Saturday, November 30, 2013

7239 Aquinas Ave - Raleigh, NC 27617

7239 Aquinas Ave - Raleigh, NC 27617

Affordable Town Home in Great Location - Why Rent?

Why throw away money in rent when you can buy? Or better yet, why not become a landlord? 

This beautiful 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath town home in Mulberry Park is a great investment! With great rental potential you could live here for a couple years and then move up to your next property. That's how you build wealth in real estate. Is it an option you've never considered? Contact Us today for a personalized investment consultation. It might just be easier than you think to get started investing in real estate.

Whether you live here or rent it out, anyone would love to call this bright, open space their home. The floor plan is spacious with a cathedral ceiling in the living room adding to the airy feel. A separate dining room and and first floor master suite offer more space. Hardwood and crown molding on the first floor give a luxurious touch. 

The upgraded kitchen offers 42" cabinetry and a center island with bar overhang - a lot of kitchen space for a town home. Large secondary bedrooms and loft on the second floor create a great separation of living spaces. Perfect for roommates! 

Enjoy the outdoors on a large screened porch and patio. 



You can't beat this great location and fantastic price!



502 Alliance Circle, Cary NC 27519 - Harmony Neighborhood

502 Alliance Circle, Cary NC 27519 - Harmony Neighborhood

West Cary's Top Neighborhood

Are you looking for a HUGE yard and plenty of space to spread out and a great friendly neighborhood? If so, this is the perfect home for you!

This gorgeous 5 bedroom, 4 bath home is in the Harmony subdivision, one of West Cary's best neighborhoods. Picture perfect, this home is move in ready for you. Featuring stunning 5 inch hardwoods throughout most of 1st floor for ease of living, you will love the comfortable luxury this home offers. A separate formal dining room with coffered ceiling and wainscoting is a real show piece for entertaining. Extensive trim work throughout the home gives it a custom feel. The 1st floor bedroom with a full bath is great for in-laws and guests. But they may never want to leave!

A gleaming upgraded kitchen with cherry cabinetry, granite counter tops, custom tile back splash, under cabinet lighting, a 5 burner gas stove top and range hood will make you feel like a top chef. Get away to your own private retreat in the huge master suite with sitting area.
The completely fenced, flat backyard is like having your own private park to run free. A large patio is the perfect start to create a dream outdoor living space.

For more detailed information about this home visit:

Contact Us at Lisa Southern Real Estate today for a personal tour of the luxurious home.

If you are new to the area, here are some links for local information in this area of Cary. West Cary is highly regarded as one of the best places to raise a family in the Triangle area. The Harmony neighborhood is one of the most sought after in the West Cary area. With convenient access to all of the metro area, yet the small town charm Cary has to offer, this is the perfect place to call home. Excellent schools, plenty of parks and recreation and friendly communities are just a few of the reasons locals love this area.

Heart of Cary - Downtown Info

Contact Us today if you are considering relocating to the Raleigh metro area. 

205 Amiable Loop, Cary NC 27519 - Harmony Neighborhood

205 Amiable Loop, Cary NC 27519

Harmony - One of West Cary's Best Neighborhoods

This is the home you have been waiting to find!  You must come out and take a look at this gorgeous 6 bedroom, 4 bath home in the highly desirable Harmony neighborhood in West Cary, NC. This stunning home features a bright open floor plan with hardwood floors throughout the first floor. 

The upgraded kitchen with luxurious cherry cabinetry, black granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances, a five burner gas cook top and under cabinet lighting is a chef's dream come true. Designer paint colors are used throughout the home to make it feel welcoming and stylish. This is a very comfortable yet luxurious home. Enjoy some quality time in your very own home theater room or relax next to a roaring fire.

The gorgeous large deck and screened porch overlooking a high end designer swimming pool offer resort style living year round. Imagine your next get together playing music on outdoor speakers while enjoying a refreshing beverage on your patio next to an outdoor stone fireplace. This amazing Pool Home with a basement is truly an entertainers dream home!

