With all of the bad economic news it's great to know this area of North Carolina will once again be booming. UNC has conditional approval for a new 68-bed hospital to be built in Hillsborough. The new hospital will include an emergency room, observation beds, operating rooms, general procedure rooms, a vascular and interventional radiology room and a radiology procedure room. This should alleviate congestion at the main facility in Chapel Hill. The plans are for this facility to open in 2014.
Duke is also in the news with plans for a new Cancer Center and Major Expansion of Duke University Hospital. This new expansion should bring many new jobs to our area and new families along with it. The new "state of the art cancer center" and new "Duke Medicine Pavilion" (a major expansion of surgery and critical care services) will bring high quality healthcare as well as be a leading economic driver creating as many as 1,500 jobs during construction and an estimated 1,000 permanent jobs upon completion.
It's a great time to think about moving to the area and if you have clients or you yourself are considering this area and need help finding the perfect place, don't hesitate to call or visit www.fowleradvantage.com for more information!
Dear Friends,
We felt it was time to reach out to our client base as well as new potential clients and share the good news regarding the current market. We feel there has never been a better time to buy a home than RIGHT NOW!
Buyers need to get on the bandwagon while rates are still low and values are at their lowest point in years and before the $8000 First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit is gone! We would anticipate that property values may soon rise and multiple offers seem to be increasing. In addition, interest rates are expected to increase over the next year which means making a home purchase now, may be a great economic choice.
We would welcome the opportunity to speak with you regarding your interest in purchasing a new home, vacation home or investment property.
In discussing interest rates and mortgage options with our first choice lender, Tanya Wilson at Franklin American Mortgage Company, she said that "interest rates are truly at an all time low and they have been funding loans in record numbers once again. Borrower's confidence in purchasing new homes has come full circle and she is prequalifying numerous new clients each day". In addition to great rates on conforming and FHA loans, they are offering phenomenal rates on 100% USDA loans. She is also happy to discuss their competitive options on refinancing your current properties as well. Call Tanya Wilson Today at (336) 314-4397.
To discuss the real estate opportunities available, please give us a call at Teresa 919-260-2713 or Lee at 919-260-2713 or email us at teresafowler@kw.com and sfowler220@nc.rr.com and we would be happy to assist you. We hope to hear from you soon and look forward to giving you a first hand look at the opportunities to build wealth through real estate.
All the very best
It's that time of year again, and here in North Carolina we are begining to feel the change. Thats right, old man winter is right around the corner. Because we're having cold temperatures at night it's time to start thinking of home winter preparation.
What is home winter preparation, you ask? It is the things that need to be done, to, and around your home to help protect it from the elements. First off, lets talk about the trees close to the structure. Any overhanging branches that are close to the roof need to be trimed or removed. Wind will do wonders with these branches and the effects of branches blowing and making contact with the shingles can be costly.
Next it's time to remove all leaves, dirt and branches from the gutters. Any debris in the gutters will weigh it down. It prevents all of the water from reaching the downspouts. Also take time to make sure the downspouts are clean as well and that all of the water, coming from the downspouts, runs away from the foundation. Check to make sure the gutters are in good shape and not sagging or falling away from the structure. Make any repairs needed.
Now that the trees are trimmed and the gutters are clean, it's time to inspect the roof for missing, cracked, or deteriorated shingles. Areas with missing shingles, obviously need to be fixed. The idea is to keep all the water on top of the shingles and not let it get under them. Replace any broken or missing shingles. Now if you notice a few cracked shingles, it is a good idea to buy a tube of roofers caulk and fill these cracks in. Also check the caulking around any flashing, vents, sky lights, and chiminey. These are the most common areas for water entry. If you are not a DIY type of person, then you may need to find a roofing contractor or handyman to do this for you.
