Harner lives in North Raleigh with his wife, Nancy who also works in Real Estate. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with family and friends and traveling.

 “Jim has a wealth of experience and is well known and highly respected in the industry. We are thrilled to have him onboard with us and his knowledge will be invaluable to our team” says Jim Allen, President of The Jim Allen Group.

TLMS Data of Closed Home Sales by Month and Year from 2007 to 2011

The graph to the left reveals that June is historically the busiest month (with the exception of 2009 where July had 50 more sales) and January is the slowest, with a few exceptions. Even at the peak of home sales in 2006, it is the inventory levels that drive sales and home prices. An abundance of inventory provides for a buyers market and likewise for a sellers market with not enough inventory. We may not see the number of homes sales on a monthly or yearly basis of 2006 or 2007 however, based on current inventory levels and market activity, we will see that the decline of sales will level off and show much improvement. This will provide for a healthier market where home prices will remain steady. Note that in the last 6 months of 2011, there has been constant growth in home transactions as compared to 2010. All but December has produced double digit increases. This is the bright spot in a gloomy market. I believe this trend will continue and our activity in the first weeks of January are showing positive results.

The next graph shows just the closed transactions for Wake County. Similar to the pattern of all of Triangle transactions, the largest decline was between 2007 & 2008. Also important is that the same growth over the past 6 months shows double digit increases with the exception of December which posted an 8% gain.

As the growth of Wake County continues to prosper and the market begins to rebound, it is important to understand inventory levels. Inventory levels pertain to the number of available homes in the specific markets (new construction vs. re-sale) and  price points. Any price point that has an inventory of under 5 months is an Extreme Seller’s Market. Any price point that has an inventory of 5+ to 8 months supply is a Good Seller’s Market. Any price point that has an inventory greater than 8 months is a Buyer’s Market. Currently, in Wake County much of the landscape is a Seller’s market with only the price range of $475,ooo to $500,000 of Re-Sales Listings showing a 10.5 month inventory. So, next time you hear that the real estate market in weak – look at the facts and figures and know that growth is happening. Get ready for a HOT spring market in Wake County and surrounding communities. Here at The Jim Allen Group, optimism is abundant and we are excited about the new year and  selling some houses!

Wake County Transactions based on Monthly and Yearly Activity since 2006. Data from TMLS

Wake Forest, Area 14 - Inventory Levels by Price Point & Type

The Cab Ride

I arrived at the address and honked the horn. After waiting a few minutes I walked to the door and knocked.

‘Just a minute’, answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor. After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90′s stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940′s movie.  By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets.  There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.

‘Would you carry my bag out to the car?’ she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman. She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb.  She kept thanking me for my kindness. ‘It’s nothing’, I told her… ‘I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother to be treated.’

‘Oh, you’re such a good boy, she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address and then asked, ‘Could you drive through downtown?’

‘It’s not the shortest way,’ I answered quickly…

‘Oh, I don’t mind,’ she said. ‘I’m in no hurry. I’m on my way to a hospice.  I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. ‘I don’t have any family left,’ she continued in a soft voice. ‘The doctor says I don’t have very long.’ I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.

‘What route would you like me to take?’ I asked.  For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an

elevator operator.  We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl. Sometimes she’d ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.

As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, ‘I’m tired. Let’s go now’. We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico. Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her. I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.

‘How much do I owe you?’ She asked, reaching into her purse.  ‘Nothing,’ I said  ‘You have to make a living,’ she answered.

‘There are other passengers,’ I responded.  Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly. ’You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,’ she said ‘Thank you. ‘I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light.

Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life.

I didn’t pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away? On a quick review, I don’t think that I have done anything more important in my life.

We are conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments.  But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.

You won’t get any big surprise  if you send this to others, but, you might help make the world a little kinder and more compassionate – reminding  us that often it is the random acts of kindness that most benefit all of us.

Thank you, my friend…

Life

Every new year brings the potential for such promise and we tend to start out with good intentions to make a change but after a few weeks, we seem to get side tracked. The energy and excitement fizzles out… and then you are exactly where you started. Not this year! Make the effort to really put your resolutions down on paper, make a plan and stick with it. Choose resolutions that are achievable and even consider breaking them down into individual goals. Consider putting a time frame on Goal #1 that once achieved, you move onto Goal #2 and so on. Maybe you can’t move onto Goal #2 unless you achieve Goal #1… making it more rewarding as you move on. Also, don’t forget to include some type of reward or incentive as you achieve your goals.

Whatever it is that you hope 2012 brings – healthier lifestyle, new job or success, today is a new day to make it happen! It is up to you to make the effort and the time to achieve what you want.

I will periodically post updates on our progress and let you know what our next charitable cause will be. Hopefully, this will entice others to reflect on their good fortune and reach out to others in ways they can. It’s a win-win for everyone!

Wishing you all a Happy New Year and a GREAT 2012!!!

As Sproles spiked the ball, Brees thrust his fist triumphantly in the air and started walking toward midfield while the Superdome crowd went wild and his teammates chased him down. Offensive lineman Carl Nicks was the first one to get there and tried to lift Brees onto his shoulder, but couldn’t do it as teammates swarmed around.

Dan Marino was obviously watching as he tweeted following the record-setting play: “Congrats to @drewbrees. Great job by such a special player.”

