The NY Times seems to have a growing fondness for our area and our "gastronomical" delights. Its great to see our corner of NC getting its due. Btightleaf, Downtown, great bars and dining spots, nightlife locales, ballpark, performing arts center - what more can you ask from a town? Durham Dining: Pies, Panini and Barbecue Jenny Warburg for The New York Times An office party at Revolution. By INGRID K. WILLIAMS A DECADE ago, a suggestion to head downtown for dinner in Durham, N.C., would have been derided for falling somewhere between foolish and absurd. The area, full of vacant tobacco warehouses and boarded-up storefronts, was anything but a dining destination. Jenny Warburg for The New York Times Brunch at Rue Cler. “It was pretty much a ghost town after 5 p.m. or so,” said Kelli Cot... 06/30/2011

From the Washington Post – May 2011 There are about 30,000 high schools in the U.S. More than 20 Triangle area schools have made The Washington Post’s 2011 Challenge Index rankings of the nation’s top high schools. Raleigh Charter High School was the lone area school in the top 100 on the annual list, which previously was published in Newsweek magazine. The recently released rankings are developed by taking the number of Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and other college-level tests taken and dividing by the number of graduating seniors. Here is the list of Triangle schools: * Raleigh Charter, 54 * Carrboro, 154 * Enloe in Raleigh, 155 * East Chapel Hill, 158 * Woods Charter in Chapel Hill, 190 * Chapel Hill, 278 * Jordan in Durham, 454 * Green Hope in Cary, 466 * Durham ... 06/23/2011

    Homeowners with young children face a common challenge when their house is on the market: How do youkeep the home clean and ready for prospective buyers while maintaining a kid-friendly and safe environment? Keeping that “staged look” as the kids create instant messes can be overwhelming. Your primary focus should be the kids’ bedrooms, according to two home stagers. “Children’s bedrooms are often problematic when getting a home ready to sell,” said Külli Yee, founder and president of Ilus Design Home Staging and Re-design, Port Coquitlam, B.C., Canada. “They tend to have more clutter than most rooms in the form of toys and activities, and out-of-season and hand-me-down clothes and toys are often stored in the child’s bedroom.” Yee suggests limiting the number of toys and activitie... 06/13/2011

When it comes to preparing your home for sale in an environmentally friendly way, Kermit the Frog had it wrong. It is easy being green. With so many homebuyers seeking green features in the homes they consider, sellers should create an eco-friendly atmosphere for the buyer, and that doesn’t always mean costly fixes. It’s always nice for a homebuyer who’s been touring houses all day to find water or a snack waiting for them in your kitchen. Instead of leaving the customary bottled water, go the eco-friendly route and have a pitcher of filtered tap water at the ready. Add some organic fruits and vegetables and keep trash minimized. Also, use glassware and plates instead of plastic cups and paper plates. This practice is not only green, it shows class. Talk with your agent about using rec... 06/13/2011

The accolades for the Bull City have been piling up as of late, and the most recent one will certainly add allure to our well-balanced city. Some of our recent kudos are listed on the scroll at Durham’s website. In a May issue of US News & World Report, it is reported that the Durham-Chapel Hill area of North Carolina is the place that represents the greatest amount of sexual equality in the entire United States. This study is based on income equality, male and female representation in the workplace, and educational level. I read recently that there are now more females than males getting their advanced degrees, and the educational metropolis of Durham-Chapel Hill should certainly be a place where this equality is most evident. 05/27/2011

Susan Richter | Prudential York Simpson Underwood Realty | (919) 313-3470 4605 Erwin Road, Durham, NC House in the country yet 5 minutes to Duke! 3BR/2+1BA Single Family House offered at $235,000 Year Built 1956 Sq Footage 2,270 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 full, 1 partial Floors Unspecified Parking Unspecified Lot Size 43,560 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION House in the country yet 5 minutes to Duke!? Awesome,spacious updated ranch with finished basement on 1 acre. Great W. Durham neighborhood,close to Lochnora. House has been lovingly restored and updated! Hardwoods, stainless steel appliances, master bedroom with gorgeous bathroom.Lower level makes great inlaw suite/apartment. 1 minute to Rocky Hollow Swim & Tennis or New Hope Creek! see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES -... 05/19/2011

