For many the idea of moving to another city brings excitement, joy and sometimes tears. The transition is different for everyone. The uncertainty, telling your family, how will my kids make out?

Both myself and Marc Iafrate of The Capital City Real Estate Group are very familiar with relocating as we have with our families gone through the same process. Recently, we launched The Raleigh Relocation Guide This is an online resource for those thinking of relocating to the Triangle area of North Carolina. It’s jam packed with useful information on schools places to visit and our very own Top Ten Things to do in Raleigh.

For more information about relocating to Raleigh N.C or other city in the Triangle area. Please contact Jeff Dicks of The Capital City Real Estate Group & Keller Williams Realty

Great news for real estate sales in Heritage Wake Forest! Since January 1, 2010, sales in the community have been outstanding and have seen an increase compared to the first six months of 2009. Although we haven’t reached the level of sales that we have experienced in the past, we are seeing a rebound in the market that is very positive. Highlights include an increase in the total number of properties sold/under contract, stable prices and a decrease in inventory.

The census bureau completed the 2010 tabulations some time ago. The U.S Census data will be released this upcoming winter. If the early numbers are correct, Wake County will become the most populous in the region.

Wake County growth is expected to surge over the coming years, due to the large relocation of northeners as they continue to retire their snow shovels.

With population growth so goes the quality of life. Over the past ten-years Cary, Apex have seen large growth with publications naming the locales as “Top Ten Places ” to live in America. Setbacks aside due to economic conditions. These and many others are rebounding and beginning to see signs of new growth.

The Triangle continues to attract global interest and with it and signs point to continued expansion and more jobs.

My friend in Florida told me they have to write a big check this past weekend to get out of their house. “Were trying not to see it as a big loss, though were heading to a place where we’ll gain when we buy”

They’re leaving and moving far away.

They close on their new house in a few weeks he told me. When real estate prices were soaring, we were living high, and barely working. They borrowed and invested in real estate, as prices were moving higher so was their net worth. And then……it ended.

The days of living a life of luxury are gone as is their net worth. Both he and his wife are back to work in a new place with a new start. By deciding to turn off the pause button they have moved on and restarted their lives.

Taking a loss on your home isn’t easy. Moving away isn’t easy, the single truth is we likely won’t see real estate prices and high levels of spending for many years.

Instead of sitting around and waiting for everything to be like it was . You have a choice stay and hope or you can leave and try and make a better life.
My friend has left, and I know they’ll make it he’s already succeeding

I find myself quite fortunate to have a fabulous wife and two children. Even more so that I have terrific parents. Life is a battlefield and on occasion we’re all too caught up in the latest fashion trend, car, watch or golf club. the past year an a half has been not only economic turmoil, a housing bust and most recently we’ve witnessed the tragic account of live’s lost on the Deepwater Horizon in the Gulf and the daily massive oil flowing polluting the waters.

Today I’m reminded that it is indeed Fathers Day and to those who lost a son, a father a brother I’m commemorate you, as I am a fortunate son. Dad, I love you and I’m reminded by my two kids every day how lucky I am. My son made me a tie from construction paper and my daughter a plaster nuts and bolts theme paper weight and a special poem.

**Footprints**

“Walk a little slower daddy,” said a child so small. “I’m following in your footsteps and I don’t want to fall.

Sometimes your steps are very fast, Sometimes they are hard to see; So walk a little slower, Daddy, for you are leading me.

Someday when I’m all grown up, You’re what I want to be; Then I will have a little child Who’ll want to follow me.

And I would want to lead just right, And know that I was true; So walk a little slower, Daddy,
For I must follow you.”

Carpe Diem

Relocating to the Triangle area? Wondering what the comparable cost of living is, schools, shopping and more. Go no further ! Register for the Free Community Report.

Community Reports

Brought to you by Jeff Dicks & Marc Iafrate of the Capital City Real Estate Group

June Real Estate News

For many the market continues to be challenging. This video is informative and may aid you or those you may know of.

Brought to be Jeff Dicks & Marc Iafrate of
The Capital City Real Estate Group

Private Setting in cul-de sac includes a stocked pond a few short steps away

If your a ready to act buyer your anticipation is about to surge into overdrive. Welcome to 9109 Willow Valley Court, Raleigh, NC. At last a home the hits the jackpot on all the key ingredients. The location is prime, the design is dazzling and the home is shrouded in privacy.

The current homeowner recently updated the kitchen, including a unique tile backsplash. This home resonates fun with the large walkout deck for those intimate evenings or entertaining friends. The large open family room has high ceilings and a southwestern splash of color on the feature wall with a real wood-burning fireplace.

With three bedrooms, a sitting area, loft and separate exercise room this
2755 sq/ft home screams live here. With a list price of $310,000 you’ll race to get your pocketbook.

How to See This Home: The home can be shown by appointment only with at least a 24-hour notice. To see, call your agent.

