Bonnie Rodgers- Broker/ Buyers Agent: The Jim Allen Group

We are so excited to welcome Bonnie Rodgers to our award winning team of Realtors.  Bonnie joins The Jim Allen Group after being in general brokerage with the Falls office of Coldwell Banker Howard Perry and Walston for 6 years.  Born and raised in Raleigh, NC, Bonnie brings an excellent familiarity with the school system, neighborhoods, and entertainment in the Raleigh and Wake Forest areas. 
Bonnie’s passion for finding families their perfect home is apparent in her dedication to the clients she works with.  Bonnie devotes herself to her clients every step of the way from the very first home they are shown to the closing table, making for a most pleasant experience.  Bonnie’s smile and friendly demeanor make her a desirable choice for anyone looking to find their dream home.  Bonnie resides in Wake Forest with her 3 beautiful children and loves listening to music and traveling to the beach.

Stonehenge Park Real Estate

The Stonehenge Park a premier neighborhood located on the corner of Howard and Ray Roads, in the upscale North Raleigh area.

Amenities abound when you buy homes for sale in Stonehenge Park neighborhood, included are the:

• Seven Oaks Swim and Racket club, which features three 10 lane swimming pools
• water slide
• fenced baby pool
• 20 lighted tennis courts

Stonehenge Park Home Buyers

As a Stonehenge Park resident, you will enjoy quick access to the area’s largest shopping mall, local restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores, Rex Hospital, and the RBC Entertainment and Sports Arena.

Buying Real Estate in the North Raleigh Neighborhood of Stonehenge Park

If you feel like Stonehenge Park is the perfect place for your family, then simply contact me, Jim Allen, your expert Raleigh area REALTOR, to learn more, view homes, and start the home buying process.

Raleigh First Time Home Buyers

If you are a first time Raleigh home buyer, I may be able to get you included in the Federal First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit, so long as we have our paper work in by the end of April and closing by the end of June.

Ready to start the journey to your new home? I’m ready to help you.

Until next time,
Jim

French Woods Community in North Raleigh

Located in North Raleigh, French Woods real estate is comprised of 23 lots ranging in size from 1/4 acre to a full half acres.

One of the best features of French Woods? Currently, there are still open lots for sale as well as numerous styles of breathtaking Triangle homes for sale. Raleigh real estate investors can either buy a home that is ready for a quick move in, or they can have a custom home built by Andrea Homes & Stellar Blu, LLC.

This North Raleigh custom builders can show you many floor plans or you can even start from scratch to create you own dream home.

Raleigh Home Buying Tips

While the Raleigh home buying process can be very fun, it can also be quite a long journey. If you are wanting to get in on the tail end of the First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit, make sure you read up on everything that has to be in place before the end of April.

Raleigh, NC REALTOR

When you are ready to start the Raleigh home buying journey, or if you want to push your Raleigh MLS home search into high gear so you can qualify for the Federal Home Buyers Tax Credit before the end of April, then simply contact me, Jim Allen. I am a long time expert Raleigh real estate agent and I am here to serve you and all your real estate needs.

Until next time,
Jim

Anna Wilson Marketing Manager for the Jim Allen Group, Coldwell Banker Howard Perry and Walston.

RALEIGH, NC-  The Jim Allen Group, Coldwell Banker Howard Perry and Walston are pleased to announce that Anna Wilson has joined their team as their Marketing Manager.  Anna, a Raleigh native began her real estate career in Charlotte, NC.  Before functioning as the Marketing Manager for the Jim Allen Group, Anna also worked for the new homes division of Coldwell Banker Howard Perry and Walston.  Anna has won numerous local, state, and national awards for her marketing excellence.
 “We are delighted to be able to welcome Anna to our team and are confident that with her experience she will be an invaluable asset,” says Jim Allen, President of The Jim Allen Group.

About The Jim Allen Group
The Jim Allen Group is comprised of 16 Buyers Agents, seven office staff, and Jim Allen, the #1 Agent in the Triangle since 1996.  For more information about Jim Allen and his team, please call The Jim Allen Group at 919-845-9099 or visit their website at www.JimAllen.com . Sales and marketing by The Jim Allen Group, Coldwell Banker Howard Perry and Walston, 5509 Creedmoor Road, Raleigh, NC 27612.

