A home inspection and a radon test have always been something that I insist my buyers get done.  A radon test costs a relatively small amount and could save you and your family's life. A radon test is usually an option at your home inspection.  The NC Real Estate Commission is making radon a top priority for agents in the most recent continuing education update course. I went for my continuing … [Read more...]

So you just bought a fixer-upper and are anxious to get started with a remodel project.  Or maybe you've decided to make some improvements rather than move.  In either case it is very important to understand the impact a remodel job can have on the price of your home, as well as the return on investment you should realistically expect. Now if you watch the home selling shows on HGTV, you might … [Read more...]

Everything is online now.  Personally, I don't even own a phone book anymore.  If I need to locate a phone number, or a service provider, I just search the Web. The Web has now become a popular way to get the value of a home. There are sites out there where you can enter some basic info about your home and get an email with what the site owners present as your home value.  But there is a … [Read more...]

The solution to the headline I just wrote is simple.  Do what the binding agreement you just signed, called a real estate contract, says you will do.  If you are a seller, make all the necessary repairs.  If you are a buyer, only ask that necessary repairs be made.  More on what a necessary repair is in a minute. The North Carolina standard Offer to Purchase and Contract is really a pretty … [Read more...]

I've sold plenty of homes with steep driveways.  The Raleigh real estate market is full of homes with steep driveways.  Raleigh is a hilly place.  (Is hilly a real word?)  One of the hottest areas in town right now is called North Hills.  18-24 months ago, steep driveways didn't seem to matter.  With at least 10-15 showings per month on a well prepared listing we would eventually find people … [Read more...]

Selling a home in the Raleigh real estate market isn't as easy as it was a year ago.  Sales are down and inventory is up.  Not exactly a winning combination, is it? But does that really matter?  The local real estate market is what it is.  I don't have any way to change it and neither do you.   I wish we did, but we just have to deal with whatever it is... today. If you need to sell a home … [Read more...]

Several years ago I used to get lots of questions from clients regarding what newspapers and other print media I used to advertise homes for sale. There was a time when I used Homes & Land Magazine as well as the Raleigh News and Observer as a big part of advertising homes that I listed for sale here in the Raleigh area. When I came to Keller Williams Realty about three years ago, as part of … [Read more...]

I did a market analysis today for a new listing and the very first thing I looked at was comparable active listings. Last year I would have looked at comparable sold listings first. That was before we had 9,000 plus active homes listed for sale in Wake County. The name of the game today is beating the competition. And there's plenty of it too. Buyers have choices. Lots of them. Last year I … [Read more...]