Real Estate Blog for the TriangleRecently posted or modified blog posts in the category - Video Bloghttps://www.acolerealty.com/blog/Copyright AColeRealty.com2023-10-16T20:42:17-07:00tag:acolerealty.com,2012-09-20:13119My Favorite Grab-and-Go Lunch in Apex
Here’s why I’m such a big fan of Raleigh Cheesy and their custom creations.
Are you in the Apex area and looking for a convenient, delicious lunch option for your next get-together? Today I want to brag about one of my favorite spots, Raleigh Cheesy.
It’s a female-owned and operated business, which I always love to support. Courtney Bowman started the business back in October 2019 and opened up her first brick-and-mortar location in Apex in February 2021. Their doors have only been open for a year, but they’re already planning on opening a second location in Raleigh.
They specialize in custom charcuterie boards, and they do a great job of bringing together a bunch of different options for people to pick and graze on. There are different types of luxury cheeses, cured meats, crackers, fruits, spreads, and more that make up their various boards. Courtney makes them both beautiful and delicious.
"They offer both pickup and delivery options."
If you’re in the Apex area, they’re open six days a week from Tuesday to Sunday. They have different sizes of boxes, boards, and more. It’s a great spot for a grab-and-go lunch or to order a fantastic spread for your next event. You need to call ahead for the larger boards, but they have both pickup and delivery options.
Additionally, they offer classes that you can host, and they’ll teach you how to make gorgeous charcuterie boards as well. They’re located at 1460 Chapel Hill Rd. Suite 170 in downtown Apex, and a second location in Raleigh is coming soon.
To learn more about what they offer, check out their <a href="https://www.raleighcheesy.com/">website</a>, where you can learn about their menu and upcoming classes and follow their social media platforms. I’ve hired them to create a grazing table at a party I hosted recently, and it was a huge hit.
If you have any questions about real estate in the meantime, don’t hesitate to reach out via phone or email.<br /><br />// <![CDATA[
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Looking to buy a home?
'https://www.acolerealty.com/property-search/search-form/'
Looking to sell a home?
'https://www.acolerealty.com/sellers/free-market-analysis/'
ABOUT:
A Cole Realty
6531 Creedmoor Road Suite 207
Raleigh, NC 27613
O: (919) 578-3128
M: (919) 538-6477
clientservices@acolerealty.com",
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// ]]>2022-03-11T23:55:00-07:002023-10-16T20:10:54-07:00Angie Coletag:acolerealty.com,2012-09-20:12958A New Neighborhood and Investment Opportunity
Whether you’re a buyer or investor, Chatham Park is the place to look.
Are you looking for a new place to call home that is also a great investment? Today I’m here to tell you about a spectacular neighborhood called Chatham Park.
Located in Pittsboro, Chatham Park might as well be its own city. It has everything you need, and you wouldn’t even need to leave your home! On-site, there’s Thales Academy, UNC Healthcare, a YMCA, a Lowe’s, and so much more.
With all its amenities, this neighborhood is just amazing. There are over 2,000 acres of parks and open space, as well as 30+ miles of trails for biking, hiking, and walking. Chatham Park is also only a short walk away from historic Pittsboro.
Anyone could call Chatham Park home. All of the homes are technology-forward and incorporate smart technology to help you save on energy and much more. They have every style of home, too, including condos, townhomes, single-family homes, and even custom-built homes.
"Anyone could call Chatham Park home."
The custom builds start in the $800,000 range, and they have both two- and three-car garage options. These homes come from a variety of builders, including Upton & Co., Walker DesignBuild, Prewitt Custom Homes, Wagoner Homes.
The single-family homes start in the range between $300,000 and $500,000. They come from a range of builders like David Weekley Homes, Dickerson, Lennar, Garman Homes, and other prominent names.
If you’re looking for a maintenance-free lifestyle, check out the Tessera at MOSAIC condo complex, which has two- and three-bedroom layouts running from $300,000 to $600,000.
Chatham Park does allow investors to purchase, but they’re capping that off at 10%. It’s not an overstatement to say that this is the spot to invest. If you’re looking for a place to buy now and watch it appreciate, this is the neighborhood for you.
If you’d like to take a tour of Chatham Park to see for yourself what it has to offer, give us a call or visit www.AColeRealty.com. As always, text SAVVY to 21000 to find out the value of your home. We’d love to hear from you!2022-02-18T04:21:00-07:002022-03-01T14:33:54-07:00Angie Coletag:acolerealty.com,2012-09-20:12860Is a Real Estate Career Right for You?
