Coming Soon: 3608 Culater Court in North Raleigh

Renee Hillman on January 5, 2015

Make plans to see this North Raleigh home when it hits the market in February early, because it’s not going to last long!This home is located in a great cul-de-sac neighborhood location, but with quick access to Highways 401 and 540 as well as Wake Tech Community College’s North Campus.

Outside, several big trees have been removed to allow for plenty of play space and backyard entertaining. The exterior was painted in November of 2013, too!

Inside, you find lots of updates, neutral décor and finishes, new carpet, and new laminate floors. Lots of big costs have already been taken care of, including installation of a new heating/cooling system in late 2013 and water heater replacement in late 2010.

If you’re looking for an early spring closing, this home is move-in ready and will be available soon for showings. Contact me today via phone (919-877-6708) or email (Renee@Renee-Sells.com) to schedule a time to take a look in February!

Coming Soon: 6924 Middleboro Drive in Raleigh

Renee Hillman on December 3, 2014

Located in Raleigh, nestled between Lead Mine Road and Lynn Road, we’ve got a 3 bedroom, 2 and a half bath townhome… complete with bonus room and garage… coming this week at under $220,000!

With space to spare in the popular area of town, this property won’t be a listing for long, so drop me a line if you’d like to be one of the first to visit. I’m happy to work around your schedule to make sure that showings are convenient for you.

You can reach me anytime at 919-877-6708 or via email at Renee@Renee-Sells.com!

612 Skygrove Drive, Holly Springs, NC

Renee Hillman on November 1, 2014

Newest listing on market…612 Skygrove Drive, Holly Springs, NC

Look no further! Custom built DJF home with all the upgrades you would expect!

Site finished wide plank hardwood floors throughout first floor! Awesome trim package throughout house – what you would expect at $400k! Gourmet kitchen with staggered cabinets, larger working island with bar seating, very unique granite plus stainless steel appliances! Formal dining room with wainscotting & trey ceiling!

In addition there is a formal living room – ideal for home office or library! Family room with gas log fireplace overlooks courtyard type set up – think English Garden!
AHHHH a master suite with trey ceiling, double trim & spa like bath with dual vanities, garden tub, separate shower & walk in closet!
Guest rooms with shared tiled hall bath with new vanity! Convenient location to the new shopping in Holly Springs plus the recently opened 540 – get to RTP in no time!

Taxes, House Buying & Benefits from a CPA

Renee Hillman on November 1, 2014

Given it is that dreaded time of year for many of us I figured I would ask my CPA to “break down” the ins & outs of the closing statement and general information on tax advantages of home ownership!

Tim Eisel has been my CPA for several years & has worked with several of my clients. Feel free to contact him if you are looking to hire a CPA to prepare your taxes. He is a family man & a local business which I love supporting. His contact info is timeiselcpa@hotmail.com and direct 919 614 3213.

Here is what Tim had to say:

Tax benefits of home ownership

The American dream of owning a home has several benefits. A few significant federal tax benefits that may prove to be beneficial are listed below:

Home Mortgage Interest

One of the most important tax benefits of owning a home is the home mortgage interest deduction. Mortgage interest that is paid by the homeowner may be deductible. If you itemize deductions on your federal income tax return, you can generally deduct the interest that you pay on debt resulting from a loan used to buy, build, or improve your home, provided that the loan is secured by your home. Currently, interest paid on up to $1 million in mortgage debt may qualify for the interest deduction. If your mortgage loan exceeds $1 million, some of the interest that you pay on the loan may not be deductible.
Home Equity Loan Interest

The interest that you pay on a qualifying home equity loan or line of credit is generally deductible regardless of how you use the loan proceeds. Interest on home equity loans of less than $100,000 may be deductible as an itemized deduction on your federal tax return.

Mortgage insurance

For 2012, qualified mortgage insurance premiums may be deductible, provided that the insurance is associated with home acquisition debt, and is being paid on an insurance contract issued after 2006. Home-owning families who itemize their deductions on their federal return and have not exceeded the income limits can qualify for the deduction.

Real Estate Taxes

If you itemize deductions on your federal tax return, real estate taxes that you have paid on your property are generally deductible.

