The Talk of the Triangle

Gorgeous Jewelry from a Talented Local Designer

2009-09-23T10:24:00.002-04:00

It doesn't get much better than this my friends. Check out this amazingly talented work at home mom's handmade jewelry collection. It's truly one of a kind and is simply amazing.

http://www.rosyrevolver.com

You can also check out her blog for a fantastic free giveaway-a gorgeous one of a kind necklace!

http://tinyurl.com/l9nquz

Living Safely in an Apartment Community

2009-05-29T09:53:00.001-04:00

Living Safely In A Multifamily Community

Apartment Complexes are a popular type of rental living because of its economy. Amenities such as swimming pools, computer rooms, 24-hour gyms, and on site laundry facilities offered by apartment complexes adds to the appeal. Some apartment complexes even have tennis and/or volleyball courts.

Conversely, apartment complexes have become targets for home invasions and burglary. It is not unusual to turn on the nightly news in most major cities only to hear of accounts of auto vandalism, attempted rape, arson, and burglary at gunpoint at one or more local apartment units.

Due to this increase in apartment crime, law enforcement officials have put out pamphlets and news alerts in most major cities with advice on keeping one safe in apartment dwellings. This article is based on aforementioned advice and offers ten tips for a more secure apartment.

Ten Security Tips

1. Chain locks offer little protection and cheap locks can be disabled easily. If the apartment does not have a good deadbolt lock on the door, ask permission of the apartment manager to put one on the door. Do be certain that the management has a key if they need to gain access into your apartment.

2. Never leave your apartment door unlocked. This includes when you leave to get the mail or take out the trash. Someone lurking in the breezeway could gain access quickly.

3 Most apartment complexes have peepholes already installed on the door. If not, ask if you can install one for your added safety.

4. Never open your door to a stranger. Require all utility/repair men to provide identification before opening the door and allowing entry into your apartment. If there is no peephole, have the repairman slip the ID under the door so you can check it out. If still uncertain, look up the telephone number, (do not accept one they give you) and call to verify the information.

5. When away from home , use timers for radios, televisions and lights so that the home looks occupied. If you will be away for a while, get a buddy system going with a trusted neighbor to keep an eye on each other's home.

6. It is a good idea to buddy up with a neighbor to do laundry. Many complexes keep these doors locked allowing keys only to tenants. Unfortunately this is not always the case and laundry rooms can pose danger if kept unlocked allowing transients and criminals access.

7. Do not hesitate to call the police immediately if you see suspicious activity. Then take steps to report it to the Apartment Manager. If you report it to the manager first it may be too late for would be criminals to be caught in the act. The police cannot do anything after the fact if the apartment manager is slow about calling the police or waits until the next day to reports the incident.

8. Law Enforcement and Crime Prevention officials advise keeping a light on at night. As a general rule apartment complex property is well lit up. If you notice that a light is out, notify the management. It could take days before the management becomes aware. A well-lit area is the best way to prevent vandalism.

9. Because of the large amount of vehicles in one area, complex parking lots are a target for vandalism. To avoid damage to your car, do not leave valuable items within visibility. Do keep doors locked and park in well lighted areas if possible.

10. To prevent someone fooling you with knowledge who you are, use only your first initial on the door, mailbox, and in the phone book. This is especially important for women living alone, as they are often targets for rape and sexual assualt.

While you do not want to be frightened, you do want to exercise caution. Following these security measures will minimize potential danger to your person and your valuables.

***Triangle Apartment Connection offers these tips for informational purposes only.
We are not responsible for these tips or for your personal safety or security.

Moving Tips from the Experts

2009-05-20T20:13:00.000-04:00

Transporting your family members thousands of miles can be an overwhelming task that requires more planning than just a move across town. Some tips on how to make the trek easier are listed below.

Pack a separate suitcase or tote for each person if there is room in your vehicle. A complete set of clothes, with underwear and socks, for each travel day, plus an extra set, needs to be included. To avoid bedtime hysterics, pack the things that people need to go to sleep, like special teddy bears or blankets, on top. Keep soiled clothing separate by utilizing garbage bags with pull string enclosures.

Remember to refill any prescription medications before the big day, and pack a first aid kit that includes pain-killers, band-aids, and antibiotic ointment. If anyone has food or other allergies and has been prescribed Benadryl or an EpiPen, remember to have them close at hand in the car.