Brees entered the game with 4,780 yards, needing 305 to set the record. He has passed for 300 yards or more an NFL-record 12 times this season – with one game still to play. This was his sixth consecutive 200-yard game, which ties an NFL record also shared by Steve Young, Kurt Warner and Rich Gannon.

Brees threatened Marino’s record once before in 2008, when he finished with 5,069 yards, making him and Marino the only quarterbacks to pass for 5,000 yards in a season.

As the football season winds down with only one week remaining, there is still plenty left to be decided, including three division winners (Giants or Cowboys in NFC East, Steelers or Ravens in AFC North, and Broncos or Raiders in AFC West) and playoff positioning for several teams. The loss by the Falcons  to the Saints dropped them out of the NFC South title race and sealed their fate as a wild card seed.

Looking for standings of this years season and who is in the race for Super Bowl… Click Here!

Love the holidays!

Good thing there are plenty of local ceremonies to take advantage of. Pack up the family, bring your camera, fix a thermos of hot chocolate and be a part of the holiday season!

NC State Tree Lighting Ceremony and Festival

Location: North Carolina State Capitol
Date: Wednesday December 5th, 2007
Time: 5 pm-7:30 pm

Visit: www.ncstatecapitol.org

Festivities begin with the lighting of luminaries and musical performances on the Capitol grounds. The Governor and First Lady will light the State Christmas Tree during the traditional ceremony on the west grounds. After the ceremony, visitors are invited inside the Capitol for an open house to take in the Raleigh Garden Club’s decorations. The Junior Women’s Club of Raleigh will host a holiday festival featuring music and children’s activities on Union Square, in the museums, and on Bicentennial Plaza. Cost: Free

Luckily, the holidays are a perfect time for us all appreciate all that we have. I use to get stressed when the holidays arrived as I felt I had so much to do, and so little time to get it done.  Once I realized that I didn’t have to get everything done and I was expecting too much of myself, I was actually able to enjoy them (the holidays) and appreciate the things that really matter.

It’s nice to have the most festive looking house in the neighborhood, and its’ nice to have your  family holiday card in the mail on-time, and it’s nice to make holiday treats for your neighbors and friends, and its’ nice to plan a great holiday get together BUT, its not what make the holidays special. From Thanksgiving to New Years, I believe its a time for all of us to reflect on what we have and be thankful for everything in our lives. There are things that are more important than what kind of car you drive, how big your house is and where you went on vacation.

I hope you have the opportunity to take the time and take inventory of what you have, and that which makes you thankful. The more you realize what you have, the more thankful you become.

Here are a few things some of the team at The Jim Allen Group are Thankful for:

• Laurie is Thankful for making it through the first year with her new husband (Nov 27th is our one year anniversary)!
• Steve is Thankful for A great country that allows everyone to be as successful as their efforts and creativity will take them.
• Cathy is Thankful for her Family because she wouldn’t be who she is without them!!
• Tom is Thankful for The blessings of God in my life. He is always faithful to take care of my family’s needs. My wife, kids, home, friends, and church are all extensions of His goodness.
• I am Thankful for everything that I have; my family, my faith, my health, and knowing that when I wake up every morning, I have the opportunity to make the best of what lies ahead.
• Everyone here at The Jim Allen Group is Thankful for all the people who give us the opportunity to work with them to sell their current home and/or to find their next dream home. We are pleased to make a difference in your lives.

Yippy to all the things that make us Thankful! The list is endless and constantly changing but taking the time to reflect on what is important is what matters. Happy Holidays to you and your family!

Lytle lives in North Raleigh with her husband and bulldog, Winston. When not working, she enjoys spending time with her family, shopping, cooking and playing tennis.

 “Having Debra join our team is a great asset as she fully understands the process and procedures necessary to get a close accomplished on-time. She can quickly step in and rectify situations and avoid costly mistakes” says Jim Allen, President of The Jim Allen Group.

The event was an opportunity for local area realtors to visit the neighborhood and experience the charm and amenities offered. With expansive lot sizes, unique home plans and styles and a planned playground, pool and clubhouse, this is a wonderful neighborhood at a great price point.

Tri County Parade of Homes Awards

At the end of the tour, guests enjoyed a delicious array of appetizers, beer and wine and the opportunity to win an iPad and Cash Prizes. The grand prize winner of the iPad was Keith Weaver of Coldwell Banker HPW and Cash Prize winners included: Jane Mansell of Sensational Realty, Kay Lavelle of Allen Tate, Allison Coudell of Re/MAX Preferred and Missy Robbins of Baily Wright.

Two of the five homes won Silver Awards from the Tri-County Parade. The five homes included:

• 280 Plantation Drive, Lot #10 – Built by MBC Homes, LLC – SILVER WINNER
• 236 Plantation Drive, Lot #96 – Built by  Sumner Construction – SILVER WINNER
• 21 Larkspur Court, Lot #24 ­– Built by Brandywine Homes, Inc.
• 225 Plantation Drive, Lot # 43 – Built by Grant Construction, Inc.
• 149 Meadowrue Lane, Lot #72 – Built by MBC Homes, LLC

You can visit Winston Ridge located off US-1 N/ Capital Blvd.; Turn left on Hwy 96 and the neighborhood is .5 miles ahead, on your right. Homes are Energy Star and offer 100% Finance to qualified buyers.