Closing Costs/Settlement Fees

Whether you obtain a loan to purchase a home, or refinance an existing loan on your home, you’ll probably be charged closing costs. Closing costs may include points (also referred to as origination fees), appraisal fees, prepaid interest/taxes, legal fees, title search fees, and document preparation / processing fees. These costs are normally listed out in detail on the Good Faith Estimate. Some of these costs are deductible on your federal tax return if you itemize, and others may be added to the cost basis of your home.

Points, prepaid interest, and prepaid taxes may be eligible for deduction on your federal tax return in the year that you pay them if you itemize deductions and meet certain other requirements.

Other settlement fees/closing costs are generally not deductible on your tax return. Instead, you may adjust your tax basis in your home to reflect certain closing costs, such as: abstract fees, recording fees, legal fees, owner’s title insurance, and transfer or stamp taxes, to name a few.
Home Improvements and Repairs

Home improvements and repairs are generally nondeductible. However, improvements may be used to increase the tax basis of your home. Improvements add value to your home, prolong its life, or adapt it to a new use. A repair simply keeps your home in good operating condition. Regular repairs and maintenance are not considered improvements and are not included in the tax basis of your home.

Energy Tax Credit

If you make certain improvements to your home that improves your home’s energy efficiency, you may be eligible for a federal income tax credit.

Capital Gain Exclusion On Sale of Home

If you sell your principal residence at a gain, and meet all the requirements, you may be able to exclude some or all of the capital gain (up to $500,000 if you are married and file a joint return) from federal income tax. In general this exclusion can be used only once every two years. To qualify for the exclusion, you must have owned and used the home as your principal residence for a total of two out of the five years before the sale. If you sell your principal residence at a loss, you generally can’t deduct the loss on your tax return.

This information is intended to provide generalized guidance that is appropriate in certain situations. It is not intended or written to be used, and it cannot be used by the recipient, for the purpose of avoiding federal tax penalties that may be imposed on any taxpayer. The contents of this information should not be acted upon without specific professional guidance.

Have a great week & as always if I can help you with anything real estate related give me a call!

2907 Berkeley Springs Place, Raleigh, NC 27616

Renee Hillman on October 29, 2014

Who says renting is cheaper than buying?!

A great opportunity to own a townhome that has been lightly lived in & has all the conveniences you can imagine! Triangle Town Center is literally around the corner, along with several additional shops & eateries. If you like shopping you will be in your glory – Saks Fifth Avenue, DSW, Dick’s Sporting Goods, you name it. Access to 540 is super easy along with Capital Boulevard. Take a look at this Google Map so you can search more things nearby. If you like exploring parks – there are plenty of options by here including Durant Nature Park & Millbrook Exchange Park & Community Center. This townhome is move in ready, neutral decor & a great buy. Start putting your money into something than nothing. The interest rates are great right now. If we can assist in anyway feel free to give Renee a call at 919 868 4383 or email Renee@Renee-Sells.com

Relocating to the Big City

Renee Hillman on October 14, 2014

Moving from a small town or suburb to a large city can be an intimidating proposition. Here are a few tips to help make your move as painless as possible.

Research before you move. It’s important to understand the culture you’re joining. Do research online and find out about school systems, neighborhoods, parking, weather, public transportation, and laws that are native to that area. If you can, visit a city before moving and connect with someone who’s lived there before.

Have a plan. There are a lot of steps to go through before you start packing the moving truck. Find housing before you leave, or at least know where you’ll stay while you look for a home. Never sign a lease on an apartment that you haven’t seen. If you can’t get there, find a friend or an employer to check for you. Have a job waiting for you, or if that’s not possible, know what you’ll do for money in the first few weeks of living there. Try to line up things like driver’s licenses, car insurance, renter’s insurance, and parking passes ahead of time as well.

Get involved. Meeting people in a big city can be daunting. Don’t expect the neighbors to knock your door down with a casserole when you arrive: city life is often too noisy and hectic. Take the initiative. If there are things you liked to do in your town, find ways to do those things in the city. Try new things. Volunteer. Big cities offer so many opportunities to engage other people, so find what you like.

Mind your wallet. City life is expensive. Everything costs more: food, insurance, clothes, rent. There are also a lot more ways to get ripped off, whether legally or criminally. Be careful how you spend, and know where your money is going.

