A couple of weeks ago, the Triangle MLS announced that listings in “Pending” status would be released to our IDX vendors. This means that visitors to this site can see “Pending” listings, or even search specifically for “Pending” listings in my Advanced No Hassle Property Search.

It has been confusing for a buyer to see properties “disappear” from search results, when we know the sale hasn’t closed yet.

Formerly, TMLS withheld Pending listings from IDX because those are homes that cannot be shown to buyers. That is the meaning of the “Pending” status. But, for the sake of transparency and clarity, the TMLS board recently decided to allow those listings to be displayed.
I think it is a little nifty benefit for people trying to search for homes.

Read More on “Pending” vs. “Contingent.”

We are having a little typical spring pollen in the air in Cary. I caught this hazy air the other day.
Today I ran up to North Raleigh, and at one point, it seemed like a yellow blizzard, with hazy yellow/green pollen blowing across the road.

Ah, Spring in North Carolina!

Did your eyes glaze over in the middle? Or at the end where Professor Bordo says he fears the Fed will wait too long to let rates increase?
Watch it again. You have time.

How does this relate to home sales in Cary, or elsewhere for that matter? I think it ties back to my post of October 28, 2011, “Creating Urgency? Or, Raise Interest Rates to Sell more Houses?” where I mentioned the point made by a client that the Fed has removed all urgency from the real estate market with prolonged artificially low interest rates.
Real estate agents who are working their tales off to “create buyer urgency” may be surprised to realize how hard the Fed is working against them by holding rates low for another year.

I had heard wallpaper rumblings and rumors. A year or so ago, HGTV Househunters featured a fellow who wanted a condo where he could unleash his burgeoning wallpapering talents.
And, it seems that anytime something falls as far from grace as wallpaper assuredly has, it rebounds into the spotlight again just to keep us on our toes.

I worked hard many years ago to develop wallpaper hanging skills. To cut and match and plumb and level well enough to let people see my work.
About the time I got good at it (Or so I thought), wallpaper fell completely out of favor.
And now, my skill is redeemed! Wallpaper is back!

So, you have a home to sell in Cary? And now your wallpaper is back in favor, right? Not so fast. It can be expensive to be a trendsetter out on the bleeding edge of the cutting edge.
I have yet to hear Buyers mention “Wallpaper” without wrinkling up their noses at the concept.
And a new media fad doesn’t mean that your floral 1990′s have suddenly become chic, in, old school hot, desirable, retro. Not at all. And that foil paper? Buh-bye!
Decor is a personal and volatile subject. Your delight may well be a well-qualified Buyer’s stupor. And we all know there is no excess of well-qualified Buyers.

The advice to strip and paint is going to be with us for a while, I am afraid.

Case Number 381-848768

At $144,000 near the Heart of Cary, this home has a ton of potential!

This HUD-Owned home is just waiting for your offer. HUD requires you to use a HUD-Registered agent to write and present it.

I am a HUD-Registered agent and can show it, represent you, and write up your offer. Note: Some HUD properties are reserved for Owner-Occupant, Government Agency, or Non-Profit Bids only through a period of time.

Never register on a real estate site to search for your next home.

Try my No Hassle Property Search!!

Since the end of October, the North Carolina Museum of Art has been honored to host Rembrandt in America, the largest collection of Rembrandt paintings to ever have been exhibited in America.
The collection is on display for a few more weeks, until January 22, so you should be scheduling your visit soon.
I haven't even visited the new NC Museum of Art since construction was completed, so I am overdue to find a reason to go.

Rembrandt in America may be the perfect reason to get out and go.

Interestingly, I have been collecting Rembrandts in Cary and Raleigh for some time.   Houses, that is.  "Rembrandt" models by New Fortis/K Hovnanian Homes.

I live in a Rembrandt.  Circa 1993.
Oddly enough, my Rembrandt is in a subdivision named "Giverny."  Rembrandt in Giverny?  Maybe it should have been a Monet?  That would have been OK, too.

The Elevation "D" Rembrandt was the masterpiece of the model.  Full brick front, with half circle windows, a hip roof, and a finished bonus room over the garage all elevated the "D" to the top of the heap.  It was the model home in Giverny, and as is common, the model became one of the most popular floor plans to be built.  I belive our neighborhood is about 20% Rembrandts, of one elevation or another.
I live in a home built to Elevation "C."  The "C" has a partial brick front.  We added a front porch that makes our "C" unique in the neighborhood.

