Raleigh - Durham...A Real N.C. Girl's Perspective

Earlier today, I read The ARchie Awards, have you heard of them?.........And the Winners Are............. by Marlene Pellegrini...in which she recognizes the winners of the very coveted ‘ARchie Awards'. (To learn more, you'll just have to go read it for yourselfJ) As I read Marlene's post, a certain ‘feeling' came over me...a feeling that took me back to a day long, long ago...to forty-five minutes that impacted my whole life. I'd like to share my special memory with you now.

As many of my readers know, I grew up on Quail Roost Farm, a huge horse farm in Durham County, North Carolina. Even as a child, I knew that Quail Roost Farm was not like most farms. With hundreds of horses, a fully operational dairy, seven ponds and thousands of acres to explore...there was a new adventure waiting for me every day. Oh...did I mention The Quail Roost Conference Center...a 90 acre facility that was located at the top of the hill, across the big pasture, in front of my house?

For at least a year, Quail Roost Conference Center represented a great mystery to me. Staring across the big pasture, I would often imagine what was happening inside the ‘big house'. Then, one day, while pretending to be an Indian warrior who had just captured the enemy (my younger brother)...a golf cart putted down the road in front of my house and came to a stop. I immediately recognized Mr. Phillips, the friendly, big-hearted man who lived in the ‘big house'. He was giving one of the center's special guests, Frances Bavier (Aunt Bee to me), a tour of the farm. He thought my brother and I would get a kick out of meeting her, and he was so right! I couldn't believe that Aunt Bee was on my farm...shaking my hand. As he drove away, Mr. Phillips yelled back to me "Come on up to the house anytime you want a pepsi."

Mr. Phillips' invitation only added fuel to my already burning curiosity...until one hot afternoon...I reasoned that it was a perfect time for a pepsi. As I made my way across the big pasture, I tried to imagine what it would be like inside the ‘big house'. I had been inside the Conference Center kitchen one time before, with my dad...but only for a few minutes. The kitchen ladies had shooed me out the door almost as fast as I entered. I thought to myself..."I hope I find Mr. Phillips before one of THOSE kitchen ladies finds me!"

Entering slowly and quietly through the back door of the ‘big house'...I heard music playing. It was different than the music my daddy played on the radio in the car, but I liked it. Moving closer and closer to the source of the music, I pressed the heavy, wooden door open and peered into the room...full of ladies and men wearing long dresses and black suits. I had only seen people like that on television, and I was in awe.

As I was standing there...in my torn jeans and bare feet...Mr. Phillips spotted me and started walking toward me. He was smiling as he reached down and took my hand...leading me out of the shadows and into the beautiful room. One by one...Mr. Phillips took me around the room and introduced me to those glamorous people...telling them that I was his special friend. Even though I was a disheveled, little girl...Mr. Phillips made me feel like a beautiful princess that day. I've never forgotten that special day, and I've never forgotten Mr. Phillips' kindness to me.

Have you ever thought about the impression that you leave on the people you meet?

Do you build people up...or do you tear them down?

When you encounter a ‘small' person...someone who you deem less important than yourself...do you make them feel ‘big'? Do you present them to the world as your ‘special friend'...or do you draw attention to their weaknesses to make yourself feel more important? When people remember an encounter they had with you, do they remember your kindness or your callousness?

 It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice.  ~Author Unknown

Written and Posted by:

Elizabeth Nieves - Broker, REALTOR®

The Elizabeth Nieves Realty Group @ Keller Williams (A Bilingual Real Estate Team serving Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill NC and surrounding areas.)

Search Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and ALL Triangle Homes for Sale

The ActiveRain Friendship Ball

Pass it on!

My dear friend, Carole Provenzale, did me the great honor of passing The ActiveRain Friendship Ball to me. IF you have not had the pleasure of meeting Carole, you need to make your way over to her blog and say 'HOWDY' right now. She is one of the most faithful, loyal and positive people I've ever known. I still remember the first post I read of hers...so long ago.

