The Bennett Group Blog

North Carolina Sales Tax Free Holiday Weekend: August 1 - August 3, 2008

Grant & Lisa Bennett (The Bennett Group - REMAX of Greensboro) — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 06:57:16 -0500

North Carolina's Sales Tax Free Shopping Holiday is this weekend, starting Friday August 1st and Ending Sunday August 3rd. This is a great time to get those back to school items for your kids!

The sales tax holiday is only for certain items, such as cloths, school supplies, computers, computer supplies, etc... You can find out more about the in and out's on the following pages...

North Carolina Department of Revenue:
http://www.dor.state.nc.us/taxes/sales/salestax_holiday.html

List of Items Exempt:
http://www.dor.state.nc.us/taxes/sales/holiday_4-08.pdf

FAQ
http://www.dor.state.nc.us/taxes/sales/Holiday_FAQ.pdf

Have great weekend!

Live Where The PGA Pros Will Play!

Grant & Lisa Bennett (The Bennett Group - REMAX of Greensboro) — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:28:58 -0500

There is a lot of buzz among Greensboro residents, and the entire Triad area for that matter. We are all extremely excited about the new venue for our PGA Tour golf tournament, the Wyndham Championship. For the first time since 1976, the tournament will be played at the Sedgefield Country Club on its recently renovated Donald Ross designed golf course.

I thought I would share with you some of the homes in and around the Sedgefield community that are currently for sale. Also note that many of these homes are located between the Sedgefield community and the Grandover Resort which also has two wonderful golf courses and some beautiful homes as well.

Yes there are some rather high end homes on and around the course, but as you will see, there are also some very reasonable priced homes as well!

Working With Real Estate Agents in NC

Grant & Lisa Bennett (The Bennett Group - REMAX of Greensboro) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:28:22 -0500

Are you looking for a new home or ready to sell your current home in NC? If you are, make sure when you talk to the various real estate agents you may in contact with, that you are careful what you discuss with them prior to having a agency/working relationship!

What is an agency relationship? That means you have a binding agreement with a broker or agent and they are representing you and your best interests in your real estate transaction. There are various types of agency such as a Buyer's Agent, Seller's Agent, Dual Agent, Designated Agent...

The NC Real Estate Commission has put together a "Working With Real Estate Agents" Brochure perfect for the consumer to help you understand the working relationship with the Agent or Broker.

All NC Real Estate Brokers are required to share this information with you at their first substantial contact with you. That means if you are discussing your real estate needs, financial situation, looking at homes, etc... We are to have you read it, help with any questions you may have about it, and have you sign it acknowledging you have received the information before we have any of those discussions or proceed to show you homes.

Don't worry the "Working With Real Estate Agents" is not a contract of any kind! We sometimes get push back from folks that they are not signing anything. And we don't blame them, but all you are signing is an acknowledgment of receipt of the information. In fact if you talk to several different agents you should be asked to read it and sign it more than once.

Take a look...

NC Real Estate Commission Work With Real Estate Agents HTML Version

NC Real Estate Commission Work With Real Estate Agents PDF Version

Greensboro's Most Wanted - June 2008

Grant & Lisa Bennett (The Bennett Group - REMAX of Greensboro) — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 11:36:57 -0500

27410 in Greensboro was the "most wanted" area for June Home Sales in Greensboro, having almost 30% of the homes sold for the month.

Closed Home Sales: 101
Average List Price: $233,165
Average Sell Price: $225,209
Average Days on Market: 68

This area is unique and above average for the city as a whole and offers something for just about every buyer who wants to "live in the city" limits. You can get a condo in the $70,000 range or go a couple of miles and get a grand home in a country club setting for $3,000,000.

The Most Typical Home is a traditional with 2300 SF, 3 BR, 2.5 Bath built in the last 30 years.

There are currently over 500 homes for sale in 27410 as of this writing. Click Here to take a look.

July Real Estate Newsletter is Available

Grant & Lisa Bennett (The Bennett Group - REMAX of Greensboro) — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:11:46 -0500

Our July Real Estate Newsletter has been published and I wanted to share the highlights with you.

Our Newsletter is full of interesting and useful information that I think you will enjoy whether you are a buyer, seller, homeowner, or renter.

This month's issue includes topics such as:

Sell Faster When You Understand The Buyers Mindset
What You Should Know About A Buyer's Market
Investor Report: Section 1031
Paint The Perfect Sale
Grill Burgers, Not Your Home
Home Sales May Rise Modestly Before Upturn in Second Half Of 2008

Plus a roundup of June real estate activity as well as much more advice and information.

I hope you enjoy this monthly newsletter. If you have any comments, please e-mail them to me. Or, if you would like to see a certain topic covered in future months, let me know that too!

