Life In Wake Forest NC.....

The Standard Commission Rate to Sell Your Home Is......

This could be a very simple post - I could easily say "There isn't one!" and be done with it.  However, I have noticed lately that there still seems to be the misconception among the general public that there is a set commission that a Real Estate agent (whether Realtor® or not) charges to sell your home.  There simply isn't which leads to another question....

What are discount brokers?  Again, a simple answer - I have never met one. 

There are, however, two different types of Real Estate companies.  Traditional (Full Service as some like to call
themselves) and Limited Service (a more a la carte type menu of services)

Traditional Firms: 

•·     Market your property to the fullest within the guidelines set forth by their respective company.  Such advertising MAY include listing your property in the Multiple Listing Service, Open Houses, internet based advertising, interior and/or exterior flyers for your home, local newspaper ads, email advertising, etc. 

•·     Full representation* when negotiating contracts, preparing paperwork, working on behalf of the seller, coordinating details of closing such as inspections, appraisals, closing, etc.

•·     Marketing materials such as yard signs, websites, etc.

•·     Lockbox for your home

•·     Some MAY include appointment setting services for showings of your home

By no means is the above list a TOTAL representation of what a Real Estate agent can do for you.  It is merely presented to show the difference between the types of companies that are available. Limited Services Firms:

These firms will generally offer services as "add-ons" to help you to sell your home.  They may ask for a fee up front (or may not) and offer you services for individual fees such as:

•·     Multiple Listing Service

•·     Flyers

•·     Representation

•·     Contract Negotiations

•·     Coordinating Closing

•·     Advertising (multiple avenues)

When selling your home there are numerous models available to choose from and one is not better than the other depending on a seller's precise situation.  Each scenario garners a unique approach.  So, while you may have heard that Real Estate agents charge X% to sell your home - it is simply not true. 

So, if the end result is ultimately the same - GET YOUR HOUSE SOLD - then the burden rests with the consumer to do their homework and interview many Real Estate agents before trusting one of their biggest transactions to another.  Interview Real Estate agents from both fields - Limited Service and Full Service - choose the agent with whom you are comfortable and feel you can trust, confide in and will serve your best interests.  Again, each seller is different, each Real Estate firm is different.  This is a service based field - as with any other service oriented company there is a broad range of prices for services to pay as well as services offered.

One analogy that comes to mind is servicing my car.  I can take my car to the dealer to have services performed.  When I leave my car has been washed, I have a flower on my dashboard, the car has been vacuumed and I have had free doughnuts and coffee while waiting.  That's if I chose to wait or I could be shuttled to where I need to go until my car is done.  OR I can take my car to the local mechanic who I trust and have the same work done by someone that I know and have confidence in.  No flower, no coffee and doughnuts, no car wash and vacuum.  The same quality work was performed, the same diagnostics were done and I was somewhere that they knew me, cared about me and my circumstances and I was comfortable.  You can put all the frills on a service but that doesn't guarantee the quality or professionalism.I hope that you find this information helpful and should you have any questions regarding selling your home you can feel comfortable calling or emailing me any time - I love to answer questions about what I do!  And, remember, don't let anyone bully you into thinking that one is better than the other - it all depends on your situation.  It may come as a surprise to you after reading this post but I am a Full Service Firm.

 

 

 

 

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Welcome to Wake Forest NC!

Live, Love, Work and Play...

And the Surrounding Towns and Cities of Youngsville, Franklinton, Creedmoor, Raleigh, Oxford, Louisburg, Knightdale, Wendell, Garner, Cary, Apex & Holly Springs

Leesa Finley the "Wake Forest NC House Chick"

Circa Properties

919-649-6128

To Search for Homes for Sale in Wake Forest NC please visit
www.LeesaFinley.com

    

 

 

 

All content including design, code and any other material that is provided or is part of the site are copyrighted, unless stated otherwise. The copyright forbids you to reproduce or distribute any material anywhere on the Internet or offline (magazine articles, CD etc.) without a written permission and consent from me.

Blue Jay Point Park has a little bit for absolutely EVERYONE!  Between the lake, playgrounds, the baseball fields, soccer fields and trails it is simply a fantastic way to spend an afternoon!  My son is taking a field trip to Blue Jay Point Park this week with his school and I am so jealous - he will have a blast!   

