Photos from Tracy Santrock-Cary NC Real Estate Blog
The new Southeastern Wake YMCA has been eagerly anticipated and under construction for over a year. Opening in scheduled for 2008.Located in: Apex, NC
A couple months back Gloriabelle wrote a controversial post called It's About Time Buyers Paid For Gas! At the time gas prices were hovering at $4/gallon. Although Gloriabelle had a novel idea - have clients pay for our gas money. Tthe reality is, at least in this area, we are responsible for the costs associated with showing our clients area homes. As a result, Realtors and consumers started to cutback on their mileage which has impacted the State of North Carolina's revenue taxbase on gasoline. With the shortfall in the budget some area leaders have proposed a new tax on vehicles based on annual mileage- A tax per mile driven.
The more you drive the more you pay!! As a Realtor I put ~20,000 miles a year on my car. The proposed tax would be between ¼ of a cent to ½ a cent and would be levied at the time of your annual car inspection. In my scenario I would be paying between $5000 and $10000 per year if this proposal succeeds. I'm glad that oil hit a record low of $50/barrel yesterday but I'm not about to propose that we start paying a tax for every mile we drive.
Does anyone else have a similar tax in their State? This is outrageous!
As I mentioned in my Wake County Real Estate Market Conditions - September 2008 (LOCALISM FEATURED) the once red hot Triangle Real Estate Market has cooled. Keep in mind I said cooled, not crashed. Homes are still selling - just not at the rate they were in their hay-day in 2006.
As we move from a sellers market to a buyers market sellers are realizing that it is much more difficult to sell a home in today's market than in the past. The probability of selling a home in the Triangle right now is 60%. That's right - all homes do not sell and, in this market, sellers have a 6 in 10 chance of selling their homes. That said, I have several listings coming on the market in the next 30 days and my sellers ask me the following question on a regular basis, "What do I have to do in the current real estate market to sell my home?
In an effort to best address this question I thought I'd pull together a few ideas to address my seller's concerns. Every situation is different but there area a few concepts that do apply across the board.
Price Your Home Based on the Current Market
Just because a house comparable to yours sold for a top dollar last year does not mean you will be able to realize the same price when selling your home now. Keep in mind that appraisers only look at comparables up to six months back. In a buyer's market, list prices should reflect homes in the area that are on the market or currently pending, not necessarily those that have previously sold.
Make Your Home More Marketable
When a buyer sees your house for the first time, a critical first impression is made. Last winter I wrote a post called First Impressions Mean Everything To Buyers, Especially During the Holidays which helps describe the efforts needed to market your home during the holidays. Basic principles include maximizing curb appeal by trimming trees and planting flowers. A fresh exterior coat of paint might also prove valuable. Consider neutral colors for interior walls and carpets. Dark colors on walls, along with unnecessary clutter, make rooms look smaller.
Pre-Inspections are critical
If your home requires repairs, it is a good idea to go ahead and fix the problems. Potential buyers will cast an extremely critical eye over your home and, in a situation when more houses are available on the market, they may take a pass on a home that needs too many repairs. Be sure to have the home inspection report available for prospective buyers itemizing all of the repairs that have been made and the associated cost for each.
Shop the competition
I'm a firm believer in "shopping the competition". I regularly have my client visit the other listings for sale on the market to see if they have like upgrades, curb appeal, and are priced right. In addition I have my clients visit new construction to see the current home trends, upgrades and incentives that builders are offering.
Offer a "Seller's Contribution."
In addition to competitive pricing, incentives for buyers & buyer agents may do the trick. Possible incentives include paying discount points to lower the mortgage rate, paying closing costs or providing flexibility about the move-in date. Even consider offering a premium to the buyer's agent. Add a half-point or a point to the commission, or give the agent a cruise or a big-screen TV. Last, many Townhomes require monthly HOA dues. Paying the first year's HOA fees can be a big incentive to a buyer nearing the limit of their liquid assets.
Have a Rock Solid Internet Strategy
Over 80% of all homebuyers use the internet to search for their home. Working with an experienced agent that is committed to internet marketing will maximize a seller's property on the internet to attract more buyers. Agents that use listing syndication have an advantage in selling properties.
Consult an Expert
So don't let the slowdown in the market or the winter seasonality hamper your plans -- if you prepare properly and make the right moves, you can sell your house. Properly priced homes that stand out from the competition are selling. In Wake County through October 2008 11,987 homes were closed! Days on Market in Wake County has climbed 83 so it's taking a bit longer to sell but are selling. By working with and consulting an experience professional that knows the area your odds of selling your home increase substantially.
