Ho Ho Home for the Holidays

Happy Holidays everyone! I'll start you off with a little poem I wrote about the weather this week in the Triangle:

I feel like we got robbed this week in our State.

It's been raining for weeks. It's more than we can take.
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Then, the weatherman said "We'd see some snow-

an inch or twelve", he didn't quite know.
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The stores were soon packed - milk & bread quickly bought,

"I think I just saw a snowflake" or so they'd all thought.
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I soon located my sled and headed for the hills,

but with this "speckle" of snow, I couldn't catch any thrills.
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It snowed for a minute and then turned to rain.

Once more, I thought to myself - not more of this again.

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The Northeast was buried. They got a day off work,

Here "O'Fishel" can't leave his house for being called a "jerk".

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Winter is just starting, so I'll still make this wish,
Soon I'll be downhillin' on my neighbors satellite dish.

I will be spending the holidays here with my family in Chapel Hill. I've been in the office a lot for December, a typically slow month for real estate. I have been Triangle wide this month; a new listing in Raleigh, buyer under contract in Chapel Hill, and working with flippers to get a home ready for sale in Durham. That and getting all my New Years calendars ready to send out to you all.

2009 has been a roller coaster between work and life. The market went bust but it was another record year for my sales, my Dad and I joined up to form The Wehmann Team, and I got to see my nieces and nephews get one year older. I saw friends get married, have kids and start new lives, I had a best friend who's life was taken just as it was getting started. I hope that through all the madness of this past year you made it out the other side a brighter person.

In the spirit of old Saint Nick, I thought I would cover a home maintenance topic often overlooked until December: The Chimney. You don't want Santa shaking off all that soot in your living room, so think about getting it cleaned and inspected. It is recommended by the Chimney Safety Institute you have yours cleaned once a year, but that is a lot to ask of any homeowner.

When the soot starts to build up inside a chimney, there are more hazards than a smelly home. This soot can ignite up inside your fireplace, making it's way through any cracks that may exist causing a home fire. Build up in narrow pathways through fireplace, such as birds nests, may block the smoke then circulating carbon monoxide back into your home. This goes for gas fires too. So if it's been a while, have your chimney swept and inspected for your homes health.

Have a fun and safe New Years eve, and here's to a great 2010. Thanks to everyone who brought me business and referrals this year, and to all of those that read my blog I really appreciate it. I started this blog with a poem, might as well end it with a joke:

What did one snowman say to the other?

"Does it smell like carrots to you?"

Going The Distance

Gobble Gobble y'all, it's that time of year again. Work potlucks, tacky sweaters and road trips back home. I personally enjoy all of those things, and everything else that goes with the holidays. Many of you will be out hitting the stores this Black Friday, I personally avoid it. Although I do like the competition aspect of it. Storming to the back of a Home Depot at 5:45am to get my hands on one of ten graphite broom handles for only $4.99!

Running has never been a thing I've enjoyed, so no telling why I started training for a marathon. Maybe because I'm not a big fan of the gym, I seem to spend more time getting ready than I do in there. I've picked out a novice training program although it doesn't feel that way. The longest run I've had to endure so far is 6 miles, I ran 3 today in just under 24 minutes. Getting onto the sofa even feels like a strain afterwards, but I'm sticking with it. 16 more weeks to go!

Another part of the holidays is the real estate market slows down. This year is a little different than last however, October sales Triangle wide were up 26% from last year. These increases are good news for the market, but it should also be considered October 2008 was just about the complete bottom of the market. We also have the tax credit working to our advantage, helping existing and new home buyers now.

Many people don't want their home being showed over the holidays for good reason. Let's take a look at the other side of that, some advantages to listing this time of year:

1. The buyers looking this time of year tend to be more serious.

2. There are fewer homes on the market, less competition means more money for sellers.

3. Many people will buy before the end of the year for tax purposes.

4. Sell your home now so you have time to buy and take advantage of the $6,500 tax credit!

Since we are on the topic of Thanksgiving and delicious food, I'm glad to see a Trader Joe's has opened up near me. It would have been safer running through traffic than making your way through there on Opening Day, I tried. But when it settles down, get your hands on some of those appetizers. Most I've tried are delicious, and the Two Buck Chuck isn't too shabby either. I'm sure quite a few of you will be having a glass over the holidays.

