Why Choose Me?

22 Homes Sold In Lochside!

Not to brag or anything, but in looking back on numbers, I found 22 homes alone that I've sold in Lochside (my own awesome neighborhood)! I've been a little astonished lately to see a few other flashy signs (no offense to another company) end up in front of friendly neighbors' homes. 

Honestly I think the numbers speak for themselves so why choose another agent? Maybe you just need reminding on why it is SO important to use the most fabulous, get it done, friendly neighborhood realtor to get your home sold. So here go my 22 reasons why you should choose me to sell your home, inspired by the many neighbors I've managed to kick out of Lochside (ok help them move).

1. I'm your neighbor and you love me. :)
2. Your home's value has a direct affect on my home's value. So let's get a high price for your home!
3. Your brochure box is within walking distance of my home. I can refill it on the way in.
4. Your home is within walking distance of my home. I can help you pick up before a showing, turn the lights off, set the alarm, and lock the doors after a showing, and check on your home while you are out of town.
5. Buyers ask and I tell the many great things about living in our community
6. I can easily arrange a viewing of the pool and club house for potential buyers.
7. I have served on the HOA Board several years and can provide history and insight into the happenings in the community.
8. You may see me running up to the tobacco trail or walking around the block with my kids. I can answer (and have done so) the questions potential buyers have when they drive through Lochside.
9. I have eaten at the Williams Gourmet Kitchen up the road and can vouch for its yumminess factor.
10. There are 4 grocery stores within driving distance, 2 Targets and a Walmart. I can easily map out the quickest grocery store trip from our community.
11. I can tell buyers from first-hand experience that is it roughly 11 minutes to Duke Hospital and 20 minutes to UNC Hospital from Lochside.
12. I drove through the empty dirt roads of Lochside before my home was built to see it come to life. I watched many of your homes being built from the studs too.
13. You won't see me out at the pool much in the summertime, because I am busy bringing potential buyers to Lochside.
14. I have sold your floor plan before and can easily highlight the benefits. In fact, I own the Westbury floor plan. 
15. I have recently joined the most technology forward company in the area. Technology sells homes.
16. My recent video training experience (ok little use with iMovie) allows me to get footage of your home for my blog.
17. You get a personal Web site set up specifically for your home.
18. The sign rider on top of your for sale sign has a QR code that directs buyers to the site.
19. I use a professional photographer that shoots amazing photos and puts them in a virtual tour for buyers to view.
20. Your home is advertised as an enhanced listing on realtor.com.
21. A licensed appraiser will come out and measure your home and provide a CAD floor plan for use.
22. I almost forgot, I do a yearly Broker's Luncheon up at the club house in March before Match Day. It's not too late to put your home up for sale with me, and have it available to other awesome agents in the area. Luncheon is March 12. You still have time. :)

Note: I'm still learning this whole blog formatting thing. The photos below are in no particular order and I apologize for the spotty formatting. 

3529 Sugar Tree Place

3521 Sugar Tree Place

3557 Sugar Tree Place

3565 Sugar Tree Place

3549 Sugar Tree Place

3570 Sugar Tree Place

3608 Sugar Tree Place

3581 Sugar Tree Place

3553 Sugar Tree Place

3587 Sugar Tree Place

3311 Silver Star Drive

5114 Paperbark Court

912 Odyssey Drive

3307 Silver Star Drive

5112 Paperbark Court

5105 Paperbark Court

3564 Sugar Tree Place

3607 Ranbir Drive

3220 Ranbir Drive

5106 Paperbark Court

904 Odyssey Drive

3314 Silver Star Drive

Sometimes Simple is Better

When Signs Sell The Wrong Things

You've seen them. They are in most every neighborhood. They stand tall and cocky, yet don't do their job. What are they? Signs! Not any old signs... For Sale signs!

The post came about when my husband commented on 2 recent for sale signs in my neighborhood and how overpowering they were. He said you have this huge sign of an agent's face, and one agent in particular holding a house in her hands. When you drive by, that's all you see... the agent, not the house.

Our job in this business is to highlight the beauty of the homes we sell, both inside and out. A tacky and large sign with the sole purpose of selling the agent and company does nothing for the seller. And who do I work for? The seller. Who has put their huge trust in me to sell their home? The seller. I work for the seller. It's not about me or Go Realty. It's about the home for sale and what makes that home special. I'm glad Go Realty uses for sale signs that are sharp and simple. I'm proud to have my name on their signs and their signs in front of my sellers' homes. Instead of faces, we use sign riders that direct potential buyers to a personal Web site for the home.

