Chas' Blog

A Brief Word on the Market

Chas Morgenstern (ListWise Realty) — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 19:06:42 -0500

Commerce Department Says New Home Sales Increase

The Commerce Department stated Thursday that the sale of new homes increased by 4.8% last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 770,000 units. Head analysts had predicted a 2.5% decline for September. This is by no means a sign that the housing market is turning around as some of the numbers in different areas across the nation skew the overall average. However, it is nice to see that there may be some hope for the Raleigh and Cary area of North Carolina. The information given above comes from this article.

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Build Your Team

Chas Morgenstern (ListWise Realty) — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 18:12:32 -0500

I recently came across an article from MSN.com titled, "Six Team-Building Lessons from the NFL". No, this was not in the sport's section, in fact, it was in the Business and Careers section. I have always been a big sports fan and I have always tried to incorporate a competitive spirit in myself and my co-workers. When I see others attempting to do the same thing, I get excited to see the changes it can make in an office. Real Estate is an industry that weeds out the ones who don't find the right people to work with. Just like any sport, if an individual can't work with others effectively, he finds himself searching for a job. The market calls for a an office with a "team focused" set of individuals, willing to help each other through a transaction. The agents that are solely focused on earning their next check become a part of that huge turnover rate everyone hears about. Read this article, keeping in mind that being a part of a team only makes you more appealing to customers and clients.

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Football Season in Full Swing

Chas Morgenstern (ListWise Realty) — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 09:38:46 -0500

I love football. It brings a tear of joy to my eye when I think about how I can watch a game on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. The passion of the game, the frenzy it causes and the sportsmanship shown are just a few of the reasons I look forward to the Autumn months every year. With so many other sports receiving bad press, it's a relief to see a sport that still holds relatively high standards. As a Pennsylvania State University student and Big-Ten Conference fan, I was watching the game this past weekend between Northwestern and Duke University. What other sport today, can a team like Duke (22 straight losses) win against a nationally recognized football program? The parity of the sport makes opportunities like this tangible for programs like Duke. We should be showing younger generations that playing a sport is not about taking steroids or buying the best talent to make one powerhouse team. Sports are about work-ethic, teamwork and the occasional hard hit. The Raleigh-Durham area has many wonderful opportunities for families and friends to get together, watch a game and have a good time. Visit this site for ticket information about these different venues.

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HOA Taking it too Far in Wake Forest Neighborhood

Chas Morgenstern (ListWise Realty) — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 12:34:55 -0500

Members of the Margot's Pond Community are being served with warnings by their Home Owners Association to keep their grass green. Amid these terrible drought conditions in and around Raleigh some people are taking these restrictions too far. Many of these HOA agreements, in normal situations, are the best thing to happen to communities. They keep the property values up, the community looking the way it should, and more than anything, they keep the residents happy. However, the types of water codes and restrictions that have been enforced recently due to lack of precipitation make it impossible to keep one's grass looking healthy. It is quite humorous to think that a HOA requires green grass in the middle of one of the worst drought seasons on record. HOA officials in Cary, Wake Forest, and Raleigh need to start thinking logically and loosen the rules for their residents in the following months. Everyone wants a healthy and beautiful landscape, but not at the cost of violating city ordinances and water restrictions. Click here for the News & Observer story.

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Mortgage Mess Leads to Job Loss

Chas Morgenstern (ListWise Realty) — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 10:50:27 -0500

Last week, Countrywide Financial Corporation announced that 12,000 jobs would be cut as a result of the subprime mortgage "mess". Countrywide plans to cut 20% of it's workforce if the market does not improve. I am not a mortgage expert but I do have an opinion on the matter. If Countrywide is vowing to concentrate on more conservative loans, it can mean only good things for the real estate market. Markets are very volatile right now and are scaring many shareholders. However, is there a small chance that this is a correction that was bound to happen? If we look back to the 2000 “Dot Com Crash", we see many similarities: overvalued stocks with under-delivering companies. Financial analysts will preach that markets are efficient and will correct themselves when the time comes. The crash in 2000 was a correction that the market experienced. When lenders began issuing outrageous loans, it started a chain of competition among these big corporations and investors just kept pouring in money. These actions resulted in bogus loans that made a lot of money for shareholders. A job cut like the one Countrywide is about to enforce is terrible news for the people involved. However, with regards to the economy, it will hold these lenders to higher standards and may avoid the same types of issues we're facing today, ten years down the road.

