Raleigh Residential Real Estate Blog

Raleigh Residential Real Estate – Local Property Taxes May be going up – More Information on the Bond Issues are on the October 9, 2007 Wake County Election Ballot – What are they and are they worth it?

One of the three bond issues to consider is the $50 million bond for additional Wake County Open Space.

The purpose of the Open Space program is to preserve forests, meadows, streams and floodplains, and natural areas suitable for recreational or other public uses in Wake County. One of the major goals is to protect water quality.

Wake County loses about 1.5 acres of undeveloped open space land per hour. This totals about 13,000 acres per year. Since 2000 about 3,548 acres have been preserved.

The bond issue will provide monies to continue to buy and preserve more open space.

You can read more on the Wake County website: What’s on the ballot?

We have lots of helpful local Raleigh, area information on our website: The Poling Team

Raleigh Residential Real Estate – Local Property Taxes May be going up – Bond Issues are on the October 9, 2007 Wake County Election Ballot – What are they and are they worth it?

In the next several blogs, I will review the upcoming bond referenda to help you decide how to vote on October 9.

There are three bond issues to consider.

• Public Libraries  $45 million
• Wake Technical College  $92 million
• Wake County Open Space  $50 million

If all of the issues pass, repaying the bonds and the operating expenses will require a tax increase of 2.25 cents per $100 of valuation.

How will this affect your taxes? If your Wake County home is  valued at $200,000 then your taxes would go up $45 per year.

We have lots of local Raleigh, area information on our website: The Poling Team

Raleigh Residential Real Estate – The reasons home buyers purchase a home depends upon experience and age. Here are some results of National Association of Realtors® 2006 study.

According to a 2006 study of home buyers*, first time home buyers most often purchase their home due to a desire to establish their own household. This reason accounted for 74% of first time home buyer purchases.

For repeat home buyers the greatest reported reason for the home purchase was a desire for a larger home – 20% of repeat home buyers. This was followed by relocation or a job related move as the motivation for a repeat home purchase – 16% of repeat home buyers.
 
Whatever your reason to purchase a home may be, the Poling Team can help make the move easier. Contact us to learn how.

*Source: The 2006 National Association of Realtors® Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers.

Raleigh Residential Real Estate – Should you buy a New Raleigh, NC home or a Raleigh, NC Home that is new to you?

One of the many questions a Raleigh, NC home buyer must answer is, “should I buy a “new” (new construction) home or should I buy a home that is “new” (re-sale home) to me?

Let’s consider a few pros and cons:

New home: You can design the landscape and other items to your own taste. If you purchase new construction before it is too far along, the buyer can usually negotiate to choose the paint colors, the grade of carpet, cabinets, etc.

Existing home: The landscaping is mature and established. With the large inventory of re-sale homes now listed in the Raleigh market, you probably can find a home that fits your taste.

New home: You can enjoy the new feeling. It may take longer to get into a “new” home if construction is not complete.

Existing home: Move in time is often shorter – as soon as the sellers can move out. Also, an existing home will already have settled. Foundation problems aside, if a home is not showing significant cracks, there is less chance of future cracking.

So if you are planning to buy a Raleigh, NC home, contact us and we’ll be happy to help find you a home that will be just right for your family’s needs.

You can search for Raleigh, NC homes at:  Raleigh, NC Home Finder Search

 

 

Raleigh Residential Real Estate – More Tips on How to sell your Raleigh, NC Home faster and at a higher price! Yes, even with the mortgage meltdown.

As I mentioned the other day in my blog, you should take a look around your home before you put it on the market. Remember when you first bought your home? Try to think like a home buyer and look for a few places where a little bit of work or a little expenditure of money or effort would make a big difference.

Here are some more simple tips that can bring big returns on the sale of your Raleigh, NC home?

1. Do some work in your yard. You will be surprised how far $1,000 can go to add curb appeal to the landscaping of your home. If you only have a limited budget, use it to beautify the front entry area. Trimming the shrubs, fresh flowers, and mulch can help make your home stand out to the buyers.
2. De-clutter – If want your home to sell and if you want to receive the highest price, the clutter has got to go. Consider renting a storage unit. You should box up all extraneous books, kids’ toys, furniture, yard tools, etc. Clutter can make a home look small and drop the value in the eyes of almost every buyer.

You may even want to consider some more expensive home improvements. Ask the Poling Team about what the return on investment is for various home improvement projects.

The Poling Team will have more suggestions in the days to come.

So if you are thinking of selling your home, we can help you receive the highest dollar for your home. Contact us and we’ll also give you a free home market analysis to determine your Raleigh, NC home’s present value.

 

 

Raleigh Residential Real Estate – Major Raleigh, NC Upcoming Housing Event – Save the dates! 2007 Parade of Homes – Raleigh’s Biggest OPEN HOUSE!

The 2007 Parade of Homes is coming for three weekends - September 29-30, October 5-7, and October 12-14, from Noon – 5:00 p.m. 

This event is the year’s largest Open House. So if you are interested in purchasing a new home, thinking of building your own home or just looking for ideas to remodel your existing home, the Parade of Homes is a good way to see what the Raleigh NC areas builders are doing.

