Raleigh Residential Real Estate Blog

Raleigh Area Relocation - Highlighting Lizard Lick, North Carolina

The Raleigh, North Carolina area has a number of surrounding towns, some with very different names. In the last post, I highlighted the town where Linda and I currently live – Knightdale, NC.

Only a few miles to the east of Knightdale, NC is the town of Lizard Lick, North Carolina. Now I can see the question in your mind – yes there really is a town by the name of Lizard Lick, NC.

Lizard Lick is a very small place about 17 miles from downtown Raleigh, NC and is located on state highway 97 between just outside of Wendell, NC. It is a crossroad community that basically consists of a gas station, a small building that serves as the town hall and a shed beside it that is the Lizard Lick Grand Ole Opry. There really is humor in North Carolina.    

There are a number of ideas on how the town got its name, but the town used to be the home of federally operated liquor still. One version suggests that lizards were used to keep down the insect population that was attracted by the sugar used to produce the liquor. The lizards would lick on the spilled mash and when people saw the lizards licking … yep, Lizard Lick.

For about 30 years there has been a Lizard Lick Festival in the fall, where there are lizard races and other kinds of entertainment. Even Nintendo came to Lizard Lick in 1998 to introduce its’ new electronic Lizard game “Yoshi’s Story” and again in 2000 for a follow up release.

This year’s Lizard Lick Festival is scheduled for October 28 and will include the Lizard Lick Olympics.

If you are moving to the Raleigh, NC area, you may not want to have your address listed as Lizard Lick, but the surrounding towns of Knightdale, Wendell and Zebulon, NC have lots to offer.

You can search for homes in the Raleigh area on the Poling Team website – yes even homes in Lizard Lick – here:
Search Raleigh, NC homes.

 

Raleigh Area Relocation - Highlighting Knightdale, North Carolina

Knightdale, North Carolina is another small community near Raleigh, NC that is caught up in the growth of the Triangle North Carolina area. It still provides its residents with a small town quality of life and is strategically located in near the new I-540 (scheduled to open in the fall of 2006) and the new route 264 / 64 bypass just 9 miles from downtown Raleigh.

Knightdale, NC was incorporated on March 27, 1927 and like a number of other communities around Raleigh, the railroad brought prosperity to the town by providing a means of commerce for farmers and merchants.

The town of Knightdale planning department projects that the 2006 population is 7,840, but it will grow to 29,287 by 2025. The median family income is $62,073 and the average 2005 home sale price was $173,128.

Knightdale, NC is known as a safe place to raise a family. Those who live in Knightdale are able to enjoy the cultural, athletic, recreational, educational, employment, and shopping benefits of a large metropolitan area while at the same time maintaining the sense of community that can only be experienced in a small town.

You can find links to the Knightdale’s Official website and the Knightdale Chamber of Commerce on the Poling Team website. If you are moving to the area, you can find the utility companies that serve Knightdale, NC here: Knightdale NC Utilities

You can also search to find available homes in Knightdale, North Carolina here: Search Knigtdale, NC Homes

 

 

Why move to Raleigh, North Carolina?

Here are a few reasons to consider relocating to Raleigh, NC.

First, here is a brief note on its history. Raleigh, North Carolina was named for Sir Walter Raleigh, who attempted to establish the first English colony on the NC shores in the 1580s. Raleigh was established in 1792 and is also known as the City of Oaks

Raleigh, NC has numerous attractions. The economy is strong, stable and the unemployment rate is less than the rest of the state of North Carolina which usually is less than most other states in the country.

Raleigh is located just 20 minutes from the Research Triangle Park which often called the Silicon Valley of the east as it is home to numerous high technology companies like IBM, Cisco, Nortel as well as major Pharmaceutical research and development labs.

The Raleigh, NC area has a relatively low crime rate and has a friendly home town community atmosphere, even though it has been among the fastest growing cities in the United States for the last twenty years.

Raleigh is in the top 10 Relocation Cities in the US according to RELO.com. They report the cost of living index at 103.

Raleigh is located centrally within the state of North Carolina and is close to both the mountains and the coast. There are also a number of large lakes close to Raleigh, so there is an abundance of recreation options.

The temperate climate has four seasons, but usually allows for year round golfing opportunities. Pinehurst (considered by some the birthplace of golf in the US) is just about an hour and twenty minute drive from downtown Raleigh.

There are many wonderful areas and communities in the Raleigh, North Carolina area.

The Poling Team knows the Raleigh area well and we would love to help you find your new home.