Typically, we we go, we take advantage of the huge playground that is there but this time decided to explore some of the exhibits they have as well as some trails that we had never hiked before......AMAZING!  The Blue Jay Point Center is loaded with educational information about the Falls Lake Watershed, Recycling, the forest, insects, etc....Learned quite a bit about the region that I hadn't know before!  Just outside of the center is the park's garden.  It is loaded with fresh herbs, flowers and a pond filled with salamanders and other water insects.  It was truly beautiful!

Many of the trails are short but can join with others for longer hikes if you like.  They are all well planned and natural beauty is endless!  My favorite trail is the Laurel Loop Trail that has a spur off of it that leads you directly to the lake - breathtaking views!

I hope that you enjoy some of the photos I captured in the past - if you get the chance you should plan a whole day at the park.  In addition to the trails, nature center and playground they also have a softball field, soccer fields, picnic tables and grills - it is a great place to "be quiet" and enjoy some time outside....I know that we do!

 

 

 

 

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Welcome to Wake Forest NC!

Live, Love, Work and Play...

And the Surrounding Towns and Cities of Youngsville, Franklinton, Creedmoor, Raleigh, Oxford, Louisburg, Knightdale, Wendell, Garner, Cary, Apex & Holly Springs

Leesa Finley the "Wake Forest NC House Chick"

Circa Properties

919-649-6128

To Search for Homes for Sale in Wake Forest NC please visit
www.LeesaFinley.com

    

 

 

 

All content including design, code and any other material that is provided or is part of the site are copyrighted, unless stated otherwise. The copyright forbids you to reproduce or distribute any material anywhere on the Internet or offline (magazine articles, CD etc.) without a written permission and consent from me.

Wake Forest NC Community Calendar, Events and Things To Do - August 30 - September 5, 2010

Be sure to get out this week and enjoy this cooler weather we are FINALLY experiencing in Wake Forest NC!  There are some amazing destination shops in downtown historic Wake Forest NC, awesome restaurants and coffee shop and plenty to do to help you spend your day!  Below are some of the events and meetings taking place this coming week - be sure to check back for some late additions as things to do in Wake Forest NC are ALWAYS being added to the calendar!


Public Meeting: Wake Forest Bus Service
Tuesday, Aug 31; 5 – 7 pm
Wake Forest Town Hall, Ground Floor Meeting Room, 301 S. Brooks St.
Wake Forest area residents will have the opportunity to offer their input on the Town’s bus service during a public meeting. Town staff, along with officials from Capital Area Transit (CAT), will be available to discuss the bus service, including possible modifications to the current schedule. The public is encouraged to attend and offer their feedback regarding the changes and their overall satisfaction with the Town’s transit service. For more information, contact Engineering Director Eric Keravuori at (919) 435-9441.

Firing Range Training
Wednesday, Sept 1; 3 pm - 9 pm
Police Department Firing Range, behind Flaherty Park Community Center
Residents in the area are advised that the Wake Forest Police Department will conduct firing range training at the police department firing range, located behind the Flaherty Park Community Center. The firing range is utilized by Wake Forest Police officers who require instruction and practice in order to obtain current certification in the use of firearms. Tactical training sessions are also held at the firing range. www.wakeforestnc.gov/residents/police_firingrange.aspx


DuBois High School Annual Alumni Reunion
Friday, Sept 3 thru Sunday, Sept 5
Hosted by the National Alumni Association. On Friday evening from 6–10 pm, the Alumni will host a meet and greet social hour at the Wake Forest Community House. This event is open to the alumni, alumni families, friends and supporters. The cost is $15. A general membership meeting will be held on Saturday morning on the Historic DuBois Campus. The celebration will end on Sunday, September 5 with a 3 pm vesper service at Corinth Christian Church, 7900 Zebulon Rd., Hwy 96, Youngsville. The vesper service will feature a mini-concert with performances by LeMonte Mitchell, tenor soloist; Nia Imani Williams, harpist and Wynnette Williams (Charlotte, NC), mezzo-soprano and Victoria Jones, violinist/pianist. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Theresa Watkins at (919) 771-7101 or (919) 556-2792 or Roger Shackleford at (919) 306-1829 or (919) 518-1477 .

 

 

 

 

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Welcome to Wake Forest NC!

Live, Love, Work and Play...

