iRaleighRealEstate Blog » For Sellers

Raleigh Real Estate, For Some it’s “Hot None In The Summertime”

Rick Freeman — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 17:26:03 +0000

Today, we’re updating Triangle real estate sales figures and answering the “how hot will summer sales be in Raleigh-Durham” question. In an earlier blog post, I reported that there were 2,083 home closings in May for Durham, Johnston, Orange and Wake counties, up 26 percent over the same period last year, according to the Triangle Multiple Listing Service. Well the numbers are in for July and sales, unlike the outdoor temperatures, have cooled with only 1,354 closings for the month, which is a 35% dive over a two-month period. That’s also down 35% from the same period last year as closings in July 2009 in the same four counties numbered 2,052.

Get my full story, Hot NONE In the Summertime…Real Estate Sales on Vacation, online. Find more timely statistics on Raleigh Durham and search the great Raleigh homes for sale and buyer’s market incentives on Raleigh real estate at www.HomeSearchRALEIGH.com.

It’s more value-added information from your Raleigh realtor, Rick Freeman and the Freeman/Davis Home Team.

Raleigh Real Estate, For Some it’s “Hot None In The Summertime” is a post from: iRaleighRealEstate Blog. Visit us at HomeSearchRALEIGH.com for more details and Raleigh Real Estate For Sale.

Rick Freeman’s DayTripping Series – Mayberry, NC in Living Color

Rick Freeman — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 17:24:33 +0000

Check out my blog post at Rick Freeman’s DayTripping Series – Mayberry, NC – It’s For Real and In Living Color. See more things to do in Raleigh Durham and search the great Raleigh homes for sale and buyer’s market incentives on Raleigh real estate at www.HomeSearchRALEIGH.com.

It’s more value-added information from your Raleigh realtor, Rick Freeman and the Freeman/Davis Home Team.

Rick Freeman’s DayTripping Series – Mayberry, NC in Living Color is a post from: iRaleighRealEstate Blog. Visit us at HomeSearchRALEIGH.com for more details and Raleigh Real Estate For Sale.

Rick Freeman’s DayTripping Series – NASCAR Hall Of Fame

Rick Freeman — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 17:22:43 +0000

Check out my blog post at Rick Freeman’s DayTripping Series – Nascar Hall Of Fame in Charlotte. See more things to do in Raleigh Durham and search the great Raleigh homes for sale and buyer’s market incentives on Raleigh real estate at www.HomeSearchRALEIGH.com.

It’s more value-added information from your Raleigh realtor, Rick Freeman and the Freeman/Davis Home Team.

Rick Freeman’s DayTripping Series – NASCAR Hall Of Fame is a post from: iRaleighRealEstate Blog. Visit us at HomeSearchRALEIGH.com for more details and Raleigh Real Estate For Sale.

Rick Freeman’s DayTripping Series – Tax Free in Smithfield NC

Rick Freeman — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 17:21:17 +0000

Check out my blog post at Rick Freeman’s DayTripping Series – Tax Free Weekend. See more things to do in Raleigh Durham and search the great Raleigh homes for sale and buyer’s market incentives on Raleigh real estate at www.HomeSearchRALEIGH.com.

It’s more value-added information from your Raleigh realtor, Rick Freeman and the Freeman/Davis Home Team.

Rick Freeman’s DayTripping Series – Tax Free in Smithfield NC is a post from: iRaleighRealEstate Blog. Visit us at HomeSearchRALEIGH.com for more details and Raleigh Real Estate For Sale.

The Do’s & Don’ts of Homeowner’s Insurance

Rick Freeman — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 22:32:35 +0000

As your "Trusted Advisors," The Freeman/Davis Home Team at Allen Tate Realtors is always on the lookout for news you can use, regardless of whether you are in the process of buying or selling a home. You can always get up-to-date information on Raleigh homes for sale and statistics on Raleigh real estate on our website at www.HomeSearchRALEIGH.com and today, I have some additional information about homeowner’s insurance. It’s a list of "do’s and don’ts that you’ll want to review, print and keep handy.