Elevation "A" was the "plain Jane," base model elevation.

Elevation "B" adds a rocking chair front porch.

Elevation "C" includes brick trim on the left of the front of the house, and a step down in the roof.

But interiors of these three elevations are the same, unless options were chosen to change them.

The two-story family room in the top rendering offers dramatic central height to the interior, and the rendering shows the palladian windows included in the "D" elevation.  Our "C" Elevation home has rectangular transom windows in place of the palladians.
Most commonly, buyers chose to finish a loft area into a 4th bedroom and/or to add a 5th bedroom/bonus room over the garage.
Square footages vary from just over 2200 to about 2800 square feet.

While owners have customized their homes and properties over the last 15 to 18 years, a tour around the area turns up many Rembrandts.  You can see the Rembrandt DNA in the photos, and also appreciate the pride homeowners take in personalization of their properties.

Only $105,000. HUD Home: Cute Condo, 104 A5 Choptank Road

104 A5 Choptank Road in Cary is a cute 2 bedroom condo with great potential as a rental or personal home, and priced at only $105,000, in Chesapeake.

See 104 A5 Choptank Road on my No Hassle Property Search.

This HUD-Owned condo offers:

• 1448 Square Feet
• 2 bedrooms with a vaulted master suite and an office/den.
• 2.5 baths
• Dramatic vaulted ceiling in an open floor plan.
• 2nd level loft, Office/den, and living room.
• Large kitchen for the cook
• Great private deck with a lovely, wooded view.
• Heat pump heat
• Great location in North Cary.
• Exterior maintained by HOA
• Quiet location.
• Great Town of Cary services.

Bright Cook’s Kitchen

Dramatic open Floor plan with vaulted ceiling to open loft.

HUD Requires you to use a HUD-Registered agent to write and present your offer. I am a HUD-Registered agent and can serve you as your Buyer’s Agent and write your offer.

Call me to arrange your showing of this great opportunity in Cary.

Mike Jaquish, REALTOR^®

919.880.2769

http://caryrealestatesales.com/

Broker Associate

KELLER WILLIAMS_® Realty Cary NC

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HUD Case Number 381-895169            This HUD-Owned home is conveniently located near the center of Apex NC

At $125,000, It is full of potential!

It offers 4 bedrooms,2 baths, 1767 square feet of living space, all on a quiet cul-de-sac.

Two bedrooms on the first floor and two bedrooms on the second floor.

The quarter acre lot is partially fenced, and there is a covered porch and huge deck for enjoying the yard.

See the Buyer Full Sheet from Triangle MLS

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This HUD-Owned home is just waiting for your offer. HUD requires you to use a HUD-Registered agent to write and present it.

I am a HUD-Registered agent and can show it, represent you, and write up your offer. Bidding is open daily for owner-occupants, government agencies, and non-profits.

Read “Working with Real Estate Agents” from the North Carolina Real Estate Commission.

Never register on a real estate site to search for your next home.

Try my No Hassle Property Search!!

Mike Jaquish, REALTOR®

919.880.2769

http://caryrealestatesales.com/

Broker Associate

KELLER WILLIAMS® Realty Cary NC

Only $265,000. HUD Home: 307 Swordgate Drive

307 Swordgate Drive in Cary is a cute 5 bedroom home with great potential, and priced at only 265,000, in MacArthur Park.

See 307 Swordgate Drive listing on my No Hassle Property Search.

This HUD-Owned Home offers:

• 2776 Square Feet
• 5 bedrooms with a vaulted master suite.
• 2.5 baths
• Only 16 years old, built in 1995.
• Family room, Office/den, and living room.
• Large sunny kitchen with smooth-top stove
• Great deck in a lovely and private, fenced back yard.
• Natural Gas heat
• 2 car garage.
• Easy care vinyl siding
• Convenient location with Daveis Drive/Davis Drive/Green Hope School Assignments.
• Great Town of Cary services.

Bright Sunny Kitchen

Master Bath has separate tub and shower, and dual vanities

Private back yard and large deck

HUD Requires you to use a HUD-Registered agent to write and present your offer. I am a HUD-Registered agent and can serve you as your Buyer’s Agent and write your offer.

Call me to arrange your personal showing of this great opportunity in Cary.

Mike Jaquish, REALTOR^®

919.880.2769

http://caryrealestatesales.com/

Broker Associate

KELLER WILLIAMS_® Realty Cary NC