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Real Estate Agent
Craig Rutman
Raleigh, Cary, Apex, NC area Real Estate information, shameless self promotion, and the lighter side of a very serious business. Visit www.justNChomes.com for more information.
Cell: (919) 349-9530
Office: (919) 349-9530
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Real Estate Agent
Carla Freund
Your Real Estate Guide for Homes in Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Apex, Chapel Hill & Triangle areas. Need to Sell? Carla Sells your Cary, Apex, Holly Springs, Raleigh & Fuquay Varina Homes or Real Estate.
Cell: (919) 602-8489
Office: (919) 602-8489
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Wake County, NC Real Estate News

By Eleanor Thorne, Advantage Lending 919-649-5058
(Equity Resources)
Many of the home buyers we talk to struggle with down payment, meaning coming up with 10 to 20% for a down payment just isnt happening.  So what are the alternatives to a no down payment USDA Home Loan Program near Raleigh? If you are not a Veteran, qualifying for a VA Loan – then the FHA Loans in Garner and Fuquay Varina NC are the most flexible options. We CAN offer down payment assistance with this program, and that means you can live where you want to !Western Wake County, especially the areas closest to Fayetteville, are growing like wildfire. Not surprising, you can benefit from a home that’s located in “small town USA” with award winning schools!  Fuquay Varina and Garner are two cities that have benefited from this unique location. Unfortunately, USDA Home Loans, the program tha...
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By Kelly Green-Krist, CPA
(Green Krist CPA PLLC)
One significant tax benefit of owning residential rental property or non-residential commercial or investment property is depreciation—a deduction you get without spending any additional money.But regular depreciation for real property is slow. Residential rental property is depreciated over 27.5 years and non-residential property over 39 years, providing a relatively small deduction each year.Fortunately, there is a way you can speed up your depreciation deductions—especially during the first year or years you own the property: cost segregation.“Cost segregation” is the technical term for separately depreciating the elements of property that are not real property. These are elements other than land, buildings, and building components. They include: improvements made to the land, such a...
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By Carla Freund, NC Real Estate Transition & Relocation 919-602-848
(Keller Williams Legacy - Apex NC)
Golf makes a comeback in the Triangle AreaThe early to mid 2000s seemed to indicate fewer people were interested in golf due to video games, phones, and media. Golf homes weren't in as high of a demand. Gold memberships were down and golf courses were shutting down, being sold or facing bankruptcy. Then, Covid hit and the shutdown sent people spiraling. Almost anything outdoors with social distancing was desirable again. Even homes that backed to walking trails were in high demand. The golf courses were in high demand and Golf was once again booming.We have navigated the historical Pandemic of 2020 and it has undoubtedly left some lasting changes on our society.One thing that has continued is the interest in the great outdoors. In the Raleigh, Cary and surrounding areas, you'll see park...
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By Carla Freund, NC Real Estate Transition & Relocation 919-602-848
(Keller Williams Legacy - Apex NC)
What home maintenance do I need to do in the spring?Spring 2024 One of the best things you can do for the resale of your home is maintain it. Maintaining your home also makes it more enjoyable to live in. Home sellers are never happy when they have to make costly improvements to sell their home or when they have to sell for less because they didn't maintain their home.There are several things you can do to maintain your home. Here are a few we do on the exterior of our home and did just this week. Gutters cleaned - we do this at least 2xs per year since we have tall pine trees. House Power Washed - This is something we do every spring. It keeps our siding and porches cleaned. Our Power Washing company also cleans our gutters. HVAC serviced - You should do this at least once each spring....
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By Carla Freund, NC Real Estate Transition & Relocation 919-602-848
(Keller Williams Legacy - Apex NC)
Is it time to Rightsize or Downsize?Two of the biggest mistakes I see as a professional Real Estate Agent is People over the age of 50 either staying in their family home too long or when they do move, they downsize too small. Wall Street Journal recently published an article titled "Boomers bought up the big homes, and now they're not budging".  It's a very interesting article to read if you have access to WSJ. You can also find it on Instagram. Here are some key takeaways: About 28% of all U.S. homes with three or more bedrooms are owned by people between the ages of 60 and 78 living by themselves or with another adult Boomers own half of all of the $32 trillion in home equity in the U.S Some are happy with their big houses. Others would like to downsize  Let's discuss the reasons for...
