Raleigh Bank to Start.  On September 26 Highwoods Properties will break ground on the $100 million 31 story RBC Centura Bank building.  It will be in downtown Raleigh and become the tallest building in Raleigh.  It will include approximately 250,000 square feet of office space and 139 condos.

John Fish (919) 696-3474  Email: marvmax@mindspring.com    Web Site:  www.JohnFish.com

National Housing Market - What’s Hot & What’s not.  The Parade of Homes in Raleigh and throughout Wake County is almost upon us which means you should have in mind those things the national markets are looking for as you view homes of any price.  Other areas have either had or are about to have their Parade of Homes as well. 

High ceilings have certainly been popular around here for a long time but the preferred heighth (perhaps because of heating costs) is currently 9′ to 11′.  Most buyers are looking for four bedrooms and despite the fact that people continue to eat more and more meals out, dining rooms are still in. Formal living rooms are going the way of the Oldsmobile and where found are, more often than not, converted into an office or library.  Home theatres continue to be in demand whether in a top of the line “It costs WHAT!!!” form or simply an area that can be used for media purposes.

Kitchen’s that open into the family room and breakfast area are also a priority.  Whoever inherits the kitchen duties still wants to be part of the action.  Home buyers are, more than ever, taking the Good Book to heart by saying, louder than ever, “Let There be Light!”  Being able to see out and get out - is most decidedly in: French doors - yes.  Sliding glass doors - no.  Speaking of the kitchen, the more the merrier is the name of the game for counter space.  Deep drawers, two sinks, and a warming drawer are all to be seen.  In larger homes two dishwashers are becoming almost a standard and more and more large home have two full sized refrigerators.  No longer is number two frig consigned to the garage.  Butler’s pantries that in years past have come and gone and come back again are most certainly in current demand.  While I hear a lot of complaining about it being almost impossible to keep stainless steel appliances looking good, they are in ever higer demand as are appliances with designer colors and cabinetry to, in many cases, conceal all of them.  In fact, kitchen cabinets that look like furniture are keeping many a local cabinet maker working seven days a week. Regardless of size an eat-in kitchen is a must for most home buyers.  Granite counter tops are still in and concrete is gaining ground although not as much as has been anticipated because of weight considerations.

Wall space for the large, flat TV screens is needed as is wiring that not many years ago have put many a good-sized office building to shame.  Consider the wiring and wiring plans needed for cable TV, computers, internet, phones, surround sound, interior and exterior automatic lighting systems that boggle the mind, home theatres and the electronics needed to support an in-home office.

The need for more cabinet space to accommodate TVs, associated electronics, glass-ware, collectables, books - you name it - continues to increase. Other storage needs expand as well: larger laundries, master closets that are sometimes of a size that would have been good for a master bedroom in the past, walk-in and, in some cases, walk-thru pantries.  The beat goes on.

Stained concrete and wood flooring is warm, functional and in demand. Stone and large rustic tiles are current favorites as well.  The warm luster of Brazilian Cherry floors has lost a lot of appeal because it seems to scratch rather easily and the lady of the house it finding it difficult to keep them looking good. Laminate and patterned cultured marble have taken a “deep six” as well.  

Before continuing with what is going on inside, lets take a look outside.  Last year’s Parade of Homes saw another increase in the number of Tuscan, French, Spanish and English “old world” style homes.  They feature stone and stucco walls, heavy wooden beams, tile roofs and iron fixtures.  These types of homes and features continue apace this year. 

The craftsman style, farmhouse style, and ranch styles are gaining momentum again in many parts of the country.  However, the slowdown in home sales in some parts of the country certainly puts a damper on a lot of builders plans and may well throttle any move toward a significant increase in ranch style homes since it is much less expensive to build the two-story box than it is the more spread out ranch.

A three car garage is becoming the norm and in many upscale homes four car is a must with five and six car garages now not all that uncommon.

Now, back to the interior.  All the “goodies” that go along with the European style homes are in demand such as heavy wood and iron entry doors.  Brushed nickel and weathered brass hardware, wood covered ceilings, heavy wood beams and weathered flooring are part of the package as well.  Front porches, covered patios, outdoor fireplaces, are also being looked for.  According to interior designers around the country soft colors are in and faux finishes are out.  However, with regard to faux finishes, I have seen quite a few expensive homes, currently in the finishing stages, in North Carolinal, Virgina and Georgia that have faux finishes and they looked as elegant as ever.

 Energy efficient products are in more demand than ever such as high efficiency AC, low-e glass, top qualify insulation (sprayed insulation of several types), etc.  However, in a way that is same old - same old.  The really high powered approach to energy efficiency such, as solar powered homes, while gaining a little in demand still lags badly.  Perhaps people won’t get truly interest until h— overtakes them and we run out of oil or it gets to $100 and more per barrel and stays there.

