Pride of ownership inside and out - everything has been done for you, except the move! Neocolonial style home with covered front porch and dentil molding. Lush landscaping plus plenty of grounds and path lighting, including motion security and entry focus lighting. Mature pines and shrubs, fenced yard, plus invisible dog fencing in back. Home security system includes panel in master bedroom. Pristine gated deck with built-in seating. Bright and cheerful red front door & glass storm door to foyer. Handsome refinished hardwood floors throughout main level. New paint with stylish and urbane color palette from top to bottom. Newer lighting and top-of-the-line ceiling fans in every room. Nine-foot ceilings and dentil crown molding throughout main level. Study with French glass doors, glass doorknobs, chair and dentil molding & ceiling fan. Kitchen perfectly made over: new granite counters, refaced cabinetry, bead-board accents and backsplash, and large, stainless utilitarian sink. First-class stainless Kitchen-Aid gas range and convection oven with warming drawer and convection microwave vent hood. Stainless Kitchen-Aid dishwasher. Pull-out cabinetry, recessed and switched under-cabinet lighting. Huge double-door pantry! Breakfast nook with custom natural fiber shades, built-in desk with lots of practical storage, and glass door to deck. Family room with built-ins, chair-rail molding, and cozy gas-log fireplace with brick hearth. Atrium doors to back deck. Formal dining room with picture-frame wainscoting, chair-rail molding, and brand-new chandelier. Powder room with bead-board wainscoting and new lighting. Oversized, finished double garage with storage shelving and cabinet. Upstairs, new carpet with plush, thick padding. Sizable master bedroom with his-and-her double-hung closets. Master bath with separate shower and relaxing jetted tub, double vanity, new faucets and matching hardware, tons of storage and water closet. Walk-in closets and ceiling fans in bedrooms two and three. Locking medicine cabinet, new faucets and matching hardware plus silent fan in guest bathroom. New utility sink and vanity in utility room. Ample bonus room with under-eave closets, and window seats with built-in lidded storage. Third-floor pre-wired, 560 square foot unfinished walk-up attic with three gable dormer windows and lots of light, ready for your imagination - an easy finish!

Are you ready to move? This home is ready for you! Brand new carpet and vinyl throughout; freshly painted from top to bottom! Rocking chair front porch and front door with sidelights. Living room with ceiling fan and mantle lighting. Cultured marble hearth and wood mantle with dentil molding around gas-log fireplace. Atrium doors to ample deck & backyard. Breakfast nook with chandelier and lots of natural light. Kitchen with center island, brand new electric range, oak hardwood cabinetry with lots of storage + lazy susan; double stainless sink and newer faux granite Formica countertops. Formal dining room. Powder room. Master bedroom with ceiling fan and double-hung walk-in closet. Master bath with dual vanity, separate shower and soaking tub. Tons of storage in large bedroom closets, plus two linen closets. Other features include insulated, secure storage closet off deck; programmable thermostat; crown and toe molding throughout; newer blinds throughout. Convenient side porch and plenty of parking in concrete driveway. Neatly landscaped. Great cul-de-sac location!

Fall in love with the wide-plank wood floors, four fireplaces, multiple built-ins, or 12" toe molding. Appealing updates include recessed and track lighting, ceiling fans, new paint, & wonderfully repurposed storage. Covered front porch with wood accent doors. Old-style enclosed foyer. Living room with fireplace and built ins. Double French doors to Library/Den with bookshelves and cabinetry, fireplace with brick hearth and wood mantle. Enormous formal dining room with built-in sideboard and glass upper storage cabinetry, butler's pantry with lighting, and fireplace with brick/concrete hearth and wood mantle. Powder room. Kitchen with huge pantry closet, wood countertops, recessed lighting, and newer range and dishwasher. Double stainless Franke sink with gooseneck faucet, glass upper cabinet doors, single French door to deck and delightfully creative built-ins. Baths off both bedrooms. Second bedroom with fireplace and double-hung closet. Master bedroom with single French door to deck, ceiling fan, and munitioned accent window. Master Bath with claw-foot tub and separate shower, and custom dresser vanity. Huge fenced yard with picnic gazebo. Tempting back deck with pergola. Off-street parking, lots of ceiling fans, and most lights on dimmers. Captivating, warm and all-over adorable! A must-see!

