iRaleighRealEstate Blog

Raleigh Real Estate is GREAT and there are a number of wonderful homes for sale to choose from. Here are a few of our featured listings. For the complete MLS, visit us at www.HomeSearchRALEIGH.com.

	6729 Middleboro Drive – Raleigh, NC 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, Bonus Room, 2,400 sqft Maintenance Free Living in North Raleigh! Immaculate, spacious, move-in ready w/many upgrades. Granite counters, tile backsplash, hardwood floors, built-in bookcases, bronze fixtures, cherry cabinets, wrought iron balusters and so much more.
	7931 Averette Hill Drive – Raleigh, NC 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 1,288 sqft Just Listed…Call Us at 919-649-6638 for First Showings New Carpet and Fresh Paint… Like-New and Ready Now! Open living and dining area, large kitchen with island. Grocery, restaurants and shopping in walking distance. Great Location.
	7724 Matherly Drive – Wake Forest, NC 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2,372 sqft, Almost A Full Acre! Call 919-649-6638 Today for Your Personal Showing Enjoy the sights and sounds of nature in your own private retreat while being only minutes from schools and shopping. Gorgeous wood floors throughout as well as custom moldings and built in book cases in both family and living.
	Cullen Place – Garner, NC Incredible Upstairs Bedroom and Entertainment Suite Incredible Design is like two homes under the same roof… This lovely 3 bed/3 bath home will be ready for the market very soon. At nearly 3000 square feet at around $250,000, this will be a great opportunity for one very lucky family.
	2 Cat Tail Court – Durham, NC Great Brier Creek Area Location New Carpet, Fresh Paint and Ready To Move In! Wonderful 3 bed/2.5 bath home minutes from Brier Creek and Research Triangle Park. 1st floor study with French doors, master bedroom with vaulted ceiling and a large sunroom.

As a community service to all North Carolinians and “MAKING JUSTICE FOR ALL A REALITY,” North Carolina lawyers are volunteering their time to answer legal questions for free on Friday, March 5th. The call is toll free.

North Carolina Bar Association Foundation is hosting its third annual 4ALL Statewide Service Day on Friday, March 5, 2010 from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. On that day, anyone in North Carolina can call and talk with a North Carolina lawyer for FREE! Lawyers will take calls from 7 call centers around the state.

Here are the phone numbers (lawyers available that day only):

Raleigh/Triangle Area: 800-424-9725
Greensboro/Triad Area: 866-529-2204
Charlotte Area: 866-616-4255
Greenville/Eastern NC Area: 888-616-0614
Wilmington/Southeastern NC Area: 877-310-0025
Asheville/Western NC Area: 800-289-0013
Spanish Language Statewide: 800-515-2387 (only open from 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.)

Thanks for visiting the www.HomeSearchRALEIGH.com blog! Contact us for the best in real estate services and position yourself to buy or sell your home. Call us at 919-649-6638. The Freeman/Davis Home Team, experienced Raleigh real estate professionals and skilled negotiators.

The economy grew faster than expected at the end of last year, though the engine of that growth, companies replenishing stockpiles, is likely to weaken as consumers keep a lid on spending.

The 5.7 percent annual growth rate in the fourth quarter was the fastest pace since 2003. The Commerce Department report Friday is the strongest evidence to date that the worst recession since the 1930s ended last year, though an academic panel that dates recessions has yet to declare an end to it.

The two straight quarters of growth followed a record four quarters of decline. Still, the expansion in the fourth quarter was fueled by companies refilling depleted stockpiles, a trend that will eventually fade. Some economists worry that when that happens, the recovery could

Growth exceeded expectations mainly because business spending on equipment and software jumped 13.3 percent — much more than forecast. It’s the second quarter in a row that business spending has increased, after six quarters of decline.

Hopefully, this is good news for the Raleigh real estate market.  We’re seeing signs of growth here in the Triangle area of North Carolina and the homebuyer tax credits have been extended.  Call the Freeman/Davis Team at Coldwell Banker and we can review your real estate goals and form a plan that will aid you in attaining those goals.  Visit us online at www.HomeSearchRALEIGH.com and www.FreemanDavisHomeTeam.com for more details. Find us on Facebook at www.HomeSearchRALEIGH.info.

Sales of new and existing homes in the Triangle jumped 43 percent in December over a year ago, but the average price on each sale continues to be depressed, according to data released Wednesday by the North Carolina Association of Realtors.