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I'm looking forward to my high school 10 year class reunion this Friday. Geez how time flies. It's being held over at The Station in Carrboro, I hope there's enough room. It's a combo reunion of both high schools since many of us from East Chapel Hill High once attended Chapel Hill High. I'm sure people will still be arguing over which one is better.

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I'll be pulling for East Carolina to win their division this Saturday and host the C-USA title game, either way a solid season from Skip Holtz and the Pirates. It's also important to note this is the most dangerous holidays for driving and there are a high rate of accidents. Drive safe, take it slow and enjoy your Thanksgiving weekend.

To the Max!

Halloween is just the best, do I really have to wait another year for it? My sister Carrie put her seamstress skills to work and fixed me up with this "Max" costume from Where the Wild Things Are. Of course the year I wear a thick fabric suit it was 80 degrees out. Franklin Street was a good crowd even though the town is trying to close that chapter of Chapel Hill tradition. I'm sure this video kept a lot of people from joining the festivities, haha. My only regret is that I missed this flash mob that gathered for a Thriller rendition.

My blog domain name is ringing even truer these days. Per my home showings this Saturday, I began in Chapel Hill and ended in Garner. It's only right I had made the switch from TarHeel Broker to Triangle Broker a few years ago, I am covering all sides of the Triangle on a regular basis. I am consistently educating myself on all areas of the Triangle so I can be a good resource of information to my clients.

Over at my main website, http://www.liveinthetriangle.com/ has been invoked with a little bit of sound. Friend & musician Nick Bailey prepared a track he thought would be fitting and I think it does just the trick.

The decisions made in Washington this week could have a large impact on my business. I'm crossing my fingers that the tax credit extension is passed. This has proven to make an impact on home sales this past year and certainley on my business. The extension would include a new credit, if you have owned a home for 5 of the last 8 years you would be eligible for a $6,250 credit. The first time buyer credit of $8,000 would remain. Just waiting on the politicians in Washington to put their ink on it.

If your thinking to yourself, "I can't afford a house because I spend all my time & money on golf", don't worry. You aren't to be left out. Many have discovered the loop hole in the tax credit now being dubbed "Cash for Clubbers". Consumers are getting golf carts qualifying as street legal for almost free through the loophole in legislation. Ironically those people getting these free carts and playing golf frequently are not the targeted recipients of the governments bailout money. Somebody has to be yelling "fore" over this in Washington.

Local elections are underway and the streets of Chapel Hill are littered with signs. I'll be ready for these to be over so 1.)my For Sale & Open House signs can get some recognition again 2.)we need some better candidates involved in the Town Council. I'm endorsing Jon DeHart for this position. The last cycle of Council members issued themselves lifetime health coverage. Nice move during a recession guys. Matt Czajkowski was the only Council member to protest it, that will probably be enough to get him the votes for the Mayor position he looks to fill.

This week as I try to cope with my favorite holiday being over, I look forward to a Christmas full of egg nog and tacky sweater parties. There will be a holiday that involves lots of food and plenty of homes to show in the Traingle until then. After four years as a Realtor I'm used to work slowing down as we move towards winter. This year is turning out to be different, my Dad and I are both outfitted with clients and look to end our year strong. The amount referrals I have recieved this year from friends and past clients has been flattering. I appreciate everyone that trusts in the level of committment I give to my clients. Have a great week.

Tickled Pink

I know you are probably thinking, "Wow, another blog already? But he just wrote one." Well I am crazy...crazy for blogging. Ok moving on, I'm looking forward to another weekend and the last wedding I will be attending this year. That is pending none of my friends elope and ask me to attend, I have never known anyone to do that. Such a free country we live in.

It's been busy around our office this week preparing for Tickled Pink. Our group gets very involved with breast cancer awareness in October, this is one local event that we are involved with here in Chapel Hill. Some agents here spent many hours this week preparing this scene out front of our office. The pink pumpkins were painted that color, otherwise I'd be winning a ribbon at the fair with one of those.

So I'm going to give a brief snapshot on how the Triangle market has fared this year so far. We have seen our sales returning from 2008 albeit at a slow pace. The average sales price has only reduced 6% Triangle wide compared with 2008. Some areas like Chapel Hill have even seen a 12% rise in sale price. These are not bad numbers given that closed sales are down over 20% on the year.

The numbers show more homeowners have decided to stay put this year, with new homes on the market down 19% over 2009. With even less inventory the homes are still averaging 14% more days on market. A continuing trend into 2009 is the lower end homes are selling much better. The high end home market has been slower and spending even more time on the market. This trend is likely caused by the tighter lending limitations on the high end and great rates and a tax credit benefiting the low end market.

