in the next few minutes.
Came back in from the chill and the warrm house smells like fresh bread baking, as the Ultimate Breadman bread machine is set to deliver a fine little golden brown loaf in a few minutes.   M-m-m-m-m-MMM!
Stopped by Jan Evett's post of the other day, What a Wonderful World, and played the YouTube Louis Armstrong clip.  Always makes me smile to see how beautiful a sentiment is passed in such a simple song.. 
Sweetie has a four day weekend, which she has earned, and … (13 comments)

Cary NC Real Estate, "A-a-ahhh, Autumn! When a young man's fancy turns to deadly CARBON MONOXIDE! - 11/15/07 05:01 PM
It's Fall, a beautiful time of the year in North Carolina, as the trees turn colors and light up the streets with the brightness of their foliage.
And it is the time of year when furnaces come on for the first time in months.  Also a great time to have an inspection performed on an older unit, to make certain it is ready for another heating season.
The most common furnace safety issue in Cary, Raleigh, and all of Wake County, NC, is the failure of the heating unit's "heat exchanger."  The heat exchanger is a chamber, or series of tubes, through which … (8 comments)

Court says, "No" to Foreclosure! Is your home now "Foreclosure-Proof?" NOTE: Do not try this at home! - 11/15/07 06:24 AM
Hot off the presses:
Federal judge in Cleveland dismisses mortgage investor pool foreclosure claims against 14 properties. 
(The link takes you to a New York Times article.  You may have to register to read, but registration is free.) 
Mortgage-backed security pooling spreads risk, and allows many Americans to own homes.  And is incomprehensible to most borrowers.  Apparently, it is incomprehensible to even mortgage bankers' attorneys, as they were unable to make a solid case for ownership in court.
With as many as three pools of investors owning pieces of mortgages, and a judge's ruling that they could not show actual ownership, only "an intent to transfer."
"No … (9 comments)

Cary and Raleigh, NC Real Estate: Is the all one-level, easy living, classic ranch house making a comeback? - 11/14/07 09:32 PM
Is the ranch house coming back?  Oh...you know:  The classic '60's rancher.  Single level living, with no stairs and low maintenance. 
 Oakwood Heights, Cary, NC
It seems to me that it is, and that spells good news for many Raleigh and Cary residents who should see great price support for their classic ranchers.
 Enchanted Oaks, Raleigh, NC
My legs get tired chasing up and down the stairs in our pleasant, but decidedly TWO story home.  And I have determined that those luxurious 9 foot ceilings serve to add a step or two to the climb to the second floor.  Our main-level master suite helps, but … (12 comments)

Cary, NC Real Estate: My lender referral is for YOUR good. Buyers who use my referred lenders close on their contracts! - 11/14/07 04:28 PM
Again, a Buyer who didn't use my referred mortgage lender called me after the lender let him down.
And the scramble starts, to get the clients in front of someone I know can perform, offer clarity, and get the job done within a short closing window.  I use up a little of my stock of good will with good people who have to hustle to catch up to where they should have started a few weeks ago.
It goes with the territory.  I heartily support a Buyers' right to select a lender.  I know it isn't a perfect world.
But... when I talk to people who believe they need to … (4 comments)

Cary NC Real Estate, Picardy Pointe: Custom homes on wooded lots in a tremendous Cary location - 11/10/07 09:25 PM
 Picardy Pointe entrance sign
Picardy Pointe is a neighborhood of custom-built homes on the edge of Cary, NC.  Many of the homes have a view of the Apex Community Park Lake.
Click here to view currently available Active Home Listings in Picardy Pointe.
Picardy Pointe is off the west side of Lake Pine Road, between the Cary Parkway and US 64. 
See the 47 photo set slideshow on Flickr.

Downtown Raleigh and NC State University are about a 15-20 minute commute from Picardy Pointe.  The Research Triangle Park, "RTP," is about 25 minutes.  Heavy drive-time traffic can lengthen those times.