Last month, 1,554 homes were sold in the Triangle, compared with 1,089 in December 2008. The average sale price dropped from $236,888 to $222,590 during that period.

Statewide, home sales increased by 19 percent from December 2008. For the year, however, sales were off by 12 percent from 2008 totals.

A federal tax credit for home buyers, which has been extended through April, has been credited for similar jumps in sales nationwide in recent months. First-time buyers can get a credit on their income taxes of up to $8,000, while existing homeowners can qualify for up to a $6,500 credit for buying another house.

The Realtors group said December marked the seventh consecutive month of year-over-year improvements to North Carolina’s housing market.

December sales also jumped in the Rocky Mount and Pinehurst markets, up 16 and 27 percent, respectively. But they declined by 9 percent in Fayetteville and 34 percent in Goldsboro.

If you’re looking to make a move to the Raleigh area, 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.

The Freeman/Davis Home Team offers a special home pricing analysis called the “Residential Value Analysis.” Our program takes into consideration, inventory, absorption rate, replacement cost, appreciation and risk assessment. This program is far superior to the current “Comparable Market Analysis” offered by other agents. We would be happy to discuss this with you and show you our Ten-Step Marketing Plan. Visit us online at www.FreemanDavisHomeTeam.com and www.HomeSearchRALEIGH.com or call us at 919-649-6638. With the heart of a teacher, we’ll educate you on market conditions and values. Our goal is to help you make good decisions. For news and views from the Raleigh area, visit www.iRaleighBlog.com and www.HomeSearchRALEIGHBlog.com.

We hope the information provided here assists you in getting familiar with what I hope will become your new hometown. For additional information about the Raleigh/Durham area, please visit our website at www.HomeSearchRALEIGH.com!

Remember, The Freeman/Davis Team, Rick Freeman and Amy Davis, is here to help you make smart choices in your biggest investment.

Become a HomeSearchRALEIGH Fan on Facebook at http://tinyurl.com/homesearchraleighfacebook.

Are you a Facebooking Triangle TRACKS parent? If so, you may already be a fan of Triangle TRACKS’ Facebook Fan Page. If you aren’t yet, here are a few good reasons to “fan” Triangle TRACKS on Facebook today.

Triangle TRACKS is an acronym for “Tools, Resources and Activities for Carolina Kids” and is located at http://www.triangletracks.com. This social network consolidates local children’s resources for Triangle parents. Any Triangle TRACKS member who is also a fan of the social network’s Facebook page will be automatically entered into a random drawing TWICE to win these great prizes:

- 1 Nick Jr. show family 4-pack for “Nickelodeon Storytime Live” Sat. May 15 show at 2 p.m. at Progress Energy Center for the Perfoming Arts in Raleigh.

- 1 Family Pass to the Museum of Life and Science in Durham

- 3 Bounce Back BounceU Reward Passes (to be used during Open Bounce sessions)

- 1 Sitter Connection Premium Annual Membership (enables you to contact Sitter Connection up to five times/month to request a sitter. They do the legwork to find a sitter for you; you pay the sitter directly.)

The names of Facebookers who become fans of Triangle TRACKS’ Facebook page but have not become members of Triangle TRACKS will be entered into our random drawing one time only.

Triangle TRACKS uses its Facebook page to post links to fun events and interesting topics, so these posts appear in fans’ Facebook feeds. Many of the fans find this convenient and helpful.

The contest closes Jan. 21 at midnight and the winer will be announced Jan. 22 at noon. Visit Triangle TRACKS’ Facebook Fan page at this link:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Triangle-TRACKS/61147979949

Thanks for visiting our blog today.  If you or someone you know needs expert real estate advice and assistance, call the Freeman/Davis Team at 919-649-6638 or visit www.HomeSearchRALEIGH.com

Wake County is holding H1N1 influenza vaccination clinics at four locations across the County. No appointment is necessary and there is no cost for the H1N1 vaccine. Only Nasal FluMist vaccines (nasal spray) will be distributed at the clinics.

The Nasal FluMist vaccine is composed of a weakened live virus and is only recommended for healthy people between the ages of 2 and 49 years of age. The vaccine is not recommended for pregnant women, anyone with a long-term health problem or children with asthma.