Bath fixtures are of many finishes: nickel, bronze and chrome.  Old style two-handle faucets and farmhouse sinks are in fashion as are bath sinks of stone, stainless, glass and granite.  Antique sinks and antique cabinetry are in as are pedestal and wall hung lavatories and free standing tubs.

If you are purchasing a home you get what the package delivers.  However, if you are building a home or buying one where you can still select many of the items in it, I would suggest that you give servious thought about how wise it is to have such items as old two-handle faucets, farmhouse sinks and free standing tubs.  These fashions come and go very quickly and when you want to sell they can become a drawback if they are not in at the time.  Buyers always have other things they can look at so beware as to how you match the old and the new.  Actual antiques or antique style lavatories and cabinetry (wherever used) have a good chance of being in demand for a long time.       

As you wander through the Parade homes think about these things and , as always, ENJOY!

John Fish (919) 696-3474   Email: marvmax@mindspring.com   Web Site: www.JohnFish.com

Triangle Incorporations Increase. New incorporations in the counties that comprise the Triangle area (Wake County, Durham County, Orange County, etc.) were up again in August.  They totaled 1,733.  Compared to one year ago the increase is more than 11 1/2%. 

John Fish (919) 696-3474   Email: marvmax@mindspring.com   Web Site: www.JohnFish.com

The Red Star is rising over Raleigh.  Are the Russians coming?  No, it’s Macy’s.  Macy’s has taken over the five Triangle area Hecht’s stores.

Another area star that is rising is Knightdale.  Knightdale’s population is now more than 6,300 which is triple what it was just five years ago.  Strong retail expansion goes along with the population growth.  For example, the 450,000 square foot Shoppers At Midway Plantation is almost completely leased. 

John Fish (919) 696-3474  Email: marvmax@mindspring.com   Web Site:  www.JohnFish.com

Wake Forest, North Carolina. The Hasentree subdivision was launched with much fanfare a few months ago.  In the interim the infrastructure has been put in place and now “the show begins.”  Hasentree is on a 934 acre tract directly off of N.C. 98 three miles or so West of Wakefield.  The Tom Fazio designed golf course is well along, should be completed by early next year and be playable by next summer.  Construction on the 11,000 square foot family center is ready to get underway and construction on about $30 million in new homes should start within 30 days.  Homes will range from the $800s up to as much as $5 million. 

There are some 600 lots in Hasentree.  While most are one acre in size some will be smaller. Of the 934 acres, 433 acres will be open space which includes the 198-acre golf course, undeveloped buffers and trails. Of the approximately 600 lots, 80 were sold this Spring and another 40 will be released in the Fall. 

As the developers, Creedmoor Partners, are the areas premiere developers of up-scale subdivisions, anyone looking for a lot on a fine gold course, in a top quality subdivision would do well to investigate Hasentree NOW!

For a Hasentree package, call me, John Fish, at 919-696-3474 or send me an email at marvmax@mindspring.com.  Also, don’t forget to look for me and Max on my Web site:  www.JohnFish.com.

John Fish (919) 696-3474   Email: marvmax@mindspring.com  Website: www.JohnFish.com

Research Triangle Park.  Network Appliance a leading data-storage company, now has a local work force of 600.  That’s three times as many as it had just two years ago and well ahead of company projections.  Those projections now call for as many as 2000 workers in coming years.  For those of you who may be looking for technical jobs in this area the company has 60 job openings in RTP on its Web site.

NetApp, unlike IMB and Hewlitt Packard that have data storage as just one facet of what they do, does data storage only and is one of the two major players in that industry.  EMC is the other. 

The company is concentrating in the Triangle because of the areas lower energy  and real estate costs.  Other main factors in the Triangle’s favor, for them, is the areas relatively stable weather and the availability of quality workers willing to work second and third shifts.

John Fish (919) 696-3474   Email: marvmax@mindspring.com   Web Site: www.JohnFish.com

Research Triangle top research Hub.  A report of the top research hubs in the U.S. puts the Research Triangle area at the top.  The Silicon Valley Leadership Group, which is comprised of a group of businesses in the Silicon Valley corridor, have issued their report on what they consider to be the top technical hubs in the U.S.  The Triangle received high ratings for a strong job market, affordable housing and manageable traffic.  The rankings are: (1) - Raleigh-Durham  (2) - Seattle  (3) - Denver  (4) - Austin  (5) - Portland  (6) - Greater Philadelphia  (7) - Washington  (8) - Chicago  (9) - Boston  (10) - New York  (11) - San Diego  (12) - Silicon Valley

If you are considering a move to this area, want further information and an agent who knows the area, call me:  John Fish - Keller Williams Realty - (919) 696-3474   E-Mail: marvmax@mindspring.com   Web Site: www.JohnFish.com  Blog: www.raleighdurhamrealestateblog.com