Please, serious inquiries only.

The sellers are represented by
Jeff Dicks at 919-793-4730 or Marc Iafrate at 919-314-7797 of Keller Williams Realty and the Capital City Real Estate Group
If you would like to tell a friend about this home, all of these details—plus a site plan and additional photo¬graphs are on the web at
www.searchraleighrealestate.com

“When the going gets tough the tough get going” so goes the old saying. Two local real estate agents in the Raleigh area recently joined forces to tackle the Triangle residential market. Jeff Dicks & Marc Iafrate have formed the Capital City Real Estate Group with Keller Williams Realty.

Jeff & Marc were having a coffee and one of their favorite pitstops and started to discuss the current state of affairs in the local real estate environment. Both soon realized that they were both experiencing the same challenges and further they were like minded in their approach to the business.

” It was really uncanny how are systems and approach to excellent customer service were so similiar.” Dicks says. ” The further we talked we realized immediately we needed to join forces said Iafrate.” By merging we created an economic balance within our own business and the opportunity to grow.”

The two powerhouses have joined Keller Williams Realty and already are experiencing an excellent transition.

“Many agents have experienced an extremely challenging past couple of years and those who focus on building their client relationships and providing ancillary service’s can expect to grow their market share. With our partership with Keller Williams Realty, the Capital City Real Estate Group is moving on up said Dicks”

Jeff can be reached directly @ 919-793-4730 or e-mail Jeff@jeffdicks.com
Marc can reached directly @ 919-314-7797 or Marc@marciafrate.com

In NE Wake Forest-one of those “I want-it kind of houses. It oozes curb appeal, has a picturesque back yard- and the real secret it was custom built. $359,900 with 3 bedrooms and 2,665 sq.ft

The house itself (1204 Hartsfield Forest Drive) looks like something you have seen in a magazine spread–it is stunning, but when you find out where it is located you may reach for your checkbook.

Heritage Wake Forest is the most unique neighborhood in north Wake Forest. Stretched across some of the region’s most prized country terrain, it is comprised of 2,000 acres, and the Golf Digest 4-Star Heritage Golf & Country Club.

Additionally, the neighborhood is surrounded by acres of nature preserves teaming with wildlife like deer, squirrels and songbirds. The Heritage Golf Course is highly regarded as a great place to play and have membership. This goes a long way to eliminating crowds and long waits for a tee time even on weekends. If you drive through other neighborhoods, you may have noticed that the homes are too close to each other. This is due to small lots, but here, all of the homesites are larger. As a result, it “feels” like you are driving through an entire neighborhood of stately homes.

Sometimes buyers describe the homebuying experience as a process of looking, and looking at houses until they walk into one that they love from the moment they open the front door. This residence has all of the potential to create that effect because the drama starts the instant you step inside, and it never lets up. Even though the house is large it has a free-flowing design. Instead, spaces are divided changes in ceiling heights.

It has a litany of jaw-dropping features. The 2,665 sq. ft. design includes the concept of a “first floor master suite”. The patina and surfaces of the materials give the home the personality of an elegant lodge.You may want to update some colors, but the basics of the home and the design are still impressive.The show stopper is the ingenious architecture of the screened porch camouflaged into the back section of the house. Host a Napa Valley-style party in the open kitchen to entertain. All living areas are open (with lush outdoor views), fireplace and family room with vaulted ceilings, and here is the aha moment! The backyard is very private and casual for those summer evenings of relaxation.

Dear reader, hold that image in mind for just a second.

Now, pretend you are living here, and you have just gone through one of those bone-crushing, stress-packed weeks at the office. When you arrive home late Friday, and you haul your pitiful little self out of the car, here is your prescription for recharging. Start by putting on some comfortable clothes. Put on a relaxing music CD. Take a bottle of wine, two glasses and sit outside with your sweetie to take in the wonders of a star-filled sky. On Saturday morning, head to the grocery store and pick up nothing but comfort food–steaks for the grille, chips and hot sauce along with goodies from the bakery like cinnamon rolls. Invite friends over for the afternoon. When they arrive, you have festive music playing. The kitchen is laid out with fun snacks and fresh flowers. The screened porch is open. Pleasant breezes are wafting back and forth through the house. The aroma of popcorn is in the air. The terrace furniture has been arranged , and you all sit outside later in the afternoon, you set up and grill steaks, and you dine al fresco as the sun sets. But there is more. On Sunday, you can head down the street to the meditative setting called “Forgotten Pond” which consists of hiking trails, a well-stocked private lake, and a covered pier. You can practice flyfishing, curl up with a book, or spend the afternoon fishing with your kids. Ahh, just thinking about it causes your breathing to ease.

How To See: To see, you should call your agent. The seller is represented by Jeff Dicks of Keller Williams Realty and the Capital City Real Estate Group at 919-793-4730. If you do not have an agent you may also call Jeff for further information.