Really, I Am Not Being Rude - Please Respect My Need For Personal Safety!

I don't know why, but I still find it amazing when Potential Buyers get mad at me for not dropping everything at a moments notice and meeting them at a vacant house.  Mind you, complete strangers! 

By my nature, I am a friendly person, never met a stranger and can ALWAYS strike up a conversation. I love meeting new people and finding out what they are about, how they live their life, what they enjoy and what we have in common.  My career also dictates that I have this pre-determined outgoing nature - I mean, really?  How can one sell Real Estate if they don't like meeting new people.

What may be one of my greatest assets could one day be my demise if I didn't adhere to my own personal "Code of Safety" and listen to my common sense.  There are simple rules that I self-administer and well, quite frankly, if a Buyer or Seller can not appreciate them and/or respect them then we simply weren't meant for each other.

1. I will NEVER respond to an email from a stranger and agree to meet them at a vacant home.
2. I will NEVER respond to a phone call from a stranger and agree to meet them at a vacant house.
3. I will NEVER host an Open House by myself.
4. I will NEVER work with any buyer until there has been rapport established and identity verified.
5. I will NEVER meet a COUPLE at a vacant home. 

If you call me/email me and I don't know you then be prepared to meet in a public place, answer questions, and verify your identity.  I am a wife, a mother, a daughter, an aunt, a friend to many and I love my life and security. 

If a Buyer can not respect these wishes and rules of mine then perhaps they are better suited with another Realtor®.  Keep in mind, though, I am not a bitch,  I am just smart.

Recent cases of Unpleasant Realities*:

• St. Louis, MO - A man posing as a home buyer waited until he got a 24 year old real estate agent in an unfinished aprt of the basement and then pulled out a handgun.  He handcuffed her and sexually assaulted her, at one point putting a knife to her throat.  Afterward, he robbed her and warned her not to scream for help before leaving her alone in the new home she thought he wanted to buy.
• Liberty Township, OH - A man wearing a ski mask showed up at a model home.  The on-site agent immediately asked the man to leave and closed the model home's door, but the agent later found the man standing inside the garage.  The man grabbed her, but she fought him off and he fled the scene.
• Cary, NC - A man registered in a neighborhood's model home, then asked to see homes in the community.  Once the agent had taken the man to another home in the development, the man pulled out a knife and attacked the agent.  She was bound and sexually assaulted. 
  

*cited from the 2009-2010 NC Real Estate Update Course

The incident in Cary NC, for those of you that don't know, was literally 10 minutes away from me.  While many may always have the feeling "that could never happen here" - THINK AGAIN!
I would be remiss if I didn't also mention an incident that happened to my West Coast Sister, Cristal Drake.  She was robbed at an Open House in July 2009.  I'll never forget how I felt when I read her post - she really is my kindred and I just can't imagine.  You can read about her unfortunate event at her blog post......  Be On The Lookout for These Open House Thieves! North Orange County Agents PLEASE READY!

I don't care if you are a SEASONED AGENT or NEW TO THE BUSINESS - NO SALE IS WORTH YOUR PERSONAL SAFETY!  End of story and there really is no discussion needed.  There are many tips that I could give as both an agent and a Broker-In-Charge.....

• ALWAYS have new clients meet you at your office or public place such as coffee shop, etc.
  
• When at all possible - have another agent go with you when working with new clients.
• If you get that icky feeling - ALWAYS go with your instincts!
• Have a code word set up between you and your office so that when you are out and about showing you can call your office and they will instantly know that you need help.
• ALWAYS leave an itinerary of where you are showing with either your BIC or another agent in the office.
• Keep you cell phone on you at ALL times!  Have 911 programmed into speed dial.
• There are many "tools" that are available for protection now available nationwide through the various Association of Realtors® offices - explore them and find one that you are comfortable with.

And for all of you buyers reading this right now.  Yes, you are what keeps me going in my career and without you I wouldn't be as successful as I am.  However, there are quite a few "YOU'S" out there and if you can't respect my wishes then how can I possibly respect yours?

Are You Still Renting? Check Out This Amazing Home for Sale in North Raleigh NC!

