E Pluribus Unum

 Most people are familiar with the phrase "E Pluribus Unum."  Even if you can't remember exactly what it means, you know the gist of it.  Its exact translation is "Out of many, one."  And it is a phrase that appropriately applies to choosing your Realtor®. 

There are more than 8,000 Realtors® in the Triangle Multiple Listing Service...how do you choose ONE to be your Realtor®?  So how should you choose the person who will assist you every step of the way in buying or selling your home?  How should you decide who can best serve your real estate needs? 

You should choose your Realtor® based on the fact that they share your same values.  You deserve to know that they can offer you the very best for your real estate needs.  You look for that real estate associate who has distinguished themselves in the marketplace, separated themselves from the pack and elevated their performance above all others.  You look for them to provide you with a level of knowledge, experience and service that is unmatched by other Realtors®.  They should be able to share their knowledge about the real estate industry and the local market...for instance, which are the best school systems or which is the best local hospital .  Because a real estate transaction is so multi-faceted, your real estate associate should be able to provide complete, exceptional real estate services - able to recommend everything from a reputable mortgage lender to a trusted title insurance company to a reliable insurance provider.  All to ensure a smooth real estate transaction, saving you time, money and energy.

These reasons and more are why you should partner with a Coldwell Banker Howard Perry and Walston Realtor®.  CBHPW's real estate associates are more than just Realtors® - they are Trusted Advisors who are ready, willing and able to share their knowledge, experience and service to help give you the very best home buying or selling transaction possible.

So what do you think?  What do you consider the most important element in choosing a real estate associate?

The Extended Homebuyer Tax Credit

Does the new extended homebuyer tax credit have you a bit confused? Here is detailed information on the new extended homebuyer tax credit, courtesy of the National Association of Realtors, and how it may affect you.

• The new homebuyer tax credit extends the First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit of up to $8,000 to first-time home buyers until April 30, 2010.
• Expands the credit to grant up to $6,500 credit to current home owners purchasing a new or existing home between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010.

Who Qualifies for the Extended Credit?

• First-time home buyers who purchase homes between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010.
• Current home owners purchasing a home between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010, who have used the home being sold or vacated as a principal residence for five consecutive years within the last eight.

To qualify as a "first-time home buyer" the purchaser or his/her spouse may not have owned a residence during the three years prior to the purchase.

Which Properties Are Eligible?

The Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit may be applied to primary residences, including: single-family homes, condos, townhomes, and co-ops.

How Much Is Available?

The maximum allowable credit for first-time home buyers is $8,000.

The maximum allowable credit for current homeowners is $6,500.

How is a Buyer's Credit Amount Determined?

Each home buyer's tax credit is determined by tow additional factors:

• The price of the home.
• The buyer's income.

Price

Under the Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit, credit may only be awarded on homes purchased for $800,000 or less.

Buyer Income

Under the Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit, which is effective on November 7, 2009,  single buyers with incomes up to $125,000 and married couples with incomes up to $225,000-may receive the maximum tax credit.

These income limits have changed from the 2009 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit limits. If you or your client purchased a home between January 1, 2009 and November 6, 2009, please see 2009 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit.

If the Buyer(s)' Income Exceeds These Limits, Can He/She Still Get a Credit?

Yes, some buyers may still be eligible for the credit.

The credit decreases for buyers who earn between $125,000 and $145,000 for single buyers and between $225,000 and $245,000 for home buyers filing jointly. The amount of the tax credit decreases as his/her income approaches the maximum limit. Home buyers earning more than the maximum qualifying income-over $145,000 for singles and over $245,000 for couples are not eligible for the credit.

Can a Buyer Still Qualify If He/She Closes After April 30, 2010?

Under the Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit, as long as a written binding contract to purchase is in effect on April 30, 2010, the purchaser will have until July 1, 2010 to close.

Will the Tax Credit Need to Be Repaid?

No. The buyer does not need to repay the tax credit, if he/she occupies the home for three years or more. However, if the property is sold during this three-year period, the full amount credit will be recouped on the sale.

*Information courtesy of the National Association Of Realtors.

If you are a Realtor®, you know the dread of having to sign up for your continuing education classes every year.  You feel like you just got done sitting through another CE class and here you are doing it all over again.  Ever dream of being on vacation while you’re sitting in a CE class?  You catch yourself looking out the window, seeing the bare winter trees outside and wishing you could see the sun and ocean instead?  You imagine that you hear a steel drum band playing your favorite Bob Marley tune, when you realize it’s really just the ring of the cell phone of the person sitting behind you. Well dream no more!  Now you can get your CE credits and squeeze in a Caribbean vacation all at the same time! 

