Should You Go It Alone When Buying from Home Builder? NOT

Do you know the sales person in the builder’s office or sales center generally do not have a Realtor License. Know why? Because that person works for the builder and not you!  He or she does not have a fiduciary responsibility to work for you and does not have to do the right thing. Another words, they wont get their license taken away! Think about it, and the next time you want to go it alone ask the sales guy if he or she has a valid Real Estate License or better yet, give me a call at, 919-669-3937!

http://www.realtor.com/blogs/2011/02/21/should-you-go-it-alone-when-buying-from-home-builder/

Your Restaurant Review, LaVolta

As you know, as your Downtown Raleigh Tour Guide, I do my best to keep you fed and updated on all the good menus in the downtown area! On that note: A few friends of mine traveled in from the Apex area for a night of celebration as Chip was about to turn 40, and a celebratory dinner and possible bar crawl was in order. The travelers stayed at the Raleigh Marriott City Center hotel (a review for anther time). I suggested that we meet at LaVolta Restaurant just across the street from the Marriott for a few appetizers before hitting the crawl. Boy am I glad I did. We sat in the bar area with about 10 of us. We ordered appetizers and drank the special drink which was Sangria. This was bit pricy at 8 clams a glass, but the glass was big and concoction was fabulous. I personally only had one and had to switch to Bud Light drafts to keep my wits about me. This Italian restaurant reminded me of something you would find in NY or Chicago, a very warm and comfortable feeling. The owner, who I believe is from NY made you feel right at home and came to the bar area and said hello. The staff was great given my 9 rowdy friends. Food was fantastic (we only had apps.) and the Meatballs ($5.95, two gigantic homemade meatballs) and Bruschetta ($6.95) were to die for. As a tip to you from your Tour Guide, make sure you ask for some bread when ordering the meatballs, you will thank me latter. All in all, this was a fabuous place to start or possibly finish a great night out with friends.

http://lavoltarestaurant.com/menus.html

RATES STAY LOW - Prices will GO UP

Interesting article below. Rates will stay low for at least another year and half. I believe this will push prices higher as buyers can afford more and loan restriction start to ease. It is a great time to look at residential or commercial. Commercial prices are as low as $100 a SF for class A space. Don't wait, Call me today! 919-669-3937


Monetary policy - fed expects to

keep rates low through 2014

The Fed Meeting Adjourned today – the Fed’s Monetary Policy Statement language rang loudly this afternoon. Their Monetary stance now states that they expect to keep rates exceptionally low through late 2014. Their low rate commitment timeline has increased by a year. Treasuries reacted immediately to the news, with the 10 Year Yield dropping below 2%. Great news for Triangle housing and homeowners.

On to other news from today, Mortgage Applications slipped in volume for the week ending January 20th as Mortgage Rates inched up. The Mortgage Application Index showed a drop of five percent which was in sharp contrast to the twenty percent rise we saw last week.

According to the National Association of Realtors, pending home sales were down 3.5% in December – that decline was a bit more dramatic than expected. Good news though, in that year over year figures for pending sales data was up 5.6% for that same time frame.

Great Read on a Commercial Sale on Glenwood!

A fantastic article on some commercial sales on Glenwood by Amanda Jones Hoyle, Staff Writer - Triangle Business Journal

http://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2012/01/20/glenwood-ave-office-building-bought.html

Love the last line:

New Boston Fund is thrilled to add Carolina Place to its Southeast portfolio,” Pryse Elam. The southeast regional director at New Boston Fund, said in the news release. “This acquisition will help to re-establish a presence for New Boston in the Raleigh-Durham market, one of the fastest-growing metropolitan regions in the country.”

Don’t wait call Patrick Lawson TODAY at, 919-669-3937

Another Bid Apt Building in Raleigh!

This makes over four, 250+ unit complexes this year! This could be a good sign of future growth in Raleigh. Don't wait Call Pat Lawason today at, 919-669-3937!

Latest from The Business Journal

Clarion Partners JV building $37M apartment complex in Raleigh

A new apartment community is planned for Brier Creek.


The Company said Monday that it has entered into a joint venture with The Residential Group LLC to develop The Crest at Brier Creek, a 291-unit upscale garden apartment community in Raleigh.

Site work began on the $37 million project earlier this month. The complex is expected to be finished by June 2013.

The apartments will offer a number of amenities, including a clubhouse, fitness center, pool and grill area.

Keeping Rates low!

Great article on low rates:

http://www.cnbc.com/id/45956871

Speaking of which, check the bottom of this page for new rates. Still at 3.75% for a 30 year fix.

Patrick Lawson

Raleigh office building sold for $15.4M

Things are starting to pick. Office buildings are a good sign of what is starting to happen. With this building off or Blueridge changing hands for a good price I suspect you will start to see others move. Don't wait call me today!

http://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2012/01/04/raleigh-office-building-sold-for-154m.html

Patrick Lawson
Broker
Re/Max Preferred
Patricklawson@remax.net
Phone: 919-669-3937
Fax: 866-379-3225