4509 Cobble Creek Lane is located in North Raleigh near Hwy 401 and is convenient to both I-540 and Capital Boulevard!

This sparkling 3 bedroom home has an Open Floorplan with a Fireplace in the Family room, arched entry into the Formal Dining Room, a passthru from the Kitchen to the Family Room and a large open foyer! The fantastic kitchen has loads of cabinet space and counterspace, a pantry and has easy access to both the Family Room and the Dining Room. French doors lead to patio and back yard which has a garden area and a tree buffer in the rear of the lot.

Upstairs is an oversized Master Suite with deep trey ceilings and a private En Suite bath with shower/garden tub combo. Huge WIC in master and large linen closet in bath. Secondary bedrooms are generous with ample closet space and share a full bath in the hall. The bonus room has vaulted ceilings and is the ideal spot for a homework area, playroom, hobby room or in home office.

This home is complete with a one car attached garage!

Come see all that 4509 Cobble Creek Lane in Raleigh NC has to offer - you will pleasantly surprised with all the architectural details, the spotless condition and the new and improved price!

$157,000.00

"4509 Cobble Creek Lane, Raleigh NC"

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It's Back To School in Wake Forest NC

Here it is!  Are you ready for it?  Time to gear up, "feed" those brains, buy the new sneakers and get those bedtime routines polished up -

IT'S BACK TO SCHOOL!

Don't panic!  Here are all the resources that you need to make this transition from summer to school-time much easier!

Whether you live in Wake Forest, Raleigh, Cary, Garner, Knightdale, or Rolesville you child's school will fall under

Wake County Public Schools System  

3600 Wake Forest Road
Raleigh, NC
919-850-1600 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              919-850-1600      end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              919-850-1600      end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              919-850-1600      end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Their website will provide you with a wealth of information in getting ready for the big day!  Here are some additional links that will certainly give you a leg up on the research!

• District Calendar - both Traditional and Year-Round calendars can be found here.
• FAQs About School Closings and Cancellations - A great Q&A for when there are closings and what to do.
• Bus Routes and Schedules - FAQs, School Bus Rules and Special Needs Assistance for the school bus.
• Lunch Menus - Meal selections, meal prices and Special Diet Needs.
• Wake County School Board of Education - Meeting Minutes and Member Directory.
• School Directory - Wake County Public Schools has 156 schools within this jurisdiction - their all right here!
• Student Assignment Finder - for all new-comers - this is where you can find out where your child will go to school based on your address.

Here is a list of schools for Wake Forest just to get you started:

• Heritage Elementary 
• Heritage Middle School
• Jones Dairy Elementary
• Wake Forest Elementary
• Wake Forest-Rolesville High School
• Wake Forest-Rolesville Middle School

I hope that this list of resources points you in the right direction in getting ready for that 1st day of school!  If you have any questions or can't find what you are looking for please feel free to email me!

And, don't forget to download your FREE Back To School Guide!  It has ALL the information you need for a successful 2010-2011 school year. 

If you have any questions about homes for sale in Wake Forest NC and perhaps the schools in the area don't hesitate to call your Wake Forest NC Real Estate Agent - that's ME!  I live here, work here and play here - I also have a son that attends school in Wake Forest NC so feel free to ask me any questions you may have!

Dear FSBO - Who Can Tell Me About Your House?

So, today I had a listing appointment right down the street from where I have a current listing.  I was prepared with my notes, paperwork and CMA (Comparative Market Analysis).  When I get to the neighborhood today I notice that there is a brand new FSBO sign at one of the homes.  Hhmmm...

I called the number on the sign....

Me:  Yes, I am calling about the home that you have for sale.  Can you give me a little information?

Them:  Actually, no, you'll need to call another number.  It's my mother and her number is 555-xxxx

Me:  Thanks

So, I call the new number - the one NOT on the sign....

Me:  Yes, I am calling about the home that you have for sale.  Can you give me a little information?

Them:  Oh, ha, ha - I accidentally gave you my cell phone number instead of my mother's cell phone.  Her number is 555-xxxx

Now on the third call....

Me:  Hi, I'm calling about the home that you have for sale - can you please give me some information on it?

Them:  I'm sorry, you'll need to speak with my husband and he isn't here.  You can reach him on his cell at 555-xxxx

Oh, for crying out loud.......

Me:  Can you not give me any particulars about the house or at least what you are asking for it?

Them:  I think we want $164,000 for it.....

Me:  Thanks for your time.......