Click Here to take a look ->

Greensboro Real Estate Report - June 2008

Grant & Lisa Bennett (The Bennett Group - REMAX of Greensboro) — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:18:53 -0500

A look at the numbers for June, show that we are definitely in a Buyers Market in the Greensboro area.

If you are in the market to buy a home this is great news for you!

If you're seriously thinking about selling your home or you already have your home on the market and you're seriously ready to sell, then you need to make sure you price it correctly for the current market. With an active inventory of over 4900 Listings in Guilford County and only a little over 650 homes selling (closing) per month since March, you have to make sure your home is priced right and ready to sell!

What was hot in June? Homes selling between $100,000 & $200,000 accounted for 45% of the sales in the Greensboro area with an average of 80 days on the market and a list to sale ratio of 97.5%.

June 2008 Stats...

New Listings: 979

Existing Homes: 833
New Construction: 146

Listed homes going under contract: 527
Listed homes closing (sold): 518

Avg List Price of sold homes: $197,617
Avg Sale Price of sold homes: $$190,915 (96.6% of List Price)
Avg Days on Market: 87

Listed homes expiring or withdrawn from market: 527

Current Listing Stats

Average Days on Market for Active Listings: 132
Average List Price for Single Family Homes: $242,000

These Greensboro Market Statistics include all of Guilford County including High Point, Oak Ridge and Summerfield. All information is derived from the Triad MLS and is believed reliable but is not guaranteed.

Greensboro/Summerfield Home For Sale - 6095 Clopton Dr - $484,000

Grant & Lisa Bennett (The Bennett Group - REMAX of Greensboro) — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 11:30:56 -0500

Stunning Transitional Home! Bedroom with full bath on main, 492 sqft Bonus Rm on 2nd Level, Master Suite with sitting area, 2 staircases, laundry chute, lots of hardwoods, granite countertops, 3 car garage, mud room, screened porch & a 3rd floor with 900 SF unfinished floored space.
Year Built 2003
Sq Footage 4,150
Bedrooms 4
Bathrooms 3 full, 1 half
Parking 3 Car garage
Lot Size .93 acres

Full Details and Visual Tour >>

Greensboro Real Estate Report - June 8-14 2008

Grant & Lisa Bennett (The Bennett Group - REMAX of Greensboro) — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 19:08:03 -0500

The Bennett Group constantly monitors our local real estate statistics to keep our clients informed and ahead of the real estate trends. Below you will find Greensboro real estate statistics for the 2nd week of June 2008.

These Greensboro Market Statistics include all of Guilford County including High Point, Oak Ridge and Summerfield.

New Listings: 217

Existing Homes: 208
New Construction: 9

Listed homes going under contract: 124
Listed homes closing (sold): 66
Listed homes expiring: 54
Listed homes withdrawn: 46
Average Days on Market for Active Listings: 133
Average List Price for Single Family Homes: $242,000

Are you thinking of selling your Greensboro/Guilford County home?

Take a look at our Advantage Listing Home Marketing System.
Find the value of your home with a free over-the-net home evaluation, please visit: www.TheBennettGroup.com

Are you searching for a new home in Greensboro or the surrounding area?

Click here to use our Home Search Tool. Get access to all of the current listings in the Greensboro/Triad area
Would you like more information about Greensboro or our surrounding communities then just give us a call at 336-346-1261 or 336-669-1156

5010 Weatherstone - Best Buy In Greensboro! - $322,000

Grant & Lisa Bennett (The Bennett Group - REMAX of Greensboro) — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 12:58:15 -0500

	HomeSteps/Freddie Mac owned home, BUT this is NOT your typical foreclosure. It is as close to like new as I've seen. It appears to have been very well cared for and looks to be move-in ready! This home originally sold New for $353,000 on 11/21/2006 Price: $322,000 Square Feet: 4000 +/- Bedrooms: 4 Baths: 4.5 Granite Counter Tops Stainless Appliances Hardwoods Bonus Room 2 Sun Rooms
Full Details, Specs, Pics & Virtual Tour >>

Greensboro Real Estate - 4337 Clovelly - $50,000 Below Tax Value!

Grant & Lisa Bennett (The Bennett Group - REMAX of Greensboro) — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 12:37:36 -0500

What a great deal on this HomeSteps Foreclosure.

Lake Front
Full Unfinished Basement
Sunroom looking out on lake
Huge, Open Great Room

Price: $238,500
Square Feet: 3200 +/-
Bedrooms: 4
Baths: 2.5

Full Details, Specs & Pics >>

Greensboro Real Estate Report - June 1-7 2008

Grant & Lisa Bennett (The Bennett Group - REMAX of Greensboro) — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 12:03:04 -0500

These Greensboro Market Statistics include all of Guilford County including High Point, Oak Ridge and Summerfield.