North Raleigh Living at its Finest!

Close enough to be near all the conveniences of the Triangle, the North Raleigh neighborhood of Seville is also the epitome of serene country estate living at its finest! Minutes from shopping destinations of Midtown, Triangle Town Center and Crabtree Valley Mall, the distinctive North Raleigh neighborhood of Seville provides home buyers a unique and rare North Raleigh real estate opportunity.

Directions to the Neighborhood of Seville in North Raleigh

Take Six Forks Road North, then left on Norwood Road. Seville will be on your right. Contact the Jim Allen Group today for a persoanlly guided tour of the homes in what is recognized as the absolute finest address in North Raleigh.

Until my next post,

Jim

While the Raleigh real estate market is considered “so-so” when compared with the robust “go-go” years of 2002-2006, one facet of the Triangle economy that continues to hum right along is the local job market. One only has to observe the business media to read headline after headline of accolades the greater Raleigh, Durham and RTP area’s enjoy with job creation, sustained livability and quality of life. One of the local leaders in job creation is the pharmaceutical sector.

The Pharma Sector – The Triangle Job Opportunity of Today and Tomorrow!

According to recent reports, the pharma sector here in the Triangle was ranked sixth in the country for jobs in the pharmaceutical industry in 2006. The Raleigh, Durham and Research Triangle Park rank just behind the cities of:

1. New York
2. Philadelphia
3. Chicago
4. Indianapolis
5. San Francisco
6. Raleigh/Durham

What Factors Propel The Pharma Sector in the Triangle?

Critical components that allow the Triangle area to enjoy this status as a leading area for the Pharma industry are many and include:

• The educational core of the Research Triangle Park – North Carolina State University at Raleigh, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Duke University located in Durham. Without the help of educating and training of sharp minds by these elite universities, our area would surely lag behind in this industry.
• The Research Triangle Park itself. Numerous Clinical Research Organizations (CRO) call RTP home. Without these much needed Clinical Research Organizations, our area would not offer the infrastructure to support the clinical trial phase for the local Pharma industry. Examples of area CRO employers include AIHF Clinical Research, aai Pharma, PPD and Quintiles Transnational.

Raleigh Neighborhoods Convenient to RTP

If you’re moving to the Triangle as a result of taking a position with one the local pharmaceutical organizations, you’ll be happy to know we have many Raleigh neighborhoods convenient to the Research Triangle Park. Those neighborhoods include:

• Brittany Estates located near Leesville Road just off I-540 in Raleigh
• The Oaks of Westlake located near Leesville Road just off I-540 in Raleigh
• French Woods located off Glenwood Avenue
• Stonehaven located near Lynn Road near I-540

All of these Raleigh neighborhoods offer a short commute to RTP from I-540 to I-40.

Are You Thinking About Moving to Raleigh?

If you’re relocating to the Triangle or are in the market for a new custom home in Raleigh and you would like more neighborhood information, be sure to leave a comment and let us know how we may help in your Raleigh home search.

Until my next post,

Jim

1. Triangle custom home builders are creating an oasis in your master suite! Stressed out people need a space to escape from their hectic work lives and a master bedroom with sitting area and fireplace are just the ticket for a relaxing respite. No longer found just in high-end luxury Raleigh homes, buyers are talking and Raleigh home builders are listening!
2. Home theaters are all the rage among custom homes in the Triangle. Many consider these rooms as “man caves” but women spend their fair share of time watching their favorite movies or the latest episode of “Dancing with the Stars” here too! Now Triangle home builders are taking what was once a “family room” and transforming these spaces into “family screening rooms”.
3. The home office gets a makeover! More than just a space for the desktop computer, today’s Raleigh home office is far more comfortable with trayed ceilings and custom cabinetry allowing the owners to escape from their daily grind with a good book and a cup of iced coffee.
4. Outdoor living is more popular than ever and builders have begun adding what were once only thought to be luxury amenities to outdoor spaces to moderately priced custom homes in the Triangle. Covered porches decked out with flat-screen TV’s and dedicated space for a gas grill are more common than ever here in the Triangle.

Are You Thinking About a New Raleigh Home?

If you’re moving to the Triangle or are in the market for a new custom home in Raleigh and know of another feature we failed to list, leave a comment and let us know about it.

