Raleigh Real Estate, For Some it's "Hot None In The Summertime"
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.
Posted at 01:05PM Aug 07, 2010 by Rick Freeman in General | Comments[0]
Rick Freeman's DayTripping Series - Mayberry, NC in Living Color
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.
Posted at 12:57PM Aug 07, 2010 by Rick Freeman in General | Comments[0]
Rick Freeman's DayTripping Series - NASCAR Hall Of Fame
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.
Posted at 12:54PM Aug 07, 2010 by Rick Freeman in General | Comments[0]
Rick Freeman's DayTripping Series - Tax Free in Smithfield NC
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.
Posted at 12:49PM Aug 07, 2010 by Rick Freeman in General | Comments[0]
The Do's & Don'ts of Homeowner's Insurance:
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.
Posted at 06:15PM Aug 05, 2010 by Rick Freeman in General | Comments[0]
Things Your Burglar Won't Tell You:
The City of Raleigh Police has send us an advisement on some things you may think about that burglar's are looking at or thinking. Check this out, read and heed! It is stuff you may never think about before it is to late.
Things Your Burglar Won't Tell You:
1. Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator.
2. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier.
3. Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste ... And taste means there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have.
4. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it.
5. If it snows while you're out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway.
6. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don't let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it's set. That makes it too easy.
7. A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And the windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom-and your jewelry. It's not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there too.
8. It's raining, you're fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your door-understandable. But understand this: I don't take a day off because of bad weather.
9. I always knock first. If you answer, I'll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. (Don't take me up on it.)
10. Do you really think I won't look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet.
11. Helpful hint: I almost never go into kids' rooms.
12. You're right: I won't have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it's not bolted down, I'll take it with me.
13. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system. If you're reluctant to leave your TV on while you're out of town, you can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow of a real television. (Find it at faketv.com.)
14. Sometimes, I carry a clipboard. Sometimes, I dress like a lawn guy and carry a rake. I do my best to never ever look like a crook.
15. The two things I hate most: loud dogs and nosy neighbors.
16. I'll break a window to get in, even if it makes a little noise. If your neighbor hears one loud sound, he'll stop what he's doing and wait to hear it again. If he doesn't hear it again, he'll just go back to what he was doing. It's human nature.
17. I'm not complaining, but why would you pay all that money for a fancy alarm system and leave your house without setting it?
18. I love looking in your windows. I'm looking for signs that you're home, and for flat screen TVs or gaming systems I'd like. I'll drive or walk through your neighborhood at night, before you close the blinds, just to pick my targets..
19. Avoid announcing your vacation on your Facebook page. It's easier than you think to look up your address.
20. To you, leaving that window open just a crack during the day is a way to let in a little fresh air. To me, it's an invitation.
21. If you don't answer when I knock, I try the door. Occasionally, I hit the jackpot and walk right in.
Sources: Convicted burglars in North Carolina Oregon California and Kentucky, security consultant Chris McGoey, who runs crimedoctor.com; and Richard T. Wright, a criminology professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, who interviewed 105 burglars for his book “Burglars on the job"
Posted at 02:22PM Jul 28, 2010 by Rick Freeman in General | Comments[0]
Do You Know Who Your Friends Are?
For the last couple of years, I've been reconnecting with old friends and making new ones on both my personal Facebook page and the Fan Page for HomeSearchRALEIGH.com, my Raleigh real estate website. Seeing what's going on with my pals has pretty much replaced the morning paper, which used to accompany my first couple cups of coffee. This morning as I was browsing the bountiful bits of idle chatter, I immediately noticed that another friend's curiosity had lured them into one of the numerous viruses that spread via social networks.
After notifying the unsuspecting friend, I attempted to foil future infections by letting the 100+ people listed in my buddy's misguided message that a menacing mess was ahead if they followed the listed links. After that, I figured it would be a good time to blog and remind everyone of the electronic evil that lurks within cyberspace.
My first bit of advice is to never click on a link from someone that you don't know. This also includes adding unfamiliar faces as "friends." If you limit your Facebook family to people who are really "friends," you'll be more likely to notice messages that are "out of character" or simply not like something that a particular person may say. For instance, the message I received this morning was from an old college buddy; the misspelled words and poor grammar was an immediate red flag and certainly not characteristic of the "scholarly" sender. Another wise word is to think carefully before adding any of those "applications." Facebook allows anyone to write an app and most are not screened before they are made available to us.
This week alone, two more viruses have hit the social networks and both are designed to access your personal information. Both gain access by simply asking for it. Because the user is unsuspecting, it's no surprise when they answer "yes" to the question, "can we share this message or video with your friends?" When you say "yes," it spreads to your friends, requesting that they too share with their friends; and that is how the virus spreads, my friend.