We’re excited to be actively looking to hire a new real estate agent.
Are you looking for a new career path? We service the Triangle and surrounding areas, and we’re actively hiring right now. If you’ve ever thought about getting into real estate, there is no better time than now. It’s such a strong market; homes are selling left and right.
"Our team is the No. 1 independent firm in the Triangle."
We would love to offer you a scholarship covering the expense of completing your pre-licensing and getting your textbook. It's worth around $500. If you think you have what it takes to be a real estate professional, we would love to speak with you. Hopefully, we can partner together and give you the tools, systems, and leverage that you need to be super successful in this career.
Our team is the No. 1 independent firm in the Triangle. Last year we serviced 417 clients, and we have big goals for this year. We would love for you to be a part of them. If you are thinking about getting your real estate license or if you already have your license and are looking for a team atmosphere, we can take your business to the next step. Reach out to us today by phone or email.
If you have any other real estate questions, we’d be happy to help. Just call or email us. You can also text SAVVY to 21000 to find out the value of your home.<br /><br />// <![CDATA[
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Looking to buy a home?
'https://www.acolerealty.com/property-search/search-form/'
Looking to sell a home?
'https://www.acolerealty.com/sellers/free-market-analysis/'
ABOUT:
A Cole Realty
6531 Creedmoor Road Suite 207
Raleigh, NC 27613
O: (919) 578-3128
M: (919) 538-6477
clientservices@acolerealty.com",
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// ]]>2022-02-11T13:19:00-07:002023-10-16T18:10:47-07:00Angie Coletag:acolerealty.com,2012-09-20:4923How to Make Sure Your Offer Sticks Out
Today I’ll provide you homebuyers out there with some handy tips to make your offers stick.
<a href="https://www.acolerealty.com/sellers/free-market-analysis/">Get Your Home Value</a>
<a href="https://www.acolerealty.com/property-search/search-form/">Search All Raleigh Homes</a>
In order to make sure a home seller chooses yours over your competition’s, try the following tips:
1. Try to be the first offer the seller sees. If you’re tracking a home, make sure that you submit an offer the very first day that listing goes live on the market. Sellers can decide to hold off on reviewing offers in hopes that they’ll generate a multiple-offer situation, but here and there, you may get lucky enough to have your offer accepted right away if it’s clean and strong in the seller’s eyes.
2. Make sure your offer price is strong. Especially if yours is the first offer in front of the seller, you at least want your offer to meet the seller’s asking price. It might be a good idea to even exceed that asking price a little bit; if there are multiple offers on a home, it’s typically only those that go over asking price that will win.
3. Put in a strong due diligence money offer. On a $300,000 home, I recommend you put in at least a couple thousand for your due diligence money to make your offer stand out from the competition. However, remember: Your due diligence money is immediately at risk once you submit it; if you decide to back out of the transaction after that point, the seller keeps that money. That’s why a strong due diligence offer shows the seller that you’re serious about the purchase.
"If you’re tracking a home, make sure that you submit an offer the very first day that listing goes live on the market."<br />
<br />
4. Make sure your due diligence period is minimal. Having a shorter due diligence period in your offer will attract a seller’s eye and tell them you’re serious about making it to the closing table.
5. Write a letter to the sellers. I’ve seen a seller decide to move forward with a buyer's offer because a personal, hand-written letter was attached to it. It wasn’t even the highest offer on the table; sellers are often emotionally attached to their homes, so writing a letter to them detailing why you want their home may appeal to their softer side.
6. Make sure that you work with a great agent. A great agent like you’d find at A Cole Realty will make sure that you’re well aware of the process and will educate you on how to go about making a strong offer in order to make sure that it sticks.
If you’re thinking about buying a home here in the Triangle market or anywhere in the country, feel free to reach out to me. I’d be glad to help you reach your goals, or refer you to someone who can. I hope to hear from you soon!
2019-05-06T10:35:00-07:002019-05-08T11:40:28-07:00Angie Coletag:acolerealty.com,2012-09-20:4733What All Homebuyers Should Do Just Before Closing Arrives
The closing date on your new home is set, but have you walked through the property one last time? If not, here are the do's and don’ts to follow.
<a href="https://www.acolerealty.com/sellers/free-market-analysis/">Get Your Home Value</a>
<a href="https://www.acolerealty.com/property-search/search-form/">Search All Raleigh Homes</a>
You’ve purchased your new home and the closing date is fast approaching. Amidst all the excitement, there’s one thing you don’t want to forget: doing one last walk-through.