The market from my perspective has been great for my buyers. My dad and I have had 5 closings in the past 20 days alone. This next few months will be a real scramble as my first time buyers rush to get under contract before the end of the month. Most of my clients have been getting FHA loans, only requiring 3.5% down at a great rate. Many of them have used Whitney Long at Carolina Home Mortgage who has prepared their loan packages in less that 30 days.

I am glad to see my favorite band Widespread Panic is making it's way into the Carolinas. It's been a while since I've seen the boys. I am debating on heading up to Portsmouth, VA this Wednesday but will 100% be at the Raleigh show next Sunday.

I've been thinking a lot of my friend Chris since he passed a few weeks ago. Some days it still doesn't feel real. It's hard to think of going to concerts and tailgates this fall with out him around. I know he is missed very much by everyone.

Hope you all have a safe & relaxing weekend. Thanks for reading my blog on your Friday, hope you get to leave work early today.

Bright Side of the Road

I've been enjoying my new location downtown Raleigh lately. I fancy a nice bike ride or evening stroll, with lots to offer in the immediate area it's been quite dandy. A bike ride up to the Cameron Village Harris Teeter is much more enjoyable than fighting that cramped parking lot mess. A jog down to Five Points is the perfect run if you're like me and keep it under a mile. Or walk down to the new pizza place Sauced for a late night slice.

I work between Raleigh & Chapel Hill so the I-40 drive can be a bit tedious. As long as you don't get the mobile secretary driving 55 in the far left lane it goes by like a breeze though. That is one reason the Triangle keeps getting rave reviews and top rankings by so many publications. There is so much to offer in each town, from Raleigh to Durham & Chapel Hill; if you aren't enthused by one town you can skirt on down the road to the next.

I'd have trouble calculating the tax dollars going towards programs that so many people can't even access. $8,000 for each first time homebuyer, $4,000 for every clunker turned in. So here is a look at other programs that will help you get your piece of the pie while making your home more efficient.

Cash For Appliances

There is a federal program available this fall allowing consumers to get cash rebates when they buy new, energy efficient appliances. There will be $300 million in funding with rebates ranging from $50-$200. Lower your bills & spruce up your home at the same time. Remember, appliances are personal property & are not considered part of the sales price unless specified. You can always take these with you on your next move.

Efficiency Rebates

The government is rewarding homeowners that make their homes more efficient in other ways as well. From windows to roofs, insulation to water heaters. You can receive up to $1,500 in credit for installing eligible HVAC units right now. Make sure when purchasing any of these products you are educated in what qualifies for the credit. For those homeowners that will have to replace any of these in the near future, better act now before these credits expire.

It's no secret though there is talk about extending & increasing these credits, most importantly the home buyer credit. Tim Geithner acknowledged last week they would be looking into this. It's no gurantee though, so don't get caught looking if the put the brakes on the program. Maybe they'll do a clunker home trade in program. Matter a fact some builders in the Raleigh area are doing just that, allowing you to trade your existing home for one of theirs, plus the difference of course.

Well the football season is off to a fast start, just like ECU's loss column. That 1-2 record is good evidence how we appear to be playing though. Despite losing to UNC this weekend I had a great time at the game. You certainly get your money's worth of exercise tracking friends down at a UNC tailgate though, climbing parking deck stairs is a lot different than crossing the flat terrain of Greenville. An ECU football alum made headlines on theOnion.com last week in this article . Most of you ECU grads should get a kick out of it.

Chris Raynor Oct.20 1980-Sept.12 2009

Obituary

"If I had one gift that I could give you, my friend, it would be the ability to see yourself as others see you, because only then would you know how extremely special you are."~B.A. Billingsly

I'll always miss you Big Cat

Getaway's & Giveaway's

This week has been a bit crazy for me trying to get all caught up. I was out of town last week & a sure fire way to become busy as a Realtor is to go on vacation, it happens every time. Luckily my Dad & business partner was here to pick up all the slack. During the time I was gone he put our new listing under contract and wrote two offers for my first time homebuyer clients. Only 100 days left on the tax credit so lots of these folks I'm working with are starting to feel the squeeze.