The latest mischievous app says "I will NEVER text again" and offers a video claiming to show someone who died after sending a text message from their cell phone. If you've received such a message, or something like it, and have curiously clicked the link, here are a few steps to disinfect. First, visit your applications settings page and remove the app from your profile. Second, clean up your wall by hovering your mouse over any of the related posts on your wall and clicking the "remove" button. Third, get smart and start to question the content of anything you receive online.
A final note, if you've been virally victimized, don't get sick over it; at last count, over 293,000 people have clicked the latest menacing link. Just take a dose of my advice and be careful who your friends are.
Posted at 05:04PM Jul 07, 2010 by Rick Freeman in General | Comments[0]
Closings Up 26% in May, but Will the Real Estate Market Be Hot This Summer?
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. It's an impressive figure given that the federal tax credit stimulus ended April 30 and given that the average sales price of a re-sale in the area up by three percent.
If only this told the story of what to expect. When we look at closed statistics, we're typically seeing the results of buyer activity from 45 to 60 days earlier. I just ran the showings statistics for the heart of North Raleigh, the combined zip codes, 27609, 27613, 27614 and 27615. The $150k-$350k price point was analyzed for May 2009 vs. May 2010.
Our May showings (active buyers out looking in the market place) are down 35% from the previous year. There were 4777 showings in 5/09 vs. 3118 in 5/10. That is a mighty big drop and I see it in the showings of my own listings and in the traffic counts on HomeSearchRALEIGH.com.
If you're a seller wondering why your home is not getting showings, you're in the company of many. If you're a buyer, this is your time to buy. Many sellers are very motivated and prices are competitive. Can prices go lower? Possibly, but will interest rates rise? I don't want to over simplify but this is a very easy concept to understand. One percent (1%) in mortgage interest rates equals ten percent (10%) in home prices. If you're waiting for those home prices to go down and interest rates go up by just one percent, because you will be paying more each month (if you even qualify), your new home is costing you 10% more what you could have paid today.
Let's seize this great buyer's market and start your home search today. Visit my Raleigh real estate website, HomeSearchRALEIGH.com and start looking for the perfect home. With over 14,000 homes online, your dream home is just a mouse-click away!
Posted at 02:35PM Jun 24, 2010 by Rick Freeman in General | Comments[0]
Obama Administration Failures Make Good News For Buyers
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.
Posted at 02:34PM Jun 24, 2010 by Rick Freeman in General | Comments[0]
North Carolina is the place to be for the lowest closing costs...
Here's more timely information from the Raleigh real estate team of Rick Freeman and Amy Davis at Allen Tate in the Triangle.
This just out from Bankrate.com, North Carolina is the place to be for the lowest closing costs on your home loan. But no matter where you choose to reside, it's likely there are hidden 'junk' fees you should demand be removed from the total.
Nationwide, the average origination and title fees on a $200,000 mortgage this year totaled $3,118, according to Bankrate's annual survey of closing costs. The fees in the survey don't include taxes, insurance or prepaid items such as prorated interest or homeowner association dues.
Fees in New York City were highest, averaging $4,016 in Bankrate's survey. Houston came in second, with fees that averaged $3,975. After that came Buffalo, N.Y., with fees averaging $3,845, and then Miami, at $3,683.
North Carolina had the least expensive closing costs in the survey, at an average of $2,650. The previous year, Indiana took the last spot.
Before committing to a lender, contact us for competitive advice and referrals. When the time is right for you to consider a real estate sale or purchase, start with us! Search For Raleigh Homes in the Triangle on our Raleigh MLS VOW (Virtual Office Website), the most advanced home search tool online.
Posted at 01:13PM Jun 21, 2010 by Rick Freeman in General | Comments[0]
Great Guidelines For Grads
Here's more timely information from the Raleigh real estate team of Rick Freeman and Amy Davis at Allen Tate in the Triangle. We love working with families and have a lot of folks with graduating seniors about to fly from the next. Well today, we have information just for grads so pass this along to anyone you know who's taking that next big step in life.
You just got a degree and you’re ready to find a job. It’s quite a challenge in today’s competitive job market, so use these tips to make the most of your time and get started on your career path:
Ø Do your research. Chances are you've chosen a field of interest (if you haven't you may already be behind the power curve). Check the latest stats by going to www.careeronestop.org. Look under "Explore Careers" for info on the fastest growing industries (currently management, scientific or technical consulting followed by data processing and home health care) or check out employment trends by state.
Ø Approach finding a job as a full-time job in itself. Get good at the basics of resume-writing, interviewing and following up.
