Parade of Homes is Saturday and Sunday from 12-5 PM for both Counties with Wake County including Friday as part of the preview.  This opportunity gives those interested the ability to view, ask questions, get ideas, learn about new features and amenities and possibly buy a new home.

This year, The Jim Allen Group has 33 entries in both Parades and covers 14 different neighborhoods. Its a big undertaking making sure all 33 homes are staffed with real estate professionals ready to answer questions and provide viewers with details and information about a specific property or neighborhood. But, its also a time for us to share beautiful homes built by some of the areas finest custom home builders. We have over 30 neighborhoods that we market and even more builders whom we are honored to call our partners. These builders take a house and make it a home and make dreams come true for many people.

In the coming weeks, each Parade home will be judged to determine category winners. We at The Jim Allen Group are excited about the potential winners that are among the many homes we represent and anticipate some big winners! As soon as the winners are announced, I will be sure and update our site.

I hope you take some time to visit some of the properties we represent during the Parade of Homes and see for yourself “What makes a House a Home.” You never know, You just might end up buying a New Home.

We are looking forward to a busy and exciting 2011 Parade season. Record numbers of entries across Wake County are going to make this years event more spectacular than expected. Here at The Jim Allen Group, we will be representing 17 beautiful homes that range in price from the low $200′s all the way to $1.8 million. Get ready to head out and view these amazing properties the first 3 weekends of October (10/1-2, 10/7-9, 10/14-16) from 12 to 5PM.

Here are the neighborhoods we will be showcasing homes in:

Barton’s Creek, Heritage, The Meadows, Majestic Oaks, Stowecroft, Wakefield and North Ridge.

The Parade of Homes season kicked off last week with a great Tri-County Parade Awards dinner at the Carolina Ale House located in Wake Forest, NC.   Jim Allen Group builder winners racked up in the awards category.  Awards included the following:

Braeburn- SILVER WINNER
15 Prestwick Court- Lot 5
Built by: Noel Homes, Inc.

Braeburn- BRONZE WINNER
40 Muirfield Dr.- Lot 38
Built by: MBC Homes, LLC

Rivers Edge- SILVER WINNER
250 Rivers Edge Dr.- Lot 53
Built by: Grant, Inc.

Rivers Edge- GOLD WINNER
240 Rivers Edge Dr.- Lot 54
Built by: Sumner Construction

Rivers Edge- SILVER WINNER
200 Rivers Edge Dr.- Lot 58
Built by: MBC Homes, LLC

Rivers Edge- GOLD WINNER
185 Rivers Edge Dr.- Lot 87
Built by: NRV Homes Inc.

Woodcroft Estates- BRONZE WINNER
330 Marlowe Dr.- Lot 231
Built by: Sawyer Homes

Woodford- BRONZE WINNER
30 Lexington Ave.- Lot 49
Built by: Ross Construction

Winston Ridge- GOLD WINNER
17 Larkspur Ct.- Lot 25
Built by:  MBC Homes, LLC

Other neighborhoods on tour for the Tri-County parade include Anderson Park- 103 Anderson Park Dr.- Lot 10 built by: SmartBuilt, Inc.  The Tri-County Parade runs Oct.2-3 and Oct. 9-10 from 11-5 p.m.  Be sure to visit our Parade of Homes tab located on the home page for additional information about the Tri-County houses on tour.

The Wake Parade of Homes sponsored by the Home Builders Association of Raleigh- Wake County also kicks off this weekend.  The Jim Allen Group has 14 homes on the Wake County tour and are looking forward to the Wake County Parade of Homes Awards banquet on Wednesday, October 12.  Jim Allen Group neighborhoods included in the Wake County Parade of Homes include Glendower Place, GreyHawk Landing, Hillcrest Farms, Majestic Oaks, Seville, Stowecroft, and The Meadows.  The Wake County parade begins this weekend Oct. 2-3 and runs the following two weekends, Oct. 8-10, Oct. 15-17  from 11-5.  Stay tuned for the Wake County Parade of Homes Awards winners and be sure NOT to miss out on all these great properties on tour throughout the Triangle.

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