Because your last walk-through may reveal some unexpected surprises, you don’t want to conduct it on the morning of closing; alternatively, shoot for the evening before, so you can preempt any delays in closing time.
Beyond the avoidance of any closing-day surprises, you’ll also be able to check that agreed-upon repairs between you and the seller were completed. I recommend having your inspection report and due diligence repair request addendum on hand as well. For those items that can’t necessarily be tested by you, make sure you’ve received a receipt for verification that the work has been done.
It’s not uncommon for sellers to mistakenly leave belongings behind sometimes, so keep an eye out for this as you do your last sweep. Take a closer look in places you might not ordinarily think to—the cabinets, dishwasher, washing machine, and dryer should all be checked. After all, the state of the home on your last walk-through is how it will be when you move in.
"The state of the home on your last walk-through is how it will be when you move in."<br />
<br />
Obviously, the best-case scenario is that no surprises crop up. Be that as it may, it’s important to brace yourself for and to expect surprises. Why do I say that? Let’s face it: This can be an emotional experience. We know that, when professionally staged, homes look strikingly prettier than when they’re totally vacant. You may be seeing it one last time before your move-in date and, suddenly, the home isn’t as you remember it. By expecting this ahead of time, you won’t be so stricken with emotion when that time comes.
Another example we’ve seen before is discoloration to hardwood floors that wasn’t immediately visible at first. In these instances, a rug had covered a certain area of the floor for a while, and now the surrounding wood appears lighter in contrast.
Hopefully, your own final walk-through goes smoothly and seamlessly and this was super helpful to you.
If you need help with your home search in the Triangle or the surrounding area, please give us a call at 919-538-6477 or visit us online at AColeRealty.com. We’d love to have a conversation with you!
2019-03-28T12:41:00-07:002019-04-02T08:12:32-07:00Angie Coletag:acolerealty.com,2012-09-20:4494The Best Home Staging Tips for Sellers
Staging a home doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, none of these staging tips will cost you a dime.
<a href="https://www.acolerealty.com/sellers/free-market-analysis/">Get Your Home Value</a>
<a href="https://www.acolerealty.com/property-search/search-form/">Search All Raleigh Homes</a>
I’ve got some great home staging tips for you today that won’t cost you a cent to implement. Selling a home can be overwhelming, and a lot of homeowners think that they need to sink a lot of money in their home in order to get it show-ready. That’s far from the truth. Here are some things you can do for free:
Declutter
Depersonalize
Do a deep and thorough cleaning
Rearrange furniture
Remove furniture
Change out light bulbs
Open up the windows and bring natural light in
Remember that when a buyer is walking through your home, they aren’t trying to fall in love with it, but they are trying to eliminate your home from their list of favorites. We want buyers to be able to imagine themselves living in your home.
"We offer professional staging for our clients."<br />
<br />
Decluttering is huge for not only <a href="https://www.acolerealty.com/blog/do-open-houses-work/">open houses</a>, but private showings as well, because we want to show off the natural space in the home. Rearranging furniture really opens up the floor plan and can make the home look even bigger.
We offer professional staging for our clients. Our stager will go room to room, take notes, and give her expertise on how to make the home show better without spending money on things like upgrades or new furniture.
If you have any other questions for us about selling your home or about real estate in general, don’t hesitate to give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
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Learn More: 'https://www.acolerealty.com/blog/the-best-home-staging-tips-for-sellers/'
Looking to buy a home?
'https://www.acolerealty.com/property-search/search-form/'
Looking to sell a home?
'https://www.acolerealty.com/sellers/free-market-analysis/'
ABOUT:
A Cole Realty
6531 Creedmoor Road Suite 207
Raleigh, NC 27613
O: (919) 578-3128
M: (919) 538-6477
clientservices@acolerealty.com",
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// ]]>2019-02-15T09:45:00-07:002023-10-16T18:30:59-07:00Angie Coletag:acolerealty.com,2012-09-20:4392How Sellers Can Give Their Home a Little Extra Curb Appeal
For today’s topic, I’ll give you some pointers and tricks for sprucing up the <a href="https://www.acolerealty.com/blog/maximizing-curb-appeal/">curb appeal</a> of your home in order to draw in more buyers.
My first tip is to fix up your entryway. Most buyers will spend the better part of the showing around the entryway area of the home. Commonly, the buyer will climb the steps of the porch and, just before going through the front door, take in the full view of the front of the property—including the entryway.
