-
This morning I visited a home in Knightdale that I am about to list. These sellers have 20 years of belongings to sort through before they move, and they own a wide assortment of artwork, furniture and misc. WKRP (Women of real estate Kathy, Red, Pam) had visited with them earlier this month and made some recommendations, but now that I have my staging certification, and have learned more tricks-of-the-trade, I wanted to check on their progress. I wish I had before-and-after photos! I must learn to do that every time. There was a lot of clutter gone, and we rearranged some furniture, and artwork, and there is definitely light at the end of the tunnel. This is a wonderful home, and I can hardly wait to show it to you all.
-
We three Women of Realty-www.WKRPinRaleigh.com (Kathy, Red, Pam) have made a commitment to improving the quality of our service via continuing education. It is our goal to take those courses that enhance our services to our clients. With that goal in mind, I have just earned my Professional Staging Accredidation for Realtors (PSA). What this means to WKRP's sellers is an opportunity to advertise their homes as "PSA Staged." This is a distinction that allows their homes to be advertised on the PSA website, but most importantly this means that sellers have worked as a team to promote their property in its most profitable packaging. Statistics prove that staged homes sell faster and for more money. Here in East Wake and Johnston Counties, it is a buyers' market, and as a seller you will need an edge. We have now taken another step in order to provide you with superior service.
-
Time has flown by this year, there are only 52 days left to buy a home and take advantage of the tax credit. Here's a brief explanation of the tax credit:
The Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit
Extends the First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit of up to $8,000 to first-time home buyers until April 30, 2010. Expands the credit to grant up to $6,500 credit to current home owners purchasing a new or existing home between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010.
Who Qualifies for the Extended Credit?
· First-time home buyers who purchase homes between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010.
· Current home owners purchasing a home between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010, who have used the home being sold or vacated as a principal residence for five consecutive years within the last eight.
To qualify as a “first-time home buyer” the purchaser or his/her spouse may not have owned a residence during the three years prior to the purchase.
Which Properties Are Eligible?
The Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit may be applied to primary residences, including: single-family homes, condos, townhomes, and co-ops.
How Much Is Available?
The maximum allowable credit for first-time home buyers is $8,000.
The maximum allowable credit for current homeowners is $6,500.
How is a Buyer’s Credit Amount Determined?
Each home buyer’s tax credit is determined by two additional factors:
1. The price of the home.
2. The buyer’s income.
Price
Under the Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit, credit may only be awarded on homes purchased for $800,000 or less.
Buyer Income
Under the Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit, which is effective on November 7, 2009, single buyers with incomes up to $125,000 and married couples with incomes up to $225,000— may receive the maximum tax credit. These income limits have changed from the 2009 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit limits. If you or your client purchased a home between January 1, 2009 and November 6, 2009, please see 2009 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit.
If the Buyer(s)’ Income Exceeds These Limits, Can He/She Still Get a Credit?
Yes, some buyers may still be eligible for the credit. The credit decreases for buyers who earn between $125,000 and $145,000 for single buyers and between $225,000 and $245,000 for home buyers filing jointly. The amount of the tax
credit decreases as his/her income approaches the maximum limit. Home buyers earning more than the maximum qualifying income—over $145,000 for singles and over $245,000 for couples are not eligible for the credit.
Can a Buyer Still Qualify If He/She Closes After April 30, 2010?
Under the Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit, as long as a written binding contract to purchase is in effect on April 30, 2010, the purchaser will have until July 1, 2010 to close.
Will the Tax Credit Need to Be Repaid?
No. The buyer does not need to repay the tax credit, if he/she occupies the home for three years or more. However, if the property is sold during this three-year period, the full amount credit will be recouped on the sale.
Information courtesy of the National Association Of Realtors.
*This information is not meant to be tax or legal advice. As with any tax law change, please consult with your tax advisor for more information regarding availability, eligibility and possible timing of any tax credit.
The Extended Homebuyer Tax Credit
-
|
| Su | Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa |
|---|
| 28 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 |
| 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 |
| 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 |
| 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
Green Pines, Knightdale - We invite everyone to visit our open house at 306 Satterwhite Drive on March 14 from 1:00 AM to 4:00 AM.