In the Raleigh area we have many lenders and most of our clients have been able to carry a loan without a problem. However, in markets outside of Raleigh, Cary and the Triangle, real estate professionals are feeling the effects. A correction like the one we're facing today may prevent these types of situations from plaguing more real estate markets across the nation.

Durham to set Forth Water Restrictions

Chas Morgenstern (ListWise Realty) — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 12:21:32 -0500

Raleigh isn't the only city with drought issues. City officials in Durham are setting forth some new water restrictions for it's residents. City Manger Patrick Baker encourages residents to limit water usage in this article. Cities around Raleigh and Durham (Cary, Apex) have also been asked in the past few weeks to limit water usage. North Carolina, and states across the nation, have experienced these drought conditions for quite some time now and people are starting to feel it's effects. I was recently in Pennsylvania for about two weeks and I noticed similar conditions as I did in North Carolina. It is a dry, overwhelming heat that only rain can cure. Soon it will be over and it will be a golfer's paradise here in North Carolina! Stay cool and save that water!

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Raleigh Mayor to Enforce New Water Rules

Chas Morgenstern (ListWise Realty) — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 22:10:38 -0500

Mayor Charles Meeker of Raleigh, North Carolina has proposed that state officials begin a 45 day review of water restrictions in the area. Officials have been requesting that citizens use less water but these new restrictions have not been thoroughly regulated. The mayor is proposing that a new program be set forth with fines to regulate the water consumption. He has proposed that a base amount of water consumption be alloted per family. Any consumption over that amount will result in a fine. Administrators are hoping that consumption will fall to 55 million gallons a day. Areas all over Wake County are experiencing the effects of these droughts. Towns and counties like Cary, Apex, and Holly Springs / Fuquay-Varina are being hit just as hard as the Raleigh area. For the full story click here. It is important in times of drought to remind neighbors and friends to watch their water consumption, it will soon be a way to save them money.

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Raleigh Area in Severe Drought Situation

Chas Morgenstern (ListWise Realty) — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 14:01:48 -0500

Michael Easley, Governor of the State of North Carolina, has declared that 74 counties are now officially in extreme or severe drought. He is asking state agencies to discontinue non-essential use of water. He is asking citizens to reduce water consumption by at least 10%. The state's office offers some helpful tips to conserve water in the Raleigh and Cary areas.

SOME HELPFUL TIPS:
- Only using the dishwasher with full loads, and using the "water-saver" setting, if available.
- Taking short showers. Five minutes or less should do. If you prefer baths, fill the tub only one-quarter full.
- Find out how much water your lawn really needs. More than 50 percent of the water applied to lawns and gardens is lost due to evaporation or runoff because of over watering. As a general rule, most lawns and gardens require little more than one inch of water per week.

NC fire departments have been extremely busy lately as well with over 350 wildfires in August. Governor Easley says that this is an extreme situation that is affecting counties all over the state and people need to start paying closer attention when they are grilling out or building campfires. For the full story click here.

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Not Just Another Golf Course in Raleigh...

Chas Morgenstern (ListWise Realty) — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 12:05:47 -0500

Just when you thought that Raleighcouldn't possibly need another golf course community, Creedmore Partners has developed Hasentreein North Raleigh. A community that offers a housing community, family activity centers, a Tom Fazio Golf Course, gyms, childcare and much more. This is the type of place that will drive even more people to the beautiful city of Raleigh.