Carole...it is a privilege to call you my friend!

When Carole passed The ActiveRain Friendship Ball to me, I learned that I could only forward the ball to two other people. With ALL of the amazing people I've met here at ActiveRain, selecting ONLY two friends seemed completely impossible. As I pondered the wonderful gifts of friendship I have received in the year that I have been a part of ActiveRain...I decided to pass the Friendship Ball to two ladies who I met upon returning to ActiveRain, following my personal leave...Cheryl Gilliam and Chastity Guevara.

Although I was familiar with Cheryl Gilliam before my personal leave, I truly connected with her on September 10th. After reading one of my posts, Cheryl called and left me a beautiful and encouraging voicemail. Her message touched my heart so deeply. When I called her back, we talked like sisters for a long time. In our conversation, we learned that we have many things in common...but the most important thing we share is our faith in Jesus Christ. The best thing is that Cheryl lives in Hickory, NC...just about four hours from the Raleigh-Durham area. I'm hoping to have the opportunity to meet her face-to-face before the end of the year.

Despite the fact that I've never met Chastity Guevara in person...never even talked to her on the phone...we have had many email conversations back and forth. In those 'conversations', we discovered a connection that has quickly grown into a bond of friendship. Although still very new to ActiveRain, Chastity is an extremely gifted writer. She has shared some of her writings with me that I have encouraged her to share with the world. Beyond her talent for writing, Chastity has a sensitive, compassionate, tender, loving and giving heart that seeks to bring comfort and healing to everyone she touches. Chastity Guevara is a light in the darkness...and she is MY FRIEND!

For Cheryl, Chastity and ALL my friends here at ActiveRain...

THANK YOU and GOD BLESS YOU!

Here is a special song for my friends!

Written and Posted by:

Elizabeth Nieves - Broker, REALTOR®

The Elizabeth Nieves Realty Group @ Keller Williams (A Bilingual Real Estate Team serving Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill NC and surrounding areas.)

Search Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and ALL Triangle Homes for Sale

Cary, North Carolina Homes for Sale

September 2008

Single Family Homes -- Under 200K

The least expensive home is priced at $140,000...$19,627 BELOW TAX VALUE. It is offered for sale 'AS IS'.

Based on this current list of single family homes for sale in Cary, NC...the price per square foot ranges from $93 to $151. The average price per square foot is $123.

The following home is the least expensive home on this list, based on the price per square foot.

Priced MORE THAN $57,000 BELOW TAX VALUE...this SHORT SALE at 10709 E. Bridgford Drive could be a GREAT INVESTMENT!

This updated beauty is a rare find in Cary, NC...with a partially finished basement and a .44 acre lot! The AMAZING KITCHEN is my favorite part of the home.

This charming home on 1/3 of an acre...walking distance to BEAUTIFUL BOND PARK...is another one of my personal favorites from the list of currently available homes.

Of the currently available single family homes...priced under 200K in Cary, NC...this spacious home on 1/3 wooded acre is 'Elizabeth's Pick of the Litter'! At $175,000...NOT ONLY has the home been drastically reduced...BUT THE SELLER IS VERY MOTIVATED and calling for ALL OFFERS!

Cary, NC is a great place to live!

Call me today so that I can assist you to find YOUR NEW HOME in Cary, NC.

(919)749-3749

Email me:  Elizabeth@ElizabethNieves.com

I look forward to hearing from you!

Written and Posted by:

Elizabeth Nieves - Broker, REALTOR®

The Elizabeth Nieves Realty Group @ Keller Williams (A Bilingual Real Estate Team serving Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill NC and surrounding areas.)

Search Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and ALL Triangle Homes for Sale

As I awoke this morning...I immediately became aware of the heaviness in my heart...my mind racing with thoughts and questions. My country...YOUR country...is in a state of emergency. Every newspaper, radio station, TV station and internet media source is reporting the same thing...the U.S.A. economy is on the brink of a recession...if not worse.