Go to the local dollar store. Buy a toiletry kit with multiple toothbrushes, lotion, shampoo, toothpaste, toilet paper, napkins, plastic dinnerware including plates, and finally, many packages of batteries for electronic entertainment devices. Fasten the bags securely and pack them in one of the suitcases that you'll be taking on the trip.

Many families own two vehicles, and they will be driving them separately. In this case, the purchase of two quality walkie-talkies is recommended for the trip. Cell phones are often at the mercy of areas with poor or no reception, and these areas are frequently found along less traveled roads. Plus, the walkie-talkies may pay for themselves by reducing the roaming charges on your cell phone. If car trouble or some other calamity occurs, you can instantly be in contact with the other driver. Consider two identical sets of walkie-talkies, set on the same frequency, for the times when the older children are allowed to attend the rest room or get snacks by themselves. In the event that danger is encountered, your child should be taught to cry for help and push the button at the same time. You may even want to do some practice drills prior to the trip.

Keep an agenda of everyday tasks, like taking vitamins and medicine, recharging the cell phones and walkie-talkies, and double checking to make sure you've gotten everything. Make a space for you to check off after each task has been completed. You are more than likely to become exhausted on an extended road trip and may not be able to recall all of the small details that can make a huge difference.

It is better to charge your batteries for the communication devices every night, because normally, the day after the night you don't charge it will be the day you will need it the most. To make things easier, go ahead and make a copy of this list for each day and store it in a three ring binder, along with printouts of Mapquest directions and the phone numbers of your important contacts, such as the moving company and the hotels in which you intend to stay.
You'll obviously want to pack snacks for the car ride. Consider healthier snacks such as protein bars and shakes, as opposed to sodas and candy bars. Traveling with kids on sugar highs is a bad idea.

100% financing for homes is not dead in Wake County!

2009-05-15T22:44:00.003-04:00

Credit unions offering 100% funding.
VA loans offer 100% funding, with closing costs rolled into the loan.
USDA offering 100% funding, for rural areas. "Rural areas" is loosely defined, and some very suburban areas qualify.

Can't get one of the 100% funding plans?
Shucks. Find 3.5% of the purchase to put down, and go FHA. If you qualify for the up to $8000 first time buyers' tax credit, file an amended return and collect the $8,000.

Now FHA is talking about letting you use the tax credit for your down payment, monetizing the credit at closing, in a bridge loan, until you file taxes.

We were warned in real estate licensing classes about being creative to "get around" obstacles.
Seems like a lot of "getting around" is in the works.
Will "getting around" get us out of the current financing morass?
Here's one skeptic.

Renter's Insurance-What you need to know!

2009-05-12T14:25:00.002-04:00

Apartment Insurance: Coverage for Renters

Apartment insurance, more commonly known as renter’s insurance, protects you against loss and damage to your personal belongings when you rent a house or apartment.
Many renters make the mistake of assuming that any damages will be covered by their landlord’s insurance when, in actuality, the landlord’s insurance will only cover damage to the structure of the building. It’s up to you to protect your items from damage or loss.
This is where apartment or renter’s insurance comes in.

What It Covers
Renter’s insurance protects you from the following catastrophes:
Fire and smoke
Theft and vandalism
Flood and water damage (from appliances, for example)
Wind, lightning and windstorm
Your renter’s policy would cover damages to items like:
Computers, TVs and other electronics
Furniture
Clothing
Antiques or vintage items
Household items and personal appliances

In addition to covering your personal belongings, renter’s policies also cover your liability if someone is injured in your home and decides to sue. Furthermore, most renters’ policies cover your living expenses if you’re temporarily unable to live in your home because of a catastrophe.
Most renters are also pleasantly surprised to learn that this coverage is very affordable. Because the policy only covers the contents of your home—and not the structure of the building—you may spend as little as $160 per year on renter’s insurance, depending on what policy you buy.
Needless to say, the “package deal” protection and affordable cost of renter’s policies make them more than worth it.

Shopping tip: Buy your renter’s policy with your auto coverage and receive a discount!