Related Posts:
First Impressions Mean Everything To Buyers, Especially During the Holidays
Listings & My Commitment to Internet Marketing
Wake County Real Estate Market Conditions - September 2008 (LOCALISM FEATURED)
Today may be Black Friday and I'm planning on heading to check-out the early bird specials in about an 
hour, however one cannot forget the tremendous not-for-profit Cary Academy Holiday Shoppe December 4-6th. Each year this event has become more popular and this year should be the best ever with over 100 vendors scheduled to exhibit.
There are so many choices for unique gifts for friends and family including:
I know everyone's budgets are tight this year so keep this in mind also. Since this event is a non-profit fundraiser, there is no tax charged on Holiday Shoppe purchases! Proceeds from the event go to community outreach adn need-based scholarships.
See you there!
Yesterday morning, on Thanksgiving, as I became nostalgic thinking about the holidays. I started thinking about all of the wonderful events scattered around the Triangle. Each year I make it a point to attend many of these events.
For those of you new to the Triangle or just haven't been able to make some of these annual events I wanted to share some of the top events in the Triangle during the Holiday Season!
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Have a wonderful time and a safe and Happy Holidays!
I just posted a blog on Triangle Turkey Trots for a healthier alternative to the Thanksgiving feast. If running isn't your thing but you would still like to give back to a good cause there are a number of charities that would benefit from your time and donations here in North Carolina. For example, consider volunteering at a homeless shelter or giving directly to the local food bank instead of having that big feast this year.
Many charities are flooded during this time of year and, givin the recession, I'm sure they've added a few extras too help out. If the groups are full this is something to consider doing year round or add it to your things to do in 2009.
North Carolina United Way Chapters
Food Bank in North Carolina
North Carolina Shelters mapped
I'm sponsoring needy children for Project Angel Tree. If you have any extra cash or would like to contribute please fill out the contact form or send me an email directly.
It's definitely on my list!
Tracy Santrock, REALTOR, specializes in relocation, buyer agency, listings & investment properties in the Triangle area of North Carolina with Fonville Morisey. Visit www.TriangleNCHomes4Sale.com.
Welcome to my profile the Raleigh-Cary NC Real Estate & Relocation where you will learn all about how fantastic the Triangle area is and about Triangle Real Estate including residential homes and investment real estate and an entire Triangle MLS Search that is updated daily.
I am licensed in North Carolina and serve the greater Triangle area including the major cities of Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and the surrounding areas of the Triangle. I have spent the past 20 years developing a customized business system that focuses on my clients needs and takes care of them before, during and after the closing. I have surrounded myself with excellent customer service focused professionals which include mortgage lenders, home inspectors, appraisers, insurance companies, and even attorneys. I have a team of business partners that I use regularly that I call upon for my business. I prefer to use the same companies that are my trusted advisors, experienced professionals with a proven track record through good times and bad. Customer service, integrity and honor are important goals that I take pride in and also have the same expectations of my business partners.
My previous background in technology, marketing and business development prior to real estate has helped me build a successful real estate business. I have also created a website Raleigh-Cary NC Real Estate & Relocation. I continually refine my business using the latest tools and technology so that you get the best service possible.
My philosophy is that if I take care of my clients/customers needs and show them respect, my production will take care of itself. My goal is to have everyone walk away from a real estate transaction feeling they had the best service they could ask for. Tracy has consistently been a top producer at Fonville Morisey. For more information visit Raleigh-Cary NC Real Estate & Relocation for information on Tracy and her testimonials.