The demise of Washington Mutual, Inc...one of the largest banks in our nation...is a wake-up call that we, the American public, cannot afford to ignore. It was not the first giant to fall under the unbearable weight of its enormous debt, and it will certainly not be the last. Even as we dodge the falling debris of the walls crashing around us, we remain hopeful that our government will ‘fix' the problem...just as it has always done.

What else can we (THE PEOPLE) do?

2 Chronicles 7:14   If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

On April 6, 1789...George Washington was elected as the first president of the United States of America. In just a few months...we will elect our 44th president. Whether you are Republican, Democrat or Independent...you are an AMERICAN. Will you take a moment to pray for the healing of AMERICA...one nation under God? Will you pray for ALL of OUR leaders to seek the wisdom of God for OUR COUNTRY?

These are the words that some of our past presidents prayed for our country.

Let us pray these words one more time...together.

Thomas Jefferson
A Prayer for the Nation

Almighty God, Who has given us this good land for our heritage; We humbly beseech Thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of Thy favor and glad to do Thy will. Bless our land with honorable ministry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion us into one united people, the multitude brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endow with Thy spirit of wisdom those whom in Thy name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that through obedience to Thy law, we may show forth Thy praise among the nations of the earth. In time of prosperity fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in Thee to fail; all of which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

--Washington D.C., March 4, 1801

Abraham Lincoln
A Prayer for Peace

Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet if God wills that it continues... until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid another drawn with the sword... so still it must be said that the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and for his orphans, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and a lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.

--Second Inaugural address, March 4, 1865

Franklin D. Roosevelt
A Prayer in Dark Times

Almighty God: Our sons, pride of our nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity...

Lead them straight and true; give strength to their arms, stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness in their faith. They will need Thy blessings. Their road will be long and hard. For the enemy is strong. He may hurl back our forces. Success may not come with rushing speed, but we shall return again and again; and we know by Thy grace, and by the righteousness of our cause, our sons will triumph...

Embrace these, Father, and receive them, Thy heroic servants, into Thy kingdom. And for us at home--fathers, mothers, children, wives, sisters, and brothers of brave men overseas, whose thoughts and prayers are ever with them--help us, Almighty God, to rededicate ourselves in renewed faith in Thee in this hour of great sacrifice... Give us strength, too--strength in our daily tasks, to redouble the contributions we make in the physical and the material support of our armed forces.

With Thy blessing, we shall prevail over the unholy forces of our enemy. Help us to conquer the apostles of greed and racial arrogances. Lead us to the saving of our country, and with our sister nations into a world unity that will spell a sure peace--a peace invulnerable to the schemings of unworthy men. And a peace that will let all men live in freedom, reaping the just rewards of their honest toil.

--D-Day, June 6, 1944

UNITED WE STAND. DIVIDED WE FALL.

UNITED IN PRAYER...WE OVERCOME.

Written and Posted by:

Elizabeth Nieves - Broker, REALTOR®

The Elizabeth Nieves Realty Group @ Keller Williams (A Bilingual Real Estate Team serving Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill NC and surrounding areas.)

Search Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and ALL Triangle Homes for Sale

By the Spring of 2004...just six months after earning my real estate license...I was the top-producing agent in my office. However, my success was neither accidental nor the result of dumb luck. I was reaping the benefit of hard work, determination and a well-designed business approach. I was the first person in my office every morning, and I was the last one to leave at night. I also concentrated all of my efforts on a segment of the market that I considered to be overlooked by the real estate and mortgage industry...the Hispanic Community.

Before launching my outreach to the Hispanic Community, I researched and learned everything I could about Hispanic culture. I wanted to fully understand my Hispanic clients' reference point so that I could fully serve their needs. I recognized that speaking Spanish was only the first step...that I needed to speak the ‘cultural language' as well. Still...there was much that I could only learn through direct interaction and observation...through real-life, hands-on experience.

LESSON ONE: 

MY perspective is NOT the one that matters!