What if I were an actual person sitting in front of the home and was truly interested in the home?  It would have taken, at minimum, 4 phone calls to get information about the home.  If I were a real buyer I most likely would not have made that 4th call - actually, I probably wouldn't have even made the 2nd or 3rd call. 

So, if you ARE going to try and sell your home yourself you have got to have the information about your home ready at a moments notice.  You need to provide a correct and direct phone number on the yard sign so potential buyers are able to get information quickly.

If you have tried FSBO and are tired of the headaches please feel free to give me a call or simply send me an email - this is MY JOB!  I can relieve you of all the guess work and stress!

The Stigma of "Crime Scene" Homes

What do you do with BIG crime scene properties such as those of Charlie Manson, Heaven's Gate, Jeffrey Dahmer,etc.?  It is interesting some of the tactics used to "heal" that stigma.

In the case of the 112 Ocean Avenue, Amithyville NY - the actual address of the home has been changed as a result of the address becoming notorious.  Randall Bell, a real estate economist, suggests that changing the address of a home that has been a scene of a horrific crime is a good idea however, you must be selective in your timing.  Mr. Bell suggests that if you change the address too soon the media wil pick up on it and cause even more of a stir.  The addresses that were the scene of the Nicole Brown/Ron Goldman murders, the LaBianca home that was the scene of Charlie Manson's massacre and the JonBenet Ramsey home which was the scene of her tragic murder have also been changed.  Eventually, the LaBiana homes was torn down. 
Other measures that have been taken are to completely tear the home down.  The despicable crimes of John Wayne Gacy and Jeffrey Dahmer longered on in the homes in which they lived.  Ultimately, the locations were demolished.  While the memories of those horrific crimes with live on with the relatives, friends and, quite frankly, the entire world their physical locations have been banished from the face of the earth.  Another point the article makes is that there are people that lobby to presreve these types of buildings.  For instance, one lobbyist puts forth the arguement that the Texas Book Depository, which was the scene of the nation altering assasination of President Jon F. Kennedy, should never be torn down.  Personally, while a terrible moment in history, I can not liken it to the acts of monsters such as John Wayne Gacy or Jeffrey Dahmer.

Another interesting avenue that is often the case with these stigmatized properties is that the fact is NOT hidden, the home is NOT torn down but repurposed.  It would seem that businesses that are scenes of crime can actually overcome the stigma.  The article does not suggest that the businesses profit but merely states that the businesses try and downplay the events that have happened.  Take for instance the scene where Gianni Versace was gunned down.  The location is a 1930's building was purchased in 2000 and turned into a member's only club and botique hotel.  Sparks Steakhouse in Manhattan continues to operate even though it was the scene for a mob-hit in 1985.

It's The Little Things That Will Make or Break A Showing

This morning was full of previewing homes for some clients I have coming in next week.  I am a firm believer in previewing homes BEFORE you actually take your clients through.  Why don't more agents do that I wonder?
Anyhow, all of the homes were similar in size, price, private back yards and in close proximity to each other.  All of the homes would fit my clients needs nicely.
What surprised me with each of the homes was that they had another similarity.  They were all a "little" dirty.  Now, let me explain a "little" dirty.  It was obvious in each of the homes that they were family homes.  Adults with children.  From peeking in closets, pantries and bathrooms I can see that they left in haste in the morning but had all done their best to put things in their proper place.  I am sure that as they walked out the door this morning they all had the same thought,  "This looks clean."
I will give each of them that, yes, there were clothes put away, empty kitchen sinks, toys hidden away, etc.  But what they MISSED in ALL OF THEM was this:

• Toilets with lids up and they all could have used a cleaning
• Dirty, sticky door knobs on the pantries (enough so that I had to wash my hands as I wasn't sure what I had touched)
• VERY dirty doors throughout.  Fronts and back of all interior doors had spills on them, fingerprints, handprints and just grim from every day life with children
• Front doors with kick marks on the inside where you could imagine someone constantly using their foot to close the door
• Filthy light switch plates (can't explain that one - just a HUGE pet peeve of mine!)
• Dust bunnies in the cracks and crevices around the baseboards
• Very dirty sliding glass doors/french doors leading to the outside decks and porches (little hands)
• Personal toiletry items on countertops such as shampoos, bubble baths, shaving creams, razors, etc.  Not the ones for decoration but the every day use ones.
• Front porches with spider webs (from years of buildup - not a new Charlotte's Web, mind you)