The past week I spent down in St.Thomas with my girlfriend JoBeth. It was an amazing place and I'll miss the poolside drinks & that crystal clear water. What I found funny in the Virgin Islands is the law prohibiting you from driving with your shirt off. They'll slap you with a quick fine for that, but it's totally legal to tote an open beer while driving. If you see someone doing both at the same time you probably just pulled across the border into Georgia, now head on back to NC ya hear.

So one thing I've really enjoyed since making the move to Coldwell Banker is all the tools they make accessible for us. The entire way people start their home search is moving towards the internet and they realize that. New tools like this iPhone app give the property I sell much more exposure while being a great search tool for consumers at the same time.

This coming weekend will be a busy one with about 14 showings, a home inspection and a Sunday Open House. There I can at least look forward to eating my Ben & Jerry's, I can never give it away! Who would of thought passing off single scoop cups of ice cream on a hot day would be difficult. Maybe they don't want the added pressure of buying the house that comes with eating the agents delicious treats. There is however no commitment to buy after treating yourself to a scoop of my Chunky Monkey.

Well other than the busy forecast I'm hoping to get in some fun this weekend. I'll probably head to Carabba's for dinner one night with the gift card I won. Usually I win based on luck, but this was a home pricing competition and I came out on top. My market knowledge was strong that day. Anyways I hope that all of you have a splendid weekend. Download the new CB app on your iPhone and find a home I can show you next weekend!

SPF 8,000

It's 5:00 somewhere, thankfully right now that place is Emerald Isle. My family is down for a week and right now we're awaiting some house guests coming over for cocktails & hors d'oeuvres. The weather has been great for us this week and I've taken on a bright shade of red. SPF 6 was a bold move for my first full day of sun.

Duty has called and I have to return back to Raleigh for work tomorrow unfortunately. I shouldn't complain , it's nice to have so many clients and to be this busy right now. I turn right back around and head to Tampa for a bachelor party on Friday. That kicks off a 2-month spree of one wedding after another. Throw in a trip I'm taking with JoBeth to St.Thomas in August and it makes for lots of traveling but lots of good times ahead.

The recession seems to have done most of it's damage on the real estate market. The # of sales around the country are picking back up although sale prices still seem to be down. In some markets these prices are picking back up quickly. I am skeptical of anything that happens quickly in a real estate market. The Triangle was slower to react to the slump and I see a benefit to it rising at the same pace.

While the # of sales in the Triangle is down about 14%, the average sales price is only down about 9% from the last year. This is a good sign homes are holding their values a little better than other areas. These low interest rates coupled with the valuable tax credit available to first time buyers should keep our local market headed in the right direction. Don't forget, only 124 days left to get your $8,000 tax credit.

Well I'm posting on Twitter now, you can follow me @JohnnyWehmann. It seems like just yesterday I was refusing to join Facebook, my how times change.

Well that cocktail hour is sneaking up here so I better wrap up. Here's a quick look at some of the fun my family has been having here at the beach. My nieces & nephew are at a great age right now and keep their Uncle Johnny quite busy. Thanks for reading - Adios!

Kelly & Wyatt after a go-kart ride, he definitely thought he was driving!

Carrie & Lily floating in the surf

Giving Wyatt some surfing lessons

Light Fuse, Get Away

The rubber is really hitting the road this weekend, everyone I know seems to be making their way out of town. Most folks are heading to the coast, including myself. I was wondering if I would ever get a weekend off this summer, turns out I will after all. We'll be shacking up down at Oak Island for some sun & relaxation.

If you are making your way down I-40 take a look at this ridiculous thing off the Cary exit. I just noticed it for the first time the other day. It is a cell phone tower that residents were complaining over, apparently it's ugly and unbearable. They have since revised it to look like a tree. Albeit a tree 60 feet higher than any surrounding trees. Personal opinion=way tackier.

Instead of pushing everyone to get their first home & $8k in tax credit, I'll offer up some household tips for those that have already done so.

Refrigerator

Clean it our every few months, you know who you are. You should also be cleaning the coils on the back every year. This can easily be done with a vacuum cleaner attachment. If you want to check that you have a good seal on the door, it should be able to hold a dollar bill in place when you shut it.

Air Conditioning

If you are using the traditional fiberglass filters you should be changing it monthly. Who really does that you wonder? Maybe no one, but it will keep your system running much more efficiently. Want to go green? They make reusable filters that require a monthly clean.

Washer/Dryer
Does it sometimes sound like the washer is a bucking bronco? Whoa cowboy, adjust the legs on that thing. Turn these legs clockwise to lower them all to the same level. It's also a good idea to check the supply houses for wear & tear. A busted hose when your out of the house can cause major problems.