New homes on the market: 213
Number of homes under contract: 146
Number of homes closed (sold): 47
Number of homes expiring: 68
Average Days on Market for Active Listings: 132

Are you thinking of selling your Greensboro/Guilford County home?

Take a look at our Advantage Listing Home Marketing System.
Find the value of your home with a free over-the-net home evaluation, please visit: www.TheBennettGroup.com

Are you searching for a new home in Greensboro or the surrounding area?

Click here to use our Home Search Tool. Get access to all of the current listings in the Greensboro/Triad area
Would you like more information about Greensboro or our surrounding communities then just give us a call at 336-346-1261 or 336-669-1156

Foreclosures - "Bargain Homes" in Greensboro from $10,000 - Not Really!

Grant & Lisa Bennett (The Bennett Group - REMAX of Greensboro) — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 15:09:53 -0500

I see those ads everyday one place or another... TV, Internet, Newspaper, etc., spouting "Foreclosures in your area from $10,000!". So I decided to take a snapshot in time today and see what the savvy investor can get for 10K in the Greensboro/Guilford County area. As a note of reference we have been listing foreclosures for Freddie Mac and BB&T for over 4 years. And yes we have sold two homes for less than 10K, about 2 years ago.

Well not to my surprise, (today), there were no foreclosures active in the MLS for 10K or less, but there were 3 listed under 20K, starting at 14K. There are 24 listed from 24K to 50K. Also a search of homes closing for 10K or less over the last year, only produced 7 homes.

So when you do find these homes at 50K or less, are they really "bargains" or good buys for a prospective buyer. Probably not. I have completed hundreds of Broker Price Opinions (Market Analysis) on foreclosed homes in the area, so based on my knowledge of the areas these homes are in, they really hold no long term value. What happens with these homes is an investor buys them and will do one of two things... 1. They repair it to the acceptable level to rent it, or 2. They repair/refurbish the home to an acceptable level to flip it to yet another investor and make a "small" return on their work and effort.

So are there any real bargains in the area for owner occupants looking to incur a little sweat equity or investors looking for a good return on their money. Absolutely, but they are likely going to be in the $80,000+ range, and more likely in the $150,000+ range.

If you are looking for that next "great deal" we would strongly encourage you to use the services of a real estate professional with extensive experience and knowledge of the market, that will help you make the correct decisions about the purchase.

Our experienced buyers agents stand ready to assist you, if you are looking for a fixer, foreclosure or investment property in the Greensboro market.

Grant Bennett, Broker
The Bennett Group
REMAX of Greensboro
www.thebennettgroup.com
www.triadrealty.com

High Point Real Estate - 3020 River Cross, High Point NC

Grant & Lisa Bennett (The Bennett Group - REMAX of Greensboro) — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 13:41:53 -0500

Easy-living in this elegant one level split-bedroom home with open floor plan, vaulted ceilings & fireplace. Lots of hardwood floors, beautiful kitchen with breakfast area, formal DR separated by columns & archway, large 2nd & 3rd BR's with jack-n-jill bath.

Price: $237,500
Square Feet: 1885 +/-
Bedrooms: 3
Baths: 2.5

Full Details, Pics and Visual Tour >>

Greensboro Real Estate - 7009 Austin Creek, Summerfield NC

Grant & Lisa Bennett (The Bennett Group - REMAX of Greensboro) — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 13:28:14 -0500

Great transitional with large private lot at the end of the street. Large rooms, great kitchen with center island, rocking-chair front porch.

Price: $299,900
Square Feet: 2805 +/-
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2.5
Huge Bonus Room

Full Property Details including photos and visual tour

Greensboro Real Estate - 7025 Carriage Cove, Summerfield

Grant & Lisa Bennett (The Bennett Group - REMAX of Greensboro) — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 13:17:17 -0500

Stunning Transitional Built with Impeccable Craftsmanship. This Beautiful Home Has A Master Suite & 2nd Bedroom On the Main Level. Open Floor Plan with 2 Fireplaces, Beautiful Moldings, Large Open Kitchen, Large Rooms Including A Bonus Room And Media Area.

Price: $485,000
Square Feet: 3742 +/-
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 3.5
Bonus Room
Media Loft

Full Property Details including photos and visual tour

Golf Course Homes - Oak Valley Golf Course, Advance NC

Grant & Lisa Bennett (The Bennett Group - REMAX of Greensboro) — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 12:41:26 -0500

I'm a golfer (hacker), so I thought I would start sharing some of the wonderful golf courses and golf communities we have in the Triad area ( Greensboro, High Point, Winston-Salem ).