One Saturday afternoon...Maria stopped by my office. She was referred to me by a young, Hispanic client of mine. Upon meeting Maria, I knew that she was skeptical (suspicious even) of the whole real estate industry. However, I did not know why.

After spending hours talking with Maria, I was able to convince her to take the first step toward fulfilling her dream of owning a home...applying for a loan. Within a few days, Maria was qualified for a $93,000 FHA mortgage...using a Down Payment Assistance Program for the 3% down payment. We were both thrilled.

Immediately, I located every home that was for sale within her price range and desired area. There were only nine homes available. We scheduled an appointment for her to see all nine homes the following day. I arranged the showing order based on my evaluation of the worst to the best...hopeful that by the end of the tour...she would feel confident that she could make an informed decision.

The first few homes were absolutely horrible, and we all agreed that they should be removed from the list. By the third home, Maria was already feeling discouraged. I encouraged her that there were still better things ahead...to keep the faith. By the seventh home, I was beginning to wonder if it would be possible for her to find a home that would meet her needs, within her limited price range. Of course, I did not share my concerns with her.

The eighth home on our list was a foreclosed home that had been abandoned for a long time. It was one of the newer and larger homes on our list, but it had been severely neglected and vandalized. It smelled like a horse that had been ridden hard and put up wet. It was truly nasty, with wall-to-wall carpeting that was filled with food and human waste stains...walls covered in graffiti...bathrooms beyond disgusting...and the evidence of a recent animal infestation. Standing in the middle of the living room...all I could see (and smell) was UTTER FILTH.

Expressing my emotions aloud...I said, "I need to go home and take a shower!" From across the room, I heard in a muffled voice  "Esta casa es mucho mejor que la casa que rentamos!" Translation:  "This house is much better than the one we are renting!" My heart sank.

You see...I was comparing that home to MY HOME. My clients were comparing that home to THEIR HOME. I later learned that they were renting a house from a ‘slumlord'. The roof was falling in, and when it rained...they had to place buckets everywhere to capture the gushing water. There was mold growing all over their belongings. They feared for their childrens' health and safety. They had begged the ‘slumlord' to repair the roof, but he refused to do anything.

When they looked at house number eight, they saw the huge, fenced backyard...the almost NEW roof...the vaulted ceilings...the good school district...and the POTENTIAL. I just saw the filth!

That day, I learned a valuable lesson from Maria and her family:

MY perspective matters when I'm buying MY own home; however, when I'm assisting my clients in the purchase of THEIR home...the ONLY perspective that matters is THEIRS.

Written and Posted by:

Elizabeth Nieves - Broker, REALTOR®

The Elizabeth Nieves Realty Group @ Keller Williams (A Bilingual Real Estate Team serving Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill NC and surrounding areas.)

Search Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and ALL Triangle Homes for Sale

Thanks to a very effective ad campaign, there are few Americans who would not immediately recognize this gentleman...Mr. Clean. Personally, I think he looks more like a bouncer than a cleaning guy...but that is just my opinion.

Dressed in all white, his broad shoulders and confident smile say..."TRUST ME. I'll make sure your home is fresh and clean!" However, behind the smile...Mr. Clean is hiding a dirty, little secret.

How safe are the products you use to clean your home?

Do you know?

1.  Many common household cleaning products are ACTUALLY classified as hazardous waste!

2.  Household cleaners, pesticides (including flea powder), paints, detergents and stain removers can be hazardous to our health and the environment. Bug spray can remain active and airborne in your home for up to 30 years.

3. When ingested, inhaled or absorbed through the skin, these hazardous, household products can cause illness that may take years to appear.

4.  Many common cleaning products are so dangerous that they can cause death. Every year thousands of household poisonings are reported. Many are fatal. Approximately 70% of all poisoning accidents occur in children between the ages of one and five. Most childhood poisonings are caused by the unsafe handling of household cleaning products and medicines. According to Poison Control, dishwashing detergent is responsible for more poisonings than any other household product. Dandruff shampoo, if swallowed, causes vital organs to degenerate. Household ammonia, when mixed with bleach is a deadly substance.

