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.

The tax credit is for first time home buyers and for move up buyers. For that first time buyer of a Raleigh home, the IRS defines  that individual as someone who has not owned a principal residence during the three-year period prior to the purchase. The credit does not have to be repaid unless the home is sold or ceases to be used as the buyer’s principal residence within three years after the initial purchase.

Raleigh Real Estate For Sale

What is also great? The tax credit can be taken for THIS YEAR, but simply submitting and amendment to your 2009 taxes, so you should get your tax credit before the end of the summer. The tax credit is for 10% of the home’s purchase price up to a maximum of $8,000 on homes priced at $800,000 or less. That is quite a nice sum of money to put towards your house, decorating your house, or even saving for a rainy day or a new roof down the road.

For homes purchased on or before April 30, 2010, single taxpayers with incomes up to $125,000 and married couples with incomes up to $225,000 qualify for the full tax credit. Additionally, so long as a binding contract is signed by April 30, 2010, the IRS will also grant the tax credit, so long as you close by June 30, 2010.

Relocate to Raleigh, NC

So while I don’t want you to feel pressured or rushed into buying Raleigh homes for sale, if you are certain you will be buying a home in the next few months, it would be a shame to miss out on the tax credit by only a few days.  If you have questions about the homebuyers tax credit, or want to put your Raleigh MLS home search into high gear, simply contact me, Jim Allen, your trusted Raleigh real estate agent, to learn more about Raleigh, NC home buying and make sure you can get the Federal Housing Tax Credit.

Until next time,
Jim

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.

Surpisingly though, the hardest hit group of people?

Renters.

It is horrible, but some homeowners are allowing their North Raleigh real estate fall into foreclosre, sometimes in an act to save their primary residence. What does that mean for the people renting the home? What kinds of rights do you have, as a renter?

Renting North Raleigh NC Property

Under the new federal law that took effect on May 20, 2009, the bank generally must honor the tenant’s lease.

Is there an exception? If the bank sells the home to a Raleigh home buyer who will use the home as a primary residence, the bank can then furnish a 90 day notice of eviction to the tenants.

Landlords-you could now be held liable for your tenants’ monetary damages- like higher rent and moving expenses inccured because of the early termination of their lease.

Renting property in Raleigh

Would you like to keep an eye on your landlord? Make sure they are paying the mortage of the home your family is renting? Check out LemonLandlord.com, where you can actually monitor whether or not your landlord is in foreclosure.

Buying Raleigh Real Estate

Should you find yourself getting evicted because your landlord is facing foreclosure, this could be the perfect time for you to buy your own North Raleigh home! There are wonderful deals on homes for sale in Raleigh, and the Jim Allen Raleigh NC Real Estate Team can help advise you every step of the way to owning your own North Raleigh area home.

Contact North Raleigh NC Realtor

Simply contact us, the Jim Allen Group, to learn more about the Raleigh NC home buying process.

Until next time,
Jim

Raleigh is on a Roll!

Other top list the Raleigh/Triangle area has been named to includes:

• #2 on the Milken Institute’s 2008 listing of “Best Performing Cities”
• Raleigh-Cary metro statistical areas ranking No. 1o Forbes’ 2009 listing of “Best Metro Areas for Business and Careers.”

Characteristics of a Top 10 Kiplinger City?

1. Large portion of the cities’ work force are in the “creative class” of employees. Examples of creative class employees include techies, those in the field of science, educators and engineers
2. Flourishing start-up business environment. This characteristic is obviously powered by the Research Triangle Park and the wealth of local universities that foster start-ups
3. Speaking of local universities, that is another key shared characteristic of many of the cities named to the Kiplinger top 10 list. Raleigh is home to North Carolina State University. Other prominent localauniversities include Duke University in Durham and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill along with many smaller institutions of higher learning.
4. Another key component of Kiplinger’s list of top cities is the availabiulity of outstanding health care facilities. The greater Triangle area hospitals are consistently recognized for providing superior health care. Those hospitals include: Rex Healthcare/UNC Healthcare Systems, Wake Med, and Duke Medical.
5. The last remaining ingrediant one would find in each top 10 cities is the element of cultural diversity available. Raleigh continues to expand it’s offering of entertainment, great eateries, lifestyle/recreational opportunities and events.

Great Reasons to Move to Ralegh, NC

All the above reasons make Raleigh (and Raleigh real estate) attractive. As a Raleigh resident, what other characteristics/attributes would you add to this list?