For the first time, the HPW Real Estate School is offering a Continuing Education Cruise February 18-21, 2010.  And the best part is that this cruise features the musical stylings of The Embers !  February 19^th will feature the CE Mandatory Update Course taught and February 20^th will feature the CE Elective course.  You will be able to knock out 2 continuing education credits while sailing the open seas and enjoying the music of one of the most popular Beach Music bands in the country! 

This 3-night Bahamas cruise aboard the Carnival Sensation will depart from Port Canaveral, Florida and will feature a stop in Nassau, Bahamas and another entire day at sea!  You can explore the theme parks or Kennedy Space Center near Port Canaveral, then snorkel, sight see or shop your way around Nassau.  And don’t forget about the joys of an entire day at sea aboard the Sensation…you can lay in the sun on this floating resort, gamble in the ship’s casino, or brave the giant waterslide at the pool.  Plus, it’s a perfect opportunity to bring your kids along for some fun while you’re crossing that dreaded “Take CE Class” off your to-do list! Can you imagine a better way to escape the dreary winter weather?  Register now before it’s too late!   To sign up for this one-of-a-kind CE class opportunity, please visit www.hpwreschool.com and remember that you’ll need to sign up for the cruise separately at www.cruisecommander.com.   

(Note: Cruise space and rates subject to availability.)

Coldwell Banker Howard Perry and Walston is proud to be a local presenting sponsor of the Triangle Chapter's Komen for The Cure PinkFest event for the third year in a row.  PinkFest will be held this Sunday, October 4 at the Renaissance Hotel in North Hills from 1pm-4pm.

If you have been to PinkFest in the past, you will notice a change in the event from the outdoor format. This year's event is all about pampering while supporting the fight against breast cancer.  There will be massages, mini-manicures and other beauty services, make-up consultations and plenty of amazing prizes to give away!

Please make sure to stop by the Coldwell Banker Howard Perry and Walston table while you are at PinkFest.  We will have a very cute and handy Komen for the Cure/CBHPW item to give to all in attendance!

Funds raised at this event will support screening, education and treatment programs for uninsured women in the community!

Durham, North Carolina- The city I am proud to call home since 2000.  The Durham I moved to is vastly different than the Durham that exists today.  Fast forward to 2009 and the downtown Durham area is quickly becoming a vibrant and exciting place to spend an evening.  Downtown Durham is divided into districts-  the American Tobacco Historic District, Brightleaf Square, City Center, Durham Central Park & the Warehouse District.  These districts make it very easy to find what you are looking for. 


A great start to Saturday morning is at the Durham Farmers Market , shopping for crafts, handmade soap, plants, flowers or produce . Then get a little exercise on one of the free walking tours that begin at the farmers market three Saturdays each month at 10:00am . The tour explores Durham’s Tobacco Heritage, Durham’s Civil Rights or Architecture & Urban Landscape. Be sure to check the calendar on www.DowntownDurham.com for dates for each tour. I have enjoyed all three tours and found them very informative. Just don’t forget to wear comfortable shoes! 


Time for lunch at the Mellow Mushroom, or the brand new Cuban Revolution in the American Tobacco Complex, where you can relax and watch the “Victoria Falls“ which run thru the complex.


After a nap, its time for an exciting night out, lets start with a drink at Tyler’s Tap Room appropriately named you will discover, then dinner at Revolution, Federal, Rue Cler or a growing number of great restaurants in and around downtown.  Now its time for a show at the new Durham Performing Arts Center, The Carolina Theatre or a Durham Bulls game at the DBAP. If you are up for a nightcap perhaps try Bull McCabe’s, a great Irish Pub.  


Durham, NC is evolving into a destination and has a state of the art Bus station and boasts the largest waiting area of any train station in the state.  There are so many things to do I cannot possibly cover them all…the Sarah P. Duke Gardens, the Museum of Life and Science , The Nasher Museum of Art , Duke University, and the list goes on and on. Durham is also home to an endless list of festivals, each holiday has one as well as the Blues Festival, The World Beer Festival, Bimbe`, The Taste of Durham,  Festival for the Eno  & Centerfest.  


As you can see, I personally love Durham, NC and all the wonderful things it has to offer.  This unique and wonderful city makes it very easy to find your perfect home, whether it is Treyburn, Hope Valley, Watts/Hillandale, Duke Park, Trinity Park or one of the increasing number of residences downtown.


Durham, NC. It is an exciting place to Live, Work and Play. 

Michael Colvin
Realtor/Broker

Direct- (919) 317-4314
Cell- (919) 358-4855
Fax- (919) 313-8709
      
Email- colvinm@hpw.com
http://www.colvinm.hpw.com/           

Jenni Bruckman
For additional information, please email careers@hpw.com

Whereas “Inside-the-Beltline” and “Downtown” Raleigh living were once synonymous, today they are very different. Raleigh is growing and in no other area is it as prevalent as in the downtown area.  Downtown Raleigh is a very specific market and it is constantly changing…particularly the condo market. If you are unfamiliar with the Downtown market, you may need some assistance as it is very different from the downtown Raleigh you might have known even a year ago.