Types of Policies

According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), there are two types of renter’s policies:
(1) Actual Cash Value: Pays to replace your items minus a deduction for depreciation, up to your policy amount.This means if you bought your laptop two years ago for $1,000, the insurer will only reimburse you for its worth at the time of damage—which could be a several hundred dollar difference
(2) Replacement Cost: Pays the actual cost of your possessions with no deduction for depreciation, up to your policy amount.This means no matter when you bought your laptop, you’ll be reimbursed for the amount you paid for it. Because replacement cost policies don’t deduct for depreciation, they are most recommended by insurance experts.

This article was written by InsureMe.com personnel for informational purposes only and not intended as professional advice.

Where does YOUR HOA money go?

2009-05-07T22:48:00.000-04:00

Every now and then I get a call from someone who wants to know who the Homeowners’ Association Representative is in their neighborhood.

It happens because of my Neighborhoods blogging. And it just happened yesterday.

Some Cary or Raleigh neighborhood residents pay dues to two organizations, their subdivision, and the Planned Urban Development, PUD, of which their subdivision is a member.

Some of the subdivisions are small and the HOA leadership is quite casual. This is where the issue arises. The residents may be writing checks, mailing them to a P.O. Box, and not even knowing who is cashing or depositing the checks. It is often a neighbor who serves voluntarily or for a very small fee.

When that neighbor sells and moves away, or decides not to continue in the role, often the residents are not notified. And there is no evidence of who is collecting the money.

Yesterday, I helped a fellow find a phone number to call. His closing attorney had already called that number, and it was from a person who had moved out of state some time ago. The best contact they have been able to find was the woman who said, “I don’t do that anymore,” and hung up on them. The question is: Who did she pass the P.O. Box key to when she quit?

So, if you are looking at paying two sets of HOA dues, you may be well advised to know where the checks go, who deposits them, into what accounts, and what the purpose of those checks is in the first place.

I want 2 hockey tickets!

2009-05-06T08:07:00.004-04:00

I do.
Friday night, Game 4 of the second round of the playoffs. I want to take my sweetie to see the Canes play. Should be nicely rowdy crowd making a TON of noise at the RBC Center.

Yes, I have been to the box office, on Monday. $60 or $250. Either the corners of the 300 level or the Champions Club.
But I'm just seeking face value tickets high in the 100 level, preferably on the south side of the arena, closer to where the Canes shoot twice. Sections 104,103,102,130, 123,122,121,120, or 119 would be great.

Craigslist? It's a zoo!
Second only to the North Carolina Zoological Park in Asheboro.
Been to Craigslist, and probably going back. Scammers, spammers, and scalpers abounding.
It is not legal to sell tix for more than face value, yet people hoping to cash in are asking openly for double face value for many seats.
And there are too many shaky deals to comprehend.
Spammers offering $140 seats for $599 are posting and reposting as fast as they are flagged off.
I posted looking for seats at face value, and got several emails from spammers sending me links to their out of state sites where I likely could have my wallet plundered.

I have a back up plan: Buy my sweetie a great pizza, put on my lucky shirt and wave my Round 1, Game 6 towel in front of the plasma TV.

Old Triangle homes or New Construction?

2009-05-01T07:28:00.003-04:00

The topic of polybutylene plumbing pipes recently sparked a little exchange in which I just had to participate.
Modern methods vs. historical methods.
Modern materials and components vs. historical materials and components.

I like a historical gem of a home as well as the next person. Historic Oakwood. Boylan Heights. Mordecai. All great Raleigh neighborhoods with wonderful examples of old homes that have been loved. We have nothing like these in Cary.
But I don't have blinders on regarding the topic of quality across time.
Plumbing kicked it all off:

Copper plumbing has a 40 year life expectancy.
Lead pipe will last just about forever. I don't think that makes it a desirable water supply option.

The vast majority of homes I visit have no foundation issues, whether they are a year old, or 20 years old, or 50 years old.

I have been in many 40 year old homes with trussed roofs, where that roof framing appars to be easily good for another 40 years.

I would like to have a brick home at some point. I may be able to afford one. Many people can't, particularly when they require the space they must have at a price point. In compromise by consumers, brick loses to more space.
Good quality wood siding, as used 100 years ago also is prohibitively expensive, and would be difficult to offer to a million new construction buyers. It also takes a lot of maintenance. White wood is passe for exterior use, IMO.

I have been in old homes that were junk when they were built, and are still standing as historical junque today. I predict that the home I am in will be here in 100 years, absent flood, hurricane, tornado, fire, or other act of God.

