Bryan and Ashley decided they wanted to own their own home.  “To the web” was their battle cry.  They were overwhelmed with choices.  What next?  Having just moved to Raleigh they lived with Ashley’s dad.  He said “Calculate how much house you can afford & avoid this pitfall.”  Bryan could figure out how much they could afford, but what pitfall should they avoid? Ashley’s dad explained.  To look at the family finances and decide how much they could afford was a good idea.  A necessary step as a matter of fact.  Searching the web with this dollar amount in mind would keep the volume of houses to a more manageable number.  The pitfall to avoid was to believe that this first step was also the last step. He went on to say that they could ID which neighborhoods were in their price range this... 06/17/2013

If you are ready to move out on your own, and Kiss Your Landlord Good-bye…  CONGRATULATIONS!  In February of 2012 – the newest part of the Government’s program to help people buy a house went into place!  As mortgage interest rates continue to climb in the summer of 2013, these Government programs are more important than ever, because they increase buyer qualifications – allowing folks who have been renting to purchase a slightly larger house than they would otherwise be able to buy… with very few out of pocket expenses.  This page is full of what First Time Homebuyers in Raleigh NC should know because we get so many questions about where to start in the homebuying process... Johanna Brown, an agent with Re/Max United in Cary,  said it would be pretty common for people sitting on the fe... 06/14/2013

In a nutshell, the main reason people move to Raleigh are; the wonderful economy and employment opportunities, great place to start a business and raise a family, the beautiful landscape, world-class education options and overall quality of life.  What was once a mild capitol city mostly made up of government buildings, and College Campuses,  is quickly getting a facelift that is continuing to gain national attention! For prospective Raleigh homebuyers the “hot spot locations” continue to be North Raleigh, North Hills / Midtown Area and Downtown Raleigh.  First Time Home buyers love the condos and walkability of downtown. Upscale shops and amenity and restaurant laden North Hills also offers up a great walkable area, at a higher price point.  North Raleigh is a mix of price range and s... 06/14/2013

Find Raleigh NC Homes for Sale   OR   I've made it very easy for home buyers to find active and available homes in the North Carolina Triangle area.  There are three different options to find Triangle homes and NC Communities. Below are the three best ways you can search for homes in the Raleigh, Cary, Durham, and Chapel Hill areas of the NC Triangle. Option 1: You can do a home search on my primary website at www.NCStyleHomes.com (this one cannot be saved at this time but, only displays active properties). If you can’t find the home you're looking for here, it probably isn’t an available Triangle home as this links directly to MLS and only displays homes that are active. Option 2: You can set up your own home search at www.FindNCStyleHomes.com. This one can be saved and you can log-in ... 06/13/2013

The Real Estate Market Statistics are out for May 2013 and once again there are many positive trends.  For North Raleigh the number of Closed Sales was up +33.1% when compared to the same time period in the year 2012.  The total number of Closed Sales was 398.  The inventory of homes for sale was down -10.3% however.  The total number of homes for sale in North Raleigh in May 2013 was 1304.   The Absorption Rate for North Raleigh pretty much held steady at 5.3 which indicated a Sellers Market.  This statistic shows a -29.5% drop from the same time period last year.  Please keep in mind this statistic is ONLY for North Raleigh and different areas of the Triangle are experiencing different markets.  For more information regarding the Absorption Rate, what it means and how it effects both ... 06/11/2013

Who does Raleigh real estate market favor in June 2013 –buyer or seller?  Media sound bites are normally national in scope.   Here’s Raleigh, NC trends. What are media comments based on?  In my experience, it's usually a comparison between the current month and the prior month or the current month compared with the same month a year ago.  More comprehensive data is needed by those who will actively participate in the real estate market.  In response to that need, I present you the following market analysis.   Market divided into four segments: Red Line: Represents Top Market Segment - Most Expensive Homes Green Line: Represents Upper Middle Segment of Market Orange Line: Represents Lower Middle Segment of Market Blue Line: Represents Least Expensive Homes Because all real estate markets... 06/03/2013

So, you've moved passed Steps 1 and 2 - you've picked your lender and found the Realtor® that is going to help you find that perfect home.......  What?  You missed Steps 1 and 2?  No worries - you can catch up at "The 5 Steps to Buying a House".  Go ahead, catch up, I'll wait!  (hint: click the link) The next 3 Steps in Buying a House are very time sensitive and will take careful coordination.  ** It is important to note that Steps 3 - 5 may differ from state to state and what I am outlining here is specific to North Carolina. Step 3: The Offer To Purchase  Congratulations!  You have found "the" home and are ready for the next step - Making an Offer.  Don't be scared!  The lender and Realtor® that you chose in Steps 1 and 2 are there to help guide your through this process.  Your Realto... 05/20/2013

