Happy Holidays from The Hungry HouseHunter!

As the holiday season draws to a close, I reflect back on 2008--

It was a crazy year for Real Estate as a whole, but for me, a good year. The Triangle market still holds fairly strong, and now is a great time to buy.

The uncertainty of the election is finally over, and Americans can rest assured wether your candidate won or not, things will change.

I use this time to thank all my friends and family for supporting me in this career path I have chosen. It can be feast or famine sometimes, but it is always fun!

I look forward to a New Year filled with lots of good health, good food, and good business!

If you are still in need of New Years Plans...there are a few local spots to check out:

www.PeakCityGrill.com (it is a favorite)
www.firstnightraleigh.com (tickets are only 9 bucks! and lots of fun!)

New Year, New Market

I picked up a real estate book yesterday, by Gary Keller. Shift is the title, and I started to read it, thinking about gearing up for the New Year. He's got some great insight into how the market has shifted and how its going to be harder for agents to get ahead. We are going to have to work harder, and smarter. Pricing homes is going to have to be more realisitic, and buyers are too.

We've been told several times in the past months to "go back to basics"--the habits we used to have of asking for business, handing out business cards, getting out there with our sphere of influence, and being the source of economic "good news". Luckily for us in the Triangle, our market is not nearly as down as many other metro areas. We've got people moving here daily--and as long as they can sell what they currently have--they will buy here.

So as I prepare for the holidays and make New Year's party plans, I have enthusiasm and excitement to get going! What better way to network than a party?

I got an email today from Peak City Grill in Apex, they are having their New Years Eve Party and it sounds wonderful! Check it out at www.peakcitygrill.com

Cary Makes #15 Safest City in US

I thought this was great news to hear. Cary usually does well in ratings around the country, and this is yet another noteworthy one! I found a copy of the artiicle in the Cary News. Click here to read it:

http://www.carynews.com/news/story/10994.html

Rates are still low this week as well, its a great time to buy!

I have always wanted to try the 'Tini's and Toes parties at Primp Salon Bar in Dowtown Raleigh. $48 gets you a spa pedicure and a premium martini! How cool! www.primpsalonbar.com

Holiday House Hunters!

Thanskgiving has passed, and the Christmas season has begun! Typically this a slow down period for the market, but occasionally you run into a holiday house hunter. Most likely they relocating for a job, and trying to be in and settled for the start of the New Year. It is not a bad time of the year to purchase a home. Most folks that have their house on the market this time of year, need to sell, and those look at this time of year, need to buy!

I heard that the Salem Street pub is open this week--I will have to check that out! Christmas on Salem Street in Downtown Apex is this weekend, beginning Friday evening with sleigh rides and the shops open with refreshments. Sounds like a great way to get in the holiday spirit!

The WRAL tower will be lit tonight at 6pm as well, on Western Blvd. in Raleigh. This has been a tradition for 49 years. Check it out!

Giving Thanks This Week

With all the hustle and bustle of the start of the holidays, this can be a very busy time of year. Family dinners, parties and get togethers are a wonderful way to reconnect with the ones you care about.

I will be hosting Thanksgiving dinner for my family this week, for the first time! I cooked a turkey last year for my group of friends, so this is not my first bird, but I am still nervous about it. I love to cook and entertain, and I know family will be fine if we have order pizza instead, but there is something intimidating about those things! I've assigned side dishes to family members, and should have everything under control and ready to roll by 6pm on Thursday. I'm looking forward to it.

Here's to wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving. Even though these are trying times for this country, we can all sit down and be thankful for a nice meal with our loved ones.

Here's to High Hopes for The Holidays

Can you believe that this time next week, the turkeys will be in the oven, awaiting our Thanksgiving feasts?!

The year has gone by quickly, and with all the doom and gloom of the news over the economy and real estate markets, it sure puts a damper on what should be "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year". Here's what I plan to do regardless.

Decorate--with what I already have, no need for too many new ornaments this year.

Shop--frugally, stores are offering enticing deals to lure customers in, I still plan to get thoughtful gifts, not flashy ones.

Party--checking my calendar today, I saw that I've got quite a few parties to attend this holiday season! Yay! I plan to use those opportunities to mix and mingle with the circle of friends I have, and be thankful for every minute. I plan to network too, hopefully someone will have a good lead for me.

Be thankful--for my health, family, and friends. It can only look up from here!

Realtors n' Rita's

Yay! We made it half way through the week!

I took the tour of the new Realtor. com this morning. It looks pretty good. I am glad to see they are catching up with the map searches, and allowing more photos and videos. When I was at the National Convention last week, internet presence was the biggest tip for 2009. One reason I started this blog! To take a look at it, go to www.TourTheNewRealtor.com I think it is going to help it become a more useful and popular search engine as the market picks up after the holidays.

Wednesdays are when I start to think about the weekend, and what I'll be up to. This weekend, I'll be heading to Sullivans and Solas in Downtown Raleigh for a birthday party--sure to be a blast. Steaks and Martini's--who can argue with that?!

If you are looking for a little midweek fiesta fix, La Cocina in Cary, off Highway 64 near MacGregor offers .99 margaritas on Wednesdays! Ole!

Mondays are for fresh starts

Mondays are always like a blank slate for me. You can start over with new ideas for the week, new plans, new fun for the coming weekend!

With coffee in hand, I start out with a brainstorming hour in the morning. Thinking of new ways to generate real estate leads, checking out the newest homes on the market through our MLS, and contacting prospects.

The real estate market always slows down at the holidays, but this is the best time to start generating ideas and strategies for the new year.

Monday's pick for a great dinner:

Peak City Grill & Bar, Salem Street, Downtown Apex
ALL YOU CAN EAT RIBS for $19.95--www.peakcitygrill.com

Who is the Hungry House Hunter?

Everyone has their favorite neighborhood eatery. Whether its a coffee shop that knows just how you take your first cup of morning brew (I'm a 1 cream and 2 Splenda girl myself), or the pizza place that you head to every Friday to enjoy the wine special and catch up with friends---most of us have at least one home away from home. A place where we know the menu, know the people, and find great food.

As a realtor in the Triangle area of NC, I work mostly with buyers. Some of my clients may already know this wonderful place I call home, and some are just beginning to discover what it has to offer.

As much as I love helping a new client find the perfect home, I love to recommend where they can find their new "home away from home". I think it gives people a sense of community, belonging and can sometimes help make the transition easier when they move to a new place.

Everyone always like a good recommendation for where to eat, right?

I came up with the title rather quickly, and although it sounded a little silly, I thought it was catchy enough, that people would remember it.

I'm a native of the Triangle area, specifically Cary, and one of my favorite pastimes is to try new restaurants. It feels good to support the local guys, the ones who rely on word of mouth to keep their business going. Finding a great slice of pizza and 2.50 draft of cold beer is only the icing!

I hope folks will find this information useful, and fun. I think we can all use a little humor these days, and positive views on the real estate market as well.

Follow me as I wander Wake County digging up some of the best eateries the area has to offer. I am open for suggestion too--I'd love to hear where you think the best spots to get a great meal are.

For now, I must go, it is lunch time after all...