The slap stick homes of 100 years ago have tended to settle in, like Grandpa into his recliner, and often are revered as survivors. Well, that is, the ones that have been highly maintained; the slap stick homes that have not been expensively maintained have mostly crumbled into their foundations already.

It's comparable to having Grandpa in the home, and helping him find his glasses or slippers, and overlooking his forgetfulness with love.
We tend to forgive the foibles and shortcomings of older homes, the sloped floors and crooked doorways, constricting floor plans, outdated construction methods with high rates of failure, and seriously outdated mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems, and high maintenance costs, because of respect and love of the memories and the hearkening to another time.

That forgiveness is certainly laudable. It is just oversimplification to make an across the board attribution of a higher level of workmanship to any era of homes.

Modern engineering and modern building codes have done a couple of things.
1. Provided minimum standards that were not in place 100-125 years ago.
2. Allowed homes to be built to those minimum standards. Too much adherence to minimum standards does NOT make a fine home, to be sure. Exceeding the minimums with most bang for the buck structurally may be a wise investment.

As consumers, we have helped cut our own throats on quality by worshipping maximum square footage per dollar invested in a home, and surface appearance without substance beneath it.
Most people will not pay the price for quality they cannot see every day. "Gotta have granite and stainless steel. Don't bother me about 2x10 floor joists on a 16 foot span."
But, the minimum codes probably ensure the long term survival of structures that receive at least the maintenance which was given to the typical 100 year old home.

Craigslist Rental Scams. Tenant and Landlord beware!

2009-04-28T16:18:00.002-04:00

I have now heard three reports of rental scams on Craigslist.

While it is unlikely that any cognizant and responsible person would fall for the "Mail the deposit to me in Nigeria, and I will send the keys back" scam, the possible inconvenience for Landlords is less easily dismissed.

My friend Cheryl had the experience of having people cruising her Raleigh rental home while she was there. It was a little disconcerting to her that strange people would slow down and stare, while she was working in the yard and cleaning and doing a little painting.

Then I called her and mentioned that her home was listed "For Rent" on Craigslist. With her name in a Yahoo email address. And rent advertised at $700/month.

She was astounded. The Yahoo email address was bogus, even with her name on it. The rent for the property was $900. No wonder she had seen so much traffic! A few of us got together and flagged the ad off Craigslist.
Cheryl had advertised the rental on Rent.com, where it had been scraped.

It has happened since to two other acquaintances, where legitimate listings on MLS or Rent.com have been scraped and relisted with minor changes. The rent is always well below market, to spur traffic.

One acquaintance who followed through on it got the email. "Silly me. I carried my keys back to Africa. I will mail them to you as soon as I receive your money order for the deposit."
You just have to hope no one is falling for that one...

First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit – How to Claim, Where to Get IRS Form 5405

2009-04-27T16:30:00.004-04:00

As a follow-up to the post below, what do you do if you decide to claim the $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit? A series of articles on Suite101 gives you more information.

IRS Form 5405, First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit – This article describes how to download Form 5405 from the IRS website and discusses who isn’t eligible to claim the credit.

$8,000 Tax Credit for Home Buyers – Not $15,000 – This article discusses the final details of the $8,000 credit and links to the actual economic stimulus package.

$7,500 & $8,000 First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credits – This article explains differences between these two credits and defines a qualified first-time homebuyer.

More questions? Contact Lena Gott directly.

Air Conditioning Season on the Way. Check your HVAC unit and be ready.

2009-04-24T18:06:00.004-04:00

Common HVAC systems in the Cary and Raleigh, NC, area, the packaged unit, also known as a "gas pack" is an efficient piece of equipment that contains both the AC unit and the gas furnace.
These units have a limited lifespan. If the home or the heating equipment is more than 8 to 10 years old, I strongly urge my real estate Buyer clients to have a licensed HVAC contractor check them, inside and out during their home inspection. In that 8 to 10 year period of time it is not uncommon for the heat exchanger to corrode and perforate. The heat exchanger contains the combustion flue gases from the furnace burner. When the wall of the exchanger perforates, the furnace may possibly allow poisonous carbon monoxide gas to enter the home. "That can't be a good thing" comes to mind.
Here is a photo of a corroded heat exchanger that has experienced dramatic failure:

That unit is a hazard to occupants. Much less importantly, it also no doubt ran the heating and cooling bills sky high due to leaking conditioned air out of the home.
This heat exchanger is in a 16 year old furnace and has probably been replaced, as it appears to be brand new:

For a $100-$150 inspection fee, why risk it? Why accept the possibility of an unsafe, worn out heat exchanger to save the inspection fee?
That $100-$150 is money well spent for peace of mind.