The plans for a housing development have been included in the proposal for this new community. Properties in a place like Hasentree will certainly sell at a premium. This new golf course community has already received a great deal of press and the lots will be selling very quickly. ListWise Realtyis the perfect brokerage for people interested in a place like Hasentree. ListWise offers buyers up to 50% instant commission refundson any home in the MLS. Don't pass up on an opportunity to live in this beautiful new community, receive full service real estate, and save thousands of dollars using a ListWise agent today.

ListWise Realty: Full Service Real Estate at Do it Yourself Prices

Raleigh NC Road Improvements

Chas Morgenstern (ListWise Realty) — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 09:31:44 -0500

Local government officials in Raleigh NC have decided to spend $420,000 on improvements to Capital Blvd.They are planning on adding crosswalks, islands, and pedistrian controlled signs at four different locations on this always busy road. Complaints by people that use the public transportation system, or use Capital Blvd. have certainly had an effect on government opinion. Showing someone that the roads in our communities are being improved all of the time to better the flow of traffic and safety of pedestrians, can only help real estate professionals. Capital Blvd. is often times a highway that real estate agents utilize in order to travel to and from different locations. I am pleased to know that when I am assisting clients, they will be able to see the government's strive for safety in the area. For the full story click here.

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Question: What programs are available for email drip campaigns?

Chas Morgenstern (ListWise Realty) — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 14:38:49 -0500

I have decided to use the ActiveRain network a little differently today. I have a question and I would certainly appreciate any input anyone may have. My company and I have been receiving leads upon leads and it has been a challenge to keep in touch with every email that comes across our desks. Are there any software programs that you can suggest in monitoring a "drip campaign" through emails? After an initial phone-call or email, we have found it difficult to find time to send out individual emails to hundreds of people to keep in touch. We have been researching different programs on the internet and are curious what other agents have to say. Thank you for your help.

ListWise Realty Services: Full Service Real Estate at Do it Yourself Prices

Your Opinion: Rezoning or Downzoning?

Chas Morgenstern (ListWise Realty) — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 08:52:26 -0500

As the population has grown in Raleigh, so have the prices of many of the homes --- but so has the size of homes. This is a nationwide trend - as people have become more affluent, they have desired to indulge in luxurious homes that often have 4 bedrooms or more!

One Wake County group (see N&O article) is raising an eyebrow to the trend and is seeking to limit the number of permissible tear-downs in their neighborhood; or, to allow the teardowns to continue, but the replacement homes would be required to be much smaller than the huge trendy $300,000 to well over $1 million homes that are being built all over the city.

The group's point is well taken. After all, we shouldn't destroy every cute old neighborhood just because we want to build a mansion in the middle of it, should we? Property values have increased, so many argue that it is not worth having to fix up old homes when you can start over (and with something larger).

What do you think? Does rezoning go too far? Many times people who have lived in a home for 50 years suddenly find their property rezoned - much heartache can go into it. On the other hand, sometimes a home has clearly seen better days, so the rezoning can allow a dream home to go onto the land.

Is downzoning a viable option? Does limiting the size of homes on land create better neighborhoods?

In Cary, zoning is a constant hot topic because the town is known for its carefully planning. Right now, Cary residents grapple with the pluses and negatives of urban shopping centers - Fortunately, Cary has not in any way lost its charm.

We at ListWise like to hear your opinions so we can better serve you. Whether you're looking for a McMansion or a quaint southern home, we can help you find the real estate you're looking for. Check out our mortgage payment calculator - you can get an idea of your closing costs before you even step into our store. Our website has featured listings and information local schools, business, and restaurants, as well as information about the different cities and towns we serve.

Let ListWise Realty Services help you save money and buy/sell your home fast!

Cary, Garner may get new schools: Wake County Commissioners to vote today

Chas Morgenstern (ListWise Realty) — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 08:53:40 -0500

With the constant growth in our area, school capacity is always a hot topic. Everyone agrees that school overcrowding impedes the learning process because each child deserves adequate individual attention.