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Disposal

Give it a good clean by running a tray full of ice cubes through there while flushing with cold water. Throwing your extra lemon wedges in there can help the smell too. To prevent it from getting clogged, run the water for at least 20 seconds after use.

Billy May's passed away this week, but his products live on. Pick up some Oxy products to clean up your household. But it was the Michael Jackson coverage that dominated the news recently. I'd guess to say Michael Jackson was the most famous person on the planet. He seemed like an odd character to me, but I love his music and I may have been the only person who bought his last CD he put out. Yes people do still buy CD's.

I hope everyone has a safe and fun holiday weekend. Let's not forget what we are celebrating and the troops who are fighting for us. And let my accident in 2003 be a lesson to everyone that the instructions on firework labels should be followed. Thanks to the ECU burn clinic you'd never know it, thanks y'all!

A great place to visit but a better place to live...

A couple times a year I find I overlook the importance of sunscreen. Today I'm paying for it as my face resembles a red delicious apple. Adding insult to injury I incurred the burn sitting through two ECU losses to UNC in baseball this weekend. The Tarheels really got the best of my Pirates, we chose a bad time to go cold as some UNC players came through with great performances. Oh well, there's always football season.
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This past Friday JoBeth & I were invited along with other guests to the G105 studio and surprisingly got some air time on Bob & The Showgram. I was caught off guard when they put us on the spot with an ambush of relationship questions. It was a fun experience though that I'll be able to look back on and laugh about. You can hear it here, starting on Seg 9 @ 4:49 & continues through Seg 11.

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We won tickets to see The Hangover movie while we were there. That has to be the funniest movie I've seen in years and I'm anxious to get back and see it again. The folks sitting behind us did feel the need to laugh uncontrollably loud and repeat lines out loud and excessively. They were one kick of the back of my seat away from getting a drink in the lap, and I don't like wasting expensive movie sodas.

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So the Triangle area received more great press recently. Our market #'s are looking great going into the summer and that has been reflective of my business as well. On the Today Show recently the Raleigh area was rated as the #2 market in the country predicted to rebound from the housing slump. Factors such as our early foreclosure rates, jobs here in RTP, and relocation were used in our ranking.

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Forbes also just recently ranked Raleigh as the #1 place folks are relocating in the country. Charlotte was #3 behind Austin, TX so we are looking good in the Carolina's. Men's Journal just named Durhams' Watts-Hillindale as being one of the top 30 coolest neighborhoods in America. Alas the News & Observer didn't like the trend I suppose, so they continue to run negative front page housing articles like this that feed the fears of the public.

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Well I'll need to find something else on Tuesday evenings to keep me busy these days, our kickball season is officially over. We were all disappointed to lose our first playoff game to a team we had already beaten in the regular season. I'll miss hanging out with the team each week but I'm sure lot's of the same folks will be ready to play next season. I'll personally name Mike, pictured here, our team MVP for his kickball skills and post game attendance.
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I'll be having my first Ben & Jerry's open house this weekend. If you're in Chapel Hill stop by my new listing at 1112 Willow Drive and have a scoop.

Two Scoops of Real Estate

I just realized I've been blogging for over a year now. First getting started I had no idea how to even write a blog, many of you may still agree with that.

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I have gotten plenty of questions this year about how my business is doing. Well it's truckin' along, working with a lot first time home buyers. Quite frankly if you're in the business of listing high priced homes you'd might rather be in my shoes, those homes just aren't selling right now. With home values low, an $8k tax credit, and a darn good Realtor if I might add, it's no suprise so many folks are going from renters to homeowners with my help this year.

Here's a look at why some homebuyers have chosen to work with me....

These last few months have been great working at HPW and teaming up with my Dad. We have some new marketing pieces coming out soon, even have a photo shoot set up this week. I may need to swing into Supercuts prior to that, it's hard to have helmet head & look professional at the same time.

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We are also seeing great success over at the Chapel Hill BNI group where I serve as President. This past Tuesday we had over 40 guests visit us. It was there I met the manager of Ben & Jerry's and created a new concept. Instead of cookies & soda at an Open House, why not delicious ice cream. I meet with him next week to work out a plan for doing so, I just know that advertising Ben & Jerry's at my Open Houses' is going to bring me more traffic than the place next door.

