There has been so much negative news in the media lately that is is easy to feel overwhelmed. One might begin to think “What’s the point?” Recently, I was moved by the story of Randy Pausch, the Carnegie Melon University professor who passed away from pancreatic cancer. As Pausch understood,

We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.

His attitude and love of life gave me encouragement. It is, after all, not how long one lives or how many people one meets, or how much money one makes. It is about our relationships with others.

Spend time helping others and do not forget; you don’t need to change the world. Let your efforts make your corner a little brighter for everyone. By giving our time, we can help make our communities better, safer, cleaner, and more pleasant places to live, one at a time. Even very small gestures can make a difference. Consider the following array of opportunities to give back:

• Provide volunteer support to seniors, family caregivers and adults with disabilities to maintain independence, dignity, and a quality of life in their home.
• Help maintain the beauty and safety of county parks for visitors and wildlife. Visit your county’s web site to learn more about volunteer opportunities for individuals or groups.
• Give away flowers or seeds in the spring.
• Organize a garden walk.
• Read to a child.
• Repaint a playground.
• Organize a summer cleaning or painting of the local church.
• Sit as a member of your city capital improvements task force.
• Bring a carload of newspapers, towels, and blankets to an animal shelter.
• Ask a local teacher what supplies his or her class needs most, and then donate them.
• Hold a canned food drive, then deliver the goods to a soup kitchen.
• Organize a neighborhood or town clean-up day.
• Take a lonely child with you when your family goes to the movies.
• Last but certainly not least, SMILE :)

For more information about real estate in North Carolina, contact Buyers Advantage Group Realty!

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The annual ritual of getting back to school begins in earnest soon.  However, with the ever-increasing numbers of year-round schools, you may not notice this.  On behalf of all of the students,parents and schools, I’d like to make the following request; Please Drive Safely!

When classes resume on August 25th in Wake and Durham Counties, there will be an increase of traffic around the schools, more students at school bus stops and changing traffic patterns.  With almost 140,000 students int he WCPSS and another 33,000 +/- in Durham County Public Schools, officials encourage motorists to be especially attentive at bus stops and cross walks.

You can expect school buses to be on the roads picking up students from 6-9a.m. to get them to our high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools, and again from about 2-5p.m. to bring them home.  Wake and Durham Schools Transportation personnel and the motoring public all play important roles in keeping students safe while on or around schools and school buses!

For more information about Raleigh real estate, contact Buyers Advantage Group Realty today!

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by Katie Dunkle, Client Coordinator

One of the ways we, at Buyers Advantage Group are different is that we encourage you to interview different agents. We recommend you interview two exclusive buyer agents and one traditional agent. Call me at 919.573.6150, and I will provide you with a list of questions for you to ask. It is perfectly okay to tell the agents that you meet with that you are interviewing them. Don’t worry about hurting anyone’s feelings. As I said earlier, it is critical to have a good fit between client and agent. The agent you choose could mean the difference between a stress-free, happy experience or one laden with problems. Choose wisely!

Once you have determined who you want to work with (and you will be the one to determine when that time comes), you will be asked to sign an agency agreement. The purpose of this agreement is to establish the agency relationship. An agent is not able to represent you in a transaction unless you are in an agency relationship. This is one of the areas your Buyers Advantage Group agent will spend considerable time on when you first meet. If you would like to see a sample of our agency agreement, call me and I will be happy to send it to you.

When you have taken the steps to hiring the right agent, you will be ready to look for your new home! Your Buyers Advantage Group agent will point out positive and negative features about any property you may consider. We will even provide you with a property evaluation at no additional cost so that you will make the best buying decision.

Your Buyers Advantage Group Realty agent will continue to stay in touch with you even after you have closed on the sale of your new home. From our important tax information and home warranty reminders to special invitations to our exclusive Celebration of Buyers Group Family and Friends events, you will soon realize, we are truly a different type of agency!

For additional information about Buyers Advantage Group agents or to begin the process, call Katie at 919.573.6150 or chat with her online at www.buyersadvantagegrouprealty.net. She is standing by to help you, on your terms, in your time frame!

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by Katie Dunkle, Client Coordinator

In the last few postings, I have talked about what a prospective client might expect when he or she first contacts us here at Buyers Advantage Group Realty. I talked about why it is important to choose the right agent. I also talked about the benefits of having a dedicated client care specialist to work with you, available to you when you need answers.

When you are six months or less from making your move, as client coordinator, I will arrange for you to meet with a Buyers Advantage Group agent who will best match your personality style; someone you will feel confident can get the job done and someone you feel comfortable with throughout the process. You will meet with that agent, usually here in our Buyers Advantage Group Realty office, for a presentation customized to your needs and interests.

The agent will go over important information about how real estate agents work, why exclusive buyer agents are different and the advantages of working with one. You will also learn about the importance of home inspections. You will receive information about mortgage lenders and their requirements. You will also receive a list of our preferred partners with their contact information should you have questions for them about their specialty areas.