There are a few more in my notes but you get the point.  While the homes appeared clean with a cursory last glance before the sellers left for the morning - they were not.
Am I being picky?  I think not.  I can not stress enough to my sellers that when their home goes on the market it instantaneously becomes a product!  It must compete with all of the other products on the market and be shown ONLY in it's best light.
I know that as we live our lives daily we sometimes have a blind eye when it comes to our homes and it's cleanliness.  However, when a seller wishes to attract a buyer this is one of the most important areas to address.
So, if you are a seller please take heed.  Step back for a moment and REALLY take a peek at your home through the eyes of a buyer!  If you are another agent then please do your sellers justice and inform them of the importance of details.  It's the little things that just might make the difference......

1212 Birkstone Court - Richland Hills / Beautiful Wake Forest NC Home For Sale

Do You Have Real Estate Questions?

• What's the Wake Forest NC Real Estate Market Like?
• I am thinking of selling my home, where should I start?
• Should I use a Buyer's Agent when looking to buy a home in Wake Forest NC?
• What is the standard commission charged to sell my home?
• What is a Comparative Market Analysis?
• What does a REALTOR do?

Do those questions sound like a few that you may have?  If so, then please visit my webpage, Wake Forest NC House Chick, and explore!  There are pages specifically for Buyers, Sellers, a real time MLS search, local Wake Forest NC information, Wake County School information and so much more!

As a top Wake Forest NC Real Estate Agent is it my responsibility to be sure that both buyers and sellers are educated!  I am always happy to answer any questions that you may have so feel free to call me at 919-649-6128 or simply send me an email - it's that simple!

Thinking of Selling Your Home in Wake Forest NC? I Can Help!

So many times potential sellers want to try and sell their home themselves (FSBO - For Sale By Owner)  Why is that?  Well, I have found, more often than not, that it is because sellers sometimes aren't quite sure what a professional Realtor® can do for them.

A professional, equipped and skilled Realtor® will assist you with a wide range of skills and aid you in making invaluable decisions during the real estate transaction.  While the following list is by no means inclusive of all of the significant services a Realtor® will provide it is an outline of how you can most certainly benefit from employing a professional:   

• Pays for all marketing and advertising costs.  Be sure to ask your Realtor® for their marketing plan.
  
• Adds experience and expertise in all aspects of the sales process including, but not limited to marketing, negotiations and more.
  
• Brings a network of known, trusted real estate professionals. If your Realtor® doesn't have the answer, he or she likely knows someone who does.
• Always has your interests in mind so you always have someone on your side.  Ask your Realtor® what the difference is between Seller's Agents vs. Buyer's Agents!
  
• Handles and advises on all price and contract negotiations.  A competent Realtor® will have prepared a rock solid CMA that will assist you with arriving at a List Price.  For more information regarding CMAs/Market Analysis you can check out this post.
  
• Gives an unbiased, realistic view of your home and your options. Unlike buyers and sellers, an agent has no emotional attachment to property.  It is important to listen to your Realtor® when discussing the highlights and potential short-comings of your home.
  
• Being an objective liaison, potential buyers are more likely to tell your Realtor® the truth about your home, even if it is unflattering. This un-biased viewpoint will help you make the necessary changes to get your home sold.
• Your time is valuable. A Realtor® allows you to spend your time how you want.

Selling your home in Wake Forest NC can be a tricky and sensitive process.  Most times it is best to remove yourself from the front line and allow an experienced and qualified Realtor® handle the process.

If you are currently contemplating selling your home in the Wake Forest NC Real Estate Market I can help!  I would be happy to meet with you and review your options, current market conditions and my marketing plan with you.  I am just a phone call away at 919.649.6128 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              919.649.6128      end_of_the_skype_highlighting or you can simply send me an email.

Remember, I live, work and play in Wake Forest NC - I know this market better than anyone!  And, don't forget to check out my website, www.WakeForestHouseChick.com for some incredible tools you can use when preparing to sell your home!

Tremendous Wake Forest NC Home Inventory Under $200K

Looking for homes for sale in Wake Forest NC under $200,000.00?  There are PLENTY!  And, trust me, they come in all shapes and sizes to fit any family profile!

