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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.

For the complete picture of Raleigh Real Estate, visit www.HomeSearchRALEIGH.com.

As Raleigh real estate brokers, we’re seeing more homes for sale and more buyers ready to purchase.  It isn’t often someone offers to give you money to by a home. But that’s exactly what the government is willing to do until the end of April — if you qualify.  The Freeman/Davis Team at Allen Tate Realtors is here to guide you through the process.  Visit us at www.HomeSearchRALEIGH.com and contact us right away.

Qualified first-time home buyers and repeat buyers to receive a credit when they sign a home purchase contract by April 30, 2010 and close/settle on the home by June 30, 2010.

First-time home buyers are defined as those who have not owned a principal residence for the three years prior to the closing/settlement date. The credit is worth up to $8,000 (or up to $4,000 each for married filing separately), but cannot exceed 10% of the home’s purchase price.

Longtime homeowners who purchase a replacement principal residence may qualify to receive up to a $6,500 credit (or $3,250 each if married filing separately), capped at 10% of the home’s purchase price. You must have owned and lived in your current home for any consecutive five-year period in the previous eight years. It is not required that you sell your current home — only that you use the newly purchased home as your main residence.

Here are the rules that apply to both first-time buyers and repeat buyers:

• A full tax credit is available for married-joint filers (or equivalent status) with Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) up to $225,000, phased out up to $245,000; for single filers and married filing separately, the income limit is $125,000, phased out up to $145,000.
• The purchase price of the home cannot exceed $800,000.
• The tax credit does not have to be repaid providing you live in the home as your principal residence for at least the first 36 months of ownership.
• You must be at least 18 years old to claim the tax credit.
• The credit can be claimed on either your 2009 or 2010 tax return. (Depending on where you live, state or local programs may be available to help you “monetize” the credit so you can use it early to help cover your down payment and closing costs.)
• Qualified members of the U.S. armed forces, intelligence community and foreign service who were on overseas deployment for 90 days or more in 2008 or 2009 have until April 30, 2011 to purchase a principal residence and claim the tax credit.

To find out whether you would qualify for one of these great tax credits, contact us right away! Don’t delay, though, your signed purchase contract must be complete by April 30, 2010.

Contact The Freeman/Davis Home Team online or call 919-649-6638 for your free consultation and to begin your home search.  Time is running out so contact us today.  Find your dream home using our enhanced MLS (VOW) system at www.HomeSearchRALEIGH.com.

www.homesearchraleigh.com

So how does the Raleigh NC real estate market look these days? Currently Raleigh has a average listing price for homes for sale of $343,700. The Wake county average currently is $337,269.

The current number of properties on the market in Raleigh is 4,193. The Raleigh median listing price is $234,712.

For Wake county real estate the total listings are 9,406 and a median listing price of $254,086. This compares to North Carolina real estate data, which this week shows a total number of listing properties as 91,613 with a median listing price of $214,983.

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.