SarahGray Lamm ~ Chapel Hill / Carrboro / Durham Real Estate Blog ~ Agent Outlier

Home For Sale ~ 101 Wild Oak Lane, Carrboro, NC 27510~ $449,900 in Bolin Forest

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:13:47 -0500

~101 Wild Oak Lane, Carrboro, NC 27510~
$449,900

Carrboro's Popular Bolin Forest Neighborhood
3 Bedrooms Upstairs plus Loft
Cedar Closet
Master Bedroom Suite has private access to Screened Porch
Main level has hardwood floors
Family Room has a stone hearth gas log fireplace and french door to Screened Porch
Spacious Kitchen with island open to Family Room
Half Bath and Laundry Room
Separate Dining Room
Architectural Detail
Truly Flexible Floorplan
Full, Finished Basement with 2 Exterior Entrances
Overlooks Bolin Creek
Two Car Garage

Video Tour and Clickable Floorplan Here or Below

Check out other Carrboro Properties between $425,000 and $475,000 by clicking here

It's Simple...When You Have A Great Agent!

SarahGray Lamm is a licensed, full time, residential real estate professional in the Raleigh Durham area of North Carolina with over 60,000 hours of experience. She specializes in serving the real estate needs of home sellers, home buyers and investors in Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Durham and Northern Chatham County and is proudly associated with Allen Tate Realtors, the Carolinas #1 independent realty company.

Use of content from the AgentOutlier blog without the express permission of the owner is a violation of federal copyright laws.

Disclaimer: Comments and contributions via ActiveRain.com (or other electronic or print media) do not establish an agency relationship with any third party. Blog posts are intended to be informational only. Please be advised that real estate practices vary by region, from state to state and from market to market. The information contained herein does not constitute legal advice. All parties in need of legal, accounting, tax, or real estate guidance are directed to consult with the licensed professional of their choice. Please seek specific guidance from a retained professional in the specific field(s) required to service your interests.

Home For Sale ~ 4 Banbury Lane, Chapel Hill, NC 27517~ $155,000 in Oxford Condos

Thu, 28 Apr 2011 17:12:26 -0400

~4 Banbury Lane, Chapel Hill, NC 27517~
$155,000

Privacy and Serenity in a small community
Townhome style, 2 story condo
Easy access to shopping
Large Living Room w/ bay window
Separate Formal Dining Room
2 spacious Bedrooms upstairs
Sun Room
Washer / Dryer
Mature, well maintained landscaping
Sidewalk from private parking

Video Tour and Clickable Floorplan Here or Below

Check out other available Chapel Hill / Carrboro Condos and Townhomes under $250000 by clicking here

It's Simple...When You Have A Great Agent!

Home For Sale ~ 305 Glade St. , Chapel Hill, NC 27516 ~ $359,000 in Southern Village ~ SOLD

Tue, 10 May 2011 17:14:16 -0400

~305 Glade St, Chapel Hill, NC 27516~
$359,000

Southern Village - Chapel Hill's Favorite Neo-Traditional Village
Gracious 3 Bedroom + 2.5 Bath Home
Covered Front Porch
Walk to Shopping and Entertainment
Kitchen with long Eating Bar overlooks Family Room
Separate Formal Dining Room
Breakfast Area
All Bedrooms and Laundry upstairs
Spacious Master with trey ceiling
Master Bath with separate shower and garden tub
Screened Porch
Multiple Outdoor Living Spaces
Fully Fenced Backyard on Level Lot
Detached 2 Car Garage

Video Tour and Clickable Floorplan Here or Below

Check out other available Southern Village homes from $350,000 to $550,000 by clicking here

It's Simple...When You Have A Great Agent!

Home For Sale ~ 2 Scottish Ln, Durham, NC 27707~ $155,000 in MacKenzie Place~

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:46:35 -0500

~2 Scottish Ln, Durham, NC 27707 in MacKenzie Place~
$155,000

Upscale Townhome in a small community
Easy Access to Shopping, Duke University & UNC
9' Ceilings and Fireplace
Large Eat In Kitchen with hardwood floor
2 Spacious Bedrooms Upstairs
Each Bedroom has a Private Full Bath
Living Room / Dining Room Combo
Utility Room Upstairs
Separate Guest Bath on Main Level
Two Parking Spaces Directly in Front
Deck Overlooking Green Space

Video Tour and Clickable Floorplan Here or Below

Check out other Durham Townhome / Condo properties by clicking here

It's Simple...When You Have A Great Agent!

