Outbreak at Possum Creek is this year's Raleigh Jaycees Haunted House located at 111 Seaboard Avenue in Downtown Raleigh (right next to Peace College right off of Capital Blvd) Starting Friday the haunted house will run from 7pm until Midnight every night through Halloween.  All of the proceeds from the event benefit local charities.   It sounds pretty scary to me - click here for the latest review of the Haunted House by buried.com. The Raleigh Jaycees Haunted House is consistently voted the Best in the Triangle every year.   Scare on the Square at the North Carolina State Capital in Downtown Raleigh Saturday October 27th from 5pm until 10pm.   Bring the whole family out for a 30 minute guided tour of the capital.  There have been rumors that the 167 year old capital is "Spooked" and ... 10/24/2007

Each fall the Regional Regional Association of Realtors puts on a Market Trends Seminar hosted by several area gurus that keep track of the overall real estate market.  I spent my morning at this seminar in Cary making sure that what I'm seeing in the market is the same thing that is being seen in the rest of the Triangle area.  In speaking with Bob Stewart, of Activerain, earlier this week we discussed the importance of reporting the numbers.  However, even more important, is providing interpretation of the numbers for anyone trying to decipher what is going on in the market.  From a seller's perspective Raleigh NC real estate market slowed down quite a bit in the August timeframe.  The Raleigh NC real estate market continues to see strong see strong employment gains and a desire for f... 10/24/2007

Local Raleigh North Carolina Mortgage Broker Your source for all of your Mortgage Needs. YES !!! We Write FHA Mortgage Loans The New FHASECURE Initiative First Time Homebuyer Programs Click Here Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) Click Here USDA Rural Development Program Click Here USDA Single Close Construction Loan Click Here 100% Mortgage Program Click Here FHA Streamline Refinance Click Here Want to Refinance Your Current Mortgage Click Here Need a Reverse Mortgage in South Carolina Click Here Refinancing a Subprime Mortgage - check out our Subprime Product of the month Click Here Need to Repair your Credit before applying Click Here Commercial Loan Access (24 States) Click Here NEW: Subdivision Construction Loans Click Here Customers firstIf you are looking for a mortgage loan in t... 10/21/2007

Frequently  I am asked "what is the difference between interest rate and APR?"For Example; A Consumer may call three different lenders and received three Good Faith Estimates (GFE) that eacH contain three different loan amounts, terms, closings costs and interest rates. a GFE discloses to the borrower the costs and interest rate associated with a particular mortgage transaction where a TIL reveals the actual COST of the borrowers credit as the formula below reveals. In other words, the TIL will accurately translate the different loans to reveal the true of the loan. For example, a loan with a higher closing costs, yet significantly lower interest rate, and vice versa.  How then could any reasonable person make an informed decision? YOU CAN'T! At least not with out the Form (REQUIRED BY ... 10/20/2007

Last week I confessed that I'm not the best cook in the world and love to dine at local area restaurants.  I wrote a blog called My favorite Triangle Restaurants - Bon Appétit.   I've lived in the area since 1991(heck, I'm almost a native) and, until recently, there haven't been a large breadth and depth of restaurants  in town.  There were the tried and tested but rarely would we see emerging restaurants that had staying power.   With the influx of so many northerners in the area that have discerning taste buds the demand for upscale restaurants is increasing in the area.  In fact, this month's issue (11/07) Bon Appétit recognizes the Triangle area as poised to become American's next hot food destination.  Let me repeat - Bon Appétit has just recognized the Triangle as America's next h... 10/19/2007

Consumers are often baffled by the home appraisal process. They may feel their home is worth a certain dollar amount, and therefore, the appraised value doesn't make sense to them. It is important to know that appraisal guidelines are dictated by the lenders. In many states, the lenders must disclose the purpose of the appraisal, as each situation carries its own set of rules. In essence, lender guidelines force appraisers to put a fair market value on a home based upon comparable sales in the area where the home is located, as the home must be bracketed according to size and value. For example, there is no set amount associated with a great view, pool, spa, bathroom upgrades, etc. If a homeowner installs a custom pool that cost them $30,000, and the l... 10/17/2007

Are you looking for the perfect gift for Christmas for that relative that has everything?  Do you have a few hours to get out with the girls?  If so, grab your girlfriends and head straight to the RBC Center in Raleigh for the Annual Jr. League Shopping Spree.   This year's event opened today and will continue through Sunday at the RBC Center.  In addition to the shopping at the RBC Center the Junior League also has a few special items that are available via Auction online.  Don't miss out!! I try to go every year because it's just plain fun!!  Don't forget - all proceeds go to one of the many charities supported by the Jr. League of Raleigh.  For more information and hours of operation click here.   10/17/2007