Big News in Raleigh, North Carolina – Canes Win, Canes Win, Canes Win!

Today’s blog will not be the normal information about real estate in Raleigh, NC so please bear with me as The Poling Team congratulates the Carolina Hurricane’s on their winning the 2006 Stanley Cup.

The Hurricanes are the first professional North Carolina team to win a national title.

Today, a parade and celebration will be hosted by the Centennial Authority at the RBC Center to honor the Hurricanes.  The parking lots for the RBC Center will open at 4pm.  Festivities will begin at 5pm.  Parking and admittance to the activities are free.  There are some commemorative items that will be given away free to the first 18 – 20,000 fans. The parade will begin at 6:30pm at the Wendell Murphy Football Center at Carter-Finley Stadium.  Click here to read all the details on the Carolina Hurricanes website: Carolina Hurricanes.

Raleigh Area Relocation - Highlighting Apex, North Carolina

Apex, North Carolina has grown from a small town of just under 5,000 people in 1990 to a vibrant, progressive and family oriented community with a population of over 30,000 today in 2006. Apex is located just south and west of Raleigh, NC and has good access to the Research Triangle Park.

Apex received its name by being the highest point on the Chatham Railroad that ran between Jacksonville, Florida and Richmond, Virginia. The early history of the town grew around the railroad and a farming community developed around the train station. The town was incorporated in 1873 and with its location near Raleigh, it became an active shopping and trading center.

Today, Apex, North Carolina features safe and liveable neighborhoods, excellent schools, new shopping centers and strives to maintain its quaint historic downtown that has specialty shops, restaurants and historic buildings. The trains still run through downtown and Apex claims to be, “The Peak of Good Living.”

You can find links to the Town’s Official website, the Apex Chamber of Commerce on the Poling Team website. If you are moving to the area, you can find the utility companies that serve Apex, NC here: Apex, NC Utilities
You can also search to find available homes in Apex, North Carolina here: Search Apex, NC Homes

 

Centex Homes is one of the leading Triangle, North Carolina home builders.  They have been rated in the top 10 home builders by Professional Builder Magazine every year since 1987.  Centex Homes operates in over 50 markets in 20 states and has built over 300,000 homes.

Centex Corporation is the parent company and it is part of the Fortune 500 group of companies.

Centex Homes is currently building in about 23 Neighborhoods in the Raleigh, NC area including Cary, Clayton, Creedmore, Durham, Garner, Knightdale, Raleigh and Wake Forest.

You can find a link to their website and other national home builders at: Raleigh,NC New Home Builders

The Poling Team provides a high level of personalized service in purchasing a new home through a national home builder or in purchasing a re-sale home as well. You can obtain a free Home Buyer Kit for purchasing a Raleigh Area North Carolina Home at: Raleigh Home Buyer Kit

 

Home Inspections Part Two

As I discussed in Part One, when making an offer to purchase in the Raleigh area of North Carolina or any other area in North Carolina, there is usually the opportunity to do a home inspection. There are protections for the buyer in the standard Offer to Purchase and Contract that is used by most Raleigh, NC Realtors®. Under section 13 there are two alternatives that provide for a home inspection as a part of the Offer to Purchase. Normally the inspections are paid for by the buyer.

Should the buyer be present at the home inspection?

We definitely recommend this. Even if the home is in good condition, the inspector will usually point out important information regarding the construction and maintenance of the home. All of the home inspectors recommended by the Poling Team point out things like the main water shut off value, general age and condition of major equipment like the condensing unit for HVAC, etc. In addition, they often point out things that may not be in need of immediate repair but that should be monitored.

How long will a typical home inspection take?

This will vary depending upon the size of the home, but the home inspection usually lasts between two and three hours.

Will I get a written report?

All licensed home inspectors in North Carolina are required to give the person ordering the inspection a written report on the home inspection within three business days of the date when the inspection was performed. It is the property of the one who ordered it (usually the buyer) and they must give permission for it to be shared any other party.

What is in the Home Inspection Report?

The North Carolina Home Inspection Report can vary in format, but all licensed home inspectors in North Carolina have minimum requirement and it must include a written “Summary” of the inspection which identifies the systems or components that does not perform the function for which it was intended or that are in need of immediate repair or that would warrant additional inspections by other specialists.

This “Summary” will not always include all items that are found to have problems. Therefore it is important to read the entire report. If you do not understand something, be sure to ask questions. Your realtor® can help find out information for you as well.