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Days like this coming Saturday I feel fortunate all my family lives here in town. First I'll be out of the house bright & early to help my sister set up for a garage sale. Growing up I used to love hoping around to yard sales early Saturday with my Dad, I'm sure this will bring back good memories. I may even gather a few things of my own to sell, I'm really not sure when I'm going to wear that piano key necktie anyways. Then I'm off to my niece Sarah's dance recital. If she can match all her dancing moves she and her sister show off in the playroom at home then it will surely be a success.
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And here's to the Hurricaines pulling out a win in Game 7 tonight, I want more hockey! Let's Go Canes!

Fire Sale

It's always nice to get back to my Alma mater East Carolina. I was back this past weekend for the SigEp Alumni Golf Tournament. I didn't make it any easier on my pairing that's for sure, my golf game has been in decline since playing Nurf Putt-Putt as a kid. The event was designed as a fundraiser, and what better way to get checkbooks out than to serve $1 beers on the course all day.

The fundraising was much needed, our back fraternity house recently burned down because of a faulty electrical outlet. It was scary to see the place I lived for a couple years charred to the ground, especially since there was no fire alarm system in place during that time. Everyone made it out safely though and the rebuild should be starting soon.

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Right now in real estate I have quit a few folks looking to buy. Those that see the real opportunity right now don't want to miss out. We are currently seeing an inflated inventory of homes and a true buyers market. You won't find desperation from every seller, but deals are on the doorsteps of many homes currently on the market. Interest rates are in a great place right now, I have a client closing on a FHA 3% down loan and a UNC medical resident getting 100% financing.

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Too many folks right now are making the mistake of believing these programs are washed up. The national headlines sure make it seem that way. I wish they'd shed more light on the $8,000 homebuyer tax credit rather than the dried up lenders making news. There are great incentives right now for first time homebuyers, which includes those who haven't owned a home in the past 3 years. For them, they will receive and $8,000 tax break if closed before December 1st. Don't owe that much in taxes? They'll send you a check for the rest.

I'm glad it's that time of year for live outdoor music. This Friday in Chapel Hill marks the start of Fridays on the Front Porch downtown at the Carolina Inn. The great food & hopping bluegrass makes a good start to any weekend. Over in Raleigh, the Beach Music Series has begun at North Hills Mall. Thursday evenings you can pull up a chair or dance on your feet to some of the best beach music acts in the Carolinas.

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Over at the big music venue Walnut Creek, Jimmy Buffet is putting on a show this week. Unfortunately I can't go this year, but even better I'll be babysitting for this guy. My nephew Wyatt is closing in on 2 years old and sprouting up fast, I think I may have been his same height at age 7. You can check in on Wyatt's adventures right here on my sister Kelly's blog.

Hope everyone is having a swell week so far. Tell any friends or family you have renting to get off the fence and give me a call, the window of opportunity is open.

Horsing Around

Well this past Sunday sure took an interesting turn. I made a trip up to Virgina for a visit to the Colonial Downs horse track. I've had some luck with horse betting in the past, so I felt good this particular Sunday. A friend of mine got us onto center field to chat with some regulars, then even back to some of the stable areas. I guess it was then I was "spotted" by a local horse owner.

According to him I've got the perfect stature for a jockey. I did some training exercises later that day and seemed to pass the test, it had been a while since I'd been on a horse too. I head up Thursday for 3 days of training before race day on Sunday. I couldn't be more nervous about it though, the horse I'm riding is a young 1 1/2 years old. Her name is Martina McRide, after the country music star I suppose. I'm just hoping to finish a lap while staying on the saddle, but would love a win my first race.

So growing your business as a Realtor is all about exposure in the community. That's why I've decided to start my own cause & event this year. After learning that 3 people were attacked by rabid dogs in my neighborhood alone this year, I'm putting on the 1st annual Run For Rabies. I'm working on the Animal Shelter being a co-sponsor but they are so difficult to hear on the phone, too much background noise.

It will be a 100 yard dash only so won't need a huge commitment from participants. We'll have both cute adorable dogs on hand, as well as those exposed with rabies. A quick tutorial on identifying the symptoms will be held before the race. I really think it's a good theme for an event because it will teach prevention and rabies doesn't have a lot of public exposure right now.

Well the NCAA Final Four upon us and I am still leading all the pools I've entered. With only 1 wrong pick so far in the tournament how could I not be!!!! I didn't even put much thought into my picks so it's pretty crazy, I only wish I had entered more pools. I'm just hope those awesome Tar Heels cut down the nets!