Wake County will prioritize H1N1 FluMist Nasal influenza vaccinations for individuals in the groups recommended to receive as follows:

• Children age 2-24
• Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 2 years of age
• Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel that will be in contact with high-risk groups

Clinics will be held Monday through Friday, as long as the vaccines remains in stock, at the following times and locations:

Raleigh
Public Health Center, Room G35
10 Sunnybrook Road, Raleigh
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Fuquay-Varina
Southern Regional Center
130 N. Judd Parkway, Fuquay-Varina
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Wake Forest
Northern Regional Center
350 East Holding Ave., Wake Forest
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Zebulon
Eastern Regional Center
1002 Dogwood Drive, Zebulon
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

More vaccine is expected to arrive later in October, including the injectable form. Once both forms of vaccine are available the groups recommended to receive the vaccine will include:

• Pregnant Women
• Children age 6 months-24 years
• Persons 25-64 with underlying health issues
• Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel
• Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months

H1N1 Nasal FluMist and Seasonal FluMist should not be given at the same time. Children under 9 years of age should get two doses of the H1N1 vaccine (either nasal or injectable), one month apart; other children and adults only need one dose.

The H1N1 vaccine does not replace the seasonal flu vaccine. It is to be used alongside seasonal flu vaccine to protect citizens. The symptoms of H1N1 are similar to the seasonal flu: fever (above 100 degrees), cough, sore throat, stuffy nose and, in some cases, people have also experienced vomiting, body aches and headaches.

For more information about H1N1 flu and seasonal flu visit www.wakegov.com/flu.

The Freeman/Davis Home Team, Rick Freeman and Amy Davis, encourage you to consider getting your H1N1 Vaccination as well as a regular flu shot.  And as alway, if you want the best in real estate representation, contact us at www.HomeSearchRALEIGH.com and www.FreemanDavisHomeTeam.com

The N.C. Turnpike Authority will broke ground this morning Triangle Expressway in Wake and Durham counties. The ground breaking was held at the far western end of N.C. 540, where the road dead ends at the N.C. 55 exit.  The road will coast just over $1 billion, paid for by bond proceeds and federal loans. State Transportation Secretary Gene Conti estimates that the project will create or preserve 30,000 jobs.  By the way, NC 540 is the designation given to the Western Wake Parkway.  The fact that it’s NC 540 rather than I-540 paves the way for it to become the state’s first toll road. 

The expressway is almost 19 miles and comprised of three segments: Western Wake Freeway, Triangle Parkway and the existing N.C. 540 between N.C. 55 and N.C. 54. The parkway is expected to open to traffic in 2011 and the freeway a year later.  This is going to really help folks in Holly Springs and areas south of Apex on their commute to RTP.  As a long time resident of North Raleigh, I remember our days before I-540. I also recall the incredible boost we had in property values in North Raleigh.  The only folks who didn’t get an instant equity position in their real estate values were the ones who ended up with 540 in the backyard.

With that in mind, when purchasing real estate, representation is essential.  As respected and professional Raleigh real estate agents, we keep a special watch for future projects that may impact the resale of your property years after you have moved in.  Right now, many areas near the new Western Wake Freeway will be real estate hot spots and the Freeman/Davis team can help you select the best places to look…and NOT to look.

Contact The Freeman/Davis Team at www.HomeSearchRALEIGH.com and ask us about the $8,000 first time homebuyer tax credit.  Right now is a great time to buy real estate in Raleigh North Carolina and in the surrounding areas.

Click Here for The Wake Expressway Map

Summer is one of the most popular seasons for holding a yard sale. But simply holding a yard sale doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll end the day with lots of extra money in your pocket. If you’re planning on clearing out your clutter this summer, here are ten tips to help make your yard sale a success:

1. Start your yard sale earlier than other yard sales in your area so shoppers will start their shopping day with you.
2. Don’t schedule your yard sale on a holiday weekend or during a big event in your area (like a sporting event or festival).
3. If it rains, take down your signs and reschedule your sale so you can maximize traffic on the day of your sale.
4. Before your own yard sale, visit other sales in your neighborhood to get an idea of typical prices.
5. Place all of your items (except for large items) on tables so shoppers don’t have to bend.
6. If you plan to sell electrical items, have an outlet and extension cord handy so you can show shoppers that the items work.
7. If you want to sell larger ticket items, look for those items in a local circular and then attach the ad to your item so shoppers can see that they are getting a great deal.
8. If you have a variety of items that men would like, place them on their own table. If married couples stop by your sale, both parties will enjoy looking.
9. Advertise your sale ahead of time in your local newspaper classified section, on community boards at your local food stores, and online at places like www.Craigslist.org.
10. Wait until the morning of your garage sale to hang signs in your neighborhood, and make sure you take them down that day to avoid any fines from your homeowner’s association or your town. You don’t want to have to use all the cash you earn to pay a fine!