There is no end to the tender loving care in this upscale family home! Genteel entry with fanlight and sidelight windows to two-story foyer with large dramatic chandelier. Formal living room or study with bay window. Formal dining with chair molding and elegant chandelier. Light, bright, and uplifting family room with warm oak built-ins and mantle around a clean and efficient gas fireplace. Resplendent two-story windows fill the family room with daylong ancillary light. Cook's kitchen with attractive tiled backsplash, plenty of recessed lighting and miles of solid-surface countertop space plus convenient integrated sink. Lots of storage behind raised-panel cabinet doors and substantial pantry closet. Breakfast bar opens to morning room with floor-to-ceiling windows and single French door to deck. Retreat to the hushed, ample master bedroom with deep tray ceiling and 2" blinds. Single French door to master bath with his-and-her dual vanity, jetted tub and separate shower with tiled surround and bench seat. Huge double-hung walk-in master closet. Also on the main level is a second bedroom, conveniently located next to the full guest bath. Upstairs are two more bedrooms and a full bath, plus a 360-square-foot bonus room ready for your inspiration! Outside, the immaculate landscaping reflects a tidy, classic brick facade with keystone accents over double-hung insulated windows. Other details include: handsome hardwood flooring throughout main level; open floorplan; heavy molding throughout; laundry room; utility sink in oversized double garage; security system; half-moon transom windows; large deck overlooking green backyard; professionally landscaped; and a wonderful, quiet location! Impeccable attention to detail inside and out!

Here is the home of a lifetime! Custom-built, with no detail overlooked. Inspired luxury with stunning 2-story wrought iron double-door entry with etched glass, formal curved staircase with wrought-iron rail, handsome Brazilian Cherry hardwoods, coffered and tray ceilings, and 5 fireplaces. Professional cook's kitchen with Thermador appliances, baker's/appliance pantry, and center island with prep sink. Steam shower. Blissful spa master baths! Wood-paneled elevator access to all levels. Fully finished basement with second master suite, second kitchen, workout room, and home theater. Located on the 12th Hole of Wakefield's Hale Irwin Golf Course, a home place to live, love, laugh and grow!

Here in the parts of the Triangle – according to the Triangle Multiple Listing Service, while home listings and closed sales have decreased, home prices have actually increased. Yes, I said increased. Data from across the Triangle shows that both median and average sales prices have risen for April in year over year data – 0.2 and 0.6 percent respectively.

- courtesy of wral.com

According to the Triangle Race for the Cure, 75 percent of the funds raised through events like the Race for the Cure go to funding grants in the group's 20 county service area at local hospitals and community organizations. They provide breast health education along with breast cancer screening and treatment programs for medically under-served women in our community. The remaining 25 percent supports the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Award and Research Grant Program, which funds groundbreaking breast cancer research at the national level.

 - courtesy of wral.com

Mortgage interest rates change constantly, daily, even hourly. If you speak to a lender and are quoted a specific interest rate, that's not to say you'll necessarily get that rate when you close on your loan. Not unless you formally lock-in that rate with the lender. Locking in an interest rate will guarantee you get your loan with a particular interest rate. Lenders will allow you to lock in for 15, 45 or 60 days. But the longer you lock in, the more expensive it will be, since it's more of a risk to lenders.

-Courtesy of Yahoo Real Estate

Be More Objective. Pace Realty provide objectivity. Since a home often symbolizes family, rest, and security, not just four walls and a roof, home selling is often a very emotional undertaking. For most people, selling a home is one of the biggest financial transactions they’ll ever undertake. Having a concerned, but objective, third party helps you stay focused on both the business and emotional issues most important to you.

