iRaleighBlog.com » Just For Fun!

Raleigh Real Estate, For Some it’s “Hot None In The Summertime”

Rick Freeman — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 17:25:50 +0000

Today, we’re updating Triangle real estate sales figures and answering the “how hot will summer sales be in Raleigh-Durham” question. In an earlier blog post, I reported that there were 2,083 home closings in May for Durham, Johnston, Orange and Wake counties, up 26 percent over the same period last year, according to the Triangle Multiple Listing Service. Well the numbers are in for July and sales, unlike the outdoor temperatures, have cooled with only 1,354 closings for the month, which is a 35% dive over a two-month period. That’s also down 35% from the same period last year as closings in July 2009 in the same four counties numbered 2,052.

Get my full story, Hot NONE In the Summertime…Real Estate Sales on Vacation, online. Find more timely statistics on Raleigh Durham and search the great Raleigh homes for sale and buyer’s market incentives on Raleigh real estate at www.HomeSearchRALEIGH.com.

It’s more value-added information from your Raleigh realtor, Rick Freeman and the Freeman/Davis Home Team.

Rick Freeman’s DayTripping Series – Mayberry, NC in Living Color

Rick Freeman — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 17:24:23 +0000

Check out my blog post at Rick Freeman’s DayTripping Series – Mayberry, NC – It’s For Real and In Living Color. See more things to do in Raleigh Durham and search the great Raleigh homes for sale and buyer’s market incentives on Raleigh real estate at www.HomeSearchRALEIGH.com.

It’s more value-added information from your Raleigh realtor, Rick Freeman and the Freeman/Davis Home Team.

Rick Freeman’s DayTripping Series – NASCAR Hall Of Fame

Rick Freeman — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 17:22:35 +0000

Check out my blog post at Rick Freeman’s DayTripping Series – Nascar Hall Of Fame in Charlotte. See more things to do in Raleigh Durham and search the great Raleigh homes for sale and buyer’s market incentives on Raleigh real estate at www.HomeSearchRALEIGH.com.

It’s more value-added information from your Raleigh realtor, Rick Freeman and the Freeman/Davis Home Team.

Rick Freeman’s DayTripping Series – Tax Free in Smithfield NC

Rick Freeman — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 17:20:58 +0000

Check out my blog post at Rick Freeman’s DayTripping Series – Tax Free Weekend. See more things to do in Raleigh Durham and search the great Raleigh homes for sale and buyer’s market incentives on Raleigh real estate at www.HomeSearchRALEIGH.com.

It’s more value-added information from your Raleigh realtor, Rick Freeman and the Freeman/Davis Home Team.

Great Guidelines For Grads

Rick Freeman — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 19:45:47 +0000

Here’s more timely information from the Raleigh real estate team of Rick Freeman and Amy Davis at Allen Tate in the Triangle. We love working with families and have a lot of folks with graduating seniors about to fly from the next. Well today, we have information just for grads so pass this along to anyone you know who’s taking that next big step in life.

You just got a degree and you’re ready to find a job. It’s quite a challenge in today’s competitive job market, so use these tips to make the most of your time and get started on your career path:

Do your research. Chances are you’ve chosen a field of interest (if you haven’t you may already be behind the power curve). Check the latest stats by going to www.careeronestop.org. Look under “Explore Careers” for info on the fastest growing industries (currently management, scientific or technical consulting followed by data processing and home health care) or check out employment trends by state.
Approach finding a job as a full-time job in itself. Get good at the basics of resume-writing, interviewing and following up.
If you know what job you want but don’t get hired right away, acquire as many skills and experience in that field as you can and apply at a later date. If you want to work for an advertising agency, for example, do freelance jobs for smaller companies to build your portfolio. Or take an entry-level job with the agency as a starting point.
If “plastics” isn’t your thing (remember “The Graduate”?) but you don’t know what “your thing” is, do some “informational interviewing.” Interview people in professions you are considering.
Be open to a job that’s not directly related to your major.
Build a network and make connections. Join the social networking site www.linkedin.com and local networking groups to let people know you are looking for a job. Find a mentor to help you pursue your career goals.
Consider a start-up. You may have more responsibilities at a smaller company. Check out a site like www.startuphire.com.

Take some time off but only if you use it productively. Seek out an internship, use your skills in community service or volunteer overseas. And yes, congratulation from the Freeman/Davis Home Team. When the time is right for you to consider your first home, start with us! Search For Raleigh Homes in the Triangle on our Raleigh MLS VOW (Virtual Office Website), the most advanced home search tool online.

Great Guidelines For Grads

Rick Freeman — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 19:45:29 +0000

Here’s more timely information from the Raleigh real estate team of Rick Freeman and Amy Davis at Allen Tate in the Triangle. We love working with families and have a lot of folks with graduating seniors about to fly from the next. Well today, we have information just for grads so pass this along to anyone you know who’s taking that next big step in life.

Ø Do your research. Chances are you’ve chosen a field of interest (if you haven’t you may already be behind the power curve). Check the latest stats by going to www.careeronestop.org. Look under “Explore Careers” for info on the fastest growing industries (currently management, scientific or technical consulting followed by data processing and home health care) or check out employment trends by state.

Ø Approach finding a job as a full-time job in itself. Get good at the basics of resume-writing, interviewing and following up.

Ø If you know what job you want but don’t get hired right away, acquire as many skills and experience in that field as you can and apply at a later date. If you want to work for an advertising agency, for example, do freelance jobs for smaller companies to build your portfolio. Or take an entry-level job with the agency as a starting point.