One great place to start your search is with my Wake Forest NC Foreclosure Report that I update and publish weekly to my website, Wake Forest NC House Chick.  The reports are available in PDF file and available for download for FREE!  I can say that I have inspected the majority of these homes in person and there are quite a few really exceptional deals to be found!

Take a minute and download my latest Wake Forest NC Foreclosures Report - then, if you have any questions or would like to preview any of the homes just give me a call at 919-649-6128 or simply send me an email - it's just that easy!

6012 Bramblewood Drive, Raleigh NC is UNDER CONTRACT!

6012 Bramblewood Drive is UNDER CONTRACT!  In less than 23 days this gorgeous home that priced just perfectly went under contract and will be closing soon!  If you missed out on this great opportunity don't worry!  There are other fantastic homes for sale in Raleigh NC and I can help you find them!

Please be sure to visit my website, Wake Forest House Chick, for all the latest homes for sale in Wake Forest NC and Raleigh NC as well as the surrounding areas!  You can also fill out a Home Profile that will notify you of homes for sale as soon as they come on the market. 

Whether you are buying or selling real estate I can help!

919.649.6128

Email ME!

Looking For Some Fun Things To Do in Wake Forest NC? Don't Miss This Weeks Calendar!

Wake Forest NC has some amazing events this week with a little bit of something for EVERYONE!  Be sure to check out:

• Margaritas and Mambo
• Art After Hours
• All You Can Eat Pancake and Sausage Breakfast
• Valentine's Day Dance

and so much more!  You can check out the full calendar of events for Wake Forest NC at Wake Forest NC - Small Town with Big Outlook!

Fantastic Traditional Home in Established North Raleigh Neighborhood!

Gorgeous traditional is located in Kingsmill Village in Raleigh NC - fabulous established neighborhood conventient to shopping, dining and all major traffic artieries.

Of all the homes for sale in Raleigh NC this is one you just can't miss! First floor has formal living room and dining room, family room with fireplace and screened in porch overlooking fenced back yard! Family room and screened in porch are wire with Dual Zone Surround Sound. Kitchen has solid surface counter tops, stainless steel appliances, plenty of cabinets and ample pantry. Crown moulding is throughout the entire first floor of this home and architectural columns adorn the formal dining room adding flair.

Master bedroom on second floor is HUGE with two walk in closets and a gorgeous master bath with dual vanities, soaker tub and oversized separate shower. All bedrooms are generous with large closets and the bonus room has builtins.

Storage abounds in this home with floored attic space, overhead platform storage in garage, walk in closets in two of the bedrooms and so much more!

Come see all that 6012 Bramblewood Drive has to offer - it is an amazing home at an incredible price!

If you are searching for homes for sale in Wake Forest NC or other areas of the Triangle feel free to visit my website, http://www.wakeforesthousechick.com. You can also give me a call at 919.649.6128 or simply send me an email - I would be delighted to help you in your search!

Check out this homes YouTube Video Tour

More pictures and Details for 6012 Bramblewood Drive

My Website

Selling Your Home in Wake Forest NC? Here's How I Can Help!

So many times potential sellers want to try and sell their home themselves (FSBO - For Sale By Owner) Why is that? Well, I have found, more often than not, that it is because sellers sometimes aren't quite sure what a professional Realtor® can do for them.

A professional, equipped and skilled Realtor® will assist you with a wide range of skills and aid you in making invaluable decisions during the real estate transaction. While the following list is by no means inclusive of all of the significant services a Realtor® will provide it is an outline of how you can most certainly benefit from employing a professional:

• Pays for all marketing and advertising costs. Be sure to ask your Realtor® for their marketing plan.
  
• Adds experience and expertise in all aspects of the sales process including, but not limited to marketing, negotiations and more.
  
• Brings a network of known, trusted real estate professionals. If your Realtor® doesn't have the answer, he or she likely knows someone who does.
• Always has your interests in mind so you always have someone on your side. Ask your Realtor® what the difference is between Seller's Agents vs. Buyer's Agents!
  
• Handles and advises on all price and contract negotiations. A competent Realtor® will have prepared a rock solid CMA that will assist you with arriving at a List Price. For more information regarding CMAs/Market Analysis you can check out this post.
  
• Gives an unbiased, realistic view of your home and your options. Unlike buyers and sellers, an agent has no emotional attachment to property. It is important to listen to your Realtor® when discussing the highlights and potential short-comings of your home.
  
