Yesterday I called one of my clients and she was in an absolute panic. She had lost her wallet and was on the phone trying to cancel all of her credit cards. If this has ever happened to you then you know the fear, stress and dread she was feeling.

Here is a quick tip that will help ease your mind and take some of the work and panic out of the process.

Go to your nearest copy machine today. Open up your wallet and copy the front and back side of everything in it. Put the copies in a safe place such as a locked file cabinet or safety deposit box. If you lose your wallet it won’t be fun but, you will be able to protect yourself quickly and rebuild the contents without losing sleep over what you may have forgotten.

If your wallet or purse is stolen or lost for an added measure of protection you can also do the following:

1. File a police report in the jurisdiction where your credit cards, etc were lost or stolen. This prove to the credit providers you were diligent, and this is a first stip toward an investigation if there is one.

2. Call the 3 national credit reporting organizatons to place a fraud alert on your name and also call the social security fraud line. Placing this alert means all creditors will have to contact you before they can authorize new credit.

a. Equifax: 1-800-525-6285

b. Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742

c. Tran Union: 1-800-680-7289

d. Social Security Administration fraud line: 1-800-269-0271

I hope this never happens to you but, sooner or later it probably will. I have had a car stolen with my purse in it and my car broken into on vacation and my purse was stolen out of it. I’ve learned the hard way to  never leave my purse in the car and I have a copy of my wallets content locked in a safe place just in case I drive off from a gas station pump and leave my wallet on top of the car like one of my employees did last week.

Linda

I remember when my daughter Kelly attended Wake County schools and the fun we had shopping for new clothes and school supplies each year. Today preparing for back to school has become more complicated.  There are so many things to keep up with and many of you have children in elementary, middle and high. 3 schedules, 3 schools. WOW, I only had one to keep up with!

Because of all the frequent school changes that take place every year I have updated my website to provide one stop shopping for parents looking for information to balance a hectic schedule.   We have the latest in school information and childcare. If you know of anyone else that could benefit from this resource please pass it on.

Wake County Schools, Bus Routes, Daycare, Track Out information and more, found on LindaCraft.com

• Ability to search by zipcode for local daycares and child care providers.  See their star ratings, comments and general information. 
• Information on Project Enlightenment and Special Needs Services educational options
• The ability to search for Wake County base school information by street name and house number 
• The 2009-2010 early release schedule
• 2009-2010 Wake County Bus Route Information
• Resources for Homeschooling in North Carolina
• Private and Charter School Information
• Wake County Magnet school information, including the ability to search by city and grade
• Orange County, Johnston County, Durham County, Chatham County and Chapel Hill, Carborro School Systems and much more. 

Our team’s goal is to make your life easier as a parent.   We also offer other family resources including information on Raleigh, Cary, Clayton and Wake Forest  parent groups, moving checklists for kids and much more. 

Ahhhh school days… I miss the bus stop where all the mother’s gather with a cup of coffee in their hand. Enjoy the moments, they grow up so soon.

Linda

Going Green in your Raleigh Home will help you save green every month. You do not have to build a new home  from the ground up to have a healthier, greener home in Raleigh. These quick home tips will help save the earth while reducing your monthly housing expenses too. 

TAKE YOUR TEMPERATURE

Turn your hot water temperature down to 120 degrees and cut hot water heating energy compsumption

SWITCH THE LIGHTS

Compact fluorescent light bulbs use up to 75% less energy than traditional bulbs. Replace them in highly used fixtures such as porch lights, bathroom vanities, and office lights.

SAVE WATER

 Install low-flow shower heads and faucets to cut back on water flow or shorten your shower time and your water and heating bill

PLUG OUT

Use a power strip for your Raleigh home office or entertainment center. Even in standby mode, electronics account for 15% of the household electricity.

SWITCH OFF

Remember to turn off the light when you leave the room and to unplug your computer and other appliances when not in use. These small gestures will save you money and protect these items during bad weather. 5 to 10% of your energy cost goes towards lighting

ADJUST REFRIGERATORS

of all your appliances your refrigerators will use the most electricity in your Raleigh home.  Adjust the temperature to 37 degrees F and your freezer to 0 degrees F  and save.

WASH CLOTHES 

in cold water and save roughly 36 cents a load.

DRY CLOTHES OUTSIDE

Hang your heavy duty clothes and bed linens outside and get that fresh smell.  You’ll also be reducing the amount of  energy you use in your home.

SEAL IT

Search for hidden air leaks around doors, window, electric outlets and in your attic, basement or crawl space too. Seal them with caulk, spray foam or weather stripping. With four seasons in Raleigh sealing a  home can cut energy consumption by up to 10 percent.

NIGHT NIGHT

Lower your themostat at night and stay warm with a down comforter. For each degree you lower it, you’ll reduce heating cost 3% to 5%.

RATE IT

Look for Energy Star-rated products for your Raleigh home. They can save you a third of energy cost.

Going Green with Raleigh real estate can turn your home into an energy-efficient investment.

Have a great Memorial Day Weekend!

Linda

Good news for all of us who live and love Raleigh, NC. Forbes.com ranked Raleigh #1 March 25th, 2009, as the best place for business and careers. Durham ranked #3.

With wonderful publicity such as this, PLUS  UNC and Carolina Hurricanes both in the play offs for championships the Raleigh real estate market is getting a nice media boost.

As predicted the Raleigh real estate market is bouncing back faster than other areas around the country. Sales in all price ranges have increased. I have had multiple offers on several properties and other Raleigh REALTORS have reported this as well.

Many people are still waiting and trying to time the Raleigh Real Estate bottom. In the lower price points $300,000 and below, those that are waiting have missed it.

