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.

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.

The three (3) primary disclosures that I will cover in this series includes the:

1. Residential Lead-based Paint Hazard Disclosure (for all homes built prior to 1978)
2. Residential Property Disclosure Statement (homes-condos & townhomes)
3. The Condo Resale Certificate (condos built on or after 10-1-86)

The Residential Lead-based Paint Hazard Disclosure

If you are selling your Raleigh house built before 1978, you must comply with a the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992 (U.S. Code § 4852d ). It is also referred to as Title X.

The Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992 requires that you:

• Disclose all known lead-based paint and hazards in the house
• Provide buyers with a pamphlet prepared by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) called Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home
• Include certain warning language in the contract as well as signed statements from all parties verifying that all requirements were completed
• Retention of signed acknowledgments for three years as proof of compliance
• Provide Raleigh home buyers a ten-day opportunity to test the house for lead.

Raleigh Home Sellers – Failure to Comply Could be Costly!

Failure to comply with Title X requirements could result in the buyer taking legal action to sue you the seller for triple the amount of damages actually suffered. For more information on lead hazards, prevention, and disclosures, contact the National Lead Information Center — by phone at 800-424-LEAD, or check their website at www.epa.gov/lead.

All the More Reason to Hire a Raleigh Real Estate Expert!

This short post should be a wake up call for anyone who is thinking about buying or selling Raleigh real estate! As you can readily see, buying and selling Raleigh real estate is a complex transaction and requires the help of a knowledgeable real estate professional who should protect your interest and keep you from legal peril. Stay tuned as I review the next disclosure – the Residential Property Disclosure Statement.

More to come soon,

Jim

Raleigh Property Surveys Serve Many Useful Needs

Another reason why it’s a good idea to have a property survey performed is to identify any easements and encroachments that exist on the property you are buying. It is far better to know where your property lines are at the time of purchase as opposed to learning where they are as a result of a property line dispute after you have moved into your new Raleigh home.

Money Well-Spent Today Could Save You Thousands Down the Road

If you have ever owned a home, you know it is important to know where your Raleigh property line setbacks are located. Setbacks are the predetermined boundaries that stipulate how far from the property line you may position a driveway, a storage building, a fence or any other structure. These setbacks are usually stated in the subdivision restrictive covenants. Without a “recent” property survey, it really is difficult to know where your setback lines are located. Hence, one more viable reason why you should spend the money now to purchase peace of mind in the future.

What other reasons can you think of to secure a Raleigh property survey?

Jim

I’m not sure if you have noticed lately but mortgage interest rates to finance your new or existing Raleigh home purchase have been heading north. If you have good credit, cash for a down payment, earnest money and your closing cost, and you’re wondering if now is the best time to buy a home here in the Triangle, just remember, your choices are plentiful.

Buy Raleigh Real Estate when the Market is Low – Sale High!

Smart investors know the most opportune time to buy (stocks, real estate investment or any other financial investment instrument) is when fear is the greatest and prices are at their lowest. Time will tell if the Raleigh real estate market has hit bottom, not that our market has experienced the roller coaster effect like those real estate markets located in Las Vegas, the Inland Empire of California or the Miami condo real estate market.

So You Think You Can “Time” the Raleigh Real Estate Market

Ask anyone the best way to “time the market” and you’re apt to hear a myriad of answers  – none of which are an excact science. So if you are scheming to holdout until Triangle home prices are at their lowest, you may have lost money with additional cost for your mortgage with your attempts to time the market.

Look into Your Crystal Ball

If you had a Raleigh real estate crystal ball, where do you feel mortgage rates are headed in the next 5 months? I look forward to your comments.

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

Characteristics of the Generation Y Population

In her piece, Stacy interviews three members of the Y generation. Some of the characteristics of Gen Y’s stated in the article include:

• Gen Y’s are tech-centric. They were raised on computers and habitually use the Internet to research before making any buying decision. Using technology like text messaging, blogs, micro-blog using tools like Twitter, and creating online profiles at digital social networks like Facebook and Linkedin in everyday life is the norm.
• Gen Y’s are self-assured, focused on what they want and are always on the move when seeking the next rung up the career ladder.
• Gen Y’s prefer sterile, clean spaces that require little or no upkeep.

One Raleigh Real Estate Agent’s Opinion

As a team of Raleigh real estate agents, we serve clients of all ages from Gen Y’s to members of the Baby Boomer generation. Even members of the “Classic” generation have bought and sold Raleigh real estate using our services. Not every Gen Y buyer wants to buy a sterile, brick, steel, and glass downtown Raleigh condo. Yes, many members of the Y generation desire to live in traditional single-family homes in Triangle neighborhoods and enjoy all the benefits this home buying option has to offer.

So What About You Raleigh Gen Y?

Are you a member of the Y Generation? Leave a comment and tell us what you think of this post.

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

Some of the better Triangle area hotels our clients have used in the past include:

• Sheraton Raleigh Hotel Downtown (919) 834-9900
• Raleigh Hilton – North Raleigh (919) 872-2323
• Embassy Suites Hotel Raleigh-Crabtree (919) 881-0000
• Marriott Hotels & Resorts Raleigh Marriott (919) 781-7000
• Extended Stay Hotels Inc – Raleigh (919) 829-7271
• The Umstead Hotel and Spa – Cary (919) 447-4000
• Homestead Raleigh – Crabtree Valley (919) 510-8551

More Raleigh Hotel Choices Coming Soon

If you’re planning a move to Raleigh around the first of 2009, your choices for available hotel rooms will be greater. The North Hills Renaissance Hotel is scheduled to open in early 2009. Located just down the road from the offices of the Jim Allen Group, this beautiful new hotel will offer conveniences galore! Located right in the middle of the new North Hills business and shopping district, guest will be offered many dining and shopping choices. Some of the in room amenities available to each hotel guest at the new Renaissance Hotel include:

• Free wired and wireless high speed internet access
• A 37″ high-def TV in the room (with jacks for accessory connectivity)
• A 15″ high def TV in the bathroom
• Refrigerator
• Safe
• 300 thread-count sheets
• Complimentary parking

Contact Us Today

If you are thinking about relocating to the Triangle area of North Carolina and need assistance with arranging your local lodging, please leave a message or contact the Jim Allen Group for all your Triangle home buying needs.

Your Raleigh real estate specialist,

Jim Allen