Sunday, September 8, 2019

Your Home End-of-Season Cleanup Guide


As the summer comes to a close, it’s a good time to do a little end of season cleanup to prepare for the fall season just around the corner.


Garden
To get ready for any fall planting to simply tidy up while you wait for spring again, clean out garden pots and dry out or preserve any, fruits, vegetables, or herbs you worked hard on all summer so they don’t go to waste.

Pool
Begin to prep your pool for close by vacuuming, cleaning filters, testing balance in the water, and safety storing pool floats and toys for the following year. Even if you plan on leaving these items out during warm fall weather, it can’t hurt to do some end of season cleaning!

Patio
Any repairs that need to be taken care of should be done before foliage begins to fall and the winter rolls around. Make sure you have a proper place to store items, or invest in furniture covers that can take on rain and weathering.

Shed
Organize your shed and put away tools, decorations, and items you no longer need out and readily available. Take this time to reorganize, and bring rakes and wheel barrels front and center so that when the leaves start to change and rougher weather heads your way you are good and ready to take on fall lawn care.

Walkways
Make repairs now while the outdoor weather is still comfortable. Once harsher conditions roll around, damage will only get worse and your willingness to get outside and make the repairs needed will probably lessen.

Weeding
Remove all decaying plants, and clean up any unwanted growth to prepare for fall plants to avoid having to deal with returning weeds in the spring.

Grass
Your lawn still needs water beyond summer months. Make sure your hose and sprinklers stay out, especially if you plan on planting or fertilizing during the fall.
Fall is a busy time of year, make sure you get organized and prep before the new season begins!

Contact me for answers to ALL your residential real estate needs.  


Wednesday, July 3, 2019

FIREWORKS! Where to see them in the Triangle


Here's the scoop on where to go for fun & fireworks.  Click the link for more details.

Apex

Olde Fashioned Fourth of July
Thursday, July 4th, 2019, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Historic Downtown Apex
Flag-raising, inflatables, face-painting, karaoke, parade of wheels, fire department splashdown
Free to attend. Might be cost for some activities.

Cary

Cary Independence Eve Celebration
Wednesday, July 3rd, 2019, 6:30 p.m.
Cary Arts Center
The Cary Town Band will celebrate and honor our nation’s veterans in this year’s Independence Eve Celebration. Speaker Deborah Tilton, a Specialist in the NC Army National Guard and decorated veteran, will answer the question, “What is a Veteran?” Musical selections will be played to honor those who have served. The band will pay special tribute to our military service personnel and their spouses past and present who have helped secure our freedom and liberty. For more info, visit Cary Town Band or call (919) 469-4069.
Free
Cary Independence Day Celebration
Thursday, July 4th, 2019, 7:00 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Fred G. Metro Bond Park, Boathouse
Enjoy the fishing tournament, parade, and various activities. The activities start at 8 a.m.
Free
July Fourth at Booth Amphitheatre
Thursday, July 4th, 2019, 3 p.m.
Koka Booth Amphitheatre
Enjoy an afternoon and evening of fun, family festivities. The North Carolina Symphony will be performing. There will be a fireworks  display at the end of the event.
Free but there will be a charge for some of the amusements.

Fuquay-Varina

Independence Day Celebration
Wednesday, July 3rd, gates at 6 p.m., Spare Change plays at 6:30 p.m., fireworks at sundown
South Park, 900 S. Main Street
Food vendors, music, free rides for kids, splash pad 6 p.m. until sundown, and fireworks.
Free

Garner

Garner Independence Day Celebration
Wednesday,  July 3rd, 5 p.m.
Lake Benson Park, 921 Buffaloe Road, Garner
Celebrate Independence day with food, music, and inflatable games. The North Carolina Symphony will be performing. The event will end with a fireworks show.