How can you have a HEALTHY, CLEAN HOME without using synthetic chemical cleansers?

The following list of NON-TOXIC or LESS-TOXIC CLEANING ALTERNATIVES will replace most of the hazardous cleaning products you currently use. While some of these products may require a bit more time and effort than their chemical counterpart, the result is a healthy, clean home and a safer environment.

For this:Try this:

Written and Posted by:

Elizabeth Nieves - Broker, REALTOR®

The Elizabeth Nieves Realty Group @ Keller Williams (A Bilingual Real Estate Team serving Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill NC and surrounding areas.)

Search Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and ALL Triangle Homes for Sale

(This drawing was created by Bradley Inman. Brad gave his written consent for me to use it in this blog post.)

Dear Mr. and Mrs. FSBO:

Even as I write this letter, I realize that there is a very good chance that it will be discarded...along with ALL of the other mail/solicitations you have received from real estate agents. Still, I am most hopeful that...when you recognize my name on the envelope...your curiosity will prevail and prompt you to read my little letter.

Although it has been a while since I showed your home, the memory is as fresh as just laundered linens. In fact...of the more than 1500 homes I've shown this past year...yours truly stood out from the crowd and left a lasting impression.

For your contribution to and participation in the world of real estate...I have dedicated a chapter of my (yet-to-be-published) Elizabeth's R.E. Rule Book to you and ALL FSBO's the world over. And, while I do understand that you do NOT recognize the need for (or value of) a licensed, professional REALTOR® when selling your home...I hope that you will accept the autographed copy of my book I will reserve for you. It is just my way of saying ‘THANKS for the memories!'

Warmest regards and best of luck,

Elizabeth Nieves, REALTOR®

______________________________________________________________________________

Rule #5:  F.S.B.O. does NOT stand for (material) FACTS SHOULD BE OPTIONAL!

(  Rule #5 covers the broad spectrum of 'DOs and DON'Ts' that ALL sellers - including FSBO's - should know before placing their home on the open market. Please note that ALL of the following ‘hints' were inspired by actual listings and events. Although I am often guilty of packaging a serious topic in a less than serious wrapper...my intention is always to educate and inform...and to make you chuckle a time or two in the process. )

______________________________________________________________________________

When describing your home's unique features...you may want to mention the PSYCHEDELIC MASTER BEDROOM. Not ALL surprises are good surprises!

In general, when repainting your home to prepare it for sale...a neutral color scheme is recommended. Nonetheless, a properly measured dose of color can add warmth and make a ‘naked' or ‘cookie-cutter' home more aesthetically pleasing.

However...when I open the door to the master bedroom and see this ------------------------>

...the ONLY warmth I'm likely to feel is the flush of embarrassment that I did not properly warn my buyers.

Moving your CLUTTER from one room to another is NOT the same as ORGANIZING!

De-cluttering a home prior to placing it on the market is one of the best investments of time and energy a seller can make. As a REALTOR®, I educate all of my clients that...in order for a potential buyer to ‘SEE' themselves living in your home...they have to actually be able to SEE the home. A clean and organized home says "Welcome, Mr. or Mrs. Potential Buyer. Have a seat and ENJOY my home." A cluttered home says, "Hey, Mr. or Mrs. Potential Buyer. I wasn't expecting you, but I want you to buy my home anyway...IF you can find it under ALL MY STUFF."

Please keep these three points in mind:

1.  IF you are bothered by your own clutter... (YEAH...you know where I'm going with that, huh?)

2.  IF you begin each tour of your home with, "Please overlook the mess...we are in the process of packing and organizing"...you may want to delay the packing and finish organizing before the next showing.

3.  IF you need 48 hours of notice prior to showing your home to a potential buyer...your home is probably NOT market ready.

IF you choose to NOT disclose...OR...to blatantly misrepresent a material fact, you may want to coordinate your story with your spouse...prior to my arriving with my clients.

