by Kathryn Dunkle, Client Coordinator

With the cost of gas steadily rising, it makes more sense than ever to take advantage of our local farmer’s markets. Your mother always told you to “eat your vegetables” because she knew it would be good for you. Now, buying locally grown fruits and vegetables not only helps you, but the environment and our local economy.

Local Farmer’s Markets

Raleigh State Farmers Market

1201 Agriculture Street | Raleigh, NC 27603

Phone: 919.733.7417

Open Year-Round: Yes

January-December

Monday-Saturday, 5:00am-6:00pm

Sunday, 12:00 noon

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Cary Downtown Farmers Market

Harrison Avenue & Academy Streets | Cary, NC 27511

Phone: 919.772.4906

Open Year-Round: No

April-November

Tuesday, 3:00pm-6:00pm

Saturday, 8:00am-12:30pm

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Durham Farmers Market

Morris Street | Durham, NC 27713

Phone: 919.684.6420

e-mail: elizgibbs@mindspring.com

Open Year Round: No

April-November

Saturday, 8:00am-12:00 noon

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The Market at the Factory

1839 South Main Street | Wake Forest, NC 27587

Contact: Allison Tucker | e-mail: atucker13@nc.rr.com

Open Year-Round: No

April-October

Saturday, 8:00am-12:00 noon

_____________________

The Market at North Hills

*coming soon*

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

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by Kathryn Dunkle, Client Coordinator

Five Common First-Time Home Buyer Mistakes

1. They don’t ask enough questions of their lenders and end up missing out on the best deal.
2. They don’t act quickly enough to make a decision and someone else buys the house.
3. They don’t find the right agent who’s willing to help them through the home buying process.
4. They don’t do enough to make their offer look appealing to a seller.
5. They don’t think about resale before they buy. The average first-time buyer only stays in a home for four years.

Don’t make any of these common mistakes. Contact an Exclusive Buyer Agent Realtor at Buyers Advantage Group Realty who can help guide you through the process.

Source: Real Estate Checklists and Systems, www.realestatechecklists.com.

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It’s easy to see why Parkwood is one of the Triangle’s top selling neighborhoods. This southwest Durham neighborhood continues to be desirable because it offers great home values, an excellent location and great amenities.

A Little Background

The Parkwood community began in the early 1960s. There are several styles of homes found within Parkwood, the majority consisting of hard-to-find, one-story ranch-style homes. Whether you are looking for a fixer-upper or a totally renovated home, you will be sure to find it here. The price point is ideal for first time home buyers, retirees and real estate investors.

A Great Location

Ideally situated between Chapel Hill and RTP, Parkwood is the perfect place for those who want a quick commute. Conveniently located near one of the area’s premier retail developments, Southpoint Mall, homeowners truly can “Have it all!”

Parkwood Residents enjoy a sense of privacy in this peaceful neighborhood that is simply not to be found in newer home communities. Lot sizes are generous and generally range from .33 to .5 acres. Mature trees, a community lake, picnic area, branch library, Parkwood Elementary School, community pool, ballfield and a convenient neighborhood store all contribute to Parkwood’s appeal.

Here are Some Quick Stats on homes in the Parkwood area:

• Average Sold Price= $143,398
• Average Size= 1,585 sq ft
• Average Days on Market= 78

To find out even more information, contact a qualified buyers agent at Buyers Advantage Group Realty today!

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by Kathryn Dunkle, Client Coordinator

Those of us who live and work in the “Triangle” have come to use the term generally as a geographical point of reference to the Research Triangle Park to describe the overall area. We at Buyers Advantage Group Realty talk daily with people wanting to relocate here. Having received national media accolades, this area has and continues to receive praise from trusted sources such as Money, Forbes and Time Magazine. More often than not, these folks tell us that they want to live in the “Triangle”. ONe of the first things we do is educate these prospective residents about the area.

The Research Triangle Park is the largest planned research development community in America, and it is central to our area. Because of the national and international reputation of the Research Triangle Park, the cities and towns that surround it have experienced tremendous growth. Yet, each of these enclaves has managed to retain its own unique personality. Whatever you are looking for, chances are good you will find it here. When you want to learn more about the Triangle, why not let the most experienced exclusive buyer agent firm in the Triangle answer your questions?

