Real Estate Insights in the Carolinas

Home buyer tax credit extended & expanded

2009-11-10T18:13:02-05:00

The $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit is extended

    * Now, qualified first-time home buyers would receive their $8,000 tax credit if they sign a purchase contract by April 30, 2010 and close by June 30, 2010
    * The home purchased must be their primary residence
    * Buyer cannot have owned a home during the past three years
    * Tax credit is up to 10 percent of the home’s value (not to exceed $8,000)
    * Annual income caps to qualify for the tax credit will increase ($125,000 for single filers / $225,000 for joint filers). Partial tax credit can be granted for incomes up to $145,000 for single filers / $245,000 for joint filers

New $6,500 tax credit for current homeowners purchasing a primary residence

    * Eligible home buyers must have lived in their current home for five consecutive years of the past eight years
    * The new home’s cost need not exceed the current home
    * Eligible for homes with purchase agreements written by April 30, 2010 and that close between Nov. 6, 2009 and June 30, 2010
    * Annual income caps to qualify for the tax credit will increase ($125,000 for single filers / $225,000 for joint filers). Partial tax credit can be granted for incomes up to $145,000 for single filers / $245,000 for joint filers

For more details about both tax credits contact HomeServices Lending.

PruYSU Meadowmont Office Expansion

2009-10-30T09:01:00-04:00

We have completed a major expansion of our sales office located at Meadowmont Village in Chapel Hill. With the merger of Prudential Carolinas Realty and York Simpson Underwood Realty late last year, our sales force doubled in size. Our sales associates currently the Franklin street office will move into the newly expanded Meadowmont space.

A.C. Robbins, broker at Prudential York Simpson Underwood Realty commented, “Our sales associates are looking forward to the new Meadowmont location and the opportunities it will bring to serve their clients.”

Fred Stevens, broker at Prudential York Simpson Underwood Realty "We knew when we merged we would need more space and this opportunity to expand our space in Meadowmont was the opportunity we have been waiting for. The location is central to all the key areas our sales associates serve, with easy access to Orange, Durham, Chatham counties and surrounding areas.”

Smedes York, chairman of Prudential York Simpson Underwood Realty, said, “Our Chapel Hill sales associates have consistently exceeded the expectations of buyers and sellers in the Chapel Hill community, and we’re confident the new expanded Meadowmont office space will help them serve clients real estate needs now and in the future.”

If you are in Chapel Hill we would love for you to stop by and see our new space in person. We are located at 404 Meadowmont Village Circle, Chapel Hill, NC or give us a call 919-929-7100.

Sellers, do you know your competition?

2009-10-23T18:00:00-04:00

It could be that cute cottage down the street or a ranch with a great backyard in another part of town, but if your house is on the market your home no doubt has some competition. It's important as a seller that buyers have a lot of selection in the market today and buyers are going to be comparing your home to all kinds of others they like. So how does your home stack up?

Know your competition. Ask your REALTOR to send you a report of price reductions or status changes for comparable properties. We have a tool called Online Seller Advantage that homes listed with us get on a weekly basis with the rundown of what's going on with competitive listings. When you know your competition you can make sure your house stays competitive and doesn't fall behind on potential buyers list.

Play up your strengths. What does your home have that theirs doesn't? Talk to your REALTOR about your homes strengths compared to what else is on the market and make sure to play those up in your photos and descriptions online. Try to remember what you liked about your house compared to others you looked at when you were buying, what made it stand out from the rest.

Make sure your price is right. You don't want your house to be priced too high compared to the competition. This is something you and your REALTOR need to keep an eye on every step of the way because as new properties come on the market the competition is always changing - make sure your home is priced right for the market today and be aggressive.

Welcomes 6 new Charlotte agents

2009-10-15T17:27:00-04:00

Rose Fatone—Ballantyne

David Barker—Ballantyne
Scott Sanders—Huntersville
Margaret Tavares—Ballantyne
Joanna Millwood—Ballantyne
Beth Humer—Huntersville

16 PruYSU agents graduate RED training course

2009-10-02T16:16:00-04:00

We are proud to welcome 16 agents to Prudential York Simpson Underwood Realty! As part of our comprehensive agent training program, all agents new to our company attend a Real Estate Dynamics training course taught by our company trainer to brush up on their skills and kick-start their career at PruYSU. Congrats!