  Award winning “PC World” magazine is the largest-circulation (750,000 audited copies monthly) computer magazine in the world says… Google+ is now the 2nd largest network.  Only Facebook is larger, but Google+ is gaining. So what you say?  Find out Tuesday   Reserve Your Seat     Why should you care?  You can’t ignore this many eyeballs.  You owe it to yourself to at least check it out. The key question:  How can you use it to advantage in your real estate business? We will be covering: = Circles = Local Listings = Communities = Your profile - How to set it up = Keywords (remember last week) = Posting Do’s = Posting Don’ts = Plus a Bonus Tip you don’t want to miss It’s going to be jammed packed with info so don’t be late… See you Tuesday Reserve Your Seat As you can see we have a lot t... 05/16/2013

Whether you are a first time homebuyer or a seasoned buyer a home purchase can be a little scary!  Even if you have rode this bike before things change.  Let #RaleighRed help you understand the home buying process step by step and get you on your way to that home of your dreams. Did you know that when buying a home you need a team?  Do you know who's on your team?  Here is a more in-depth look at who you need on your team and what role each will play in your purchase.  (hint: click the link!)  Step 1:  First and MOST important?  A Mortgage Lender! A mortgage lender will be able to tell you how much home you can afford.  It really isn't as easy as just thinking, "Well, I pay X now so I am looking for a mortgage payment about the same."  A mortgage lender will do an in-depth analysis of y... 05/15/2013

It's OK to Wear Ugly Shoes... When You're Bowling in the Raleigh, Cary, Apex Area! Yeah, yeah, I know. Those bowling shoes are kind of ugly! But bowling is fun and you can forego fashion for a few hours to have some fun... can't you? Where to Go Bowling in the Raleigh, Cary, Apex Area   Where to Go Bowling in the Raleigh, Cary, Apex Area   View Larger Map About The Author Craig Rutman is a North Carolina Residential Real Estate Specialist that can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in the Raleigh - Cary – Apex metro areas; or any place else in the country by connecting you with a relocation professional in your destination of choice. To find all available homes for sale in the Triangle area of North Carolina, please visit www.justnchomes.com Call me TODAY at 919-349... 05/15/2013

The N. Raleigh Real Estate statistics are out for April 2013 and we continue to see improvement in the market!  Both the Average Sales Price and the Median Sales Price have increased since the same time last year and the average Days on Market has decreased.    Both Closed Sales and the Inventory of Homes for Sale in North Raleigh has increased steadily since February.             The Absorption Rate in North Raleigh has remained stable at what is considered a "balanced" market - neither a seller's market nor a buyer's market.  It is important to note that this is just for North Raleigh - the Absorption Rate varies in the different areas of Raleigh.           The average Days on Market has seen a slight decline since February 2013.             If you are interested in learning a bit mor... 05/14/2013

222 Glenwood | Raleigh Upscale Condo complex Complete with: Secure Access Controlled Complex Reception Officer Private Health Club Landscaped Pool and Courtyard WiFi at the Pool and Courtyard Residents Clubhouse opening onto outdoor grill and firepit An excellent opportunity to own in Downtown Raleigh Elevator access to the shops within the complex   222 Glenwood is situated in the Raleigh | Glenwood South Glenwood South includes  Trendy shopping Nightlife Convenient and superb restaurants Dog Park Grocery shopping including Harris Teater and Trader Joes 222 Glenwood is a great place to live -    See our list of Condos for sale by clicking this 222 Glenwood Link   05/12/2013

Raleigh Downtown has lured another 250 jobs!   Ipreo, the New York technology company has leased a full floor of office space in the One Bank Of America Building in downtown Raleigh, confirming that Downtown Raleigh is the "in Place" to live, work and play. Building in downtown is gaining momentum and the Raleigh city centre is a throbbing metropolis. Young people are buying up condo's and townhouses, while homes inside the beltline are commanding more and more attention.   If you have been considering purchasing a Downtown Raleigh investment, then this is the time to do it. Rentals are in demand and there is a good chance that your investment can grow in value over the next few years. With the moves by large companies like Citrix and Redhat to the Raleigh Downtown area, the signs for i... 04/27/2013

“How soon can you refinance investment property to capture appreciation?” This is an important question when you put your own money into investment real estate. I was having lunch with Leslie.  She was doing well and she started investing in single family residential real estate.  Over coffee she picked my brain.  She bought a house that needed some work.  This would increase the value so she asked “How soon can you refinance investment property to capture appreciation?” “A year” I told her.  She grew silent and started chewing on her lower lip.  I waited.  Finally she fessed up that she had spoken to another mortgage loan officer and to a fellow investor.  They both told her six months. It was true that she could refinance after six months.  “So why did you tell me a year?” she blurted... 04/25/2013

