“When the going gets tough the tough get going” so goes the old saying. Two local real estate agents in the Raleigh area recently joined forces to tackle the Triangle residential market. Jeff Dicks & Marc Iafrate have formed the Capital City Real Estate Group with Keller Williams Realty.

Jeff & Marc were having a coffee and one of their favorite pitstops and started to discuss the current state of affairs in the local real estate environment. Both soon realized that they were both experiencing the same challenges and further they were like minded in their approach to the business.

” It was really uncanny how are systems and approach to excellent customer service were so similiar.” Dicks says. ” The further we talked we realized immediately we needed to join forces said Iafrate.” By merging we created an economic balance within our own business and the opportunity to grow.”

The two powerhouses have joined Keller Williams Realty and already are experiencing an excellent transition.

“Many agents have experienced an extremely challenging past couple of years and those who focus on building their client relationships and providing ancillary service’s can expect to grow their market share. With our partership with Keller Williams Realty, the Capital City Real Estate Group is moving on up said Dicks”

Jeff can be reached directly @ 919-793-4730 or e-mail Jeff@jeffdicks.com
Marc can reached directly @ 919-314-7797 or Marc@marciafrate.com

In NE Wake Forest-one of those “I want-it kind of houses. It oozes curb appeal, has a picturesque back yard- and the real secret it was custom built. $359,900 with 3 bedrooms and 2,665 sq.ft

The house itself (1204 Hartsfield Forest Drive) looks like something you have seen in a magazine spread–it is stunning, but when you find out where it is located you may reach for your checkbook.

Heritage Wake Forest is the most unique neighborhood in north Wake Forest. Stretched across some of the region’s most prized country terrain, it is comprised of 2,000 acres, and the Golf Digest 4-Star Heritage Golf & Country Club.

Additionally, the neighborhood is surrounded by acres of nature preserves teaming with wildlife like deer, squirrels and songbirds. The Heritage Golf Course is highly regarded as a great place to play and have membership. This goes a long way to eliminating crowds and long waits for a tee time even on weekends. If you drive through other neighborhoods, you may have noticed that the homes are too close to each other. This is due to small lots, but here, all of the homesites are larger. As a result, it “feels” like you are driving through an entire neighborhood of stately homes.

Sometimes buyers describe the homebuying experience as a process of looking, and looking at houses until they walk into one that they love from the moment they open the front door. This residence has all of the potential to create that effect because the drama starts the instant you step inside, and it never lets up. Even though the house is large it has a free-flowing design. Instead, spaces are divided changes in ceiling heights.

It has a litany of jaw-dropping features. The 2,665 sq. ft. design includes the concept of a “first floor master suite”. The patina and surfaces of the materials give the home the personality of an elegant lodge.You may want to update some colors, but the basics of the home and the design are still impressive.The show stopper is the ingenious architecture of the screened porch camouflaged into the back section of the house. Host a Napa Valley-style party in the open kitchen to entertain. All living areas are open (with lush outdoor views), fireplace and family room with vaulted ceilings, and here is the aha moment! The backyard is very private and casual for those summer evenings of relaxation.

Dear reader, hold that image in mind for just a second.

Now, pretend you are living here, and you have just gone through one of those bone-crushing, stress-packed weeks at the office. When you arrive home late Friday, and you haul your pitiful little self out of the car, here is your prescription for recharging. Start by putting on some comfortable clothes. Put on a relaxing music CD. Take a bottle of wine, two glasses and sit outside with your sweetie to take in the wonders of a star-filled sky. On Saturday morning, head to the grocery store and pick up nothing but comfort food–steaks for the grille, chips and hot sauce along with goodies from the bakery like cinnamon rolls. Invite friends over for the afternoon. When they arrive, you have festive music playing. The kitchen is laid out with fun snacks and fresh flowers. The screened porch is open. Pleasant breezes are wafting back and forth through the house. The aroma of popcorn is in the air. The terrace furniture has been arranged , and you all sit outside later in the afternoon, you set up and grill steaks, and you dine al fresco as the sun sets. But there is more. On Sunday, you can head down the street to the meditative setting called “Forgotten Pond” which consists of hiking trails, a well-stocked private lake, and a covered pier. You can practice flyfishing, curl up with a book, or spend the afternoon fishing with your kids. Ahh, just thinking about it causes your breathing to ease.

How To See: To see, you should call your agent. The seller is represented by Jeff Dicks of Keller Williams Realty and the Capital City Real Estate Group at 919-793-4730. If you do not have an agent you may also call Jeff for further information.

The notion of buying a foreclosure for many is enticing. What you haven’t heard is many believe they can walk right into the foreclosure market and buy thier dream home. The reality of course is much different. Homes in this segment are often neglected and in some cases vandalized by the previous owner or other party. One must be patient and whether your an investor or looking for that great bargain it’s best you work with a Realtor who has experience and guide you through the process.

Overview of Home Affordability Modification Guidelines

Raleigh Homeowners take note of the loan modification guidelines. North Carolinians have not been impacted as much as other areas of the United States. With the current unemployment rate exceeding 11% in the state some owners are in distress. The Raleigh home market is recovering and we seem to have bottomed. Loan modification guidelines as below.

•Loans must have originated on or before January 1, 2000.
•Mortgages must be for a single-family residence with a loan balance no greater than $729,750.
•Loans can only be modified once beginning March 4, 2009 through December 31, 2012.
•Home cannot be vacant or condemned and must be a primary residence—not investor owned.
•Interest rate can be lowered to as low as 2 per cent and the term of the mortgage can be extended to a maximum of 40 years in order to maximize the reduction in loan payment.
•Borrowers will need to provide an “affidavit of financial hardship”, their most recent tax return, and two recent pay stubs.
•Service providers will be required to follow a sequence of steps that modify the loan in order to reduce the monthly loan payment to no more than 31% of gross monthly income.
•Homeowners who make their payments on time are eligible for up to $1,000 of principal reduction payments each year for up to five years

The country remains committed to government support for home buyers, according to a recent survey of U.S households.

Nearly 70 percent of those polled said the government should continue to support housing and some 65 percent felt the government should be doing more to keep families from losing their homes to foreclosure.

With the First time homebuyer credit of $8000 set to expire on
April 30th and the $6500 for qualified repeat homebuyers the spring market activity is picking up.

The economic recession, job losses and some uncertainty remains the largest barrier to growth in the housing market.Of the renters nationwide surveyed, 40 percent simply don’t have the money to buy a home.

The current inability of some homeowners to sell their current home in depressed markets remains the biggest obstacle. Many homeowners feel imprisoned by their home where the current value is below what they owe and some surveyed felt that homeprices were still too high too move forward.

This amazing Raleigh home on Pennyshire Lane has been recently updated. A wonderful First Floor Master Suite, incredible kitchen, granite countertops. The outdoor living space is fabulous for those incredible Raleigh evenings. To schedule a showing or for more information on other Raleigh homes. Please contact Jeff at
919-793-4730 or e-mail jeff@jeffdicks.com

This Mountain Style Retreat home sits in the heart of the Raleigh. Nestled among 1.2 acres this home is move in ready. A stone fireplace, private yard, screened porch and cozy sunroom.
Call Jeff Dicks
919-793-4730 for further information