The weekend ahead has loads in store for us in the Bull City -- Downtown Durham! With all of the good things happening, why not get out and enjoy the weather, mingle with other residents, network, and celebrate our awesome city!?!
Just a few of the options include: Music on the Lawn in the American Tobacco District (Friday 5/29 from 6-8). Performers are The Kari Sickenberger Band with Natalya Weinstein and John Miller (a BackPorch Music Production) Feel free to bring blankets or lawn chairs. Food and beverages can be enjoyed from the American Tobacco restaurants .
For those looking for more active pursuits, the annual "Running of the Bulls" 8k race , partially sponsored by The Bull City Running Co. begins at 8am on Saturday, 5/30. The race is to benefit the Durham Central Park and the Durham YMCA's WeBuildPeople Program.
For a very unique lunch experience, why not head over to Durham Central Park for the Bull City Chili Cook-off? Starts at noon on Saturday, 5/30.
And, don't forget that the Durham Bulls host Buffalo for games Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park !
COMING SOON! Cool Tuesdays Begin on June 2 at Bull McCabe's Irish Pub! Network with the downtown community while supporting a local restaurant!
And, as always, if you're looking to buy or sell a home in the Triangle area, or if you'd like a personal tour of our amazing city, please get in touch!
Revive Your Senses: Discover a feast for your taste buds, ears, and eyes with an International twist!
Celebrate the diversity and international cultures in Durham at the Taste of Durham Festival this Saturday, 5/23, from 11-7!
TOD has gained regional and national recognition with its quality food tasting experience and ecclectic music lineup! This year TOD presents: Grammy Nominee & "Miami's Best Latin Band" Locos Por Juana; Durham's own John Brown and the Groove Shop Band; and Elmwood from Tennessee!
Your Passport to Festivals within a Festival: Choice Restaurant Food Sampling, Top Notch Music Showcase, International Dance Demonstrations, International Wine Tasting Pavilion, Beer Tasting Garden, Good Life Demonstrations, Arts and Cultural Activities, Family Fun, and so much more.
Here's a partial list of the many fun things to try!
Wine & Beer Tasting!
International Wine Tasting: With various wines from regions and countries, sample a sophisticated selection of fine beverages from close at hand and around the world. Beer Tasting Garden: Sample hard-to-find, newly discovered, or unique beers from various breweries and surrounding stations.
Food! Some of the best local chefs will showcase gourmet, home-style and international food samples.
Music! The ecclectic music lineup features known national and regional musicians and emerging artists. Some of the genres in this year's TOD include: Latin, Jazz, Blues, and other international styles!
Dancing! A variety of international dancers demonstrating their exquisite skills.
More fun!
Enjoy snow sledding in May, Artistic Ice Carving, rides and activities to bring out the kid in all of us.
I have to admit that I have been glued to this season's American Idol. And, in an effort to justify all the hours I've spent in front of the tv over the past months, I've decided to point out some obvious and not so obvious lessons that we can learn from the American Idols! 1. Have a dream."You're going to Hollywood!!!" Woohoo!!!! It all starts with your heart. Is real estate really something that makes you happy? Do you love what you do? Can you imagine doing anything else? Having passion for what you do is something that can't be faked. People are drawn to passion, and your success will always start with your own dream in your own heart.
2. Be yourself. How many times did we hear the judges extoll the contestants to make a song their own? It's not enough to simply know the scripts and the words to say. It's not enough to know the rules of real estate, to know the right answers. Your personality and your character must come through to really get the results you want. You can't get away with faking it these days -- people are way too savvy for that! Don't be afraid to let insert your sense of humor, your sincerity, your expertise in communicating. . . fill in the blank. But always be true to who you are.
3. Play to your strengths. Some Idol contestants were mediocre vocalists, but expert showmen. Some played instruments beautifully. Some had a face that the camera just loved. And, they all seemed to know and capitalize on their strengths. Like them, we can't all be the best at everything. So, figure out what your strengths are, and work to make them what identify you as the realtor to choose! Are you an expert relationship builder? Are you extremely sincere and honest? Do you have an unbeatable knowledge of a neighborhood or specific architectural style? Make sure that people know what you're good at! That doesn't mean that you should forget about those things that are more difficult for you. Stretching into your discomfort zone is what makes you grow! Vulnerability is also an attractive attribute!
4. Listen to feedback."Dawg, for me, for you, that wasn't the right song choice". Randy and the other judges are the best at what they do because they have years of experience in their field. In our offices, and in our transactions with other realtors, we have access to the same depth of experience. Be open to suggestions from other agents, learn from their experience, and use it to build your perfect performance!