Because of this, you’ll want to make sure that your entryway really pops. What’s the best way to do that? For one, power washing your home is a must before your home goes on the market. Another thing to do is paint the exterior of your front door. But don’t get carried away: The color should coordinate well with the interior doors and the rest of the home, inside and out.
Adding some security lighting will also go over well with buyers; this could be in the form of floodlights or spotlights. Security-consciousness is increasingly on homebuyers’ minds, so when they’re approaching your home, especially at night, give them the peace of mind that they’ll be safe living there.
Next, give your mailbox a makeover. Assess the condition of your mailbox and decide whether it needs replacing or just a fresh coat of paint. You can also add some paisleys or plant flowers around it—whatever gives your home an overall inviting appearance.
Speaking of painting, be sure to paint the trim, siding, and railing of your home.
All of these tips will serve to make your home feel more inviting, and that will make the buyer feel at home. It’ll also signal that you’ve poured a lot of love into your home and taken great care of it.
If you’d like more ideas on how to freshen up your curb appeal, are thinking about selling your home, or have any other questions related to real estate, please give us a call at 919-538-6477 or visit us online at <a href="https://www.acolerealty.com/">AColeRealty.com</a>. We’d love to help however we can!2019-02-01T06:15:00-07:002023-06-24T16:07:01-07:00Angie Coletag:acolerealty.com,2012-09-20:3964A Few Tips to Help You Choose the Best Agent Possible
To choose the best agent possible to represent you in a real estate transaction, follow these tips.
<a href="https://www.acolerealty.com/sellers/free-market-analysis/">Get Your Home Value</a>
<a href="https://www.acolerealty.com/property-search/search-form/">Search All Raleigh Homes</a>
Whether you’re buying or selling in our area, there are a few key tips you need to remember and questions you need to ask in order to choose the best agent possible.
First, make sure you work with someone you like. Remember—you’re going to be “married” to that person for quite some time, both throughout the process and after the close, so make sure your personalities mesh and you enjoy doing business with them.
Also, feel free to ask them about their past transactions and what their transaction history has been in the past year. You could also ask them to give you an example of a tough situation they encountered and what they did for their client to make sure the transaction process was smooth and seamless.
"Having a top-notch agent who can be your advocate from start to finish will help you secure the best deal possible."<br />
<br />
Next, ask them about their future goals. What is their current level of production? If you’re a seller, ask them what their average days on market is and what their average price point is. If you’re a buyer, ask them to walk you through the entire process from contract to close.
Lastly, ask to see some testimonials from their previous clients.
There is a lot that goes into buying and selling a home, and having a top-notch agent who can be your advocate from start to finish will help you secure the best deal possible and have a great experience overall.
No matter what your real estate goals are, feel free to give us a call, send us an email, or text “LISTING” to 555888. We look forward to speaking with you.
2018-10-18T07:06:00-07:002018-10-19T11:56:45-07:00Angie Coletag:acolerealty.com,2012-09-20:3825The Latest Numbers for Our Raleigh Area Market
What is happening in our local market? Let's take a look.
<a href="https://www.acolerealty.com/sellers/free-market-analysis/">Get Your Home Value</a>
<a href="https://www.acolerealty.com/property-search/search-form/">Search All Raleigh Homes</a>
It's time for another market update. Today we will be comparing the conditions of July 2018's market to that of July 2017.
Starting with inventory, our levels are up by 1% this year versus last year. However, new inventory was down by 5% in 2018 compared to 2017.
Pending sales were also up for July of this year, seeing a 4% increase compared to last year at the same time. Compared to June of 2018, though, sales are down 4% for July of 2018. Don't let this scare you; it is normal to see pending sales taper off during the summer months.
Closed sales for July 2018 was up a huge 11% versus July 2017. We think a lot of this is due to the amount of new construction being put onto the MLS database for our area.
"It is normal to see pending sales taper off during the summer months."<br />
<br />
As I mentioned in my last update, our MLS no longer counts the days on market for new construction. This is to encourage builders to add more inventory to the MLS. By doing this, we are now allowed to track the number of closed sales for all the inventory which is why we see such an increase.
Days on the market has stayed pretty much stable with July 2018 seeing 41 days on market.
Meanwhile, the average price point is also up by 5% this year versus last year. Of course, this is due to low inventory and an increased number of pending sales.
If you have any questions about this, or if you're interested in buying or selling, please feel free to contact me by calling, emailing, or texting “LISTING” to 555888. I look forward to speaking with you soon.
