Monday, December 28, 2009

What to do for NYE?

I hope everyone had a very Happy Holiday. Looks like it may rain here New Years Eve, but there are some awesome events occuring all over town...First Night in Downtown Raleigh, Dinners at Peak City and Ocean Grill in Apex. What are your plans?

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

It's Here! Bocci's Italian Restaraunt at Lochmere Pavillion

It's Here....Bocci Italian Restaurant
Lochmere Pavilion's new restaurant, Bocci, is now open for business and it's hopping. We were there this week for an agent social, and I brought home some pizza that we really enjoyed!

Check the Bocci web site and get a sneak peek at what's going on at your new neighborhood restaurant.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake recipe at Kraftfoods.com

As Thanksgiving quickly approaches. I think back to this challenging year in Real Estate and want to thank all of those that have been clients of mine, referred someone to me, and all those who helped make this year another success. I'm hosting Thanksgiving Dinner for my family this year, and currently searching for some new ideas! I love this time of year! I found this emailed to me this morning by Kraft's website. Sounds pretty good!

Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake recipe at Kraftfoods.com

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Trader Joes Opening in Raleigh!

Raleighites no longer have to come to Cary for $2 Buck Chuck! Trader Joes opening in Raleigh this week!

http://www.newraleigh.com/articles/archive/trader-joes-opens-friday-oct.-30/

Monday, October 5, 2009

Even U2 Loves Coopers BBQ...

http://www.newsobserver.com/entertainment/story/126850.html

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Maggy Awards Link!

http://www.carymagazine.com/maggy-awards/vote-now-2010-maggy-awards

Vote for your favorites, Cary Magazines Maggy Awards!

Take the time to vote for your favorites in Cary Magazines Maggy Awards! I personally voted for Homegrown Pizza and Myatt Landscaping Concepts!

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Deen Boys in Cary Tonight!

These boys are too cute, and cook to boot. If you are a fan of Paula and her home cooking...check out her sons tonight at Barnes & Noble in Cary...you may see me in line!

http://www.newsobserver.com/105/story/1691096.html

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Thursday, September 3, 2009

Noodles & Co. Coming to Crossroads Plaza!

Check it out! I have been to the one in Cameron Village in Raleigh, its good!

Noodles & Co. Coming to Crossroads Plaza

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Thursday, August 20, 2009

Downtown Raleigh Restaurant Week August 24th-30th

Get to downtown Raleigh to check out which restaurants in Raleigh are participating in a special prixe fix menus next week!

You can make your reservation at OpenTable.com

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid28522536001?bclid=28560999001&bctid=30841189001

Thursday, July 2, 2009

NC Seafood Market Restaurant

Went there today, and had a shrimp sandwich! So good! It was a busy place this afternoon, and the Farmer's Market too. It's a great time of year to check out fresh veggies and plants to brighten up the yard. Definitely worth going!

Cary, NC was voted one of the top growing cities in the U.S. yesterday by CNN Money!

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Happy 4th of July from The Hungry House Hunter

I checked out the newly remodeled Farmer's Market Restaurant yesterday, and had a wonderful lunch! Fried Chicken and Green Tomatoes! Can't be beat!

With the holiday approaching and the weather heating up, the real estate market is in it's full swing.

First time homebuyers are getting the best deals these days. I had clients this past week who were so excited to hear that the $8000 tax credit CAN be applied to your 2008 taxes with an amendment.

If you know someone who's thinking about purchasing while the rates are low and inventory is up, remind them of this!


Looking for fun this weekend? Check out WRAL's "Out & About" Section

Thursday, May 28, 2009

HouseHunter on NBC 17!

Just in case you missed it--I was featured on a brief story done by NBC 17 yesterday! They are really trying to get a positive feeling out there for our housing market. Showings and closing are both picking up and are increasing over where we were last year at this time. Prices and interests rates are both really low, and it's a great time to buy! First time homebuyers are really getting a deal with the $8000 Tax Credit as well.

Watch the video of the NBC 17 story here!

http://wake.mync.com/site/Wake/news/story/35419/realtors-builders-say-housing-market-turning-around/

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Ocean Grill Open on Salem Street!

I went to the newly opened Ocean Grill on Salem Street in Apex yesterday for a very good lunch. I had the Ahi Tuna burger, which was excellent. The atmosphere is quaint, with a large fish tank in the back, and the upstairs rum bar looks like fun! They have their fish flown in every day, and even have fresh oysters! I makes for a great addition to the area and is owned by the same folks who have the very successful Peak City Grill across the street.