Thanks, hubby, for pointing that one out. I think I'll point this out to the next sellers I meet when showing them how I will highlight their home. 

It's Time To Enroll In Kindergarten!!

It's That Time.....Kindergarten is Coming!

It's almost unbelievable, my little guy will be finishing up preschool in a few months and taking on a big adventure in Kindergarten. Am I ready? Yes and NO!

It snuck up on so many of us. In fact, Durham's application period for Magnet schools ends tomorrow (Wednesday) at noon. If you are a fellow parent of a soon to be Kindergartener, you may want to listen up!

If you're considering application to a magnet school, visit the following Web site to apply:

http://magnet.dpsnc.net/to-apply/first-lottery

There is the basic consideration of traditional vs. year-round calendar schools. Peasontown Elementary is a school we happened to apply for. However, there is also Easley Elementary.

If a more traditional calendar is your thing, you may consider one of Durham's options of humanities or science and technology.

It's all about choices. Durham has many great traditional base schools in our district. But it's always great to have extra options. If you dig even deeper, you'll find several Charter Schools in the area as well. These schools are supported by the state but run privately. You will likely see uniforms on the kids at many of these schools. A few charter schools in the area of mention are: Kestrel Heights, Voyager Academy, Orange Charter, Woods Charter, Research Triangle Academy and more. Each of these schools has their own Web sites, application guidelines and deadlines.

I imagine winning the school lottery is a lot like winning the Educational Lottery. You may not win millions, but you'll win a strong education for your little one. So review your options and make a choice!

A Community to Call Home

My Neighborhood Rocks... No, Seriously

Ok, ok. Most people have a little pride for the place they call home. But most people don't shout it from the rooftops when they do. See, I'm lucky because in my business, it is my business to shout it from the rooftops. So today's focus is on a neat little (ok 185-home) neighborhood tucked away in SW Durham close to everything!

Lochside community is made up of 103 single family homes and 82 town homes, and features a swimming pool and club house center available for event rentals. Now that I have two boys, the pool has become a summer time must have and the perfect setting for meeting new neighbors.

In addition to sidewalks throughout the towns and singles, Lochside sits incredibly close to the American Tobacco Trail. As you know, this trail is perhaps the most favored trail in Durham and the surrounding areas. In fact, I can run or bike to it easily from my home. And the boys love riding in the trailer hitch behind my hubby's bike up to Solite Park (just across Fayetteville Road). 

Now that my oldest will be attending Kindergarten later this year, should he be matched at a school neighboring Lochside, he could one day walk home from school. Or I might just walk over to pick him up.

Over the years we've lived in Lochside, we've attended several block parties, I've served on the HOA Board and I've enjoyed going out for ladies' night with some of the neighborhood moms. Friendly doesn't begin to describe the atmosphere around here.

If you're fortunate enough to live in a Lochside town home, you may have lake views from your back windows or an open green space to throw frisbee or walk your dogs. 

When I get the itch to shop, I'm minutes from Streets at Southpoint Mall, two Targets, a Wal-Mart, Lowe's Home Improvement, two Krogers, a Harris Teeter and a Food Lion. There are three gas stations within a mile of my home when I need to fuel up. And when I want to venture out for dinner instead of cooking at home, I have my choices of Little Ceaser's Pizza, Wendy's, Bojangles, McDonald's, Captain D,s, KFC and more. Since I don't do fast food much anymore, I can head over to Williams Grill on Hwy 54, Which Wich, Orient Garden or Char-Grill.

If I need to get to the airport (only 15 minutes away) or to down town Durham (via the Durham Freeway and only 12 minutes away) I don't have far to go.

On a final note, my kids have made friends with some of the neighbors' kids and I have had the pleasure of selling 20+ neighbors' homes in the community. What a community to call home. I think I'll stay here for a long while.

Zumbathon Charity Event This Saturday 

at the Haw River Ballroom! 

It's exercise in disguise. Expect to burn 1,000 to 1,500 calories easily at this latin inspired dance event. There will be 5 instructors with different styles of moves leading a fun filled workout! Visit this Facebook link for more details or contact me at andrea@gorealty.biz.

Zumbathon Charity Event on FB

Prepare Now For Spring Market:

Don't Be Left Behind!

Friday, March 15 is Match Day! What? What is Match Day? That's when all of the medical residency programs announce those who they have selected (AKA "matched up") to join their medical programs.