Make a Better Profit. Not only does Pace Realty help you price your home appropriately, but we leverage our years of experience for you when negotiating an offer with a potential buyer.

Article courtesy of Trulia.com

Pace Realty Group will help you find your perfect and affordable home. Feel free to give us a call!

-Article courtesy of Yahoo Real Estate

Even if housing prices don't continue to increase at the torrid pace seen in recent years in many areas, buying a home can be a good financial investment. Making mortgage payments forces you to save, and after 15 to 30 years you will own a substantial asset that can be converted into cash to help fund retirement or a child's education. There are also tax benefits.

Like many other investments, however, real estate prices can fluctuate considerably. If you aren't ready to settle down in one spot for a few years, you probably should defer buying a home until you are. If you are ready to take the plunge, you'll need to determine how much you can spend and where you want to live.

Pace Realty Group specializes in helping first time home buyers find their perfect home. As always feel free to call us if you have any questions about buying or selling your home.

- Article courtesy of Yahoo Real Estate

Home ownership has a significant impact on net worth, educational achievement, civic participation, health, and overall quality of life. And, home ownership helps create jobs—lots of them—right here at home.

Owning your own home is not only beneficial to you; it also helps create jobs and stimulate the economy.

Home Ownership matters…to people, to communities, and to America. Why?

For every two homes sold, one job is created in the U.S. each purchase generates as much as $60,000 in economic activity over time.

-Article courtesy of Realtor.com

Fantastic Brick Duplex in Great Raleigh Location! Wonderfully Maintained Units. One Unit with Long Term Tenant and Brand New HVAC. Within Walking Distance to Shopping and Grocery!

Signs That You're Ready to Buy

Six tips that tell you it's time

By Michele Dawson

Figuring out whether you're ready to buy a house -- whether you're a renter or are aiming to move up or size down -- can be a daunting task. But there are signs that will indicate whether you're ready to take the buying plunge.

If you are thinking about buying, you're not alone. So are you ready to make the move? You might be if you:

1. Are familiar with the market. If you've been paying attention to how much houses are listed for in the neighborhoods you're eyeing and have a realistic view of how much a house will cost you, you're in good shape. But if you're dreaming about that big corner house with no clue about it's asking price, you may want to spend some more time becoming familiar with the market and how much houses are going for.

2. Have the money for a down payment and closing costs. The down payment is a percentage of the value of the property. Freddie Mac says the percentage will be determined by the type of mortgage you select. Down payments usually range from 3 to 20 percent of the property value. Also, you may be required to have Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI or MI) if your down payment is less than 20 percent. Closing costs include points, taxes, title insurance, financing costs and items that must be prepaid or escrowed and other settlement costs. You can expect to pay between from 2 to 7 percent of the property value. Generally, buyers will receive an estimate of these costs from your lender after you apply for a mortgage.

3. Know how much you can afford. Freddie Mac says that as a general guide, your monthly mortgage payment should be less than or equal to a percentage of your income, usually about a quarter of your gross monthly income. Also, your income, debt and credit history go into determining how much you can borrow. As a general rule, your debt -credit card bills, car loans, housing expenses, alimony and child support -- should not be more than about 30 to 40 percent of your gross income.

4. Know what additional expenses will come with owning a home. This includes homeowners insurance, utility bills, maintenance costs -- roofing, plumbing, heating and cooling.

5. Have your credit in good shape and make sure your credit report is accurate. Potential lenders will view your credit history -- how much debt you've accrued, how many accounts you have open, whether your payments are made on time, etc. -- to determine whether they'll give you a loan. You should get a report from each of the three credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union.

6. You haven't made any recent major purchases, particularly a vehicle. If you do, you may have a harder time getting a loan -- or it could potentially lower the amount you'll be approved for.

Copyright © by Realty Times.

Mortgages under 5% are back in bloom

With one of the key measures below the benchmark for the second week in a row, would-be home buyers face the best rates since the spring.

