CaryRealEstate.com | Cary NC | Local Specialist for Cary Real Estate
Archive for the 'Buying' Category
CaryRealEstate.com wants to know…What do you know in Cary?
This sure looks like it could be a LOT of fun! Maybe…”The Amazing Race” meets a Saturday afternoon drive ; ) Anybody wanna play?
Announcing the First-Ever Cary Scavenger Hunt!
Written by Leslie Huffman News, Scavenger Jun 1, 2010
Tags: cary, Koka Booth Amphitheatre, News, North Carolina, Scavenger Hunt
Story by Leslie Huffman
Cary, NC – Do you like looking for hidden clues? Do you want to win prizes? Do you love Cary? Here is your chance to come and join the hunt; the first ever Cary Scavenger Hunt! Get out your map and mark your calendars for July 24th.
Test your knowledge about Cary. Grab some friends, form a team and sign up for The Hunt. Who knows, you may just win!
Teams
Compete in the Scavenger Hunt two ways:
- Adult teams
- Family teams
Find out all about it on the Teams & Sign Up page.
Prizes
Koka Booth Amphitheatre is offering some great prizes:
- Adult Teams – 10 VIP tickets to the REO Speedwagon & Pat Benatar show
- Family Teams – Private Party Tent for 20 at Movies by Moonlight
Learn more on the Scavenger Hunt page.
Our Team: Koka Booth and CaryCitizen
CaryCitizen is teaming up with Koka Booth Amphitheatre to celebrate their 10 seasons of world-class entertainment. Your team can join the celebration and win big prizes and tickets to some of Booth Amphitheatre’s best upcoming events.
Open since 2000, Booth Amphitheatre is a venue unlike any other in the area. Located among 14 acres of trees and beautifully situated next to Symphony Lake, the amphitheater reflects the quality of life we value here in Cary. Festivals like the Great Grapes Wine Fest, the Diwali Festival, the Beer, Bourbon and B-B-Q Festival and the Movies by Moonlight series all celebrate Cary’s arts, lifestyle and diversity.
What better way to celebrate what Cary has to offer than a mad-cap Scavenger Hunt through town! This will be an excellent way to test your knowledge of the landmarks in Cary. Teams will travel around town and will have to think about the variety of sports centers, community centers, arts, businesses, shopping, history and more.
Sign Up Now
Space is limited, so read about the hunt and sign up your team now.
Be a part of Cary history!
What’s so great about Enchanted Oaks subdivision in Raleigh?
While we at CaryRealEstate.com are focused on the town of Cary, NC and the multitude of wonderful reasons why we LOVE living here…we know there is life outside the town limits…
To that end, I’d like to introduce you to two fantastic reasons to step over to the Lake Wheeler Road/Penny Road area of Raleigh.
2201 Black Willow Court, in Enchanted Oaks, Raleigh, NC-listed by CaryRealEstate.com
First, is the Enchanted Oaks subdivision where we are intimately familiar with this stunning home at 2201 Black Willow Court. Enchanted Oaks’ residents enjoy wonderfully large, private lots. And, there’s a neighborhood pool, clubhouse and children’s playground…all within very easy access to I40 and Rte 401. CaryRealEstate.com proudly lists this home with features like a .90 acre flat lot, huge sunroom, gorgeous hardwoods, all formals and a very large 2 car side entry garage. There’s a large bonus room with it’s own separate staircase and large bedrooms. The kitchen boasts a built in desk nook as well as built-in china/crystal cupboard with it’s own sink for handwashing those delicate dishes. Not only is this home in pristine condition and located in this fantastic neighborhood but it’s also within a 5 minute car ride to the second fabulous find out in this part of Wake County…
CaryRealEstate.com visits Historic Yate's Mill County Park
Historic Yates Mill County Park…this was a new experience for me. I mean, I’ve known for many years that the mill pond was here but I had never taken the time to spend an hour or so poking around…until today. Today was one of those picture perfect Carolina days that just begs you to get outside and DO something!
I’m sure glad I did…and I recommend you do as well. Of course, there’s the old mill building, the pond and a few old mill stones scattered about but there’s sooo much more. There’s a large visitor/educational center, several walking trails ranging in length from about .10 miles to just about a mile. The vegetation and wildlife are abundant. It’s just such a nice place to take a break from the hustle and bustle of a busy day. Here’s a few of the photos I snapped while I was there…
So, I hope you’ll come take a look at 2201 Black Willow Court in Enchanted Oaks if you or someone you know is looking for that perfect next home. And after you visit there, do yourself a favor and take a nature break at Historic Yates Mill County Park just down the road!
Newest Listings – Cary Homes For Sale
Here at CaryRealEstate.com we have a new feature for our website – this post will automatically show the newest listings of homes for sale in Cary – homes that have been listed within the past 7 days.
Cary’s Top Selling Neighborhoods – January 2010
The Cary Real Estate Market had almost 100 homes go under contract in January – Which neighborhoods sold the most homes?
1. Greystone: 7 Homes Under Contract in January
1. StoneWater: 7 Homes Under Contract in January
3. Harmony: 5 Homes Under Contract in January
What do these neighborhoods have in common? All in West Cary – Priced between $200,000 and $600,000 – All New Construction! That’s right 18 of the 19 home sales in these 3 neighborhoods were new construction! So while the number of homes being built and sold are down from 2006 record numbers, new construction is still alive in Cary North Carolina! Almost 1 out of every 2 homes that went under contract in January was New Construction!!!
More About the 3 Neighborhoods:
Greystone is built by M/I Homes. Price Range: 300k – 500k. Average Price: 360k.