I get a kick out of tower cranes.  The fellows who operate them have responsibility for the safety of all the folks below, and much of the work depends on the teamwork and trust in fellow workers.Multi-ton components are maneuvered above the city streets, and precisely placed.Anyway, lately, Raleigh, North Carolina has been spotted with cranes as hotels and mixed-use towers are assembled.  Today I thought I would catch a few and pass along for all to enjoy.Just imagine the view from the top of a tower crane that is used to assemble a 39 story high-rise building!  Of the view of the Raleigh skyline from a setting like Bloomsbury Estates. Bloomsbury Estates in January, 2007 Bloomsbury Estates 10/11/2007 from Mountford Street Bridge Bloomsbury Estates Condos 10/16/2007 RBC Plaza Marriott C... 10/16/2007

Earlier this summer several of us here on Activerain talked about the extreme weather conditions in the Triangle area. For more details click here. We had seven record breaking temperatures in Raleigh in August alone.  It seems the effect of all of the extra heat has taken a toll on the water levels in the Triangle. The result of all of the extra heat is a statewide drought.  First, there were water restrictions, and now there is a complete ban on exterior watering indefinitely.   Why did Raleigh have to inforce a water ban?  Falls Lake is nearly 7 1/2 feet below its normal level this time of year and, if the weather continues with no rain, there is only a 90-120 days of drinking water available for local residents.  The community needs to understand the severity of this drought. I was ... 10/16/2007

Did you make it out? Better yet, did you make it out alive?Linville was swarming with people this past weekend! I felt somewhat sorry for the actual residents there. I arrived early both days and you could just see the full-time residents filter out of the neighborhood for the day to avoid the mass of people driving through and the tour buses on route. There was one bus with 43 people that showed up in Linville.From my perspective it was a huge success! I had many people tour 11229 Conley Cove Court and they were in awe of the incredible craftsmanship, lavish pool and attention to detail that Pinnacle Construction Group is known for. Several had also visited Hasentree and said that it, too, was a zoo!If you were one of my visitors this past weekend - THANKS for stopping by! It was great... 10/15/2007

What is the future of the real estate market in the Raleigh area?  Will home values go up or down?  Will buyers be able to get a good deal?  Is buying a home in the Raleigh area a smart move?  The answers to these questions vary quite a bit, depending on where you get your information and who you believe. Usually every Monday morning here at Raleigh Real Estate Talk I give you a nice chart with the weekly stats for the local real estate market.  I’m going to skip that today and try to answer some of the questions I get in my email on a regular basis.  The buying and selling public seems to be uncertain about the future of real estate markets across the country.  In some areas uncertainty is understandable.  I don’t believe you have to live with that uncertainty here.  Inventory is risin... 10/15/2007

In the recent October municipal and county elections voters overwhelmingly approved bond issues that will add to the Raleigh parks/greenway system, new recreational buildings and the addition of a new 65,000 square foot class room building at Wake Tech's recently opened north Raleigh campus. Also, voters elected mostly slow growth candidates. Raleigh/Cary and surrounding towns have enjoyed tremendous growth over the last 20 years but many residents now want growth to slow down. With slower growth and the addition of new greenways, parks and educational facilities Wake county will continue to be one of the premier areas to work and live in America. 10/14/2007

The RBC Center was packed yesterday for the 'GET MOTIVATED' Business Seminar featuring Zig Ziglar, Colin Powell, Steve Forbes and many others. Business professionals, from all over North Carolina, made their way to the RBC Center for the all-day event. The speakers addressed issues such as: communication, management skills, customer service, team building, organization, people skills, increased productivity, time management and goal achievement. Although I gleened something of value from each of the speakers, my two favorites were Zig Ziglar (for his humility and wisdom) and Colin Powell (for his dynamic presence and engaging speaking style). Zig Ziglar, for those of you who may not know of him, is a true, Southern gentleman. Born in Alabama in 1926 and raised in Yazoo City, Mississippi... 10/12/2007

IT WAS GET MOTIVATED for the business seminar. Put on by Peter Lowe and his wife Tamara.OH what can I say about this seminar.I know someone asked me to take pictures. I did not take the camera nor did I use my cell phone for pictures. I am sorry, but I was there with a friend that did take pictures and I am waiting on those to be emailed to me.We had a blast trying to get to the seminar. The road system was backed up every where. I felt sorry for those who had a time clock to punch out in the Research Triangle with this seminar going on.Well, with the backed up road system and over 18,000 were scheduled for the seminar. I did not get to hear I couple of speakers. But, those that I did hear were very inspirational.A gentleman from India, who lives in TX. (Kris Dhuham)  commented that tho... 10/12/2007