And the Surrounding Towns and Cities of Youngsville, Franklinton, Creedmoor, Raleigh, Oxford, Louisburg, Knightdale, Wendell, Garner, Cary, Apex & Holly Springs

Leesa Finley the "Wake Forest NC House Chick"

Circa Properties

919-649-6128

To Search for Homes for Sale in Wake Forest NC please visit
www.LeesaFinley.com

    

 

 

 

All content including design, code and any other material that is provided or is part of the site are copyrighted, unless stated otherwise. The copyright forbids you to reproduce or distribute any material anywhere on the Internet or offline (magazine articles, CD etc.) without a written permission and consent from me.

Wake Forest NC Neighborhood Expedition - Focus on Northampton

Northamption in Wake Forest NC is a wonderful community that offers tremendous homes, large lots and great amenities for it's residents.  Northampton is locate between Chalks Road and Jones Dairy Road which makes getting out and about in Wake Forest NC a breeze! 

There is a mix of resale homes and new construction homes available in Northhampton which means you have quite a few different styles to choose from.  You can visit their on-site model home to preview any of the presale lots that are available as well as peruse the different floorplans and options they have to offer. 

Northampton in Wake Forest NC offers it's residents a private community pool, a community playground and a picnic area with tables and a grill.  Many of the addresses in Northampton are located close enough to the Jones Dairy Elementary school that it's an EASY walk to school. 

Currently, there are 9 homes for sale in Northampton, Wake Forest.  They range in price from $208,295.00 to $450,000.00 with a nice range of Square feet....2200sqft up to 4500sqft.  Many of the homes have brick fronts with beautiful porches and spacious back yards.  Many of the homes in Northampton come with carefully chosen upgrades such as granite countertops, Cherry cabinets, unblemished hardwood floors and plush Owner Suites. 

Currently, school assigned to Northampton are:

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

* For alternate schools available in Northampton you can check the Student Assignment Finder available at Wake Forest NC House Chick under the Student Assignment Resources.  It is always best to double check school assignments as they are subject to change in Wake County NC.

 

 

 

 

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Welcome to Wake Forest NC!

Live, Love, Work and Play...

And the Surrounding Towns and Cities of Youngsville, Franklinton, Creedmoor, Raleigh, Oxford, Louisburg, Knightdale, Wendell, Garner, Cary, Apex & Holly Springs

Leesa Finley the "Wake Forest NC House Chick"

Circa Properties

919-649-6128

To Search for Homes for Sale in Wake Forest NC please visit
www.LeesaFinley.com

    

 

 

 

All content including design, code and any other material that is provided or is part of the site are copyrighted, unless stated otherwise. The copyright forbids you to reproduce or distribute any material anywhere on the Internet or offline (magazine articles, CD etc.) without a written permission and consent from me.

WOW!  My great friend Pat Kennedy wrote the following post and I didn't realize just how MUCH I hate baby gates until she brought it up!

I understand that there are sellers that have baby gates through their homes for their children.  But when your home is being shown baby gates can become a HUGE obstacle!  There have been many occasions where I have been showing a home that has had a gate at the bottom, or the top, of stairs and we just never see the rest of the home.

You see, you can't assume that everyone knows how to open those things and, besides, each on is different.  On top of that - I AM SHORT!  It is nearly impossible for me to try and step over one of those things.  And at the top of the stairs?  No doubt I would go tumbling all the way to the bottom of the stairs if I was on the second floor trying to step over a baby gate onto the stairs.  My buyers?  Forget it - they would have even venture up the stairs in the first place.

So, when you know your home is going to be previewed and you have baby gates please BE SURE that they are "open" so agents and buyers have FULL access to your ENTIRE home.

 

 

 

 

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Welcome to Wake Forest NC!

Live, Love, Work and Play...

And the Surrounding Towns and Cities of Youngsville, Franklinton, Creedmoor, Raleigh, Oxford, Louisburg, Knightdale, Wendell, Garner, Cary, Apex & Holly Springs

Leesa Finley the "Wake Forest NC House Chick"

Circa Properties

919-649-6128

To Search for Homes for Sale in Wake Forest NC please visit
www.LeesaFinley.com

    

 

 

 

All content including design, code and any other material that is provided or is part of the site are copyrighted, unless stated otherwise. The copyright forbids you to reproduce or distribute any material anywhere on the Internet or offline (magazine articles, CD etc.) without a written permission and consent from me.