$8,000 Tax Credit for first time buyers. Can you afford it?

2009-04-20T22:08:00.002-04:00

So, every agent in Cary and Raleigh and Wake County is trumpeting the $8,000 first-time HomeBuyer's Tax Credit. We are all reaching out to first-time buyers to help them.

Well, the Tax Credit is great for Buyers who need to do something this year. It can make buying more palatable in a tough market, amongst incredible doom and gloom.
But, $8,000 is NOT a good enough incentive to get into a bad deal. $8,000 is not enough money to compensate for poor real estate advice from a professional Realtor who is supposed to represent you as a fiduciary.

First-Time Buyers, now, LISTEN UP!
1. Make the deal stand on its own. It must represent good market value, and be a home you would buy with or without a tax credit. Take the Tax Credit as a BONUS, not as a stepping stone that lets you buy something you cannot afford otherwise.
2. Listen closely when you are considering hiring an agent to represent you in the purchase of your first home. Be very wary advice that starts off, "Well, it's a little tight for your budget, but... you'll get an $8,000 credit on your taxes." Don't use the tax credit to help you dig a hole for yourself.
3. If you don't have cash for closing costs, be very careful about committing your tax credit as future payoff on a loan to cover closing costs. Make that tax credit be a bonus when you get it, not a means to cover debt incurred in buying a home.
4. When you get advice, ask yourself who the advice is meant to serve. Are you being pressed to buy a home in a rush? If the deal is not compelling, there is little reason to be in a rush. The Seller may be in a rush, like a builder who needs one more sale before the end of the quarter, so he needs closing quickly before the end of the month.
Or the rush may be to get a paycheck to the agent who is advising you. That is dereliction of responsibility, as the agent MUST advise you for YOUR best interest.
Bottom line?
Get great guidance and advice. Work with a real estate pro who is looking out for YOU. Get a great deal on your first new home. And next year, get a nice cash bonus at tax time!

Grocery Coupons in the Sunday Newspaper

2009-04-20T16:22:00.002-04:00

The easiest way to get grocery coupons in the Triangle is through inserts in the Sunday edition of the News & Observer. The N&O allows you to subscribe to Sunday only; alternatively, Sunday papers can be purchased for $1 at Dollar Tree Stores.

Most weeks there should be at least one coupon insert in the Sunday newspaper. SmartSource, RedPlum, and P&GbrandSAVER are the three most common types. Zero insert days usually fall on a holiday weekend like Memorial Day or Thanksgiving.

Find out exactly which weekends not to expect any of the three coupon inserts mentioned above in the article Red Plum Coupon Inserts.

How to Save Money on Groceries - Lowe’s Foods, Harris Teeter, Kroger, Food Lion, etc.

2009-04-15T22:52:00.003-04:00

Do you ever wonder how much money those people you see at the grocery store with hands full of coupons actually save? Depending on their method, it’s possible they easily save 40%-50% every time they shop. One way to save money at Raleigh area grocery stores is to use The Grocery Game. It’s an inexpensive “cheatsheet” of sorts for area grocery stores and some drug stores that tells you exactly which items to buy every week for maximum savings (the list owners track which items are on sale as well as exactly what coupons are still valid from recent Sunday newspaper coupon inserts).

The first store list of your choice is $10 every 8 weeks; all other lists are $5 every 8 weeks. If you shop at two or three different stores, then you pay $15-$20 every 8 weeks for access to convenient lists of what to buy without having to do any of that legwork yourself. These lists pay for themselves many times over the course of 8 weeks, even if you only use the printouts every other time you shop for groceries. The main work required for this system is clipping the coupons that come in the Sunday paper. But once that’s done, all you have to do is sort and print out your intended list from the Grocery Game and head on over to the store!

