People who know me, know that I embarrass myself quite often. But today may have taken the cake.

Rewind a couple days... I went on a listing appointment for a FSBO. I thought it went pretty well, but I knew that one of the other agents being interviewed was a family friend of the sellers, so I wasn't all that confident.

Fast forward to today. I'm driving down the freeway and my cell phone rings. I'm in a section that my phone often has spotty coverage, so I was a bit surprised that it even rung. Turns out, it's the seller from last week's appointment. After we exchange a few niceties, I hear her say "we selected you"...

I was so excited and surprised! I said, "Oh my gosh! I am so thrilled to hear that!"

She said, "Did you misunderstand me? I said we didn't select you."

"Oh. I guess it's the bad reception. Well thank you for calling, and best of luck."

Now where's my rock, I need to crawl on under it...  *sigh*

My friend, and past client, asked me to come to her house while she was out of town to take care of her animals, knowing that I'm an animal fanatic. She has three dogs, three cats, a slew of chickens, and some ducks. I agreed, looking forward to seeing what she had done with her place.

She left me detailed instructions for the care of each animal. She had also asked that I come over an hour before sundown to let the chickens out of their pen to "stretch their legs". That was funny to me, but hey, I'm an animal lover too, so I did as I was asked. She said that at sundown the chickens would head back into their pen on their own. So, after letting them out, I headed in the house to take care of the rest of her brood.

After about an hour, I headed back down the hill to the chicken pen. I'll be darned if almost all of them had done as she said, and gone back in the pen, and flown up onto their roost. I waited around while the remaining stragglers wandered back in. But, right before the last one got to the pen door, he flew up to the top of the pen fence.

I was worried, because there is netting across the top of the pen, and if he flew onto the netting, I didn't know how in the world I would rescue him, and avoid his spurs. I waited and waited, but he stayed put.

I called the friend, but got her voicemail. I called my Dad, who has always had chickens, to ask his advice. He said to get some pot lids and bang them together to scare him off. So, I went into the house, grabbed the lids, and went back to clang them. No luck. I called another friend who I knew had had chickens in the past. She said to get a stick and try to push him forward off the fence into the yard. I did, he didn't.

By this time, I'm desperate. I envision myself camping by the pen to rescue him if he decides to fly into the netting. I was determined not to lose any chickens on my watch!

Finally, I tried the friend's cell one last time, and she answered! I told her the whole saga - waiting for some sage advice to rescue me from this pickle. She said, "Oh, I forgot to tell you - he sleeps up there. He'll come down in the morning."

Seriously???

I am a dog fanatic! I can't get enough of my dog, watching other people's dogs, and watching tear jerkers about heroic and sweet dogs! I personally don't feel that my house is a home without a dog in it.

My new girl, Roxie!

I recently adopted Roxie from a local rescue, and could not be happier with the addition to my family. She is incredibly energetic (understatement of epic proportions!), and smart, and oh-so cuddly. And, she has mended my broken heart.

Missing Traveler and Gabriel...

I lost my two dogs, Gabriel and Traveler, in the past year. Both had cancer. Traveler had lymphoma, which was not curable, but with treatment was able to live happily and comfortably for an additional year to the age of 11. Gabriel had cancer also, but after treatment was cured. He eventually became too pain-ridden with arthritis to live comfortably, and at 12 years old, I decided to let him go. Both of their deaths were traumatic beyond belief, and I still mourn them and miss them incredibly.

When I heard that Roxie was available for adoption, I was skeptical. First, I wasn't sure that my heart was ready for a new dog. The pain of losing Traveler and Gabriel seemed too fresh, too raw. And secondly, I wasn't sure that I could handle an energetic pup. To me, adopting a dog means that you are willing to do any and everything you can to ensure that they have the happiest, healthiest life possible. I knew I could provide for her, and love her, but I asked myself if I could give her the kind of exercise she needs. And finally, I wasn't sure that I could emotionally handle the eventual loss of another beloved family member.

After much deliberating, I decided that the pros outweighed the cons, and I welcomed Roxie into my family on 7/20/10. She was just over a year old, had been very well-loved in her previous home, and showed all the signs of being a great dog.

                                                   Photo courtesy Sue Rakes Photography!

She has not disappointed! She is all that I had hoped for and more! She has made lots of dog and human friends in the past couple months.

She has regular play dates with dogs she has met. It is such a sight to see the pure joy of dogs playing and just being dogs! Their rituals, their games, and their energy fascinate me.

She has also enjoyed making new human friends. Some of my friends who are runners have generously taken her on as a running buddy. She runs with them 4 or 5 times a week. They report that she is quite the athlete, and as is typical of her breed, she runs with determination!

But, my favorite time with her is when she settles in at night and cuddles. That's when I know my heart is no longer broken. Just having her with me, knowing she trusts me, loves me, and depends on me, has given me new energy for both my personal and professional real estate life.

I know that I'm not alone in my passion for dogs - there are lots of us out there. And, that's a good thing!

