Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Wake County Real Estate and Living

Living in Wake County and Wake County Real Estate


Wake County Map

Wake County Municipalities

The 12 municipalities in Wake County include Cary, Raleigh and the Greater Raleigh Area, Apex, Holly Springs, Fuquay Varina, Morrisville, Rolesville, Garner, Knightdale, Wendell, Zebulon, and Wake Forest.

The 12 municipalities spans an area of 860 sq miles with measuring 46 miles from east to west and 39 miles from north to south.

Wake County Weather

The weather is fantastic with warm, humid summers and mild winters with a few snow days a year. There is about 45 inches of rain spread out throughout the year.

Schools Wake

The Schools in Wake County are fantastic! I am adding a link here to the schools in Wake and then once you have looked at the schools, take a look at this site to see how they are ranked. Wake County has changed its school areas, so please before you buy a home, check with the school that you choose that you are in the correct area for the school.

Shopping in the Area is also fantastic. There are many wonderful shopping centers, too many list them all here, however, my favorites are:

Super Regional Enclosed Malls

Crabtree Mall
Cary Towne Centre
The Streets at Southpoint
Cary Towne Center
Northgate Mall

Major Shopping Malls

Crossroads Plaza
Cameron Village
Carolina Premium Outlets
University Mall
Carr Mill Mall

Restaurants Wake County

Wake County has so many wonderful restaurants that they are just too many to mention. I am attaching a link to the restaurant review website where you will find many restaurants to suit every palate.

When you looking for a home in Wake County, I have homes for you. There is really something for every budget and every lifestyle here.

Home Search in Wake County

Homes for Sale in Raleigh

Homes for Sale in Cary

Homes for Sale in Apex Listings Search

Homes for Sale in Morrisville Listings Search

Homes for Sale in Morrisville Listings Search


Homes for Sale in Fuquay Varina Listings Search


Homes for Sale in Holly Springs Listings Search



Thursday, February 20, 2014

How to Choose a Neighborhood Based on Schools in Wake County

How to Choose a Neighborhood Based on Schools in Wake County

Are you relocating to the Cary, NC area and trying to figure out the best schools and neighborhoods?

I work with many home buyers in your situation and I know it can be a frustrating challenge for parents trying to choose a home based on schools. Especially when you are dealing with kids in different grades and different schools. The good news is that in West Cary and most of the area, the schools are considered very desirable and rank tops in the State, some in the Country in fact.

Feeder patterns for Wake County Schools are a moving target unfortunately. The closer in proximity you can get to your desired school, the better chance you have of not being rezoned, but it's not guaranteed. Middle and high schools can sometimes be zoned much further away from the house. Often times, based on atmosphere and course offerings, the choice of middle and high school is more important since most all of the elementary schools are considered good. If you are planning to stay in your new home beyond elementary school, it might be a more important consideration to choose based on middle and high school.

Another thing to keep in mind are year round school schedules. There are some elementary and middle schools that are year round and some that are on a traditional calendar. But all high schools are on a traditional calendar. So that can present a bit of a challenge too if you have kids in different schools. You can try to select a tract on year round that corresponds closer to a year round schedule, but generally those fill up fast.

The best way to get a handle on the school zones is to use this Address Look Up Tool from the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS). Search for Homes and then put the address into the Look Up Tool. You will see which Elementary, Middle and High School that home is zoned for at this time. You can start to narrow down your search by neighborhood and school.

Always confirm by calling WCPSS before buying to ensure accuracy of information for current and upcoming school years. Like I said, zoning for this year may be different for upcoming years, there are no guarantees. See more information about Student Assignment here.

Overall, this area offers both wonderful neighborhoods and good schools. It may seem overwhelming at first, but using this tool and partnering with an Experienced Cary Realtor who knows the area, it will all come together and you can begin enjoying your new life in the Triangle.

Contact Me today to get started. My goal is to help families make the right move.

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Devereaux Neighborhood in Cary, NC 27519

Devereaux Neighborhood in Cary, NC 27519

Conveniently located with an easy commute to RTP, Apex and Cary, NC, the Devereaux neighborhood is a great place to call home.

Located off HWY 55 and Holt Rd, Devereaux gives the feeling of a quaint suburban neighborhood, but is just minutes from major shopping at Beaver Creek Commons in Apex. Shopping in this area include TJ Maxx, Home Goods, Old Navy, SuperTarget, Lowes, Home Depot, and most all other major retailers. Dining options nearby range from locally owned establishments to all the major chains one could want.

White Oak Park, part of the Town Cary's extensive Parks & Recreation system, is located just a few minutes away. The park is a great place to host a birthday party with the large covered pavilion and a fun playground to run free. Davis Drive Park is also nearby and features 4 soccer fields, a playground and picnic shelter that can also be rented for parties.

Highly regarded Salem Elementary and Salem Middle schools are nearby which attracts many families to the neighborhood. The community pool is also a big attraction for those with little ones.

If you are looking for a great neighborhood in the Cary/Apex area, consider Devereaux. Contact Me for a personal tour and the inside scoop on upcoming listings.

HOMES FOR SALE IN DEVEREAUX

Homes for Sale in Cary Search


Monday, February 10, 2014

108 CEDAR CLIFF COURT, CARY NC - GREAT LISTING

GREAT CARY LISTING 5 BEDROOMS 5 BATHROOMS

Monday, February 3, 2014

Real Estate Investing - Is Now the Right Time?

Real Estate Investing - Is Now the Right Time?

Many people probably question if real estate is a sound investment after living through the last economic storm. People did get burned in real estate, but also most people who were invested in the stock market, whether in individual stocks or with 401k investments, also felt the pain. It was a total economic meltdown.

Although this recovery will be slow, there is hope. Markets are cyclical and what went down, will go up. Now is the time to start positioning yourself to rebuild. Whether it's buying a small starter home that you can live in for two years and then rent out and move up or maybe you already own a home and you want to buy a second property. Now is the time to weigh your options.

Historically real estate has always been a sound investment. But in recent decades it has become so closely tied to the stock market that it made it volatile. With new rules in place, and hopefully lenders learning from their mistakes, real estate can become the trusted investment it once was.

The first generally accepted rule of investing is to diversify your portfolio. Stocks, bonds and other savings instruments are usually one component to a well diversified strategy. And even within those categories, you should consider your risk tolerance. A good financial planner or some well researched time and effort on your part will be needed in order to build up that part of your overall strategy.

For many, real estate investment is also an essential part of a well-rounded portfolio. For me, being a real estate professional, I prefer real “bricks and mortar” investments, not paper. Something I can drive by and say, “Yep, that’s mine and it’s still there”!

Historically, buying and selling real property, or even long-term home ownership, has proven one of the most profitable, least risky investments available. Note: I say "least risky". That doesn't mean "zero risk" as we have all clearly witnessed over the past 4 years years. There's no such thing
as zero risk in investing. Markets are cyclical and prices can always go up or down, just like stocks, bonds, etc.

Doing your homework and getting an experienced adviser on your side is key. Get educated about the rental and resale market where you want to invest. And know your limits and goals before you dive into any major investment.

Mortgage rates are historically low now and home prices have fallen since their peak - although they are rising now. Some states and cities saw larger fluctuation than our area, which is relatively stable.

As a professional Realtor in this market for nearly 20 years, I'm here to help you every step of the
way. Whether you are new to real estate investing or a seasoned pro, I can provide you with all of the resources you need to make the best decisions for your financial future. Give me a call today for a free, no obligation consultation to discuss your personal investment strategy.