First Priority Financial would like to welcome our newest loan professional, Alan Morris to our Raleigh North Carolina branch!  Alan started his mortgage career in 1980.  He successfully created, operated and managed two successful mortgage loan companies. Factoid: In the early 80's his company was the first mortgage brokerage in the State of North Carolina!  FHA, VA Jumbo and conventional loans are just some of his expertise.  Alan is certified to originate FHA 203k stremline loans.  Alan currently lives in Durham but originates mortgage loans throughout the state of North Carolina. Alan is very personable and always professional. 31 years of experience sets him apart as one of the most knowledgeable licensed loan professionals in the State of North Carolina. First Priority Financial a... 04/15/2011

Despite what you may read in the financial press, real estate has always been and continues to be, the IDEAL investment. The best real estate most of us will ever own is the real estate we bought yesterday (or last year, or ten years ago, or even longer ago). Everyone you talk to wants to own real estate. Few people will tell you they purchased more real estate than they should have. In fact, just the opposite is true. Most people will tell you that they wish they had purchased, and held on to, more real estate over their lifetime. The major drawback of real estate as an investment in years past has been its liquidity. For the most part, and particularly with technology and the Internet, that is no longer much of an issue. Properly priced property sells and real estate can be turned int... 04/11/2011

When people enter your home they usually look down before up, so that first step is vital for attracting a homebuyer and making a great first impression. This is one reason why more people are installing hardwood floors in their homes. Hardwood flooring enhances the look of any room and can create a classic ambiance that will beautify the interior design of your home. Residential real estate agents agree that homes with wood floors hold their value better, sell faster and fetch higher prices. Last year, 99 percent of real estate agents responding to a national survey conducted by the National Wood Flooring Association agreed that homes with hardwood floors are easier to sell. The survey also found that 82 percent believe that homes with hardwood floors sell faster and 90 percent said th... 04/05/2011

In my household, Spring is more than only about cleaning. I also reevaluate ways that we use energy and water, and take steps to minimize our carbon footprint. One website that I came across recently that helped me operate our systems more efficiently is one that comes from eco architect Eric Corey Freed. His website offers great advice to help everyone to reduce the utility bills in their home. Eric Freed’s advice for us addresses five areas: 1) Wrap Your Home in Insulation, 2) Install a Programmable Thermostat, 3) Conserve Water through Smart Technology, 4) Cool Your Roof, and 5) Upgrade Your Lighting. I am happy to report that the Neighborhood Energy Retrofit Program that is being offered in Durham also touches on many of these same energy-reducing techniques. Eric Freed, LEED AP (L... 03/21/2011

Alright everyone, mark your calendars, if they are not already properly highlighted – March 19-26 is Durham’s Third Annual Creek Week 2011! This focus on our watersheds is extremely important because it is imperative that we keep the water in our creeks fresh and clean. Heck, Durham County’s own Falls Lake is the main water source for the capitol city of Raleigh. Also, our body is between 53 and 70 percent water, depending on whose research one believes. In order to see the myriad possibilities that are available to anyone who is fortunate enough to take in one of the events during Creek Week, please visit the Keep Durham Beautiful website. There are over 30 activities that are scheduled during the week through which one may experience wildlife available to only those who spend an Eveni... 03/15/2011

Raleigh Market Reports - How is the Housing Market in Raleigh? Durham/Chapel Hill Named #3 Healthiest Housing Market in the Nation Best Places to Buy and Sell a Home in 2011  Looking to build a new home in the Durham/Chapel Hill, NC area? These two corners of the Research Triangle Park continue to stand out as some of the best places to live in America, this time proven by housing market growth, rising median income levels, and increasing employment opportunities.   Durham/Chapel Hill has just been named the number three healthiest housing market in the nation for 2011, according to extensive research by Hanley Wood Market Intelligence.   Their data states: 2011 Building Permits are projected to increase 70% to 3,250 Single-family home permits already increased 60% in 2010 Existing home... 03/13/2011

Our own DPAC has vaulted to the national top-10 in sheer attendance levels for US Theaters for 2010. The high-quality shows that will continue though this year can be found on their website. The coming attractions include: comedians Jerry Seinfeld, Wanda Sykes, Brian Regan, and Carol Burnette; musical performances by John Mellancamp, the Celtic Women, Diana Ross, and the multi-talented Steve Martin with the Steep Canyon Rangers; stage productions Avenue Q, Hair, and Monty Python’s Spamalot; and spoken-word artist Garrison Keillor. With a lineup like this, I see the DPAC rising to an even more prominent position for 2011. 02/10/2011

