The WKRP Team

Radon! Lymes Disease - Oh My!

WKRP worked late yesterday preparing our newsletters for our neighborhoods.  Our newsletters go to Riverview Estates in the Raleigh/Knightdale area where Red lives; and to Green Pines in Knightdale where Pam lives. The topics this month were radon and Lymes Disease.  Both of these topics are timely and important to home owners in Wake and Johnston Counties.  Radon is a naturally occuring gas that can get trapped in homes, and is a known cause of lung cancer.  Luckily radon can be easily detected and mitigated. 

 Lymes disease is caused from the bite of some deer ticks, which can be as small as a pin head.  These bites may create a "bullseye" rash and symptoms often include joint pain and fatigue.  Lymes disease can be easily detected with blood tests; and can be cured with antibitoics.  Of course, the best solution for both problems is prevention.

For more information on these topics blog us or go to www.cdc.gov  for Lymes disease; and www.ncradon.org for radon information.

WKRP works hard to stay current on topics pertaining to all aspects of home ownership, purchasing and selling. Don't hesitate to call or email anytime. We're smart and friendly!  redk@hpw.com 919-217-3030

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO PAM!

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Moving on up or time to refi?

Everyone of us at WKRP, Women of real estate, Kathy, Red, Pam loves our homes and our location.  Kathy is just outside of Knightdale in Raleigh where she passes by a pond and cows on the way to work. She is less than 10 minutes from the freeway.  Red lives just outside of Knightdale in Raleigh on the Nuese River, and she is less than 5 minutes from the freeway. And Pam lives inside Knightdale in a quiet and well-established subdivision, and she too, is less than 5 minutes from the freeway.  We've all lived in our homes for years and years, and we can't imagine moving for years and years to come.

If this sounds like you, then let me offer some great money-saving advice - refinance!  My husband and I just switched our 30 year mortgage to a 15 year mortgage and got an FHA rate of 4%. Yes 4%!  (4.67 APR).  That is going save us 10 - 15 years of payments, and our mortgage went up by.........$49.00 a month.  We didn't pay anything upfront either.

You may want to move up to a bigger and better home, or you may want to stay put and refinance, or you may want to learn more about your options.  No matter what, WKRP can assist.  Blog, call or email today for more information.  We pride ourselves on being smart and friendly   Redk@hpw.com   919-217-3030

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News you need to know!

Because rates are so ridiculously low, there is a lot of money to be saved by buying or refinancing your home TODAY. Did you know that if you bought your home a fews years ago at 6.5% and today you refinanced to a 4.5% FHA 30 year fixed loan (5.39 APR) your montlhly payment would go down to $954, saving you $203 per month????  And did you know that if you bought a home for $180,000 a few years ago, that today you could buy a bigger, better $200,000 home and your payments would only go up $82.00!

This is the news that you need to know.  Call WKRP today to learn more!  919-217-3030

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Security systems

I love to blog, but sometimes I just can't think of anything to say.  This is especially true if I am working from home rather than the office.  At the office, I am surrounded by enthusiastic realtors and clients, and it's easy to be inspired.  At home it's just me and a blank screen.  But last Thursday I heard my dog, Trixie  (who barks briefly at cars and pedestrians) barking non-stop -  a sure sign that someone was in my yard.  Good Watch Dog!  Good girl! 

The woman at the door was working for a security company that was trying to build its business in the Raleigh market. Coincidentally, just two days earlier my husband and our were discussing our dog's lack of fierceness, and our possible false sense of security.   I feel very safe in my neighborhood which is inside Wake County and between Raleigh and Knightdale, but I still went on-line to do some research, and I talked to Kathy's (the K in WKRP) husband who a police officer; he suggests that everyone have a security system.   Since my favorite word is serendipity, I knew I had to invite her in.

She offered a great deal which I accepted, and we now have our property secured and monitored.  This system adds value to our home, and we will be receiving a discounted rate on our property insurance.  I strongly encourage you to consider the benefits of a security system.  Shop and compare, of course.  And if you want to ask me more, I'd be happy to hear from you. 

Call 919-217-3030 or email me at Redk@hpw.com 

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We're Number ONE!

Once again WKRP's parent company is number one for real estate in the Triangle.  According to the Real Trends 500's recent announcement, Coldwell Banker Howard Perry and Walston is the strongest company in real estate in the Triangle.  And WKRP, Women of real estate, Kathy, Red, Pam are honored to be a part of this company.  In the Triangle, WKRP specializes in East Wake and Johnston Counties including the cities of: Raleigh, Clayton, Knightdale, Wendell, Zebulon and

Coldwell Banker HPW is a full-service company offering everything from credit repair to closing attorneys, and WKRP has the highest customer satisfaction rating in the industry.

