Linda Jandura Realtor North Carolina Buyer & Seller Specialist

Seems like everyone is traveling at this time of year, including my family. We recently visited my daughter who lives near DC for the 4th of July holiday.

Although we've traveled Rte 85 and 95 into Virginia before, we never stopped at the North Carolina Visitors Center on 85, right at the border near Norlina, as we did this time on our way home.

What a great place to take a break from driving through the busy Virginia and DC area! Not only did they have the usual vending machines, the expected clean restrooms, but they also had a separate building with all kinds of info about places to visit and things to do in North Carolina. The 2 women who were staffing the building were extremely friendly and helpful.

My husband and I picked up a lot of free interesting information, maps, and books. With gas prices and travel being so expense this summer, we'll be finding a lot of things to do close to home.

North Carolina publishes and delivers travel information to the public. Just visit their website to find something of interest.

If you've read my recent blogs, you'll remember that my husband and I recently joined the Kraft Family YMCA in Apex, NC. We like the Y so much that we're now becoming a little compulsive about it! I've become addicted to the Yoga classes, survived a Spin Cycling class, and today took the Mat Pilates class for the first time

Yes, the Pilates was tough, because, no, I don't have abs of steel. Pilates is based on core body strength, and keeping the spine in alignment. Almost everyone can benefit from that! I can see how by practicing Pilates for a while you could look like one of those people in the exercise video commercials. Most of this class was done on the floor lying on a mat, so no special equipment as needed. No excuse not to do it at home or even on a hotel room floor on vacation!

The reason we go so often is that they built this facility centrally located in a growing area of Apex on Holly Springs Rd, only about 1-½ miles from our house. As I talk to other members I'm finding that most people are there for the same reason. Just as in real estate, the magic words are location, location, location.

Bearing that in mind, I've done a search of all homes currently available within a 1.5-mile radius of the YMCA. Amazingly, there were 84 homes for sale, ranging from a low of $179,000 to a high of $1,499,000.

If you'd like to see homes with a 1 1/2 miles radius of the Kraft Family YMCA, click here.

Although these are not all of our listings, I'd be happy to give you any information or show them to you, as well as tell you more about this great area.

To search for any other homes in the area, visit my website at www.JustNCHomes.com.

Hope to see you there!

If these recent headlines have you scared, please read on for some good news.

Sellers who want to upgrade "someday", beware and be realistic.

If you're waiting for prices to go lower before buying a new home and needing to sell your present home, you are simply waiting for your own home to go lower as well.

Act now! Take your profits, take advantage of the swollen inventory and grab your dream home for far less than it was a year ago.

Let's say you bought your home in 2002 for $250,000 and today you think it's worth $350,000. Your neighbor sold theirs for $360,000 last year and yours is "so much nicer." Now, let's say because of market conditions you have to lower your price all the way to $315,000.

It's painful to think about, but you really can't look at this as if you have lost $35,000. You actually made $65,000. What other investment did you make over the last five years that made you $65,000?

And in today's market, you can most likely negotiate upgrades and pricing in an offer you make on that brand-new house in the new neighborhood.

Buyers if you're thinking about buying but want to "wait" until the market goes down further, think again.

Today sellers are offering incredible incentives such as help with closing costs, incentives towards upgrades, and buy downs on interest rates.

As a buyer, looking for a great deal, there are a few things you as a buyer should be asking us as your advisor:

1) What are comparable houses selling for?

2) How long has the house been on the market?

3) How many times has the price been reduced since the house has been on the market?

4) When did the sellers buy their house, and for how much?

5) If this house needs updating or repairs, is it still worth the price?

Fear of making a mistake or missing the market is creating a buyer's market out there.

Those who don't simply follow the crowd but who make

wise investments, based on their own individual goals and dreams can still reap the rewards. We believe the opportunity is there.

As experienced and full time professionals in todays market, wouldn't you want us to to help you answer these questions AND help you make the best choice possible?

For more tips and information, go to www.justnchomes.com

Thinking about relocating to the Raleigh North Carolina area? Iif you're here, want to know what size home you can get for the averge price?

Maybe you'd like to know how your current home compares to the average price home?

Based on the latest data as of April, 2008, the average sold price of a home in Apex, North Carolina is $252,000.

What type of home can you buy in Apex for that amount? We've run a search of the entire MLS and come up with 69 homes in this price range currently on the market!

Click here to see all homes that are available!

Although not all of these may be our listings, we'd be happy to answer any questions or show you one of these houses.

If you'd like to search for other homes, visit our website at www.justnchomes.com

Showcasing some of the most spectacular homes in the Triangle, Bella Casa features 28 premium lots. The community of Bella Casa features an all-star builder team that is widely known and in high demand throughout the Wake county area. To view all available homes in Bella Casa click here: Bella Casa Homes To schedule a private viewing of these, or any other home for sale in the Triangle area, please contact Craig & Linda.

Craig & Linda The Rutman Jandura Team Real Living Partners Realty 919-771-7779 www.justnchomes.com rjteam@gmail.com