"Don't throw the past away
You might need it some rainy day
Dreams can come true again
When everything old is new again"

There seems to be a nationwide love affair with old houses. Call it nostalgia, call it trendy, but there is no doubt that we love the history, charm, and quality construction of an historic home. Across America, starry-eyed home buyers are taking the dive into old or historic home ownership.

In Durham, NC, the "historic" bug has reached epidemic proportions. The preservation and conservation of Durham's unique architectural styles has been on the public radar for many years. Citizens have realized that as Durham has grown, many historic homes have become neglected or been threatened by impending development. These unique homes are our collective architectural heritage, and to lose them is to lose part of ourselves.

On both a residential and commercial level, several preservation groups have committed to halting further neglect and destruction, and to renovating and restoring the properties that give Durham its architectural identity.

To understand Durham's architectural history, it would help to have a bit of information about Durham's general history.

Durham is thought to be the site of an ancient Native American village named Adshusheer. The Great Indian Trading Path is traced through Durham, and Native Americans helped to mold Durham by establishing settlement sites and transportation routes.

The city of Durham began in 1854 on four acres of land sold to the NC Railroad Company to build a railroad station between Hillsborough and Raleigh. A small town sprang up around the depot, and in 1865 the largest troop surrender at the end of the Civil War was signed at Bennett Place.

The Civil War also saw the swell of the tobacco industry in Durham as veterans returned from war. Mills began popping up along the railroad lines, for both the tobacco and textile industries. Banking and insurance joined them, making Durham an important financial center, and with residential properties growing in the heart of downtown to accommodate the families relocating to the area. Mansions were erected to house the business elite, and smaller row houses were built for the typical workers.

Trinity College, which later became Duke University, moved to Durham in 1892, and streetcars were introduced to connect some of the earliest neighborhoods to the university.

Hayti, the center of the African American community, also began to thrive as the North Carolina College for Negroes (which later became North Carolina Central University) opened in 1910, and as the Black Wall Street on Parrish Street began to flourish with businesses such as the North Carolina Mutual Insurance Company.

Many of downtown Durham's commercial properties were built during the 1930's, and Durham became known internationally as an industrial and manufacturing power.

But, businesses moved from downtown, and the Downtown loop and Durham Freeway began directing business from the downtown area to the rapidly developing strip malls and suburbs of South Durham by the 1970's.

However, thankfully, urban pioneers began work on renewing several neighborhoods in the 1980's, such as Trinity Park, Old North Durham, Old West Durham, and other surrounding communities. And, today, urban renewal is thriving throughout these historic areas. The Durham Preservation Society was started in 1974 to spearhead the renewal efforts.

Today:

Developers continue to work transforming old tobacco warehouses, such as Brightleaf Square and the American Tobacco Campus into hip loft, office, restaurant, and retail space. Downtown neighborhoods have revived their pride, and lovingly restore and renovate our historic homes. And, as downtown thrives again, Durham's arts community, restaurants, and newly attracted conventions and businesses are beginning to attract national attention. Which brings money to Durham, and allows for further restoration of our historic beauties.

It is an exciting time to be in Durham!

Sometimes we wish we could eat our words. And sometimes we find that those words taste awful.

There's a lot of political dissonance these days. A lot of people finding that what they thought they were saying in confidence has become public record. Politicians are, by definition, public figures. You might think that they would have learned by now to be careful what they say, and to whom.

"If you can't say something nice..."

Real estate agents aren't necessarily public figures, but we also need to be careful what we say, and to whom. Not only because, well, it's not nice to talk about people behind their backs, but also because we have a state-issued license that requires our fiduciary responsibility be honored with our clients. We've all heard the "water cooler" talk around the office. People complaining about buyers who wasted their time then selected another agent, sellers who won't be reasonable about their list price, and so on. I have definitely heard private information being discussed that could negatively impact a transaction if the information had fallen on the wrong ears. We talk in public without really thinking about what we're saying, and who it may harm.

"Weigh your words carefully."

The bad thing about words is, you can't take them back. Not really. You can apologize. But, those words are forever out there. I'm thinking about an episode of Law and Order. The attorney is on a passionate roll, starts badgering the witness, then says something completely out of line, and the opposing counsel objects. The attorney says, "withdrawn", but, we are even more tuned in to the withdrawn statement, just because it's been challenged. (I can't be the only fan out here!) It's like being told NOT to think about a pink elephant. We are wired to tune in to the forbidden - whether it's whispered, or "withdrawn".

It also makes me think about Sheriff Andy Taylor, from The Andy Griffith Show, in an episode where he was contrite about something he had said that he wanted to take back. He pretends to stuff the words back in his mouth, and says, "those are some awful tastin' words!" It sure would be nice if it were as easy as eating some sour words. 

OK, maybe I watch a bit too much tv. But, that's a topic for another day! My point is, words can't be taken back. A bell can't be un-rung. And, we, as realtors, need to be aware at all times of our responsibility to protect our clients, their information, and their transactions. It's not only the right thing to do, it's a requirement of our license.

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!

Dawn Grasty, Broker

Prudential York Simpson Underwood

dgrasty@nc.rr.com      919-210-5418     www.dgrasty.com

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.