The Raleigh-Cary MSA is our capital and one of the fastest growing cities in the nation. In fact, in 2007, we became the 50th largest city in the US. Thousands of people relocate to the Triangle each year and we are regularly touted as the Best Place to Live by Money Magazine. Just this year Forbes ranked the Triangle as the best city in the nation for Business and Careers. Durham, NC was recently rated in the Top 100 cities for young people in the US. In July 2008 Kiplinger voted Raleigh the #2 Best Place to Live, Work, and Play. Check on this VIDEO on our area as recorded by Kiplinger. Even Oprah featured the Triangle as the #4 city in America for Single Woman Above 35. Additional Triangle accolades can be found here. I'm an avid outdoor person and we have gorgeous parks, lakes, trails, and bike paths throughout the area. The Triangle area is home to many large corporations in Research Triangle Park such as Cisco Systems, IBM, Glaxo, Red Hat, and John Deere. Fidelity Investments will be relocating over 1,000 employees to the area during the 2007-2008 timeframe. Cary-Cary is the second largest city in Wake County. The population stands at 120,000 residents in 2007. The town's reputation as a bedroom community for transplants from outside the South has led to humorous backronyms for its name such as "Concentrated Area of Relocated Yankees" or "Containment Area for Relocated Yankees." One of the major reasons for its large population of residents immigrant to North Carolina is the town's proximity to the Research Triangle Park and the many other localities hosting biotech, pharmaceutical and high tech companies, making it an ideal location for people moving to the Research Chapel Hill , located in Orange County, is the perfect college town: ivy-covered buildings and stone walls, majestic oaks and hallowed halls. You'll be as enchanted as you are busy with the myriad of things to do, from football Saturdays to Shakespeare plays. Settled in the late 1700s, Chapel Hill is home to the country's first state university. There's no question that the University of North Carolina brands the town as an intellectual haven. Professors, scientists and students crowd the streets and mull theory and practice at coffee shops aromatically laced with scones and cappuccinos. Not to be left out, business and corporate types, along with artists, writers, retirees and homemakers, intermingle and create a cosmopolitan scene as likely to ring with French or Spanish as English. Durham Of the three major cities in the Triangle, Durham perhaps is the one that carries the most paradoxical images. The city has its origins in tobacco and textiles, yet today it's home to some of the most acclaimed medical institutions and high-tech businesses in the Triangle - indeed, the nation. The southern half of Durham County, near RTP, has experienced a fast-paced bonanza of new construction in both the residential and Holly Springs is a town in Wake County. The current population is estimated at 18,214. The town has gained the title of "The fastest growing town in The Carolinas" Now with a brand new High School, Holly Springs High School, built off of Cass Holt Road, Holly Springs has new room for growth. New neighborhoods are to be built near the school, and a strip-mall is being built because of it. Many of the students that attend Holly Springs High School live in the super neighborhood complex of Sunset Ridge , a now thriving home subdivision that has spawned its own private water park, a restaurant, and a whole host of other small businesses. The entire area of Holly Springs has grown tremendously between the years of 2004 and 2006. The town has received a new strip mall with an Ale House style restaurant, a Mexican Restaurant, a Lowe's Foods, a Dollar Tree, and several other fast food chains including Quizno's, and a Chinese food chain. In another area of town, off a main road (Holly Springs Road), a Harris Teeter strip-mall was built with other restaurants and stores opening. A new strip mall featuring a Wal-Mart Super Center is also being constructed off Highway 55. New growth has expanded the population, and growth yet to come will enlarge it even more. Holly Springs is one of the few municipalities that provide team sports directly by the town for residents including football, baseball (served by four professional fields), basketball and recreational soccer. There is also a non-profit challenge soccer league called the Holly Springs Futbol Club. The 2006 Championship win by the UNC Women's Soccer team sports home grown talent in Ariel Harris. Holly Springs is truly one of the "fastest growing towns in North Carolina".
Apex- Apex is a suburban town in the Triangle bordering Cary to the north and northeast, Raleigh to the east, and Holly Springs to the south. Apex 's motto is "The Peak of Good Living". The Peak was named for its location as the highest point on the Chatham Rail Line between the state capital of Raleigh and the coal fields of nearby Chatham County. Popular neighborhoods in Apex include Charleston Village, Scotts Mill, Walden Creek, Whitehall Manor, and Shepard's Vineyard. 
Triangle area for work. Most of the communities in Cary are PUD's(Planned Urban Developments) with greenways, trees, and neighborhood amenities such as swimming and tennis. Cary continues to be touted as a safe area and a wonderful city to raise a family. Popular neighborhoods include Preston, MacGregor, Regency, Park Village, Carpenter Village, and the new Active 55+ Del Webb community at Carolina Preserve. 
commercial arenas. Within the last few years, the N.C. 751/Hope Valley Road corridor between University Drive and Jordan Lake has experienced tremendous growth, with new-home communities springing up seemingly overnight. On I-40 between N.C. 751 and the Fayetteville Road interchanges, development is booming with offices, hotels and even a huge mall - The Streets at Southpoint - which opened in 2002. The mall is anchored by Macy's, Hudson Belk, Sears, JCPenney and Nordstrom. Easy access to The Streets at Southpoint via I-40 draws shoppers from other Triangle cities. Click here for a a Video Tour of Durham.
Raleigh When you drive through Raleigh, it's easy to see why the founding fathers nicknamed it "The City of Oaks." But the city's natural beauty is just one of many drawing cards that has transformed this once-sleepy southern town into one of the nation's most desired destinations for business, technology, culture and family life. In fact, Money Magazine named it the Best Place to Live in 2006 and Forbes Magazine named Raleigh the #1 Place for Job Growth in 2007.