This event is sponsored by The Home Builders Association of Raleigh-Wake County and this is the 42nd year. The Home Builders Association of Raleigh-Wake County currently has over 2,400 members and they endeavor to “represent the interest of the homebuilder on issues that affect the ability to provide affordable housing for all citizens of Wake County.” 

The Home Builders Association of Raleigh-Wake County is the 3rd largest Home Builders Association in the United States, and last year they featured over 360 homes in all price ranges. While I don’t have the inside scoop on how many homes will be open this year, I am sure there will be a large variety of floor plans with features that will be attractive to the needs of any lifestyle.

Contact the Poling Team if you would like to obtain a copy of this year’s Parade Book.

 
 

Raleigh Residential Real Estate – Tips on How to sell your Raleigh, NC Home faster and at a higher price! Yes, even with the mortgage meltdown.

The mortgage meltdown has everyone concerned, but we still have a good market in Raleigh, NC and loans are still being made to those with good credit and good job histories.

So what can the Raleigh, home seller do in today’s market?
 
One of the best things is to eliminate reasons for the buyer’s to reduce their offers.

Take a look around your home before you put it on the market. You should find a few places where a little bit of work or a little expenditure of money or effort (elbow grease) would make a big difference.

You may even want to consider some home improvements. Ask the Poling Team about what the return on investment is for various home improvement projects.

So what are some simple tips that can bring big returns on the sale of your Raleigh, NC home?

1. Wash the windows. A first impression can only be made once. If one can’t see out the windows, what about the other areas of the home that are not so easily seen. Windows typically can be cleaned for $6 – 10 each. Call us for a recommended vendor, if you don’t already know of someone who does this.
2. Clean the carpets. Yes, you may have to do this before you move out, but again you have only one chance at a first impression, and you potentially can save yourself $1,000’s of dollars on a price reduction to account for carpet replacement.

The Poling Team will have more suggestions tomorrow.

So if you are thinking of selling your home, we can help you receive the most for your home. Contact us and we’ll also give you a free home market analysis to determine your Raleigh, NC home’s present value.  Find Your Home’s Value

 

Raleigh Residential Real Estate – 3 More tips on How to Avoid Foreclosure on your Raleigh, NC Home?

Yesterday, I discussed a 4th Tip on How to Avoid Foreclosure on your Raleigh, NC Home. Today, I will give three more but first, just to review, here are the first 4 tips on how to avoid foreclosure on your Raleigh, NC home:

1. Don’t ignore the issue
2. As soon as you have a problem paying, give your lender a call..
3. Respond to all mail from your lender.
4. Know Your Rights.

The next tip is to prioritize your spending. Your top priority after your health care should be to keep your home. You may want to consider paying your mortgage payment before paying any other debts.

Number six, don’t be taken in by mortgage scammers. You may run across someone claiming to be able to prevent foreclosure. Don’t sign any document of any kind from them! You should not have to pay large fees  to get assistance avoiding foreclosure on your Raleigh, NC home.

Number seven, contact FHA for help.
Here are some helpful links to contact FHA and to get additional help to avoid foreclosure on your Raleigh, NC Home:

http://www.fha.gov/foreclosure/index.cfm    This page is excellent and it was a major source for these recent Raleigh Residential Real Estate blogs. 
HUD-approved housing counseling agencies - this link will allow you to search by state.
 
For consumer debt advice, contact http://www.debtadvice.org/

As always, if the Poling Team can help in any way, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re also happy to give you a free no obligation market analysis of what your home is currently worth, just click here: What’s My Home’s Value?
 

Raleigh Residential Real Estate – Another tip on How to Avoid Foreclosure on your Raleigh, NC Home?

Yesterday I discussed 3 Tips on How to Avoid Foreclosure on your Raleigh, NC Home
1. Don’t ignore the issue
2. As soon as you have a problem paying, give your lender a call..
3. Respond to all mail from your lender.

The next tip is to Know Your Rights. The first place to look is the loan papers you received at the time you purchased your home. Yes, you may have to dig for them, but you may already have some options available.

Next spend some time to learn about foreclosure laws in North Carolina or the state where you have the home or second home.

One place to look is the government website for the Department of Housing and Urban Development - HUD  Avoiding Foreclosure: North Carolina
Another website that has a good overview of NC Foreclosure law is stopforeclosure.com Here’s a link: North Carolina Foreclosure Law Summary

As always, if the Poling Team can help in any way, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re also happy to give you a free no obligation market analysis of what your home is currently worth, just click here: What’s My Home’s Value?

 

Raleigh Residential Real Estate – Are you interested in building your own home in the Wake Forest, NC? Lot 22 Hillcrest Farm, Wake Forest, North Carolina is now being permitted for 4 bedrooms

Developer Closet Special – Lot 22 Hillcrest Farm just outside Wake Forest, North Carolina 

Quiet country living with water view – Offered for $96,000

This lot is one of the few lots in the Wake Forest area where you can either build your home yourself or bring your own custom builder.

The lot is now being designed for a 4 bedroom home and it will allow for great views of the lake and the farm pasture.

Good schools and easy access to Wake Forest, and the whole Triangle North Carolina Area.

Contact Us to find about this unique lot and how we can help you through the process of purchasing the property.

Visit the website that I have built for this listing at:  http://www.2004monthaven.com/     Take a visit to see pictures, take a vitual tour and see the lot layout.