Most schools in the Triangle have handled the huge influx of new students well, but commissioners understand the need to add additional schools.

With Duke, UNC, and NC State all within short driving distances, residents in the Raleigh area expect quality education - education that can prepare their children to be competitive enough to themselves one day attend a prestigious university.

Today, county commissioners will vote on purchasing land in both Cary and Garner for new schools. Cary would be getting an elementary school and Garner, a high school.

Many families look to live near a school. At ListWise, we can help you locate the schools in the neighborhood of the new homes you are considering and help you find the best match to fit your family's needs. Why not check out our website today? We can help you find a home that earns you an A+!!!!

Sell Your Home FAST with ListWise.Com!!

Chas Morgenstern (ListWise Realty) — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 09:41:46 -0500

Here at ListWise Realty Services, we want to help you sell your home fast using the power of the Internet. Say no to all those commissions and fees. We'll get you an instant commission REFUND when you purchase a house!

Not too many realtors are offering you that kind of deal, eh? We will give you suggestions on how to help sell your house quickly, we'll provide you with a free property organizer to help you find your next beautiful home, and we'll prominently feature your home on our website and the MLS.

ListWise offers you a new way of doing real estate. We've gotten rid of the traditional model and given you more options. We include our clients in the whole process to eliminate all the confusion that racks up doing things the old way. Our company is growing and we have plenty of testimonials from satisfied customers.

Let the internet work for you! Check out our website right now and we can have you in a new home in no time!!!

We are located at Crossroads Plaza in Cary. For directions, click the picture above! We assure you our friendly staff will be there to greet you and to make the buying/selling process easy for you!

Cary's SAS Soccer Stadium attracts International Competition - Carolina Railhawks vs Cruz Azul

Chas Morgenstern (ListWise Realty) — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 09:59:40 -0500

When Duke isn't playing Carolina (sadly, its not basketball season) Tarheels need another rival. The Carolina Railhawks are becoming a force of their own here in the Triangle, so homeowners - its time to invest in that new HD television so you can watch the newest source of Carolina entertainment!

Nowadays, football is becoming more and more popular in the U.S. - leading to the need for explanation anytime you say you're going to a football game. Football, as in American Football, or Football aka Soccer?

Cary, North Carolina has always been a town boasting cutting edge lifestyles and careers, so it should be no surprise that the SAS Soccer Park is now here in Cary. Along with it has brought many national and international tournaments. Last night, the Carolina Railhawks played Cruz Azul, a team immensely popular in Mexico. On the schedule for the rest of the season include Montreal, Portland, California, and Richmond. Carolina lost, but that's just a detail when you're out there having fun.

Professional quality soccer fields are not found in most American cities. If you're a soccer fan, Wake County is the place to live. Why not let ListWise help you find a home with all the amenities you'll want for hosting a soccer bash. Imagine, you could own a home where you could invite your friends that would have plenty of indoor seating space, a finished backyard, a luxurious swimming pool, a private bar, and a wide screen tele. Sign up for a property organizer today on our ListWise Realty Services website and we'll have you celebrating while the night is young.

Cheers!

Cary to get a smaller version of Raleigh's North Hills

Chas Morgenstern (ListWise Realty) — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 10:20:45 -0500

North Hills in Raleigh has become an urbanite's heaven. The chic shops and trendy bistros of North Hills have become a desireable model for other nearby cities. Perhaps it all started over in Chapel Hill (with Southern Village and Meadowmont) but now a newly approved development similiar to Raleigh's North Hills and Brier Creek have caused a stir in Cary.

It was a divided vote: but, the pro-commerce, growth, & development crowd won it. Some Wake County residents fear traffic will become an issue, but many say the Cary development's benefits far outweigh the negatives.

