Mortgage News:Optimizing Credit Scores & Interest Rates: A Skilled Originator Can HelpJason Yasser, Loan Center ManagerIt's a very simple equation. The higher your credit score, the better interest rate you will receive as a borrower. The reasoning behind the equation is equally simple – your interest rate not only reflects current market conditions but also your estimated ability to pay back the loan. To a lender, the latter is worth its weight in gold. Components of a Credit ScoreGenerally speaking, your credit score is based upon the following criteria in order of importance:  ·    Payment history (this is where delinquencies will hurt you). ·    Responsibility regarding credit usage (how maxed out are your accounts). ·    Credit age (how long have you had your credit accounts). ·   ... 10/30/2006

Mortgage News:Changing With the Times?Jason Yasser, Loan Center ManagerIn life, nothing endures like change. Marriage, divorce, promotions, having children, planning for college, retirement, and bankruptcy are just a few of the many major events in life that can affect both your short− and long−term financial goals. Throw buying or refinancing a home into the mix, and events of this magnitude can dramatically impact how you structure your financial plans for the future. Owning a home is still one of the best defenses against change. Interest rates are at their best levels in five months and are near the lows of late last year. If you're thinking about buying a home or capitalizing on your home equity, you have many options available to address all the big changes that may impact your fi... 10/30/2006

 I recently worked with a 1st time homebuyer.  He had the best intentions but he needed a lot of help.  He  needs three things to buy a house -- good income, good credit, and some cash. And if he lacks any one of those, sometimes even if they lack two, there is often a way around it. After all, if you have enough cash, income and credit won't matter. You can simply pay cash for your home. If that's your situation, in fact, you're in a strong negotiating position and can sometimes buy at a bargain figure, because you represent a sure thing, a simple transaction, for the seller.  You've heard the saying, "Cash is King".  So what if you have good income and credit, but lack money for down payment and closing costs? Several options are open to you. For starters, veterans can obtain a VA-gua... 10/23/2006

Many newcomers ask me about things to do in North Carolina.  My family just loves this daytrip from the Triangle.  Take a leisurely drive to Asheboro so the kids can go to the Zoo. The Polar Bears are a big draw. After the zoo mosey over the Seagrove, North Carolina a short 5 minute drive away. There are over 50 potters in this area that sell their wares directly to the public. This is a link to the Seagrove Area Potters Association Last, if you're really ambitious, head over to the Richard Petty Museum which is also in the area. If you're in to race cars your family will love this stop. 10/22/2006

Hasentree, a new luxury home community in North Raleigh area has about 750 acres with 423 homesites, all built around a Tom Fazio design golf course. Nestled among 38,000 protected acres of the Falls Lake Nature Preserve, Hasentree will feature an abundance of open space. The community will have more than 600 homesites spread across 925 acres, with nearly half of the available land dedicated to open space.The fact that it is a Fazio course will make it a very desireable area. Fazio is the designer of courses such as Shadow Creek in Las Vegas, Pinehurst #8, and Wake Hampton also here in North Carolina. He is the designer of 14 of the courses listed in Golf Digest's 100 Greatest Courses. He has certain requirements of the housing developments around his courses to take full advantage of t... 10/22/2006

IF you weren't able to make it to the 2006 Parade of Homes or if you are planning on remodeling your home in 2006 you may want to stop by the 2006 Remodeled Home Tour. The Remodelers Home Tour presents examples of how renovations can transform living space - blending old and new for the optimum in aesthetics and function. With projects in various price ranges, the Tour has been the perfect source for anyone planning to remodel, now or in the future, or for seeing the newest trends in the building industry (architectue and interior design). Remodeled homes are located in various parts of Wake County, and will be open on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2006 from 10:00am-5:00pm, and on Sunday, Oct. 22 from 1:00pm-5:00pm. Look for the list of homes on the Tour and addresses at the bottom of this page. A... 10/21/2006

We recently wrapped up the 2006 Parade of Homes.  The center of attention, of course, was on the many new homes in all price ranges that were open for the public to see.  Because of the growth the Triangle area continues to enjoy, couples who can afford homes of $1 million and above  primarily looking at either new homes or for a lot they can build their dream home on.  That is all well and good.  However, in the process many resale homes are overlooked and surprisingly a number of them represent above average values.  I say surprisingly because the comparative value vs. either a new home or the cost of one to be built clearly favors the resale home.  If you are a local resident thinking of something different or if you will be moving to this area you might want to ask for a copy of my ... 10/21/2006

