by Katie Dunkle, Client Coordinator

To Keep your home in tip-top shape throughout the winter, consider these home maintenance tips:

Furnace:

• professional HVAC inspection
• stock up on filters
• consider switching to a programmable thermostat for energy efficiency

Fireplace:

• Cap or screen the top of the chimney to prevent birds or rodents from moving in.
• Call a chimney sweep to remove soot and creosote build up (which can cause a fire).
• Buy or chop wood and store in a dry place away from the exterior of your home.
• Inspect damper and make sure it’s functioning properly.

Exterior Doors|Windows:

• Inspect for crevice cracks and seal them.
• Use weather stripping around doors and caulk windows to prevent cold air from entering.
• Inspect sill plates for dry rot or pest infestation

Roof|Gutters|Downspouts:

• Add extra insulation to the attic to prevent warm air from creeping to your roof and causing ice dams.
• Replace worn shingles/tiles.
• Clean out and clear debris from gutters and downspouts.
• Think about installing leaf guards on the gutters to direct water away from the house.

Foundation:

• Rake away all debris and vegetation from the foundation.
• Seal up any entry points to keep small animals from moving in.
• Secure crawl space entrances.

Smoke|Carbon Monoxide Detectors:

• Buy extra batteries and change them when daylight savings time ends.
• Install a carbon monoxide detector near your furnace and/or water heater.
• Test detectors to make sure they work.
• Replace fire extinguisher if over 10 years old.

Plumbing:

• Locate water main shut off.
• Drain all garden hoses.
• Insulate exposed plumbing pipes.
• Drain air conditioner pipes.
• If you go on vacation, leave heat set to at least 55 degrees.

Landscape:

• Trim trees and branches that hang too close to the house or electrical wires

By taking care of these maintenance steps now, while the weather is fairly pleasant, you will appreciate come winter!

Contact an Exclusive Buyer Agent REALTOR at Buyers Advantage Group Realty, one who can help guide you through the process and take the stress out of homebuying.

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The Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department has announced 2008 Kidsfest, a fun-filled family event! Bring your favorite superhero, cartoon or sports figure costume and join the parade. Kids and their families will also enjoy amusement rides, hayrides, pony rides, main stage entertainment, food concessionaires and more. For more details, visit the City of Raleigh main page.

When: Saturday, October 11[Raindate: Sunday, October 12]

Time: 12:00p-4:00p

Where: Spring Forest Road Park| 4203 Spring Forest Road, Raleigh

For more details on this and other Raleigh Parks and Recreation Events through December, click here.

For more information about Triangle area real estate, contact Buyers Advantage Group Realty today!

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by Barbara Gressens, Broker/Owner

While there is no quick or clear answer to what will happen over the next six months in our financial markets, what is clear is that with the government bail out of Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac, we are seeing the lowest interest rate levels since 2005. Also, less cash is needed now than will be required in 2009 to purchase a home.

FHA had mandated the increase of down payment minimum from 3% to 3.5% to occur October 1, 2008 which has been pushed off until January 1, 2009. The final plus for buyers is the softening of the market and the upcoming holidays. Sellers are growing anxious knowing that sales traditionally tend to slow down around the holidays. Serious buyers have a great opportunity this fall and winter to purchase homes at good values with the least amount of cash out of pocket and having the best interest rates since 2005. All of this equates to more buying power.

To secure the best interest rate possible for your financial situation, buyers need to develop a relationship with a lender just as they would with their real estate agent, builder/architect and closing attorney. Today’s lenders are working hard to “fit” buyers into the new criteria to receive a loan. There are many loan programs available, but there is only ONE loan program that is the best program for your home purchase goals.

While working with a real estate agent who can introduce you to lending professionals with proven track records, you need to spend time introducing yourself, your qualifications and your financial goals to get the best loan program. The loan officer that you meet is the person who will prepare a “profile package” that represents who you are and why you are a good candidate to receive the requested loan program. This package is submitted to the underwriters who have final loan approval. The buyer never has access to underwriters, but the buyer’s loan officer does and can communicate with the underwriter with helpful information about the buyer if the loan officer has come to know the buyer.

The Triangle Area’s steady economic growth and property value appreciation is a testament to the stability of our area and the promise of a bright future. Buying low and holding onto your real estate investment has historically been the building block to personal wealth. Buyers Advantage Group Realty agents are experienced to advise and direct our clients to the best opportunities and terms for their home buying experience.

To get started on developing your relationship with a loan officer, call Katie at 919.573.6150 or chat with her online at www.buyersadvantagegrouprealty.net. She is standing by to help you get to know the housing market and starting your path to building personal wealth!

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by Katie Dunkle, Client Coordinator

Many people find Master Planned Communities and the fabulous amenities they offer to be a perfect fit. It’s no wonder, in a master planned community that there is something for everyone! According to Ideal Living Magazine,

Master-planned communities changed the housing market when they began to be developed more than 50 years ago. The most popular and desirable new homes today are being built within master-planned communities.

The Triangle area is blessed to have some of the best examples of these communities, and there is none better than Heritage Wake Forest, which continues to be one of the most popular selling communities in our area. Ideal Living Magazine has recognized Heritage Wake Forest as the perfect NC golf course community and included it in their Top 100 Amenity Communities list.

Some of the amenities residents enjoy include:

• award-winning, semi-private 18-hole golf course with pro shop and full practice facilities
• swimming pool with 10 lap lanes, a water slide and lazy river
• tennis courts
• walking trails
• playgrounds
• gardens
• soccer fields
• fishing pond with a pier and observation deck

In addition to these amenities, Heritage Wake Forest has been designed for convenience to shopping, dining, church and school as well as professional services such as doctors, dentists, retail owners and other professionals.

