north carolina: Cary NC Real Estate, How to avoid selling your home: Backyard Dog Bombs are NOT "Upgraded Features"
- 12/08/07 02:37 PM
What can I say beyond the title? What do I need to say. Apparently something should be said to someone. Two homes today where we couldn't see the exterior. We were too busy looking where we were walking. I swear, that one house had to be home to two 600 pound mutts on high-fiber kibble/bit diets. And there had to be an easy week's worth of dog bomb inventory in the grass. After dodging one pile, I nearly stomped another, lost my balance and then I was doing the "Dog Bomb Shuffle." Looked like a '60's football player high-stepping through tires. What's up with that innovative little … (25 comments)
north carolina: Cary NC Real Estate Adventures: We'll go around the world to get the comps we want!
- 12/04/07 11:34 PM
We popped into the townhome, and my client said she could be interested in it, although it needs heavy redecoration. But it was priced about 11% high, well above anything that has ever sold in this Cary, NC, complex. Calculating values in townhome complexes is not too hard when only a few models and elevations comprise the community. There just isn't a lot of variation. And this complex is a typical example. So, I call the Listing Agent, and I ask about the List price vs. comps. Her, "Yeah, we couldn't find what we wanted in XYZ, so we went down the street to ABC and that's … (4 comments)
north carolina: Wake County North Carolina Property Tax Assessed Value vs. True Sales Value. The Missing Link is.......MISSING!
- 12/03/07 10:53 PM
Now that we have our new Assessed Tax Valuations in Wake County North Carolina, we are seeing the usual suspects come out of the woodwork in and around Cary and Raleigh, and other areas. Already real estate agents are huffing and puffing about assessed tax value, hoping to mislead people regarding the market value of property. They are playing on homeowners' fears regarding higher real estate taxes. "$10,000 below Tax Value!!!!" absolutely does not make a property a bargain. If that is all the market will support, it is likely that an appeal is in order to get the tax value reduced so it is in line … (2 comments)
north carolina: Cary, NC Real Estate Adventures: Full-Service Agent crawls under House. Buyer Client follows. What fun!!
- 12/03/07 01:17 PM
You read it right. Belly-crawling it was. We've toured the home twice, and my clients want to know what the potable water supply piping system is. In this area, built in 1995, that is quite likely to be polybutylene, with copper risers, a common method with local tract builders in the 1990's in Wake County, NC. The North Carolina Property Disclosure form is marked for copper and plastic. Hmmmm... I called the Listing Agent who called her clients. She then told me, "Mike, he should have marked "No Representation." He really isn't sure about the main system. He thinks it MIGHT be polybutylene." All we … (8 comments)
north carolina: Wake County North Carolina Property Tax: How to submit your Re-Assessment Appeals
- 11/21/07 01:11 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)
north carolina: Vanity License Plates...Who's got 'em? Who has the best one?
- 11/20/07 11:16 AM
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)
north carolina: Cary NC Real Estate, Picardy Village: Wooded Lots and Custom Homes
- 11/19/07 02:02 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)
north carolina: Wake County North Carolina Property Tax Re-Assessments go public today. Average 40% increase!
- 11/19/07 12:51 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)
north carolina: Cary NC Real Estate, "Remove shoes?" My reply: "Please turn up the HEAT!"
- 11/19/07 06:45 AM
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)
north carolina: Cary and Raleigh, NC Real Estate: Is the all one-level, easy living, classic ranch house making a comeback?
- 11/14/07 01:32 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)
north carolina: Cary NC Real Estate, Picardy Pointe: Custom homes on wooded lots in a tremendous Cary location
- 11/10/07 01:25 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)
north carolina: Cary and Raleigh, NC Real Estate: Fix and Flip? Don't skimp on "Fix!"
- 11/08/07 12:57 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)
north carolina: Cary NC Real Estate, A Visit to Royal Ridge
- 11/07/07 03:41 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)
north carolina: Cary, NC, Real Estate: The Fabulous Moolah is GONE!
- 11/06/07 11:57 AM
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)
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)
north carolina: Cary and Raleigh, NC Real Estate: Flood Plain Disclosure added to revised standard "Offer to Purchase and Contract" for 2008
- 11/04/07 01:14 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)
north carolina: Cary and Raleigh, NC, Real Estate: 2008 Standard forms: Offer to Purchase and Contract and governmental bodies
- 11/02/07 01:39 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)
Farren Forest is a mature affordable neighborhood in the center of Cary, NC. Farren Forest is situated off the SE Cary Parkway. Access to the neighborhood is also available through Stonehaven. Access and egress to and from the neighborhood are easy.
Raleigh and NC State University are a 15-20 minute commute. The Research Triangle Park, "RTP," is about 25 minutes. Heavy drive-time traffic can lengthen those times.
The neighborhood was developed in the mid-1980's-early 1990's. 51 pleasant classic 1.5 and two-story homes comprise Farren Forest, with home sizes ranging from 1500 to 2400 square feet. As the photos show, … (5 comments)
Raleigh and North Carolina State University are an easy 20 to 25 minute commute. Cary is an easy 10 minute drive. Regional employment center, the Research Triangle Park, "RTP," is about 25 minutes. All commutes can lengthen during drive-time traffic. Click here to view currently available Active Listings in Cameron Park. Cameron Park was developed from 1999 into the early 2000's. A variety of home choices comprises Cameron Park, with low country, transitional, and traditional style homes represented, from 1900 to 3300+ square feet. See … (0 comments)
See my slideshow of Dogwood Ridge on Flickr. Raleigh and North Carolina State University are an easy 20 to 25 minute commute. Cary is an easy 10 minute drive. Regional employment center, the Research Triangle Park, "RTP," is about 25 minutes. All commutes can lengthen during drive-time traffic. Dogwood Ridge was developed in the mid-1990's into the early 2000's. A variety of home choices comprises Dogwood Ridge, with townhomes, starter homes and move-up homes represented. Townhomes are in the 1400 … (0 comments)
What can I say beyond the title? What do I need to say. Apparently something should be said to someone.
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