SOLD ~ 427 Brookside Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27516~ $550,000 in University Heights

Sat, 30 Oct 2010 11:38:45 -0400

~ 427 Brookside Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27516 ~
$550,000

Chapel Hill's University Heights
Walking Distance to UNC Campus & Downtown Chapel Hill
Custom Designed Victorian
Built in 2000
Extra Deep 2 Car Garage
Beautifully Appointed One Bedroom Apartment w/ Exterior Entrance
Half Acre Private, Natural Setting
Three Bedrooms + Two Full and One Half Baths in Main Home
Large Covered Front Porch
Expansive Foyer
Spacious, Open Living Area
Separate Dining Room
Kitchen has Granite Counters, Stainless Appliances, Glass Front Cabinets & Butler's Pantry
Huge Second Floor Master Suite w/ Private Deck through French Doors
Second Floor Utility Room
Screened Porch Off Living Area
Hardwood Floors
9' Ceilings w/ Crown Molding w/ Rosette Corners

Video Tour and Clickable Floorplan Here or Below

Check out other Chapel Hill homes by clicking here

It's Simple...When You Have A Great Agent!

SOLD ~ 22 Scottish Lane, Durham, NC 27707~ $159,000 in MacKenzie Place

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 10:08:33 -0400

~22 Scottish Ln, Durham, NC 27707 in MacKenzie Place~
$159,000

Upscale Townhome in a small community
Easy Access to Shopping, Duke University & UNC
9' Ceilings and Fireplace
Large Eat In Kitchen with hardwood floor
2 Spacious Bedrooms Upstairs
Each Bedroom has a Private Full Bath
Living Room / Dining Room Combo
Washer / Dryer in Utility Room Upstairs
Separate Guest Bath on Main Level
Two Parking Spaces Directly in Front
Deck Overlooking Green Space

Video Tour and Clickable Floorplan Here or Below

Check out other Durham Townhome / Condo properties by clicking here

It's Simple...When You Have A Great Agent!

Home For Sale ~ 102 Millingport Circle , Chapel Hill, NC 27517 ~ $560000 in Meadowmont

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 12:19:44 -0400

~120 Millingport Circle, Chapel Hill, NC 27517~
$560,000

Beautiful Transitional Home on Cul de Sac with Covered Front Porch
Overlooks 70 Acre Town Park
5 Bedrooms / 4 Baths
Beautiful Hardwood Floors
Master Suite with Spa Bath
Spacious Family Room with direct vent fireplace
Large Eat In Kitchen has Breakfast Room and huge pantry
Granite Counters and Stainless Appliances
Formal Dining Room
Living Room with glass french doors perfect for Music Room or Office
Second Floor Utility Room with storage
Beautiful Screened Porch off Kitchen and Family Room
Partially Finished Daylight Basement with exterior access to Hot Tub Patio
Two Car Garage

Video Tour and Clickable Floorplan Here or Below

Check out other available Meadowmont Homes by clicking here

It's Simple...When You Have A Great Agent!

Home For Sale ~ 3309 Medford Rd, Durham, NC 27705~ $385,000 in Croasdaile ~ CLOSED

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 12:56:48 -0400

~3309 Medford Rd, Durham, NC 27705~
$385,000

Beautiful Golf Course Home
Spacious Ranch on 6th Fairway of Croasdaile Country Club
3 Bedrooms / 2.5 Baths
Master has door to private Deck
Gracious Living Room with fireplace and buit in bookcase
Kitchen and Breakfast Room with pantry and wet bar
Formal Dining Room accommodates large table
Den / Media Room with built in bookcase
Utility Room with storage
Beautiful Sun Room with access to private Deck
Two Car Garage with large Storage

Video Tour and Clickable Floorplan Here or Below

Check out other available Croasdaile Homes by clicking here

It's Simple...When You Have A Great Agent!