The city of 320,000 residents boasts premier cultural centers, including the N.C. Museum of Art and the famed North Carolina Symphony. The museum houses paintings and sculptures representing more than 5,000 years of artistic heritage - from ancient Egypt to the present - as well as traveling exhibits, movies, lectures and workshops.
From events such as Artsplosure, Oktoberfest, the International Festival and the State Fair to the multitude of college and professional sports, there's a wide array of choices for the young and old, the mellow and bold. Falls Lake provides swimming, boating and fishing opportunities year-round, and Umstead Park offers miles of woodlands for hiking, picnics and nature outings. Alive After Five brings local musicians to the center of downtown each summer, where Raleigh's nightlife has seen a burst of new restaurants, clubs and even several authentic Irish pubs.
First Night Raleigh has become an annual family tradition for thousands of residents, who descend upon the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts and Lichtin Plaza each New Year's Eve to watch the giant acorn drop.
Some of Raleigh's most popular restaurants are located in the heart of downtown, from the upscale Second Empire - set in the historic Dodd-Hinsdale House - to Greenshield's Brewery and Pub, to Cooper's Barbecue, serving up sweet tea and delicious Carolina barbecue since 1928. The Angus Barn steak house on U.S. 70 near the airport and Char-Grill (hamburgers and fries) downtown are considered local landmarks, and newer restaurants offering savory fare of all types can be found in shopping plazas throughout North Raleigh.
Entertainment options range from an evening at Charlie Goodnight's Comedy Club, which draws top-name acts from around the country, to live jazz concerts at Yancey's Juke Joint. Country enthusiasts can two-step on down to the Long Branch off Wake Forest Road for live entertainment and dancing. And theater patrons shouldn't miss the annual production of Theatre in the Park's "A Christmas Carol," a comedic interpretation of the Dickens classic that has become a Raleigh holiday tradition, celebrating 32 years in 2006.
The 19,700-seat RBC Center, which is the home of N.C. State basketball and the National Hockey League's Carolina Hurricanes, creates plenty of excitement in Raleigh. Downtown, two additions next to the stately Memorial Auditorium have completed the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts complex. Exploris, a $40 million museum, uses interactive displays to explore other cultures - including an exhibit of a portion of the Berlin Wall. And the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences is in its gleaming new high-rise building, with looming dinosaur replicas peering out from a huge dinosaur dome visible from the street below.
You'll find plenty of comfortable neighborhoods in Raleigh. The Cotton Mill, located downtown off Capital Boulevard, is one of the hippest places to live, thanks to a renovation that turned this 130-year-old textile factory into 50 condominiums. Other condos and townhomes followed, including Park Devereux, 510 Glenwood, and Governor's Square. New additions in 2006 include Hudson, West, 222 Glenwood, and Dawson on Morgan to name the trendiest.
More condominiums are located near the lively collection of shops and restaurants known as City Market. Within walking distance are Moore Square (where the city's symbol, the giant acorn, resides) and the Moore Square Art District, where local artisans design and showcase their work at Artspace.
Wake Forest When you mention Wake Forest, most people outside the Triangle think of Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem. But there's another Wake Forest well known to Triangle residents. This quaint town located on U.S. 1 just five miles north of Raleigh (15 miles north of downtown) is the actual birthplace of the university. Wake Forest is a delightful combination of historic homes along tree-lined streets (Greek Revival, Queen Anne and bungalows), as well as communities such as Stony Bend, Riverstone, The Oaks at Waterfall Plantation and Heritage (#1 Selling New Homes Subdivision in the Triangle in 2008 year-to-date).
While you are in the Triangke here are a few "must sees" while you're here.
ATTRACTIONS
Basketball Season The Triangle is home to three top ACC Basketball schools. There has always been the long standing rivalry between the Tar Heels and the Blue Devils for many seasons. NCSU also has a strong basketball foundation along with the deep history. It's also the home team for the legendary Jim Valvano.
Hockey Carolina Hurricanes In 2006 the Carolina Hurricanes took home the coveted Stanley Cub trophy. The Triangle's RBC Center is known to be the loudest and most exciting venue in the country.
The Durham Bulls are a minor league baseball team based in Durham. The team, which plays in the 
International League, is the AAA (Triple-A) affiliate of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays major-league club. The Bulls play in Durham Bulls Athletic Park, better known as the "D-Bap", located in downtown Durham. The team became internationally famous in 1988 following the release of the movie Bull Durham, which starred Kevin Costner as a catcher for the Bulls and Susan Sarandon as his love interest.