On memorial day I played Oak Valley golf course in Advance NC, which is a short 40 minute drive from the west side of Greensboro and just a few minutes from Winston-Salem. Advance is actually in Davie County which borders Forsyth County.

This is a beautiful Arnold Palmer designed course and according to their website they have hosted a US Open Qualifier and US Amateur Qualifier. The course is semi-private and has great amenities.

I have played the course 4 or 5 times over the last couple of years, but this last time, instead of totally focusing and fusing about my golf, I really started noticing the wide range of home sizes, styles, and apparent price differences. This got my curiosity up and I wanted to share the results with you.

If you have wanted to live in a golf community and thought, there's no way... Well your in luck! I just did a search of the MLS and there are 49 homes on the market priced between $248,900 and $1,098,000. The good news is 16 of them are priced under $400,000 and 6 of those are golf course lots.

If your looking for a home in a golf course community, I hope this information is helpful.

Here is a link to the homes currently available in Oak Valley -> Oak Valley Homes For Sale

Oh yea, I shot a 43 on the front 9. We won't talk about the back 9!

Hit'm Straight

Grant Bennett
The Bennett Group
RE/MAX of Greensboro

The Bennett Group June Newsletter Available

Grant & Lisa Bennett (The Bennett Group - REMAX of Greensboro) — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 11:02:02 -0500

Our Newsletter is full of interesting and useful information that I think you will enjoy whether you are a buyer, seller, homeowner, or renter.

This month's issue includes topics such as:

"Moving Up? What You Need to Consider to Accommodate Your Growing Family";
"How To Get the Goods On Regreening";
"ID Theft Hits Home";
"Keep Cool Starting From The Top";
"Avoiding Home-Based Business Blunders";
"Tax Rebate Uses For Sellers";

Enjoy: The Bennett Group Newletter

Greensboro Real Estate Report May Week 4

Grant & Lisa Bennett (The Bennett Group - REMAX of Greensboro) — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 08:32:17 -0500

New homes on the market: 89
Number of homes under contract: 64
Number of homes closed (sold): 64
Number of homes expiring: 102
Avg Days on Market: 131

Are you thinking of selling your Greensboro/Guilford County home?

Take a look at our Advantage Listing Home Marketing System.
Find the value of your home with a free over-the-net home evaluation, please visit: www.TheBennettGroup.com

Are you searching for a new home in Greensboro or the surrounding area?

Click here to use our Home Search Tool. Get access to all of the current listings in the Greensboro/Triad area
Would you like more information about Greensboro or our surrounding communities then just give us a call at 336-346-1261 or 336-669-1156

Greensboro Real Estate Report - May Week 3

Grant & Lisa Bennett (The Bennett Group - REMAX of Greensboro) — Sat, 31 May 2008 12:51:38 -0500

New homes on the market: 169
Number of homes under contract: 76
Number of homes closed (sold): 71
Number of homes expiring: 15
Avg Days on Market: 134

Are you thinking of selling your Greensboro/Guilford County home?

Take a look at our Advantage Listing Home Marketing System.
Find the value of your home with a free over-the-net home evaluation, please visit: www.TheBennettGroup.com

Are you searching for a new home in Greensboro or the surrounding area?

Click here to use our Home Search Tool. Get access to all of the current listings in the Greensboro/Triad area
Would you like more information about Greensboro or our surrounding comnmunities then just give us a call at 336-346-1261 or 336-669-1156

A great time to buy a home in the Greensboro area

Grant & Lisa Bennett (The Bennett Group - REMAX of Greensboro) — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 15:45:24 -0500

Well... The numbers show, it's definitely a buyer's market. I just finished looking at the quarterly numbers for the Greensboro area to post my market updates on my websites.

The first quarter average value of existing homes sold in our market was off -1.1% from the last quarter and down -3.3% from the 1st quarter of 2007.
The average price for an existing home sold in the Greensboro Market was $188,619.
The number of homes on the market is up 11.8% from the previous quarter and up 9.9% from 1st quarter of 2007
The average Days on Market were 91 which is about the same as usual.

What does this mean for the typical buyer in the Greensboro area?

You can get more home for your money.
There are plenty of homes to choose from.

What does this mean for the typical seller in the Greensboro area?

You should seriously study and consider the market data presented by your broker before you put a price on your home.
You CAN still sell your home in a reasonable amount of time, if you price it properly.
If you are a motivated seller, then don't test the market and try it at a little higher price and see what happens.
The first day on the market is when you want to have your home priced in line with "todays market" to make sure it sells quickly.
There is a lot of inventory, so price your home at or close to market so you stand out from those that are just testing the market.