For more information on Heritage Wake Forest, call Katie at 919.573.6151 for a market snapshot or to request private showings of some of the best homes in this remarkable Wake Forest community. For demographic information, visit the Wake Forest Chamber of Commerce.

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by Katie Dunkle, Client Coordinator

Visit an early voting location to cast your ballot for the 2008 General Election. Early voting is easy and convenient. For times and locations, please visit:

Chatham County: Board of Elections Office

Durham County: Voting Information

Wake County: Wake County Board of Elections

For additional information about Buyers Advantage Group agents or to begin the process, call Katie at 919.573.6150 or chat with her online at www.buyersadvantagegrouprealty.net. She is standing by to help you, on your terms, in your time frame!

[photo credit]

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by Kathryn Dunkle, Client Coordinator

North Carolina is proud to implement this program in time for the 2008 General Election. The Vote in Honor of a Veteran Program provides North Carolina citizens an opportunity to pay tribute to those that have served this country and protected our freedom. You can honor a Veteran this upcoming General Elections by requesting a button and/or sharing a story that may be posted on the North Carolina State Board of Elections website.

Each button will be personalized with the name of the Veteran that you wish to honor. Only one button is allowed per person. The button is a way for you to show your pride in a veteran or active duty service member on Election Day. Please make your request by October 15, 2008 to ensure delivery by the General Election. These buttons are being provided free of charge by the North Carolina State Board of Elections. You can request a personalized button by emailing a request or printing out a request form and mailing it in. Another way to honor the military members that are important to you is to share a story. For full details, visit the NC State Board of Elections web site.

For additional information about Buyers Advantage Group agents or to begin the process, call Katie at 919.573.6150 or chat with her online at www.buyersadvantagegrouprealty.net. She is standing by to help you, on your terms, in your time frame!

[photo credit]

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Triangle area residents, especially seniors, will be interested in this announcement from Raleigh Community Services regarding the Senior Resource Fair. In addition to information about various resources for seniors, visitors can have Flu & Pneumonia vaccines*, blood sugar & blood pressure screenings, learn about community services for health, wellness, care, and financial planning. Refreshments will also be served.

For more information, call Trenna Perkin at 919.847.4047 or email her at tcperk3@nc.rr.com.

*small fee, Medicare eligible

Where:

Saint Andrews Presbyterian Church | 7506 Falls of Neuse Road | Raleigh, NC

When:

Saturday, October 11, 2008 | 9am - 1pm

For more information about Triangle area real estate, contact Buyers Advantage Group Realty today!

photo credit: preciouskhyatt on Flickr

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Raleigh’s Homes by Dickerson has gone green. As of July 1st of this year, all homes have incorporated the Energy Star certification. Some of the features in a home built by Homes by Dickerson will include the use of Energy Star-qualified lighting fixtures and appliances, additional ventilation fans, high performance windows with protective coatings that block damaging UV sunlight and helps reduce energy costs along with additional insulation.

Buyers Advantage Group Realty understands the new construction process and can help you make the right decisions to get your dream home from imagination to move-in. Call Katie today to find out how to take your first step toward living in your dream home. Ask about our Guide to New Home Construction. Call us today at 919.573.6150.

Homes by Dickerson

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by Kathryn Dunkle, Client Coordinator

On Friday, September 12, 2008, Mars Petcare US announced a voluntary recall of products manufactured at its Everson, Pennsylvania facility. The pet food is being voluntarily recalled because of potential contamination with Salmonella serotype Schwarzengrund. This voluntary recall only affects the United States.

The company stopped production at the Everson facility on July 29, 2008 when it was alerted of a possible link between dry pet food produced at the plant and two isolated cases of people infected with Salmonella Schwarzengrund.

Even though no direct link between products produced at Everson and human or pet illness has been made, Mars Petcare US is taking precautionary action to protect pets and their owners by announcing a voluntary recall of all products produced at the Everson facility beginning February 18, 2008 until July 29, 2008 when they stopped production.

The company is continuing to work collaboratively with the FDA to determine the nature and source of Salmonella Schwarzengrund at the Everson facility. Since it has not yet identified the source of the Salmonella Schwarzengrund at the Everson facility, Mars Petcare US does not plan to resume production out of a commitment to the safety of our pet owners and their pets, customers, and associates.

The top priority of Mars Petcare US has always been and continues to be the health and welfare of pets and their owners. Consumers can continue to have confidence in the quality and safety of the products produced at other Mars Petcare US facilities. Only those products which were produced at the Everson facility are impacted by the voluntary recall.

Many of the brands involved in the recall are national brands produced at multiple facilities. Mars Petcare US will work with retail customers to ensure that the recalled products are not on store shelves. These products should not be sold or fed to pets. In the event that consumers believe they have purchased products affected by this voluntary recall, they should return the product to the store where they purchased it for a full refund. Specific product details and other information can be found at www.petcare.mars.com.

Contact an Exclusive Buyer Agent REALTOR at Buyers Advantage Group Realty, one who can help guide you through the process and take the stress out of homebuying.

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Creedmoor Partners’ Hasentree, a luxury new home community in Raleigh, has been named a Certified Gold Audubon International Signature Sanctuary. Fewer than 75 communities have been awarded this prestigious designation nationwide, and Hasentree is one of only five in North Carolina participating in the program.

Buyers Advantage Group Realty is dedicated to knowing the best communities the Triangle has to offer. Contact Katie to find out about more of Raleigh’s top neighborhoods and how you can see these beautiful homes. Call 919.573.6150 today!

The Hasentree Community

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