Here are the lists available in the Triangle area:

CVS
Food Lion
Harris Teeter
Kroger
Lowe’s Foods
Rite-Aid
Walgreens
Wal-Mart

Raleigh Post Office Location Open Late on April 15th

2009-04-07T17:40:00.003-04:00

For anyone who needs up to the last minute to mail a tax return or tax extension, there is at least one Raleigh post office location with extended hours on April 15, 2009. The Westgate postal location located at the address below will be open one hour later than usual on that Wednesday and will extend its last pick up until nearly midnight.

Post Office Address:
1 Floretta Place
Raleigh, NC 27676

On April 15, 2009, the business hours will be from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (normally 9-5). The last daily collection will be at 11:58 p.m. (normally 8 p.m.).

This post office location is off of Westgate Road, near Leesville Road and I-540 in North West Raleigh.

Want more information related to April 15th? Here are three tax articles for individuals:

How to Extend Federal Income Tax Returns

Form 4868 Individual Income Tax Return Extension

IRS Mailing Address – Form 1040

Wake County Foreclosure Auctions

2009-04-03T23:36:00.005-04:00

Chatting about the Hasentree foreclosure auction on March 20, reminded a couple of us of all the things that can befall a Buyer at the foreclosure auctions at the Wake County Courthouse in Raleigh, NC. It is basically a matter of paying your money and taking your chances.

We agreed that a Sheriff's Deed does not really give the Buyer more than a claim with few assurances. The property may have title issues, IRS liens, easements and encroachments, deteriorated structures, and serious environmental issues.
Unless one is very diligent, any of these problems may exist, without any recourse for the Buyer. Another issue, often overlooked, is the possibility that the home may be occupied. The original owner or a tenant may be living there, and the successful foreclosure auction Buyer will have to deal with that.

If the home is purchased as an investment, it may be easy to negotiate a suitable lease with a tenant, or even the former owner. But if the home is intended as a primary residence, the Buyer must be prepared to follow through with an eviction, if such action is required. This may mean having the Sheriff remove a family or elderly people from the home under extreme duress. It doesn't happen all the time, but before buying a property at the courthouse, the smart Buyer will include occupancy status in his homework.

What can a real estate agent do to help the courthouse foreclosure buyer? Not much. There really is no representation role to consider. It is a matter of doing a lot of homework on many failed purchases before the 'great deal" manifests itself. And a lot of other scavengers are also seeking that deal.

The News & Observer

2009-04-01T10:58:00.002-04:00

Our local newspaper, The News and Observer, affectionately called the "N&O" is a great resource for newcomers, as well as a wonderfully written news source. I highly recommend supporting it, by getting a subscription. In the subscription, on Wednesday you will receive the local supermarket flyers, as well as on Sunday, which will also include coupons for all you savvy shoppers.
They also have a wonderful site online. http://www.newsobserver.com/
One of my favorite places on the N&O to visit is Sue Stocks blog, which is all about saving money with many wonderful tips! Visit it here: http://projects.newsobserver.com/taking_stock

Also if you do order a subscription it allows you certain discounts in the immediate area, as well as chances to win stuff, like tickets to local events! Its called the N&O Zone Please visit it here http://www.newsobserver.com/zone/

North Carolina Coupon Group Reveals Raleigh, NC Grocery Deals

2009-03-30T13:26:00.005-04:00

Interested in saving money on groceries at your favorite grocery stores? SavvyDollar is a free online discussion group where people can find and share information about in store and online coupon deals.

In the Raleigh area, members can learn about upcoming advertised and unadvertised sales at Lowes Foods, Harris Teeter, Food Lion, Kroger, CVS, Walgreens, among other stores. Members frequently share tips on how to pair coupons with sales to get excellent deals on groceries and personal care items.

Members not only collaborate to save money on groceries, they share links to free samples and printable coupons. For more on Savvy Dollar’s beginnings and how to access the site, read Find North Carolina Deals on SavvyDollar.

2009-03-29T22:57:00.000-04:00

The neverending list of scams in the Raleigh area real estate section in CraigsList is quite impressive.
Renting someone else's home out to an unsuspecting sincere prospective tenant just to steal the deposit money is another new low.
Actually, this happened to a coworker in our Cary Keller Williams Realty office. We found her rental home listed on Craigslist where the scammer had copied and pasted the photo from Rent.com.
The email address was apparently real: her full name and a yahoo email address. And when she was painting at the house in Raleigh, and cleaning up the yard, she noticed that people were driving by slowly and checking the place out.
Then I emailed her the link to the Craigslist scam, and she got the creeps. Several of us in the office flagged the ad and it was down in a few more minutes.
But it was the same scam as described in the WRAL story above. Keys in Africa. Send money. Will send keys. It's been going on a while. As far as we know, no one bit on the fraud, as no one came forward claiming to have rented the home.