• Being an objective liaison, potential buyers are more likely to tell your Realtor® the truth about your home, even if it is unflattering. This un-biased viewpoint will help you make the necessary changes to get your home sold.
• Your time is valuable. A Realtor® allows you to spend your time how you want.

Selling your home in Wake Forest NC can be a tricky and sensitive process. Most times it is best to remove yourself from the front line and allow an experienced and qualified Realtor® handle the process.

If you are currently contemplating selling your home in the Wake Forest NC Real Estate Market I can help! I would be happy to meet with you and review your options, current market conditions and my marketing plan with you. I am just a phone call away at 919.649.6128 or you can simply send me an email.

Remember, I live, work and play in Wake Forest NC - I know this market better than anyone! And, don't forget to check out my website, www.WakeForestHouseChick.com for some incredible tools you can use when preparing to sell your home!

Latest FHA Rules Update!

New FHA rules in a nutshell

1. Changes are effective for case numbers assigned on or after April 15th, 2010.
2. New upfront mortgage insurance premium (UFMIP) will be 2.25% for all purchase and refinance loans.
   
3. The premium for H4H and HECM is 2.0%. H4H = Hope for Homeowners HECM = Reverse mortgages
4. This change applies to all standard FHA Single Family Programs except the following: Title I, Section 247-Hawaiian Homelands, Section 248-Indian Reservations, Section 223e-Declining Neighborhoods or Section 238c-Military Impact areas in Georgia and New York.

New Wayfinding Signs in Wake Forest NC

What's going on in Wake Forest NC with all the signs?

Wayfinding Signs!

Over the next few week you will see these gorgeous AND informational signs popping up all over Wake Forest NC. These highly anticipated signs will help to attract people to historic downtown Wake Forest NC businesses, help people, well, find their way AND will also include Welcome Signs for the downtown area.

While these signs will certainly be popping up in Downtown Wake Forest you will also see them on US 1A, NC 98 Hwy Business and many local streets. There will be approximately 15 signs in all!

Life in Wake Forest NC just got a little more direction.....

Even if You LOVE Vegas - Don't Be A Gambler in the Wake Forest NC Real Estate Market

If you want to sell your home in Wake Forest NC AND you contract me as your Realtor® you can be sure that you will receive a thorough, in-depth and detailed CMA prior to suggesting your listing price. Now, what I don't understand from past sellers is their need to take all of the work that I have put into that CMA and decide to gamble in the Wake Forest NC Real Estate market.

When I suggest a listing price it is based on several criteria:

1. The CMA that I prepared for your home which takes into account the current listings in your neighborhood (your competition - fair market, foreclosures and short sales), the homes that are currently under contract (how long were THEY on the market, did they adjust their price, what was the Wake Forest NC Real Estate market like when they initially listed their home, etc.) and the homes that have sold in your neighborhood in the last 3 months. Notice I didn't say 6 months, 9 months or a year - that is just not relevant anymore.
2. Your motivation as the seller to get your home sold quickly. Are you downsizing, relocating, upsizing, or are you in financial crisis and must sell.
3. The condition of your home. Is it in pristine showing condition? (I'll reserve what I consider that for another post) Do you have curb appeal? What stands out about your home from the competition. And, no, just because YOU think your home is better than the competition doesn't mean that it is - you are EMOTIONALLY attached and viewing it through rose colored glasses shaded with sentimentality, warm-fuzzies and emotions.

When I suggest a list price it is because I have done the research, visited the competition, and evaluated your current situation. When a seller counters my list price suggestion with a higher price they are only gambling in the Wake Forest NC Real Estate market. I think they always think "what-if" - well, let me share with you some of the what if's if your home enters the market listed too high.....

• you won't be taken seriously as a seller. Remember, buyers have BUYER'S AGENTS and they are educated as well. They'll know the competition and realize that you are priced too high.
• Once you lower the price you take a huge gamble that your home has become stale. You become THAT house. And, if you think that you can take the house off the market and relist it you CAN'T. Did you know that it is unethical in Wake Forest NC for a Realtor® to do that? Besides, MLS now keeps track of cumulative Days on the Market (DOM). Again, buyers will have a BUYER'S AGENT - they will know!
• When you do lower the list price you may have very well missed a selling window. Let's say you list in the Spring - the prime time to get homes fresh and sparkly and on the market. You price too high, wait a few months and then decide to lower the price. You have just missed one of the best selling times of the year!