According to the Raleigh News & Observer, the Prestonwood area in Cary will watch as 320 new upscale apartments will be incorporated into a mix of shops, a movie theatre, and office space. If it is anything like its predecessors, the nearby real estate will be valued as some of the highest in the area.

ListWise can help you find a North Carolina home with the perfect urban/suburban mix. Check out our Cary listings today or stop in our Crossroads retail location today!

Festival Ritmo Latino next Sunday in Cary, North Carolina!

Chas Morgenstern (ListWise Realty) — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 11:19:03 -0500

It's the heat of summer, so what better to do than find yourself a salsa partner and head out to Cary's 3rd annual Ritmo Latino festival (shall we say, Fiesta?!). Mark your 'calendario' for next Sunday, August 5 from 12-6pm.

Cary's Bond Park is host to many events throughout the year, such as SpringDaze and various concerts. Ritmo Latino celebrates Hispanic and Latino heritage and is an excellent place to eat some chiles, watch the Venezualen Dance Group, Aztec Dancers Sagrada Familia, and SomoSalsa, listen to Brazilian Soul and Trio Los Angeles de Hidalgo. Feel like dancing along? There will be dance lessons and a plethora of workshops.

It's free, fun, and what better way to embrace North Carolina's diversity and learn about one another!

At ListWise, we want to keep you updated on various arts and entertainment events that occur throughout the year in/near Wake County so that you can find something for your family to enjoy. Here in Cary/Raleigh, there is always something going on or places to visit. If music isn't your thing, why not head out to the Duke Botanical Gardens for a stroll with your loved ones? Or, maybe you prefer sports, check out one of the many local sports teams, from LaCrosse to Basketball.

And, when you are looking for your new home, let ListWise realty services be the first to know so that we can help you settle into a place that fits your lifestyle, has easy access to your favorite restaurants and activities, and make sure you are comfortable in your new surroundings!

North Carolina's Capital City Tops Forbes (Again)

Chas Morgenstern (ListWise Realty) — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 09:15:12 -0500

Congratulations, Raleigh. The Triangle area routinely makes it on Forbes lists, and this time has acheived another Number 1 spot - this time, for being the nation's top real estate seller's market right now.

There hasn't been a "slump" here (as Forbes terms other nationwide markets). Instead, Wake County has maintained a strong housing market, plenty of jobs, affordability with a touch of luxury, and attractive neighborhoods are scattered throughout the region.

ListWise customers benefit the most from this trend. Have you checked out our testimonials page? We have a long list of satisfied customers, many of whom were able to sell their house within just days of listing it with us.

We specialize in making you feel comfortable with the selling and buying process, whether you desire to live in the heart of Raleigh or in Cary, Wake Forest, Durham, Garner, Chapel Hill, Knightdale, Fuquay-Varina. We can help you find exactly what you're looking for, and get you the most for your money.

Why not check us out today? We have a trendy retail location at Crossroads Plaza with a friendly staff. Prefer the internet? You can sign up electronically for a property organizer on our website and check out our featured listings!

C.A.R.Y. - The Acronym Bears Truth

Chas Morgenstern (ListWise Realty) — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 10:00:03 -0500

Not long ago, someone posted a comment to our blog asking if Cary really is known as the "Central Area for Relocating Yankees." Our response: yes, indeed it is!

Finding an actual "Cary native" or "Raleigh native" is a bit of a task. Most Wake County residents aren't originally from North Carolina, which says a lot for the Triangle area. It is highly attractive to people from all walks of life, whether they are from San Antonio or the Bronx; Tokyo or Kenya; Baltimore or Beirut. There's even a Kosher market in Raleigh:

Philly cheesesteaks and NYC pizza are as easy to find here as biscuits and gravy ever since the influx of New Englanders. In one Cary shopping center, there's a Tienda Hispana, Mongolian Restaurant, huge Asian supermarket, and Thai restaurant. Nearby, the shops around NC State University feature an ice cream store, theatre, Ethiopian restaurant, Middle Eastern market, Italian pizza joint, and an Irish pub.