5. Prepare. The Idol contestants used all the tools available to them to put on their best show. Song choice, music arrangements, coaching, costume and makeup, stage effects -- and hours of practice! A smooth presentation, a successful transaction, and satisfied clients are all the result of lots of work and preparation. Know and take advantage of the tools available through your office, familiarize yourself with the latest technologies, and visualize yourself successfully going through every stage of the transaction from presentation to past client follow-up. Nothing can replace all the hard work that goes into preparation.
6. Be confident. Simon has often said that if the contestant doesn't think of himself as a winner, no one else will. It's true! Wake up each day knowing that you are going to do something that will make you a success. Know that you have the training and knowledge to attract business, and to represent your clients at the highest level! You bring about what you think about!
7. Ask for what you want. Contestants unabashedly say "I want this more than I've ever wanted anything in my life!" Well, that might be overstating your desire to get that listing a little. . . But, the point is clear -- if you want the business, ask for it. Make it clear that you are not only willing to do the work, but you WANT to do it. You want them to pick you. You want to be their choice.
8. Connect. We may not be on camera in front of the entire television-watching world (thank goodness!), but we are on stage, in a way. Our expression, our voice, our body language, and our responses are all opportunities to connect to the client or potential client in front of us. In ways that are uniquely you, reach out and be present!
9. Set goals. So, maybe you haven't wanted to be a real estate agent since you were 3 years old. . . But, now that you've selected this career, and are determined to work hard to be successful, you have to set regular, attainable, and specific goals to get you the success you want. We all know this. So, do it!
10. Have fun. When contestants are loving the moment, living their dream, it's almost magic. Those behind the scenes films of pranks between contestants and friend-making moments are memorable, because we know that it's the small things that mean the most. The big wins are monumental, but being able to find humor in the steps along the way is priceless. Life has to be fun, we have to enjoy the trip, and in this field of real estate it's often so easy to take ourselves too seriously. Lighten up! Wear a boa while you make your prospecting calls, dance in that Open House when no one is looking, and sing "We Are The Champions" at the closing table!
At a time when financial institutions are crumbling, citizens are struggling to make ends meet, and the economy seems incredibly bleak, it's nice to know that our city's creditworthiness remains strong. And their excellent financial management benefits us as citizens by ensuring that the most money possible is available for community improvements, such as municipal capital projects like street improvement, parks and recreational facilities, and renovations to municipal buildings.
Three of the biggest of the big bond rating agencies (Standard & Poor’s, Fitch Ratings, and Moody's Investors Service) have each re-affirmed their ‘AAA’ bond rating for the City of Durham.
The ‘AAA’ debt rating is like an 800 FICO consumer score! It's the highest rating a municipality can receive, and just as a good credit score gives a consumer the best interest rates available, this 'AAA' rating allows Durham to borrow money at the lowest interest rates available. Durham is one of less than 20 cities nationwide that has ‘AAA’ ratings from all three major bond rating agencies. That's incredible!
According to City Manager Patrick W. Baker, “We are extremely pleased to be cited yet again for our strong financial performance due to our conservative fiscal management. The ‘AAA’ rating is a strong indicator for our citizens that we diligently and efficiently manage their tax dollars. Our ‘AAA’ rating allows us to issue GO bonds and provide our taxpayers with significant savings on the interest as we work to improve our community.” In light of mismanagement of some of the country's largest financial institutions -- this give me, for one, incredible peace of mind -- not to mention local pride.
Oh, and I looked up "General Obligation (GO) bonds" on wikipedia: A general obligation bond is a common type of municipal bond in the United States that is secured by a state or local government's pledge to use legally available resources, including tax revenues, to repay bond holders.
Among the reasons cited by the bonding agencies for Durham's AAA rating were the city’s conservative management practices, resulting in historically solid financial performances and a sound fiscal position, and the city's healthy economic position, including a sizeable tax base and diverse local economy supported in part by a stable institutional presence. I knew that diversity was good for Durham!!
I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Good Things are Happening in Durham! Congratulations to the City Manager and his staff for serving us well, and for a job well done!
My two best friends and I went on a vacation in 2006 that began in Belfast and ended up in the Republic of Ireland's SW coast. My two traveling buddies and I had been to the Republic of Ireland previously, and decided that we had to go back to complete the tour of the northern half of the island. I'm so glad we did
We did a good deal of research prior to going, and we made a kind of rough schedule of how to visit all the "must sees" in our 10 day timeframe. It's funny how the things you think are going to be highlights before you leave take the back burner to some unexpected sights and experiences once you're there. Travel guides are helpful, but how can they anticipate the serendipitous convergence of events that make for the best memories?