Any exposed wood, for example, the fascia and rake boards, needs to be sealed. A fresh coat of paint or stain will do the trick. One way to tell if your are in need of paint is to look for peeling or cracked paint. If the fascia or rake boards have been stained, check for discoloration or fading. These are signs of needing to be stained or sealed again.
Your roof is now ready for what winter has in store. A little work will save you a lot in the long run. My next blog will tackle the rest of the home, excluding the roof.
Being in the Real Estate business we get to see what a home really means to people. For young first time home buyers it's a new, very exciting, and sometimes scarry journey. For older people it's a safe haven of comfort and security. A house means different things for different people. I wanted to share with you what a house means to us:
A house is more than a place to put your feet up and watch TV. It represents belonging and offers placement in a crowded world. Have you ever met anyone who didn't at some point ask "Where do you live?". A home represents our most heartfelt relationships. It offers a safe haven from storms; it's where we have dinner with our family and a place that offers us privacy. It holds all of our "stuff"; it's where we entertain our friends and it's where, at the end of the day, we can lock the door and sleep peacefully. It's where we belong... Let us help you find your place of belonging or provide the personal touch and service required in the many steps in selling the place where you've held so many memories.
Benjamin Franklin once said, "Time is money." And that great truth is especially important to remember these days as changes continue to unfold in today's housing market. In an effort to protect consumers, the government continues to create new guidelines surrounding the home loan process. Fannie Mae recently made changes in Announcement 09-19 regarding Miscellaneous Underwriting, Eligibility, and Property Related Updates. These changes are in effect on loan applications dated September 1, 2009 and later.
While consumer protection is definitely important, these guidelines have made the mortgage process tougher. It's crucial that you prepare your clients for these tougher requirements and explain to them how important it is for them to provide good, timely documentation.
To learn more about these changes, visit https://www.efanniemae.com/sf/guides/ssg/annltrs/pdf/2009/0919.pdf.
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Welcome to the Beautiful Triangle Area, just 3 hrs. to the ocean and 3 to the mountains! Come see the views in Orange and Alamance Counties! ActiveRain.com/fowleradvantage
My Husband Lee and I work as a team. Having a great sense of humor and honesty is what makes us who we are. If you are buying or selling a home and need a grounded people to help make the experience less stressful, more exciting, and hopefully even fun, you should call us. We know persistence and patience are very important aspects of the entire process. We will help navigate your needs from start to finish safely, efficiently and with care and diligence. We can provide important resources such as home inspectors, attorneys, lenders, and other necessary contacts. We truly believe the best service we can provide is to anticipate your needs. We will provide you with a list of references if you wish. Feel free to contact past and current clients, co-workers, friends and employers of ours to get to know us better. We have lived in the Triangle area all of our lives. I grew up in Wake Forest and Lee in Hillsborough. I have been in real estate for 6 years now, Lee joined the business earlier last year. We have two wonderful, very energetic and bright 9 and 11 year old boys. Lee is also a local plumbing contractor and has over 20 years experience in the home construction industry. We attend Sunrise Church in Hillsborough. We know we are truly blessed to be living in such a wonderful place as North Carolina and we promise to treat you according to "the golden rule". We will put you first, listen carefully to your needs and give you peace in knowing you can trust us in every aspect of buying or selling a home. We would especially like for you to find comfort in the fact that you don't have to do it by yourself. We would love an opportunity to provide the best in real estate service, counsel and knowledge for you.
What Is A House? A house is more than a place to put your feet up and watch TV. It represents belonging and offers placement in a crowded world. Have you ever met anyone who didn't at some point ask "Where do you live?". A home represents or most heartfelt relationships. It offers a safe haven from storms; it's where we have dinner with our family and a place that offers us privacy. It holds all of our "stuff"; it's where we entertain our friends and it's where, at the end of the day, we can lock the door and sleep peacefully. It's where we belong... Let us help you find your place of belonging or provide the personal touch and service required in the many steps in selling the place where you've held so many memories.