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By Carla Freund, NC Real Estate Transition & Relocation 919-602-848
(Keller Williams Legacy - Apex NC)
Best place to invest in Wake CountyWendell, NCWendell FallsLet's talk about where you can still find Real Estate in Wake County for potential growth. But first... let's talk about a place people say they wish they had bought into back in the day.Cary NC - We moved to this growing little town in 1997 and bought our house in 1998. It was a small town then and there were still strawberry patches, tobacco fields and farms just outside the neighborhood. When I told people where I lived they thought it was in the boondocks. Fast forward 25 years later and now when I tell people where I live they say "wow, you're lucky you bought when you did". And they're right!So where is it that you can still buy something in Wake County knowing it is going to grow? Wendell is about 15-20 minutes outside of...
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By Carla Freund, NC Real Estate Transition & Relocation 919-602-848
(Keller Williams Legacy - Apex NC)
How important is a bathtub for future resale?It's 2024 and for the past several years we've had this exact question. To be honest, there was a time when bathtubs were an essential part of the primary bathroom. Even if you didn't want it, you would have been wise to have one for future resale.Times have changed and what we've noticed is some people feel bathtubs are a waste of space, use too much water, are a glorified towel holder, or one more thing to clean. The folks in this camp have rebelled and are saying "no" to bathtubs. We hear this when we show homes and see their choices in new construction homes and in bathroom remodels. As an experienced Real Estate expert, I have clients who absolutely don't want a bathtub. I also have clients who will not purchase a home without one. I fin...
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By Carla Freund, NC Real Estate Transition & Relocation 919-602-848
(Keller Williams Legacy - Apex NC)
Cary NC - What's not to love?What's not to love about Cary? Everybody... well a lot of people would like to live in Cary NC. With growth comes good and bad, happy and sad. Let's talk about both.My backstory:We moved to the great state of North Carolina in 1997 and settled in Cary. We knew early in our marriage that we wanted to move to NC if or when the opportunity arose. One day my husband came home and asked how I'd feel about moving to Raleigh NC. I was pretty excited even though I had never been to this area. He flew to Raleigh for a job interview and checked it out. If you recall, we didn't have search engines back in 1997 like we do today. So, when he came home and told me about the area, I had to go on his findings. That and an article I read about SAS and Cary on a Delta flight ...
Comments 7
By Carla Freund, NC Real Estate Transition & Relocation 919-602-848
(Keller Williams Legacy - Apex NC)
What you need to know about moving to Cary NCCary is the town that won't stop!Where to search for Cary Homes We moved to Cary in the mid 90s when people were just beginning to hear about this adorable quaint town which is a suburb of Raleigh NC. The population at that time was about 80k +/-. I first heard about the town when I read an article about SAS headquarters on a Delta flight magazine. My husband & I had visited NC before we had kids and decided we would move here if we ever had an opportunity. Just a few years later a job opportunity came up for him in Cary. We wasted no time selling our home and packing up to move to this lovely town. How it started:We settled in West Cary when Hwy 55 was a 2 lane road. People thought we were out in the middle of nowhere. There were still tobac...
Comments 10
By Steve and Eleanor Thorne, Mortgage Loan Johnston County
(Advantage Lending, NMLS 60596)
The weather in NC allows you to enjoy outdoor activities year-round. Holly Springs has a very active Parks and Recreation Department that manages miles of trails and parks. Holly Springs NC Outdoor Parks and Golf Courses are top class, and one of the highest sighted reasons people want to relocate and buy a home in Holly Springs.Womble Park offers several playgrounds that look over ball fields, trails and many soccer fields. This is a dog friendly park that also offers Picnic Shelter and Sand Volleyball courts. The Holly Glen Neighborhood is located approximately 3 miles away from Parrish Womble Park.Sugg Farm Park is home of the annual HollyFest and fireworks. This fall Festival includes local, live entertainment and highlights local artists and businesses at the more than 100-acre par...