Lindsay Alteri—North Hills
Bob McKeel—Cameron Village
Susie Shachtman—Chapel Hill Franklin St.
Susan Lane—Cameron Village
Jack Broeren—Meadowmont
Paul Peffly—North Raleigh
Corey Liles—Durham
Katherine Dixon—Durham
Gayle Claris– Meadowmont
Mitch Danforth—Cameron Village
Brooks Brittingham—Durham
Robert Church—Cary
Mike Shachtman—Chapel Hill Franklin St.
Daniel Yelverton—Meadowmont
John Floyd—North Hills
Elpida Arqvidis—Cary

An inside look at this year's concept home

2009-09-24T11:33:57-04:00

We are proudly marketing this year's WXII Concept Home in Summerfield, NC. "Bear Lodge" seamlessly blends old world charm and today's most luxurious conveniences.

One the most impressive features about this house are the 150 year old beams in the entry way and throughout the home. The home boasts over 6600 square feet of impressive yet comfortable living space.

The home is on tour Thursday - Sunday until October 4, 2009 and all ticket proceeds benefit the MDA. This weekend NFL veteran & two time Super Bowl Champion Ricky Proehl will visit the Concept House from 2 to 5pm on Sunday, Sept 27th.

For more information about the concept home homepage: http://www.prucarolinas.com/511945

Help us feed those in need

2009-09-14T10:20:17-04:00

1 in 8 Americans struggles with hunger today. Prudential Carolinas and Prudential York Simpson Underwood offices throughout the state are hosting a food drive to benefit the food banks in each region who are in great need of food.

Even the smallest of donations can help feed those in need, every $1 = 3 meals. Please help us feed those in need in North Carolina.

Please consider making a donation today at one of our offices or directly to the food bank in your area:

Charlotte Area - Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina

Triad Area - Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina

Triangle Area - Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina

Greensboro sales associates and staff move into new office in Friendly Center

2009-08-04T13:28:00-04:00

We have a new office! Our Greensboro sales associates and staff now have a brand-new, state-of-the-art office to call home. The new location, conveniently located in the Shops a t Friendly Center at 3352 W. Friendly Ave., Suite #122, in Greensboro, offers the perfect combination of form and function for both real estate sales associates and home buyers and sellers.

The new office space was designed with the modern real estate sales associate in mind. Each work area provides a seamless transition from the road to the office, enhancing top producers’ capabilities with the latest technology and phone system. The welcoming open floor plan creates ease of interaction and communication among the sales associates and staff, while providing the high-tech feel of the efficiently-sized workspace.

Audrey Fuhrmann, Broker-In-Charge of the Greensboro office of Prudential Carolinas Realty, said “Our dynamic new office provides a convenient, visible location and an environment to accommodate the needs of all of our buyers and sellers – from first-time homebuyers to seasoned homebuyers and sellers. As a full-service company, we provide all our clients with a seamless transaction by offering in-house mortgages, title insurance, home warranties, relocation services and more. We hope you will stop in our convenient new office location so we can introduce you to the friendliest real estate team in the Carolinas.”

Tommy Camp, President and CEO of Prudential Carolinas Realty, said, “Our Greensboro team has consistently exceeded the expectations of buyers and sellers throughout the area, and we’re glad they will have an office space that will meet their needs now and in the future.”

Join us for our open house in September.

Cameron Village Broker-In-Charge earns award from Triangle MLS

2009-07-31T13:24:00-04:00

Congratulations to Tom Gongaware, Raleigh/Cameron Village Broker-In-Charge, who recently received an award from the Triangle MLS in recognition of his six years of service as its Director.

Pictured below at the presentation ceremony are (l-r): Ray Larcher, Executive Vice-President, Raleigh Regional Association of REALTORS®; Pam Kohl, Tom's wife; Gongaware; Rachel Wiest, UP Operations, Triangle MLS; and Christy New, Executive Assistant, Triangle MLS.

Voted the top real estate company

2009-07-08T14:23:00-04:00

Prudential York Simpson Underwood Realty is building on the tradition of York Simpson Underwood by adding an 8th Standing Ovation award from the readers of Metro Magazine to its shelves. The award honors the top real estate company from the Triangle to the Coast as chosen by Metro Magazine readers.

* View Metro Magazine's full listing of this year’s winners

Thank you to everyone who voted for us!