Lee & Pamela St. Peter Your Raleigh NC Realtors ~ GRI, CRS, ABR

We've all heard the words... blogging is a waste of time. Quit playing on the computer. Using Social media to market is wasting your time - it's a fad...

Most of us have tried as we may to answer those nay Sayers with a positive reply, even with an offer to help.

Here's some of what I pass along. We get inquiries from all over the US asking us about this area. People from all walks of life are hearing about what a great place the Raleigh Cary Apex area is in North Carolina and they'd love more information.

When they do contact us I already have a lot written about our area right here in my blogs in Active Rain.

For instance if they ask me about places to live I explain that for the most part the Raleigh area (often referred to as the Triangle) means you're going to have an enormous amount of places to explore. No matter what your budget.

We ARE a subdivision area! And these subdivision can also be broken down to lifestyle choices. For instance if you love tennis let me introduce you to Wimbledon Subdivision in Cary, NC - The name says it all - Tennis anyone? or perhaps Lochmere Subdivision in Cary NC - golfing, pool, tennis or biking anyone?

Tennis not your thing? Well then how about checking out this unique community in Clayton NC (Johnston County) called Portofino in Clayton NC an Equestrian Commity

There are beautiful homes by some of our top custom builders in places like Newstead Manor in Raleigh NC - a delightful subdivision and Greythorne Subdivision in Raleigh, NC

Of course the conversation is almost certain to make its way to what's your real estate market like? Sure am glad that I can email them my Wake county (Raleigh NC) 2nd quarter Market Report. (or the most current). It also makes a lot of sense to add a link to these reports in our e-Newsletters we send out

(as I just learned from Lisa Heindel's blog)

Sellers find those market reports important too as they struggle with where they should enter the market to be successful in selling their home.

Showing them a well written market report with the facts holds a lot more credibility than us telling them what they should list for. It allows them to make an intelligent decision based on real time information

There are other times while talking with a potential seller about what should they do to sell their home - I'll email them the link to Is YOUR welcome mat out?

Now we're not all work and NO play at the St. Peter HomeSelling Team - and we love to discover and recommend some of our fun dinning places like Coquette's in North Hills Mall Raleigh NC - A true French brasserie in Midtown! or the infamous Barry's Cafe 2851 Jones Franklin Rd. Raleigh North Carolina 27606

There are many ways for us to use our blogs - so they don't just gather Google dust... these are just a few.

I've not even touched on how twitter enhances them too. We'll leave that for another post....

Looking for something fun to do this weekend that includes a taste of Greece?  Look no farther!  The 28th annual Greek Festival begins tomorrow at 5 PM. and runs through Sunday. It's held at the Expo Center, NC State Fairgrounds.

This annual fundraiser by the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church now in it's 28th year has become a very popular event here in Raleigh - it attracts thousands of people from all over.  This year part of their proceeds will not only support their church but also will benefit Habitat for Humanity.

You're in for a taste, site, and sound treat.  Authentic foods which include Moussaka, Pastitsio, and the traditional greek chicken I grew up on called Chicken Riganato. 

Of course the favorite spot is over at the desert counter.  Who in their right minds can resist my all time favorite galaktobourdeko?  I think the most popular all time Greek desert is baklava and believe you me these ladies put out a mean baklava!  Check out the full menu

You'll be entertained by authentic greek music and dancing too!  Everyone has such a fun time!

You'll also find a variety of booths surrounding the main hall with exciting items for sale too - I usually start my Christmas shopping at the festival because of all the unique gift ideas.  Or try your luck and purchase a couple raffle tickets.  Not sure if they are having their silent auction - but there's usually some great items to bid on.

Lee and I love visiting with my aunt and uncle - Matena & John Costakis who put in so many volunteer hours with their friends from Holy Trinity.  Seeing the fruits of their labor is heartwarming as so many people attend this event every year.  We've not missed one in the 14 years that we've lived here.  Oh and don't let the long line scare you - Uncle John and others make sure it moves quickly.  They are very organized.

If you would like you can print out this ticket for free admission...

Hope you can make this year!  It's a lot of fun and a fundraiser for a good cause...

Arts & Culture, Moore Square Redesign Competition in Raleigh NC

With all the growth and new residents arriving each month here in the Raleigh NC area it's so refreshing to know that the city planners are at the top of their game with the planning and development taking place for Moore Square.  The goal - to re-design and incorporate the park with the art community.  Watch this interview with Sarah Powers, the owner of Visual Art Exchange, to learn more about the role that Moore Square plays in the arts community. 

Moore Square located at S. Blount Street is one of the few places we have where residents of downtown Raleigh NC can enjoy a park like setting for picnics, throwing the frisbee, or just relaxing on a blanket on a warm summer day.  Those who work downtown can take their lunch to the park or go for a brisk walk to get some fresh air.  If you're a visitor with kids, the park offers fun thing to do like  the marbles kids museum.

View Larger Map

Planned events such as 1st Friday, The Visual art exchange, movies, and festivals all add to the fun that Moore Square brings to us in downtown  Raleigh.  And since Raleigh is the capital of North Carolina there's plenty of museums and places to explore around the park as well.