The Keller Williams Belief System
Here are some of our areas of expertise:
Chapel Hill sits on a lofty hill, shaded by ancient oak and poplar trees. It is home to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, our nation's first state university. Chapel Hill has a variety of cultural attractions, great dining and a lively downtown. It is the largest municipality in Orange County and has been referred to as "the Southern Part Of Heaven". It can best be summarized as having the best of small town living in a unique cosmopolitan environment. Chapel Hill was named after the New Hope Chapel, which stood upon a hill at the crossing of two primary roads. Town lots were auctioned in 1793, when work began on the first building of the university, although it was 1795 before residents occupied any as permanent homes. Today the population of about 50,000 is diverse, consisting of professors, students, business people and retirees from all over the world, not to mention the native Chapel Hillians. Day and night the streets are filled with people enjoying a great variety of shopping, dining and entertainment options. For more information on Chapel Hill visit www.chocvb.org. As as always your more than welcome to give either one of us a call!
Hillsborough is in Orange County and has a sense of place that provides a special destination for any visitor. Whether you need a quick getaway or a long vacation, the communities of Orange County welcome you to share their history and become a part of the experiences they offer. Hillsborough was the scene of many dramatic events prior to the Revolutionary War and during the Civil War. Its downtown historic district features over 100 late 18th and early 19th century homes, churches and buildings, several of which are open to the public. The population of Hillsborough is about 5,700 residents which appreicate the quaintness and friendliness of their small town, but also enjoy its fast, convenient access to other Triangle-area cities via Interstates 85 and 40, which run through or near the town limits.
Today, Hillsborough encompasses residential neighborhoods, a large historic district and a considerable number of retail and business areas that emphasize antiques and craft shopping. The town prides itself on being as hospitable as it is visually attractive. For more information on Hillsborough visit www.ci.hillsborough.nc.us. Or give us a call!
Durham is a great place to live, work and own a business. The awards and accolades keep pouring in for this beautiful area. Each year, awards for all aspects of living and working in the greater Durham area are given by a variety of sources. The word is out - Durham has it all and is a terrific place to call home.
Duke University Medical Center is located in Durham and has consistenly been named one of the nation's best hospitals, maintaining a sixth-place ranking for five straight years on the U.S. News and World Report list. It has also received a five-star (the highest) rating for coronary bypass surgery. Durham Regional Hospital received the same five-star rating for excellence in women's health from Health Grades Inc. Overall the area is a great, healthy choice when looking for a place to live. Outlook Magazine ranked the Raleigh-Durham/Chapel Hill area as the second-healthiest place to live in America.
It isn't all work in Durham, however. The fun side of life is also receiving national attention. The American Dance Festival was named one of the Southeast's Top 20 Events held in April, May and June by the Southeast Tourism Society, and the Annual Native American Powwow is on the Top 20 list for January, February and March in 2005.
Business is thriving in the City of Durham. The prime location, enviable quality of life, low cost of living and doing business, and a workforce comprised of individuals from a variety of backgrounds make it a great place to own a business.
Companies from around the world have come to Durham to expand their business and join with the startup companies that have always called Durham home. A good mix of large and small businesses with a variety of research and manufacturing bases make the area a sucess. The biotechnology sector in the greater Durham area is also thriving. The North Carolina Biotechnology Center, a non-profit corporation funded by the North Carolina General Assembly, works with biotechnology firms to provide long-term enconomic benefits. The center focusses on assisting biotechnology business development, strengthening the biotechnology capabilities of the state's universities, educating the public about biotechnology, encouraging collaborations among the state's universities, industries and government and strengthening the state's leadership in biotechnology.
The real estate market in Durham is much like the rest of life in this city: full of variety. There are new homes and historical homes, apartments, and twin homes. You can live in the heart of the action downtown or move a bit further out into the suburbs. Choose from homes lining public and private country clubs and golf courses to homes in planned communities. Graceful Southern mansions, contemporary deck houses and everything in between are awaiting the potential home buyer in Durham. For more information about Durham visit www.durham-nc.com. Or give us a call!
