Cary Real Estate Blog

Last weekend, my husband Joe and I took our 1 1/2 year old mini labradoodle , Kanga Ru, for a short drive from our Preston neighborhood in Cary, NC to the American Tobacco Trail.    While Kanga had to be on her leash, per the trial rules, we all had a great time just enjoying our walk.  We accessed the path at the White Oak Trailhead just off of Green Level Church Road.  The actual address is 1305 White Oak Church Road, Apex, NC  27523.

Kangu Ru ready for her walk!

We passed a lot of bikers and walkers.  I think next time we will bring along some friends who have a labradoodle as well.  In our real estate business, LG Real Estate, plenty buyers are always asking about local things to do in Cary.  I can’t believe how long it has taken me to enjoy this option that is so close and accessable to our home.  Do you have any ideas for local outings?

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Wow!  Am I excited.  As what seems like a rarity, I am a local girl who grew up around farming and lots of fresh veggies.  Many summer nights were spent hanging out under a HUGE old oak tree while the family shelled beans and told great stories; often after a fun evening of baseball.  An all veggies dinner is still something that I love!

Veggies for Sale!

One of our favorite neighborhoods which we specialize in at LG Real Estate is Carpenter Village.  Just last weekend, they opened  a weekly Farmers Market which is open each Saturday until November from 8am- 12pm.  You can find out more about the amazing local vendors, fresh from their farms at www.westernwakefarmersmarket.org.  The address is 1226 Morrisville Carpenter Road.  Perhaps I’ll see you there!

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2009 Summerfest Series

The North Carolina Symphony moves outdoors to the Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary NC for the summer season.  Bring your neighbors and kids, pack a picnic and enjoy the festive atmosphere and vibrant sounds of the summer. You can wear your shorts and flip-flops, sit back on the lawn and enjoy the stars and the music.

11 Summertime events  

         There are 11 events scheduled on the Sunmmerfesr series and rickets are on sale at the Booth Amphitheatre box office and all Ticketmaster outlets. The complete schedule and pricing can be found on the Koka Booth Amphitheatre website.

4th Of July Concert

One of the highlights of the summer series is the July 4th Independence Day concert and fireworks display. My wife Lenda and I attended the July 4th concert our first year here in Cary in 1994. We were amazed at the number of families and young children enjoying the festivities, picnics and spectacular fireworks over Regency Lake.

Please enjoy the summer series and contact us with any questions about the concerts or real estate in the Cary area.

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 The Cary area downtown farmers market is now operating on Saturday mornings and Tuesday afternoons.  The hours are 8:00 -12:30 on Saturdays and 3:00 – 6:00 on Tuesdays.  The Cary farmers market has a new location at Chatham Square, 744 E Chatham Street.

VEGGIES AVAILABLE

A sample of veggies available include beets, cabbage, cucumbers, lettuce, mustard greens, onions, peas, radishes, scallions, spinach, sugar snaps, sweet potatoes, and tomatoes.  The Cary Downtown Farmers Market features only items grown within a 60 mile radius of Cary, NC.

FREE FACEAINTING ON SATURDAYS 

In addition to fresh fruits and vegetables, shop here to find pasture raised meats, cut flowers, crafts, pottery, artisan roasted coffee, and baked goods.

On Saturdays, the market also offers free face painting for the kids.

Hope you can drop by the market and enjoy the atmosphere and wonderful foods.  Call us or email for directions if you are not familiar with downtown Cary.

When you  visit the market, please send us a comment on how you liked the new location and amenities.

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Triple Tax Credit

The new stimulus bill, recently signed by President Obama, triples energy tax credits for energy efficient home improvements.

Now is the time to repair or replace old energy systems with new efficient systems that save monthly energy costs and provide a generous tax credit to boot.  When you invest in highly rated insulation, replacement windows, duct seals, or high-efficiency heating or cooling systems, you can now receive a tax credit worth 30% of the upgrade cost.  The maximum credit you can receive is $1500.

Additional Tax Credits From State of North Carolina

As a homeowner in Cary NC, you can further maximize your savings by choosing projects that also qualify for a State of North Carolina tax credit.  Current projects that qualify for NC tax credits are related to renewable energy sources.   For a list of qualified projects, please refer to this website: North Carolina Incentives for Renewable Energy.

Any energy improvement projects that you are considering need to be installed between January of 2009 and December of 2010.  Cary homeowners - you can then claim your tax credit when you prepare your income tax return for 2009 or 2010.  Here are the important records you should retain to verify your credit:

• Name and address of the manufacturer
• Make and model number of the component
• Statement that the component meets the energy efficient standards
• Climate zones for which the criteria is satisfied
• Declaration that the certification statement is true

List of qualified components and projects

To view a list of components and projects that qualify for the expanded federal tax credit, please visit the Energy Star website.  We would be happy to recommend qualified contractors in the Cary area who have worked with our real estate clients and done a fine job.  Please call LG Real Estate at 919-653-2647 or visit our website: CaryHomesNC.com

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FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER TAX CREDIT 

Here’s a great summary of the first-time homebuyer tax credit provided by Debbie Owens, one of our home mortgage consultants at LG Real Estate.  Mortgage rates are at a historic low and inventory in many Cary neighborhoods is high.  So if you are a first time home buyer or have not owned a home in 3 years, give us a call.  Your timing is perfect!

