7 Rules for Smart Home Buyers - Rule #5

North Carolina Realtor, Marti Hampton of Re/Max One Realty presents Rule #5 in the 7 Rules for Smart Home Buyers, showing Raleigh new home buyers the top ways to buy for less.

Raleigh Real Estate Answers – Looking for something to do in Raleigh, NC? Downtown Raleigh has lots of great places to go.

Raleigh Real Estate Answers – Looking for something to do in Raleigh, NC?  Downtown Raleigh has lots of great places to go.

One thing that makes Raleigh, NC real estate so valuable is the quality of life in the Raleigh, NC area. Raleigh consistently ranks in the top places to live in the U.S. and the word about Raleigh is getting out.

Realtor.org released their April real estate data last week and it shows that Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill is the 22nd most searched real estate market in the country.

Recently, the Charlotte Business Journal reported that “North Carolina ranks 10th among the 50 states for economic growth during the past half-century, according to an analysis of U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis data.”

Downtown Raleigh is located in the heart of the Triangle and it is the fastest growing metropolitan region in the Carolinas.

Downtown Raleigh offers culture, entertainment, and fun. You can find a numerous activities ranging from casual to elegant dining at over 165 restaurants or bars; shopping at a variety of clothing, furniture or antique stores; browsing though more than a dozen art galleries, or enjoying the night club scene.

Downtown Raleigh also features outstanding museums, the historic State Capitol and the IMAX theater.

Downtown Raleigh is changing and growing. The following is a list of nine new street-level businesses added during the first quarter 2011.

Crema at City Plaza has added a second café location to Crema on Fayetteville Street.

Several art galleries have opened at the Blake Street Studios in City Market, including African Beauty Jewelry and Artifacts, Emerge Fine Art, and Victoria Powers Studio Ten and  Designbox Shop.

Two restaurants/bars opened in the Warehouse District – Brewmasters Bar and Grill and Chris London’s Backstage

Fai Thai – a new Asian restaurant, opened across from Moore Square.

Gypsy Jule – a contemporary women’s clothing and accessories boutique, has opened in the Glenwood South District.

The Marti Hampton team recommends that you get out and enjoy entertainment, dining, shopping, and the many other fun-filled events held throughout the year in the heart of the capital city.

Looking to search for Raleigh North Carolina residential real estate? The Marti Hampton team has a great Raleigh home search tool, click here: Search Raleigh NC Real Estate

Raleigh Real Estate Answers – Looking for something to do in Raleigh, NC this Memorial Day Weekend? Why not consider a trip to the North Carolina Farmers Market?

Raleigh Real Estate Answers – Looking for something to do in Raleigh, NC this Memorial Day Weekend? Why not consider a trip to the North Carolina Farmers Market?

If you have not been to the Raleigh State Farmers Market, it is well worth the time to go. It is conveniently located near any Raleigh NC home just off I-40 at the Lake Wheeler Road exit (#297). The hours of operation are Monday thru Saturday 5:00 am - 6:00 pm and Sundays 8:00 am - 6:00 pm – every day of the year.

This facility is one of 5 Farmers Markets owned by the State of North Carolina and it is operated by the NC Department of Agriculture. The Raleigh Farmers Market is a fun place for young and old alike.

The Market covers 75 acres and has over 225,000 square feet of space that allow local NC Growers and producers to market their produce and other commodities.

The picture above shows the part of the 30,000 square feet that is allocated for North Carolina farmers to sell their fresh fruits, vegetables, foodstuffs, plants, and other specialty items. Here you will find plants, flowers, trees, and shrubs beginning in March. Local fruits and vegetables are sold throughout the growing season but there is always something exciting going on. During the Christmas season, there are Christmas trees, wreaths, poinsettias and other decorations.

There are also three restaurants located here – The Market Grill, the NC Seafood Restaurant and the State Farmers Market Restaurant.

The NC Seafood Restaurant specializes in serving fresh fried Calabash style and broiled seafood in a casual atmosphere.

The State Farmers Market Restaurant features home cooked breakfast and lunch every day. The State Farmer’s Market restaurant is open 363 days a year till 3pm, closed only 2 days, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

If you are new to the area or haven’t been to the Farmers Market in awhile, why not plan an outing this weekend.

Remember the Marti Hampton team is here to help with all your Raleigh real estate needs. Give us a call today.

7 Rules for Smart Home Buyers - Rule #5

Marti Hampton with Re/Max One Realty shows you that a deal is made not when you sell - but when you buy.

Raleigh Real Estate Answers – What’s happening in regards to Raleigh, NC home sales?

Raleigh Real Estate Answers – What’s happening in regards to Raleigh, NC home sales?

Let’s first examine briefly what is happening at the national level in regard to home sales.

Pending Home Sales Index (a leading indicator for housing activity is released during the first week of each month by the National Association of Realtors NAR), shows March with an increase in pending home sales. While this is good news for Raleigh home sellers, it is important to remember that all real estate is local. The Raleigh real estate market is not an exact mirror of the National market.