The agent will review our agency agreement form with you. You will probably spend between 1.5-2 hours with the agent and you will leave with a wealth of information to consider. And possibly some homework too! There is never a commitment, obligation, or expectation when you meet with our agents. The primary purpose during this meeting is for you to have all of your questions answered.

For additional information about Buyers Advantage Group agents or to begin the process, call Katie at 919.573.6150 or chat with her online at www.buyersadvantagegrouprealty.net. She is standing by to help you, on your terms, in your time frame!

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by Katie Dunkle, Client Coordinator

The other day I wrote about why it is important to select the right real estate agent. One you feel comfortable with, one who is on the same page as you and one that you have confidence in to get the job done. Today, I am going to tell you about my role as Client Coordinator. Here at Buyers Advantage Group Realty, your needs are so important to us that my sole responsibility as a customer care specialist is to be available to you to answer your questions and concerns, no matter what your home buying time frame may be.

Your first point of contact will most likely be me. I am a fully licensed NC Real Estate Agent but I prefer to work as a dedicated client care specialist, focusing on the individual needs of each client and working with their time frame. You can read more about me in my biography posted on our website.

When you first call or stop in for a visit, we will chat about what is most important to you. I will ask you several important questions as well. The answers you provide will give us the information necessary to set you on the path to a stress-free home buying process. Whether you are 1 to 2 months from making your move, or 1 to 2 years from homeownership, I will be available to answer your questions and set up automated e-alerts for likely property listing matches. I will provide you with relocation information as well as recommend preferred partners in the fields of mortgage lending, home inspectors, home insurers, and escrow attorneys.

I am happy to work with you in the way that best suits you. Whether it’s by telephone, appointment, or electronic communication, I stand ready to assist you– on your terms and in your time frame. When you get a little closer to actually making the move, I will introduce you to an agent that will work hard to help you meet your objectives. You can learn more about our great agents on our website. Stay tuned for more information about what you can expect when you meet with a Buyers Advantage Group Agent!

For additional information about Buyers Advantage Group agents or to begin the process, call Katie at 919.573.6150 or chat with her online at www.buyersadvantagegrouprealty.net. She is standing by to help you, on your terms, in your time frame!

Please visit our main site while you're here.

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by Kathryn Dunkle, Client Coordinator

So you have decided to by a Triangle area home. And why not, this is one of the best buyer markets this area has seen in many years. You are probably anxious to get out and see what is available in your price range. Naturally, you want to start looking right away!

My advice to you is to slow down, take a deep breath, and approach things systematically. Finding the right agent and the right firm is critical to your success. Although agents are not nearly as much fun to look at as are homes, trust me; you WILL want to invest some time and do a little homework in this area.

Prospective clients come to us from many places and in many ways. They comae to us via our excellent website, our real estate blog, referral from a family member, friend, or associate. They come to us via internet search engines or on of our Google landing pages, some find us through the National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents. But, from wherever you come, you might wonder what you can expect when you contact us at Buyers Advantage Group Realty.

You can expect and you will experience a caring, knowledgeable, professional group of exclusive buyer agents and support staff dedicated to making your homeownership dreams come true. Our best reward has always been the relationships we make along the way. In the next day or so, I will be writing more about what you can expect from us.

You will find a common thread in the fact that we value educating our clients and do so throughout the entire process. We believe that well-informed clients make good buying decisions for themselves. That is why we work hard to make available to you the information you want and need–from the first day you contact us to the anniversary date of your home purchase and beyond!

For additional information about Buyers Advantage Group agents or to begin the process, call Katie at (919) 573.6150 or chat with her online at Buyers Advantage Group Realty. She is standing by to help you, on your terms, in your time frame!

Please visit our main site while you're here.

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by: Lawrence Yun, NAR Chief Economist

New-home sales are a different story. They are likely to fall 32.3 percent to 525,000 in 2008 and decline another 3.4 percent next year to 507,000. In light of high inventory conditions, rising commodity prices and construction costs will curtail new home construction deep into next year. Housing starts, including multifamily units, will probably fall 28.7 percent to 966,000 this year, and then drop another 9.0 percent in 2009 to 879,000. The precipitous drop in starts is due in part to some overbuilding during the “boom” years, as well as the rising costs of construction. The median new-home price is expected to decline 3.2 percent to $239,300 this year, and then rise 5.3 percent in 2009 to $251,900.

Officially, the U.S. economy has still not drifted into recession. In fact, GDP growth in the first quarter of this year was revised upward from preliminary estimates-albeit at a slow 1.0 percent rate. Growth in GDP is forecast at 1.6 percent for all of 2008 and 1.4 percent next year- not spectacular, but still positive. Inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index, is forecast at 3.7 percent this year and 2.4 percent in 2009. Unfortunately, personal income gains are unlikely to keep pace with rising prices. Inflation-adjusted disposable personal income is projected to grow 1.5 percent in both 2008 and 2009.