Ø If you know what job you want but don’t get hired right away, acquire as many skills and experience in that field as you can and apply at a later date. If you want to work for an advertising agency, for example, do freelance jobs for smaller companies to build your portfolio. Or take an entry-level job with the agency as a starting point.
Ø If "plastics" isn’t your thing (remember "The Graduate"?) but you don’t know what “your thing” is, do some “informational interviewing.” Interview people in professions you are considering. Be open to a job that’s not directly related to your major.
Ø Build a network and make connections. Join the social networking site www.linkedin.com and local networking groups to let people know you are looking for a job. Find a mentor to help you pursue your career goals.
Ø Consider a start-up. You may have more responsibilities at a smaller company. Check out a site like www.startuphire.com.
Take some time off but only if you use it productively. Seek out an internship, use your skills in community service or volunteer overseas. And yes, congratulation from the Freeman/Davis Home Team. When the time is right for you to consider your first home, start with us! Search For Raleigh Homes in the Triangle on our Raleigh MLS VOW (Virtual Office Website), the most advanced home search tool online.
Posted at 03:40PM Jun 18, 2010 by Rick Freeman in General | Comments[0]
Raleigh Entertainment and Concerts
Here's more summer fun information...from the Raleigh real estate team of Rick Freeman and Amy Davis at Allen Tate in the Triangle.
We're well into the summer concert season here in Raleigh and some great shows are coming up over the next few weeks. One of my favorite ongoing series is the North Hills Midtown Beach Music Concert Series at The Commons at North Hills Shopping Center. Hometown favorites The Embers will perform this Thursday (6/17) from 6:00 until 9:00.
The Embers show is free as are all the North Hills summer events (The Entertainers perform next week) but if you want to spend some money, The Eagles are at the RBC Center the same night. I just looked online and Ticketmaster still has some really good seats available ranging from about $70.00 to just under $200.00 for up-close seats on the floor. The Eagles are playing shows across the country and ticket sales have been far less than was expected. The Eagles show at Nationals Park in D.C. was cancelled (allegedly due to a scheduling conflict) and the band is instead playing at the smaller Hersheypark Stadium in Pennsylvania.
Slow sales is a fact that I could not be more thrilled about. While the Eagles are a great band and very talented singers, they are not really entertainers. Unless a concert is going to be a true entertainment experience, I see no need in paying more than the cost of a DVD or iTunes download. If you remember, The Eagles were the first band in history to charge more than $100 for a concert. So, that being said, I'm voting Embers over Eagles this week.
A couple of other shows coming up:
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Friday 6/18 7:00 PM Lynyrd Skynyrd Bret Michaels, .38 Special.
Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion at Walnut Creek -
Friday 6/25 7:00 PM Rascal Flatts
with special guests Kellie Pickler and Chris Young
Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion at Walnut Creek -
Sunday 6/27 8:00 PM America with Ambrosia
Raleigh Memorial Auditorium
The Freeman/Davis Home Team loves to get out and have fun just like you. And (pardon the "Donna Summer" reverence), when it comes to Raleigh real estate, we work hard for you and hard for the money! Search For Raleigh Homes in the Triangle on our Raleigh MLS VOW (Virtual Office Website), the most advanced home search tool online.
Posted at 11:35AM Jun 14, 2010 by Rick Freeman in Real Estate | Comments[0]
Fast Facts on the Raleigh Real Estate Market
Here are some Fast Facts about Raleigh Real Estate from www.HomeSearchRALEIGH.com.
So, How Is the Raleigh NC Real Estate Market?
Here are some statistics I just compiled from MLS.
These numbers reflect the Raleigh homes market June 9, 2010, just after lunch time.
Currently Raleigh has a average listing price for homes for sale of $330,847 (4655 Raleigh real estate istings). The Wake county average currently is $322,547 (9017 active Wake County real estate listings). Adding Durham, Orange and Wake county real estate, the total listings are 12,488 and an average listing price of $316,360.
All 12,000+ listings and homes for sale in Raleigh North Carolina and the surrounding areas are showcased on our Raleigh real estate website.
Thanks for visiting the www.HomeSearchRALEIGH.com blog! Give us some comments...share your thoughts. 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.
Posted at 02:00PM Jun 09, 2010 by Rick Freeman in Real Estate | Comments[0]
Making Your Move To or From Your Raleigh Home Easier
Here's more timely information you can use to save money...from the Raleigh real estate team of Rick Freeman and Amy Davis at Allen Tate in the Triangle.
When you're moving to a new home, the whole process can border on a major life crisis. The aspects of uprooting, reorganizing and adjusting to new surroundings can be very stressful.
