Entrance from Kildaire Farm Road. Cary, NC's Wimbledon subdivision enjoys a prime location central to all the conveniences of Cary.  Wimbledon offers a variety of housing choices, Townhomes, starter homes, and, on Flickr, you can see them all, plus a wide variety of custom homes. Click here to view available Active Listings in Wimbledon.  Custom Wimbledon beauty! As you might expect in a community named after the most storied venue in tennis, and with streets named after tennis greats, Connors, Agassi, Lendl, Evert, Martina, McEnroe, etc, Wimbledon Recreation Center includes a tennis complex.  There is also a clubhouse and pool.   The wooded areas are gorgeous, and the community shares two ponds.   Kids in Wimbledon are fortunate to attend great Wake County Public Schools.  Assignments... 09/17/2007

Highcroft Neighborhood Update September 14, 2007 These are the Active, Pending and Closed real estate transactions for Cary's Highcroft neighborhood for 2007.  If you have any questions about any of these homes, please call or email The Rogers Team. Status Pending Date Sold Date # Street BR FB HB Sq Ft YR Built List Price Sale Price DOM Active      219  Candia Lane (Lot 44)  4  3  1  2908  2007  $429,900   184  Active      221  Candia Lane (Lot 45)  4  3  1  2908  2007  $434,900   182  Active      300  Boscawen Lane  4  4  0  3140  2004  $442,900   1  Active      238  Candia Lane  4  4  1  3058  2006  $469,900   29  Active      606  Laconia Woods Place  4  4  0  3287  2005  $475,000   52  Active      718  Antrim Meadow Ln  5  3  1  3119  2005  $475,000   42  Active      918  Strathorn D... 09/15/2007

Cary Park Neighborhood Update September 14, 2007 These are the Active, Pending and Closed real estate transactions for the Cary Park neighborhood for 2007.  If you have any questions about any of these homes, please call or email The Rogers Team. Status Pending Date Sold Date # Street BR FB HB Sq Ft YR Built List Price Sale Price DOM Active      5406  Cary Glen Blvd.  3  2  0  1750  2002  $259,900   9  Active      108  Naperville Dr.  3  2  1  2394  2004  $334,500   16  Active      102  Bridgegate Drive  3  2  1  2722  2003  $350,000   91  Active      208  Frontgate Drive  4  2  1  2954  2005  $387,000   60  Active      100  Grahamwood Court  4  3  1  3016  2002  $416,900   67  Active      112  Brookbank Hill Place  4  2  1  3318  2006  $429,900   91  Active      5605  CARY GLEN BLVD  5... 09/15/2007

With the Buyers’ Bonus mortgage program, borrowers can purchase either a home resale or a newly-constructed 1-unit primary residence and have the builder/seller agree to pay up to 100% of the principal and interest portion of the monthly mortgage payment for up to the first six months* of the loan term.Eligible loan products include both fixed and adjustable-rate loans, 100% financing loans eliminating the need for a down payment, extended repayment terms (ex. 40-year loans) and affordable lending options for first-time home buyers.Buyers may also be eligible to take advantage of a reduced documentation loan processing type to help expedite the approval process. These options include the Stated Income/Stated Assets (SISA) option as well as No Income Verification (NIV) option, which are ... 09/09/2007

Based on what I am currently seeing in the market Cary NC Real Estate is holding steady with a potential for significant housing equity gains. From a seller's perspective Cary NC real estate pricing will not decline anytime soon.  The Cary NC real estate market has been slow and steady and we continue to see strong employment gains and over 18,000 families migrating to the Triangle each year.   Other positive signs include Forbes Magazine touting the Triangle as the #1 Sellers Market in the country and the #12 most affordable housing market in the country.  However, the fall is a short window of opportunity to get into the market when it has cooled off.    From a buyers perspective, as I mentioned, the market has cooled off from the summer rush and there are significant buying opportuni... 09/09/2007

Waverly Place might look a lot more like North Hills Mall in a couple of years thanks to plans to revamp the shopping center.  We've always loved the location but we've struggled with the current design.  Durham developer Zapolski and Rudd, which has owned the aging center since January 2005, is hoping to turn Waverly into a mixed-use project containing retail, residential and office space.  Take Note:  Waverly Place today on the left hand side. This one could be a collectors item someday.  To the right:  Picture of proposed Waverly Place shopping facility               BIG PLANS FOR WAVERLY The developer has filed tentative plans with the town of Cary for the re-devlopment of Waverly Place.  Among the updates are: * More retail space, from 205,570 square feet to 237,770. * That include... 09/08/2007

