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)

Time is Ticking Away! Don’t Miss Out on Your $8,000 Opportunity!

Friends,

Come December 1^st, the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit will no longer be available.  With the new HERA regulations, it may now take between 30-45 days to close on your loan. So now is the time to start looking for your new place!! If you still need help understanding the tax credit and down payment assistance programs, then review our previous blogs.  Don’t hesitate to give our office a call at 919.469.6543 with questions about home searches or tours.

Lovely Home in the Heart of Cary, NC

805 Brookgreen Drive, Cary, NC

805 Brookgreen Drive, Cary, NC

Welcome to this lovely home in the heart of Cary!  Majestic columns greet you on the covered 2-story front porch.  Through the front door into the foyer are tile floors with decorative diamond shaped inserts and a double door coat closet.  Relax in the living room that hosts a masonry wood-burning fireplace and a large double window to let in plenty of natural light.  Cooking is a breeze in the kitchen that features raised panel Oak cabinets with glass displays, 6 can lights, all black appliances, and a breakfast bar.  The breakfast area includes a sliding glass door to the upper back deck.  The first floor bonus room is very spacious and features both a ceiling fan with light and track lighting.  A first floor mud room has built-in storage cabinets, a washer/dryer connection with overhead shelves, access from the garage and a door that leads to the lower back deck.  Journey upstairs to the master bedroom that has warm hardwood floors, a double door closet, a ceiling fan with light, and a master bath with an updated vanity with marble top and updated light fixture.  The two secondary bedrooms also have hardwood floors and ample closet space.  The second full bath has also been nicely updated with tile floors, vanity with granite and an updated light fixture with matching wall sconce, and a tile surround shower. Entertain guests on the back deck while enjoying the view of the peaceful wooded back yard.  Don’t miss your chance to own this wonderful home – be sure to check out the VISUAL TOUR!

Price $214,900

MLS# 1680171

Need to Know Information for Buyers!!

Buyers,

It is important for you to know about the changes in the Housing and Economic Recovery Act (HERA) regulations.  It may alter your closing date!!  Read the key highlights below or click here for full details.

Effective July 30, 2009 is a new regulation that will require all mortgage lenders to provide a Truth in Lending Statement (TIL) to their borrowers at least seven business days before the closing.  Closing documents can not be signed any earlier than the seven days after the first TIL has been provided.

If there are any changes to the loan that affects the annual percentage rate (APR) or the APR calculation (discount points, lender fees, attorney fees, etc.) then a new TIL statement must be provided to the Buyer with a 3 day wait period before the loan closing. 

Click here for the Press Release from the Federal Reserve System.

Linda Trevor Makes the Raleigh News!

Linda Trevor was recently interviewed by WRAL about our currently market conditions. Watch the video clip!