Until my next post,

Jim

From in-home spas to extended outdoor rooms, today’s Raleigh luxury home buyer seeks amenity-filled creature comforts normally found at a posh five diamond hotel. Now add ultra-gourmet kitchen appliances like multiple walk-in refrigerators and commercial grade Viking stoves and you have the makings for a professional kitchen fit for a five-star restaurant. These are but a few of the must-have features Raleigh luxury home buyers are seeking.

Jim’s Top Ten Must-have Luxury Appointments and Features

My list of luxury home amenities includes:

1. Hobby rooms – Because many of today’s Triangle luxury buyers are quickly approaching (if not already there) their retirement years, it’s important to have multiple specialty rooms dedicated to accommodate both spouses’ hobbies. These rooms should be organized and outfitted with the tools and organized space required for today’s active homeowner. From rooms dedicated to scrapbooking to woodworking, these rooms should be tailored to the homeowner’s creative taste and needs.

2. High-tech homes – Luxury home buyers seek all the technology “bells and whistles” including structured wiring and security for starters. It goes without saying; these homes must have wireless remote capabilities for audio, video and security. Other security features include multiple settings for entertainment and interior and exterior light controls with remote onsite and offsite access. Many if not all luxury buyers need to be connected online 24/7, hence the need for commercial-grade, high-speed Internet connectivity.

3. Pampered vehicles – Today’s successful corporate executive and luxury home buyer typically has a stable of expensive autos in tow. For the most avid of car collectors, especially those living in confined city spaces, tools and features to maintain and detail the homeowner’s fleet of cars clean can be a challenge. Preferred on-premise amenities include indoor car lifts, an indoor car wash and storage for onsite maintenance. No doubt, these luxury homeowners spare no expense for their ultimate collection of priceless automobiles.

4. Ultra-gourmet kitchens – Professional-grade kitchens are another must-have feature. Luxury buyers desire their kitchen to be loaded with commercial quality walk-in refrigerators, multiple dishwashers and stoves one would expect to find in a five-star restaurant. What with the growing popularity of home entertaining, these appliances are no longer options but are the norm for in-home chefs and even the novice gourmet cook in the family.

5. Wine cellars and tasting rooms – Many of today’s luxury home buyers are also connoisseurs of fine wines. The vast majority of Raleigh luxury homes come equipped with a climate-controlled wine cellar. Adjacent tasting rooms equipped with sinks and buckets for wine sampling are also in high demand as well.

6. Your Personal Spa Retreat and Workout Gym – No longer just a remote room filled with mirrors and bright lights, the home gym has undergone an extreme makeover. The luxury homeowner now expects the home to emulate a complete health and wellness facility. Spa-like amenities include steam and message rooms and Yoga and Pilates studios. Gone are outdated hot tubs, now replaced with indoor lap pools and half court basketball gyms.

7. Concierge services – No longer limited to condo-hotels and condominium owners, concierge services are a reality for today’s Raleigh luxury homeowner. Builders and developers have combined resources to incorporate the growing demand for onsite companies specializing in concierge services. From providing in-home chefs to making dinner reservations, concierge services relieve the luxury homeowner of the burden of picking up the dry cleaning or purchasing opera tickets. These concierge services are forth-coming in newer Raleigh luxury home neighborhoods. Contact us to determine what new home developments offer these unique services.

8. Media rooms – A Media room remains in my top ten lists of must-have amenities. However, today’s media rooms surpass those of the local public theater. Equipped with a theater-size screen, these light-controlled venues typically boast 6.1 digital surround sound and the latest high-tech gadgets to entertain. Stocked with plush reclining seats and easy to access fully-stocked refreshment centers, today’s media room can easily accommodate groups of any size.

9. Home elevators –Accessibility is critical as our population continues to age. Plus – as lot sizes diminish, the need for vertical construction will be a priority. Luxury homes equipped with elevators are becoming a matter of convenience as well as necessity for the typical luxury home buyer.

10. Outdoor Living Spaces – Another must have feature for luxury homes is outdoor living spaces. Amenities usually consist of fireplace, ceiling fans, wired surround sound, flat panel TV and built in appliances such as gas grill and refrigerator.

Do You Have a Must-have Luxury Home Amenity?

If so, what is your favorite luxury amenity or feature? How would you rank my list in the order of preference? I look forward to your response!

Until my next post,

Jim