Raleigh, NC: America's Next Boom Town   Moving to Raleigh, NC?   Thinking of Moving to Raleigh, NC? Take a Virtual Tour of Raleigh, NC also know as North Carolina's Capitol City. View some of the sites in Raleigh, NC on the above tour.  If you're like many, you'll find Raleigh to be a wonderful place to live and work. It's a thriving city with a variety of businesses, sports, entertainment, universities, and more. Folks move here from all parts of the US and world.   Looking for a Home for Sale in Raleigh, NC?   Raleigh NC: Best Way to Find Homes for Sale in Raleigh North Carolina  Search ALL Homes for Sale in Raleigh, NC   OR   1) Search for Homes manually using your own criteria at: www.NCStyleHomes.com  (Only active homes will come up)   2) Set up and save your own search at:  www.Fi... 04/20/2013

What is Due Diligence? When purchasing a home in North Carolina, the buyer pays the seller (as part of the intial contract) for a set amount of time to undertake "Due Diligence". The Due Diligence period is usually set by the buyer agent and is normally around 3 weeks. During these weeks, the buyer has to apply for the loan, have the property inspected and appraised and has to be pretty certain they will be able to purchase the property. Things that need to happen during Due Diligence: Home Inspection: HVAC systems, Structure, Mechanical, Electrical Plumbing. These are some of things inspected by the home inspector. Repairs will be requested from the seller and must be agreed prior to the Due Diligence Period. Appraisal: The property must appraise during this period. If the property doe... 04/18/2013

When Buying a Home in the Raleigh, Cary, Apex Area, Play Your Cards Right and Hire a Buyer's Agent... Ahh, the age old questions about buyer's agency. To the general public, buyer agency is probably the most misunderstood aspect of buying Real Estate. How much will it cost me? Do I even need a buyer's agent? Will I save money if I just call the listing agent? Can a buyer's agent help me with new construction homes? Foreclosures? HUD homes? For Sale By Owners homes? I seem to answer these questions on a daily basis. And, I'm happy to give the following responses: How much will it cost me to have a buyer's agent in the Raleigh, Cary, Apex area? Zip. Zero. Zilch. Nada. NOTHING! In fact, having buyer representation in all of North Carolina does not cost you anything. But it will cost you yo... 04/11/2013

  Cameron Park, Raleigh, NC Downtown Raleigh Neighborhood - Shopping, Parks and Historic Homes The beautiful tree lined neighborhood of Cameron Park is located just northwest of downtown Raleigh, NC, bordered by Hillsborough St, Clark Ave and St. Mary’s Street. Cameron Park offers some of the best downtown Raleigh living with shopping, parks, historic homes and condos.   The area includes three parks: Edna Metz Wells Park, Forest Park, and Cameron Park. The neighborhood boasts one of the country’s top Bed & Breakfast destinations, the Cameron Park Inn.     All the shopping and dining of Cameron Village Shopping Center is minutes away, as is the Cameron Village Regional Library. Of course, all of the attractions in Downtown Raleigh are just down the road. DOWNTOWN RALEIGH BLOG Shopping: ... 04/04/2013

In the Raleigh NC Real Estate market, both commercial AND residential inventory and sales are fluid!  Fluid as in moving like a rushing river and changing course!  What may have been considered a reasonable price point a few months ago for a property has most likely changed. I can promise that no Realtor® will argue the point that if you want to sell your home you must price it properly.  But, even well priced homes will, at times, linger on the market for a little longer and there may be certain factors that play into that. If you are in an area where you have strong competition chances are the other Realtors® and sellers are just as savvy and priced their properties properly.  With that, not every home, regardless of price, is going to be the perfect "fit" for every buyer.   Maybe you... 04/03/2013

Many times when I create the monthly market reports I reference the Absorption Rate.  On listing appointments I mention the Absorption Rate and even use it to assist me with my Competitive Market Analysis.  An Absorption Rate is a great indicator of what is happening in a local real estate market.An Absorption Rate quite simply is the supply of homes that are on the market.  For instance, if there is an Absorption Rate of 8 is would mean that should NO other homes be listed it would take 8 months for the currently listed homes to sell or to be "absorbed" back into the market.Typically, a balanced market has an Absorption Rate of 6.  That means that it is neither a Sellers Market nor a Buyers Market.  When you see the Absorption Rate go above 6 then you have entered into a Buyers Market ... 03/29/2013