Ø If “plastics” isn’t your thing (remember “The Graduate”?) but you don’t know what “your thing” is, do some “informational interviewing.” Interview people in professions you are considering. Be open to a job that’s not directly related to your major.

Ø Build a network and make connections. Join the social networking site www.linkedin.com and local networking groups to let people know you are looking for a job. Find a mentor to help you pursue your career goals.

Ø Consider a start-up. You may have more responsibilities at a smaller company. Check out a site like www.startuphire.com.

Take some time off but only if you use it productively. Seek out an internship, use your skills in community service or volunteer overseas. And yes, congratulation from the Freeman/Davis Home Team. When the time is right for you to consider your first home, start with us! Search For Raleigh Homes in the Triangle on our Raleigh MLS VOW (Virtual Office Website), the most advanced home search tool online.

Tiger Woods’ Dad’s Voice in Nike Ad

Rick Freeman — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 17:00:07 +0000

Hope everyone is having a nice weekend. Here’s a story from the Freeman/Davis Team’s “what people are talking about” department!

Earl Woods’ Nike-ad soundbites came from 2004 documentary

by Dave Karger

Remember when The Sopranos had to splice together bits of Nancy Marchand’s dialogue so that her character, Livia, could live on a little while after the actress did? Well, it turns out that’s kind of what Nike did for its controversial ad featuring the voice of Tiger Woods’ late father, Earl. ABC News has uncovered the source of the elder Woods’ audio: a interview for a documentary, filmed in 2004, called Tiger: The Authorized DVD Collection. In the original interview, the soundbite used in the ad—”I am more prone to be inquisitive, to promote discussion. I want to find out what your thinking was. I want to find out what your feelings are. And did you learn anything?”—is from a passage where Earl Woods is discussing the difference between his parenting style and his wife’s. The “you” in question is a general “you,” not Tiger himself per se. Nike grabbed a separate bite of Earl saying “Tiger” and placed it at the top of the commercial to make it seem like father was actually talking directly to son.

Does this change how any of you view the spot? It does seem a bit sneaky on the part of Nike. But you can’t deny that their handiwork made for a pretty compelling ad.

Restaurant SAVOY Announces iPhone Application Release

Rick Freeman — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:54:45 +0000

A great restaurant, “SAVOY,” just down the road from my house has just announced the release of its iPhone application. The free application is available at the iTunes store by simply searching “Savoy” at the iTunes store.

Once downloaded, the application can be used with or without internet access for contact and current menu information. With an internet connection, users can also make reservations and get real time driving directions.

“The Restaurant SAVOY iPhone application provides diners with a great way to stay in touch offline and on-the-go,” says Co-Owner Jeff Snell. “The free application makes everything about planning a lunch, brunch or dinner experience at SAVOY a fun, convenient and hassle-free experience.”

Features of the SAVOY application include:

Offers: Have easy access to all of the special offers and events at SAVOY
Menu: Stay abreast on the seasonal menu changes at SAVOY. Mark menu items as your “Faves” for quick access in the future
Tell-a-friend: Easily send the App link to any of your contacts
Location/Contact Information: Easily locate and call SAVOYDirections: Integration with Google Maps provides turn-by-turn directions.

For more information about Restaurant SAVOY, visit www.restaurantsavoy.com. SAVOY is located in the Greystone Village shopping center on Lead Mine Road in North Raleigh.

Thanks for visiting the www.HomeSearchRALEIGH.com blog! Contact us for the best in real estate services.

Not All Yard Sales Are Created Equal!

Rick Freeman — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 16:26:44 +0000

Summer is one of the most popular seasons for holding a yard sale. But simply holding a yard sale doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll end the day with lots of extra money in your pocket. If you’re planning on clearing out your clutter this summer, here are ten tips to help make your yard sale a success:

Start your yard sale earlier than other yard sales in your area so shoppers will start their shopping day with you.
Don’t schedule your yard sale on a holiday weekend or during a big event in your area (like a sporting event or festival).
If it rains, take down your signs and reschedule your sale so you can maximize traffic on the day of your sale.
Before your own yard sale, visit other sales in your neighborhood to get an idea of typical prices.
Place all of your items (except for large items) on tables so shoppers don’t have to bend.
If you plan to sell electrical items, have an outlet and extension cord handy so you can show shoppers that the items work.
If you want to sell larger ticket items, look for those items in a local circular and then attach the ad to your item so shoppers can see that they are getting a great deal.
If you have a variety of items that men would like, place them on their own table. If married couples stop by your sale, both parties will enjoy looking.
Advertise your sale ahead of time in your local newspaper classified section, on community boards at your local food stores, and online at places like www.Craigslist.org.
Wait until the morning of your garage sale to hang signs in your neighborhood, and make sure you take them down that day to avoid any fines from your homeowner’s association or your town. You don’t want to have to use all the cash you earn to pay a fine!

And remember, a successful sale is also a safe sale. Keep money in a pouch around your waist instead of in a cash box (which could get stolen while you are helping shoppers), don’t accept checks (which could bounce), and never allow strangers inside your home to use the bathroom or telephone.

Follow these tips, and you’ll be well on your way to having less clutter in your home, and more cash in your pocket!

Saving Energy, Saving Money

Rick Freeman — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 23:23:47 +0000

This Weekend, Oct. 7 through Oct. 9, is a tax-free weekend on Energy-Saving Appliances and covers items like washers, freezers, refrigerators and other appliances that carry the “Energy Star” label.

Remember, it must have the “Energy Star” label to be eligible for the tax-free incentive.

Whether you’re thinking of buying or selling real estate, The FREEMAN/DAVIS TEAM would love to help. For more information, please visit www.HomeSearchRALEIGH.com