Mobile App for Triangle Home Search - Free Download Here

Mobile App for Triangle Home Search - Free Download Here

Try out our new Home Search Mobile App now.  Download from iTunes or Google Play - Just search Keller Williams Realty. Use the Code - KW1YU5F52

 Search for homes from your Apple or Android device using this state of the art map integrated home search tool. The map search pinpoints your location so you can view all homes for sale in a neighborhood as you drive through. 

With the map drawing tool, you also can easily find homes in a very specific area just by drawing a perimeter on the map with the touch of a finger.  Perfect for scouting out your dream home in a particular area.  

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Get started today, it's easy and fun!  Give the Don Johnson Real Estate Team a call if we can answer any questions about any of the homes you see.

Reasons Why Real Estate Transactions Fall Through

Reasons Why Real Estate Transactions Fall Through

While the housing market is showing increasing signs of recovery, it still isn’t a seller’s market, and real estate transactions do still fall through. 

The most common reasons that real estate transactions fall through are delays in getting finance, appraisals that are lower than expected, title deed problems, home inspections, and buyers’ remorse. But most of these problems can be avoided if sellers are forewarned and they become proactive. 

These are our top reasons real estate transactions fall through. 

Inexperienced Real Estate Agent

You need a real estate agent who has the experience to ensure that the sale is as quick and easy as possible. You need someone who knows the area, is good at networking, is honest, and someone with great negotiation skills. An inexperienced real estate agent can easily be the cause of a real estate transaction falling through. 

Pricing

The best way to avoid potential problems relating to property value is to have your real estate agent examine real estate records for your area, and to ensure that your price is in keeping with neighborhood homes that have sold recently. 

       Emotions

Once you’ve decided to sell your property, you need to be businesslike, even if this has been your family home for decades. Strip the interior of your personality (get a professional stager to do it for you if you can’t) and evaluate purchase offers objectively. 

       The Appraisal

Not only will pricing your home above value delay the likelihood of a quick sale, but you’ll inevitably find that the appraisal will be lower than you want. Ask any real estate agent about appraisals and they’re likely to warn you that they are the most common reason for real estate transactions falling through. 

       Title Report

Sometimes a real estate agent will include a title report as part of the package offered. Even if he or she doesn’t, it’s a good idea to get one to be sure that there aren’t going to be any unnecessary hitches later on. For instance there may be an easement that you aren’t aware of, or because the previous homeowner didn’t pay a sewage assessment the deed may never have been registered. Anything’s possible; rather be safe that sorry later when your buyer’s home inspection finds problems. 

       Buyers Finance

A lack of finance is one of the main reasons that real estate transactions fail. The best way to avoid this is to ensure that your buyer has been preapproved for a mortgage and can prove he or she has the cash in hand for the necessary deposit. 

       Cash is King

Even though cash offers are invariably lower – simply because cash is king – if you get a cash offer from someone buying real estate, consider it carefully before rejecting it. You might have to wait an undefined period of time before you get another offer, and usually it’s best to aim for a quick sale. 

       Be negotiable

Sure you want the top price you can get for your home, but those buying real estate want to purchase for as little as possible. Be realistic and prepared to negotiate. 

       Buyer’s remorse

You’ve probably been there once or twice – it happens to the best of people. Since standard contracts give buyers a period of time to do inspections, they also leave the door open for buyers to cancel if they get cold feet. Buying real estate is a huge financial commitment, and buyers’ remorse can result in a buyer canceling and even forfeiting the deposit.

       Aim for quick termination of the sale

Time is not on the side of the seller, so do all you can to get the sale concluded quickly. This is the best way to avoid buyers’ remorse. Also, if the sale is going to fall through you need to know sooner rather than later.  

Thinking of Selling? I have many years of experience as not only a Real Estate Agent, I am a trainee appraiser and have Home inspection experience. Read about my experience and what it means to you

Looking for an idea on the pricing of your home - Take a look at the snapshot for your area!

Foreclosures at Record Low. Can you still find a deal?

Foreclosures at Record Low.  Can you still find a deal?

There has been some good news in the media lately regarding housing.  The share of US mortgages that are seriously delinquent fell to their lowest level in almost five years. And the percentage of loans in the foreclosure process at the end of the second quarter was 3.33%, the lowest since the fourth quarter of 2008, and down from 4.27% a year earlier.

What does this mean for us locally?  In many areas of the Triangle, foreclosures are also down significantly. Although our area was not as hard hit as many parts of the country, we did experience an overall market decline. However, home sales are up and prices are on the rise in many areas of the Triangle.  

A broad generalization should't be made about the overall local market however.  In reality the previous sale in a particular neighborhood, demand, time of year and other factors will determine if a home prices are rising - neighborhood by neighborhood.  As a broad picture of the market though, locally the market is stabilizing and sales volume and prices are up.

TRIANGLE FORECLOSURE PROPERTIES

So does this mean that there are no deals to be had?  No!  Are you going to find a home for 25% below market value?  Not likely.  However, even in the worse of times in our area, that was never the case anyway.