It's my favorite time of year the Wake County Parade of Homes.  I wrote about it last year and this years is setting the stage to be the best yet and is scheduled for three weeks this fall.  Dates for the 2007 Parade of Homes are:  September 29-30, October 5-7, and October 12-14 from 12:00pm - 5:00pm. This year there are over 400 entries by top local builders in the area ranging in price from $119k to $3M and a record 29 homes priced at over $1M.  As in years past its one of the least expensive forms of entertainment (it's free) and you get some great ideas for your home too.  I've included pictures of several homes for sale ranging in price during the parade for your reference.    Click here for a list of homes by community.  Please contact me if you would like anymore information on t... 09/08/2007

N&O | Feb 11, 2007 |  By Toby Coleman, Staff WriterPsst: Cary, the Triangle's suburban superstar, harbors urban ambitions. Someday soon, people might associate Cary with high-end shopping centers topped by apartments and offices. And some Caryites will live in condo towers that rival the ones in downtown Raleigh. Developers already have plans to urbanize parts of the town of nearly 116,000 people, which is better known for trees, cul-de-sacs and minivan moms. Town planners have expected the proposals for years. For some residents who thought they had found their municipal heartthrob, this feels like betrayal. The suburb they know and love is really a little city in the making. "I don't want to see New Jersey out of my house," said Lloyd Hinnant, an eight-year Cary resident whose three-b... 09/07/2007

N&O | Feb. 07, 2007 |Trying to Wake Up Tired Waverly PlaceCARY- Waverly Place is about to shed its faded blue facade to make way for a miniature city, complete with shops, apartments and a hotel.Durham developer Zapolski & Rudd wants to spend $150 million to transform the 19-year-old center into a mixed-use development similar to Raleigh's North Hills.Details about the plan have slowly trickled out since Zapolski purchased the property in January 2005.  But its size and the scope are only now becoming apparent as the developer goes through Cary's approval process.Mixed-use developments are becoming the norm nationwide, especially after success stories such as North Hills.  The former mall in North Raleigh was demolished.  It reopened as a village with shops, restaurants, offices and hom... 09/07/2007

There are currently a number of bills on Capital Hill designed to reform the mortgage industry.  As the disastrous consequences of reckless subprime lending continue to mount, North Carolina lawmakers are standing up for homeowners by making it tougher to offer abusive home loans. Obviously, with this upheaval, one would expect to see legislation passed designed to protect consumers and place more emphasis on responsible lending practices. Well North Carolina seems to be on the ball.  Just last week Governor Easley singed the North Carolina Home Loan Protection Act (HB 1817) which will impact some of the core mortgage issues now being discussed in several states as well as Washington.  So what kind of teeth does this law have? According to the Center for Responsible Lending, the legisla... 09/07/2007

What is Negative Amortization? A negative amortization loan is an adjustable rate mortgage that allows the consumer to tap into home “equity” by offering several monthly payment options. Up to an additional 25% of the original loan amount is available to the borrower. This flexibility works well for consumers who have seasonal income or want more control over their cash flow. However, the borrower must have some degree of financial discipline. Each month, the borrower will choose to make a fully amortized payment, an interest-only payment, or a low introductory rate payment. A fully amortized payment is larger, and includes payment toward principal + interest. The interest-only payment is lower, but no part of that mortgage payment goes toward the principal. The borrower is simply keepi... 09/05/2007

306 Swordgate Drive nestled in the heart of Cary NC!Location: MacArthur Park subdivisionCan't beat the price at this 3 BR/2.5 BA home with Bonus & Loft in popular MacArthur Park! 1st flr Master Ste. Updates include hrdwd flrs in entry, LR, DR, & entire 2nd flr; marble flrs in BA; ceramic tile w/ mosaic inlay; granite ctops; SS Range. Vaulted & Cathedral ceilings. Crwn Mld & Wainscoting. New Paint. Great schools. Close to YMCA & Bond Park. Includes all draperies & AHS Warranty!Photo GalleryInformationContact InformationJessie Stein919-606-0128PricingAsking Price: $309,000Flexibility: FirmProperty Location306 Swordgate DriveCary, NC 27513LinksMy SiteFeaturesBedrooms: 3Bathrooms: 2.5Parking: 2-Car GarageYear Built: 1995Subdivision: MacArthur Park/ExcaliburLot Size: 0.22 AcresSchool Distric... 09/05/2007

I have the pleasure of working with 1st time homebuyers this weekend.  My clients are relocating from out of state where home prices are astronomical and they are excited about the affordability of homes here in North Carolina.  1st time homebuyers are my favorite - they listen closely to the advice of professional agents and are full of energy, excitement, enthusiasm, and questions.  That's when the wheels started turning and I started thinking.... What can I provide to my clients that will help simplify the home buying process?  They are young, tech savvy, have their own personal blogs, use my space, realtor.com, etc, etc.  That said, I read a post this morning by Karen Krushka entitled Homebuyer's Guide.  Karen strikes me as a very traditional agent and she indicated that she has sev... 09/05/2007