Property information
-
FHA approved
• 1,188 sq. ft., 2 bath, 3 bdrm single story - 
MLS® $75,000 - Great Price for .69 Acres
The Home Place, Clayton - FHA approved double wide with STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES INCLUDING REFRIGERATOR. Fenced yard with big deck. Mature Leland Cyprus for private front yard. Great Price. Great location close to 70 Bypass and Smithfield Outlet Mall.
Property information
-
The Home Place, Clayton - Announcing a price reduction on 116 Antler Drive, a 1,188 sq. ft., 2 bath, 3 bdrm single story. Now MLS® $75,000 - Great Price for .69 Acres.
Property information
-
For alot of people, church is the first thing on Sunday morning. Then EVERY SINGLE church goer and their brother goes to IHOP. Not too many years ago, the only place to eat breakfast in all of Knightdale (and most of East Wake) was the Waffle House. But we have an IHOP now, and an Applebees and a Chili's and a Lone Star and.... The growth here has been phenomenal. We have a huge shopping center with a Target, a Dick's, a Kohls and ..... Ever since the 264 bypass and 540 got here, we've been the fastest growing suburb of Raleigh.
So what to do today? It's going to be in the mid 60's. Is that warm enough to go for a ride with my husband on the Harley? We could go to one of several biker-friendly sports bars - there's Locked and Loaded in Garner. That's another area that has really grown. Or we could go to Scooters, just 15 minutes from Knightdale in Raleigh. Or maybe just ride around the gorgeous countryside. There are some fun, winding roads between Knightdale and Clayton. We could ride around and make sure all of WKRP's listings have brochures in the boxes.
Or I could stay near the computer because WKRP (Women of Real Estate Kathy, Red, Pam) has two offers coming in on our listing in Fuquay Varina. I'm sure Pam can handle it! I'm off on the bike! Bye Pam!
-
Read my last post. Great. Now ignore my website address. It is actually www.WKRPinRaleigh.com Although the site for the old TV is cool and retro, it's just not us.
-
It was just a mere 5 days ago that I decided to exercise everyday, and I'm already doing a 5K! Today my business partner, Pam Norris, some of her neighbors, a few hundred other participants and I participated in a 5K called Get your Rear in Gear which is a run/walk for colon/rectal cancer awareness. It was held in Fletcher Park in the heart of Raleigh, and the course ran through the St. Mary's area near Cameron Village and Glenwood Avenue. I love this part of town with all of its unqiue older homes, great shops and restaurants. Very cool. Very eclectic.
There were a lot of serious runners. Pam and I were barely serious walkers. It was 34 degrees when I left the house at 6:45 When we got there we realized that it was more than just a race; t Ihere were some great sponsors there too: 99.9 The Fan radio station; Rex/UNC Health Care. Hutzenbuhler, GI. Wake Med. Setup. and so many others from the health care industry. The Raleigh/Durham area is one of the best places to live in the world because of its medical facilities. It's also a great place to find a job if you are in the health care field. Both Rex and Duke have opened new facilities in Knightdale and other areas in East Wake and Johnston Counties.
Anyway, we made it the 3 miles. And I'm pretty sure that means I'm ahead in exercise, and therefor I do not have to work out tomorrow. Right? To see photos please visit us on www.wkrp.com
-
O.K. Here's my excuse for not exercising this morning: I worked very late last night getting WKRP's new listings up and running in the Triangle Area MLS. The first listing is 116 Antler in Clayton. It's a great starter home in the country, but close to the 264 bypass. And the other one is a cozy home in Raleigh right by Triangle Town Shopping Center. Sooooo...... I was up really late -WORKING.
And then this morning, I had to be at Coldwell Banker HPW on Falls of Neuse at 9:00! And if I am going to look presentable, I need to get up at 7:00. That allows time for coffee, shower, dress, coffee, hair, make-up, yougurt, and coffee to go. Simply no time to exercise.