Conclusion

So, what does this all mean for housing consumers? It will continue to be a buyer’s market for a while. Obviously, we will need to watch developments with credit markets and the GSEs, but if a potential buyer can qualify for a mortgage, there is plenty of choice out there.

Source: NAR, Real Estate Insights, June 2008

For more information about real estate in North Carolina, contact Buyers Advantage Group Realty today!

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by: Lawrence Yun, NAR Chief Economist

Concerns Remain

Yes, there are some concerns on the horizon. Although inflationary expectations appear to be under control for the time being, sharper consumer price gains could lead to notably higher mortgage interest rates in 2009. Based on current indicators, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is forecast to rise gradually to 6.5 percent by the end of this year, and then hold at that level for most of 2009. But note-that is still well below the “threshold” level of 7 percent. In spite of a month to month decrease from April to May, housing affordability- as measured by NAR’s housing affordability index–is improving this year and is likely to rise 15 percentage points to 127.0 for all of 2008.

Existing-home sales are expected to grow from an annual pace of 5.01 million in the second quarter to 5.75 million in the fourth quarter. For all of 2008, existing-home sales should total 5.31 million, and then increase 5.0 percent next year to 5.58 million. That is less than 100,000 unit sales off the annual pace last year.

The speed at which home prices have declined in a few select markets is unprecedented, but the large price declines in those areas have enticed bargain hunters back into the market. Interestingly, there have been reports of multiple bidding after the large price cuts, so it is possible that most of the price declines have already occurred in those markets. The aggregate median existing-home price (on a national basis) is projected to fall 6.2 percent this year to $205,300, and then rise by 4.3 percent in 2009 to $214,100.

For more information about real estate in Raleigh, contact Buyers Advantage Group Realty today!

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by: Lawrence Yun, NAR Chief Economist

Modest near-term movement is expected in existing-home sales, with a recovery in sales seen during the second half of the year. The Pending Home Sales Index, NAR’s forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in May, fell 4.7 percent to 84.7 from an upwardly revised reading of 88.9 in April, and remains 14.0 percent below May 2007 when it stood at 98.5. Some pullback after a sharp increase in the previous month was expected. The overall decline in contract signings suggests we are not out of the woods by any means. The housing stimulus bill that is still being considered in the Congress is critical to assure a healthy recovery in the housing market, jobs and the economy.

But location has never mattered more than in the current market. Look at the pending home sales index for the West. While it’s true the index slipped 1.3 percent to 97.5 in May in that region, it was 2.0 percent higher than it was in May of 2007. Indeed, some markets have seen a doubling in home sales from a year ago, while others are seeing contract signings cut in half. For instance, double-digit pending sales gains in May from a year ago were noted in Colorado Springs CO, Sacramento CA and Spartanburg, SC. In addition, price conditions vary tremendously, even within a locality, depending upon a neighborhood’s exposure to subprime loans.

Current real estate market conditions are positive for most buyers: still-attractive interest rates, a large inventory of homes available for sale, and many sellers willing to negotiate their prices-sometimes significantly. And in spite of the headlines surrounding issues with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac- as well as the recent federal “takeover” of IndyMac- there is still mortgage capital out there. Credit may be tightened, but lenders are still happy to originate a mortgage loan to households who qualify. And remember: owning a home still provides long-term value- and most buyers today plan to remain in their homes for five or more years. Home buyers can get a great deal right now.

For more information on real estate in North Carolina, contact Buyers Advantage Group Realty today!

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by Marge Bish

We know that we live in a great area with many activities for young and old. Following are a few of the things you and your family can do to get better acquainted with new friends and have fun this summer.

• Gardening Club- Tarboro Road Community Center. Ages 14 and up. If you are interested in learning the basics of growing and nurturing plants and vegetables, then the Gardening Club is just what you need. Participants will learn basic techniques for nurturing your plants and vegetables to full growth potential. NO FEE. Dates: Aug 6. 11:00am-1:00pm
• Teen Jam- Ralph Campbell Community Center. Ages 12-18 yrs. This is only for the young and classy, finally a place to escape. You don’t want to miss the party! $5 in advance, $7 at the Door. They will sell out, so you had better get them early. Dates: August 22, 7:00pm-10:00pm.
• NC Aquatic WILD- Durant Nature Park. Ages 16 and up. This 6-hour workshop introduces participants to the free Aquatic WILD K-12 educator guide. The workshop is similar to the NC Wild Basic workshop except there is a focus on aquatics. The NC WILD Aquatic workshops are open to all interested educators including classroom teachers, environmental educators, resource agency staff, park and nature personnel, teaching fellow, college students and faculty and youth leaders. Credit for Environmental Education Certification and CEU is available with the completion of a homework assignment. There are no prerequisites for this workshop and it is FREE. Bring a bag lunch! Pre-registration is required. No FEE. Date: August 30, 9:00am-4:00pm

These are only a few of the dozens of programs available for all ages in Wake County. To register and for more information on other programs, click here.

For more information about real estate in Raleigh, contact Buyers Advantage Group Realty.

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