Call or email today,  rates are the lowest in history!  They are hovering around 4.5% Crazy low! 

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Buy your next home and never break a sweat!

The temps remain in the 90's; that's the bad news.  The rates for mortgages remain below 5%; that's the good news.  It is a hot, hot, hot market for buyers.  But who wants to go outside and melt looking at houses all day?  But you can shop for a home and a lender from the comfort of your air conditioned home.  Call WKRP (Women of real estate) Kathy, Red, Pam now!  We'll set you up on MyAgentOnLine, (MAOL) our company's on-line search tool, and you'll be able to create and name as many searches as you like.  And better than the other search engines, MAOL updates itself automatically, so you'll know when there is a price change, an open house, or a sale.  AND best of all, MAOL sends you an instant email when a newly listed property comes onto the market matching one of your searches.  That means you are the very first to know! 

See something you like? Just press one key, and WKRP gets an instant email. Then we can do the legwork for you!  We will fight the heat to visit properties, take photos, and report back to you.  And if we find what you're looking for, we can provide everything you need to buy that property - from lenders and inspectors to closing attorneys and painters - we are full service.

So beat the heat, but don't miss out on this hot, hot, hot market.

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225 Alberbury Commons Ct. in Orchard Park is Sold!

Orchard Park, Wake Forest  -  The ranch at 225 Alberbury Commons Ct. has been sold.

Property information

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Mad as heck! Where's the media now?

I am frustrated at the National Association of Realtors and the national and local media right now!  It seems like they're not doing their most important job which is informing the masses!  Remember when you couldn't turn on the TV without hearing about the first-time home buyer credit?  Commercials and economists and all sorts of media reported on that and it worked - buyers bought and the housing industry, which is vital to the American economy, started to recover.  Then the tax credt ended and ....... silence.

BUT WAIT A MINUTE!!!!!  Where is the coverage of the biggest story in housing ever?  Why doesn't every station and newspaper and magazine cover the lowest rates in housing history?  Why doesn't every single American know that NOW is the best time ever to purchase a home?  The rates are 4.3%   YES YOU HEARD ME - 4.3%!!!!  Try getting a credit card at that rate!

Please call or email WKRP today.  We have the best lenders ready, willing and able to save you thousands and thousands of dollars.  We can get you out of your apartment now.We can lower your mortgage now. We can get you into a bigger and better house AND save you thousands now.  We can save you MORE than the $8000 first time home buyer credit!

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Harley Riders for Susan Komen!

WKRP Women of real estate, Kathy, Red, Pam, along with our parent company, Coldwell Banker HPW are supporters of Susan Komen's fight against *** cancer.  Last month we ran/walked for the cause.  I'll admit it-I'm not an athlete.  I ran one mile, felt something go boonnnnggg in my calf and limped the rest of the way.  I had to nurse swelling and bruising for weeks afterwards - from a walk!!!  Not exactly marathon material. 

But I've discovered another way to support the cause that totally fits my lifestyle and lack of muscle tone!  It was yesterday's motorcycle ride.  Sponsored by 94.7 QDR and Toby Keith's Hellraisers and Roughnecks and Ray Price Harley (right here in Raleigh) hundreds of riders went on a poker run.  All I had to do was sit on the back of my husband's Heritage Softtail - something I've done a thousand times, without spraining a thing!

Hundreds of men and women met at Ray Price, paid $9.47 (of which 100% went to Susan G. Komen's Triangle Chapter) and received their blank poker hand, their first poker card, and directions to each of the next stops.  The first stop was the Longbranch in Raleigh - a huge private club that has 3 different dance floors (country, disco, R&B), where we all got our second poker card.  Then on to Cleveland Draft House in Clayton, then Country Connection in Garner, and finally Time Warner Cable's parking lot.  The highest poker hand got great seats and got to meet Toby Keith. The lowest hand got great seats and got to meet Trace Adkins.

My poker hand earned neither, but I had a lot of fun and supported (without injury) a great cause.

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2 Story For Sale in Griffis Glen

We Love This Adorable Home!

• 1,860 sq. ft., 2 bath, 4 bdrm 2 story - MLS® $158,000

Griffis Glen, Abbington Ridge  -  ADORABLE! We promise you that you and your buyers will be impressed. This home is spotless and cute as a button. Decorated like a model, this 4 bedroom home has a flexible floorplan as 1 bedroom is big like a bonus. Two and 1/2 pretty bathrooms. Master with garden tub & separate shower. Lot on culdesac. HUGE oversized deck. 1 car garage, and big driveway.

Property information

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When is city water better than well water?

