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

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!

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/

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/

Great Recipes!

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

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!