Picardy … (4 comments)

Cary NC Real Estate, Closing table grins and chuckles... - 11/10/07 03:24 PM
Sometimes getting the keys conveyed properly is a small hurdle.
Folks sign all the paperwork, and expect to get the keys.  Legally, they do not own the home in North Carolina until the deed is recorded.  And that is the best time to hand over the keys, after recording of the deed.  The final title search for liens is performed just before recording.  Things happen.  Issues arise.  Not often, but often enough to justify holding the keys until recording.
That can be difficult to understand, when they have driven across the State, or across Country, and the moving van with all their belongings … (14 comments)

Cary NC Real Estate Agent uses Flickr to record Client's new home Construction. Clients love it! - 11/09/07 07:42 PM
My clients travel a little, and live just a few miles farther than our Keller Williams Cary real estate office from the new home site.  And the spouse works long hours, and will have a difficult time seeing the construction of the home through its phases.
What to do?
I can usually find a few minutes most days, and have driven to the home site, and taken photos on a few occasions.  Email would have been a little bit clumsy to send photos.
Hmmmm....
Flickr!  Oh, for sure!
With my Flickr Pro account, I can post unlimited monthly photos.   And now I have delighted clients who are grateful … (9 comments)

Cary and Raleigh, NC Real Estate: Fix and Flip? Don't skimp on "Fix!" - 11/08/07 08:57 PM
Today I went with a Buyer client to his home inspection on a project home under contract, and we discussed some of the repairs and upgrades he could do on the home.
It looks like there is enough margin in the job to really do a sharp job on the house, and make it very appealing.
We talked about several items, and I developed a recurring response and input:
"Eliminate items that may initiate discussions with potential Buyers."
If you can foresee that an item may develop into an issue, take it off the table.  Proactively avoid the conversation.
Even if it is still working, is it worth it to … (7 comments)

Cary NC Real Estate, A Visit to Royal Ridge - 11/07/07 11:41 AM
We cruised through Royal Ridge in Cary, NC, last Saturday night to view the beautiful custom homes and the heavily wooded lots.
 Royal Ridge is a mature  residential  neighborhood  in the center of Cary, NC.  Royal Ridge is located off the Southwest Cary Parkway, between Kildaire Farm Road and Lake Pine Drive.  See the Royal Ridge slideshow on Flickr.

Raleigh and NC State University are about a 15-20 minute commute.  The Research Triangle Park, "RTP," is about 25 minutes.  Heavy drive-time traffic can lengthen those times.

Royal Ridge was developed in the mid-1980's.  Many pleasant classic 1.5 and two-story homes, and several contemporary styles comprise Royal Ridge, with … (4 comments)

Cary, NC, Real Estate: The Fabulous Moolah is GONE! - 11/06/07 07:57 PM
Man, I'm glad she made her mark in Wrassling instead of Real Estate.
Imagine going up against the Fabulous Moolah in a contentious transaction! 
I mean, would you take a flying drop kick for your client?
Mary Lillian Ellison, aka, "the Fabulous Moolah" passed away last Friday.
Some fun facts I gleaned from the NY Times obituary:
"The Fabulous Moolah" was the youngest in a family of 13 kids, and the only girl.
No wonder she took to the Flying Drop Kick, Flying Head Scissors, and the Flying Mare.  With 12 older brothers, she likely had plenty of role models.
Moolah was born in Tookiedoo, SC, and that … (5 comments)

Cary, NC Real Estate: Trees! The Woods of Kildaire is the antidote for barren landscapes! - 11/05/07 09:39 PM
My wife accompanied me for a Saturday evening drive through the Woods of Kildaire, Cary, NC.  Many of the photos show the development of dusk, and the quietude of life in a wooded preserve.