Mr. Buyer, I REALLY Don't NEED The Practice!

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 11:03:56 -0400

Dear Buyers,

I appreciate the many hours of effort you and your agent have put forth to negotiate your offer on my listing. I truly did not mind that I had to spend the first two days of my beach vacation inside on the phone and computer working out the finer points of a deal acceptable to both you and my clients. It was a pleasant back and forth and my sellers were happy to meet your terms and you got a great deal on a great property.

So here's the part that bugs me...YOU PULLED OUT OF THE DEAL this morning with nothing by way of an explanation except we changed our minds...

Your agent is embarrassed, my seller is very disappointed and I have lost two days of my much needed vacation.

I wish I could say this was the first time this has happened this year but it seems to be becoming the norm. Did you just think it would be fun to see if you could negotiate a real estate purchase contract? Were you bored this weekend?

Your agent and I DO NOT need the practice! We are very good at what we do and we represent our clients with integrity and skill. We worked hard for you. We are used to taking care of the myriad details that need to be managed in order to get you to your stated goal...that of homeownership...with no compensation until the date of closing. So were you simply kidding when you said you wanted to buy a house?

I'd love to understand what was going on in your mind during what turned out to be nothing more than an exercise for you. But more than that I'd love for you to understand that there are real PEOPLE involved in this process. People who trusted you when you said you wanted to buy, people who dropped everything to make it happen on your schedule, people who began making plans to accomodate your desires.

I wish I could say I was furious about this but I've reached the point where this has happened so often lately that I have no emotion about it when the call comes in except sympathy and regret for my client who was so happy just 12 hours ago and empathy for your agent who felt compelled to assure me that he didn't see this coming and would never have let it happen if he had had a clue you weren't committed to buying.

I think I will go stare at the ocean now. There was a reason I needed a vacation and you have simply reminded me, yet again, what it was.

It's Simple...When You Have A Great Agent!

Estate Sale and Administration Survival Guide

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 11:28:45 -0400

Having just finished the daunting task of closing my parents estate for my sisters and me, I can fully appreciate the stress involved in this process! Rachel Rabinowitz, a Baltimore real estate colleague describes beautifully the things one should consider when faced with being the executor of the estate of a loved one in her article below.

I am currently representing a family in an estate sale and find my own experience with being an executrix to be invaluable with helping this client. Rachel's guide is indespensible and a great place to start your process!

Via Rachel Rabinowitz (Tranzon Fox ):

The administration of an estate can be a difficult assignment, especially if the loss was sudden or unexpected. I learned this first hand a few years ago. Working in the auction industry, I've worked with families on a number of estate accounts over the years. Here is some insight I've learned from the field.

Estate sales are never "just business" they're always personal. If you are appointed as the executor or personal representative to administer an estate, I strongly recommend hiring an experienced estate attorney. Personally, I interviewed several before finding someone that was right for the assignment. For me, it was someone who had a mid-size practice and a lot of experience. You will also likely need an estate accountant, I was lucky to find an attorney that was also a CPA.

I am going to skip a few steps and move on to the management of the estate assets which will likely include personal property and real estate. The steps I am skipping include issuing a "notice to creditors" in local newspapers and dealing with the ocean of grief that can engulf you during the first 30 days.

The personal property and the real property in the estate will need to be appraised. Typically they are given a "d.o.d" (date of death) evaluation, meaning the tax burden is assessed based on the appraised value of the assets on the date of death, even if you are having the appraisal done six months later. This can be tricky for determining the value of real estate in a declining market. An option you may have if the market has truly changed is to pursue an alternative valuation for the purposes of lowering your tax burden.

Once you have the assets identified and appraised you will be responsible for their distribution to the named beneficiaries according to the terms of the will. If you are instructed or elect to sell some of the assets in the estate, a qualified estate auction specialist can help expedite the process.