And tomorrow, Pam (the "P" in WKRP) and I are going on a 5k Run/Walk for Raleigh's Get Your Rear in Gear. It's a fund raiser to raise awareness of colon and rectal cancer. My mom has had both, and Pam's neighbor has it too.
So, to recap, too busy working & I'm doing a 5K tomorrow. My story and I'm sticking with it...
-
• 1,414 sq. ft., 2 bath, 3 bdrm single story "Brick Ranch" - MLS® $140,000 - Great Price
Green Pines, Knightdale - This is The One You Have Been Waiting For. Popular Green Pines SD in Knightdale has few homes for sale because folks move here and stay! Great location. Incredible 3 bedroom ranch. Nearly 1/2 acre fenced with deck. Come see in person!
Property information
-
My goal, besides exercising every day (4th day in a row), is to blog every day. But it's getting harder to find the time because real estate is really picking up! My partners at WKRP and I have been listing homes like crazy this week AND we've been showing buyers too. We just listed two homes - one in Wendell and one in Knightdale. And today we're listing another one in Clayton We are all over East Wake and Johnston Counties! And last weekend I showed properties in Zebulon, Wendell and Durham! I have been living in my car. Which reminds me - I happened to catch my odometer as it hit 111,111 and I took a picture of it on my cell phone. As soon as I figure out how to get that onto my blog, I will post it because when you live in your car, it's the little things that matter!
-
Yesterday I got my self out of bed and exercised. AND I DID IT AGAIN TODAY! That's a record for me this year! So now that I'm on a roll, I'm taking it to the next level. I am going to join Planet Fitness in Knightdale. I understand that that is the best place in all of Wake County because the membership is only 10 bucks, and you can cancel at any time (which as we know, we just might do). The one in Knightdale has a lot of great equipment, and they are open 24 hours a day. I just know I'll be working out 24-7. Wish me luck. See you there? I'll be the one in the WKRP (Women of Real Estate) Tshirt.
-
January 1st, New Years Resolutions. How'd that go? Diet started and ended? Budget written down and forgotten. Gym membership paid for, but haven't visited since January 13th? I know all about this syndrome because it didn't just happen to you, or me, but to most of us. We stink at keeping a New Year's resolution. It's just too cold and dark and boring in the dead of winter to commit to anything other than beers, chips and TV.
I propose that today, because it is the first day of a new month AND it is a Monday, AND it is nearly spring, that we try again. I got out of bed early and exercised. Yes I did. 20 minutes on the eliptical and 5 minutes of crunches on the AB Lounger! I even ate a yogurt for breakfast. And lunch was brown rice and shrimp. NO beer. Unsweetened ice tea.
So, whether it's weight or exercise or getting out of credit card debt or making that call to your realtor (I have to put real estate in here somewhere, don't I?), do it today. And do it again tomorrow. Just do it (that's original). Pep talk completed.
-
This morning I showed 4 properties to my buyers, and it was quite the adventure. First was a farmhouse in Wendell. This home was built at the turn of the 20th century, and it was "interesting". From the club foot tub in the mud room to the fireplace-only heated bedrooms, this place was probably once a real treasure. Sadly, it is now a money pit. Then we visited a beautiful home in Zebulon, but the kitchen was not on par with the rest of the home. Next we were off to Durham where we saw two homes. One was built partially into the ground and was described as contemporary. It was out on a gravel road, and the house and property were highly secured and gated. The house itself could be considered "contemporary" only if you were in the land of the Brady Bunch. I swear I heard banjo music. The last house was also old-fashioned, but it had it's charms. It had a huge family kitchen with one of those old round tables with the lazy Susan built in. Very retro. The entire house had greenish blue or bluish green? carpeting. It did have a lovely sunroom, and I can see how a family was once very happy there.
Anyway, I loved visiting each of these properties. Every time I open a door to a property I feel like I am unwrapping a gift. I love to see how people live. I love to see how people decorate. I love to guess at their stories. I had a lovely morning, except that I haven't found this lovely family their dream home. Yet!