DO: Find an independent agent that will allow you to get quotes from several insurance providers.

DON’T: Buy the first policy you are offered with when shopping.

DO: Contact an insurance agent in person to tailor your policy and make sure you’re getting the best and most adequate coverage for the money you pay.

DON’T: Drop home insurance or necessary types of coverage altogether just to lower the costs.

DO: Review your deductibles and adjust them if needed to relate adequately to your financial abilities if an insurance situation takes place. Remember that higher deductibles will lower you rates.

DON’T: Raise your deductibles to the amount you will find hard to pay in case it comes to filing a claim.

DO: Speak to your insurance agent to learn if there are any homeowner’s insurance discounts provided by your insurer you are eligible for.

DON’T: Forget about updating your insurance coverage after adding square footage to your house, performing important modifications (installing ventilation or security systems), or buying expensive things that are to be kept on your property.

DO: Find a provider that will carry more types of insurance rather than only homeowners insurance. You can receive substantial discounts by having your auto, life and home insurance policies with the same carrier.

DON’T: Drop substantial amounts of liability coverage in order to save money because some day it can be really helpful and your savings can lead to serious losses if you do not have enough liability coverage.

DO: Renew your policy and avoid cancellations because it will get more expensive to renew it or get a new one if your policy was simply void without any reason.

DON’T: Drop your homeowners insurance policy in case your mortgage lender doesn’t require it anymore or you have paid off your loan.

Try to employ as many of these tips as possible and you will see that having good homeowners insurance with low rates and adequate coverage is really possible. Keep in mind that having cheap coverage can turn around to be very costly when facing an insurance situation. So try to get adequate coverage while still having your family budget in mind. Shop around and find the best policy out there to keep your house protected no matter what.

The Do’s & Don’ts of Homeowner’s Insurance is a post from: iRaleighRealEstate Blog. Visit us at HomeSearchRALEIGH.com for more details and Raleigh Real Estate For Sale.

Closings Up 26% in May, but Will the Real Estate Market Be Hot This Summer?

Rick Freeman — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 18:37:51 +0000

The Obama administration’s flagship effort to help people in danger of losing their homes is falling flat. More than a third of the 1.24 million borrowers who have enrolled in the $75 billion mortgage modification program have dropped out. Last month alone, 150,000 borrowers left the program – bringing the total to 436,000 who have left since it began in March 2009.

A major reason so many have fallen out of the program is that the Obama administration initially pressured banks to sign up borrowers without insisting first on proof of their income. When banks later moved to collect the information, many homeowners were disqualified or dropped out.

The growing number of people leaving the program could lead to a new wave of foreclosures, which could weaken the housing market and hold back the broader economic recovery. Experts say more borrowers are likely to drop out in the coming months.

Some homeowners who owe more on their loans than their properties are worth are likely to conclude that paying an oversized mortgage isn’t worth the cost. Even after their loans are modified, many borrowers are simply stuck with too much debt..

Obama administration officials contend that borrowers are still getting help – even if they fail to qualify for the program. The administration published statistics showing that nearly half of borrowers who fell out of the program received an alternative loan modification from their lender. About 7 percent fell into foreclosure.

Another option is a short sale – one in which banks agree to let borrowers sell their homes for less than they owe on their mortgage. A short sale results in a less severe hit to a borrower’s credit score and is better for communities because homes are less likely to be vandalized or fall into disrepair. To encourage more of those sales, the Obama administration is giving $3,000 for moving expenses to homeowners who complete such a sale or agree to turn over the deed of the property to the lender. Administration officials said their work on several fronts has helped stabilize the housing market. They cited government efforts to provide money for home loans, push down mortgage rates and provide a federal tax credit for buyers.

But it was just a short-term fix. The expiration of the tax credits, which required eligible buyers to put a home under contract by April 30 and close by June 30, caused many people to stop looking. The number of showings in May plummeted 30 percent from the same month a year earlier, and pending sales were off 5 percent. It appears that the tax credits simply took the buyers that would have bought in the second and third quarter of this year and you stuffed them into the first quarter.