Today is also April Fools so hopefully you didn't take much(any) of this seriously. Be sure to check in next time for some "real" blogging.

Fear & Loathing in America

In this economy we could all use some extra savings. And we got it in the best form on Saturday night, Daylight Savings. I love the longer days, especially with weather as good as we're having now. Who doesn't like more daylight? Maybe drive thru movie operators. To take advantage of it I got out for some frisbee golf on the UNC campus yesterday with my Dad. He hasn't played in over a year and beat me at my own game, how does that happen?

Following his win my Dad was off to our yearly company banquet. Now someone forgot to look at a calendar when scheduling that event, they put it right in the middle of the Duke vs UNC game. I decided to skip it myself, there are a few things I can't miss every year and that game is one of them. Plus I've only been with the new company a few weeks now; if I was getting an award already then someone must of screwed up somewhere.

All the economic news is increasingly unfavorable these days, I'll try to find some positives to report here. The Triangle Business Journal recently reported on some encouraging data for us here in the triangle. Our market has completed a tricky task in 2008, with the number of sales down for the year; average home prices still gained ground. Major areas of the Triangle saw a 2-3% rise in home prices, going strongly against the national grain.

If Realtors Decided Movie Titles

Nationally the FHFA reported nationwide a fall of 4.5% in home values for '08. Some 20% of mortgages nationwide are going under, leaving the banks really sucking wind. Most economic outlooks are looking grim for 2009, let's hope these low rates can hold for a while. I just hope the Triangle market can continue to hold strong while the kinks get worked out of our nations economy. If it could take on 2008 I have confidence in our markets future here in the Triangle.

So my business networking group is taking off in Chapel Hill. We recently had our Visitors Day which was a big success. We are at 14 members right now and one of the fastest growing chapters in the area. At $430 a year people aren't flocking to join, but the ones that see the real value join and inevitably grow their business exponentially. Right now I have those 14 members working like a sales team for me, just like those reading my blog. Right?

Well it looks like I'm off to the brewery. It just opened about a stones throw from my house and I am quite excited about it. It's large deck overlooks the Raleigh skyline and has a good neighborhood feel. The beer I've tried so far has been delicious and the food not too shabby. Ok enough blogging I'm getting down there, until next time.

Dude, where's my bailout?

Time for the weekend, I've been positively busy these past couple weeks and finally getting caught up. I've been eligible to substitute teach but still haven't had a free day to do so. I'm hoping to get a shot next week, I'll be starting with Elementary. Twenty kids for 7 hours should be a piece of cake, right? I'm really hoping there will be an opening for a P.E. class. I'll have to avoid all temptation of jumping into the dodgeball game, I know it already. I hope a student brings me an apple, that would make a great first day.

So lots of things have happened since last time I posted. For starters, I'm over at a new office, Coldwell Banker HPW. Since being here I've started a team with my Dad which I'm really excited about. This gives us the ability to give clients better service on every level. With him on board, I now increase my client list and get a helping hand with all of my current business. We put our first c0-listing on the market yesterday, priced at $285,000 in the new Powell Place development in Pittsboro.

The President has just unveiled his bailout plan to fight home foreclosures. The $75 billion dollars will aim to keep people from losing their homes with several strategies. Helping people refinance and giving lenders incentives not to foreclose are all part of his plan, while putting money into Freddie & Fannie to demonstrate to the public we have a strong financial backing and money to lend. This along with the new tax credits that were unveiled will hopefully add a boost to the US housing market and the economy.

While housing market decline seems to headline the national news, we're seeing the other side of it in my business. My Dad and I have had a rush of clients to start this year, it makes us realize the fortune of being in an area like the Triangle. I've encountered several multiple offer situations already this year, a lack of inventory for some clients, and a lot of buyers looking to take advantage of all these current incentives like low rates and tax breaks.

I've got plans to hit the basketball court over the weekend, I haven't picked up a ball in years though. All these games on TV recently have given me the itch to play, I just hope I can still hit the rim. I've never been much of a dunker which is wild, I know. Mugsy Bogues always gave me hope growing up, but that dream sort of faded when I didn't make the middle school team. I'm organizing a Duke vs UNC pick-up game for March 8 before the real matchup, I'll have to really work on my cross over before then.