2018-09-18T10:50:00-07:002018-10-18T08:16:55-07:00Angie Coletag:acolerealty.com,2012-09-20:3758Working Without an Agent Could Sink Your Chances of Home Buying Success
Working with an experienced agent will be essential to your success as a homebuyer, and attempting to make such a major purchase without professional guidance would be a grave mistake.
<a href="https://www.acolerealty.com/sellers/free-market-analysis/">Get Your Home Value</a>
<a href="https://www.acolerealty.com/property-search/search-form/">Search All Raleigh Homes</a>
Some homebuyers, especially those purchasing property for the first time, feel that working with an agent during their search is unnecessary. Some even believe that by forgoing the services of a professional, they’ll be able to save some money. However, there are several pitfalls associated with buying real estate without an agent.
First of all, you should know that it is customary in North Carolina for the services of a buyer specialist to be free. All fees for your agent’s services are paid by the seller, so working with a professional during your home search won’t cost you a thing.
Without an agent, you miss out on important benefits and could end up paying more for a home than you would under professional guidance. Agents provide a number of crucial services on your behalf, like negotiating, searching for comparable properties, and much more.
Agents will also be able to give you insight into what is customary for real estate deals in our area. For example, did you know that sellers in our state traditionally shoulder the expense of tax revenue stamps, which are 0.02% of the purchase price?
"An agent’s role is to help you understand, navigate, and win your transaction."<br />
<br />
Buyers without an agent looking out for their best interests may be unaware of such details and find themselves left paying for more than what they would otherwise be expected to. There are a lot of moving parts in any real estate transaction. Do you really want to tackle extensive paperwork, interpret inspection reports, and handle complex negotiations on your own? An agent’s role is to help you understand, navigate, and win your transaction.
Experienced agents know how to take their clients from contract to close so that they can achieve their real estate goals smoothly and successfully.
Of course, an agent isn’t the only professional with whom you should partner during your transaction. Working with a qualified lender will also be key. When you work with A. Cole Realty, we will be more than happy to refer you to one of our preferred lending professionals. You deserve the best and we want to deliver you an ideal home buying experience.
If you’re thinking of buying a home, please reach out to us. Give us a call, send us an email, or text “LISTING” to 555888.
And, as always, if you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to get in touch. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
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Learn More: 'https://www.acolerealty.com/blog/working-without-an-agent-could-sink-your-chances-of-home-buying-success/'
Looking to buy a home?
'https://www.acolerealty.com/property-search/search-form/'
Looking to sell a home?
'https://www.acolerealty.com/sellers/free-market-analysis/'
ABOUT:
A Cole Realty
6531 Creedmoor Road Suite 207
Raleigh, NC 27613
O: (919) 578-3128
M: (919) 538-6477
clientservices@acolerealty.com",
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// ]]>2018-08-30T10:55:00-07:002023-10-16T20:42:17-07:00Angie Coletag:acolerealty.com,2012-09-20:3521Year-Over-Year Market Analysis: June 2017 vs. June 2018
We’ve finally gathered all the data together for this market update, in which we’ll discuss the year-over-year changes to the market from June 2017 to June 2018.
<a href="https://www.acolerealty.com/sellers/free-market-analysis/">Get Your Home Value</a>
<a href="https://www.acolerealty.com/property-search/search-form/">Search All Raleigh Homes</a>
We’re well into August by now, but it does take a little while to accumulate all of the data from previous months. In today’s market report, we’ve finally gathered that data together to present to you, and we’ll be comparing June 2018 to June 2017.
Last month, I spoke about our 44-consecutive-month streak of low inventory, where our inventory levels were decreasing. Well, we broke that streak this past May, but now we’re once again seeing a decrease. Compared to June of last year, June 2018’s inventory levels were down. New construction levels are up, but our resale levels are stagnant.
What does this mean with regards to showings? Well, our number of showings have decreased markedly since last year, falling by 17%. The reason behind this is that the data collected on showings are for resale homes, whereas with new construction, a lot of people are zipping through model homes. We don’t necessarily have the data to track the number of people coming in, since showings are scheduled with the Showing Time Service, which only follows resale homes.
"Text the word “LISTING” to 555888 and you’ll get an estimation of your home’s potential listing value."<br />
<br />
Pending sales are actually up by 2% from last year. However, closed sales are down by 3%. Our days on market has remained stagnant, with no major changes over June 2017—last year, we were at 39 days, and we’re now at 40 days.
The average sales price for the Triangle is now at $325,000, which is huge. Last year, our team’s average sales price was $295,000, and the market average was $275,000, so that is a massive jump. Of course, that can be explained by our low levels of inventory, factoring in supply and demand. When we have low inventory, we’ll naturally see an appreciation in the market.