The Freeman/Davis Team, Raleigh Realtors with Allen Tate, has been a big part of family relocations for some time, and we've accumulated a little list of tricks we’d like to pass along to help smooth your next move:
- When you list your home, combine the chore of clearing out clutter (for showing) with sorting and packing. Get rid of the things you'll sell, give away, throw out. Then get a head start on packing by boxing off-season clothes, unneeded books, etc.
- Keep a moving book like a 3-ring binder with pocket dividers so you can keep track of what's where receipts, mover information, running daily notations, checklists, etc.
- Be as patient as you can be with yourself and everyone else. Listen carefully.
- Involve the whole family in the move from start to finish. Get everybody, including the kids, making lists, planning, timing, packing, working as a team.
- Make moving an adventure. Find out all you can about your new surroundings, what's useful (shopping, transportation, etc.) and what's fun (swimming, theater-going, etc.). Get pictures, maps and guidebooks of the new town to help plan future explorations.
- As soon as your home sells, start rerouting subscriptions, handing out notices for cancellation dates for deliveries and utilities, transferring bank accounts, school and medical records, and notifying friends.
- Renovate any floors and walls that need it in your new home before you move in. This will save your having to move things around after you're settled.
- Making lists of the contents of every numbered carton saves hunting through several boxes for one needed item. To save space (and money), pack lightweight things in bureau drawers and other empty containers.
- Pack a care package to take care of all those small family needs at the new home on the first day: light bulbs, a bar of soap, tissues, children’s toys, sauce pans, canned food, powdered drinks, radio, etc. Mark the box "UNPACK FIRST" and put it on the van last so it can be the first off upon arrival.
- Give yourself plenty of time to recover, unpack and settle in. Unpack the kitchen first and sit down for refreshment. Go out for dinner, you deserve it! .
And don't forget: Throughout the whole move, rely on your real estate professionals at either end to help you relocate smoothly. To ensure a smooth start, e-mail us now or call us at 919-649-6638.
For more valuable tips on how to make a seamless transition to your new home, read Rick and Amy's FREE online report, TIMING: Seven Buying And Selling Secrets To Know Before You Relocate. You can read it right away by clicking the link. We would be happy to provide you with even more information. Just give us a call at 919-649-6638 or e-mail your questions to us.
Posted at 08:24AM Jun 09, 2010 by Rick Freeman in Real Estate | Comments[0]
In Raleigh, you can get a "handyman's special' or a "money pit"
...so what's the difference?
Here's more timely information you can use to save money...from the Raleigh real estate team of Rick Freeman and Amy Davis at Allen Tate in the Triangle.
Homes in great locations in Raleigh but in need of tender loving care can be a terrific value. If you're interested in building "sweat equity" fixing up a home, hire a inspector to ensure the home won't cost you a fortune to refurbish.
A worthy handyman's special will be structurally sound with all major systems in good working order--heating/cooling, plumbing, electrical, roof. Those are the most costly items to repair or replace. Your time and effort will be better spent painting, making minor repairs, adding or replacing fixtures, sprucing up the landscaping, and accomplishing other low-cost fix-ups.
TIRE KICKING
Rick and Amy's online report, TIRE KICKING: Secret Tests To Check A Property's Condition, offers valuable tips for selecting a sound home. Read it, with absolutely no obligation. And be sure to give us a call to find out what's on the market that meets your requirements. When you're ready for expert Raleigh homes advice, call us at 919-649-6638. The Freeman/Davis Home Team at Allen Tate Realtors.
Posted at 08:12AM Jun 09, 2010 by Rick Freeman in Real Estate | Comments[0]
Who Has The Advantage In the Raleigh Housing Market?
How can you tell whether your area is experiencing a buyers' or sellers' market? When the number of houses on the market drops and the number of buyers who want to purchase grows, it's a sellers' market. In this type of environment, sellers will experience home appreciation, quick sales and, possibly, offers that exceed listing prices and multiple-contract offers.[Read More]
Posted at 09:32PM Jun 07, 2010 by Rick Freeman in Real Estate | Comments[0]
To Market! To Market! By Phyllis Brookshire
"How is the market doing?" If I had a dime for every time someone asked me that... Over the past 24 months that seems to be the question on everyone's mind. I am happy to report that the market is recovering. [Read More]
Posted at 11:10AM Jun 03, 2010 by Rick Freeman in Real Estate | Comments[0]
Conflicting Viewpoints In Real Estate
Here's more timely information about Raleigh real estate from Rick Freeman and Amy Davis, the Freeman/Davis Home Team at Allen Tate in the Triangle.
