President Obama Signs Extended Tax Credit into Law

If you thought your time was running out to use the homebuyer tax credit, your luck just changed!  Today, President Obama signed the bill into law extending the $8000 first-time homebuyer tax credit.  In addition, this new law now includes a $6500 tax credit for buyers who are current home owners and have lived in their home for five of the past eight years.

The National Association of REALTORS® has created a simple and helpful CHART that showcases the modifications – for more information, click here

Raleigh Ranks in Top 10 Best Places to Live by Relocate-America™

The “City of Oaks” accolades continue to build!  Relocate-America™ released its 2009 Top 100 Places to Live in 2009 and Raleigh ranked in the Top 10.   This is the twelfth year for the annual list with nominations accepted throughout the calendar year.  

 

For more details, visit: http://top100.relocate-america.com

Fabulous Home in Apex, NC!

310 Kelly West Dr, Apex, NC

This lovely 2-story home in Apex greets you with a rocking chair front porch.  As you enter through the front door you are welcomed by the foyer with warm hardwood floors. Continue into the living room that is surrounded by windows and features a gas log fireplace with a slate surround, custom mantle with dental molding, and an entertainment niche. Enjoy cooking in the kitchen that offers 42” Oak cabinets, a pantry, hardwood floors, and tons of counter space. The dining room showcases crown molding, a chair rail, hardwood floors, an updated light fixture, and double French doors that lead to the screened porch.   Journey upstairs to the master suite that hosts a cathedral ceiling, His & Her closets, and a dual marble vanity.  The secondary bedrooms are a good size and offer double door closets.  The spacious bonus is very bright and could be used as a 4th bedroom.  The laundry closet is conveniently located upstairs next to all the bedrooms. With a newly painted interior, a peaceful screened porch, and a back deck perfect for grilling, this home is move-in ready!  And be sure to check out the VISUAL TOUR!

Price $230,000

MLS # 1691625

Cul-de-Sac Home in Chesney Glen, Cary

 103 Berrybrook Ct, Cary, NC

This beautiful cul-de-sac home welcomes you with keystone accents and a 2-story covered front porch with four majestic columns. The grand 2-story foyer showcases faux stone paint, chandelier, catwalk, and quarter inch maple hardwood floors that carry through the rest of the first floor living areas. The dining room has crown molding and two single windows to let in lots of light. The kitchen hosts 42 inch cabinets, tons of counter space, all white appliances, and connects to the breakfast area that showcases a large bay window and updated light fixture. Continue into the vaulted living room that includes a fireplace with marble surround, a custom mantle with dental molding, a ceiling fan with light, two arched entryways that lead to the kitchen, and a French door to the back deck. The first floor master suite also shows off a vaulted ceiling, a large bay window, walk-in closet, and master bath with His & Her marble vanities with updated fixtures, a garden tub, tile surround shower, and separate water closet. Journey upstairs to the three additional bedrooms that feature double door closets and laminate hardwood floors. The upstairs hallway includes a sitting/loft area anchored with Berber carpet. The back deck is perfect for grilling and overlooks the wooded and peaceful backward. Combined with a neutral paint scheme and tons of updates, this home is move-in ready!  Be sure to also check out the VISUAL TOUR!

MLS # 1691078

Price $250,000

The 2009 Parade of Homes is Here!

Last weekend kicked off the 44^th annual Wake County Parade of Homes.  This years parade showcases 160 homes throughout the Triangle priced from $120,000 to around $2,500,000. 

Visiting the Parade homes is a great way to find out the latest building trends, view new floorplans, and get decorating ideas.  And in some of the homes, the builder is also present and available to answer questions. 

So whether you’re a buyer looking for a new home or just browsing for ideas, be sure to check out this years Parade homes!   The event is free to the public with homes open Oct. 3-4, 9-11, & 16-18, noon to 5pm. 

To find out more about the Parade, please visit http://www.HBAWake.com

RE/MAX United Offering Curbside Connection!

RE/MAX United is now offering Curbside Connection!   Exclusive to RE/MAX United, this innovative tool empowers buyers and their agents to acquire information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on any home listed in the Triangle from any phone!  

 

Find out the price, square footage, number of bedrooms, baths, amenities, and more just from one phone call!

 

 

Here’s how it works:

1.         See a house you like, call the Curbside Connection number (919) 746-7383, enter (or speak) the home address or property code.

2.         Hear an audio description of the property in either English or Spanish.

3.         If your agent has registered your phone number and email, both you and your agent will receive an email with the full property information.  

Curbside Connection combines the Internet, Signage, and Print into one potent information tool!  To learn more about this easy to use tool, please give us a call at (919) 469-6543 or email Homes@LindaTrevor.com!