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As we reflect on our daily trials and tribulations especially after reading the newspaper, here’s a nice recipe to follow today and everyday.  It was sent to us by a friend and we have endorsed the recipe as part of our LG Real Estate business plan for 2009.

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile.
It is the ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Talk to God about
what is going on in your life.

3. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement,
‘My purpose is to __________ today. I am thankful for _________’

4. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that
is manufactured in plants.

5. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries,
wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts..

6. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

7. Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues
of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead
invest your energy in the positive present moment..

8. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a
college kid with a maxed out charge card.

9. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.

10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

11. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

12. You are not so important that you have to win every argument.
agree to disagree.

13. Make peace with your past so it won’t spoil the present.

14. Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their
journey is all about.

15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

16. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: ‘In five years,
will this matter?’

17. Forgive everyone for everything.

18. What other people think of you is none of your business.

19. GOD heals everything - but you have to ask Him.

20. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

21. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick.
Your friends will. Stay in touch!!!

22. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

23. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements:
I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________.

24. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

25. When you are feeling down, start listing your many blessings
you’ll be smiling before you know it.

We hope this recipe works for you like it works for us.  By the way, this a great time to buy Cary real estate.  Interest rates are unbelievable low, inventory is high, and builders and homeowners are motivated to sell in most Cary Neighborhoods. 

Let us know what you think of the recipe.

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NEW! Are you frying a turkey this year or making some traditional recipes that call for frying?  If so, the Town of Cary will collect waste cooking oil and grease at the curb (minimum half-gallon) by appointment through January 30.  To participate in the program, citizens must call Public Works and Utilities Customer Service at 919-469-4090 to schedule a free curbside pick up.

Place the used cooking oil and grease in a sealed food container such as the original oil container, a coffee can or a soda bottle.  Have the container by the curb by 7am on the day of the scheduled pickup.  The collected cooking oils will be recycled into an environmentally beneficial bio-fuel.
Our team at LG Real Estate wishes you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

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Dave and Lenda Goulding, founders of LG Real Estate, spent a delightful day on November 10th in Puerto Natales, Chile.   Puerto Natales is a bustling port town situated in the Patagonian area of Chile overlooking the Ultima Esperanza (Last Hope) gulf.  Puerto Natales is the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park, a spectacular park comprised of mountains, glaciers, lakes, and rivers.

We arrived aboard the Prince Albert 2

We arrived in Puerto Natales on day 8 of a 12 day Chilean fjord cruise aboard the Silver Seas expedition

ship, the Prince Albert 2.   We decided to skip the day trip to Torres del Paine since we visited and spent 5 days in the park 2 yes ago.  Instead, we embarked on foot to explore the town. 

We found that Puerto Natales is full of outdoor expedition type shops as well as many small artisan shops featuring native jewelry and crafts.  There are several travel agencies promoting mountaineering, horsebackriding, kayaking, and whale watching trips.

Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate !

Lenda & Dave at Patagonia Dulce

The highlight of our walking tour of Puerto Natales occurred when we stumbled onto Patagonia Dulce.  Patagonia Dulce is a Chocolateria and both Lenda and I made a beeline for the front door.  Lenda ordered Grandma’s hot chocolate and I had a mocha espresso type drink.  We of course augmented our drinks with a decedent piece of chocolate cake and a huge brownie to go.  Patagonia Dulce was quiet and restful and the chocolate was better than outstanding.

Next, we browsed through a craft shop and bought postcards highlighting Penguins, Dolphins, and Whales.  We wrote nice little notes to our 3 granddaughters and mailed the postcards at the local post office.  Our granddaughters love receiving postcards from GG and G-Pop.

Later, we found Angelina’s, a great Italian restaurant for lunch.  I ordered a nice homemade pasta dish and Lenda ordered french fries and a coke.  I have to admit the french fries dipped in catsup tasted mighty good after 8 days of fine dining aboard the ship.

High Hopes of Fixing the Economy

With high hopes that our 3 week vacation would fix the economy and stimulate the housing market, we returned home to Cary, NC.  Well things are not exactly fixed but we did sell 2 homes last week and can get your home sold as well.  Plan on visiting Puerto Natales in your future travels and in the meantime check out our website: CaryHomesNC.com.

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I read with great interest the TBJ article last week titled “Homes Not So Sweet“. The bulk of the article discussed the stark realities of many financially troubled Wake County new home builders. One aspect of the article written by Triangle Business Journal writer Amanda Jones Hoyle that I found particularly interesting was contained in the last paragraph. It was at this point in the article that Ms. Holye identified numerous Triangle subdivisions that were performing well. Recalling data supplied by Metrostudy, Ms. Holye listed the following Triangle neighborhoods that continue to realize steady new home sales.

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