When you hire Mike, you get his whole team. Mike and his team provided excellent services from finding good matches for our criteria to researching insurance claims on prospective homes.
Cary NC - Real Estate Blog - There was a whole lot of shaking going on in 2009 -- job losses, volatile markets, recovery packages, a new president. But in surprising contrast to that, the rankings for top cities this year remained fairly steady. "None of [the top 10] had a meteoric rise over the last year. Most of them went up and the couple that dropped did not drop dramatically," commented Kevin Klowden, managing economist at the Milken Institute, and co-author of Best-Performing Cities 2009 report. "The fact remains essentially that there are certain locations that have advantages in terms of lower costs, improved access to talent, certain key industry resources, and other factors that help to drive things."
The Milken Institute's report highlights the fact that the top cities didn't experience the same inflation in housing prices as the rest of the country, and so they avoided the devastating correction experienced elsewhere. Another factor in success was a prominence of the oil and gas industry. These two came together favorably for Texas, whose cities took five of the top 10 rankings. These are the factors that make the homes for sale in Cary NC so attractive.
Cary NC - Real Estate Blog - There’s still time to take advantage of the first-time homebuyer tax credit. The Worker, Homeownership and Business Assistance Act of 2009 extended the deadline for qualifying home purchases from Nov. 30, 2009 to April 30, 2010. In addition, buyers who enter into a binding contact by April 30 have until June 30 to settle on the purchase. The maximum credit amount remains at $8,000 for first-time homebuyers – buyers who have not owned a primary residence within the past three years.
The new law also provides a tax credit of $6,500 to existing homeowners who have owned and lived in their current residence at least five consecutive years. For all qualifying purchases in 2010, buyers have the option of claiming the credit on either their 2009 or 2010 tax return.
Cary NC - Real Estate Blog - Amid concerns about the economy, homeowners are moving ahead with remodeling plans, but are focusing on smaller projects, according to two separate surveys. In Remodeling Magazine’s 2009-10 Cost vs. Value report, which compares national and regional remodeling costs for 33 popular remodeling projects, homeowners who opted to hire contractors for home remodeling projects in 2009 most often tackled small-scale jobs and replacements.
Exterior replacement projects (doors, windows, etc.) continue to recoup the most dollars at resale, which makes them attractive to homeowners looking to improve curb appeal. Replacements are also among the least expensive projects to complete. Entry door replacements (steel), which recoup nearly 129 percent of their costs at resale, returned the most on investment. Other high-ranking cost-vs.-value projects were siding replacements, attic bedrooms and deck additions.
309 Canon Gate in Cary was well attended over the Valentines weekend. Serious buyers interested in the homes for sale in cary nc brought their sweethearts to check out the 3 levels of beautifully finished 3,176 sq ft. Couples mingled in the updated kitchen (complete with granite counters, tumbled stone backsplash and luxurious custom Cherry cabinetry) while kids scampered about the screened porch. For a personal tour of this exquisite 4 bedroom + bonus and finished 3rd floor home in Cambridge at Regency, call Town & Country Realty: 919-303-9800. Virtual Tour: www.309CanonGate.com
Cary NC - Real Estate. NAR analyst Scott Rinn walks you through the details of the revamped Good Faith Estimate and HUD-1 settlement forms that took effect January 1, 2010. This is something of high interest to those in the Cary NC Real Estate market.
Cary NC - Real Estate Blog. Today’s kitchens today are continuing to evolve into family rooms which can accommodate multiple cooks, family dining, and entertaining. This is something of high interest to those in the Cary NC Real Estate market. Here are just a few of the major design trends popping up in luxury multi-purpose kitchens as 2010 begins.
Countertops Kitchen countertops are increasing in mass – think thick – and demand is growing for new surface materials. As granite wanes in popularity, crackle glass, concrete, and wood (with decorative edges) are all moving to the fore as popular countertop materials. One of the most innovative counters combines glass with LED lighting. The result is a glowing glass countertop which can be programmed with most any color to match your mood of the moment.
Counters in new kitchens may also vary in height to add visual interest and to create work zones for special purposes and for both short and tall cooks. Counters and islands are also increasingly designed to double as serving and dining areas.
Work zones As more activities gravitate to the kitchen, designers are building in special purpose areas. A quick food prep station makes simple meal preparation and cleanup easy. A baking center offers ingredient storage within reach and a counter height designed for chopping, mixing, and rolling. A coffee bar or a wine tasting and beverage center are other popular special purpose work zones.
Sinks Large farm sinks are a hot trend and multiple sinks continue to be in demand. Water conserving faucets are part of a trend toward eco-friendly kitchens.
Cabinetry Mid-height cabinetry is a major trend in contemporary kitchens and beginning to appear in traditional kitchen designs as well. Shorter cabinets may “float” on the wall or incorporate European-style legs and even be used as room dividers. In-demand cabinet materials include stainless steel, environmentally-friendly bamboo, pecan or alder wood. Cabinets are customized with interior fittings for efficient storage. Horizontal cabinet doors (sometimes motorized) are another emerging kitchen trend.
Although the all white kitchen is still popular, cabinetry is also showing up in a variety of finishes and colors to give a kitchen the look of a furnished room.
Appliances Forget the concept of a cooktop, double oven, microwave, dishwasher and a refrigerator creating an adequate kitchen. Today’s cooks want more. Extra dishwashing drawers, elaborate coffee making appliances, warming drawers, additional ovens, wine coolers may all be part of a luxury kitchen and many of these appliances may be hidden within cabinetry.
On the other end of the spectrum, forget subtle, some homeowners are using the refrigerator as kitchen art. Coolors, an Italian company will silk screen a refrigerators with a bold animal print, your favorite photograph or most any other image. The range hood or cabinet fronts can be silk screened to match.
Electronics The kitchen is now home to televisions, computers, and sound systems. With friends and family gathering in the kitchen, entertainment and information need to be within reach.