City:  Cary Location:  Between Davis Drive and HWY 55 off of Morrisville Carpenter.    Carpenter Village is located in Cary, North Carolina on Morrisville Carpenter Road just west of the intersection of Davis Drive and Morrisville Carpenter Road. Carpenter Village is one of the closest Cary neighborhoods to RTP. Neighborhood Facts: Price range is from the  low $200s -$700s with the exception of a few higher priced lakeside homes Located in the fast growing Northwest Cary area.    Several options from Townhomes to Estate Homes Sections within Carpenter Village: Estate Homes suited to grand entertaining and comfortable family living, situated on large homesites, offering 3 car garages and many with lake views. Executive Homes These custom homes feature solid surface counter tops, spaciou... 08/31/2007

Stop Paying Your Landlord's Mortgage! It's staggering when you think about the cost of living, especially if you're a renter and not a home owner. If you are currently paying $1,000 a month for rented housing, then over the next three years, your property management company will effectively have reaped $36,000 of your hard earned cash! You're paying their mortgage when you could be building equity in your own property. What if I don't have the money to buy a home right now? There are many loan programs available that offer low and no down payment options. Some programs permit gift money as a down payment, and often sellers are willing to make a contribution to your purchase if they want to sell the home quickly. There are many benefits of home ownership to consider, most of all, tax ded... 08/30/2007

  Ricardo Cobos Vice President Cary Towne Mortgage Phone: (919)559-3384 Fax: (919)882-9229 ricardo_cobos@yahoo.com http://activerain.com/ricardocobos How Adjustable Rate Mortgages Work During the last decade, Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARMs) have increased in popularity among consumers. These days, few homeowners (especially first-time buyers) remain in their homes for more than seven years. In this case, it often makes sense to get an adjustable rate mortgage with a lower rate, especially one with a 5-year or 7-year fixed portion, since they won't have the loan long enough to be concerned about rate fluctuation. Adjustable Rate Mortgages have three main features: Margin, Index, and Caps. The Margin is the fixed portion of the adjustable rate. It remains the same for the duration of th... 08/30/2007

A couple of friends of mine invited me to the North Carolina Music Festival at the Koka Booth Amphitheare in Cary, NC.  I thought I'd bring my camera along and take a few pictures of this gorgeous facility and enjoy the fun.  Koka Booth Amphitheatre is located in Regency Park just in front of Symphony Lake.  The North Carolina Symphony held concerts on the lake for several years prior to the construction of the new amphitheatre in 2001.  This venue is named after one of the premier visionaries for Cary - Koka Booth.  Koka Booth was the mayor of the city during the ‘80s. A variety of events take place throughout the year and the Amphitheatre is home to the NC Symphony throughout the summer months.  I've written about a couple in previous blogs: 1.  Outdoor Ice Skating during the winter2.... 08/27/2007

  Ricardo Cobos Vice President Cary Towne Mortgage Phone: (919)559-3384 Fax: (919)882-9229 ricardo_cobos@yahoo.com   New Law Encourages Saving In late 2006, The Pension Protection Act was signed into law, making saving money a whole lot easier for many Americans. Well over 900 pages in length, the law not only protects pensions, it makes permanent many features introduced in the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Act of 2001 (EGTRRA), which were set to expire in January, 2011. This includes enhancements to 403(b), 457(b), and 401(k) plans, IRAs, and 529 college savings plans. With pension plans becoming more and more rare, and the uncertainty surrounding the viability of Social Security, consumers need to take advantage of what many financial experts call "generous" benefits designed to ho... 08/27/2007

Ricardo Cobos Vice President Cary Towne Mortgage Phone: (919)559-3384 Fax: (919)882-9229 ricardo_cobos@yahoo.com http://activerain.com/ricardocobos   Back to School Behind the Wheel A Commuter's Education You already know that your daily drive can make you aggravated, exasperated, and even potty-mouthed. But did you know it could make you smarter, too? A USC study found that drivers who cover an average of 12,000 miles a year will, over the course of three years, spend enough time in their cars to complete two full years of college. That could make commuting the single most important educational tool we have. Think of it as the U of YC: the University of Your Car. You can purchase discounted new and used audio books online, and your local library branch has shelves of audio books that ... 08/26/2007

With new construction homes on smaller and smaller lots, many Buyers are looking at older neighborhoods like Scottish Hills in Cary, NC.  They don't like the way whole subdivisions are denuded of trees, with ornamental trees planted after construction.Scottish Hills, Cary, NC is the antidote to the naked postage stamp building lot.See the Scottish Hills slide show, all 68 photos, on Flickr.  It includes some contemporary starter homes from neighboring Woodwinds.This home is on a beautiful wooded lot of over half an acre.Homes in Scottish Hills were built from the 1960's into the 1980's.  There are stylized splitlevels, split entries, ranches, colonials, and a sprinkling of contemporary homes.  The common theme is the dense woods that makes it such a beautiful area in Cary. Home sizes va... 08/23/2007