Linda Trevor Speaks to News14 Carolina on the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit

The First-time Homebuyer Tax Credit is the news of the day and as the deadline to use this approaches, consumers want to know their options.  News14 Carolina approached Linda Trevor to find out her opinion.  “Buyers should definitely be active right now, looking around, searching on the Internet, getting out, looking at homes a little bit closer so they have plenty of time and not feel the pressure.”   Click here to view more of Linda’s interview

North Raleigh Home with Plush Landscaping for Sale!

6040 Brambleberry Way

6040 Brambleberry Way, Raleigh, NC

Beautiful home with a stone front and plush landscaping!  The foyer welcomes you with warm hardwood floors and a curved archway leading to the living room.  The hardwood floors continue into the living room that features a corner gas log fireplace with slate surround, a large double window, and a ceiling fan with light.  Continuing into the dining room, this space also has hardwood floors, a chandelier, a large triple window overlooking the backyard, a French door leading to the back patio, and a curved archway leading to the kitchen.  Cooking is easy in this kitchen that features natural colored maple cabinets, tile floors, all white appliances, a pantry, and a breakfast bar.  Journey upstairs to the spacious master that boasts a cathedral ceiling, a walk-in closet, and a ceiling fan with light.  The master bath has it all – a double marble vanity, a garden tub perfect for soaking in after a long day, a walk-in shower, and a separate water closet.  The three secondary bedrooms are all a good size with ample closet space.  The laundry room is conveniently located upstairs next to all the bedrooms.  Enjoy entertaining guests on the back patio while taking in the view of the plush landscaping.  A fenced backyard offers additional privacy.  This nicely kept home is move-in ready and offers a neutral color scheme.  Be sure to check out the VISUAL TOUR!

Price $194,900

MLS #1681262

Quaint Ranch for Sale in Apex, NC!

110 Milky Way Drive

 110 Milky Way Dr, Apex, NC

Welcome to this quaint ranch home near the heart of Apex!  The foyer  welcomes you with warm hardwood floors and a front door with a side  transom.  Continue into the living room that boasts a cathedral ceiling, a French door to the back deck, and a ceiling fan with light.  The dining room features a large bay window, a  chandelier, and hardwood floors.  Cooking is easy in the kitchen that hosts Oak cabinets, a pantry, updated appliances, and a side entry door.  Sleep well in the master bedroom that includes a cathedral ceiling, a walk-in closet, a ceiling fan with light, and a bath with a marble vanity.  The  secondary bedrooms are all a good size and have double door closets.  Enjoy relaxing outside on the spacious back deck that overlooks the wooded yard.  A fence surrounding the back yard adds additional privacy.  Be sure to check out the VISUAL TOUR!

Price $150,000

MLS # 1685163

Down Payment Assistance Programs For NC Residents!

Buyers,

Here is a great chart from the Raleigh Regional Association of REALTORS® that will help you understand the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA) down payment assistance  programs and eligibility requirements.    Check out our preferred partners webpage for Mortgage Consultantswho are registered with NCHFA.

Please note that this chart only highlights the programs, consult a certified mortgage broker for full details.  July 2009

 

NCHFA Loan Program	DAP (Downpayment Assistance Program)   $8,000, 0%, 30 year deferred 2nd mortgage.   Requires $1,000 borrower investment of own funds.	DAP (Downpayment Assistance Program)   $4,000, 0%, 30 year deferred, 2nd mortgage   Requires $1,000 borrower investment of own funds.   Limited number of loans – 125 (e) Minimum credit score – 700 Maximum qualifying ratios – 31/43%	NHLP (New Homes Loan Pool) Up to $25,000 or 20% of sales price (whichever is less); +$4,000 for energy efficiency retrofits.   Requires $750 borrower investment of own funds.   Can include $8,000 statewide feature for a $37,000 maximum 2nd mortgage.
Areas Served	Statewide	Statewide	48 non-profit approved organizations; borrower applies through non-profit organization. See www.nchfa.com for full list of non-profit organizations and areas served.
Eligible 1st Mortgage Loan Types	NCHFA FirstHome Mortgage ProgramLoan Types:  FHA, VA, USDA & Conventional	NCHFA FirstHome Mortgage Program  Loan Types:  FHA, VA, USDA	NCHFA FirstHome Mortgage Program or Lender Programs Loan Types: FHA, VA, USDA & Conventional
Sale Price Limits	$210,000 new or existing construction.	$210,000 new or existing construction	New Construction: FHA 203(b) loan limit
Income Limits	80% or less of area median income; varies based on county and household size.	NCHFA FirstHome Program Limits: 1st mortgage limits (approximately 100 – 115% of area median income based on family size)	80% or less of area median income; varies based on county and household size.
Eligible Borrowers	First-time homebuyer requirement:  Yes (has not owned a home last 36 months)	First-time homebuyer requirement: Yes   (has not owned a home last 36 months)	First-time homebuyer requirement:  Yes(has not owned a home last 36 months)