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

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 first win of the night went to builder Johnny Woody, WoodyBuilt, LLC for Best Parade of Homes for The Chardonnay in Falls Preserve in the category of Sales Price of $1,000,001 to $2,000,000.
• Also winning was developer Joel Panara, Panara Development for the Best Community Recreation Facility in Hawthorne.
• And finally, winning in the Top Producer category for General Brokerage was yours truly, The Jim Allen Group.

Jim Allen Group Clients are the BEST!

I wish to personally express my deep appreciation to our fantastic Jim Allen Group clients and secondly, to my staff and team without whom we could not have achieved such success!

Until my next post,

Jim

Your Raleigh Real Estate Agent Team!

The Jim Allen Group Buyer’s Agent

Obtaining her North Carolina Real Estate Brokers license in 2005, Jodi’s primary focus has been that of a Buyer’s Agent for the team. Drawing on her love of horses, Jodi now focuses her passion on helping her clients search for equestrian property for sale. It’s a natural fit for her and for those Raleigh home buyers seeking to relocate to equestrian properties in the Triangle. Jodi knows firsthand the draw the Triangle area has on area newcomers. Fully capable of guiding any Raleigh home buyer who is seeking to relocate to Raleigh, Jodi has earned the title of being “Your Town and Country Realtor” in the Triangle.

Jodi Stanner – Broker/Buyer’s Agent

• Phone:919-877-8866
• Cell:919-280-4698
• Fax:919-573-8340
• Email:Jodi@JimAllen.com

If you share similar passions as a horse lover, why not leave a comment and let Jodi know why living in the Triangle is so special to you and your family.

Jim

• Purchase a home in a community supported by a strong job market. While no area is totally immune to job lose, the Triangle area continues to win accolades for a superior job market and fertile business climate. The fact that the Research Triangle Park is a hotbed for technology and research anchored by our illustrious universities, our job market should remain on a firmer foundation than those areas that are focused on manufacturing.

• Aging boomer buyers will relocate to areas offering a milder climate and quick and easy access to outstanding local health care facilities. Few areas around the country can compete with the Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill area for 4 distinct mild seasons and better health care. Nationally recognized health care facilities include Duke Med (Durham, Raleigh & soon to be Knightdale), Wake Med (Raleigh-Cary-Apex & soon-to be Knightdale), and Rex Healthcare (Raleigh-Cary & Knightdale-opening next spring) all are nationally-recognized health care leaders.
• Another recommended component suggested by the columnist includes buying a home in an area that is near a major university. In the Triangle, you can’t go wrong here! The cornerstone of every community that makes up the Triangle is anchored by a large university plus many smaller universities, colleges and community college.

1. Raleigh is home to North Carolina State University (state-supported)
2. Chapel Hill has the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (state-supported)
3. Durham is home to Duke University, a private Methodist supported university

• Select a home in a walkable Triangle community. While we may be lagging a bit in this category due to our suburban sprawl, forward-thinking Wake County developers are building more “walk-friendly” developments. These new Wake County developments include a mix of residential, commercial (grocery-shops-services) and office space. A few prime examples of this concept includes those being built in several areas of Wake County. The North Hills project by Jim Kane and the Wendell Falls planned development project being built by Mercury Development in Wendell are good examples of walkable communities.

• One local benefit we enjoy that was not mentioned by the syndicated columnist is the fact that we are somewhat resistant to job layoffs because Raleigh is a state capital. That’s the problem I see with the N&O asking someone to write an article that has a national scope and not a hyper-local connection. The point being, when was the last time you heard state government was cutting jobs? If history is our teacher, expect the local, state and federal government to grow not shrink.
• One of the last recommended components of a desirable neighborhood should have a representation of superior home builders. Because of our unique relationships with many of the Triangle’s finest custom builders, the Jim Allen Group markets the absolute best custom built properties in the greater Raleigh real estate market.

Given all the benefits of living in the Triangle, we should be well-positioned for a quicker real estate market rebound than the other areas of the country when the economy improves in 2009.

Do you agree or disagree?

Until my next post,

Jim

Wake County Parade of Homes Award Recipients

Below is a recapp of the Parade of Homes winning entries from each of the neighborhoods the Jim Allen Group represents.

North Raleigh Neighborhood of Falls Preserve
Lot: #10 Falls Preserve
Builder: Woody Built Homes, Inc.
Award: Bronze and 2 Perfect Scores

Tri-County Parade of Homes Award Recipients

South Granville County Neighborhood of Hawthorne
Lot: #30
Builder: Executive Custom Homes, Inc.
Award: Silver Winner

Lot: #40 Hawthorne
Builder: ChadMor Homes, Inc.
Award: Gold

Lot: #45 Hawthorne
Builder: Landon Homes
Award: Gold

Franklinton Neighborhood of Stoneridge
Lot: #5
Builder: Noel Homes
Award: Silver

Franklinton Neighborhood of Ironwood
Builder: DenMark
Lot: #3
Award: Silver

Youngsville Neighborhood of Rivers Edge
Builder: DenMark
Lot: #50
Award: Bronze

Congratulations to the Jim Allen Group Team of Triangle Custom New Home Builders!

We serve the finest group of new home builders in the Triangle and appreciate the opportunity to partner with such outstanding new home builders!

Until my next post,

Jim

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

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