If you’d like more inventory on the Triangle and surrounding markets, feel free to reach out to us. We would love to give you more information and feedback.
If you’re interested in selling your home, you can get an idea of where we’d list your home at with just a simple text: if you have a smartphone, just text the word “LISTING” to 555888 and you’ll get an estimation of your home’s potential listing value. We hope to hear from you soon.
2018-08-15T09:46:00-07:002018-08-16T09:50:06-07:00Angie Coletag:acolerealty.com,2012-09-20:3351Inventory Is Up for the First Time in 44 Months
A lot has changed in our market lately. Today I’d like to demonstrate this by showing you how statistics from this May stack up to those from last year.
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It’s time for a look back at how our Triangle area real estate market performed this May.
If you’ve tuned in for our previous market updates, you know that we like to compare the statistics on a year-over-year basis. And today we’re excited to report that this May marked the first time in the past 44 consecutive months that inventory levels have experienced year-over-year growth.
The increase in inventory between May of 2017 and May of this year was small, but this still marks a significant change for our market.
Moving on, pending sales are also up, having risen 5% since this time last year. And, despite the increase in inventory, the average price point is also up by 3%. This means it’s still a great time to sell, even though current buyers also have an amazing opportunity to succeed in our market.
"It’s still a great time to sell, even though buyers now also have an amazing opportunity to succeed in our market."<br />
<br />
Another area of growth we’ve seen is in the number of closed sales, which has risen 1% since last year. The average time listings spend on the market has also seen an increase, moving from an average of 36 days on market in May of last year to an average of 39 days on market in May of 2018. In other words, homes are selling at a slightly slower pace than what was previously the case. This is due, in part, to the new construction projects taking place in our area lately.
Still, as we mentioned before, these changes do not mean sellers have missed their chance. This May, 34% of listings sold above asking price.
So if you’re thinking of buying or selling a home, our team would love to be a resource to you. You can visit our website <a href="http://www.acolerealty.com/" target="_blank">www.AColeRealty.com</a> to learn more.
And if you would like to get an idea of what you could sell your home for, feel free to text the word “Listing” to 555888 for information about your home’s value.
As always, feel free to give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
2018-07-17T12:57:00-07:002018-07-18T09:54:02-07:00Angie Coletag:acolerealty.com,2012-09-20:3321The Pros and Cons of Buying New Construction
Here are a few things to keep in mind if you’re set on buying a new construction home.
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When considering buying new construction, there are certain pros and cons you need to weigh before deciding if this option is best for you.
As far as pros go, new construction homes are brand new and have never been lived in. And if you buy the home at the beginning of the neighborhood’s development, it will also see some appreciation. Additionally, there are some wonderful builder warranties you can take advantage of.
As for the cons, you might have to deal with future construction going on, which means you might be woken up at 7 a.m. some Saturday morning to the sound of a hammer being pounded. Also, if you don’t buy into a wonderful neighborhood, the home could depreciate. That’s a risk you take with buying a home in general, though.
If you’re set on buying a new construction home, my first piece of advice is to focus on neighborhoods as well as the homes themselves. When homes are being sent to you during your home search, it’s easy to get caught up in their details. But what if you come across a home you love only to find out that you don’t love the surrounding neighborhood?
During your home search, focus on the neighborhoods first, then focus on the home’s lot, and then focus on the floor plan and other specifications and upgrades.
"Work with an agent who can walk you through the steps of buying new construction."<br />
<br />
Also, don’t forget to ask which warranties go with the home. As I said, the builder warranties of new construction homes are wonderful. Most builders will offer a one-year workmanship home warranty starting from the time you close on the home. Others will extend beyond that and offer a two-year, five-year, or even 10-year structural warranty.
I also want to reiterate the benefits of appreciation. When buying a new construction home during the beginning of the neighborhood, you’ll see that home’s value increase because most builders will add on to the base price or add lot premiums as they continue to build and sell quickly.
You can expect the new construction home buying process to be a little lengthy, and you’ll likely deal with a lot of one-on-one meetings and walk-throughs, so make sure you work with an agent who can watch out for your best interests and walk you through all of the steps. I worked as a new home construction agent for three-and-a-half years before I switched over to a general brokerage, and many of my team members have also worked in new construction, so we have a lot of experience with this process.
If you’d like to know more about buying new construction or you have any other real estate needs I can assist you with, don’t hesitate to give me a call, send me an email, or just text “LISTING” to 555888. I’d love to speak with you.
