Our Schools Need Us!

Fuquay-Varina Bengal Proud!

I was recently asked to speak to a group of local Fuquay-Varina Middle and High School students as a business owner in the community.  I wanted to share my experiences, in hopes that more business members in our community would be inspired to volunteer. Each activity took me less than an hour.  I know that hour could lead to a big impact on these young adults as they begin to think about their future. As always, I know I got more out of it than they did! My friend, colleague, and educator, Mr. Rodney Jenkins, is the Career and Technical Education Coordinator for Fuquay-Varina Middle School. He recently approached me and asked if I would speak to his entrepreneurial class.  My topics included: why I started my own business, what’s involved with owning my own business, the hardest part, the easiest part and more.  I brought along my company’s advertising goodies like stadium cups and pens, and tossed some candy to the students that participated.  The students had awesome questions and provoked my own thoughts on why I do this. I was overjoyed to hear the students decided they are going to arrange a “field trip” to visit our office sometime soon.  I can’t wait to see them again! There are so many opportunities to get involved with students in Fuquay-Varina. I was also asked to address the first Fuquay-Varina Youth Leadership Group conference. This initiative is the first of its kind for Fuquay-Varina and the students selected to participate. I was asked to speak about Front Porch Realty’s application process and how I determine good candidates for our firm.

Laura Moody recently addressing both students and staff.

These bright, energetic high-schoolers had so many great questions for me!  They are eager to learn how to make a difference in our town and they are striving for greatness.  I commend the staff of Fuquay-Varina High school for working so diligently to start this leadership program and make a difference in these student’s lives. Imagine all the lucky businesses that get to hire these young folks someday! If you are interested in helping any of our community schools in ANY way please contact our office or join the FV Business Alliance. Our next meeting is coming up soon!

Seller’s Market: Inventory still low across the Triangle

FRONT PORCH REALTY has exciting news; we are the #1 LOCAL Independent Real Estate firm in southwestern Wake County! See our 3rd quarter local real estate market snapshot . It is no surprise that we are still in a seller’s market; inventory is still extremely low across the Triangle.  Know that in this competitive market, Front Porch Realty brokers are equipped with professionalism and the expertise to help both our seller and buyer clients navigate multiple offer situations.  If we can be of any assistance to you or someone you know, rest assured they will be extremely satisfied. Please watch our website, Facebook, and Instagram for all housing, and other local news around town and to see our new listings as soon as they hit the market. If you would rather receive this report either by email or snail mail please contact Laura .

Inventory is low, it’s a great time to sell.

Happy fall! Laura Moody Broker/Owner Front Porch Realty   www.FrontPorchRealtyNC.com

The Importance Of Homeowners Insurance

STATE FARM HOMEOWNERS PROTECTION FOR YOUR HOME, YOUR PROPERTY, YOURSELF.

  Front Porch Realty recently sat down and spoke with Corey Mullen, at Clay Hamilton’s State Farm Insurance in Fuquay Varina, about the importance of having homeowners insurance and how it works. Your home is your refuge after a long day of work. It’s the hub of everything that really matters, where you can relax with your family. So you shouldn’t trust just any company to protect it. You should go with an insurer with the financial strength to cover a wide variety of losses, trusted by more homeowners than any other insurer. That’s State Farm®. When the unexpected hits home, a good neighbor can help. Continue reading

And the Agent of the month is….

Congratulations to Teresa Ennis, Front Porch Realty’s Agent of the Month – July 2017

Teresa has been a Triangle real estate agent for more than 30 years!  She delivers top notch professionalism and service to all of her clients, 100% of the time and this is evident with her booming referral business. 

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Quarterly snapshot shows Triangle shortage!

Real Estate Market Update Here is Front Porch Realty’s quarterly local real estate market snapshot.   Mortgage interest rates and Triangle demographics are still causing a major shortage of homes in the Triangle as well as our end of the county.  Sales prices are up a healthy 6-7 % across the Triangle with our average sales price about $300,000 and average days on market 36 days.  We are still experiencing frustrated buyers in the under $300,000 price range at our end of the county with days on market being reported in hours, not days. Check out our 2nd quarter numbers here:  2nd Quarter 2017  Continue reading

What It Means To Bank Local

What It Means to Bank Local We chatted with Janice Durham, VP, Branch Manager of the Fuquay-Varina First Bank location, about what it means to bank locally and keep your dollars not only in state but right in your own hometown. Banking local and shopping local share the same goal: to ensure your dollars have the largest impact on your community. Reports show that of every $100 spent at locally owned businesses, $68 goes straight bank into the community (compared to $43 when shopping at a large chain). Similarly, by choosing a local bank over a large, national bank means that your dollars stay here for investment in small business development; in the organizations that lend and provide services to your friends, family, or neighbors; and in the community itself. What Makes a Community Bank Different? Continue reading

Where To See Independence Day Fireworks!

Come on out and celebrate Independence Day!