By Julianne Pepitone, CNNMoney.com staff reporter

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- The possibility of securing a mortgage rate below 5% has greatly improved in recent weeks, in a positive sign for would-be home buyers.

Home mortgage rates fell for the sixth straight week, according to two key measures, with one of them pointing to a sub-5% rate for the 30-year fixed loan for the second week in a row.

Freddie Mac's (FRE, Fortune 500) weekly report said the 30-year rate slipped to 4.87% for the week ended Thursday, the lowest since May. According to the mortgage backer, last week's rates stood at 4.94%.

Mortgage tracker Bankrate.com said the average 30-year fixed loan slipped to 5.22% from 5.25% the previous week. The 15-year fixed rate also fell, Bankrate said, to 4.6% from 4.64% the week before.

The 30-year rate is influenced by the benchmark 10-year note's yield, which moves in the opposite direction of its price. Treasury prices have risen over the past week as $78 billion worth of auctions received above-average demand.

"Another disappointing employment report had investors questioning the strength and sustainability of the economic rebound," the Bankrate report said. "The resulting uncertainty drove investors into the safety of government and mortgage-backed bonds."

"Not even a substantial auction of government debt has been enough to derail the streak of declining mortgage rates," the Bankrate report said.

Rates are returning to levels not seen since the spring when, in an effort to cap mortgage rates, the Federal Reserve began a campaign to buy back $300 billion in Treasurys. The Fed hoped that it would spark demand and keep yields -- and therefore, mortgage rates -- in check.

Mortgage rates fell as refinancings abounded. But those benefits seemed to wear off, as rates started on a tear in the summer. By June, the benchmark 10-year bond's yield had increased steadily to hover around 4%.

Now the central bank has less than $15 billion left to spend on its buyback program, which led some investors to worry that yields would soar again. So far, that's not the case.

On Wednesday, reports said Democratic congressional leaders were working to extend a $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers past the Nov. 30 expiration date and could even make it available to current homeowners who buy a new house.

Homeowners have received a boost from both the tax credit and the lower rates -- last year, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.2%, according to Bankrate.

To translate the difference in mortgage rate into dollars, consider a $200,000 loan. At last year's rate of 6.2%, the monthly payment would be $1,224.94, or $124 higher than the monthly payment at the current rate.

The low rates helped mortgage applications surge by 16.4% last week, according to a separate report.

Want Top Dollar from Your Home Sale?

Turn to Your Appraiser for Advice

By Broderick Perkins

Want to get top dollar when you sell your home?

Listen to what professional appraisers say.

Their job is to determine the true market value of homes so they know what makes a property sell for the greatest amount and can tell you how to best ready your home for market now and later.

"A few years ago, houses were selling quickly with little effort. Now many homeowners actually have to make improvements before they can sell their home," said appraiser Mike Evans, a Fellow of the American Society of Appraisers (ASA).

In the term, cosmetic touch-ups can help a home sell a faster. They include:

• Updating the paint and carpeting. A fresh coat of paint (preferably white) inside and out and new floor covering give the home the look and smell of "new." With the facelift treatment, gone are the wrinkles of cracking paint, the sags of aging wallpaper and the dark age spots of stains and spills. When in doubt, nothing works better than a fresh coat of white paint.
• Heighten the curb appeal. How you home looks upon approach is its first impression. The idea is to make that first impression one that invites visitors inside for a longer look. At least work on the front yard, the backyard can wait, if necessary. Improve the landscaping, fix cracks and stains in the driveway and remove extraneous clutter.
• Clean house. Cleaning house means mop, pail and elbow grease action, but also clearing clutter. Put stuff in storage if that's what it takes to rid your home and garage of that unorganized look. Less is more when it comes to the appearance of larger looking rooms.