5 Tips for Buying a Home

Renee Hillman on October 1, 2014

Looking to buy a home? Here are five essential tips for making the process as smooth as possible.

Get your finances in order.

Start by getting a full picture of your credit. Obtain copies of your credit report. Make sure the facts are correct, and fix any problems you find. Next, find a suitable lender and get pre-approved for a loan. This will put you in a better position to make a serious offer when you do find the right house.

Find a house you can afford.

As with engagement rings, there’s a general rule of thumb when it comes to buying a home: two-and-a-half times your annual salary. There are also a number of tools and calculators online that can help you understand how your income, debt, and expenses affect what you can afford. Don’t forget, too, that there are lots of considerations beyond the sticker price, including property taxes, energy costs, etc.

Hire a professional.

While the Internet gives buyers unprecedented access to home listings and resources, many aspects of the buying process require a level of expertise you can’t pick up from surfing the web. That’s why you’re better off using a professional agent than going it alone. If possible, recruit an exclusive buyer agent, who will have your interests at heart and can help you with strategies during the bidding process.

Do your homework.

Before making a bid, do some research to determine the state of the market at large. Is it more favorable for sellers or buyers? Next, look at sales trends of similar homes in the area or neighborhood. Look at prices for the last few months. Come up with an asking price that’s competitive, but also realistic. Otherwise, you may end up ticking off your seller.

Think long term.

Obviously, you shouldn’t buy unless you’re sure you’ll be staying put for at least a few years. Beyond that, you should buy in a neighborhood with good schools. Whether you have children or not, this will have an impact on your new home’s resale value down the line. When it comes to the house itself, you should hire your own home inspector, who can point out potential problems that could require costly repairs in the future.

What Clients Say About Renee: The Wassermans

Renee Hillman on January 4, 2014

“Renee helped us buy our new home in Durham. She was always willing to go the extra mile, even after we had signed a contract to buy a soon to be built home. Since we live in SW Florida, she did most of the inspections herself as well as arranging for professional inspectors where appropriate. She even took videos of the inside and outside so that we would have something besides plans to show to our friends and relatives.”

Having great resources in professional vendors who provide high-quality service are just one of the assets that I offer clients – both local and remote.

Give me a call at 919-868-4383 or email me at Renee@Renee-Sells.com to talk about how I can help you with your next real estate project!

What the seller says about 819 Shackleton Road in Apex, NC

Renee Hillman on January 4, 2014

I always like to ask the seller specific questions about their house. It is definitely a great perspective on living in your new area & home. Take a look!

Things you love about Apex:

Apex is a great place to live! Love the downtown area and what an overall nice and safe community it is. The town has grown a lot in the last 10 years that I’ve been here but it has managed to keep its small town feel.

Where do you love to eat:

Love going downtown to eat at Peak City Grill and Salem Street Pub (the Mexican restaurant is also great). Otherwise, Daniel’s on 55 is a favorite.

Where do you do your grocery shopping & other conveniences:

I do most of my shopping at the Walmart on the Peakway since it is so close….walking distance! Otherwise, I like Lowe’s Food. I’m excited that Costco opens in 2015.

What were you drawn to when you bought your home:

The big front window and the private back yard which can be hard to find in Apex. The house has a nice layout and I love the big main room.

What do you love/enjoy about the area:

The convenience to major roads in every direction (US1, 540, 65, 55) has always been a huge plus for me. I always say that you can get almost anywhere in the triangle in 20 minutes. The parks in Apex are also great and there is something for everyone.

Tell us something about your neighborhood:

The best thing to me about the neighborhood is how quiet and safe it is. It is a great place to walk or job and the people are nice and friendly.