For example, meeting a man in Derry who was kind enough to walk through the Bogside's many murals and give us some insider info. He could give us insider info, because he was there on Bloody Sunday -- his brother was actually killed there -- and he had a unique view on the healing that's taken place in the country and where they are today. You can't get that kind of stuff from a book!
To me, traveling is about meeting the people, and seeing their home through their eyes. In Ireland, it's easy to do, because they are the world's best story tellers and no one is a stranger there! We met a lovely old woman named Mary (go figure!) in a Northern Ireland village as we walked to take a look at an ancient church that was being renovated. She told us of her family in the area, how the church plays in their lives, how proud she was that they were going to be able to worship there again, and of course, she had a little Catholic vs Protestant discourse as well. It's clearly still a sensitive topic, although even with someone of her generation, there seems to be acceptance and a tenuous peace there
As we traveled out of the larger bergs into the tiny rocky coast towns, the magic really began. Horses, sheep and cattle wander right out to the ocean cliff's edge.Sunsets bring the most magic cast to an already enchanted area. I look at those animals and wonder if they have any idea how special this place is!
From man-made wonders to natural ones -- this place was somewhere I'll never forget. It occurs to me how the history there is so accessible. You can be driving down the road and just off to the left will be a castle ruin in the middle of a field. Maybe there's a small informational plaque -- maybe not. And, one that just blows me away is that you can find ancient burial sites called dolmens, or portal tombs ,out in the middle of a cow field. We're talking 3000+ years old!
There's a distinct lack of commercialism or even promotion going on there. I think it's been related to the fact that Ireland has not had money to commercialize and advertise these things in the past. But, with their newfound wealth, I fear that things will be changing soon in this respect. For example, the first time I went to SW Ireland I visited the Cliffs of Moher. There was a parking lot, but that was it as far as their attempt to accommodate visitors. You walked up a very rocky path, and could climb right out to the edge of the cliffs and look down. Then, two years later when I returned to my beloved Cliffs -- there were two huge paved lots, a gift shop, and fancy paved walks and steps leading to the cliffs. But, the worst part was that they had built a wall about 10 feet from the cliffs, and you could barely see over the thing. The feeling that you had discovered a "natural wonder" was gone. Don't get me wrong -- it's still beautiful, especially from a distance as in the picture above -- but the undisturbed wilderness is no more at the Cliffs of Moher.
Then after a week of exploring uncharted territory, we made our way to our favorite little town in SW Ireland -- County Clare, the town of Doolin. It's known worldwide as the best place for traditional Irish music. It has never let us down. We wrapped up our vacation with three days in Doolin touring around the Burren, the coast, and surrounding small towns. Of course each day ending with supper and a few pints at our favorite local pub, McDermott's. Our all-time B&B favorite was the Seascape in Doolin! The proprietors were kind and helpful, the food amazing, and the accommodations splendid. And, the views! Best of all, it's a few hundred yards from McDermott's!
I have been back again since this trip, went straight to Doolin and stayed nearly two weeks. I liked having that hub from which to explore very much. But, either way -- traveling from one B&B to another, or day tripping from a single spot -- Ireland is a must see! And, in my opinion, the sooner the better!
BTW, two of my trips were arranged via a wonderful travel agency called CIE Tours. We selected the package with a rental car and B&B coupons called Go-As-You-Please Ireland (B&Bs were available throughout the country and everywhere we went was great!). It gave us the flexibility we wanted, was very affordable, and the people were great help with all of our questions.
There are books that transport you to another place and time, books that make you laugh til you hurt, books that deepen your understanding of events, and books that keep you up at night.
Then, there are books that change you forever.
This book, The Lost Choice, by Andy Andrews is such a book for me.
I bought the book several years ago, and stuck it on a shelf and forgot about it. Fast-forward to now.
I went into the catastrophe that is my home office, without really knowing why, and walked over to the bookshelf and this book just jumped out at me. I know it sounds kooky, but really there was no reason for me to go in there, and no reason for me to look on that particular bookshelf. I just did. And, I came out to the sofa and settled down with it to kill a little time until the rain let up.
The book, a parable about taking control of your life and having the responsibility to make a positive impact on the world, was just the shot in the arm that I needed. It's one of those books that fills you with hope and purpose -- something that maybe someone besides me also needs during this slump in the real estate market that may tend to make you feel out of control and helpless.
This book was a gift given to me at just the right time. I hope you'll check it out and let me know what you think.