The end of the tax credits has also caused new housing starts to fall across the country. They were down 10 percent in May, the biggest decline since March 2009, the U.S. Commerce Department reported. Triangle home showings declined about 5 percent in November when the government tax credits were originally set to expire. This time, real estate agents have reported a noticeable drop in activity since the deadline to put a house under contract passed. Showings in the Triangle are down 30 percent from last year and it appears that this will not be a HOT SUMMER for Raleigh Real Estate. Sellers will not be in the driver’s seat for the next several months at least.

If you’re looking to buy and take advantage of the buyer’s market, contact the Freeman/Davis Team at www.FreemanDavisHomeTeam.com and www.HomeSearchRALEIGH.com. We are area experts, having lived here most of our lives. Call us at 919-649-6638 and let’s talk about your next real estate move. In fact, regardless of where you are moving to or from, we can help with our network of great real estate agents across the country. Visit www.CertifiedRelocators.com for more information and registration.

Closings Up 26% in May, but Will the Real Estate Market Be Hot This Summer? is a post from: iRaleighRealEstate Blog. Visit us at HomeSearchRALEIGH.com for more details and Raleigh Real Estate For Sale.

Safety Tips for Your Triangle Area Home

Rick Freeman — Mon, 10 May 2010 15:19:26 +0000

For more information on this topic, email us at HomeSearchRALEIGH@nc.rr.com. Visit us online for more Raleigh Real Estate information and see all of the homes in the Raleigh MLS for sale. Any given day in Raleigh, home accidents happen and many could be avoided if a few changes to the home were made. Whether you live in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill or your home is somewhere across the country, safety should be a primary concern. It can also impact your real estate insurance rates. If you’re moving into a new home, or making changes to your current home, you can make choices that will help make your home safe, especially if you have small children or young visitors.

Remember that most home accidents occur in the kitchen. If you have a choice in appliances, select a stove with controls placed out of the reach of children. Vinyl flooring should be slip-resistant and both cabinets and countertops should have rounded edges. A window that overlooks any backyard play area will help you keep one eye on the youngsters while you’re preparing meals.

You can outfit your kitchen with a few simple items that will increase its safety. A step stool will help you reach overhead cabinets safely. A box of baking soda close to the stove can be used to douse small pan fires. You’ll need an all-purpose fire extinguisher in the kitchen, as well. A smoke detector will alert you to fires if you leave the room.

Practice safe habits in the kitchen, too. Clean up spills right away so that they don’t make floors slippery or sticky. Remember that long sleeves can catch fire. Store knives in a rack or a drawer that is not accessible to children. Make sure that pot handles don’t extend out over the edge of the stove while you’re cooking. Keep curtains, papers or other materials away from the burners of the stove.

Accidents can happen in other areas of your home, too. In your hallways, be sure scatter rugs have a skid-proof backing. Lowering light switches or installing switch extenders will help little hands turn lights on or off.

If you’re renovating a bathroom, choose a tub with a non-slip finish. Cabinets that lock keep children away from hazardous medications or cleaning solutions. Ground fault interrupter (GFI) outlets should be installed on every outlet near water. (The GFI is designed to shut off the electricity to an appliance that gets wet.) Choose ceramic tiles that have non-skid surfaces on the floor.

Make sure stairways are well lit. A landing will help break up a long staircase and make it safer. Non-skid edges on steps and secure well-placed railings can also prevent accidents.

Taking a few moments to correct any hazards you find will let you have a safe–and happy-summer at home. More tips and real estate advice is online at www.HomeSearchRALEIGH.com.

Safety Tips for Your Triangle Area Home is a post from: iRaleighRealEstate Blog. Visit us at HomeSearchRALEIGH.com for more details and Raleigh Real Estate For Sale.

Dry Up Your Crawl Space

Rick Freeman — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 12:30:04 +0000

The Freeman/Davis Home Team sells a lot of Raleigh homes and the real estate home inspection is one of the items that always brings anxiety to many home buyers and sellers. A big issue that we often see is what’s not seen in the initial showings, or for sellers, what’s not seen because we have seldom, if any, reason to take a look.