And remember, a successful sale is also a safe sale. Keep money in a pouch around your waist instead of in a cash box (which could get stolen while you are helping shoppers), don’t accept checks (which could bounce), and never allow strangers inside your home to use the bathroom or telephone.

Follow these tips, and you’ll be well on your way to having less clutter in your home, and more cash in your pocket!

Ken Atkins, executive director for Wake County Economic Development (WCED) (www.raleigh-wake.org), has announced that Raleigh was named one of the top 10 U.S. cities for growth potential by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance.  For its 2009 Best Cities list, the publication examined trends in population, unemployment, income and cost of living among U.S. cities that have “solid employment opportunities and the talent to create new, well-paying positions.”  Analysts looked not only at the number of jobs, but also the quality of those positions and the ability of cities to hold on to them when the economy softens.  Raleigh’s high ranking was based largely on an economic base created by North Carolina State University, Duke University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Research Triangle Park.  For the complete Kiplinger story, visit www.kiplinger.com/magazine/archives/2009/07/best-cities-2009-where-the-jobs-are.html.

The top 10 cities on the list included: Huntsville, Ala.; Albuquerque, N.M.; Washington, D.C.; Charlottesville, Va.; Athens, Ga.; Olympia, Wash.; Madison, Wis.; Austin, Texas; Flagstaff, Ariz.; and Raleigh.

Because of recent abductions in daylight hours, refresh yourself of these things to do in an emergency situation…. This is for you, and for you to share with your wife, your children, everyone you know. After reading these 9 crucial tips, forward them to someone you care about. It never hurts to be careful in this crazy world we live in.

1. Tip from Tae Kwon Do: The elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it, do!
2. If a robber asks for your wallet and/or purse, DO NOT HAND IT TO HIM! Toss it away from you.  Chances are that he is more interested in your wallet and/or purse than you, and he will go for the wallet/purse. RUN LIKE MAD IN THE OTHER DIRECTION! 
3. If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car, kick out the back tail lights and stick your arm out the hole and start waving like crazy. The driver won’t see you, but everybody else will. This has saved lives. 
4. Some people like to get into their cars after shopping, eating, working, etc., and just sit doing their checkbook, or making a list, etc. DON’T DO THIS!  The predator will be watching you, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in on the passenger side, put a gun to your head, and tell you where to go. AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO YOUR CAR, LOCK THE DOORS AND LEAVE.  If someone is in the car with a gun to your head DO NOT DRIVE OFF.  Instead gun the engine and speed into anything, wrecking the car. Your Air Bag will save you. If the person is in the back seat they will get the worst of it. As soon as the car crashes bail out and run. It is better than having them find your body in a remote location.  
5. A few notes about getting into your car in a parking lot, or parking garage: 

·   Be aware: look around you; look into your car, at the passenger side floor, and in the back seat.

·   If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door. Most serial killers attack their victims by pulling them into their vans while the women are attempting to get into their cars.

·   Look at the car parked on the driver’s side of your vehicle, and the passenger side. If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back into the mall, or work, and get a guard/policeman to walk you back out. IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY.

1. ALWAYS take the elevator instead of the stairs. (Stairwells are horrible places to be alone and the perfect crime spot. This is especially true at NIGHT!)  If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control, ALWAYS RUN! The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times; and even then, it most likely WILL NOT be a vital organ. RUN, preferably in a zig -zag pattern!
2. Nice sensitive people are always trying to be sympathetic: STOP!  It may get you killed. Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a good-looking, well educated man, who ALWAYS played on the sympathies of unsuspecting women. He walked with a cane, or a limp, and often asked ‘for help’ into his vehicle or with his vehicle, which is when he abducted his next victim.
3. Another Safety Point: Someone just told me that her friend heard a crying baby on her porch the night before last, and she called the police because it was late and she thought it was weird. The police told her ‘Whatever you do, DO NOT open the door.’ The lady then said that it sounded like the baby had crawled near a window, and she was worried that it would crawl to the street and get run over. The policeman said, “we already have a unit on the way, whatever you do, DO NOT open the door.”  He told her that they think a serial killer has a baby’s cry recorded and uses it to coax women out of their homes thinking that someone dropped off a baby. He said they have not verified it, but have had several calls by women saying that they hear baby’s cries outside their doors when they’re home alone at night.