For more detailed information about this home visit:

Contact Us at Lisa Southern Real Estate today for a personal tour of the luxurious home.

If you are new to the area, here are some links for local information in this area of Cary. West Cary is highly regarded as one of the best places to raise a family in the Triangle area. The Harmony neighborhood is one of the most sought after in the West Cary area. With convenient access to all of the metro area, yet the small town charm Cary has to offer, this is the perfect place to call home. Excellent schools, plenty of parks and recreation and friendly communities are just a few of the reasons locals love this area.

Heart of Cary - Downtown Info

Contact Us today if you are considering relocating to the Raleigh metro area. 

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Tips for Selling Your Home in Winter Months

Tips for Selling Your Home in Winter Months

Raleigh NC and Triangle Area Home Selling Strategies

Have you ever given much thought to the best time of year for selling a home? Real Estate agents know there are selling seasons. Most people avoid selling in the winter months.

Several reasons why winter is a slower time for real estate sales are 1) no one wants to move during the holidays 2) it's the middle of a school year 3) weather hampers moving in many areas and 4) yards don't show well when they are barren.

There is little doubt that selling in winter is the least favorite time for anyone thinking of selling, but it's definitely not the worse time of year to sell with regards to getting an offer! Sometimes sellers don’t have a choice and must sell during the winter months for personal timing reasons. Winter months are actually a great time for sellers who are willing to tough it out. There is much less competition on the market for buyers to choose. And generally, those buyers who are looking during the winter months are very motivated.

Often times companies start hiring after the first of the year and people have no choice to move. People fulfill new years resolutions and find new motivation to buy a home or upsize or downsize. Parents and grandparents are often in town for the holidays to help look for a home that they may be offering down payment assistance. And generally, there are always buyers just waiting for the perfect home, not matter what time of year.

Not everybody has the luxury of being able to wait until spring or summer to sell. Sometimes selling in winter is the only option you will have. Here are some good home tips for a speedy and successful sale during the winter months.

Top Tips to Help You Sell Your House in Winter


1. It isn't as easy in winter, but you do still need to concentrate on curb appeal if you want to sell your house quickly. Ironically it can be easier this way with hardscape, outdoor furniture, planters and decor (rather than having to do an instant landscape job with lots of plants). Keep decor clean and simple and don't overdo holiday decorations. Many outdoor decor items can be found on clearance this time of year too. Invest in a new patio set or a water feature or pretty pots you can take with you to your new home.
2. Make sure your heater is serviced and working. You want your home to be warm and welcoming. Anyone who is considering buying the house will want to be sure that next winter, they too will be warm and comfortable. A gas fireplace will always add ambiance; cuddly throws on sofas and beds always complete the look.
3. Make sure that the house smells nice. Without any doubt, pet smells, smoke (both cigarettes and burnt-out fires), and any other musty odors, will count against you. Clean out ashes from the fireplace (or avoid wood burning fireplace use) and don't allow family or guests to smoke inside the house.  Get cooking. Chocolate-chip cookies, freshly baked bread, and freshly cooked pies and pastries will smell good.
4. Make sure that potential buyers visit the house during the day, when there is lots of light. BUT, be sure that your curtains and blinds are clean and your windows have been washed. Turn on lights before buyers arrive so the house shows warm and bright.
5. Add music to the ambiance you have created. Generally soft, classical music will make visitors (including potential buyers) feel at ease. Retailers use music to help sell goods in their shops; you can use music to help sell your house.
6. Add fresh flowers and a few live plants throughout the house. If everything outside is bleak and dreary, make your home feel lively and welcoming.

If you are considering selling your home, give us a call to review current market conditions in your neighborhood. www.LisaSouthern.com It may just be a great time to sell your home.