Mebane, a business center straddling the county line to the west, was founded in 1809 with a post office and became a mill town after the railroad line and a station were built there in 1855. It was incorporated as a city in 1881, the year the former Hickory-White Furniture Company was established.
Today, Mebane is home to more than 30 industrial facilities and has a population of about 7,500 and growing. It is easily accessible to Interstates 85 and 40 and US Highway 70, and offers visitors recreational facilities at the 650-acre Quaker Lake now known as Graham/Mebane Lake to the northwest and the 200-acre Lake Michael Park to the east. Graham/Mebane Lake serves as a raw water source for the cities of Graham and Mebane. The lake supports one of the best catfish populations in the area with the lake record channel catfish (caught in 1985) weighing in at 19 3/4 pounds. The lake consistently produces trophy bass throughout the year with the lake record largemouth weighing in at 12 pounds. Attractions and activities offered at Graham/Mebane Lake are boat or pier fishing, designated bank fishing, tackle loaner program, pleasure boating, sailing, launching ramps, water skiing, seasonal permits, concessions and miscellaneous supplies. Lake Michael Park offers fishing, boating, paddle boats, playground fun, sand volleyball, overnight group camping. The park is open to the public mid-March until the end of October, weather permitting.
Mebane also offers a Christmas Parade, Sports Hall of Fame Gala, Easter festivities, Fall Festival, 4th of July Family Music Festival, annual Dogwood Festival, and live music concerts and dances throughout the year.
Neighborhoods range from modest to elegantly Victorian. Recent planned communities, such as the 650-acre Mill Creek, offer several distinct neighborhoods with homes ranging from no-maintenance villas to single-family detached that nestle around a golf course. For more information about Mebane visit www.cityofmebane.com. Or call us!
The Town of Wake Forest grew up around the site of Wake Forect College. It got its start in the 1820's when Dr. Calvin Jones sold his 600-acre plantation to North Carolina Baptists to begin an institute that would educate practicing ministers of the church, as well as boys and young men.
At first, the campus consisted of Dr. Jones' plantation house (which still stands), and two dozen outbuildings. Later, impressive brick buildings and a park-like landscape emerged. Businesses began to spring up on campus to support the needs of students and staff. Lots were later sold by the College to commercial developers. Wake Forest College became a train stop in 1872.
Over time, the Town of Wake Forest developed it own identity and was fully incorporated in 1909. By then, many businesses were being set up to serve customers beyond the college community including a cotton mill, iron founderies, a cotton gin and wood planing mills. Commercial and college growth resulted in the building of many residential neighborhoods, including Faculty Drive(North Main Street) and the Royal Cotton Mill Village, both of which are designated historic districts.
The most dramatic impact on the town occurred in 1956 when the college moved to a new campus in Winston-Salem. The town's economy faced an annual loss of millions of dollars, and many people especially college support staff, lost their jobs.
In time, Wake Forest was successful in enticing new industries and new residents. The campus of Wake Forest College is now home to Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, one of the town's largest employers. Today, Wake Forest continues to grow and prosper, with a community focused on maintaing its small-town charm. For more information about Wake Forest visit www.wakeforestnc.gov. Or give us a call!
Whenever Roxboro is mentioned to newcomers, many people think of family farms and small town living. Person County has its own distinct history that makes it unique and special. Person County is located in the Northern Piedmont section of North Carolina. There are several watercourses in the county which include Hyco (3,750 acre lake with a 65-acre park that provides camping, picnicking, boating, fishing, swimming, water skiing and tennis opportunities) and Mayo (85 miles of shoreline, includes more than 2,800 acres of water surrounded by 120 acres of park)lakes, plus the Tar and Flat rivers. Person County also claims two small mountains: Mt. Tirzah and Hagar's Mountain.