What makes Cary and Raleigh so appealing for those in the market for prime real estate is the blending of cultures. Plus, since its a warm climate, Cary and Raleigh residents enjoy lush flowers a large part of the year and ... the State Farmer's Market!

The Farmer's Market is open everyday and features every veggie and plant you could imagine, plus a restaurant that cooks from the fresh food available right there. There is also seafood and homemade jams and honey.

It has to be good - even Oprah featured the Raleigh farmer's market as a backdrop on a recent segment declaring Raleigh the 4th best city in America for singles to find a spouse!

When you're ready to join the wave of relocators to Cary/Raleigh, let ListWise Realty Services help you find your new home.

Cary Developer to add his touch to "Raleigh's Urban Renaissance"

Chas Morgenstern (ListWise Realty) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 08:53:06 -0500

We've been hearing a lot about the transforming Raleigh skyline in recent years - the Soleil Center, RBC Plaza, new convention center, the new Fayetteville Street... add a new possibility: the Edison.

According to the Raleigh News & Observer, Cary developer Gregg Sandreuter and Cherokee Investment Partners of Raleigh want to build a 38-story, eco-friendly mix of shops, hotel rooms and residences in Raleigh's reviving downtown." The proposal calls for 2 towers, one of which would be 24 stories tall, making the building the tallest building in central Raleigh. The skyscraper would fit the rigorous standards to be considered "green."

"It's the next progression to Raleigh's urban renaissance," Sandreuter said. "It's an indication of how the Triangle is growing from a small community to a world-class region."

Cary is located adjacent to Raleigh and offers a more relaxed place to live for those who may love to work in downtown Raleigh but who want a quieter place to come home to in the evenings.

Let ListWise help you find the home of your dreams - be it in Cary, in the center of Raleigh, or in one of the many other surrounding cities. You will discover that this part of the country really does have it all! Our exceptional staff will walk you through the process of buying or selling your home to eliminate as much confusion as possible and to save you money.

The Results Are In: 2 Triangle Towns Rank High on National List

Chas Morgenstern (ListWise Realty) — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 08:58:26 -0500

By now, anyone who knows just a little about Raleigh area real estate knows that last year Cary ranked in the top five places to live in the entire country.

This year, CNN Money Magazine chose to focus on some of the (comparatively speaking) smaller sized cities and towns for its ranking of "Best Places to Live."

In our area, the winner is Southern Wake county ---- specifically:

Apex, North Carolina (ranked 14th nationally)

(CNN Money Mag)

and

Holly Springs, North Carolina (ranked 22nd nationally)

Why is that exciting? Because both Apex and Holly Springs are practically adjacent to Cary! These are up-and-coming cities where the population is booming. CNN remarks that Apex' historical downtown is well-kept and is truly a lovely place for an afternoon stroll.

Our ListWise staff is able to provide you an insiders look at the most beautiful homes in Apex, Holly Springs, Cary, and Raleigh. Check out our website, where we have information on these cities and more!

Raleigh and Cary are Getting Fit

Chas Morgenstern (ListWise Realty) — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 10:17:21 -0500

I have worked out on a regular basis, maybe four to five times a week, since the age of fifteen. I just recently joined a new gym in Cary called LifeTime Fitness. In no way am I trying to advertise, but this place is breath-taking! It is located off of Regency Parkway, right near Koka Booth Amphitheatre. It has a spa, a cafe, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, childcare centers, basketball courts, free-weights, weight machines, bikes, and treadmills. I have never seen a gym like this. The enthusiasm for healthy lifestyles it has brought to the community has been it's most impacting asset. People are taking their families up there for a night of swimming, lifting, and healthy eating.