Weekends in Wake Forest NC - August 27 - 29, 2010

FINALLY!  The weather in Wake Forest NC has started to get a little cooler!  We may have a few more scorchers before it is all said and done but for now it is beautiful outside and should be awesome all weekend!  With the start of school activities were a little more on the reserved and quiet side this week and that rings true for the weekend as well.  Nonetheless, there are some things to do that you just might want to pencil into your calendar!

Wake Forest Farmers Market
Saturday, Aug 28; 8 am - noon
Downtown parking lot, 110 S. White St.
Come shopping for all your fresh vegetables, pasture raised meats, free range eggs. Baked goods, herbs, honey, jams and perserves. Fine art and crafts. Music provided by Larry Kirwan. Get up early, grab that cup of coffee, shop, eat and enjoy being with your friends at the market. For more information, call 556-2284 or visit www.wakeforestmarket.org. 


Youth Group Kickoff Tailgate Party
Sunday, Aug 29; 5 pm
Wake Forest Presbyterian Church, 12605 Capital Blvd.
All are welcomed to come meet the new Youth Coordinator, Chad Lunsford! For all rising 6th grade, middle school and high school youth and families. Wear your favorite team colors. Bring tailgating food—dessert and drinks provided. Potluck dinner begins at 5 pm. Program begins at 5:30. Contact WF Presbyterian Church for more information, (919) 556-7777

 

 

 

 

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Welcome to Wake Forest NC!

Live, Love, Work and Play...

And the Surrounding Towns and Cities of Youngsville, Franklinton, Creedmoor, Raleigh, Oxford, Louisburg, Knightdale, Wendell, Garner, Cary, Apex & Holly Springs

Leesa Finley the "Wake Forest NC House Chick"

Circa Properties

919-649-6128

To Search for Homes for Sale in Wake Forest NC please visit
www.LeesaFinley.com

    

 

 

 

All content including design, code and any other material that is provided or is part of the site are copyrighted, unless stated otherwise. The copyright forbids you to reproduce or distribute any material anywhere on the Internet or offline (magazine articles, CD etc.) without a written permission and consent from me.

If you missed the first post on Quick Guide to NC Residential Property Disclosure For Sellers you can certainly catch up! Just click over to Quick Guide to NC Residential Property Disclosure for Sellers Part I of II

Part I of this series was focused solely on the responsibility of the Property Seller. However, as a potential Home Buyer you are entitled to receive a NC Residential Property Disclosure prior to making an offer or shortly thereafter.  Here is how it would come into play for you as a Home Buyer.

Once you find the property that you are interested in making an offer on, your Buyer's Agent would receive the signed NC Property Disclosure from the Listing Agent.  The form should be filled out completely and signed by the sellers.  Please read the Property Disclosure carefully!  It will have listed on it important information that will help you make an informed decision about the property.  If there are any boxes that are checked "Yes" you will want to be sure that there is an explanation on the form or attached letter to adequately describe the problem and/or the "fix".  If there any boxes checked "No Representation" you need to understand that it doesn't mean the sellers are trying to hide anything.  They simply may not know the status of an item listed.  However, while Home Inspections are optional, I would strongly suggest having one performed to satisfy the unknowns.

If there is not a signed NC Residential Property Disclosure available at the time you are making an offer you have options.  You may still place an offer on the property and have the right to terminate the contract WITHOUT PENALTY if whichever of the following occurs first:

1. Within three (3) calendar days of receipt of the disclosure
   
2. the end of the third calendar day following the date the contract was made, or
3. closing or occupancy by the buyer in the case of a sale or exchange.

Please note that by signing the NC Residential Property Disclosure you are acknowledging that you have read the disclosure and understand the disclosure.  Also, the disclosure is in no way a warranty by the seller or the seller's agent. 

There are "some" exemptions from the NC Residential Property Disclosure.  The two most common are Foreclosures and New Construction - neither of which are required to provide the disclosure.

If you have ANY questions regarding the NC Residential Property Disclosure and how it applies to you as either a Buyer or Seller then, by all means, speak with you Real Estate Agent!  It is critical that you understand this form, how it applies to your transaction and what your rights are!

 

 

 

 

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Welcome to Wake Forest NC!