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by Kathryn Dunkle, Client Coordinator

How has the wealth of current homeowners and real estate investors in the Raleigh/Cary area changed as a result of home ownership? The National Association of Realtors tells us, “One way to answer that question is to create a snapshot of the equity individuals who purchased a home at the median price 5, 10, 15, and 20 years ago would have built up in they had kept that home through 2007.”

Homeowners in the Raleigh/Cary area enjoy an average net worth, according to 2004 figures, in excess of $180,000. Compare this to the net worth of the average renter, $4,000; it easily demonstrates that homeownership continues to be the quickest way for the average American to build wealth.

Buyers Advantage Group Realty can help you find a home that meets your lifestyle and start you on a path to wealth building. Our exclusive buyer agents are experienced and knowledgeable about the Triangle area, providing you with the information to compare different home locations and values.

*Source: National Association of Realtors Research Update, April 15, 2008, 2008 Metro Area Wealth Gain Reports

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In honor of Independence Day:

[Speaking about July 4th]

It ought to be solemnized by pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.

John Adams

2nd President of the United States

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

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by Kathryn Dunkle, Client Coordinator

I mentioned in an earlier post, What Do Single Women Want?, that security is an important consideration for single women home buyers. As the number of single women home buyers continues to explode, some builders and city planners are finding ways to improve security measures. With this in mind, I’d like to share a few tips that will provide peace of mind:

• Consider buying a home with an attached garage with an electronic garage door opener.
• Consider a gated community.
• Pay attention to surrounding lighting conditions. Will you be comfortable taking an evening stroll?
• Buy a home with an installed security system.
• Inspect door locks and jambs. Consider re-keying the locks after you purchase your new home.
• Is the landscaping obscuring the view to doors and windows?
• Second floor condominiums and those facing the street tend to be less attractive to criminals.
• Pull a neighborhood crime report through the local police department or on the Internet.
• Fenced yards discourage crime.

If you are curious about the overall safety of the area where you now live or in which you would like to buy your new home, let the agents at Buyers Advantage Group Realty put their tools to work for you. Give us a call at 919.573.6151 to see how we can help.

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by Pat Olmert, First Financial Services and Barbara Gressens

The toughest part of moving waiting for someone to buy your home. But there are times when you cannot wait for your home to be sold and yo have to be at your new destination by a certain date. What are your options for finding a new place to live?

One option would be to rent at your new destination until your home has sold. The rental market and rental fees are on the rise from buyers waiting for their homes to be sold and from a previous group of home buyers who no longer qualify for a home purchase loan.

Another option is to use the equity in your current home to purchase your next home. When your home sells, you can use the proceeds from the sale to pay down the new home loan and alter the loan payment without refinancing your loan or paying expensive closing costs. This is called recasting your loan.

Pat Olmert, Loan Officer for First Financial Services, explains further:

What is a RECAST or REAMORTIZING feature? It is when a mortgage customer requests to apply a large principle only payment to their mortgage balance and reduce the amount of future monthly payments. This is important if you have equity in a home but are having difficulties selling the home and using that equity for the down payment. You may get as high as a 97% loan on the new home with the hopes of decreasing the loan balance and monthly payments when you ultimately sell your old house with this feature. NO need to refinance, which is especially nice if the rates have increased since the date of your closing.

How?

1. The principle balance curtailment must be 10% of more of current outstanding principle balance
2. Modifies the principle and interest portion of the payment, not the rate, maturity date or escrows
3. A nominal fee of $250 to process

There are many programs available, which are rarely discussed in the media, to deal with your specific home purchase situation. We, at Buyers Advantage Group Realty, are committed to the best interests of our buyer clients by introducing them to professionals with proven track records of excellent service. Every client’s home purchase is unique and requires an agent with the experience and knowledge to deal with your specific home purchase requirements. As exclusive buyer agents, we specialize in one side of the home purchase transaction-the buyer side. If you are looking for an experienced real estate agency whose focus has always been the buyer, call Buyers Advantage Group Realty.

The Buyer’s choice to be the Buyer’s voice!