It's location in Cary is pulling people from all over the Triangle. Some people are choosing not to join this particular gym, but they are beginning to see the joy that healthy lifestyles have brought to other people. Anything that encourages people to become active and start taking responsibility for their health is a good thing. In today's society, we need all of the motivation we can get in order to start the journey to a more fit way of life. Parking lots in gyms all over the Triangle are starting to see some action again. A healthier community breeds happier people that are able to take the time and enjoy life in the Raleigh area.

North Carolina Receives Another Award from Forbes Magazine

Chas Morgenstern (ListWise Realty) — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 10:42:45 -0500

Forbe's Magazine just ranked North Carolina third on a list of "Best States for Business". This ranking comes just after an April award for it's capital, Raleigh, for "Best Metro for Business and Careers". North Carolina is certainly receiving the type of exposure every business dreams of. More enthusiastic entrepreneurs bring new, vibrant businesses to an area and more consumers to an already booming economy. What a great place to relocate and start a new business!

The Raleigh real estate market is thriving and the Triangle is becoming one of the best places in the country to live. Agents are helping people from other parts of the state and from across the country to find their new home in Raleigh. For an Instant Buyer Refund of up to 50%, use ListWise as your full service buyer agent today! Visit ListWise.com for more information.

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Navigating your way through Raleigh

Chas Morgenstern (ListWise Realty) — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 10:24:31 -0500

Did you shell out an extra thousand or two on your new car just so you could have a chic GPS navigation system? Well, in the past you would have needed it in Raleigh, but thanks to a new proposal, navigating downtown Raleigh is about to get easier.

According to the Raleigh News and Observer, the city of Raleigh hired a consulting firm to improve signage and roadways throughout the city: "The firm, Corbin Design of Traverse City, Mich., proposed navy blue and white signs with an oak leaf motif to guide people -- in cars and on foot -- to downtown attractions and parking. City officials hope to have many of the new signs in place by the time the new convention center opens late next summer and are eager for public input." Goodbye one-way streets - they are set to be converted to standard two lane roads in the near future.

If you were planning on getting lost here, toss out the GPS and instead lose yourself in the shopping, entertainment, restaurants, and nightlife that makes Raleigh so great.

Cary is a little ahead when it comes to excellent signage. On all of the main roads, there are signs to tell you the name of the coming intersection; the streets are wide, well-kept and tree/flower-lined; and the speed limits are above reasonable.

No one wants to live in a city where you can't find your way. The leaders of our cities in the Triangle area care very much about making sure that everyone can get where they need to be as easily as possible. Whether you are commuting to work, taking your children to school, or heading out on vacation, Raleigh is the place to be. In fact, many newcomers say that Cary and Raleigh make them feel like they are on a permanent vacation.

Why not look for a home in a well-planned city? ListWise Realty Services can help you locate your new destination with ease. We will guide you through the entire process of buying or selling your home and you will save money!

Raleigh Loves its Sports

Chas Morgenstern (ListWise Realty) — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 10:03:57 -0500

People move to Raleigh, North Carolina for many different reasons. The career opportunities, the educational facilities, the weather, and the diversity are enough to convince anyone to try the area out for a while. But what is it that makes them stay? The Sports! With professional and amateur sporting events taking place all year round, families and friends have so much to do. Professional teams like the Carolina Hurricanes, the Carolina Railhawks and the Carolina Mudcats offer entertainment for every sports fan. Visit this site for tickets to these professional teams.

If you are more of a college sports fan, you are also in for a treat! With NC State sports in full swing all year round, bringing in other big-name schools, who could ask for more? Not to mention, UNC, Duke, and Wake Forest are all only a short car ride away. Some people do not like to attend sporting events, they would rather record it on TV while they go out and play a round of golf at one of Raleigh's beautiful courses. North Carolina is golfing country, visit this site for a list of great golf courses in Raleigh and it's surrounding area. Raleigh area sports have a way of keeping every sports fan happy all year round.

ListWise Realty: Full Service Real Estate at Do it Yourself Prices