Live, Love, Work and Play...

And the Surrounding Towns and Cities of Youngsville, Franklinton, Creedmoor, Raleigh, Oxford, Louisburg, Knightdale, Wendell, Garner, Cary, Apex & Holly Springs

Leesa Finley the "Wake Forest NC House Chick"

Circa Properties

919-649-6128

To Search for Homes for Sale in Wake Forest NC please visit
www.LeesaFinley.com

    

 

 

 

All content including design, code and any other material that is provided or is part of the site are copyrighted, unless stated otherwise. The copyright forbids you to reproduce or distribute any material anywhere on the Internet or offline (magazine articles, CD etc.) without a written permission and consent from me.

Some home builders are including in their contracts a 1% fee to be paid to them every time the house is sold  for up to 99 years.  The money is nothing more than profit for the builder and is not used for up keep or any type of property improvements.  Lenders are getting keen to this and reviewing contracts very carefully looking for this clause.

If the lender sees this clause in the contract they will likely deny the buyers home loan.  Lenders will be on the hook to try to sell a home with an additional 1% fee everytime the property is sold making it harder to sell in a case of default.  Anything that adds a layer of risk will either cause the lender to adjust the interest rate to reflect that risk or they will simply deny the loan altogether.

Just when a Realtor thought their job was hard enough.  Now you will want to comb through these builder contracts very carefully before assisting your buyer through the process.  I would even recommend a full underwriting approval on all new construction homes to protect your buyer form a possible loan denial.  If the underwriter reviews the contract and the buyers qualifications and approves the file then you would have significantly reduced the likelihood of problems.

If you are in the states of WA, OR, CA or NC we will gladly package a loan without a property address and submit it for underwriting allowing you the peace of mind that the loan shouldn't become an issue. E MAIL or (888) 206-5781 Otherwise ask your favorite trusted lender to do the same. Of course one could take the simpler approach and focus mainly on existing homes.

READ THE ARTICLE

Wow, Talk About An Interesting Moving Sale!

NO CAMERAS!
NO CHILDREN!
NO CELL PHONES!

Seriously, that is what is reported at NewsDay.com regarding the upcoming weekend sale at 112 Ocean Avenue.  Not familiar with Ocean Avenue?  Maybe Amityville is a little more familiar to you.  Here is an excerpt from the NewsDay article:

"The sign said no children, cell phones or cameras were allowed at this weekend's moving sale at the most infamous house in Amityville.

And no wonder.

For decades, the village has been trying to separate its friendly Amityville from unfriendly, unwanted Horror. There are still residents who remember the house with more sadness than curiosity because
neighbors, members of the DeFeo family,..."

And from the Associated Press article:

"The five-bedroom Dutch Colonial on Long Island has been on the market since May for $1.15 million and is under contract. Owner Brian Wilson is holding a moving sale Saturday. Items include furniture and exercise equipment, not loot from the house's infamous past."

Reading the articles reminded me of an article I wrote years ago so I thought I would resurrect it!

Scene of The Crime" Houses - What Do You Do With Them? 

FoxNews.com
has an article today that discusses the stigma that is attached to the homes of crime scenes.  BIG crime scenes 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, Amityville 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 lingered 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 preserve these types of buildings.  For instance, one lobbyist puts forth the argument that the Texas Book Depository, which was the scene of the nation altering assassination 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 boutique hotel.  Sparks Steakhouse in Manhattan continues to operate even though it was the scene for a mob-hit in 1985.

It really is an interesting article that delves into the psychology as to why some of these locations continue on while others are just too horrific to remain. 

 

 

 

 

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Welcome to Wake Forest NC!

Live, Love, Work and Play...

And the Surrounding Towns and Cities of Youngsville, Franklinton, Creedmoor, Raleigh, Oxford, Louisburg, Knightdale, Wendell, Garner, Cary, Apex & Holly Springs

Leesa Finley the "Wake Forest NC House Chick"

Circa Properties

919-649-6128

To Search for Homes for Sale in Wake Forest NC please visit
www.LeesaFinley.com

    

 

 

 

All content including design, code and any other material that is provided or is part of the site are copyrighted, unless stated otherwise. The copyright forbids you to reproduce or distribute any material anywhere on the Internet or offline (magazine articles, CD etc.) without a written permission and consent from me.