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by Marge Bish, Broker/Owner

You’ve done a good deed, gone to the local shelter and adopted a pet for your kids. They love the dog or cat and in spite of promises to take care of it most of it has been left to Mom or Dad and you’ve become very attached to.

Things aren’t going well at the company and your job ends with no new one in sight. Bills pile up and the budget is tight. Next thing you know you are facing foreclosure with the only possibility may be living with a family member for a while until you get back on your feet.

Moving day looms. The kids are crying as you pack up to leave and the last thing you are thinking about is the dog or cat. You know that you can’t take it with you, but you just can’t’ stand to take it back to a shelter where it came from.

Wait-the neighbors all know our pets-maybe they will adopt them- or maybe not. You just leave them. They are alone, no food, no warm bed or a too hot-area to sleep with no shelter.

It’s a sad but true fact that foreclosure crises affect thousands of pets each year. There are some options for you and for you pets, however.

1. Ask your friends and neighbors if they are willing to adopt your animal.
2. Contact a breed-specific organization if you have a pet that qualifies.
3. If you do not know who to contact, call the county animal control shelter where you live. They have contacts with all breed specific groups and some that are not breed-specific and operate no kill shelters. In Wake County, you may contact Nancy Clemmons, who is the Wake County Community Outreach Coordinator at 919.250.4474. Also feel free to visit and/or contact the Wake County Animal Care, Control & Adoption Center.

If all else fails, PLEASE, PLEASE turn in your pet to the shelter. Do not leave them on their own to deal with death by vehicles, starvation, attack by other animals, sickness or misuse by unscrupulous people.

No one wants to think of a pet being euthanized, but isn’t it better for them not to suffer a worse death on the street?

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

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by Kathryn Dunkle, Client Coordinator

This segment of our blog will introduce you to products and features in homes that raise the WOW factor in a house. That special feeling of excitement you get when you see something new or experience a commonly seen product used in a new way. That “oh my God” thought that gets you thinking in a new direction and spurs on creative energy. Every month on our blog, you can gleam design ideas and innovative products that will add sparkle and improve your lifestyle. Every day, our agents at Buyers Advantage Group Realty see the wows that work and the wows that don’t work as we search for that special home for each of our customers. Our creative energy really flows when we are working with our new construction customers to take their 2-dimensional dream on paper into a 3-dimensional dream home. We want to share these experiences and pass on the good ideas that have made our customers so happy. Have fun dreaming of where you can add WOW to your home; and share with us the ideas you have implemented into your home that gives you that WOW feeling. Whether you are building a new home from an idea in your head or you are looking for that dream home already built, Buyers Advantage Group Realty has the knowledge, experience and passion to help you find your next dream home!

Bathroom Sinks That Glow?

We have all seen the new sinks which are made of glass, porcelain, or stone-mounted under or on top of a counter. Here is a way to take a stone sink a step further for a special effect. Using an onyx one piece sink, mount a light under the sink basin. Because of the onyx’s properties, the light will glow through the stone, allowing the sink’s hues and patterns to come alive. If you wire the light to a wall switch, you can use it as a night light for your guests, who will appreciate the sinks beauty as well as the warm glow! WOW!

Shower Head: Seen it, Done it. But Have You?

A simple change to an everyday function can bring big changes to the start of your day and your mood. Moving a shower head off the wall to the ceiling changes the way you use a shower. For a tall person, this change is tremendously helpful to ensure you don’t ever have to stoop under a shower again. Positioning a new shower head can be added to any existing home with the help of a professional or you can change out your existing shower head for a new wall style that will give you similar benefits. And don’t forget, when building a new home, don’t let the small decisions to make the ordinary special pass you by! Planning and working with someone who can point out the little changes in order to create an everyday WOW will help you move into a dream home beyond your imagination.

360-Degrees Duplex Rotating Outlet

With personal electronic devices ruling our daily lives, here is a product that helps you keep the connections neat and orderly, reducing the need for extension cords. Allowing our desire for homes with the open floor plan to stay open and uncluttered. Fifteen-Amp rotating Duplex outlets allow you to plug in more than one large plug into an outlet. The individual sockets rotate as needed. The outlet fits into a standard size wall box, is rated 15-125V, and comes in white, ivory, almond and black with snap-on covers. Click here for more details on where to buy.

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