Search Greystone Homes For Sale
StoneWater is built by Lennar. Price Range: 200k – 450k. Average Price: 315k
Search Stonewater Homes For Sale
Harmony is built by Pulte. Price Range: 300k-550k. Average Price 375k
Search Harmony Homes For Sale
FHA Changes-Impact on Cary Homes For Sale
David Williams (L) w/ FHA Commissioner David Stevens
Back in December I blogged about possible upcoming changes to FHA loan requirements – well it’s arrived – The FHA recently announced major changes to their requirements for buyers/borrowers. These increased standards could reduce the number of buyers that qualify to purchase Cary Homes For Sale. The changes are aimed at shoring up the FHA’s long term stability – which I think is definitely positive in the big picture/long term - it’s the individual buyers and sellers on a local level, like right here in Cary that will see and feel the impact – anytime the requirements become stricter for securing home loans the available buyer pool is reduced. However one of the major contributors to the recent housing market downturn was buyers purchasing too early or too high. The current FHA commissioner David Stevens is from the real estate industry, having worked on both the mortgage side and brokerage side – I believe he brings a common sense mindset to the FHA restructure.
FHA’s Changes to Borrower Requirements
- The upfront fee charged for the mortgage insurance premium (MIP) will be raised to 2.25%
- The Seller contribution (closing costs etc) is reduced to 3% instead of previous 6%
- To Qualify for a 3.5 % minimum down-payment requires credit score of 580 or higher
- Less than 580 Credit Score will require 10% or more down payment
- Several new lender requirements aimed at protecting the borrower
Like to read detailed FHA policy? FHA Commissioner David Stevens recently wrote an article covering the FHA changes.
Thanks for Reading our Cary Real Estate Blog. Post Authored By: David Williams
David’s a Licensed North Carolina Realtor & The Voice of CaryRealEstate.com
New Home in Copperleaf for Past Clients – Our 1st Sale of the Year
CaryRealEstate
.com is excited about the first sale of the new year. It’s a new construction home in the Copperleaf Community in West Cary. Final contract signatures were obtained today – not a bad way to end the first week of the new year! What makes this transaction super special – I’ve had the pleasure of working with this family on multiple transactions – including their very first home almost 10 years ago. I helped them sell their Cary Park home when they moved away a few years ago – they promised they would return to Cary & sure enough – they’re back! It’s such a cool phone call to receive -
‘David, we’re moving back and without a question you’re our Realtor!”
They choose Copperleaf for it’s proximity to the Research Triangle Park, high quality of local custom builder team, lot sizes and overall quality appeal of the Copperleaf development. The home is priced in the 800’s and is scheduled to be complete early spring.
Thanks for Reading our Cary Real Estate Blog. Post Authored By: David Williams
David’s a Licensed North Carolina Realtor & The Voice of CaryRealEstate.com
CaryRealEstate.com Makes it Easy for Home Buyers & Sellers
At CaryRealEstate.com we’re always keeping our eye out on how to improve our level of service with home buyers and sellers. Most of us enjoy the latest gadget but rarely does something have as much positive impact as docusign. It’s a web based service that allows the creator of a document to send an electronic copy to a recipient and allow that recipient to sign, date, initial etc a document with a few easy mouse clicks. Yes there is a short process to accept/create your electronic signature but it’s super easy.
Worried about security? docusign has their act together – they’re even endorsed by the National Association of Realtors! The system provides multiple levels of security, along with tracking numbers, ip address etc. Yes, the state of North Carolina and the North Carolina Real Estate recognize this type of signature as valid.
Real Life Example of Cary Real Estate making life easier for their clients – last night we were able to send one email to our buyer clients vacationing at Disney – without leaving their hotel room the buyers were able to review 7 different documents (new construction purchase) they electronically initialed or signed every page in just a few minutes – upon completing their signatures the system immediately notified us and we had an executed set of documents, no hunting for the hotel desk clerk / worrying about the business center being closed etc.
We’re able to compose, deliver, receive signatures and file electronically without ever creating the first piece of paper! It’s perfect for offer to purchase sales contracts, buyer agent agreements, listing agent agreements etc!
End Result – it’s easier for our clients, better for the enviroment and allows us to operate more efficiently!
Thanks for Reading our Cary Real Estate Blog. Post Authored By: David Williams
David’s a Licensed North Carolina Realtor & The Voice of CaryRealEstate.com
Builder Deposit vs Earnest Money – What’s the Difference to Home Buyer?
Ask Cary Real Estate: What’s the difference between a Builders Deposit and Earnest Money? How do they effect the Home Buyer? Cary home buyers offer earnest money on a re-sale home and a builders deposit on most new construction. Here’s a quick overview of the similarities and differences between a builders deposit and earnest money.
Cary’s Copperleaf Community New Homes Sales for 2009
Copperleaf in Cary – 17 New Home Sales in 2009 – Cary’s Top Selling Luxury New Home Community
Thanks for Reading our Cary Real Estate Blog. Post Authored By: David Williams
David’s a Licensed North Carolina Realtor & The Voice of CaryRealEstate.com
What to Expect During the Home Inspection, Home Buyer Tips from Cary Real Estate
Most buyers really don’t know what to expect during the home inspection. Should they attend? How long will it take? Here’s a few tips to help you be prepared and know what to expect.
Should you attend the home inspection? Yes.
If at all possible plan on attending the home inspection. While it is not required for the buyer to be present during the inspection I’ve found that it helps. You get to see the inspector working and can learn great tips about preventative maintenance items. Read the rest of this entry »