What to expect renting in the Triangle area

2009-03-24T14:15:00.002-04:00

I have two words for you....Realistic Expectations...There's nothing more that I'd like than to be able to help every single client that inquires about our services to find the apartment home of their dreams. But more often than not, clients come to us with completely unrealistic expectations about what it's like to rent an apartment in the greater Raleigh/Durham area. To help get everyone on the same page, we've come up with the top 5 misconceptions that people have about renting in the Triangle, NC area...

1. Rental Prices & Prioritizing Preferences

Everyone has a budget for the rent that they can afford. But often times, their budgets are not in line with the rest of their criteria. One of the great benefits of using a relocation service like Triangle Apartment Connection is that you can get a professional opinion to see if what you're looking for is really out there. Can you get a 1,000 square foot 1 bedroom apartment with a garden tub under $600 a month? Can you get a brand new 3 bedroom apartment for only $800 a month? These are criteria that our relocation specialists can go over with you and guide you on what you can and can't find for the price point you're interested in.Here are the average rents for the Triangle area based on the current rates of the communities in our database...

1 bedrooms: $675
2 bedrooms: $850
3 bedrooms: $1,000

An important point to keep in mind is that average prices will get you average apartment. If you want above average features, like modern appliances, upgraded cabinetry and countertops, garden style bathtubs, crown molding and more, than you'll pay a bit more. If you're willing to live in an older community without all the bells and whistles, then you can find something more affordable. Every community has it's pros and cons. It's really just a matter of prioritizing what you're looking for and matching those preferences with the communities available.

2. Negotiating

Apartment prices and specials are just one of those things that can't be negotiated. Communities are governed by state and federal Fair Housing guidelines and in order to comply with them, they must offer the exact same thing to every single person that walks through their doors. In an effort to make sure they're in compliance, communities will have published rates and specials that can't be negotiated. While it's alright to ask a community if they happen to have any other specials available (there may be a preferred employer incentive or urgency incentive available for you), it's not alright to ask them to knock off another 20 bucks off the rent or to throw in a washer and dryer. It just puts everyone in an awkward position and it just isn't a great way to start out a rental relationship.

3. The Single Family Home to Apartment Transition

With the housing crisis comes many renters who are used to the conveniences of living single family homes. Often times, they have either not rented in quite some time or not at all, so their expectations moving into an apartment are out of line with what is realistic or they just don't have any expectations at all and need some guidance.First off, this is multi-family living, so there is absolutely no guarantee you won't hear your neighbors. Every community will have rules and regulations in place to keep excessive noise to a minimum, but don't expect to get your neighbors evicted because they walk like a herd of elephants. If you ever have a noise concern, talk to your property manager about it. He or she will tell you whether or not the noise you are hearing is normal for apartment living or something they can look into.

On the flipside, you may need to adjust your lifestyle to accomodate your neighbors. Living in an apartment means you must extend the same courtesy that you would expect to be able to enjoy your home peacefully. Your community may have specific rules, but some standard courtesies to keep in mind are to not do laundry, vacuum, turn on surround sound or bass after 9 p.m., be sure to keep your pets attended to and leashed at all times and pick up after him/her, do not leave trash outside of your apartment, keep your patio/balcony tidy and do not take up multiple "front row" parking spaces in your building. Moving from a house to an apartment is an adjustment. If you ever have any concerns, be sure to talk them over with you property manager. They are happy to help make the transition as easy as possible for you.

4. Credit HistoryUnfortunately, more and more people are coming to us with credit scores that are dwindling by the minute. In these tough economic times, it seems like it's a rarity to find someone with excellent credit. Apartment communities are certainly monitoring the situation and adjusting their criteria accordingly. So just because you have bad credit, it doesn't necessarily mean you won't be able to get an apartment. As long as you qualify otherwise, communities are likely to work with you if you have a not so stellar credit rating. One exception to this rule is a prior debt to a landlord, particularly if it is unpaid. If you have a lease break fee, eviction or damage charges on your credit report, be prepared to run into some problems getting qualified for an apartment. If the debt has been paid, you may have more options, but they are still few and far between. My best advice is to be up front and honest with your leasing consultant in the very beginning of the application process. They can guide you through their company's requirements so you don't end up wasting a ton of money on application fees only to be declined.