2018-07-11T11:35:00-07:002018-07-12T14:18:48-07:00Angie Coletag:acolerealty.com,2012-09-20:3266Safeguard Your Home With These 5 Tips
Today I’d like to share five tips on keeping your home safe and secure.
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Do you know the key to keeping your home safe from predators? Today I’d like to highlight five important safety tips:
1. Maintain your doors and locks. Check and make sure that all hardware is working and in place. Loose doorknobs or locks could pose a security threat.
2. Secure your windows. Go around your home and make sure each window can be securely locked or latched. The same goes for glass doors. Placing a steel rod or wooden stick in the slot next to a sliding door can add extra protection.
3. Install safety lighting. Outdoor lighting should be kept on, especially at night. The cover of darkness could make it easier for intruders to lurk through your yard.
"Loose doorknobs or locks could pose a security threat."<br />
<br />
4. Be aware of your belongings. Especially if you have your home listed on the market, it’s important not to leave jewelry or anything out or in clear view.
5. Be mindful of spare keys. Be careful who you give spare keys or codes to. Also, make sure you aren’t hiding spare keys anywhere conspicuous.
If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
2018-06-26T12:45:00-07:002018-06-29T14:58:40-07:00Angie Coletag:acolerealty.com,2012-09-20:3183The Latest Real Estate Market News and Statistics
The numbers from May aren’t in yet, but we took a look at the April 2018 real estate market stats and compared them to April 2017. Here’s what we saw.
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Today I’ve got a market update for Durham, Wake County, Johnson County, and Orange County. We took a look at the numbers for April 2018 and compared them to the numbers from April 2017 to give you an idea of what direction our market is trending in. We’re still compiling data for May 2018, so keep an eye out for those numbers at a later date.<br /><br />As far as inventory levels go, supply continues to be super low. It was down by 2% from this time last year, and resale is down by 18%. On the flip side, new construction is up by 26% from April 2017 to April 2018. When you’re driving around, you’re probably seeing a lot of cleared land and bulldozers because we have a lot of builders building in our market right now.
"There are a lot of home builders building in our market right now."<br />
<br /> <br />As far as pending and closed sales are concerned, both are up by 4% from April 2017. Our average price point was at $318,200 at the end of April, up from around $275,000 average from last year. <br /><br />Our data is also showing us that 31% of the homes that were listed in April were selling above their asking price. This leads me to assume that a lot of multiple offer situations were taking place. In addition, 68% of the resale homes that hit the market in April went under contract or closed in the same month. Those are crazy, crazy numbers, so if you’re thinking about selling your home, now is the perfect time.<br /><br />Our average days on market has risen slightly to 44 days, but I believe there is a specific reason behind this. Any time new construction homes hit the market, those days on market always stay at 0. <br /><br />That’s your market update for April 2018. If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home any time in the near future, give us a call or send us an email. We would love to hear from you.<br /><br />2018-06-06T12:07:00-07:002018-06-06T13:21:12-07:00Angie Coletag:acolerealty.com,2012-09-20:30514 Surprising Things That Might Make Your Home More Valuable
There are four interesting factors about a home that could potentially increase its value.
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Today I want to present you with four fun facts that might increase the value of your home. Everyone wants top dollar for their home, so if these four items align with your home, you could make a little more money when it comes time to sell.
1. How close are you to a Starbucks? Homes located within a quarter-mile radius of a Starbucks increased in value by 96% between 1997 and 2014, according to a Zillow report.
2. Blue kitchens and bathrooms. Homes with blue kitchen walls will, on average, sell for about $1,800 more than homes with a white kitchen.
3. Trendy features. For example, homes with barn doors or farmhouse sinks will get 13.4% more on average than than homes that don’t have those trendy features. Additionally, shiplap accent walls are another popular feature that could add value to your home.
4. How close are you to the city? A median average home in the city will often sell for about 35% more than the average home in the suburbs. Being closer to the city will drive up price points.
"Homes with barn doors or farmhouse sinks will get 13.4% more on average than homes that don’t have those trendy features."
If you’re thinking about selling your home, we have a really neat feature that we’d like to share with you. You can text the word “LISTING” to the number 555888 to find out the value of your home. There will be a link sent back to you. Click on that link and go through the steps; you will have to enter your email address and your home address. From there, a value will be sent back to you.
Remember, this is an automated feature, so it’s not always exact. If you would like an exact value, my team and I would love to speak with you further and give you a better understanding of your home value.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us. We would love to be your real estate agency of choice.