Those that choose city life are most often in search of having everything right at their fingertips - a place where you can walk out your door and have an unlimited selection of activities, culture, restaurants and shopping. The convenience of downtown living is very appealing to many young professionals that want to stay in the heart of all of the excitement but also very attractive to empty nesters who are looking to downsize. 
 

The number one concern that arises when people are asked about urban living: “How clean and how safe is it?” The Downtown Raleigh Alliance and the City Ambassadors are the group in charge of keeping the sidewalks and buildings clean, providing information to visitors and acting as liaisons between our city's business leaders and government. And they do a heck of a job.

Transportation options into and around downtown have increased substantially in the past few years as well. Not only do you have a readily available supply of taxi cabs, but Downtown Raleigh now offers The R-Line, a free eco-friendly bus that will circle all the major districts of downtown providing a safe and worry free ride. The R-Line also comes complete with flat screen televisions and circles the city with pickups every 10 minutes from numerous stops along the way. Oh…and did I mention, it’s FREE. 

Many of our downtown residences offer a secure building with covered parking and video surveillance. Some also have pools and fitness centers that soar high above the city with views as far as the eye can see. Water, cable, maintenance, insurance and more may even be included in your home-owners association dues. Ease and convenience for you with everything rolled into one.

If you’re in the mood for a night out, we suggest an early dinner at The Pit on Davie Street for some great food and the chance to see Bobby Flay Throwdown with pit-master Ed Mitchell. Then hop the R-Line over to the Fayetteville District for a night cap or dessert at The Busy Bee on Wilmington Street, and grab a rickshaw ride to the IMAX theater in Moore Square for a late night showing of the latest blockbuster feature.

Downtown Raleigh is a blossoming city on the rise. The population in the Triangle is expected to double in the next 15 years and Downtown will adapt and develop with that transition. There are many reasons why one would choose to live in downtown Raleigh and, in our opinion, now is the time to do it.

The RTown guys host weekly and monthly social and professional networking events at various downtown Raleigh venues.  If you’re anxious to learn more about Downtown Raleigh, you are welcome to attend.

Chuck Belden
Your Trusted Advisor
919-217-3206
info@RtownLiving.com

www.RtownLiving.com

If you are looking to buy or sell a home in the Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill - Carrboro, Cary, Garner, Hillsborough, Wake Forest or any of the Triangle surrounding communities, we are here to help.  We are your Triangle Area Trusted Advisors in Real Estate.  Please make sure to visit our community films and learn more about the various communities that make up the Triangle area. 

Ah… to be young again.  Nearly 15 years ago, I was standing on my new college campus, in the midst of hundreds of freshman clamoring to get into dorm rooms with boxes and furniture.  That first year, I thought it was great to take a shower caddy and flip flops into a bathroom shared by 10 girls and cram my life into one half of a bedroom.   Then, I became a sophomore and oh how I wanted independence- by moving into a house with just 3 other girls (and one bathroom!).   

Dorm rooms can be most affordable for some students and so can sharing rent.  Imagine, though, getting your own place, where your roommates pay rent to cover the mortgage.  Then, at the end of your college years, getting a return on your investment.

Here’s how it could work (your family may be able to help you out on this one):  If you have no established credit, say a credit card or a car loan, your parents or relatives may be in a position  to take out a loan to buy a house near campus . The rent from you and your roommates would ideally pay the mortgage.  If your parents decide to sell at the end of 4 years, they should be able to get their money back and then some.

If you do have some established credit, you may be able to take out an FHA loan on your own, with some gift money from your parents or relatives.  If you are working and filing taxes- you could qualify for the $8000 tax credit before December 1, 2009.   You could take that money and pay your family back for the down payment-which is 3.5% of the purchase price.  Your parents may even decide to let you keep the tax credit for your college fund.   Again, at the end of your college life, you should be able to see a nice return on your investment.  There are some great deals out there right now, especially with such low interest rates.

For those of you planning to become doctors, there are special loans available for housing once you begin your residency.

So what’s the first step?  Call a Realtor and ask them to help you get in touch with a reputable loan officer.  Together , they can help you determine how much home you can afford and find the most suitable place for your needs.  Let your rooming situation work to make money for you or your family- while you are studying hard to get that degree.  You are studying, right?

Carrie Surti
Trusted Advisor/ Real Estate Broker
(919) 389-6676 
SurtiC@hpw.com
www.CarrieSurti.com

Do you have additional questions about how the North Carolina Tax Free Weekend works?  If so, here is a list of FAQ from the NC Department of Revenue.

So, have fun shopping this weekend!  Hopefully you will save some money, support the economy and find some great deals!