There are no shortage of ways to sell the personal property. My experience is that it is best to have a well developed plan. Begin with charitable donations. If the object holds no personal appeal, and it will not enhance the sale of the real estate, consider a charitable donation. Clothing is a good example. Some people form an equal amount of attachment to every item in the estate, so much so that they may have an inability to move forward. I've seen this more often than not, and this leads to a lot of heated discussions between family members. My advice is to try and remember that not everything in an estate is a meaningful object. Focus on the items that are a true reminder of your loved one, and let the generic items go.

Next, focus on the personal items including photographs and family documents. I found it was good to do this in waves. First thing, gather all the material. I chose to store it in a storage unit because I wasn't ready to deal with it. Knowing it is safe and secure can eleviate stress. Once you are ready to deal with this material, you are probably going to need a shredder. I spent a full work week reviewing documents and shredding non-essential documents like old telephone bills and bank statements. This task can pull on your heartstrings, as you may feel connected to the person by reading these old documents. Ultimately, it feels better to complete the task. Remind yourself that getting rid of document clutter does not mean in anyway that you are doing less to honor your loved ones memory.

Finally move on to the personal property that does matter. This can include family heirlooms such as works of art, china, oriental rugs and stamp collections. Get these items evaluated by a personal property auctioneer. They will offer you a complimentary consultation to let you know what they are worth in the market. You may want to consult more than one auctioneer to ensure that you've got an accurate analysis. Some items may appeal to a very specialized market, (such as civil war era firearms ) in the case of these specialized items, be sure you are working with an auctioneer that has experience selling them. I don't believe in the one-size-fits-all approach to handling estate property. Sell the right things with the right people - you are only going to sell them once. You may send stamps and coins to a specialist auctioneer at one firm, and the estate jewelry to a specialist at another.

The furniture market has been depressed for the last several years, apart from the truly exceptional material. Most of the time it no longer makes sense to pay the expense of moving the furniture to another location to sell it. Your best bet in this case is probably to have an "Estate Sale" at the property.

The estate sale can be an ideal way to promote both the personal property and the real estate concurrently. This can be done by offering the property for sale with fixed prices or by having a walk-around auction with a qualified auctioneer. Make sure you let buyers know that they need to be prepared to remove items the same day - otherwise you'll find yourself in the storage business. Consider having some items labeled "free" these are items that really don't have a monetary value. What you are really doing with this strategy is ensuring that the house gets cleaned out quickly. You'd be surprised what people will take if it is labeled "free" - this is especially good for broken furniture and odds and ends.

Once the personal property has been handled you are ready to sell the real estate. This can be done with an experienced agent, one who you trust to communicate with everyone in the transaction. Resist the urge to hire a family member that is an agent. I know that a lot of you may disagree with this point. You may find that the neutrality of an independent professional is a benefit to your peace of mind. Don't hire the agent with the lowest commission, hire the agent that is the best listener.

Consider selling the real estate through the auction method of sale. Estate sales are an excellent scenario for an auction, particularly if you are time sensitive and need to sell the property during the probate period before you can close the estate. Estate auctions will deliver you a contingency-free "as-is" contract so you can move through the transaction quickly without a lot of hiccups or stressful negotiations. If the property "needs some work" an auctioneer will be better at attracting an audience of investor-type buyers to compete with the end users. A good option is to have your preferred real estate agent work in collaboration with an auctioneer. The auction firm will compensate your agent directly for their assistance with the transaction.

Keep in mind, it is stressful to sell estate assets. Your family may have owned the property for years, and the financial output can seem low compared to your emotional attachment. You may be selling the assets to pay debts, and that it not only time consuming, it is flatly depressing.

Working in estate auctions, I've seen it all. I've seen lots of family disagreements, and I've seen tears. I've also seen the sense of relief that my clients get from finishing the task at hand and knowing that they worked with a qualified professional who is sensitive to their needs. Once you are done with the estate business, you are better able to move on to the important task of remembering all the good (hopefully) memories. This gets easier over time. Estate sales are never "just business" they're always personal.

Rachel Rabinowitz, GRI

TRANZON | FOX

Office: 888-621-2110
Cell: 443-841-5916
Fax: 703-539-8633
email: rrabinowitz@tranzon.com

It's Simple...When You Have A Great Agent!