I grew up in the city of Minneapolis, Minnesota.  The only time I had ever been on a farm was a 5th grade field trip.  Many years later, I married a farmer and found myself living on a farm - with cows!  And barns. And a septic tank (I didn't know anything like that existed); and a well.  On the farm we treated the well water with chlorine bleach every now and then just because we shared the land with cows; and sometimes the water would smell funky.

Now that I live just 5 minutes outside the big city of Raleigh (thank goodness I'm back in civilization) I still  have a septic tank and a well.  Wells can be the best thing ever because the water is free!!  And our well water tastes great.  We have a deep well, and we've never had any problems.  We can water the trees, grass and plants as much as we need to, and although we do conserve, we aren't under any restrictions when there is a drought.

BUT, the one problem with wells is that they run on an electric pump.  And pumps can wear out.  And pumps can get overheated, and even start on fire.  And when your pump goes out, you will be without water.  And you don't get to call the city and wait for services to be provided.  Oh no... your "free water" and "no city taxes" aren't so great now because you need to call the well man. And replace the pump.  And prime the pump. And write the man a check, and not always a small one either.

So, we love our well, but we do it with our eyes wide open!   (Right Pam?)

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Hot, Hot, Hot - the temps and the rates!

It was a long and lovely Fourth of July weekend for WKRP, Women of real estate - Kathy, Red, Pam, and we hope you had a good holiday too.  But now it's back to work!  The temperatures are still in the 90's so it's tough to go house-hunting but the rates are crazy, crazy low!  If you thought you did well at 6% or 5%, you were right, but what if you could get 4.3%!   That's right 4.3%! 

So you could refinance  - Call WKRP for more information.

Or you could move up to your next home, and your payments wouldn't budge!!  How would you like another bedroom or a bigger yard?  Call WKRP, especially if you're in Wake or Johnston counties, and we will show you how you can sell your current home, get rid of that higher rate, and buy a bigger, better home at a lower rate, maintaing the same payment.

Our listings sell faster than the local average because we know how to work with sellers to make their properties beat the competition.  Call us today, and we'll have you and your family in your next home by fall! Call 919-217-3030 TODAY.

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Fourth of July humor

WKRP Women of real estate Kathy, Red, Pam wish all of you a happy Fourth of July!  Today is also my brother, Michael's 50th Birthday!  I want to wish him a happy birthday, and share with you all a funny story.  The first time that my brother was aware that his birthday also included fireworks, he assumed, as any self-centered 4 year old might, that it was all for him!  He was the most special birthday boy in the whole world! 

As he stood on our porch with family and neighbors and explained this to his 7 year old friend, the friend was quick to point out the error of Michael's thinking.  Naturally, a fight broke out, and the two tumbled off the porch and into the bushes where, unbeknown to everyone, a swarm of bees had taken residence in a decaying stump.  Needless to say, the bees were not amused.

As the swarm attacked the two wrestlers, we all ran for cover!  It was chaos that trumped the excitement of the pyrotechnics!  Once the swarm left and we all ventured back outside, we discoverd that not all of us had escaped unscathed.  Turned out that the birthday boy was stung several times, and, it turned out, that the birthday boy is allergic to bees.  It's funny because it all turned out OK, but it's really funny because I can tease him about it every year on his big day.  He spent the next several hours in the emergency room with his puffy face and swollen eyes.  I stayed on the porch and finished watching his firework celebration. When he finally got home, the fireworks were, of course, long over.   Love you Bro!

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2 Story For Sale in fieldstone farms

Over 2100 Square Feet on 1 Acre!

• 2,188 sq. ft., 3 bath, 3 bdrm 2 story - MLS® $214,900

fieldstone farms, Clayton  -  I love this property and your buyers will too! TWO HUGE MASTER SUITES! - one on main floor with luxurious bathroom & jacuzzi garden tub and separate shower. 3 & 1/2 baths total. Amazing 1 acre lot with mature trees, landscaping, fenced, out building,stamped concrete patio, deck, 2 car garage. Formal dining room, eat-in kitchen and HUGE family room. INCREDIBLE laundry room.

Property information

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Single Story For Sale in Riverwood Golf Club

Ranch Living With Bonus Upstairs

• 1,880 sq. ft., 2 bath, 3 bdrm single story - MLS® $191,900

Riverwood Golf Club, Riverwood  -  We are honored to list this amazing property. You will fall in love at the curb. Gorgeous 3/4 acre on culdesac (garden on LFT included in lot) Perfect rocking chair front porch. Stunning 2-story entrance. Granite countertops & tile backsplash in modern eat-in kitchen. Incredible oversized deck w/composite "duralast". 3 bedrooms & 2 full baths for mainfloor living & bonus up.

Property information

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