Until my next post,

Jim Allen

Raleigh Job Growth

• Job growth in Raleigh has been spurred by major tech players from the Research Triangle Park (often referred to as RTP). Large Triangle-wide employers like IBM, Glaxso Smith Klein and Cisco Systems also employ high wage earners.

Triangle Brain Power!

• Large population of highly educated citizens. Obviously, North Carolina State University, UNC Chapel Hill and Duke University in Durham all help provide considerable “brain power” to the Raleigh real estate market.

Sustainable Population Growth in Raleigh

• Population growth in Raleigh has been spurred by a resurrected downtown Raleigh. Nightlife, great restaurants, the Arts and entertainment options are now part of downtown Raleigh life! The Today Show also mentions that Raleigh has been the recipient of many accolades from publications like Forbes, Inc. and Money Magazine.

Our Outstanding Weather Makes Relocating to Raleigh A Breeze!

• Great weather! Yes, this is one of the big reasons so many home buyers relocate to Raleigh. Our residents enjoy 4 distinct seasons but we are seldom experience extreme heat, cold or large snowfalls.

Raleigh is Known for Being a Family-friendly City!

• Barbara recognizes Raleigh for it’s terrific family-friendly environment

Affordable Homes in Raleigh, NC!

• Another key contributing factor to Raleigh’s real estate market turnaround was it’s affordability factor of our area. Average median price for the Raleigh real estate market is just over $223,000 for a typical 3 bedroom/2.5 bath home.

First Time Home Buyers are Rejuvenating the Raleigh Real Estate Market!

• The affordability factor of the Raleigh real estate market has enticed many first time home buyers to enter the market. This is especially true because of the $8000 tax credit now available.

Real Estate Market in Raleigh Avoided Wild Swings!

• Because foreclosure has ravaged so many real estate markets, Raleigh never really experienced the wild swings in home values in the Triangle market. This critical factor helped prevent many Raleigh area homeowners from realizing diminishing home values and overwhelming foreclosure rates.

Now that you have watched this short video, what other reasons can you list why the Raleigh real estate market is on the edge of a rebound?

Forbes.com Top Cities for Empty Nesters

1. Las Vegas
2. Raleigh
3. Austin
4. Atlanta
5. Phoenix
6. Portland-
7. Albuquerque
8. Dallas
9. Orlando
10. D.C.

What are the Primary Needs of Empty Nester’s Relocating to Raleigh?

• Typically in their late 40’s to early 60’s, many empty nesters possess good health. However their good health does not preclude their need to be located near outstanding health care facilities.
• Desire to remain active. Raleigh is home to many beautiful golf courses and a wide variety of recreational facilities.
• Interested in cultural options. Raleigh offers a wide range of cultural opportunities from the North Carolina Theater, the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts and the intimate Raleigh Little Theater
• Like the opportunity to eat out at fine dining establishments. We have you covered there!
• Shopping needs to be located nearby. There are many area shopping malls including Crabtree Valley, Triangle Town Center, North Hills, Cameron Village and Briar Creek.
• Home should be easy to maintain to allow for maximum social time. Effortless living can be obtained with a wide array of home buying choices in the Raleigh real estate market.

Smart Home Buying Investment Decisions

The Boomer generation has more buying power than any previous generation in our country’s history. As a Raleigh real estate expert, the team at the Jim Allen Group understands that your home buying decisions must be predicated on a solid investment decision. If you are relocating to Raleigh, we look forward to serving your special needs.

Your Feedback?

If you are an empty nester and you have relocated to Raleigh recently, what qualities attracted you to this area? Be the first to comment.

Your Raleigh real estate specialist,

Jim Allen

• Unemployment rates
• Job growth
• Income growth
• Median household incomes
• Costs of living in the nation’s 100 largest metropolitan areas

The Reasons Raleigh is a National Leader for Business and Careers

Forbes.com indicated the following reasons why Raleigh has been selected as America’s best for business and careers.

• The close proximity of the Research Triangle Park with it’s job growth potential
• Several major universities located in the Triangle including North Carolina State University, Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Low area unemployment
• Strong income opportunities
• Solid job growth
• High incomes
• Relatively low cost of living

According to economist Steve Cochrane with Moody’s Economy.com “There isn’t much of a negative in Raleigh.” Economy.com was the provider of the data for the Forbes.com survey.

Are You Moving to Raleigh?

If so, feel free to give us a call toll-free at 800.884.2117 or contact us at JimAllen.com for a complete relocation kit for the greater Raleigh area. If you plan on visiting Raleigh in the near future and would like a personal tour of real estate in the Triangle, we are your Triangle real estate experts.

Until my next post,

Jim