NC Museum of Life and Science in Durham is a popular destination for families and school groups all over North Carolina. The museum boasts a unique, live butterfly house that entertains hundreds of children and adults alike.
Exploris in downtown Raleigh. Exploris is an interactive museum for all ages in downtown Raleigh. There is even an IMAX theatre and middle school on site.
Pullen Park is a scenic 72 acre park public park in Raleigh. It is located west of downtown, next to the campus of North Carolina State University, between Western Boulevard and Hillsborough Street. Admission to the park is free but there is a small fee (currently tickets are $1) for the carousel, train and kiddie boat rides, as well as an admission fee for the adjacent Aquatic Center and rental fees to reserve Picnic Shelters and rent paddle boats. The park offers playgrounds, rides and attractions, concessions, free parking, souvenir sales, picnic and organized sports areas. The Pullen Arts Center and Theatre In the Park are also located on the park grounds.
Raleigh's headliner art institution, the North Carolina Museum of Art, has an adjacent 164-acre park that combines woodlands, streams and nature trails with giant pieces of environmental art. Nice stretches include the Woodland Trail, which has a mulched path for walkers and features the British artist Chris Drury's "Cloud Chamber for the Trees and Sky" (a room-size camera obscura project) and the House Creek Greenway, which crosses the creek and then runs over Interstate 440 on a pedestrian bridge.
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh is a haven for dinosaur lovers, where you can see both Willo, a dinosaur with a fossilized heart, and a skeleton of an Acrocanthosaurus, known as the Terror of the South.
Morehead Planetarium and Science Center in Chapel Hill is located at the north end of the University of North Carolina campus. The planetarium has a 68-foot, domed Star Theater that features shows on exploring the night sky and the solar system, and on how astronauts prepare for space missions.
EDUCATION
Well Educated Community The Triangle area bosts the most PHD's per capita in the Nation. 
Public Schools One of the reasons we attract so many new residents to the Triangle each year are the Wake County Schools. The Wake County Public School System is now the 21st largest school system in the Nation and ranked 2nd in North Carolina. Each year we have over 8,000 new students migrating to Wake County.
Universities
Duke University is a private coeducational research university located in Durham. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present-day town of 
Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B. Duke established The Duke Endowment, prompting the institution to change its name in honor of his deceased father, Washington Duke. Besides academics, research, and athletics, Duke is also well known for its sizable campus and Gothic architecture, especially Duke Chapel.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public, coeducational, research university located in Chapel Hill. Also known as The 
University of North Carolina, Carolina, North Carolina, or simply UNC, the university is the oldest institution in the University of North Carolina System. UNC is regularly considered to be one of the top 20 public universities in the country.
Meridith College is located near downtown Raleigh. Meredith was chartered in 1891. Today Meredith is an independent private women's college-one of the largest in the U.S. Meredith offers a comprehensive education with an emphasis on an innovative liberal arts curriculum.
North Carolina Central University (NCCU) is a historically black college located in Durham. NCCU has a current enrollment of 8,231 for the Fall of 2005. NCCU is the second largest historically black university in North Carolina after NC A&T State University. It is a member school of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund.
North Carolina State University (NCSU) is a public, coeducational, extensive research university located in Raleigh, North Carolina, United 
States. Officially known as North Carolina State University at Raleigh and commonly known as NC State or NCSU, the university is the principal technological institution of the University of North Carolina System. The North Carolina General Assembly founded NC State on March 7th 1887 as a land-grant college. Today, NC State has an enrollment of over 30,000, making it the largest university in North Carolina.
DESIGNATIONS
The Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR®) designation is the benchmark of excellence in buyer representation. This coveted designation is awarded to real estate practitioners by the Real Estate BUYERS AGENT Council (REBAC) of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® who met the specified educational and practical experience criteria. The criteria are: Completed the comprehensive two-day REBAC course in buyer representation Successfully passed a written examination Demonstrated a practical experience of having completed five closed real estate transactions in the field of buyer representation. Received recommendations from two of the real estate practitioners buyer clients. Be a member in good standing with the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Look for those real estate agents that proudly display the ABR® designation and know that they are professionals in the field of buyer representation. When you buy your Triangle home use an ABR.
The SRES is the only designation and marketing program specifically designed to serve senior property owners. SRES designees demonstrate requisite knowledge and expertise to counsel senior clients through the major financial and lifestyle transitions involved in relocating, refinancing or selling a home.
Fonville Morisey Buyers Agent>>Tracy has consistently been a Top Producer at Fonville Morisey. For more details on her profile, achievements, and testimonials visit her website at www.TriangleNCHomes4Sale.com
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