After successfully navigating through serious drought measures, Durham has settled on an innovative way to encourage its citizens to continue to be smart about their water usage.
Simply put, the less water you use, the lower your rate. They're calling it Tiered Water Rates.
The Durham City Council voted to implement rate increases while at the same time introducing a tiered rate structure designed to encourage single-family residents to conserve water. The lowest Super Saver Tier 1 will be given to customers who are the most efficient with their water us, reserving it for more essential needs. Less critical water use, such as irrigation, car washing, and filling pools, will likely bump you into a higher tier and cost more.
The new plan includes five tiers for single family residential customers. (All non-residential customers are set at the Tier 3 rate, and all irrigation accounts are set at the Tier 5 rate.) Water and sewer service charge increases are also included in the new structure.
It gets a little confusing in the calculation, but in general here's how it goes: The new rate tiers reflect what the City charges for a "unit" of water as shown on bills, which is 100 cubic feet, or 748 gallons. Remember, these rates do reflect an increased cost in general in both water usage itself, and the service charges associated with both water and sewer services.
So, since according to the city of Durham most residential customers fall in the Tier 3 range, using about 16 units over a two-month billing period, let's look at how that usage would be calculated. A customer using four units over the two-month period will be charged at the Tier 1 rate and see about an $11 increase in their total bill. A customer using 12 units over the bi-monthly period would be charged at the Tier 1 rate for the first two units of each month, at the Tier 2 rate for the next three units of each month and at the Tier 3 rate for the remaining unit used each month. This customer's bi-monthly bill would increase about $13.
Service charges for both water and sewer will also rise. These "base" charges cover the cost of meter reading and billing and other fixed costs of the water and sewer operations. For customers with 5/8 meters (primarily residential customers), service charges will increase from $2.58 per month to $5.11 per month for water and from $3.19 a month to $5.71 for sewer services.
Why did we have this increase? A city representative stated that the new rates will help pay for large capital projects including a new automated meter reading system, a new elevated water storage tank, additional water supply options (Teer Quarry and Jordan Lake), interconnections with other utilities and plant and system rehabilitation projects.
If you'd like to see a good estimate of your next bill (which should be August for monthly customers and September for bi-monthly customers), you can go to www.durhamsaveswater.org, where they have a handy calculator. You'll need to have your latest water bill handy, as it will require information from that.
Also on their website, you will find a link to "The 111 Tips" that outline many simple, everyday changes that you can make to use water more efficiently. Or you can call Durham's One Call line at 919-560-1200.
With this new tiered structure, using less water will not only save you money, but will save Durham’s water resources, the environment, and our way of life. It was a little scary in that drought, and I for one don't want to go back there again!
Is it possible to control growth in order to maintain the beauty of SW Durham?
As a resident of southwest Durham, I am incredibly proud of our area's beautiful tree-lined streets. I love that the developers of some of the earliest subdivisions in SW Durham understood the importance of maintaining mature trees, including green spaces and parks in our neighborhoods, and of maintaining buffers as well. I want to be sure that this natural beauty is maintained.
I have visited so many new subdivisions in other areas that are built on clear-cut lots, and it's enough to make you cry. Our wooded areas support many species of nesting birds, foraging deer, and small animals. While development inevitably impacts these animals, wise planning will minimize pressure on wildlife, and encourage diverse habitats. Not to mention the impact on water and ecology in the area.
From the granddaddy of SW Durham subdivisions, Parkwood (which I am proud to call home!), to the newer developments around the Streets of Southpoint mall -- growth, change, and development are being closely monitored and planned to meet the goal of maintaining all that is good about SW Durham.
For details on growth plans, SWDurham.org has a fabulous website. You can not only read up on latest zoning issues and planned development, but you can get detailed descriptions of the goals for ongoing SW Durham development.
As a realtor, I am always cognizant of things that impact property values. As a resident, I'm always concerned about maintaining all the good reasons that I chose to make SW Durham my home. It was great to learn about SWDurham.org, where I signed up to receive regular updates (and peace of mind) about the future of the area.
If you are interested in learning more about SW Durham real estate, and all that the area has to offer, I'd love to talk to you. You can search for homes on my website, or call (919-210-5418) or email (dgrasty@nc.rr.com) to discuss your needs and I'll do it for you.
Contact me, if you're ready for a "New Day" in Triangle Real Estate!
Realtors are always talking about that first impression a potential buyer gets upon approaching a property. It's an aesthetic and emotional reaction to the home and it's environs that either excites the buyer about seeing more of the home, or makes them want to turn around and move on to the next home.