5. Time Frame

It's certainly respectable that people want to get a jump start on looking for apartments well in advance of their move in date. But it's really a tough thing to do because pricing and availability changes so frequently. Typically, a community won't set a rental rate until they know what they have available, and they won't know what they have available until current residents give notice. Notices are typically required 60 days before a lease expires, so that's a good rule of thumb as to when to start looking for an apartment. There's no sense in wasting time looking for something any earlier, especially if you have budget constraints. Prices today will certainly not be the same as prices 6 months from now. You could fall in love with an apartment now that is in your price range, only to find when you're closer to your move in date that it has increased by $100. Or vice versa-you could overlook a great apartment now because it's outside of your price range, but in reality, closer to the time you're looking to move, it's dropped to make it more affordable. To make sure you have the most accurate information and the most options to meet your needs, it's best to begin your apartment search no sooner than 60 days before your move in date.

If you ever have a question about the apartment process, please let us know. That's what we're here for! We have countless years of experience in the local market and would love to share our expertise with you and help you make the best decisions for you situation!

Great Deals on Used Children's Clothing, Toys, Furniture at KidsEverywear Consignment Sale

2009-03-23T11:49:00.006-04:00

Every spring and fall, two Raleigh-area moms puts on a large consignment sale, called KidsEverywear, at the Morrisville, NC Outlet Mall. The sale runs for an entire week (the spring 2009 sale is running this week). The sale officially began on Saturday, March 21st, but the first few days are set aside for consignors, volunteers, first-time moms, and friends/family of those individuals. The public sale begins at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March 24, 2009.

So when can someone who isn't in one of the groups above shop at KidsEverywear?

Here are the public sale hours and pricing information for the spring 2009 event:

Tuesday, 3.24.09 - 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. - regular price
Wednesday, 3.25.09 - 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. - regular price
Thursday, 3.26.09 - 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. - 50% off many items
Friday, 3.27.09 - 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. - 75% off many items

What can you get at KidsEverywear?

Really, anything and everything related to kids and mommies. The sale has recently expanded into a third storefront in the Morrisville Outlet Mall just to accomodate all the merchandise. Shoppers can expect to see infant care items like swaddling blankets, bathtubs, and diaper bags. Expect to see tons of strollers, jumpers, toys, and racks and racks of clothes, of course! The sale now also has a mommy mart with maternity clothing and a homeschooling section where parents can find inexpensive homeschool lessons and materials.

Feel free to comment and share your finds from this sale. Read more about KidsEverywear on Suite101.

Foreclosure Auction: Hasentree goes on the block

2009-03-20T21:23:00.002-04:00

I had the opportunity to pop over to the Wake County Courthouse and observe the Hasentree Foreclosure Auction today.
Since the first scheduled auction on December 19, 2008, I have been loitering around the edges of the proceedings. Mostly out of curiosity.
The auction has been postponed and rescheduled three times to get to today's sale.

And there was a sale.
All the usual suspects were present.
NBC-17 had a camera there.
Jack Hagel from the News and Observer was there, of course. (Busy guy. Turns out a lot of stuff.)
Suntrust Bank bought the properties, golf course and all. No surprise there.
$32,240,000
That banker, Mr. Rogers, had to be carrying 5% of that in certified funds or cash. I'm guessing it wasn't cash.

And the 10 day upset bid starts right away.
If you want to upset the sale and bid on Hasentree, figure on bidding at least $38-39,000,000, and have 5% of your bid in certified funds and cash.

WRAL Widget

2009-03-10T16:04:00.001-04:00

Welcome to our Blog!

2009-03-09T13:14:00.003-04:00

Triangle Resident Connection is excited to have our own little spot in cyberspace to share our thoughts and those of your neighbors and friends. We're in the process of selecting bloggers to contribute to our site. If you're interested in talking about the Triangle, email us at info@triangleapartmentconnection.com. Feel free to talk about whatever you'd like, as long as it's Triangle related. Email us for more info!