There are several locations locally that will be having Independence Day Celebrations with fireworks. Be sure to check out the Dates, Times and Info below.  

July 3

Fuquay-Varina – Gates to South Park open at 6 p.m. and a free concert featuring Spare Change begins at 7. There will be fireworks, inflatables and food vendors. Bring a blanket or chair to watch the fireworks. Alcohol is prohibited. Info: bit.ly/2rTCVl. Garner – Featuring performances by the NC Symphony and Bull City Syndicate, the celebrations kick off at 5 p.m. at Lake Benson Park (921 Buffaloe Road). The evening will end with fireworks. There will be concessions provided by local non-profit organizations, as well as crafts and inflatables for children. Alcohol and glass containers are prohibited. Info: bit.ly/2rTO7hJ.

July 4

Apex – The annual Olde Fashioned Fourth of July runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a Parade of Wheels at noon, which children 12 and under can take part in. Other activities will include inflatables, karaoke, face painting and sno cones. Pets are not allowed. Info: apexnc.org/532/Olde-Fashioned-Fourth-of-July. Benson ––Benson’s July 4th Celebration takes place at Benson Singing Grove (400 E. Main St.) from 5:30-9:30 p.m. They’ll have food, games, entertainment, and live music, raffle and fireworks. Info: 919-894-5117. Cary – From 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., the town of Cary will be having its Fourth of July celebration in Koka Booth Amphitheatre. There will be watermelon eating contests, a ferris wheel, a scavenger hunt and music provided by the NC Symphony and the Cary Town Band. Fireworks will start after the NC Symphony’s 7:30 p.m. performance concludes. The event is free, save for some of the amusement rides and 4-seat pub tables. Pets, hula hoops and weapons are prohibited. Info: boothamphitheatre.com. Clayton – Catch food vendors, raffles, basketball competitions, cornhole and inflatables at Municipal Park (325 McCullers Drive) starting at 4 p.m. Fireworks will start after dark. Live music, inflatables and rides will continue running after the fireworks are over to provide an alternative to sitting in traffic. Info: bit.ly/2tbFC5n. Lillington – The fun will begin on Tuesday, July 4th, at the river (beside Howard’s BBQ 100 Main St., Lillington, NC) from 2-6 p.m. We will have a DJ, food and drink, inflatable water slides, our second annual duck rodeo, and our annual duck derby. The fun will continue at Lillington Park (Lillington Ball Fields 405 S. 1st St., Lillington, NC) from 5-9 p.m. with a DJ, food and drink, and much more. Our annual fireworks display will begin at dusk. Info: http://tinyurl.com/yb8ophcu

July 5

Holly Springs – From 5 to 9:30 p.m. at Jefferson L. Sugg Farm at Bass Lake Park, there will be patriotic festivities including fireworks at 9:15, face painting, live music and inflatables. Friendly pets on leashes are welcome. Bringing your own fireworks, including sparklers, is prohibited. Info: hollyspringsnc.us/358/July-5th.

To Buy Or Not To Buy

This week we have a “Guest Post” written by one of our Mortgage Professionals, Jennifer Miller with Sierra Pacific Mortgage Company.

To Buy or Not to Buy?

  You’ve heard the news reports on the housing market in our lately – low inventory, good prices, quick sales – and maybe you’re wondering where you fit into this latest market swing.

We should probably start with the news reports.  Yes, it’s true that in some price ranges, namely homes priced under $300,000 there is low inventory.  The same cannot be said for higher priced homes, especially those priced above $500,000; there are still plenty of homes available at that price point.  And yes, the appraisals are coming back at reasonable levels; meaning that in many cases the appraised value and the sales price are matching up; although that’s not always the case.  As far as quick sales, well that depends on how you define “quick”.  Most people are closing in the normal 30 to 45 day range.   When you’ve got a home to sell… So, should you pursue your dream home, or the home that’s closer to work so that you can eliminate that 45 minute commute you face twice daily?  Putting your house on the market requires effort, commitment and sometimes, money.