Woods of Kildaire is a mature affordable neighborhood in the center of Cary, NC.  Woods of Kildaire is situated off the SW Cary Parkway.  Access to the neighborhood is also available from Kildaire Farm Road, and through MacGregor Downs.  Access and egress to and from the neighborhood are convenient. 

Raleigh and NC State University are about a 15-20 minute commute.  The Research Triangle Park, "RTP," is about 25 minutes.  Heavy drive-time traffic can lengthen those times.
… (4 comments)

Cary, NC, Real Estate: New day dawning, and I'm wanting to make the most of it! - 11/05/07 08:34 PM
I went out for the morning paper and saw the early morning pre-dawn glow. 
Dawn is the finest time of the day, I think.  It holds the promise of the day ahead.  And today it occurred to me, a series of sunrise photos might make a neat Real Estate Show.  So I gave it a go.
I enjoyed the result, and like the music that came up by default, so I left it in the Show.
… (3 comments)

LendingTree going solo! Who's going to be buying stock in LendingTree? - 11/05/07 09:41 AM
IAC/Interactive announced this morning that it will be splitting into 5 independent publicly traded companies.
The real estate end of the company, LendingTree, real estate.com, domainia, etc, will be organized under the LendingTree brand.
I heard the fellers on CNBC, particularly Joe Kernan, saying it was overdue, and that the company had been too complex to understand for a long time.
But I'm honestly ignorant of all the ramifications of the separation, or the viability of the individual company.  I just tend to think of LendingTree as the mortgage site where folks can shop for a lender.
So, as a real estate professional, how do you … (2 comments)

Cary and Raleigh, NC Real Estate: Flood Plain Disclosure added to revised standard "Offer to Purchase and Contract" for 2008 - 11/04/07 09:14 PM
Flood Plain issues cloud many North Carolina real estate transactions.
More often or not, all responsibility for determining whether a property was in a flood plain fell to the Buyer, and there was little remedy in the Contract if the property was determined to be in a flood plain.
Now, the 2008 revision of the Offer to Purchase and Contract brings some clarity to the Seller and Buyer. 
In Section 6,  the Contract requires the Seller and Buyer to agree that disclosure has, or hasn't, been made that any portion of the property is within a Special Flood Hazard Area.  
Let's say the Seller … (4 comments)

Cary and Raleigh, NC, Real Estate: 2008 Standard forms: Offer to Purchase and Contract and governmental bodies - 11/02/07 08:39 PM
We get into the changes in the 2008 North Carolina Offer to Purchase and Contract in the first paragraph:
"NOTE:  Government authority over taxes, zoning, school districts, utilities, and mail delivery may differ from address shown."
It isn't a major change, nor is it an impediment to a smooth transaction.  It alerts the Buyer in plain English that the address and the actual governing body and service providers may not be the same.
We have "ETJ's," "Extra-Territorial Jurisdictions" in North Carolina.  The Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction allows a town to control zoning and permitting in an unincorporated area.  And that area may be in the mailing district of … (4 comments)

Cary and Raleigh, NC, Real Estate: First frost this week, on top of the drought! Gardener Alert! - 11/01/07 08:54 PM
How could there have been enough humidity to make a frost this week?
We can't seem to squeeze out a few drops of rain dependably, but we can make the roofs white with frost.  Hmmmmmm.
I hope my plantings do all right.  Gardening in Cary and Raleigh, NC is a delight and a torment.  We have a long growing season, but one that can be a nightmare of drought and hardpan clay.  We have a ton of opportunity for trying new things.  We also can pay the price of frustration if we try to force Northern species to grow in this climate.
After this … (11 comments)

 
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Mike Jaquish 919-880-2769 Cary, NC, Real Estate

Realty Arts

Cary, NC

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Realty Arts

Address: 109 Saint Lazare Drive, Cary, NC, 27513

Cell Phone: (919) 880-2769

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Cary, NC, blog. I'm in Cary, North Carolina, writing about Real Estate, including Cary, Raleigh, Apex, Wake County, NC, and around the USA..



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