Moving is stressful for those of us that move by ourselves and it is stressful for kids too. I was talking with someone this week who reminded me of some sage advice I think is relevant for people who are planning on moving with children. She said that the best advice she could give is when you are dealing with a stressful situation like moving, it is important to make sure that you are honest with your children and acknowledge how they are feeling about the move and let them talk about that with you. I think about all these situations where parents or other adults say to the child things such as, “It will be fine.” “Don’t worry.” “It will be a new adventure.” “It will be fun!” “You get to be in a new school with new friends.” “You get a fresh start.” None of those things are very helpf... 01/26/2011

When the housing market began to decline, many developers were forced to slow down construction on some of their communities, or even put projects on hold completely. Now that the tide is beginning to turn, these projects are moving back into full gear. One development experiencing a renewed vigor is K. Hovnanian Homes’ Four Seasons at Renaissance in Durham, North Carolina. Four Seasons at Renaissance is a new community that is located in the heart of the popular triangle area between Durham, Raleigh and Chapel Hill. This lovely development enjoys a prime location and residents will appreciate living in such convenient proximity to a wide variety of dining, shopping and cultural attractions. Once complete, residents will also appreciate the amenities that the builder, K. Hovnanian, will... 01/23/2011

  Growing up my mom hated when we would burn candles. She would have flashbacks to a kitchen fire that occurred when she was a child. There were candles burning in the kitchen and it caused their kitchen cabinets to catch on fire. No one was injured but it did a lot of damage to their kitchen. Needless to say there were never trick candles on my birthday cakes... and I wasn't allowed to have a Lite Brite either. Winter means extra fire hazards inside your home. Space heaters, candles, wood burning fireplaces, extension cords, plus all the extra decorating items that are used can be dangerous. Consider these questions: Do you have a fire extinguisher? Does everyone in your house know where it is? Is it buried under the kitchen sink behind 20 bottles of cleaning products? If you have chi... 01/20/2011

There are many reasons that Durham’s revitalization has been touted by impressed visitors, but it is really something to see us listed by The New York Times as one the “The 41 Places to Go in 2011.” Here is the text from the Saturday, January 8th edition of this great newspaper: “A decade ago, downtown Durham was a place best avoided after sundown. But as revitalization has transformed abandoned tobacco factories and former textile mills into bustling mixed-use properties, the city has been injected with much-needed life. In the heart of downtown, a crop of standout restaurants and cafes has recently sprouted around West Main Street, where low rents have allowed chefs and other entrepreneurs to pursue an ethos that skews local, seasonal and delicious. The farmers’ market favorite Scratc... 01/12/2011

This past year, several of our neighborhoods in Durham were selected to have energy-efficient upgrades made to their houses by taking part in the Neighborhood Energy Retrofit Program (NERP). This project is made available through President Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The upgrades are being funded through the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency. The homes that applied for, and were accepted into the program, will have several upgrades performed on them to make them less consumptive of energy this winter, and through these actions, will have reduced utility costs for many years. The improvements that will be made include adding new attic insulation and sealing air leaks, sealing ductwork, installing programmable thermostats, and adding ... 01/12/2011

Even if you don't like music you probably know who Taylor Swift and Kanye West are. Kanye West made quite an impression, and not a positive one, at the AVMA awards in 2009 when he jumped on stage and interrupted Taylor Swift's acceptance speech for a music award. What does this have to do with real estate? Much of the success of selling a home and succeeding in the music industry is about reputation and appearance. They are more important than talent, or in the case of selling a house, they're more important than overall value. Kanye's inappropriate outburst is the same as the house for sale with the bright red master bedroom walls - even if the rest of the house is tasteful and in good condition, that one room will define the house to the prospective homebuyer. It will become the "stop... 01/12/2011

When thinking about what to offer on a foreclosure, you might be tempted to low ball. Sometimes this works out well. Sometimes this may not the be the best strategy for buying a home. Low balling is a strategy that works but sometimes a property could be lost to low balling. The longer the property has been on the market, the better chances of a deal going your way. These properties tend to be a drag on the bank and they would like to unload them as soon as possible. They are listed at a  higher price first, with the intent of the bank getting back some of what they’re owed. After a while, the bank realizes that the market will not bear a sale at that price and will begin to reduce the price. There are pros and cons in the art of low balling. Obviously you get a home for an excellent p... 12/17/2010