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Triangle home sales jump 43 percent in December

Thursday, January 21st, 2010

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.

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Are You A Triangle Parent On Facebook?

Friday, January 8th, 2010

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

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Another reason to choose The Freeman/Davis Home Team!

Monday, October 19th, 2009

It is my pleasure to announce that Coldwell Banker Howard Perry and Walston has achieved two more Monthly National Awards for September 2009, from among comparably sized COLDWELL BANKER affiliate offices throughout North America.

Our national rank was #10 in Adjusted Gross Commission, our measure of sales based on dollars, and #13 in Total Units, which is our measure of sales based on the number of home transactions.

In a tough market, you need representation, whether you are a buyer or a seller, by knowledgeable, top performing agents.  The Freeman/Davis Team has a combined experience of over 20 years, all with the Raleigh Real Estate’s leading agency.  Visit us online at www.FreemanDavisHomeTeam.com and www.HomeSearchRALEIGH.com.

Let Rick Freeman and Amy Davis be Your Trusted Advisors!

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Why Raleigh?

Friday, October 16th, 2009

Why Raleigh?  Well here are just a few great reasons:

Growth over the past seven years has added 205,124 new residents, nearly a 33% increase

In 2006, Wake County (Raleigh) was ranked #7 in population growth and added more residents than virtually every county in the U.S.

From 1990-2005, population growth in the Triangle (Raleigh/Cary/Durham/Chapel Hill) has grown 57% compared to 31% in N.C. and 19% in the U.S.

Population of the Triangle is expected to grow to 2.4 million people by 2030 (20+ years from now) from the current population of 1.5 million today.

Triangle Accolades

  • #1 Top 10 Best Places to Live in the U.S. – msnbc (June 2008)
  • #7 Business Boomtown – Inc. (May 2007)
  • #7 Top Appreciating Metro Areas – Money (December 2007)
  • Top 5 Cities for Young Singles – Kiplinger’s (June (June 2007)
  • #1 Sellers Market / Residential – Forbes (June 2007)
  • #2 Best Cities to Live, Work and Play (July 2008)

(AP – Associated Press)  March 26, 2008 – Though the spring selling season usually gives the housing market a bounce, some analysts say a notable improvement may not come until well into the summer.  U.S. home prices fell 10.7 percent in January, and the Standard & Poors home price index of 20 cities saw the steepest decline in the index’s two-decade history.  Raleigh is not included in the index, but it has managed to resist the national trend.  In January, home prices rose 3.6 percent compared with the year before.

The Freeman/Davis Home Team, trusted real estate advisors in the best of places!  Call 919-649-6638 or visit us online at www.FreemanDavisTeam.com   &   www.HomeSearchRALEIGH.com and click the “Contact Us” button.  We are here as your TRUSTED ADVISORS and to help you make GOOD DECISIONS!  Rick Freeman and Amy Davis, award-winning Coldwell Banker / HPW Real Estate Brokers.

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Wake County Begins H1N1 Vaccinations

Friday, October 9th, 2009

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

 

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LOCATION: The Most Important Questions Every Buyer Should Ask

Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009

It’s a maxim in real estate that the three most crucial factors in selecting a house are “location, location, location.” It’s also true! No matter how wonderful the house is, the location is key to how well you’ll like living in it and how well it sells when you’re ready to move on. Before you buy, carefully check the following factors to be sure the house you like is really the one you want to live in. 

Consider destinations
Where will family members go most often from this new location? How easy is it to reach those places from the house? How accessible are schools, churches, grocery stores, medical care, public transportation, shopping malls and emergency services?
Be sure rooms have a view
What is the view from the house and yard? Is the yard right for your anticipated activities? What uses are possible for nearby undeveloped land? Is a new road or commercial development planned?
Check around the clock
 Is rush hour traffic a problem? What will be the impact of special events such as local high-school games or church picnics? Crash test the driveway. How easy is it to get into and out of the driveway?
Be service conscious
What utilities serve the property? Are the rates competitive? Do you want an all-electric house, or do you want gas or oil heat? Where will you get your mail? Are there any easements?
Dig below the surface
Is the soil stable? Is part of the property on a flood plain? If so, what is the history of floods on the property and what would flood insurance cost?
Visit the neighbors
How will you fit in with the neighbors? Do people seem to be friendly? Are houses well-maintained?
Read the fine print
If the community has special by-laws or architectural controls over changes to a house, what are the pros and cons?