Hearing conflicting viewpoints and opinions like these can cloud decisions about buying a home. Stocks are tanking! No, the economy is recovering! It's a good time to buy! No, it's time to sell! Is homeownership really a good investment?
Consider that:
- Comparisons between investments can be misleading, especially when local real estate trends are compared to stock market bubbles, which are tied to the national economy.
- When you put money into the stock market, the total value of your portfolio is at risk. For instance, if you invest $100,000 in the stock market and it drops in value by 20%, you've actually lost $20,000. In real estate, a buyer can purchase a home with a down payment as low as 3% (or even lower in some cases). If, after a $100,000 home is purchased, its value drops by $20,000, the homeowner has actually only risked the down payment of $3,000.
- When investments grow in value, it takes a much higher percentage growth in the stock market to result in the real money growth afforded by real estate.
- Homeowners can sell their home every two years and take a large portion of the profit tax-free ($250,000 for single home sellers; $500,000 for married home sellers). Try doing that with the capital gains on your stock portfolio!
- Unlike stocks, your home protects you from the elements, provides a place to raise your family and becomes a storehouse of wonderful memories.
If you'd like to find out more about building your wealth through real estate, please give us a call.
P.S. You may also enjoy reading our latest e-Tips on how buying a home can put more money in your pocket. Click Did You Know Your Paycheck Gets Bigger When You Buy a House? to learn more.
Search For Homes in the Triangle on our Raleigh MLS VOW (Virtual Office Website), the most advanced home search tool online.
Posted at 05:10PM Jun 02, 2010 by Rick Freeman in Real Estate | Comments[0]
8 Ways Parents in Raleigh Cut Insurance Cost For Teen Drivers
Here's more timely information you can use to save money...from the Raleigh real estate team of Rick Freeman and Amy Davis at Allen Tate in the Triangle.
8 Ways To Cut Insurance Cost For Teen Drivers
Raise your comprehensive and collision deductibles to at least $1,000, which lowers your premiums and prevents you from filing small claims that could jeopardize a claims-free discount. Add some more money to your emergency fund so you’ll have the cash to pay the deductible if anyone in your family does have an accident. - Drop collision and comprehensive coverage entirely on older cars that are worth little more than the deductible. You may be paying more in premiums than you could ever get back from the insurer, even if the car is totaled. Look up your car’s value on Kelley Blue Book
- Get a safe car. Having your child drive a safe car will help you sleep easier and keep your auto insurance rates under control, too. Check safety ratings at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (www.iihs.org).
- Encourage your children to get good grades. Most insurers offer a big discount for young drivers who maintain at least a B average in high school or college. College kids generally need to take at least 12 credits to qualify for the discount.
- Tell your insurer if your child goes away to college. If your child goes to school more than 100 miles away and doesn’t take a car, you can usually get a big break on your premiums but still have coverage when he or she comes home for vacation.
- Ask about other discounts for teenage drivers. Some insurers offer discounts for driver-safety programs, cutting costs if the children take a special class, watch a DVD, or read a driver-safety book and take a test. Ask your insurer what your kid needs to do to qualify.
- Make the most of multi-policy discounts. You’ll usually get a break on your auto insurance and your homeowners insurance if you keep both policies with the same company. You may get an additional discount if you include an umbrella policy, which provides extra liability coverage beyond your auto-insurance limits and can be particularly valuable when you have a teenage driver.
- Shop around. Some insurers offer much better deals than others for teenage drivers, so it’s important to compare costs. The insurance company that offered the best rate for you and your spouse may have some of the highest rates when you add a teenager to the policy (and it’s almost always better to add the child to your policy rather than have him or her get their own policy).
The Freeman/Davis Home Team can save you money in a number of ways, including your insurance when we introduce you to our insurance partner Meredith Owen with Allen Tate Insurance. Search For Homes in the Triangle on our Raleigh MLS VOW (Virtual Office Website), the most advanced home search tool online.
Posted at 01:15PM Jun 01, 2010 by Rick Freeman in General | Comments[0]
Sales Stop for Raleigh condo project
Just a few months ago, my friend and client Jeff Johnson purchased a beautiful downtown one-bedroom unit at the "West" at North condominium building overlooking the city. It was a good move for Jeff and a decision made after looking at many other downtown.
One of the places we viewed was "Hue" at the corner of Dawson... and Hargett. It was always a little weird visiting "Hue" because although it was a luxury building of 208 units with upscale upgrades and nice city views, we never saw any residents. That's because no one lived there! They had not presold enough units to qualify for Fannie.....
Posted at 05:20PM May 28, 2010 by Rick Freeman in Real Estate | Comments[0]