Before the Civil War, Person County was a well-established plantation center. The early farming consisted of tobacco, cotton, corn, wheat, oats, fruits, vegetables, cattle, hogs, and sheep, most of which are still produced today. Person County has seen many changes in the social and economic ways of life, but for years it has offered a well-balanced community ofindustry and agriculture.
Roxboro is home to several famous athletes, including current PGA Senior Jim Thorpe. Perhaps the community's most famous athlete was Baseball Hall-of-Famer Enos Slaughter, who played in the Major Leagues from the 1930s-1950's. For more insights from the past you can visit the Person County Museum of History, located at 309 Main Street. The museum is open Tuesday-Saturday 10-2.
Housing options for residens of Roxboro and Person County are many. From large and small estates to mini farms and typical neighborhoods, from luxurious lake homes to recreational getaways, you can find a house to meet your tastes and needs in Person County. Home prices in Person County can range anywhere between $75,000 for a starter home up to $650,000 for a luxurious lakefront property.
Companies who visit here encounter a unique and refreshing approach to industrial development, and they find that the city and county governments work estremely well together. They have a top-notch existing industry base, very competitive tax rates, a strong public school system, and an excellent community college that provides a continuous flow of technically trained workers for industrial residents. For more information about Roxboro visit www.visitroxboronc.com. Or call us!
Graham is located in the center of Alamance County. This occurred as a result of the decision to split Orange County. Graham is centered around a courthouse square. Graham is named after previous Governor William A. Graham of Hillsborough. The first town water works and electrical plant were constructed in 1904. In December of 1905 the streets of Graham experienced electricity. Graham has survived many changes while still maintaining the feel of a small, quaint town. The current population is 11,955. The City of Graham is also home to numerous well known industries, fields of hosiery, plastics, electronics, and metal works.
Today Graham is still growing in population and new homes. It offers recreational activities and parks. The newest park in Graham features the original bell from the original courthouse.
Graham's a wonderful place to live if you like small town living and charm. Downtown offers shops, businesses, and even a theater. It truly does have a "Mayberry" feel. For more information about Graham call us or visit www.cityofgraham.com.
Craig & Christina
""Teresa Fowler is the best there is. She is trustworthy, steadfast, and truthful. She has that rarest of all gifts, which is the ability to understand what it is her clients want. It is possible to communicate with her and this, combined with intelligence, tremendous energy and great skill, makes for the ideal real-estate agent. And I can say another thing. If you give Teresa a change she will not only find you a house or help you sell one, she will become your friend, too."
Mary Beth
"Teresa was there for me every step of the way! Starting with showing me homes, I was specific in what I wanted and where I wanted it, and she only showed me what I was looking for in the area that I was looking for. She was constantly looking for new listings for me and would e-mail me when they came on the market. When I saw a property while I was out, she would immediately look it up for me and get back to me with the specifics. She spent several days showing me homes and spent so much time with me. She was there for me all along, even coming in on Mother's Day so I could make an offer before I went out of the country on a trip. She was working for me, even while I was out of the county so I would not lose the home that I wanted. Teresa attended my home inspection with me and set up evey other inspection I needed. She got me the home I wanted at the price I wanted and even negotiated the date that I wanted to move in. I would recommend Teresa to anyone buying or selling a home and I will definitely call her again if the need arises!"
David & Janice
"We cannot imagine anyone being any more diligent, thorough, and as helpful as Teresa and Lee were. They tirelessly searched for the "right" property for us. They were patient and their knowledge of their profession was evident. If we need the services of a Realtor again, we will definitely call either of them!"
Johnny
"Teresa and Lee truly made life easier when I needed to sell my home. They took care of every aspect of the transaction with amazing detail and professionalism. If you need Realtors with knowledge, understanding and trust call them. They were also beneficial in finding my new home with the same level of professionalism and knowledge. I could not be more thankful."
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
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