Make a list of the positive and negative aspects of each property as you tour it. Assign priorities to important elements of the house’s location. If you have questions about a home’s location, we can help.

Call 919-649-6638 or visit www.FreemanDavisHomeTeam.com or www.HomeSearchRALEIGH.com and click the “Contact Us” button.  We are here as your TRUSTED ADVISORS and to help you make GOOD DECISIONS!  Rick Freeman and Amy Davis, award-winning Coldwell Banker / HPW Real Estate Brokers.

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Ground Breaking on NC’s First Toll Road

Wednesday, August 12th, 2009

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

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Raleigh and Cary make list of fastest growing U.S. cities

Monday, August 10th, 2009

Raleigh and Cary were among the 10 fastest-growing cities in the nation last year, a new census release shows.  As of July 2008, Cary ranked third among cities with 100,000 people or more. Its growth rate of nearly 7 percent came in behind only New Orleans and Round Rock, Texas, near Austin.

Raleigh ranked eighth, with a growth rate of 3.8 percent.  North Carolina joined Texas and California in claiming multiple spots in the top 10.

The numbers are another confirmation that the Triangle’s growth continued even as the economy began to slow AND that the Triangle is a great place to live and to buy a home.

Raleigh and Cary topped the growth charts among large cities with at least 100,000 people, but when cities of all sizes are included, the smaller towns come out on top in North Carolina.  Here are the fastest-growing municipalities in the Raleigh/Durham area, as of July 2008:

Rolesville, 23.7%
Fuquay-Varina, 11.5%
Knightdale, 9.2%
Wake Forest, 7.3%
Cary, 6.9%
Clayton, 6.5%
Holly Springs, 6.2%
Garner, 5.9%
Zebulon, 5.2%

If you’re outside the area, contact the Freeman/Davis Home Team and we’ll send you a relocation guide.  Already live here but ready to buy or sell your home, visit us online and register for our full list of free services.

Area’s Best Home Search Sites

www.HomeSearchRALEIGH.com
www.WakeCountyRealEstate.com
www.FreemanDavisHomeTeam.com
www.RaleighMLSSearch.com

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Raleigh in the Top 10 Cities for Potential Growth

Thursday, May 28th, 2009

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.

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Raleigh Real Estate Rebound!

Wednesday, May 20th, 2009

Barbara Corcoran, founder of the New York real estate firm The Corcoran Group, has come out with the top 5 markets on the verge of recovering from the housing downturn.

Corcoran said on NBC’s Today Show that her list factors included overbuilding, population and job growth, demand from first-time home buyers, vital downtowns, and well-educated populations. She also said she looked for places that had early waves of foreclosures because those places might now be coming out of that cycle.

Corcoran lists Denver at the top but the great news for those of us in the Triangle area is that Raleigh takes the second spot.  As far as I’m concerned, there is no problem being a bridesmaid when you’re talking about just missing the top spot in the country for real estate rebounds.

For more details about the Raleigh area and the great real estate on the market, talk with the Freeman/Davis Team at Coldwell Banker/HPW.  We’re here to help you learn all about the area and all it has to offer.  Ask about the $8,000 First Time Buyer Tax Credit and see every home listed in the area’s multiple listing service (MLS) with a visit to www.HomeSearchTRIANGLE.com, www.HomeSearchRALEIGH.com and www.FreemanDavisHomeTeam.com.  As long time residents of the Raleigh/Durham area, we’ll make you feel right at home and help you make good real estate decisions.

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