If you won't sell your home for some time, but know that possibility looms, do the right improvement things, including:

• Adding square footage. Appraisers say an addition provides more returned value to your home than most other improvements. While that doesn't necessarily mean the buyer will pay the cost of the work in terms of a higher price, you likely will attract more buyers.
• Build out your garage. All that clutter you cleared? The new buyer will want to put his or her junk right back in there. Buyers also want a comfy room for their cars. Add, expand or improve your garage and you'll also increase the value of your home.
• Think before you sink money into a pool. You may love the idea of having a pool, but a young family with small kids may see it as a potentially fatal accident waiting to happen. Other buyers don't want the upkeep and costs that come with a pool. A pool will limit your buyers pool to only those who want a pool.
• When you buy, think location. The best locations sell faster. Proximity to good schools, jobs, shopping and attractions and away from crime, heavy traffic, business, commercial or industrial locations helps homes sell faster and for more. Buy a home in a good location. Then you'll have a home to sell in a good location. Location rules.

"It pays to plan to make home improvement decisions strategically if you may be selling a home in the next few years. Think in terms of increasing the value of your home and not just about design and decor," said Evans.

Making Your Money Work for You

Buying houses just one way to invest in real estate

By M. Anthony Carr

Most correspondence I receive inquiring about how to start investing in real estate start with the foreclosure. It's quite simply the easiest real estate investment strategy to figure -- buy low, sell high or buy low, rent high.

Everyone generally understands that as a real estate investor, the concept is to let someone else's rent payments pay for your mortgage and to hopefully come out with a positive cash flow at the end of the month.

There are plenty of ways to get started in real estate investing, and here are some one-line descriptions of how to do it and with the pros and cons listed.

Foreclosures
How it works: Purchase the property at a courthouse auction -- hopefully for less than it's worth. Fix it up, sell it or rent it out.

Pros: This is a common sense approach to getting started in real estate investing. If you can get the property for a wholesale price and then rent it out for less than your mortgage, you're on your way to building wealth one month at a time.

Cons: You get into the property and find out it has major problems costing a lot more than you'll ever recover. Ever heard of concrete being flushed down the drain (usually out of spite from the former owner)? It means having to remove all the sewage drains. Hidden defects can run costs up and give you a red ink bath before it's done. Since the bank/note holder is selling the property as is, there's not much recourse.

Fixer-upper
How it works: Purchase a property that needs major repairs. This is not a property that just needs paint and carpet. This type of property usually has rot, flooring, roofing, basement and just overall problems. But that's what makes it so enticing.

Pros: For investors with their repair ducks lined up in a row, this can be a good money maker. The key here is to hammer on the seller early in the negotiating process. Get the house for as low as possible and know what your bottom line really is.

Cons: For those wanting to flip the property, if you can't make $30,000 -- $50,000 on the projected profit, then you may want to pass. Why? An unseen defect can run into the tens of thousands of dollars really quickly.

Retail investment
How it works: Keep your eye open for under-priced properties in an area where rentals are brisk. This would be a house that really does just need paint and new carpet. Be sure you know what the rents are before going into the property. You want a positive cash flow before you even walk into the property.

Pros: A house that is in good shape can rent for years without any major expenses if it was taken care of early on.

Cons: Good rental properties (say, in a college town or near a military base) don't come on the market often, so you could be waiting a while before you find one. (Experienced investors usually scoop these up before the novices even know it's on the market.)

Paper real estate
How it works: This one is where you invest in the mortgages of real estate instead of the real estate itself -- financing second trusts, purchasing mortgages at a discount, wraparound mortgages, etc.

Pros: For those who have cash, this one can give major returns on your money. For example, if you can pick up a $20,000 note at 12 percent for $15,000, your return on the note jumps to 16 percent. This is not going to fluctuate like the stock market is sure to do.

Cons: Your mortgagee (the borrower) could skip town, leaving you to foreclose -- right behind the first-trust note holder who usually gets paid first in a foreclosure.

These are just a few of the ways you can get started in real estate investing. For more education, find a good agent to start working with who can show you the ropes and help you avoid the pitfalls.

http://tracirowe.blogspot.com/2010/08/can-large-female-please-sing-for-me.html