Holly Springs

Holly Springs Independence Day Celebration
Friday, July 5th, 5 p.m.
Jefferson L. Sugg Farm at Bass Lake Park
A pet-friendly festival with food, games, crafts, activities, and more. There will be a fireworks display at 9:15.
Free

Morrisville

Morrisville Fireworks
Wednesday, July 3rd, 2019, 6 p.m.
Morrisville Community Park
Fireworks and food trucks. Bring blankets, chairs, and tents to watch the show.
Free, but bring money for the food trucks

Raleigh

Raleigh Fireworks
Thursday, July 4th, 6 p.m.
PNC Arena/Carter-Finley Stadium/NC State Fairgrounds Area
Raleigh’s fireworks will take place in the PNC Arena area.
All fireworks will be launched from property owned by NC State University along Trinity Road, directly adjacent to Close-King Indoor Practice Facility. PNC Arena, Carter-Finley Stadium, and the North Carolina State Fairgrounds are in the vicinity of the fireworks display.

Tuesday, June 18, 2019

Real Estate Myth Buster - Down Payment Requirements

Folks have been telling me that they really want to buy a home, but are not aware that it's easier than they imagined.  I tell them that this is the time to buy because:

- Rents continue to skyrocket

- Interest rates are at historic lows
- Available inventory is higher & there are fewer buyers out now
- Sellers are becoming more willing to negotiate, meaning I can get you a great value

Freddie Mac recently released a report entitled, “Perceptions of Down Payment Consumer Research.” Their research revealed that,
“For many prospective homebuyers, saving for a down payment is the largest barrier to achieving the goal of homeownership. Part of the challenge for those planning to purchase a home is their perception of how much they will need to save for the down payment……Based on our recent survey of individuals planning to purchase a home in the next three years, nearly a third think they need to put more than 20% down.”

Myth #1: “I Need a 20% Down Payment”

FACT:  No, you don't!  
“If a 20% down payment was required, 70% of those who were planning to buy a home in the next three years said it would delay them from purchasing and nearly 30% indicated they would never be able to afford a home.”  
FACT:  Programs are available which permit as little as 3%. Many renters may actually be able to enter the housing market sooner than they ever imagined!

Myth #2: “I Need a 780 FICO® Score or Higher to Buy”

FACT:  No, you don't!
According to Ellie Mae’s latest Origination Insight Report, which focuses on recently closed (approved) loans, 52.4 of approved mortgages had a credit score of 600-749.

You can do this!  I have some very knowledgeable & experience mortgage experts who will work with you to achieve your home goal.  Give me a call, I'm happy to help


Tuesday, April 30, 2019

FACT! RENTERS PAY SUBSTANTIALLY MORE -- OWNERS PAY LESS



There really is a difference between renting a home and owning a home.  But, you knew that, right? 

As a renter you are paying a mortgage – your landlord’s, not yours, and you have no tax deductions.  Bummer.

Since 2005, rent prices have skyrocketed while the typical mortgage payment as actually decreased.  

 “It’s mainly because mortgage rates back in December 2005 were significantly higher, averaging 6.3% for a fixed-rate 30-year loan, compared with 4.6% in December 2018.

The national median sale price in December 2005 – $190,000 – was lower than the $220,305 median in December 2018, but because of higher mortgage rates in 2005 the typical monthly mortgage payment was slightly higher back then – $941 – compared with $904 in December 2018.”
Insights Blog, CoreLogic

A recent report by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) showed that purchasing a home requires less of your monthly paycheck.
 

According to the Economists’ Outlook Blog, NAR’s February 2019 Housing Affordability Index showed that the “percentage of income needed” to pay the typical mortgage has decreased the last three months.  Wow!
  • November – 17.3%
  • December – 16.9%
  • January – 16.2%
  • February – 15.9%
What does this all mean to the current housing market? 

The mortgage rate-driven affordability surge has arrived just in time… Rising affordability has already benefited home buyers and, if the lower rate environment persists, we’re in for a great spring home-buying season.”
First American  post
 


Still renting?  Don’t think you can afford a house?  

Contact me today and you may have a very pleasant surprise.