Now that the local market is heating back up for the first time since the economic slump, future doctors are becoming more certain they will purchase homes again over renting. And the Triangle is a key area future doctors buy homes. Look around... there are several large universities with impressive medical programs. Not to mention, this is a FABULOUS place to live!

Why does this matter for this post? Well, that means sellers have 1 month and 2 days to get their homes ready for sale!! Future MDs begin the search the minute they know they will be moving to the Triangle. In fact, many of them look ahead of the Match Day schedule. Don't wait..... pick up the phone and get that sign in the yard and those pictures on www.gorealty.biz. In fact, act now to get your own personal Web site for your home!

After that first important step, there are a few key things you can do to prepare for the market. 

• Spend as little money as possible on things that can make a huge impact to the buyer. Perhaps a new shower curtain or comforter can spruce up rooms with little or no color. You don't need a paint job to bring color to a room. Throw rugs also bring life to any room and are great on hardwood floors!
• Completely clear all kitchen and bathroom counters. Now, bring back in a few items to make the home feel like home. One kitchen appliance, recipe book and spice rack can spruce up any kitchen. Candles and clear q-tip and cotton ball holders, with nicely folding hand and bath towels make any bathroom feel like a bed and breakfast.
• De-clutter! No one wants to hear it. Trust me, I've been there, done that. I sold my own personal home in 2001. Clean that place up! You want buyers to visually move themselves in.
• Repaint dingy or soiled walls with a warm, neutral color. Avoid repainting with "builder's beige". Instead use a light beige, tan or brown. 
• Repair any cracks or damage to the drywall and caulked areas in your home.
• Check for any leaks, dampness or causes for concern, such as cracks in the foundation, and have these areas reviewed by a licensed home inspector prior to putting your home on the market.
• Improve curb appeal. Keep lawns neatly manicured, edged, trimmed and weeded. Also prune trees and replant flowers as needed. And don't forget your mulch beds. 
• Clean out your gutters. This will help reduce standing water in your lawn.
• Pull together any neighborhood newsletters, average utility bills, surveys, floor plans or neighborhood trail maps. Buyers want to know all the benefits of living in your home and neighborhood.
• Write a personal letter for potential buyers. Tell them the little "extras" that wouldn't fit in the MLS description. What was it about your home that made it special for you? Was it that you could walk to Bandido's or that you could run over to the American Tobacco Trail? Buyers want to know.

Please don't wait. You may think, "I'll wait a week, or two, or a month". Buyers are looking now. It is warming up and your house should be the one they choose!

Go Raleigh! Places for bicyclists to park their bikes!

More Parking for Raleigh Cyclists

What Is This Blog All About Anyway and 

What The Heck Is Go90x?

Yes, I know you're wondering why another blog when I already have the Zumba blog... You're not? Well, I'll tell you anyways.

I recently joined Go Realty, or they joined me, rather, in my mission to help more people effectively through the process of moving. Basically I help people buy and sell homes..... but I wanted to offer more resources to my clients.

In joining Go Realty, I vowed to do many things for you, one of those being to dedicate a blog to something that I thought you might be interested in, with real estate related posts as well.

Thinking through how to filter all of my interests into one relevant blog, I decided to bring a focus of health and wellness to Durham. My passion as of late is Zumba, but my deep down passion is to help my family and others become healthier through exercise and nutrition.

Sidebar: I am not a nutritionist or doctor, rather a realtor with a heck of a lot to say... You're not shocked... right?

I hear blog posts are supposed to be short so people will read them.... blah blah blah. Since I know it's true... below is today's first post to my new blog Shake It Up Durham...

I Really Just Wanted To Earn An iPad So.....

My initial reason for doing Go90x was to earn an IPad, which I will certainly appreciate and use. But, what I am gaining that's more valuable, is keeping in closer contact with friends and clients. Also, I'm looking forward to giving you the resources you seek in all areas of interest to you. 

If you haven't already done so, connect with me on Linked In and you'll get daily information (often home related) from me. 

Also, please subscribe to this blog! 

I'll be posting homes for sale here, as well as information on health and wellness. I know I love living close to, and using, the American Tobacco Trail. I have buyers who look for homes close to walking and biking trails and greenways. I'll have posts on these to help you and friends in their searches.

Throughout the rest of February, anticipate phone calls, texts, emails or Facebook posts from me. Just know you'll help me earn that iPad, but even more, you'll be helping me to stay in close touch with you and invested in your lives.

This is Owen as a little guy out for a ride on the trail!

Ok...... this post wasn't meant to go sappy. So.... let's Shake It Up Durham!