It’s dark and cramped, and most of us would rather avoid it. But your crawlspace is one of the most important parts of your home to monitor when it comes to possible damage from moisture. Rain, snow, plumbing leaks, condensation and landscape irrigation are all sources of water that can silently turn your crawlspace or basement into a home maintenance nightmare. Damp conditions or standing water can lead to serious damage in the form of wood-destroying insects, rot and mold. These conditions will eventually cause structural damage that is costly to repair, as well as contributing to poor indoor air quality that is detrimental to your health and comfort. Late winter and early spring is an optimal time to inspect your crawlspace, as it allows you to see wetness on the ground and where it is coming from. You are also less likely to encounter insects and other pests during the winter than in the warmer months. Look for standing water, wetness or discoloration of the foundation walls, or a damp feel or smell.

For help with crawlspace moisture and other home repair and maintenance services, visit www.HomeSearchRALEIGH.com and contact the Freeman/Davis Home Team at 919-649-6638 or via the contact button on our website.

Dry Up Your Crawl Space is a post from: iRaleighRealEstate Blog. Visit us at HomeSearchRALEIGH.com for more details and Raleigh Real Estate For Sale.

Raleigh Real Estate Buying a Home Freeman/Davis Home Team Allen Tate Realtors

Rick Freeman — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 18:35:37 +0000

While many people seem to think that it is not wise to think of your home as an investment, the reality is that your home is an investment. This being said there are some things to keep in mind when setting out to buy a home, the least of which is getting to know the neighborhood you wish to buy in. If you do your research and your homework selecting your home properly can insure more of a return for you when you decide to sell at some point in the future.

Research the Raleigh, Cary & Wake Forest neighborhoods that you want to live in. Aside from knowing the schools and amenities that are available, take a close look at the property levels. Which streets hold more value? Is one edge of the neighborhood closer to a more upscale neighborhood, is one side close to a less desirable neighborhood? According to Realty Times, less is more. They say purchasing the least in the best neighborhood will give you the greatest return as every time a better house sells your value goes up as well.

While you may not look at your primary residence as an investment, in the long run it may be the best investment you have, so do your research and you will be happier in the long run.

Raleigh Real Estate Buying a Home Freeman/Davis Home Team Allen Tate Realtors is a post from: iRaleighRealEstate Blog. Visit us at HomeSearchRALEIGH.com for more details and Raleigh Real Estate For Sale.

What Home Sellers Can Do To Avoid Losing A Sale

admin — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 19:25:46 +0000

When your home is on the market, you know how important it is to hold on to the right buyer. But, before the offers come in, your home needs to showcase itself well to ensure you don’t lose any offers before they can occur.

Here are five home-sale deal breakers — common mistakes to avoid.

Color can kill a sale. Wall colors that are too cold, too unusual or too stark can turn off buyers early in the process.
Don’t hide defects. Buyers will eventually find out what is underneath the decorative carpets and furniture upon walk through. Be honest from the start and disclose everything you know about your home.
If it conveys, it stays. Be very clear about what sells with the home. If you aren’t planning on leaving certain appliances or removable features, remove them before your home goes on the market. Buyers may fall in love with the chandelier, for example, and end the sale when they learn it doesn’t convey.
Community issues. If your home is part of a community association, give potential buyers access to by-law documents that detail any restrictions the homeowners, condo or co-op association imposes on your property, such as pet ownership, ability to rent out the property, working-at-home covenants, architectural standards, etc.
Offer peace of mind. Many buyers, especially first-time buyers, are nervous about committing to a home purchase. Offering a home warranty and/or pre-sale inspections gives a sense of security to these buyers and can help facilitate a sale.

What Home Sellers Can Do To Avoid Losing A Sale is a post from: iRaleighRealEstate Blog. Visit us at HomeSearchRALEIGH.com for more details and Raleigh Real Estate For Sale.