The Value of a home is dependent on many factors.  An experienced Realtor can help you weigh all of the factors that make up value - including your own personal needs and life status - and help you get the best home at the best value.

The Don Johnson Real Estate Team is ready to help you make your next move.  Contact Us for a home buyer or home seller consultation.  Our goal is to help you get top dollar when selling and get the best value for a home purchase.

See what many of our satisfied clients have to say.  TESTIMONIALS

CLICK HERE To see what your home is worth in today's market.

928 Hillview Dr, Cary NC - New Listing Coming Soon

928 Hillview Dr, Cary NC - New Listing Coming Soon!

Old Cary charmer - first time on the market in many years!

Contact Me for More Information

105 Echowood Lane Cary, NC - Lochmere Home for Sale

105 Echowood Lane Cary, NC  - Lochmere Home for Sale

OPEN HOUSE THIS WEEKEND
Saturday and Sunday from 2-5 pm
August 10 & 11, 2013

BEAUTIFUL custom home on a .61 acre premiere LOCHMERE cul-de-sac lot.

This 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath home features an open floor plan, soaring 20'+ cathedral ceilings, large bedrooms and bonus room. The 3,800 square foot home over plenty of room for everyone. An oversize kitchen with island adjoins a sunny breakfast nook and inviting sunroom. A Huge 1st floor master suite leads to deck and landscaped back yard that backs to coveted greenways.

Lochmere is one of Cary's premier neighborhoods and highly desired for it's convenient access to all parts of the Triangle, well manicured homes and streets, top notch amenities and proximity to the area's excellent schools.

Residents enjoy scenic walk around the lake and on shaded greenways.  The amenities are wonderful and include pool, tennis, and lake access. Lochmere is conveniently located to all of Cary's best shopping, dining, and retail establishments.

See All Listings in Lochmere and sign up for Listing Alerts for new listings.

If you would like more information about this listing or would like to schedule a personal showing, please contact the Don Johnson Real Estate Team.

Is it Time to Sell Your Home? Latest Real Estate Market Trends in the Triangle

Is it Time to Sell Your Home?

According to the The Triangle Multiple Listing Service (TMLS) report in the greater Triangle region for June, 2013, June closed sales with 3062 transactions, 14.9% higher than the same period last year and with homes under contract for the same period last year, increasing by 26%. A great indication that it may be time to sell your home!

The Triangle MLS also reported that New Listings increased by more than 12% with 3852 units in June, while in total the Triangle region New Listings in the Triangle region increased over 12 percent to 3852 units for June. Total inventory levels shrank by 10.2 percent in June to 14,294 units from 15,917 units in June of 2012. The months supply of available inventory shrank by 28.3 percent leaving only a 6.4 months supply. Housing prices continued to improve in June with Median Sales Price up 1.6 percent to $202,445 and Average Sales Price is up 2.7 percent to $245,901. Days on Market decreased 16.5 percent to 95 days compared to June 2012."

The Housing Affordability Index was at 175, which is 7 percent lower than last year. This index measures housing affordability for the region. An index of 120 means the median household income was 120% of what is necessary to qualify for the median-priced home under prevailing interest rates.

Rachel Wiest, Vice President of Operations, Triangle MLS, Inc. said, “We are happy to see the housing market continue to be strong.”

“With the stronger market, some previously frustrated sellers may return to the market place to help replenish neighborhoods with new listings,” Rachel Wiest concluded.

With all this good news and inventory low, it would certainly be a good time to sell your home. If you have been sitting on the fence you may want to give me a call or email me Don@DonJohnsonRealty.com and lets discuss the way forward. Click here to check what properties are selling for in your neighborhood.

Staging Your Home, and the Real Estate Agent

Staging Your Home, and the Real Estate Agent

Staging a home is a powerful marketing tool that most good real estate agents use for every home for sale. This is because people don’t just buy houses, they buy homes; and by staging a home, you can create a beautiful environment that will appeal to a range of potential buyers. The other point is that buyers are often driven by first impressions, and staging is great for initial presentation.  

Realtors will often give sellers good ideas for staging, based on their experience of what buyers are looking for. Experienced real estate agents will also have a good idea of just how much effort is required in terms of staging a home.

Steps to Successfully Staging Your Home

Bearing in mind the impact first impressions of a home for sale can have, it’s important to clean up outside the house. Sometimes realtors talk about “curb appeal”; this relates directly to first impressions, and will be what attracts a potential buyer to the house. Real estate agents know all too well how easily buyers can be put off a home for sale before they even walk inside. And within just a few seconds, they will have formed a positive or negative opinion about the property as a whole.

When staging a home, it is important to see the space from a buyer’s point of view. Generally staging your home will involve reducing clutter (including personal items and even excess furniture), freshening the look and feel of rooms (with anything from paint to flowers), and generally adding charm. But don’t rely on how you feel about the staging. Ask your real estate agent for input, because he or sure will not be emotional about the outcome. 

Has your home been on the market for a while and you have not been able to sell it? Why don't you give us a call and lets see how the Don Johnson Team can assist you with staging your home to get it sold.