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By Steve and Eleanor Thorne, Mortgage Loan Johnston County
(Advantage Lending, NMLS 60596)
The US Department of Agriculture, yes the same people who check our vegetables, offers a mortgage loan program designed to help our more rural communities grow.  The program has no down payment requirement, and is suited for more conservative borrowers who don’t have a ton of Student Loan Debt, and who want to maximize their home purchase with very low mortgage payments.To qualify, USDA Home Loans in Apex and Holly Springs require that you buy a property that is within the “rural” USDA Loan Footprint.The USDA Home Loan Maps For Apex and Holly Springs NC currently used for qualifying a home for the program are scheduled to change about every 6 months.USDA Home Loan Maps For Apex and Holly Springs NC 2022For more than 5 years, we have been told these maps are going to change, and large ar...
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By Amy Shair, Award-Winning Agent 25+ Years
(Cary Apex Durham NC Referrals - eXp Realty)
Updated end-unit townhome in desirable Holly Springs community near Hwy 55 & 540. Hardwood floors and high ceilings on the main level Stone fireplace with mantle Screened porch and paver patio with wooded view. Kitchen with stainless steel appliances, tile backsplash, and walk-in pantry. 1st-floor owner's bedroom with high ceiling, custom trim work, 2 closets, and updated bath with tile shower and heated floor. Upstairs has 2 bedrooms, loft/office, and full bathroom. Garage with shelving and folding workbench. See more here: https://www.cribflyer.com/127-cypress-hill-laneWant to tour this great home for sale in Holly Springs, NC? Call or text Amy at (919) 818-5001 or Contact Amy Shair here.Follow Amy Shair on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmyShairRealEstate
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By Amy Shair, Award-Winning Agent 25+ Years
(Cary Apex Durham NC Referrals - eXp Realty)
Desirable N. Raleigh End-Unit Townhome 1st-floor owner suite 2 spacious bedrooms upstairs with a shared bathroom Updated laminate flooring Stainless appliances Separate dining room 2-story living room Front porch Covered rear deck Walkable distance to Sola Coffee, Gonza’s Tacos, and Kai Sushi Target, Home Depot, and grocery stores are just a short drive away See more here: 1406mahonia.comWant to tour this great home for sale in Raleigh, NC? Call or text Amy at (919) 818-5001 or Contact Amy Shair here.Follow Amy Shair on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmyShairRealEstate
Comments 4
By April Stephens, Broker/Realtor - Johnston & Wake County
(RE/MAX One Realty)
April Stephens, President, and Owner of The April Stephens Team of eXp Realty® has announced the launch of The REal School. This training for realtors focuses on the issues Realtors face in today’s challenging market. The school is located at 121 Commerce Parkway, Suite 102, Garner, NC 27529, and also offers online instruction at https://www.facebook.com/TheREalSchoolNC. Classes are hosted weekly on Wednesdays at 11 am, and they also offer NCREC approved Pre-licensing, Post-Licensing, CE & Mandatory updates. “Helping other agents become successful has always been a passion of mine. I am thrilled to be in a position to share the knowledge of industry insiders with area real estate agents," said April Stephens. "Today’s real estate environment is not for the faint of heart. We offer real-...
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By Carla Freund, NC Real Estate Transition & Relocation 919-602-848
(Keller Williams Legacy - Apex NC)
1287! That is the number of active listings available in the Multiple listing service today!Everywhere I go I hear people talking about Real Estate. When you're a Real Estate agent, whether you like it or not, you your ears will perk up when people are talking Real Estate. It's all you can do not to interject! I mean, this happens everywhere; walking through the grocery store, at the butcher's market, at the doctor's office, at the hair dresser, at the nail salon, and especially at restaurants. People are talking about this crazy Real Estate market we're having. I've been in and around this industry for my entire career and it has never been this crazy and unpredictable. Get this, as of today we have 1287 active listings in our Triangle MLS system which includes 20 counties. This is the...