Inflation will drive up interest rates so if owning a piece of Raleigh real estate is in your future I would take action now. Rates are low today and Raleigh home prices are stabilizing and on the rise in some areas.

Please don’t be one of the people who look back 2 years from now with regret that you didn’t buy a Raleigh home or investment property when you had this incredible opportunity. It is really a great time to buy.

If you or any of your friends, families or co-workers have have questions about the the current Raleigh homes market, I am available by email or at (919) 235.0007.

Have a great day-

Linda

Today I heard that WRAL- Channel 5 -would be featuring a story on the potential danger home owners face when allowing strangers into their home when they are selling it themselves.   As Agents we take this matter very seriously.   Some of you may remember several years ago when a real estate agent in the Fayetteville area was shot and killed when showing someone a vacant home.   The North Carolina Real Estate Commission published a booklet for agents on safety and what people should and should not do when meeting strangers for the first time.   Our local Board of REALTORS and Triangle MLS requires all agents to sign a confidentiality agreement stating that they will keep all lock box codes, security alarm passwords and such matters confidential.  The fine for sharing any of this information with a non-agent can be as high as $1,500.   This is a very serious issues and I urge you to take as many precautions as you can before you open your home to strangers, including service providers and lawn care professionals.  Make sure that you know their true identity and ask for proof of driver’s license, business license, etc.  What ever may apply to help keep you and your family from danger.  

 Here are a few good tips to use:

Write down the color, make, model and license number of the car the person arrived in.

Tell someone you trust who are meeting, what time they will be at your house, what time they should leave.  Have them call you at a certain time to make sure you are ok.

Keep your cell phone in your pocket, not in a different room

Trust your instincts.  You have them for a reason

 Dress for safety- do not wear expensive jewelry

 Keep your valuables out of site- your laptop is included in this too.

For more information on how to protect yourself contact the Raleigh Police Department or an agency that offers self protection classes.

 Have a great day-

Linda

RALEIGH, N.C.

Linda Craft

Linda Craft and Team REALTORS® announced today that Linda Craft has achieved the Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) designation from the Distressed Property Institute. Craft is the first and only REALTOR® in Raleigh to receive the designation, joining only 1000 agents worldwide that have earned the certification.

“Historically, a percentage of the real estate market has consistently been in distress,” said Craft. “With the recent challenges in the subprime lending market, this percentage has grown exponentially. I felt it was important to acquire the specialized knowledge needed to assist home owners in need.”

Rapid growth in what once was a niche market requires agents to gain specialized knowledge and learn new processes that will allow them to successfully assist homeowners in need. The Distressed Property Institute provides the tools and information REALTORS® need to help distressed homeowners avoid foreclosure and move forward with their lives.

To further enhance the ability to provide homeowners with every option available to find the best solution for their situation, Craft has established a new division to handle short sales and foreclosure properties in addition to her company’s Retail Residential Real Estate services. She and her team now have the expertise necessary to guide homeowners step by step through the review of 11 options available to avoid foreclosure and alternatives to preserve their credit history. In addition, they are prepared to help buyers trying to maximize their home buying budget through the often complex process of locating, evaluating and purchasing a foreclosure or short sale property.

About Linda Craft and Team

Linda Craft and Team, REALTORS®, the Triangle’s 4th ranked real estate team, has been helping individuals and families find a place to call home in all price ranges for over 20 years. A Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), Linda Craft has helped over 5,000 people maximize profits and minimize costs in the sale or purchase of a home. Whether you are looking for your first home or your dream home, planning to relocate, or need to sell for the highest value, the Linda Craft Team can help. For more information, please call 919.235.0007 or visit www.lindacraft.com.

Hi Friends,

I have the privilege through my Raleigh real estate career to meet the most interesting people. This year I was blessed with a family who purchased a home from my Team and is now bringing love into many Raleigh homes. This family has a heart for homeless old dogs and they formed The Grey Muzzle Organization to benefit homeless senior dogs. Senior dogs are abandoned for many reasons: families move, owner’s won’t or can’t provide needed medical care, or they just aren’t “fun” anymore. Their goal is to create a world where no old dog dies alone and afraid. They are placing homeless senior dogs into new homes all around Raleigh and the Triangle. To learn more about The Grey Muzzle Organization visit greymuzzle.org

I have an old rescue dog in my home named “Katie,” and when she goes to doggie heaven, I would love to have another old dog just like her. She’s the best!

Have a great day-

Linda

Last Sunday I was ask to be one of the judges for the Rex Healthcare 2^nd annual celebrity chili cook off at the RBC center. This event is held to bring awareness to Rex Heartburn Center. A large percentage of the population suffers from heartburn and most do not know that Rex Healthcare has a local facility to help.

Ron the Ref, of the NHL and Mark Thomas, of 99.9 the fan were also judges. The three of us tasted chili and voted on ten area restaurants. They each had very distinctive flavors to appeal to many different pallets. At the end of the judging we unanimously voted for the top three best chili’s in Raleigh. So, with the chill in the air if you are craving a hot bowl of chili to warm you up, here’s the list of competitors and the winners:

Carolina Ale House

Bella Monica

Bentleys

Dos Taquitos

East Village Bar & Grill

Irregardless Café

Rex Healthcare

Savor Hospitality

Tavola Rossa

Zely & Ritz

And the winners were: 3^rd place, Bentleys – 2^nd place Zely & Ritz – 1^st place Bella Monica!

To learn more about Rex Heartburn Center call 919-784-BURN

Bon appétit!

Linda

Our team is excited to announce that Ronnie & Karen Allen of Durham, NC won the 5 day Open House Cruise Drawing!   For every 50 entries our team receives at our open houses a cruise is given.   For more information on how to register or to receive notifications about Open Houses through out the Triangle, please visit www.LindaCraft.com or email events@lindacraft.com