Check out their website and view the menus at: www.theoceangrill.com

There has been better news about the Triangle Real Estate market this week, home sales are up, and rates are still low! Check out information on the $8000 tax incentive at: www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Easter Greetings From The House Hunter

Hope everyone had a great Easter! The Easter Bunny was good to me! Things are picking up here in the Triangle real estate market. I got 2 homes under contract last week! The first time homebuyers tax incentive has really got people motivated, and interest rates are still AWESOME!

My husband and I also had dinner at Tyler's Taproom in Apex on Friday night. I had never tried their pizza before, but it was EXCELLENT. I definitely recommend "Giacomos". Mushrooms and Italian sausage. Too good.

Here's to hoping the phones keep ringing!

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

SuperTarget Coming to Holly Springs!

I've seen the signs! New Hill Place is coming! Located at the Corner of Hwy 55 bypass and Old Holly Springs/Apex Road (on the way to my inlaws!)--there is a big sign for the new complex. I went to the realty company's site and downloaded the pdf. map of the complex. Looks like it will be huge, and there is a Frank's Movie Theatre coming too! How great! Thought it was worth sharing, and there should be a few more restaruants to try too! Can't wait!

http://www.kiterealty.com/portfolio.cfm/Property/72/Tab/Site_Plan/

Monday, March 16, 2009

March Madness!

It's the start of Spring this week, and we are starting to see more activity in the real estate market. More folks are thinking of putting their homes up for sale, and we are slowly starting to see buyers come into the market. The stock market has picked up slightly and the tax incentives are starting to encourage them.

We watched some of the ACC tourney with friends on Thursday night, sadly it was not good for my Wolfpack, but we had a great meal at Tylers Taproom. It's located at Beaver Creek Commons in Apex. They have a nice restaraunt area, and then a "speakeasy"in the back, which is pretty cool. They've got large TVs and tons of great beers on tap and bottles. My husband was very excited that "Fat Tire" from New Belgium Brewery has made it to NC from Colorado. He's been a fan of it for years, and finally can get it here. Comes in a 22oz. though--watch out! :)

Check out Tylers great menu at: http://tylerstaproom.com/

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

1st Time Homebuyers Tax Credit!

I am so excited about the tax credit that has just been introduced! I hope it will generate some buyers who are ready to snatch up some of the great deals that are to be had in our market! Here is a website to answer many questions about it: www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com

Turns out that a first time buyer does not have to be a "First Time Ever" buyer--if you haven't owned a home in 3 years, you qualify. It is also not being required to be paid back!

Hope you are all having a Happy Mardi Gras! Visit Rey's Restaurant in Cary to get your beads!

www.ReysRestaraunt.com

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Where is all the Good News?

I've always been an avid watcher of the newscasts. It's habit with me. I usually tune into the local channels in the evening, and GMA in the mornings. I like to hear what's going on in the world and keep up to speed. It's also become a key part of my business.

Real estate, obviously has been a HUGE topic for the past several months. How bad it is, people losing their homes, and how nothing is moving. Very little is being said when good things happen. I am sure that EVERYONE saw the article in the N&O last Wednesday with the headline "42000 Jobs Lost"--but if you flipped to page 7B, you saw an article about Californias market actually hit an upswing in December, and that the West region is starting to climb out of the hole it's been in.

That's GREAT news for our area--don't we have lots of folks moving here from other places? Don't they need to sell their homes before they buy? Isn't it great that things are selling?

I hope that people will turn off the TV sometime, and find a local source who really knows what's going on. Get in touch with a local realtor, someone you know and trust. It's their job to keep on top of what's going on in your local market. They can give you the confidence and reason.

It is a GREAT time buy, I had some clients do this week! They got a great deal on a home, timed it just right, and are very happy. They'll get an unbelievable interest rate I am sure.

The Triangle is not immune from what's happening in the world, we know that. But it is a great place to call home, and when things pick up in other places, they pick up here. We are still a destination many want to be.

Oh! And I almost forgot! I actually won a Soup Cookoff last week in our office! There were 8 contestants, and my "Frogmore Stew" was a hit! It's a low country boil, full of shrimp, sausage, corn & potatoes. Very simple and easy to make!

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Midweek Motivation!