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A Cole Realty
6531 Creedmoor Road Suite 207
Raleigh, NC 27613
O: (919) 578-3128
M: (919) 538-6477
clientservices@acolerealty.com",
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// ]]>2018-04-23T12:54:00-07:002023-10-16T16:07:38-07:00Angie Coletag:acolerealty.com,2012-09-20:2895Is Looking at Homes Online Enough?
Visiting a home in person is a much different experience than seeing a listing online.
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About 99% of buyers begin their home search online, and I believe this is a great way to get started. However, it’s important to remember that looking online can be a little different from looking at homes in person.
When you’re looking online, don’t trust that the rooms in a home are as large as they appear. Oftentimes, the professional <a href="http://boudoirwilmington.com/" title="professional photography">photographers</a> who took the pictures you’re seeing have used wide-angle lenses. It’s their job to make the home look great. So, visiting the home in person may give you a different impression from your perception of the home's online listing. Of course, you can always check out the MLS database to find room dimensions for the home.
Next, a home may also not be as clean as it appears online. When you’re scrolling through pictures, keep in mind that they have been designed to make the home look perfect. When you enter a home in person, there are a lot of little details that might not appear in photographs. Don’t be fooled by beautiful pictures.
"Don’t be fooled by beautiful pictures."
Also, there is no way to tell how a home smells by looking at it online. I’ve unfortunately come across a few listings that have had a strong, unpleasant odor. Of course, this isn’t something you can detect until you actually enter the home.
Finally, visiting a home in person is the most accurate way to get a feel for the neighborhood. If you’re thinking of buying in a particular location, I highly recommend visiting the area several times. I also recommend visiting at several different times of the day. What you will experience during these visits is something no online listing can replicate.
If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
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Learn more: https://www.acolerealty.com/blog/is-looking-at-homes-online-enough/
Looking to buy a home?
https://www.acolerealty.com/property-search/search-form/
Looking to sell a home?
https://www.acolerealty.com/sellers/free-market-analysis/
ABOUT:
A Cole Realty
6531 Creedmoor Road Suite 207
Raleigh, NC 27613
O: (919) 578-3128
M: (919) 538-6477
clientservices@acolerealty.com",
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// ]]>2018-04-03T07:55:00-07:002023-10-16T15:52:14-07:00Angie Coletag:acolerealty.com,2012-09-20:2791The 5 Things You Will Need to Buy a Home in 2018
There are five things you will need if you plan on buying a home in 2018.
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What are the five things you need if you’re buying a home soon?
1. A pre-qualification or proofs of funds. A proof of funds means you’re paying cash, but if you’re getting financing, you need to speak with a mortgage lender now to make sure you’re searching for homes within a reasonable price range and you’re comfortable with the mortgage payments. The only way to know this is by getting pre-qualified. If you find the home of your dreams, a proof of funds or a pre-qualification is a requirement.
2. The means for earnest or due diligence money. In North Carolina, due diligence money is given immediately. That money is at risk, so if you decide to back out of the transaction for any reason, the seller will keep it. Earnest money is at risk after due diligence expires. Due diligence money plus earnest money usually equals about 1% of the total purchase price, but that’s something that can be negotiated. These monies are at risk should you decide to back out, but you’re buying time to take the home off the market and do your due diligence.
3. Money for a down payment. Some loans offer 100% financing, but most require you to pay some percentage of the sale price. We’d be glad to connect you to one of our preferred lenders to see which loan option makes the most sense for you.
"Having these five things beforehand will help your home buying process go smoothly."<br />
<br />
4. Money for closing costs. Closing costs can consist of prorated taxes and insurance, attorney fees, lender fees, HOA dues, etc. They can range anywhere from 1% to 4%, depending on the price of the home you’re purchasing. Once again, your lender can give you a good-faith estimate and pinpoint what you can expect your closing costs to be. We’re in a strong seller’s market, so sometimes we can negotiate for the seller to pay the closing costs, but this isn’t always promised.
5. Money for your home inspections. Even though in North Carolina your purchase contract states that you will buy the home as-is, it’s understood that the sellers will be reasonable and we’ll be able to negotiate repairs for the home. Even if you’re buying a home as-is, you still want to protect yourself and order one or more inspections—meaning a home inspection, pest inspection, termite inspection, radon inspection, etc. These inspections will help you understand the home you’re buying.
If you have any more home buying questions or you need an agent to help you buy a home this year, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I’d love to help you.
2018-03-21T09:59:00-07:002018-06-13T07:43:13-07:00Angie Cole