The effort and money come in once you’ve had a Realtor to your home for a preliminary meeting.  The first order of business is deciding whether you feel comfortable listing your home at a price comparable to what other homes in your area are selling for.  If the answer is yes, then it’s likely that your Realtor will want you to change or improve your home in a few areas.  You may need to “de-clutter” and pack away your belongings that you’re not using every day to make the home appear larger.  You may be asked to paint, install new carpet or work on the landscaping to improve the homes’ curb appeal.  Depending on how handy you are; you may be able to do some, or all of those things yourself; without having to pay a professional.  Certainly, that is the least expensive way to go.  If you can’t do these things on your own or if you’re too busy to attempt them you may find yourself shelling out up to $2,500.00 to cover these costs.   This is where the commitment component kicks in: if you’re not really committed to selling your home, chances are that you’re not going to be very motivated to get all this work done.  Realtors are fairly savvy these days when it comes to assessing their clients’ needs and wants.  If you want a nicer home but you don’t really need one your Realtor may decide that you’re not the right client for them.   What if you’re not currently a home owner? Maybe you’re a young professional who’s never owned a home before, or maybe you owned a home previously in another state or at a different time in your life.  If you’re wondering whether a good time to buy is now, the short answer is yes! As I said at the beginning there is some low inventory with homes priced under $300,000.00; however, if you don’t look for a home then you surely won’t fine one, and there are homes to be found even in that price range.  So what else do you need to consider in a home purchase?  First, do you have enough money to buy a home?     The Price Tag….. There are several loan programs available that will get you into a home for zero or a very low down payment with reasonable interest rates.  But you will need to have some cash to cover expenses like the appraisal ($450) which is paid upfront and out-of-pocket in the home buying process.  You will also need money for closing costs, which come due on the day you sign the promissory note at closing.   If you don’t have enough cash to cover the closing costs, talk to your realtor about negotiating these into the sales contract.  There is an easy way to handle this scenario.  Let’s say that you want to purchase a home that’s listed at $187,500.00.  You would like to pay $185,000 for the house and you know that you need $5,000 to help cover closing costs.  Simply ask your Realtor to write the offer to purchase for $190,000 with the seller paying $5,000 in closing costs.   Show me the Money… But how do you know how much closing costs are going to be?  And, how do you know if you earn enough money to be able to qualify for a mortgage loan to begin with?  Now we come to the crux of the matter.  The best way to answer these questions is to call me and start the application process.  With just a little information, I can quickly see if you can be prequalified for a mortgage loan.  I can also make sure that you’re taking advantage of the best loan programs available.

Home-ownership is part of the American dream; and with interest rates still at historically low levels now is a great time to explore your options.  Call me today and let’s get started on getting you into the home of your dreams!           Jenny Miller Loan Officer NMLS: 1054076 Sierra Pacific Mortgage Company 6736 Falls of Neuse Road Suite 120 Raleigh, NC 27615 Phone: 919-448-5355 Email: Jenny.Miller@spmc.com   Sierra Pacific Mortgage Company, Inc. NMLS # 1788. Licensed in North Carolina L-127865. Sierra Pacific Mortgage Company, Inc. is not affiliated with the Real Estate Agent and/or Brokerage identified in this advertisement, you are not required to use Sierra Pacific Mortgage Company, Inc. to obtain mortgage financing. This advertisement is provided for informational purpose only. www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org. Not all borrowers will qualify. This is not a commitment to lend. [Insert and program and/or additional disclaimers]. Equal Housing Lender.      

What’s a Bengal Backer?

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Fuquay-Varina Bengals

Do you own a business or work in Fuquay-Varina? Did you know our Fuquay-Varina schools are in need of our help in any small way we can give? The F-V Business Alliance is a group of Business Owners and School Personnel that meet every month to brainstorm bringing together the business expertise and the classroom along with the classroom to the business environment!
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F-V Business Alliance Meeting Dates

No time to attend ANOTHER meeting every month? That’s alright! Please take 30 seconds to join the F-V Business Alliance as a Bengal Backer. Here you will sign up to receive emails detailing where you can donate your precious gift of time, or money. No experience is necessary, and most volunteer needs are only about 30 minutes.  Some examples of what’s needed are having a mock interview with students preparing for a competition, hosting a car wash for a fundraiser, or donating food for an event. Of course, we would LOVE to have you at our next meeting, December 15, 8:30 am at FVHS. I promise, you will be even more rewarded than the students!
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What it takes to be a Bengal Backer

  Celebrating 20 years of helping the people of Fuquay-Varina and the surrounding area!  Please share our name with your co-workers, employees, relatives and neighbors and please think of Front Porch Realty as YOUR LOCAL real estate professionals! Laura Moody Broker/Owner Front Porch Realty

6th Annual Fuquay-Varina Commercial Bus Tour

commercial-bus-tour-nov-2016-3What an awesome event the Fuquay-Varina Chamber of Commerce sponsors every year! About 30 real estate brokers, developers, builders, investors and town officials boarded a bus on November 15th from the Fuquay-Varina Community Center to venture out into our quaint, booming, and sprawling suburb of Fuquay-Varina. We saw existing buildings and raw land for sale.  We also heard about exciting new projects under way, re-habbing existing historical buildings as well as large new construction projects!  All exciting news for our little neck of the woods.  Click this link to see all the plans.  We even got to tour our new state-of-the art Public Works Facility and enjoy lunch provided by Wake Tech’s Culinary Arts restaurant Flavors. commercial-bus-tour-nov-2016-1 What a joy it was to see all of the interest from local and  Raleigh-Durham professionals in what Fuquay-Varina, NC has to offer! commercial-bus-tour-no-2016-2 Celebrating 20 years of helping the people of Fuquay-Varina and the surrounding area!  Please share our name with your co-workers, employees, relatives and neighbors and please think of Front Porch Realty as YOUR LOCAL real estate professionals! Laura Moody Broker/Owner Front Porch Realty