A couple of months ago I wrote about the wild success of the Martha Stewart designed homes at Twin Lakes.  Given the success, Martha Stewart now  has plans for a new community in North Raleigh. Martha Stewart will provide the designs for the 98 homes KB Homes will build on 90 acres near the intersection of Leesville and Strickland Roads in north Raleigh.  The community will be called Wynbrooke  and the homes will start at about $400,000 and be on one-half to three-quarter acre lots.  They will range in size from 1,800 to 3,800 square feet.  The Twin Lakes homes are somewhat smaller at 1,500 to 4,000 square feet and their costs are between $300,000 and $500,000. To view homes for sale in Wynbrooke click here.                                                                               ... 10/18/2006

The Parade of Homes winners were announced last week. The Gold Medal went to the DenMark Construction home in Radcliffe while the Silver Medal went to the Jayco Construction home in The Overlook at Chatsworth.  Congratulations to all the winners in all the price ranges and to those with perfect scores. With regard to million dollar homes (and above) Stacey Anfindsen, an appraiser with Birch Appraisal Group in Cary, says that 130 homes sold in Wake, Durham, Chatham, Franklin, Orange and Johnston counties during 2005 whose closing price was $1 million and above.  Year-to-date numbers indicate that 126 have sold in that princely range and that another 27 are under contract.  10 of those homes were in Cary.  Thus, another record breaking year for the area is assured.  On the flip side of t... 10/17/2006

A couple of years ago my husband and I spent a couple of weeks in Europe.  One of my fondest memories included a visit to Claude Monet's home in Giverny, France.  I actually got to see the actual Lily Pond that inspired the Monet paintings.  I'm so excited that they have taken Claude Monet's paintings on the road.  Over 50 paintings by this beloved impressionist are here in Raleigh.  This exhibit is a must see!!  His paintings include that  of Normandy's fields and coast, the garden and water lily pond at Giverny, and Rouen's cathedral.   For more details Visit the Monet in Normandy Web site! 10/17/2006

I attended a luncheon at Hidden Lake North of Raleigh a week ago.  The agents onsite had a lot of information about what a wonderful, gated community it will be. It's just a 20-minute drive northeast of cosmopolitan Raleigh, near the quaint town of Wake Forest. This planned community of only 124 homes will feature heavily wooded, rolling topography with generous homesites ranging from 1 to 6 acres, dubbed "Private Preserves" due to their size. When the nearly 600-acre community opens, the first phase will offer more than 40 homesites bordering a 75-acre private lake. In addition to the lake, Hidden Lake residents will enjoy an array of amenities ideal for those who love the outdoors. Audubon International recently approved the site plan for Hidden Lake, which is the first step in achiev... 10/10/2006

I recently received my Senior Real Estate Specialits designation at the Raleigh Regional Association of Realtors.  I decided to embark on this designation because I've been working with a number of seniors that are relocating to the area to be with their children.  Last year Raleigh had approximately 18,500 transplants from all over the country.   Most of the follks that move here seem to love the area because of the mild climate and overall low cost of living for a large city.  The main points that families like about the area are the proximity to three major universities, the tremendous amount of green space, and the presence of some of the most advanced technology companies in the country.  As Money Magazine stated our town is like a park with a city in it.   In addition the American... 09/22/2006

I wanted to share with you the latest community coming to the newly redesigned North Hills area with an exclusive Midtown address.  Kane Residential is pleased to announce that, on October 10th, pre-sales will begin for Ramblewood at North Hills, a community of brick townhomes, brick condominiums, and single-family Garden Homes. This project, introduced by Kane Residential, has been anticipated by the Triangle community and I wanted you to be the first to know.  Appointments will begin to scheduled on October 2nd with a start date of October 10th.  Completion date for the first homes is scheduled in the summer of 2007.  The community will have three types of homes: The Townhomes will have Brick exteriors featuring a traditional architecture.  Siteplans range from 2,300 to 4,500 square f... 09/21/2006

I’ve been getting a lot of calls from investors around the country looking to expand outside their current market.  As you may be aware there are many areas in the country that have seen a remarkable slow down in the real estate market.  To the contrary, certain areas in the Triangle are continuing to see strong growth and low inventories. The main question I’m being asked is where would investors find the best returns? July sales were down slightly in the Triangle, but overall we have achieved nearly 2% stronger sales year-to-date than 2005. Cary, Raleigh and the Triangle continue to win numerous accolades as the place to start a new business, the place to find affordable housing, the best overall employment & low cost of living, great weather and safest neighborhoods. Our area has bee... 09/14/2006