Chilly today, Hot tamale

This past weekend was spent west in Blowing Rock with my family. It was my parents anniversary but they wanted to get everyone out there together. Winterfest was running so the town was bustling with events and tourist filled sidewalks. Over at the Chetola resort I took part in the "Polar Plunge", what the video below doesn't show is the 75 year old couple going in after me.

I didn't have time to stick around for costume awards as I rushed over to the chili cook-off. With over 50 chili's and many cook-off veterans in the hunt for a $500 first prize, it was my "Chapel Chilli" that was off to an early lead. It wasn't meant to be however, the unexpected 900 hungry attendees cleaned out my big pot just an hour in. With two hours left and no more chili to serve, I saw my lead fade quickly. Trying to round up votes with charm and an empty pot proved a waste of time, these folks were hungry for some spice.

Back in the Triangle I am trying to get all the loose ends tied for a client closing this Friday. This owner will be left dealing with a tax value problem seen across the country as of late. Many devalued homes are now stuck with very high tax values. During the boom many homes across the country were overvalued and the tax assessments are a reflection. Properties with tax values of $250k are selling for $200k. Who wants to pay taxes on an extra $50k in imaginary value?

One solution is having a new appraisal completed to reflect the homes current value. Get this down to the tax assessors office and state your case, there are ways of appealing. In some states folks are lobbying their state legislature, in some law makers are calling for property tax reform. During a time many towns will have budget shortfalls, less property tax is an issue that may cause problems for both sides in the future.

Once you've saved yourself thousands in taxes, go spoil yourself with one of these. We took an hour long Segway tour recently in downtown Raleigh. They are amazingly simple to ride and got a high entertainment rating from me. The guide puts on a good history lesson without putting you to sleep, but is also quick to call you out for riding too recklessly.

I'm ready for the Superbowl but don't' have much vested interest in either team this year. Since Arizona is the underdog I'll be cheering them on I suppose. I'm more excited to hold my Annual Paper Rock Scissors tournament this year. After a first round elimination last year, I'm determined more than ever to win. Time to practice.

Resolutionary

Welcome to 2009, glad you could be here. All that holiday eating and relaxing was most enjoyable, but if feels good to be back into the regular routine. I really like my job so it's nice getting back in the swing of things. Pretty slow business wise during the holiday season, I did get one home under contract though. Aside from a home inspection on Christmas Eve the break proved pretty work free.

I went down to Long Beach for several days over new years. It was nice being on a secluded beach with no agenda whatsoever, just a fridge full of food & drinks with good weather to go along. The only disappointment was the fact I lost every single board game we played, biggest fluke ever I suppose. Driving through Southport and down the coast, it was surprising to see so many building projects put on hold. Appeared many builds shut down half way through, made me grateful our market is holding on as strong as it is.

So new years is the time of making resolutions. I'm great at that part, it's sticking with them that's more difficult. Here are a few I'm shooting for:

Dressing for the Occasion

I mean putting a tie on everyday. Whenever I wear ties into the office, I always seem to get the "what are you all dressed up for?" "Because I'm at work" would be the obvious answer, but my profession has become so casual it seems to catch everyone off guard. I want to be known as an expert & professional so I'll dress like it. I get to make plenty of first impressions every week, I'm hoping this improves each one of them.

Substitute Teach

I completed an application in November down at the headquarters and have yet to get started. Teaching would be a rewarding profession I imagine, my Mom sure enjoyed it for almost 20 years. I really want to make time for one or two days a week to get in there. I am lucky to have a schedule that is flexible enough to do such a thing, so I'll try and take advantage. Looking forward to being back at my elementary seeing all my old teachers.

Philanthropy

I'm ashamed to say every time I see that word on a form I don't know what to put next to it. Last time I really volunteered it was at The Boys & Girls Club in college. I've passed on a few mentor programs in the past few years because of my schedule, I'd like to try and make time for something along those lines. I certainly don't want to commit to something beyond my means so I'll have to find the right opportunity. Send any ideas my way if you'd like.

Outside of writing blogs and making new years resolutions, the year has started quite busy for me. That's a great sign as 2008 ended quite slow. These low interest rates keep bringing buyers out of the wood works and gotten me quite busy. I'm glad it's Friday however and I'm ready for the weekend. I think tonight has some beer & bowling in store for me. If you have not finished making your weekend plans, find a theatre near you playing Slumdog Millionaire. As many movies I've seen over the past month it had to be the best. Until next time, make sure to keep up with all your resolutions.