Home For Sale ~ 205 Forest Court, Carrboro, NC 27510~ $168,000 in Bolin Forest ~ SOLD

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 14:04:09 -0400

~205 Forest Ct, Carrboro, NC 27510~
$168,000

Updated Townhome in Quiet Bolin Forest Community
Just 28 Homes in Forest Court
Walk to Weaver St Market / Carrboro Farmers Market / Bolin Creek Greenway
Two Large Upstairs Bedrooms
Eat In Kitchen with Bay Window
Bamboo Floors on Main Level
Living Room / Dining Room Combo
Woodburning Fireplace
Washer / Dryer located in Second Floor Utility Closet
Separate Guest Bath on Main Level
Deck overlooks green space
Near Bus line to Chapel Hill and UNC Campus

Video Tour and Clickable Floorplan Here or Below

Check out other Chapel Hill / Carrboro Townhomes and Condo properties under $250,000 by clicking here

It's Simple...When You Have A Great Agent!

Some May See A Sign In An Impending Disaster But It Won't Be Mine

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 16:42:57 -0400

I spent the morning checking on all my listings and replanting For Sale signs in their front yards. Since we managed to dodge the bullet that was Hurricane Irene by mere miles I didn't expect to find any terrible damage to the properties I represent in Chapel Hill, Durham and Carrboro. Other than the expected debris, all were safe and sound.

It isn't always that way. Those of us who have lived our entire lives in North Carolina understand that hurricanes are capricious and preparing for them is not optional. We know that these “weather events” can strengthen, subside, change direction or fall apart in short order. So we gather deck furniture, secure loose objects, trim loose limbs, and whatever else we can think of to secure our homes from avoidable damage.

As a professional Realtor I have more than just my personal home to worry about. I speak with my clients, particularly if they have not lived here during a previous storm preparation. I drop by each listing and secure my real estate sign in the garage or other area where it cannot become a projectile. I always cringe when I see pictures of a hurricanes' aftermath showing mangled real estate signs embedded in trees or a roof. My signs will never be in those pictures.

This time, we were not in the hurricanes' direct path. I was happy to spend my morning replanting For Sale signs and reporting the lack of damage to sellers who were not here to check their properties themselves. Real estate professionals are not just “fair weather” friends.

As a meteorologist said on television this morning, science has gotten good at predicting when a hurricane will pass over New York City but still isn't very good at predicting what condition the hurricane will be in when it arrives. That is exactly why we in the hurricane zone prepare for them and why we always will.We were some of the lucky ones this time. Our hearts are with those who weren't so lucky.

It's Simple...When You Have A Great Agent!

I Got My First Earthquake Inspection!

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 06:38:16 -0400

I wasn't in Chapel Hill, NC for the earthquake excitement but I know many of my friends, co-workers and clients felt it! Our experience of the event may not have been exactly like that of the folks near the epicenter but Jay Markanich, a Virginia colleague who is a knowledgable home inspector, was called into action to check out the homes of some of his clients who were getting ready to go to closing!

He outlines here what he would look for in such an inspection and it occurs to me that any of you who are just interested in being certain all is well with your home might want to check it out! Thanks Jay!

Via Jay Markanich - Virginia Home Inspector (Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC):

Interestingly, within an hour of the earthquake my phone began ringing! People with questions about what to do and what to look for around their houses.

I had to admit to them that I have never done this before, but I visualized my house and checked off a verbal list for people to follow.

When the earthquake hit I was home in "my" chair. The house shook sideways and up and down! It was strong enough to knock books and things off the shelves in my office! The dog ran into the room and jumped in my lap! It really scared her.

Immediately I walked around my house to check it out. My neighbor was in her yard and said pictures had actually fallen off their walls.

The epicenter is said to have been 3.7 miles deep and 70 miles away in Mineral, VA. It reached 5.9 on the Richter Scale. And I have never experienced anything like it!

One client, for whom I had done an inspection a couple of months ago, called and wants an immediate inspection on the house.

Why?

Because they are settling Friday afternoon and want to make sure it is still in good shape! So I'll swing by late Thursday.

What will I check for (having no experience at this you understand)?