I attended the TREE (Triangle Real Estate Experts) Summit today at our local realtors association this morning. It was absolutely wonderful! Some of our areas Top Producers spoke about how they are dealing with the challenges of our current real estate market. All of them felt confident that the Triangle was not suffering the way many cities are, but that we have seen a "Shift"--which is a book by Gary Keller that I am currently reading.

The real estate market became a place where folks were not buying for shelter and long term investment. They were "flipping" and trying to make quick money. This caused a huge inflation of prices and as folks thought "If I don't buy now, I'll never have a home!"--they stretched their budgets to reach unaffordable homes, and now face a daunting situation of possible foreclosure.
Buyers now fear that if they buy "They will lose value as prices continue to fall".

We as Realtors, must be here for our clients, we must take this time to educate ourselves on how to help in these dire situations. We must get "Back to the Basics"--making phone calls to our sphere of influence, not just blanket emails. Sending personal handwritten notes (hard for my generation! I'll admit it!) to say "Thank You" for choosing me to be your real estate resource.

What goes up, must come down, and what's come down, must go UP. Buyers must feel this confidence, and we have to be there to give it to them. Rates are historically low right now and there is money to be lent.

High Inventory=Greater Opportunity.

Now really is a GREAT time to buy.

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Making Up The Money & Mudbugs at Tony's!

I had a conversation with a potential client about putting their home on the market this week. She was afraid that they would not get what they were hoping for, and certainly not what they needed to get out of their current home in able to purchase a new one. I told her that one advantage of the market right now is that you may be able to make up what you "lose" in your current home when you purchase a new one. Deals are being made out there, folks who are relocating, or in a tough job situation may be willing to bargain, and take less for their homes just to get it sold. Although our market has not suffered like many in our nation, we have slowed some, and if you are considering purchasing--now is a great time. Rates were under 5% on Friday! Wow!

My hubby and I ventured out Friday night for dinner, and we happend up on Tony's Oyster Bar in MacGregor's shopping center. I had a hankering for oysters, and to my husbands surprise--Crawfish are the Friday and Saturday special! You get a pound of the spicy "mudbugs" for 6.95---with hushpuppies and slaw, its quite a deal! The oysters were great too, I eat them steamed with saltines and Texas Pete. Pretty tasty!

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

A New President, New Hope for Many

I was snowed in yesterday here in Raleigh, NC, and was glad. I was able to sit and watch the Inauguration of our newest president. It was quite a production, and I thought Obama's speech was wonderful. He's given a lot of people great hope for the future. Although I find that inspiring, I know it will take the work of all of us to get this country back on the right track. I am hoping that the housing market will be one of the first challenges Obama tackles. You can voice your opinion too at www.fixhousingfirst.com.

I was so surprised to see so many restaurants offering patriotic treats! Krispy Kreme was giving out free doughnuts, Dunkin' Donuts was offering up red, white and blue sprinkled items, and if you haven't seen it yet, you have to try Ben & Jerry's Yes Pecan!

"YES PECAN!" An Inspirational Blend! Amber Waves of Buttery Ice Cream With Roasted Non-Partisan Pecans. If you decide to indulge in some “Yes Pecan” in Scoop Shops during the month of January, Ben & Jerry’s is donating the proceeds to the Common Cause Education Fund.

Common Cause is a nonpartisan, nonprofit advocacy organization founded as a vehicle for citizens to make their voices heard in the political process. They are committed to honest, open and accountable government, as well as encouraging citizen participation in democracy. Their Education Fund conducts research, education, and outreach activities.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Activity is Picking Up!

Just as the new year has started, the phones have started ringing in real estate! How exciting! Mortgage rates are absolutely incredible right now! Although it is certain to spark a ton of refinances, there is encouraging news that it could get some folks off the fence to buying a new home.

Inventory and prices are good here in Raleigh. There are more homes on the market that we are used to, but prices are still holding, and we are not seeing a "bottoming out" like many markets are seeing. This is such a wonderful place to live and has won so many accolades--I have clients who want to move here from all over the country right now!

With all this cold weather coming our way this week, I've had a craving for a warm night out to the Melting Pot--the fondue restaraunt. Sitting in a booth with a bottle of wine as you and your friends or family cook your own food--its not your usual in and out place--dinners there can take a while, but you really get time to enjoy your company, and the smells are incredible. You cannot pass up the desserts--chocolate and more chocolate!

There are 2 locations in our area--Raleigh and near Southpoint Mall in Durham. Their house salad is to die for (something about that dressing!) and they have some wonderful specials--a great place to take your sweetie for Valentines too!

Visit their site at www.meltingpot.com