Lisa Southern Real Estate

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Dealing with Tenants when Selling a Home

Tips for Selling Investment Property

Dealing with Tenants when Selling a Home

Do you own an investment property that you are considering selling? Unlike selling a personal residence, selling an investment property has its own set of challenges if you have tenants occupying the property. 

The simplest route to take is to give the tenant notice that you will not be renewing the lease upon expiration, but this isn't always possible. You may also be able to market the property as an investment property with tenants in place. It may be very attractive to an investor to have instant income and no lag time for finding a new tenant. And your current tenant may be very happy to stay.

If you must sell with tenants in place, check your local real estate landlord tenant laws with regards to giving notice and tenant rights. Each State is different and there may also be other local regulations you must abide by. 

Work with an experienced local agent who can offer you the best information regarding the local market conditions. To minimize hassles, you want to get an offer as soon as possible to avoid months of sitting on the market and multiple showings. Your agent can guide you as to what fair market value is based on condition and other factors.

Worst case scenario, if the home is not priced to sell based on condition and other market factors and your tenant moves out, you are left holding a mortgage with no income. You have to determine if a few month's lost income is worth not having to sell the home with tenants in place.

While there are some excellent tenants, a large number of tenants tend to ignore maintenance issues, and so when it comes to selling a home with tenants in it you may find it has become rundown. This leads to the problem of having to do repairs while the tenants are still living in your house. Again, you will have to weigh the cost vs benefit of conducting repairs after the tenant moves out.

It can get even worse if tenants don’t want to move, because they can become very hostile, which can put even the most eager buyers off and hamper showings. There are also ways that very reluctant tenants can delay sales for as long as a year. 

An empty house means no income, so planning an exit strategy far in advance is the best bet. Assess your tenants willingness to cooperate, conduct a thorough inspection of the home, make repairs, plan the best time of the year to sell and the best time to inform your tenants you intend to sell.

Tips for Dealing with Tenants

Clear, honest communication is essential when you’re selling a home and dealing with tenants. Just as tenants can become hostile, landlords can seem threatening, even when they don’t intend to be. Explain what’s happening to your tenants and reassure them that their privacy won’t be exploited. For instance, make sure they know you will give them ample warning before buyers are invited to view their home. It’s usually best to choose one or more specific days and times that suit tenants. 

If you encounter hostile tenants or tenants who have destroyed the property and appear that they will make selling a challenge, and you need to sell, you may have to consider other options. You could wait until the end of their lease and then start an eviction process, which can be costly and time consuming. Or you could possibly offer them a major concession to move. It may be cheaper than eviction, although hard to swallow. You may even have to consider pricing the property attractively so a prospective buyer will be flexible with the condition of the home and the uncertainty of the tenant situation because they are getting a good deal.

One strategy for maintaining a good relationship with nice tenants is to offer some type of reward to persuade them to do their best in terms of keeping the house looking good while it is on the market, as well as being pleasant when agents and prospective buyers visit. For example you could offer them a discount on rent for maintaining a good showing condition. Or you could also offer a gift certificate for dinner for two for each month your home with tenants is on the market. 

A good landlord (which is what you should aim to be) will also be concerned about their tenants’ belongings. So suggest they keep valuables safely locked away whenever strangers are in the house. Put it in writing.

Ultimately you need to remember that while selling a home with tenants in it is challenging, for these people your investment property is their Home. It’s difficult for them too, so open communication is always the best policy.

At Lisa Southern Real Estate & Southern Group Property Management, we can guide you through the entire process of preparing your investment property for sale. If you decide it's not the right time to sell, but you don't want the hassle of being a landlord, CONTACT US, we can help. Property Management is much more affordable than you may think.

Monday, November 11, 2013

205 Amiable Loop, Cary NC - New Listing Coming Soon

205 Amiable Loop, Cary NC - New Listing Coming Soon

New Listing Coming Soon in the Sought After Harmony Neighborhood

Gorgeous executive home with over 4,500 sq ft of living space! Contact Us today for more information.