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.