Comments 7
By Amy Shair, Award-Winning Agent 25+ Years
(Cary Apex Durham NC Referrals - eXp Realty)
Is Commuter Rail coming to the Triangle? – Many Triangle area residents were disappointed when Duke University essentially shut down a light rail project in 2019. Now in 2022, a rail plan is again being discussed, with some significant changes.Commuter Rail Feasibility StudyAccording to GoTriangle, a new feasibility study is looking at servicing a larger geographic area with 43 miles of rail including Wake County (Raleigh), Durham, and fast-growing Johnston County including the town of Clayton, NC. The previous light rail project was 17 miles focused on Research Triangle Park (RTP), Chapel Hill, and downtown Durham. This commuter rail idea would help ease traffic for residents of outlying areas by decreasing car traffic on busy Triangle roads.Light Rail and Commuter Rail SystemsHere is ...
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By Sharon Kowitz, Cary, NC Relocation Specialist ~ Buying or Selling
(CRS-SRES-ABR-GRI-E-Pro-CREN ~ COMPASS RE)
End unit - Beautiful open floor plan. Hardwoods on main and like new condition.https://www.seetheproperty.com/tour/399082/bHurry this one will not last!
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By Amy Shair, Award-Winning Agent 25+ Years
(Cary Apex Durham NC Referrals - eXp Realty)
Bright and open floorplan in West Cary. 4 Bedrooms 3.5 Baths Large Bonus Room Main-Level Office Butler’s Pantry off Dining Room Spacious first-floor owners suite with dual closets & luxurious bath 2-story living room with windows overlooking pond and trees Eat-in kitchen with island, sink overlooking trees Fenced backyard Tankless water heater 3-car side-entry garage with huge driveway GoogleFiber in neighborhood Fantastic location close to schools, shopping, RTP, Apple, and I-540 Want to tour this great home for sale in Cary NC?  Call or text Amy at (919) 818-5001 or Contact Amy Shair here.For more details and pictures click here: http://www.1704colleencarync.com/Follow Amy Shair on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmyShairRealEstate
Comments 1
By Amy Shair, Award-Winning Agent 25+ Years
(Cary Apex Durham NC Referrals - eXp Realty)
Mark your calendars for the 2021 July 4th Fireworks displays in Raleigh, Cary, Durham, Apex and more!Fireworks on the Fourth of July are some of the best memories we have with family and friends.Several celebrations include “old-fashioned” festivities for families such as face painting, food vendors, potato sack races, and plenty of live music. The Triangle area is well-known for its great music and wonderful summer atmosphere.July 4th Fireworks Events – Pick your day, time, and activity, and click on all of the links for additional details. Have a wonderful and safe Independence Day holiday!RALEIGHAt 9:30pm on July 4th, the City of Raleigh will hold a 4th of July fireworks show near the Carter-Finley Stadium and PNC Arena Complex. Parking is free in the PNC Arena lots, North Carolina S...
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By Carla Freund, NC Real Estate Transition & Relocation 919-602-848
(Keller Williams Legacy - Apex NC)
Over 55 Active Adult Retirement CommunitiesRaleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill - Triangle AreaMay 2021 Why are retirees choosing North Carolina for retirement? There are a variety of reasons. I often ask my clients what drew them to North Carolina. For many it is the moderate weather (very little snow), seasons, and lower taxes. Others come here for the variety of things to do, the universities, quality of healthcare, low crime, sports, natural beauty, and to be close to their kids and grandchildren. It is always interesting to hear why people chose this area. Personally, I love it here! Would it surprise you to know there are 40+ Active Adult communities in the Triangle area?  Del Webb: There are currently 4 Del Webb communities and a 5th Del Webb Community being built. These include Carolina...
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By Sharon Kowitz, Cary, NC Relocation Specialist ~ Buying or Selling
(CRS-SRES-ABR-GRI-E-Pro-CREN ~ COMPASS RE)
To All our friends around the world we hope 2021 is better than 2020. We have to remember our mistakes in order to improve our futures.  
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