All Bards Are Not Created Equal.

And Neither Are Real Estate Agents...

OK, so I "enhanced" this picture the other day while messing around with Photoshop.

And, as is the case with many of my "creations", I had no idea what to do with it. But I just knew I had to unleash it upon you, my dear readers!

I titled it "Bard" because thats what seemed to work. And then, I decided to look up the definition of the word "bard".

Apparently, according to the definition I came across, all bards are not created equal...

bard/bärd/

• A poet, traditionally one reciting epics and associated with a particular written tradition.

• A slice of bacon placed on meat or game before roasting

And, since this is, after all, a Real Estate blog, I decided to draw the analogy. Because...

All Bards Are Not Created Equal.

And Neither Are Real Estate Agents...

So, when you need a Real Estate agent in the Raleigh, Cary, Apex area of North Carolina, you have many choices. But, before hiring one to help you buy or sell a home, call me. I'll be happy to show you why....

All Bards Are Not Created Equal.

And Neither Are Real Estate Agents...

Congratulations to the New York Giants

on winning Super Bowl XLVI!

And the Vince Lombardi Trophy

Makes an Appearance in the

Raleigh, Cary, Apex Area!

Well, my dear readers, it appears from the poll results from

my blog yesterday that

our membership was evenly divided.

But in the end, there could only be one winner.

And, unless you've been sleeping under a rock today,

you all know who that is by now!

Congratulations to the New York Giants

on winning Super Bowl XLVI!

And the Vince Lombardi Trophy

Makes an Appearance in the

Raleigh, Cary, Apex Area!

It's Poll Time! Tell Us Who is Going to Win Super Bowl XLVI... and Why?

OK, my dear readers, today is the day of the big game. The New York Giants and the New England Patriots will battle for football supremacy.

One of them will go home a winner and take home the

Vince Lombardi trophy as displyed here by your humble

Raleigh, Cary, Apex area Real Estate agent!

The other will... well, let's just say it'll be a long ride home as they think of what might have been.

So, my friends, here's your chance to let the world know who you think will win the Super Bowl... and why.

Maybe you are a die hard fan who checks everything from player stats to wind conditions at game time to come up with your prediction.

Maybe you have an allegiance to one team or another.

Maybe you just think Tom Brady is cute or like one team's logo over the other.

Whatever your reason for picking the outcome, let us know.

Take the poll and enter the reason for your prediction in the comments section.

And, may the best team win!

Who is Going to Win Super Bowl XLVI...

I Don't Always Have Time to Read. But When I Do...

I Read About the Raleigh, Cary, Apex Area...

Right now I'm working with some great buyer clients who are looking for a historical home in the Raleigh/ Cary/ Apex area.

There is just something about these historic turn of the century homes that really makes me lucky to be a Realtor.

I mean, after all, I get to go inside all of them and see the beautiful architecture, original hardwoods, and craftsmanship that's often  mimicked, but never truly duplicated in today's homes.

Anyway, for the past few weeks, I've been reading some history books abut the Raleigh, Cary, Apex area, and I've really been learning even more about this wonderful area I call home.

It turns out that the Raleigh, Cary, Apex area is rich in history and there are so many beautiful historic homes to choose from.

Many of my clients are typically looking for new construction or, at least, newer homes.

So when I have the opportunity to show historic homes, I truly enjoy making the appointments to go see them, because...

I Don't Always Have Time to Read. But When I Do, I Read About the Raleigh/ Cary/ Apex Area...

Every Day as Your Raleigh, Cary, Apex Area Real Estate Agent...

I Take a Pledge....

For my BUYER clients:

• I pledge to keep you informed of ANY new homes that become available that match YOUR home buying criteria.
• I pledge to provide you with all the material facts that can effect your home buying decision.
• I pledge to promptly respond to all your questions, emails and phone calls.
• I pledge to work diligently to insure that your Raleigh/ Cary/ Apex area home buying experience is not only successful, but fun and as stress free as possible.

For my SELLER clients:

• I pledge to market your home tirelessly to insure maximum exposure.
• I pledge to keep you up to date on all your competition's successes and failures.
• I pledge to promptly respond to all your questions, emails and phone calls.
• I pledge to help insure that your home stands out above your competition.

For BOTH my BUYER and SELLER clients:

• I pledge to do everything possible to make you so glad you hired me as your Real Estate agent that you will gladly refer me to your friends, family and co-workers.

Why do I make these pledges? It's plain and simple folks. When you hire me, you expect the best. My goal is to meet AND then exceed your expectations. Because anything less is unacceptable.

If this is what you're looking for when buying or selling a home in the Raleigh/ Cary/ Apex area, then give me a call or send me an email.

I pledge to promptly respond to both!

Happy Groundhog Day!