So, whether you choose me as your Realtor® in Wake Forest NC or another - trust them! It's why we do what we do!

• Ask questions - I, personally, love to involve sellers in the process.
• Trust - the highest respect I can ask for is your trust!
• Listen - one of the pillars of the foundation of a professional relationship is listening

And, if you ARE thinking of listing your home I would welcome the oppportunity to earn your trust in me! I don't gamble! Besides, I AM the Wake Forest NC House Chick! I live, work and play in Wake Forest NC and I know the Wake Forest NC Real Estate market better than anyone! Feel free to give me a call at 919.649.6128 or simply send me an email!

For more information regarding CMAs or what a Market Analysis is then don't miss this post!

IMPROVED List for Foreclosures in Wake Forest NC

Every week I update and post a List of Foreclosures in Wake Forest NC to my website. This list also includes Rolesville NC and part of North Raleigh NC.

There are foreclosures, REOs, Lender Owned Homes, Auctions and HUD/VA owned homes on this list and let me just say - awesome prices!

There is eveything from townhomes, historic homes and Estate Homes available! Check out the latest list and as always.....if you have any questions please feel free to call me at 919.649.6128 or simply send me an email!

A Comparable Market Analysis Gives You The Edge in the Wake Forest NC Real Estate Market

First off, what is a Market Analysis?

A Market Analysis is a tool used to help guide you when deciding on a price to list your home. Your List Price. A Market Analysis will use similar homes in your neighborhood that are currently on the market, pending (have a contract on them but have yet to close) and recent Sales. In the past, recent Sales could go back 6-12 months to justify a price. Today? Not so. Lenders are now requiring (in most cases) Sold homes used in a Market Analysis to be no more than 90 days. What if there are no sales in your neighborhood in the past 90 days? Should that be the case, several other factors come into play.

• A comparison of recent activity for List Price to Sales Price ratios must be looked at. What was the List Price of the home and what was the ultimate Sales Price of the home? Were there any concessions offered to the buyer such as Closing Costs, etc?


• A more in-depth look at current homes on the market in your neighborhood will be looked at. DOM (Days on Market) will be analyzed. Have the homes been listed for less than 90 days? 180 days? Over a year? This is considered a "time on market" adjustment.

Years ago if there was a Foreclosure in your neighborhood mixed in with Fair Market sales you could somewhat discount that foreclosure in your equation. Unfortunately, today's market has many more foreclosures and, more than likely, they will need to be factored in when doing a Market Analysis. While that may be quite disheartening to you as a seller it is what is happening. You must keep in mind that if a buyer is faced with 5 homes for sale in a neighborhood and 3 of those 5 are foreclosures, chances are they are priced much lower than the Fair Market homes. That is your competition.

A Market Analysis has become a much more complex method in deriving a house value than in years past. If you are thinking of placing your home on the market in this soft environment it is in your best interest to hire a professional that will prepare a solid Market Analysis and continually update that Market Analysis while your home is on the market. Remember, if you receive an offer that is below your asking price and you have a professional, thoroughly prepared, and concise Market Analysis you will be in a better position to defend your asking price and more educated to negotiate.

There are many Wake Forest NC Homes for Sale so education is key when it comes to pricing your home!

Should you have any questions about your neighborhood activity or if you are considering putting your home on the market and would be interested in a FREE CMA (Comparative Market Analysis) I would be happy to help you navigate the process. Please feel free to call me at 919.649.6128 or simply send me an email!

Celebrate the New Year in Wake Forest NC!

Wake Forest NC is hosting it's Second Annual First Light Wake Forest on December 31, 2009 starting at 7pm.

This family friendly, alcohol-free celebration is produced by Wake Forest's very own Brian Pate with Brian Pate Entertainment and I promise you....you won't want to miss this!

I will be posting the schedule of events a little later in the week but for a sneak peek:

• Children's Fireworks Extravaganza (early)
• Facepainting
• Horseback Riding
• Inflatable Rides
• Climbing Wall
• Adult Firewords Extravaganza (late)
• LIVE MUSIC by Sleeping Booty
• DJ Brian Pate

Admission is FREE and the event will take place along South White Street in Historic Downtown Wake Forest NC. Again, the celebration starts at 7pm and ends sometime in 2010! :)