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Welcome to October! The beautiful Fall season is upon us! We hope you are getting out and enjoying all it has to offer with the beautiful scenery and crisp air!
According to MLS data, the 12-month home sales average price is up about 4% compared to the previous period with an average price of about $322,902.
Despite the price rise, according to the Housing Affordability Index, homes in the Triangle are slightly more affordable this year compared to last year. In June 2020, the index was 119, compared to an index of 111 over the same period in 2019. An index that is higher equates to greater affordability. The pandemic has also led to a rise in virtual buying. According to a recent report by Redfin, 45% of recent home buyers made an offer without first seeing it in-person.
If you or family/friends are looking to explore what Raleigh and the surrounding areas have to offer, please reach out. We are here to answer questions and keep you informed of what is happening in the area.
We hope you and your loved ones are doing well. As always please feel free to let us know how you’re doing. Please stay positive, safe and healthy!
We will continue to get through this together!
All the Best,
Greg
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We appreciate your referrals! There is no greater compliment you could offer us!
If you know someone who is ready to sell or buy a home, be sure to contact Greg at 919-882-6005 and share their information (with their permission) and they will receive superior service.
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Go take a hike…
Simply put, I am blessed with wonderful friends. One particular friend, Robb, makes a habit out of committing to some very interesting endeavors. In fact, I like to refer to him as “the most interesting man in the world”, well at least in my world. You see, Robb is big on ideas and long on commitment. He was behind me riding 220 miles in 3 days from Clayton to Atlantic Beach. And yes, it was Robb who recruited John, Tim and me to hike Mt. Whitney. I can’t begin to explain here all we experienced. I will share an excerpt that Robb penned about our trip:
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I expected to climb a mountain for the thrill of the summit...but I think I speak for all of us when I say we each got much more from this journey than what we bargained for! The astounding beauty of nature served as God’s backdrop for revealing the remarkable characters we trained and traveled with, and the dozens of inspiring souls that we met along the trail. Though the extent of the physical demands were woefully under-anticipated by the trip conceiver, our pain and struggle heightened our ability to appreciate the full range of emotions that only such a challenge can kindle. Get you up to a high mountain. Isaiah 40:9.
By the way, I did not summit! At about 14,000 feet and 500 short of the top, I was feeling a bit wobbly. So, I turned back toward camp, as the others kept moving toward their goal. As I descended, I couldn’t help but hear the late Kenny Rogers: You got to know when to hold ‘em. Know when to fold ‘em… With a smile on my face, I knew I had experienced plenty - enjoying the companionship of these fine men along with God’s majesty was good enough!
So…go take a hike!!!
Respectfully, Greg
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Move Over She-Shed, Make Room for the Backyard Office
March ushered in a new way of life for many people due to the coronavirus pandemic. One of the first things that happened in many states was workers were asked to telecommute from home whenever possible. Now, even though shutdowns are technically over in many places, it seems to be a trend that’s sticking around. A lot of companies aren’t calling employees back to the office anytime soon.
Working from home has had big implications for real estate. For example, after spending an increasing amount of time at home, many people are opting to move from cities and into the suburbs where they can have outdoor space and square footage.
There’s also a demand for home offices, but if you don’t have space for one, you can get creative. One option is the backyard office.
Benefits of a Backyard Office
A backyard office can be a shed that you transform into a workspace. The benefits include privacy as well as natural light. You might even have a bit of a view from your outdoor office. For a lot of people, they’ve found working from home leads to no work-life balance, but having a dedicated space separate from their living areas can help with the distinction. It’s easier to not only separate work and home life with a differentiated space, but you may find it helps you focus when you’re working.
Do You Need a Building Permit?
If you’re thinking about an office-shed, one of the first things you’ll have to determine is whether or not you’ll need a permit. Where you live and the size of the structure you plan on building or putting on your property are the main determinants of whether or not you’ll need a permit. If applicable, you may also need to check with your Homeowners Association and get their approval. If you go the prefabricated route, meaning you buy a shed or shed kit from a company, some are marketed as being small enough that you’re unlikely to need a permit.
Placement
When you scope out your backyard for a location for your office shed, look for somewhere flat with good drainage. If you aren’t sure or your backyard needs clearing or cleaning up before you can place your shed, you might want to work with a landscaper who can help you with planning.
Prefab or Custom-Build?
Many companies are now offering prefabricated office sheds. You can find them as kits, meaning all the pieces come to your home and you’re responsible for putting them together. You might also find an office shed that’s already built and arrives at your home almost ready to go. When you choose a prefab shed, it may be more expensive than building your own, but also more convenient. They’re available in different styles, and many have features like skylights or upgrades you can add on. Some kits include doors, windows, insulation and flooring, and others don’t, so read the fine print.
Building Your Own Office Shed
There are other options that may be less expensive than a prefeb shed. One is converting an existing shed into an office. In that case, your focus might be primarily on making an old shed into a comfortable, stylish place to work and perhaps adding power. You can also find plans online and build your own shed.
Design Tips
• Regardless of the route you go, you want your outdoor office to be someplace you feel comfortable and content.
• Try to create an office with plenty of natural light.
• Add comfortable furnishings, and surround yourself with things you find visually appealing.
• Add a rug to warm the space up.
• Consider whether or not you’ll have meetings in your office, and if so, how you can have a space where guests feel comfortable.
• You’ll need to ensure you have electricity in your office, and also Wi-Fi.
• Finally, create a landscaped path leading from your home to your office.
A shed-office is one of the biggest trends when it comes to working-from-home design. It can give you a space that’s separate from your home and family so you can remain productive and focused, and also maintain a work-life balance.
Creating a separate area that’s detached from your home doesn’t just work as an office. It’s also something homeowners are looking to so they can have a home gym, a guest room, or even a
learning area for their kids.
It’s one more representation of the move toward spending more time at home that’s impacting all of us.
By Ashley Sutphin, RealtyTimes.com
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Difficult to find - custom built by Homestead Building Co, open plan with main level master & finished basement on 1/3+ acre in manicured Wakefield! A smart plan that has it all. Eat-in kitchen with stainless appliances & granite counter tops is open to family room with cozy
fireplace and soaring ceilings & overlooks screened porch/deck and private back yard. Large master suite with tiled bath that accesses screen porch. Up are two ample bedrooms & a large bonus room/office + walk-in storage! Down is plenty of space for whatever you desire.
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THANK YOU for reading our newsletter. We wanted to produce a newsletter that has great content and is fun and valuable to you. Your feedback is always welcome.
AND...whether you're thinking of buying, selling, or financing real estate, or just want to stop by and say "Hi!," we'd love to hear from you...
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Disclaimer: The information contained in this letter is intended for informational purposes. It should not substitute as legal, accounting, investment, medical or other professional services advice. Always seek a competent professional for answers to your specific questions. This letter is not intended to solicit real estate properties currently for sale.
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