What Clients Say About Renee: The Loperfidos

Renee Hillman on January 4, 2014

“Renee is absolutely amazing! My spouse and I are relocating to the Triangle from DC and Renee made this process so easy. She has so many great connections and tools to help first time home buyers. We always felt so comfortable and looked after – she is so great at keeping you on-target and in-the-know. You can not go wrong working with Renee!! – can you tell we think she’s the greatest!?!” – The Loperfido’s

What the seller says about 108 Park James Way, Cary, NC

Renee Hillman on January 4, 2014

I always like to ask the seller specific questions about their house. It is definitely a great perspective on living in your new area & home. Take a look & see what the Dyer’s have to say:

Things you love about Cary:

We love Cary. It has a real family atmosphere with excellent schools, plenty of parks (one Cary park is in our neighborhood) and walking/biking trails (again, one is in our neighborhood), a huge variety of restaurants We are conveniently located just about half way between Crossroads Plaza and Waverly Place – both just a little over a mile from us. In addition to all the conveniences and amenities Cary has to offer, we feel very safe here. Cary is one of the safest cities of its size in the country.

Where do you love to eat:

We enjoy a variety of food – most within a mile or so of our house. Some of our favorite restaurants include: Pei Wei, Caribou Coffee, Carolina Ale House, City Barbeque, Briggs, NY Pizza, and the Angus Barn.

Where do you do your grocery shopping & other conveniences:

We have numerous grocery stores in our immediate area with a Lowe’s Foods right in our neighborhood strip mall (an easy walk) with Harris Teeter about ½ mile away. Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s are about a mile to mile and a half from our home. For bulk items we shop at BJ’s and for pet related items we shop at PetSmart. Our PetSmart is one of only 3 in the whole greater Raleigh area that has a Pet Hotel, doggy day camp and a veterinarian right on sight.

What were you drawn to when you bought your home:

We love the layout of our home. This is where we raised 4 children with plenty of bedrooms, a formal dining room, a screened in porch (we like to entertain) and a bonus room for the kids. We added French doors and utilized our living room as a study (very convenient for work from home days).

We also love the location of our house. We were specifically looking for a house on a cul-de-sac so our children could play basketball, kickball, etc. on the cul-de-sac with very little traffic to worry about. Further, unlike many parts of Cary, we have very easy access to Raleigh and RTP – from our house to the beltline/I-40, is only about a mile.

Finally, we loved the Olympic size swimming pool, club house and tennis courts. Many neighborhoods have very overcrowded pools, but not Wellington Park. With our oversize pool, it is a great place to unwind and relax with family, friends and neighbors.

What do you love/enjoy about the area:

We love the excellent school system, neighborhood lakes, Kids Together Park (at the edge of our neighborhood), quaint downtown Cary, very convenient shopping and convenient access to the greater triangle area.

Tell us something about your neighborhood:

First, we have truly wonderful neighbors and a true sense of community. We often have neighborhood parties and cul-de-sac get-togethers. Our neighborhood has a community email to keep current on events – or to buy or sell something. Most houses have mature wooded lots providing shade and privacy.

We absolutely love our neighbors (many have become life-long friends as we have been here for over 19 years) and though we are excited about moving into our dream house as empty nesters, we are equally sad to be leaving such a wonderful home and neighborhood.

Upgrades that make this home sparkle:

Double oven with convection
Screened in porch
New HVAC
New Roof – with upgraded, energy efficient, designer shingles
Vinyl Siding
Energy efficient vinyl replacement windows
Updated plumbing
New carpeting
Hardwood floors
Freshly painted
Spa master bathroom (glass block shower, garden tub, beautiful tile floor)
Stainless appliances
Granit countertops
New garbage disposal
Gas fireplace
Broilmaster premium natural gas grill
Fenced in back yard

Coming Soon: Beautiful Cul-De-Sac Home in Cary

Renee Hillman on January 4, 2014

I’m happy to be kicking off 2015 here on the blog by sharing another “Coming Soon” blog post – this one located in a great cul-de-sac neighborhood, sandwiched just between Piney Plains Road, Tryon Road, and SE Cary Parkway.

This beautiful detached home includes a screen porch, hardwood floors, remodeled kitchen (complete with white cabinets and always popular granite counter tops), remodeled bathrooms, new carpet, and fresh paint. All of those things say one thing to us – “move-in ready”!

Outside of the home, lots of amenities abound including being close to two parks (Dorrel and MacDonald Woods), having access to a community pool, tennis clubhouse and multiple ponds.

This conveniently-located Cary home won’t last long, going on the market on Friday, Jan. 9 at $300,000!

Call or email me to schedule your showing A.S.A.P. Reach me anytime at 919-868-4383 or via email at Renee@Renee-Sells.com.

Happy House Hunting!