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) just released its monthly market forecast and Raleigh home sales are given special mention for outperforming the rest of the country.  According to NAR Senior Economist Lawrence Yun, “markets like Austin, Salt Lake City and Raleigh have been outperforming recently and will continue to do well next year.” As I’ve written here before, our local numbers confirm this.  The average sell price is up 8.4% for closed sales in September compared with same period in 2006.  The average sell price for a home in Wake County, which includes Raleigh, Cary and Wake Forest, was $277,451 in September compared with $255,963 in 2006. Now before we start to jump for joy and declare that we are in a total seller’s market, consider the decline in showing activity and... 10/12/2007

I was asked today if I was going to that seminar tomorrow by a friend of mine. I asked what seminar.My friend said this one as she is handing my two tickets and says that the tickets are worth $225 each. I looked at the tickets and said that I would love to go and thank you for thinking about me, but what about you? Why are you not going?My friend says that she has to take care of some clients tomorrow and cannot make it.What a true friend that is.This seminar is called Get Motivated! This is a business Seminar.The guess speakers are, Colin Powell, Rick Belluzzo, Zig Ziglar, Roy Williams, Tom Hopkins and Steve Forbes.It is an all day event at th RBC Center.I will blog tomorrow of my exciting time for tomorrow. 10/10/2007

I was working on an offer today. It is difficult these days. The buyers think it being a buyers market and they will not offend the seller by low ball offers and get the property.I have had many of conversations with these buyers about doing low ball offers in a property priced market even if it is a buyers market. I made myself clear that the seller could be appalled by the offer and not even counter and never sell to them even if they come back with a full price offer. I even say put yourselves in their shoes and see how you fell them what would you like to offer.Well, I just put in an offer $30k less than market value. Then I called the LA and I was told that there has been two other offers that were higher than this one and one completely rejected and the other could not get financi... 10/09/2007

Raleigh Real Estate - New Listings - Downtown Condo's Just Listed!1Raleigh Real Estate Listings400 W. North St. -  $598,000City: RaleighSubd: WestMLS#: 610899Design: Design - One StoryRooms: 6SqFt: 1553Bedrooms: 2F/H Baths: 2 / 0Acres: 0Year Built: 2007Parking: Parking - Assigned SpacesJust Listed!2Raleigh Real Estate Listings400 W. North St.-$499,000City: RaleighSubd: WestMLS#: 610379Design: Design - One StoryRooms: 6SqFt: 1553Bedrooms: 2F/H Baths: 2 / 0Acres: 0Year Built: 2007Parking: Parking - Assigned SpacesJust Listed!3Raleigh Real Estate Listings1401 Coopershill Drive $209,000City: RaleighSubd: Meadow WoodMLS#: 608749Design: Design - One StoryRooms: 5SqFt: 1234Bedrooms: 2F/H Baths: 2 / 0Acres: 0Year Built: 2007Parking: 1 GarageJust Listed!4Raleigh Real Estate Listings400 W. North ... 10/08/2007

This is the final installment in a 3 part series on how to stage your Raleigh home to sell for the highest price in the shortest amount of time.  In Part 1 I discussed what to do to the outside of your home to prepare it for sale.  Part 2 covered what to do to the inside.  This article will bring it all together. Why Bother? If the things I asked you to do in part 1 and 2 seem like a lot of trouble, well they might very well be.  You may be asking yourself, “why should I bother?”  The answer is easy.  You will make a huge return on your investment, easily thousands or dollars.  And you will enjoy the process of selling your home more and have less stress in your life.  These seem like two very good reasons to me, but you will ultimately have to decide for yourself. Many people claim the... 10/08/2007

Wow - Can you believe it?  It's almost NC State Fair time!  That means cooler weather, crispy fall leaves, the smell of funnel cakes and roasted corn on the cob, ferris wheels, rides and games - OH MY! If you have never been to the NC State Fair - I sincerely hope that you find the time this year.  It truely does has something for all ages!  This years entertainment ranges from Carolina's own Daughtry to the Food Networks Paula Deen.  It is sure to be entertaining! For admission costs, special events, vendors and more details check out 2007 N.C. State Fair ~ seriously twisted fun! I would love it if you could share some of your favorite pass-times at the fair and what you are looking forward to this year.  Personally?  I can't wait to see Daughtry and Paula Deen!  And, I hate to admit t... 10/07/2007