There are entire tv series, books, and magazines dedicated to helping consumers understand the value of curb appeal, and how to maximize your home's draw for potential buyers.
BEFORE AFTER
The Golden Leaf Awards competition not only has to do with encouraging the community of Durham to take responsibility for improving our homes and neighborhoods, but could also have the effect of improving property values in Durham. Who wouldn't want that!?!
More about the Golden Leaf Awards
Durham is serious about making the city even more beautiful. This year marks the 6th year this award has been given to recognize the best visual contributions to the Durham community. The competition is designed to encourage better designed and better managed properties in Durham. Two agencies, the Durham City-County Appearance Commission and Keep Durham Beautiful, Inc are co-sponsoring this years event.
So, whether you have a new property with an excellent design, or if you have improved an existing structure you can be in the running. The judges also consider the impact structures have on improving the character or livability of an area, and attempt to raise community awareness of the value of ongoing maintenance in landscaping, etc.
The Golden Leaf will be given in the following categories: Community Properties, Commercial Properties, Residential Properties, Landscaping and Maintenance, Outstanding Individual, Sustainable Properties, and Keep Durham Beautiful. The Sustainable Properties and Keep Durham Beautiful awards are new for this year’s event.
Nominated projects must be located within Durham County. The nomination deadline is Friday, March 21, 2008, and winners will be announced at a public ceremony in May.
To obtain an entry form or for information on eligibility requirements, visit www.durhamnc.gov/departments/planning/gold_leaf.cfm or contact Lisa Miller, planner with the Durham City-County Planning Department, at (919) 560-4137, extension 270 or via e-mail at lisa.miller@durhamnc.gov.
It could be a "New Day in Triangle Real Estate" for you!
If you're considering a home improvement, and would like to consult with me regarding the potential return on your investment, or if you'd like help determining your property's current curb appeal from a realtor's perspective, contact me!
And, as always, if you're looking to sell or buy a property in Durham, I would love to help you! Call at 919.210.5418, or email at dgrasty@nc.rr.com.
The drought situation isn't funny, but, it's always fun to poke fun at local government, isn't it?!
These cartoons were in the local paper recently, and made me laugh. Hope you find some humor in them, too.
Durham, like many other North Carolina counties is suffering a serious drought -- the worst in recorded history. Below are the details of current water supply levels, and the county's stage IV conservation mandate.
For more details you can visit Durham's Water Conservation Division's website.
According to the Durham Water Conservation Division (as of March 2):
Current Conditions
Using the 30-day running average demand as of March 2, 2008 of 20.08 MGD:
Days of supply of easily accessible, premium water remaining (Lake Michie, Little River Reservoir): 169 days
Days in Teer Quarry storage remaining: 19 days
Days of less accessible water below the intake structures remaining: 60 days
Total days of supply = 248
Stage IV - Severe Mandatory Conservation Modifications Enacted, effective December 3, 2007
Stage IV of the ordinances incorporates practices in Stage I, II and III and increases the level of conservation efforts to require the following Mandatory Measures:
NO watering or sprinkling of any lawn or grass.
NO watering of trees, ornamental shrubs or vegetable gardens except by hand-held container on Saturdays, between the hours of 5 a.m. and 8 a.m. or 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Do NOT wash down outside areas such as sidewalks, patios, driveways, or for other similar purposes.
Do NOT fill any wading pool or swimming pool or replenish any filled pool except to the minimum essential for operation of chemical feed equipment
Do NOT use water for any unneccessary commercial or public purpose.
Do NOT operate water-cooled air conditioners or other equipment that do not recycle cooling water, except when health and safety are adversely affected
Do NOT serve water in a restaurant or similar establishment except upon request.
Do NOT use water for any unnecessary purpose or intentionally waste water.
Do NOT Wash any motor vehicle or other type of mobile equipment. Any person regularly engaged in the business of washing motor vehicles and any commercial car wash facility shall be permitted to use water for such purposes, when 50% water savings are documented.
A couple tips from their site:
1. Time your showers, and keep them under 5 minutes. You can save 1000 gallons of water per month!
2. Put a drop of food coloring in the tank. If it shows up in the toilet bowl without flushing, you have a leak. Leaks are easy to fix and can save 500 gallons of water per month!
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
From man-made wonders to natural ones -- this place was somewhere I'll never forget. It occurs to me how the history there is so accessible. You can be driving down the road and just off to the left will be a castle ruin in the middle of a field. Maybe there's a small informational plaque -- maybe not. And, one that just blows me away is that you can find ancient burial sites called 
Then after a week of exploring uncharted territory, we made our way to our favorite little town in SW Ireland -- 
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