So the competition is on for young designers and local firms to get involved in the groundswell taking place in Raleigh to meet the city's goals to develop sustainable growth and incorporate Moore Square Park, the  arts, and the growing downtown Raleigh NC area. 

I'm so proud to a resident of beautiful Raleigh NC with her tree lined streets, rich history, and vibrant growth!

I have a tool for all of you 1st time home buyers out there sitting on the fence about buying a home. It's a countdown widget you can put on your desktop that will remind you just how many days are left until you've missed getting an $8,000 TAX CREDIT from the U.S Government.

I don't know about you but I sure don't want to miss any opportunity to take advantage of someone wanting to give me money. And $8,000? That to me is a good chunk of change.

Just imagine what you could do with that money.. You could use it for new furnishings in your new home (AND you'd be helping the economy too right?) Now you could save it for a rainy day - I'm sure you'd be happy when that rainy day rolls around but that option may not be so enticing right now...

OR you could grab your partner and plan an amazing trip say to Hawaii! Whatever you can dream doing with that money - just don't let the opportunity pass you by because you don't know where to start.

Just this week I've had 2 calls from 1st time home buyers wanting to know if they could get that $8,000 tax credit for real... Granted - there are qualifications that you need to fulfill. Here's a recap:

• The tax credit is for first-time home buyers only. For the tax credit program, the IRS defines a first-time home buyer as someone who has not owned a principal residence during the three-year period prior to the purchase.
• The tax credit does not have to be repaid.
• The tax credit is equal to 10 percent of the home’s purchase price up to a maximum of $8,000.
• The credit is available for homes purchased on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009.
• Single taxpayers with incomes up to $75,000 and married couples with incomes up to $150,000 qualify for the full tax credit

So what are you waiting for? Call a REALTOR®. Find someone you can sit down and talk with. Ask them if they would refer you to a good mortgage lender. Your REALTOR® will have the expertise to make your 1st time home buying experience a pleasant one.

But hurry that clock is ticking! Don't wake up December 1st from a terrible nightmare... I'm afraid many will...

Carolina Outdoor Lighting Professionals, Inc is owned and operated by a long time resident of Raleigh NC - Steve Roberts. I'm not sure how Lee found Steve but we couldn't be more pleased.

We have always loved walking or driving through subdivisions in our area at night taking in the some of the gorgeous lighting designs. Nothing makes a house pop more elegantly than a well designed lighting enhancement. So it wasn't long after we moved into our home that we called Steve. He offers free demos - so we took him up on it and scheduled an evening for us to meet.

Our first wow factor with Carolina Outdoor Lighting Professionals, Inc was when Steve shows up, sets up, and demonstrates the outdoor lighting system ON our own house!! FREE! Believe me he works hard setting things up to show us his suggestions as to just what should be lit and what type of lighting system he'll use. Talk about exceeding our expectations...

Carolina Outdoor Lighting Professionals, Inc gives their clients an actual design session that as Steve says is "both visual and customized to your needs". I was blown away when he flipped the switch and I saw the demo - our house in lights! It was so much fun to participate in the actual way we wanted the house to look too. He did a fabulous job the 1st time around - but I had a request. Since I love our crepe mytles I wondered if one of them could be highlighted on the back corner of the house. Viola - done. He understood exactly what I wanted!

But Steve doesn't stop there. He carefully explained to us the products he uses and why. Carolina Outdoor Lighting Professionals, Inc chooses to use high quality, high value, low voltage systems which consume less electricity. At first I thought it was just a sales pitch because he isn't the least expensive around... but were we ever wrong.

We also learned that by using a lighting control system and controlling when these low voltage lights are on only helps in saving electricity.

Here's a look at our finished design by Steve of Carolina Outdoor Lighting Professionals, Inc!

So if you are considering enhancing your home with elegant outdoor lighting I recommend you call Carolina Outdoor Lighting Professionals, Inc (919) 523-0561 first! Want more info - you'll find more info on their website

But remember there's a lot more that you could do with lighting around your home... take a look at some of the other designs that Carolina Outdoor Lighting Professionals, Inc has worked to accomplish! Not that we plan on moving any time soon - but don't you agree this would definitely set you apart from the competition!


photos compliments of Carolina Outdoor Lighting Professionals, Inc

Oh - I forgot to mention we've enjoyed our lighting system from Carolina Outdoor Lighting Professionals, Inc for a couple of years now. We had ONE hiccup with the timer which Steve walked us through IMMEDIATELY when we went into daylight saving time. And we have NOT had to replace ONE bulb. How's that for quality?

About the author: Pamela is a Raleigh Realtor with The St. Peter HomeSelling Team at Prudential YSU Realty in the Triangle.
A team of passionate North Carolina Brokers dedicated to connecting their clients to success in home buying and home selling in the Triangle. Pamela can be reached via email at Pamela@RaleighHomesOnline.com or by calling (919) 645-2522.

For your real estate needs The St. Peter HomeSelling Team serves the following areas; Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Morrisville, Holly Springs, Fuquay Varina, Garner, Wake Forest