> The grounds to see if any new openings or sink holes have developed.
> Smell the gas meter to see if there is any odor.
> The exterior skin of the house for openings or abnormalities.
> Cracked windows.
> Any roof abnormalities.
> Chimney cracking or movement.
> Damage to the AC condensers or their connections.
> Indoor abnormalities to the walls, ceilings, floors and coverings. Any cracking in the slab.
> Inside the attic looking for cracking or separation of roof trusses, sheathing and structure.
> Movement of or cracking of the fireplace, inside and out.
> Damage to or separation of HVAC ducts in the walls and at the unit.
> Any gas odor near the furnace and water heater.
> Check kitchen and bath cabinetry for movement, cracking, separation from the wall.

Of course this is a visual look around. That's the list off the top of my head. And that's what I looked for at my house when I did my sweep. When I arrive for my inspection other things might impress me to look at. It depends on the house!

And my dog is still following me all over OUR house! She is making sure daddy is right nearby in case this thing happens again!

Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC

Based in Bristow, serving all of Northern Virginia

www.jaymarinspect.com

It's Simple...When You Have A Great Agent!

Home For Sale ~ 119 Brookberry , Chapel Hill, NC 27517 ~ $125,000 in Finley Forest ~ SOLD

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 12:31:17 -0400

~119 Brookberry, Chapel Hill, NC 27517~
$125,000

Classic Finley Forest Condo
Pool and Tennis in Community
2 Bedrooms each with private Bath and private balcony
Large LR / DR combo
Full Kitchen
Living Room / Dining Room has raised hearth fireplace
Utility closet w/ Washer and Dryer
Large Deck is fully fenced
On Bus Line - Easy Access to UNC Campus and I40

Video Tour and Clickable Floorplan Here or Below

Check out other available Chapel Hill condos and town homes under $150000 by clicking here

It's Simple...When You Have A Great Agent!

Selling Your Parents' Home

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 10:46:10 -0400

Selling a home can be a stressful experience, and even more so when the home is the one you grew up in! I know; my sisters and I just did it this year. After losing our father almost two years ago, we were faced with dividing generations worth of personal property, cleaning out a half century of detritus and maintaining an empty home until it could be sold. Exhausting, physically and emotionally, doesn’t begin to cover it.

My folks were fortunate enough not to have had to leave their home and enter assisted living or live with family. My sisters and I were able to take some time to accomplish the overwhelming task of closing up and selling their home. This was hard enough. Sometimes this isn’t possible and Baby Boomers find themselves tasked with not only caring for ill or aging parents but simultaneously cleaning out and selling their home in order to financially care for them.

Transitioning a parent to an assisted living facility or nursing home is not only emotional for both parent and child but there are legal, financial and logistical issues which must be considered. In North Carolina, as in most states, an individual must be mentally competent to sign a listing agreement in order to sell a home or to designate a financial power of attorney to allow someone else, usually a family member, to sell it on their behalf. Before this situation arises it is highly advisable for parents, actually all adults with real property, to have a will and a designated power of attorney allowing someone of their choosing to oversee their financial affairs if they become unable to do so. A financial power of attorney allows a home to be sold immediately to help pay medical or facility expenses.

In order to avoid frustration when the time comes to sell a home for an elderly parent preparation before the event is crucial. Do you know where to locate all legal documents and important papers? If the home is not paid for, where are the mortgage documents and is the mortgage current? Is the insurance up-to-date? Are homeowner’s dues up to date? Where is the deed? What about the contents of the home? All of these items need to be addressed before a home can be sold.

As your Allen Tate Realtor, I can advise you about price, marketing and improvements needed to sell the home for a fair price in a reasonable time frame. I can also offer resources for estate sales, cleaning, repairs and staging. If your parents’ home is in another city I will be happy to help you select a professional who is able to assist you in accomplishing the sale in a timely and efficient manner.

Finally, I highly recommend that you consult with an elder care attorney to advise you about the financial and tax consequences of the sale of your parents’ home while they are living and how it can potentially affect financing of long-term care.

I’m ready to help you during this tough time, as your Realtor and as someone who has been there. Just give me a call. We’ll take it a step at the time and make this tough time as smooth as possible.

It's Simple...When You Have A Great Agent!