Punxsutawney Phil Predicts

Six More Weeks of Winter...

Well folks, it appears that Punxsutawney Phil has made his annual forecast....and the news is sadly not so good for those of us who are looking forward to an early Spring.

Apparently, groundhog Phil, in the presence of several thousand loonies people, DID see his shadow today, signifying that there will be six more weeks of Winter this year!

And, even though it's been a relatively mild winer thus far, that's not pretty comforting news considering how much some us prefer the Spring over Winter.

Personally, I don't rely on rodents for my weather predictions. I prefer to consult the all knowing, all seeing, Magic 8 Ball for prognostications of this sort....... and for all my major decisions!

But if you're going to rely on a rodent, or the Magic 8-Ball to choose a Real Estate agent to help you buy or sell your Raleigh/ Cary/ Apex area home, you might as well just pick a name out of the phone book.

Hey, how bad a decision could that be? I mean, after all, Punxsutawney Phil gets it right about 30% of the time!

Happy Groundhog Day!

Punxsutawney Phil Predicts

Six More Weeks of Winter...

It's Not Just About Finding My Clients a Place to Live.

It's About Finding Them a Place to Keep Living...

Health Care in the Raleigh/ Cary/ Apex Area



All too often when people make the move to the Raleigh/ Cary/ Apex area of North Carolina they are enamored by how beautiful the area truly is.

We have plenty of parks, lots of places for shopping, great schools, and affordable homes for sale.

But sometimes, my buyer clients get all caught up in the moment and forget about medical facilities.

Let's face it folks, at some point in time you're going to need a doctor.

So, during my initial buyer consultation, I ALWAYS ask my clients if they have any special needs that would necessitate that they to live close to medical facilities.

Yesterday was one of those days... and that's what inspired today's blog.

Because it's not just about finding my Raleigh/ Cary/ Apex area home buyers a place to live. It's about finding them a place to KEEP living too.

It's Not Just About Finding My Clients a Place to Live.

It's About Finding Them a Place to Keep Living...

Health Care in the Raleigh/ Cary/ Apex Area

Wow! Look How Happy These Raleigh/ Cary/ Apex Area Home Buyers Are!!



This lovely couple just moved to the Raleigh/ Cary/ Apex area of North Carolina.

And, look at how happy they are standing in front of their new home!

They knew about all are great deals on homes right now.

They knew about the all time low interest rates on mortgages that are available to them.

The knew to head on over to www.justNChomes to begin the quest to find their new home.

They knew to hire Craig Rutman as their Buyer's Agent when they were ready to move to the Raleigh/ Cary/ Apex area!

And Now Look How Happy These Raleigh/ Cary/ Apex Area Home Buyers Are!!

Hundreds of Channels, But Nothing to Watch?

Try This One...



Tired of channel surfing only to find out there's nothing on TV worth watching?

Try this one!

You know you want to move to the Raleigh/ Cary/ Apex area of North Carolina.

You know there are great deals on homes right now.

You know interest rates on mortgages are at all time lows.

So why not surf on over to www.justNChomes.com and begin the quest to find your new Raleigh/ Cary/ Apex area home?

After all, there's nothing worth watching on TV anyway!

ActiveRain. If You Think It's About the Points,

You're Missing the Bigger Picture...

For the better part of the past few years, I've been an active member of this community.

ActiveRain has become part of the daily regimen of things to do on my "List-O-Plenty".

When Jonathan Washburn, the founder of ActiveRain, came up with his sinister plot to fuel our competitive nature by incorporating the point system, I know I wanted to rack up as many as I could.

I wanted to be #1 in my region, the Raleigh/ Cary/ Apex area of North Carolina.

But do I participate here for the points?

NO!

For me, it's not about the points at all.

At its core, ActiveRain is a social media forum, and the only one of its kind where people in Real Estate and its related fields share their knowledge freely amongst one another.

Anyone who is doing this for the points is truly missing out on the social aspects of ActiveRain.

Yes, 34% of my business in 2010, and 14% of it in 2011 can be directly attributed to my involvement here in the Rain.

This year I already have a bunch of incoming and outgoing referrals.

Is it about the business that I participate here?

Well, YES... and NO!

I want and need business. I seek out new opportunities each and every day.

After all, this is how I make my living.

But, at the end of the day, for me at least, it's about the friendships that I've created along the way.

Friendships that have become so solid that even if ActiveRain were to cease tomorrow, we'd still be close.

I won't go into the lengthy list of people I've met, email regularly, or talk to on the phone almost daily for fear that I might leave someone out, but, suffice it to say, that if you're just here for the points, you need to rethink that mind set.

Because you're really not seeing the bigger picture...

ActiveRain. If You Think It's About the Points,

You're Missing the Bigger Picture...