There is some good news for the local area, but there is also some sobering news as well.

According to the Triangle Multiple Listing Service (TMLS) report for Wake County for April 2011 there was a 0% change in Median Home Sales Price for April of this year when compared to April of 2010 ($205,000). This is good news for Raleigh home sellers.
More good news is found in the report in regards to inventory. The number of homes on the market for sale in the Triangle Multiple Listing Service in Wake County is down 29.5 % in April when compared to last year inventory to 8,512 properties. A lower the supply of homes will tend to push home prices up.

This is important because the number of closed sales of all housing types in Wake County in April was only 948 homes as compared to 1,311 during April of last year. Remember that April of last year was the end of the $8,000 Tax Credit which increased the Raleigh area home sales numbers.


The TMLS April report shows a 10.4 month supply of inventory which represents a very strong buyers market. While not all good news for Raleigh home buyers, the report provides mostly good news for Raleigh home buyers. Combine this week’s lowest home mortgage interest rates of the year and it is easy to see why it is a great time to purchase a home.
To read the full April 2011 Wake County Local Market Update click here: Raleigh area home sales statistics

Raleigh Real Estate Answers – Looking to sell your Raleigh area home? In a strong buyers market, condition is the second most important cause for a successful home sale. Here are some Staging Tips to help.

Raleigh Real Estate Answers – Looking to sell your Raleigh area home? In a strong buyers market, condition is the second most important cause for a successful home sale. Here are some Staging Tips to help.

In a strong home buyers market like we are in currently requires Raleigh home sellers to pay close attention to the condition of their home. Making a good first impression is vital to a successful home sale. In fact, the right pricing of the home is more important than condition. The old adage of location, location and location is not as important. Home buyers will “travel” to get the best deal.

Staging your Raleigh, NC area home to sell can be simple and even inexpensive.

First of all it is important to recognize that we all get emotionally attached to our homes and often overlook things in our own place. It is important to have an objective eye when you tour your home and consider what needs to be done to generate a positive first impression. As another old adage goes, you don’t get a second chance at a good first impression. It really is a good first impression that helps any home sell faster.

So as you tour your home, think back to the time you purchased your home. As you tour your home looking for things to spruce up, think of yourself as a “buyer” coming to your home for the first time. Begin your tour from the street as you pull up to the drive. This is what is known as “curb appeal.” Often great curb appeal can be achieved without a major renovation or makeover.

Here are a few questions to ask yourself. Is the grass mown? Are the hedges trimmed? Does the mailbox need painting? Are the driveway and walkways clean? Are there children’s toys (pet toys, tools) lying around? Most folks who offer advice on staging a home to sell begin by talking about de-cluttering the home. This is very good advice and it should include the exterior of the home as well as the interior.
Remember the Marti Hampton team is here to help with all your Raleigh real estate needs. Give us a call today.

Looking to buy Raleigh North Carolina residential real estate? Click here: Search Raleigh NC Real Estate

7 Rules for Smart Home Buyers - Rule 2

Rule #2 in Series "7 Rules for Smart Home Buyers" by Marti Hampton, Re/Max One Realty, Raleigh realtor extraodinaire - shows Raleigh North Carolina real estate house hunters how to position themselves to get the best price on a new home.

Raleigh Real Estate Answers – Are You Considering Going Green in your Raleigh home? Here are some suggestions:

Raleigh Real Estate Answers – Are You Considering Going Green in your Raleigh home? Here are some suggestions:

 

You may not realize that going “Green” can actually save you money. Sure some environmentally friendly approaches in regards to real estate can cost more than items that use more resources. However, actions that can be taken to reduce one’s carbon footprint can also reduce a Raleigh homeowner’s expenses.

 

Yes, going “Green” can save money, especially on utilities. It allows the Raleigh home owner to use and consume less. You should consider repairing, reusing, and recycling where and whenever possible.

 

Going “Green” can also improve the health and well-being of the home owner, while it protects the planet for the future of our children and grandchildren.

 

We suggest that you evaluate all products and services that you use and select those that protect the environment and human health, and pay particular attention to how things are packaged.

 

What are some of the items that we can do that are considered green than can also save money for the Raleigh home owner? The following reduce your carbon footprint and can save you money:

• Turn down the thermostat on warm winter nights and up during hot summer days.
• Turn off the lights and unplug appliances when not in use.
• Use compact fluorescent bulbs.
• Run only a full dishwasher and laundry loads.
• Replace incandescent lght bulbs with more energy efficient fluorescent equals.
• Replace older appliances with new energy efficient Energy Star Models.
• Use a carpet sweeper instead of the vacuum for small cleaning jobs.
• Recycle
• Insulate windows, door, attics and crawlspaces.
• Replace non-renewable resources with renewable ones.
• Replace air filters on a schedule and maintain air conditioning and heating units.

Looking for more suggestions? Contact the Marti Hampton team and watch future blogs.