The North Carolina Real Estate Commission has a consumer friendly brochure on this topic. You can find this on The Poling Team website at:  Raleigh NC Home Inspections or you can send an email to Art Poling at and I will be happy to send you a printed copy of the brochure absolutely free with no obligation. Please remember to include your address.
 

Is There A Raleigh, NC Real Estate Bubble Ready to Burst? 

Inman News is reporting today that the so called “Real Estate Bubble” is more likely not to bust, but to slowly deflate.

Reporting on a study that was just released today by Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Glen Roberts of Inman News reported that housing prices are surging faster than household income and inflation and housing inventories have grown with a slowing of sales.

In my opinion, the Raleigh, North Carolina Real Estate Market is not in jeopardy of a burst in the near future. According to the Triangle Multiple Listing Service (TMLS) Statistics for April 2006, homes sales in the Triangle area as a whole were up 3.8% over April 2005. 

The average home sale price in the Triangle Area as a whole was up 8.3% over the same period as last year. In addition, the total number of Triangle area homes for sale was only up a very small amount over April of last year. Wake County, NC actually has 4.6% fewer homes on the market in April 2006 vs. April 2005 indicating a continued seller’s market. The number of home sales continues to be strong and home prices continue to rise in most areas the Triangle.

For more information on the current Raleigh Real Estate Market, look for my Raleigh Real Estate Market Update in the next few days.

You can find the latest Real Estate News headlines from Inman News and RIS Media on the Poling Team Website at: Today’s Real Estate News

Home Inspections -  Part One

When making an offer to purchase in the Raleigh area of NC or any other area in North Carolina, there is usually the opportunity to do a home inspection. In the standard Offer to Purchase and Contract that is used by most Raleigh, NC Realtors® there are protections for the buyer. Under section 13 there are two alternatives that provide for a home inspection as a part of the Offer to Purchase. Normally the inspections are paid for by the buyer.

What is a home inspection?

A home inspection is performed by a home inspector that is licensed by the North Carolina Licensure Board. The home inspection is an evaluation of the visible and reachable systems and components of a home.  These would include the plumbing, the electrical system, cooling and heating systems, the roof, garage doors and operators, etc. The systems and components are to be “performing the function for which they were intended and not in need of immediate repair.” It is not a guarantee that the systems will not fail in the future, or that the home meets the local building codes as they are subject to change.

Why should you have a Raleigh, NC Home Inspected?

A seller may choose to do a home inspection to alert them of problems that could come up later with the sale of the home. It allows them to have the necessary repairs made without being under the time pressure of a contract.

Most home buyers do not have the experience or expertise to evaluate all of the systems and components of a home. By using the services of a licensed home inspector they can better determine the condition of the home they are purchasing. Depending upon which of the alternatives is chosen in the Offer to Purchase and Contract, the buyer may request that repairs be done or the buyer can have the option to terminate the contract with a refund of earnest monies. I will discuss these options in a future post.

The North Carolina Real Estate Commission has published a consumer friendly brochure on this topic. You can find this on The Poling Team website at:  Questions and Answers on Home Inspections or you can send an email to Art Poling at and I will be happy to send you a printed copy of the brochure absolutely free with no obligation. Please remember to include your address.

Raleigh Real Estate - Earnest Why use a REALTOR® for Selling or Buying a Home in Raleigh, North Carolina

When considering buying or selling a home in the Raleigh, NC area of North Carolina, one of the first decisions that you will have to make is whether or not to utilize the services of a REALTOR®. Some folks decide to try to sell their home without representation or FSBO (For Sale by Owner) or they decide to use a limited service licensed broker.

Linda and I believe in the old adage that one gets what they pay for. Did you know that only about half of all those who practice real estate are a REALTOR®? REALTOR’s® agree to follow a very stringent code of ethics? In addition, the price that a seller obtains for his home when listed by a REALTOR® is usually 16% higher than those who don’t.

Also, 9 out of 10 home buyers utilize the services of a real estate agent.

The purchase or sale of a Raleigh, NC home involves one of the largest investment decisions that a person will ever make. Using the service of a REALTOR® will make the experience better. Linda and I are both REALTOR’s® and we commit ourselves to not only these higher standards but a higher level of personalized service as well. Learn more about us at About US or our Pod cast at Poling Team Pod cast.

For more information click the follow the following Link: Why use a REALTOR®

If you would like to learn how you can receive a high level of personalized service, you can learn more About US or see a podcast at Poling Team Podcast. You can also contact us Toll Free at (888) 221-5940 or send me an email at art@poilingteam.com