Pat Hensley

I get a lot of requests to "show me something new and exciting for kitchens..." This can be a tough assignment. I agree, our kitchens are a lot of the same old thing....granite counters, large open room and monster cooktops.

Here are some design ideas to consider if you are updating your current home or getting ready to purchase a home that needs a kitchen makeover.

The Vintage look is making its way into Kitchen renovations. The vintage old world look adds fun and "that something different" to Luxury Upscale Kitchens.

Here are photos of kitchens that I like.

Ready to shop for a home that has a Grand Kitchen and some Style? Call us. We'd love to show you what the Cary and the Raleigh areas have to offer. Pat

919-832-2102 or 919-469-6530 Shop on-line www.4FreeList.com

New trends for Luxury Homes for Cary and Raleigh NC

An exciting trend that has been popping up in the Raleigh Housing area is Radiant heated Flooring. It's been popular in Europe and it's making way to our local market. I'm seeing heated floors mostly in bathrooms. As this trend catches on, you'll see it move to all rooms and to sidewalks...

It's installed under the floor for a nice even distribution of warmth. Radiant heat can go under tile, stone, laminate, and engineered wood floors in bathrooms, kitchens, and throughout your home. Builders tell me heated floors are fairly easy to put in at new construction but you can incorporate in it your renovation project to give you a little competitive edge if you are getting ready to sell in the near future.

I am told radiant heat will reduce heating costs over our commonly used forced air systems since you can zone each room independently. Forced air systems push air to the center of the room and up. Radiant heat starts at the floor and is spread evenly throughout the room...thereby reducing the amount of energy needed to heat a room.

NuHeat and SunTouch are a couple of well known and reputable radiant heat dealers in the Raleigh area. Plan on paying about $500 per sq ft... plus the cost of labor.

Radiant heat may be the next big trend to give Builders one more marketing hook to show how they are on the cutting edge for saving fuel and carbon emissions.

For more information, check out these local Radiant Heat contractors:

Dal Tile - Morrisville
400 Innovation Avenue, Woodlake Industrial Park - Suite 100, Morrisville, NC 27560
Phone: 919-544-1000

Puglisi Tile & Marble, Inc.
2853 Jones Franklin Road, Cary, NC 27518
Phone: 919-362-9483

Mosaic Tile
2641 Noblin Rd, Ste 100
Raleigh, NC, 27604

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Pat Hensley 919-832-2102 or 919-469-6530

Luxury Trends in Roofing

Metal Roofs have come a long way from their shed like roots. Watch for the next trend in roofing to start at the Luxury end of the Housing Market using recycled steel and metals. There are several companies now offering metal roofs with all of our favorite patterns and designs. I personally like the Roman Clay Tile look but the heavy weight and fragile durability make them a poor choice.

Now with light weight steel products we can get that Mediterranean look with stone covered steel tiles like you see in the photo. Additional good news... these new roofs come with a 50 year warranty, are light weight and are almost totally unbreakable. Take a look at MetroRoofs.com and FollansbeeRoofing.com has to offer.

Come back again to learn more about the Latest Luxury Trends.

Pat Hensley REMAX 919-469-6530 or 919-832-2102

Sign up for our VIP Buyer Service where you can get a Free customized List of Lastest Homes for Sale in the Raleigh/Cary areas complete with your specific criteria. When a new homes hits the market, we will send you an email with photos and addresses. Never miss that perfect home again! www.4FreeList.com

Luxury Kitchens and The Glass Counter Top

The next big thing in Kitchen remodeling may well be glass countertops. Right now in Raleigh the average home still has Granite counters and Stainless steel appliances in their new kitchens. In 2008 Home buyers are looking for something new and exciting to jazz up the kitchen. We are starting to see Appliances in retro colors like cobalt blue and deep shinny black.

Home owners and builders always are looking for glamorous but responsible ways to upscale their homes. Trust me here. Glass countertops, Glass backsplashes in kitchens and glass sinks are becoming more popular across the country. One big reason is because they are made of recycled glass...it's durable and comes in endless colors and designs.

E-mail me and I'll give you a list of trend setters in Raleigh that are already offering Glass counters and sinks.

The finished product can contain up to 80 or 90 percent recycled materials. It's durable to last a long time and the counter can be recycled again after use. The price is comparable to a granite installation.

A glass countertop is a solid surface that is as durable as stone but without being as porous as granite or marble. It won't require a sealant to be applied to prevent stains. The finished product can be cleaned with normal, everyday household cleaners.

Glass has a natural green tint color to it, but colors can be created with coatings on the underside of the counter, or colors can be added in the manufacturing process. Shattered glass can be laminated to the counter with flecks of colored glass giving the countertop unique colors and design patterns.

On top of health benefits of a non-porous surface, the glass countertop is also heat resistant. Most heavy glass can withstand temperatures of up to 700 degrees.

Suddenly my five year old granite counters are looking so old and dated. Now the hard part is how to break the news to my husband..."sweetheart... let me show you something you are going to just love..."

Pat Hensley 919-832-2102 www.4FreeList.com

800-860-3594

Home Sales Data for Raleigh Inside the Beltline for 2008

Inside the Beltline of Raleigh you will find Gracious Mansions along with mom and pop charming three bedroom one bath bungalows that may date back to the 1900's to 1950's. If you like an Urban lifestyle where you can bike or walk to restaurants, the theater, museums and parks, then yo will love living Inside the Raleigh Beltline. There has been recent controversy over removing older small homes and replacing them with large Grand Mansions. This is not something new. Most towns across the nation have experienced the same pattern.

The chart below is an overview of each price range that show the number of Homes currently for Sale and the number of Homes Sold in each price range. The Data was taken directly from our Local Triangle Area MLS.

Price Range (Single Family Detached) Total For Sale Total Sold Since 1/08

Under $200,000 5 18

$200,000 to $300,000 36 56

$300,000 to $400,000 50 42

$500,000 to $600,000 46 24

$600,000 to $700,000 32 18

$700,000 to $800,000 35 24

$800,000 to $900,000 30 18

$900,000 to $999,999 18 8

$1,000,000 to $1,500,000 35 12

$1501,000 to $2,000,000 17 9

$2,000,000 to $3,000,000 9 7

$3,001,000 plus 5 2

I hope you find this chart helpful. I feel the data tells us quite bit about our supply and demand. I'd love to share specific data on your favorite neighborhood. Call me and we can discuss the details that interest you most. 919-832-2102 ask for Pat

How much will your Home Sell for Today? www.Price4MyHome.com

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