This particular ‘hint' may seem a bit obvious...but then again...neither would you think that the makers of Preparation H would need to warn users NOT to brush their teeth with it. You've heard the saying..."can't see the forest for the trees"...right?

IF, upon arriving to your home with my buyers (who have two small children), we hear the neighbor's pack of wild wolves singing howling ‘HUNGRY LIKE A WOLF'...please do not try to convince us that the wolves are ‘sweet and friendly'.

This is a TRUE STORY:

I'm certain that there are at least a few people who are saying..."HUH? NO WAY!" YES WAY!

A few months ago, I arranged to show a FSBO (For Sale By Owner) to a family with small children. As soon as we pulled into the driveway, we were met by the owners of the home AND the deafening sound of nearby wolves howling. I looked at my clients with an expression that asked the question, "IS THIS FOR REAL?"

Seeing our faces, the wife quickly attempted to calm our fears, saying..."Oh...isn't that just a wonderful sound? Those are our neighbor's wolves."

::WOLVES!!!::

"He raises them from pups and tames them. They are a special breed of friendly wolves. After a while, you get used to the noise. We don't even hear it anymore."

At that, the soft-spoken husband speaks up..."NOOOOOO...they aren't a special breed of wolves. They are just regular wolves, but you don't have to worry. They have ONLY gotten out of their pen ONE time since we've owned our home."

The wife interrupts..."Let's go on inside and see the home."

The husband continues..."Yeah...the one that got loose only had three legs, but it took three grown men to wrestle him to the ground."

At that point, I saw my client looking around for her children. Then, she said..."Yes...let's go inside."

Moral of the Story:

IF you need the PSYCHEDELIC MASTER BEDROOM to distract potential buyers from the pack of howling wolves in your neighbor's yard...GOOD LUCK WITH THAT FSBO THINGY!

Rule #1 (of Elizabeth's R.E. Rule Book) ***NO NAKED PEOPLE ALLOWED TO 'POP OUT' DURING SHOWING***

Rule #2 (of Elizabeth's R.E. Rule Book) ***NO! YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE A R.E. LICENSE IF YOU CAN'T COUNT!***

Rule #3 (of Elizabeth's R.E. Rule Book) ***IF YOU WANT ME TO SELL YOUR LISTING...I HAVE TO BE ABLE TO SHOW IT!***

Rule #4 (of Elizabeth's R.E. Rule Book) ***TO ALL LISTING AGENTS: PLEASE GIVE ME SOME WARNING THAT YOUR SELLER IS INSANE***

Written and Posted by:

Elizabeth Nieves - Broker, REALTOR®

The Elizabeth Nieves Realty Group @ Keller Williams (A Bilingual Real Estate Team serving Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill NC and surrounding areas.)

Search Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and ALL Triangle Homes for Sale

In Money Magazine's 100 BEST PLACES TO LIVE AND LAUNCH 2008 LIST...Durham, NC is number 12.

Durham, NC is number 8 on Forbes Magazine's BEST PLACES FOR BUSINESS AND CAREERS 2006.

As a native of Durham, NC...this announcement comes as no surprise to me. 'The City of Medicine'- Durham, NC- is home to Duke University and Duke University Medical Center. Durham is the fifth largest city in North Carolina, with a population of 457,600.

IF you are planning to BUY or SELL a home in Durham, NC...give me a call today.

I'll tell you why I LOVE calling NORTH CAROLINA home!

The following chart shows the TOTAL home sales for the month of August (2005 - 2008) for Durham, NC.

The following chart shows the HIGHEST and LOWEST Sales Price for August (2005-2008).

Durham, NC is a great place to live!

Call me today so that I can assist you to find YOUR NEW HOME in Raleigh, NC.

(919)749-3749

Email me:  Elizabeth@ElizabethNieves.com

I look forward to hearing from you!

 Written and Posted by:

Elizabeth Nieves - Broker, REALTOR®

The Elizabeth Nieves Realty Group @ Keller Williams (A Bilingual Real Estate Team serving Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill NC and surrounding areas.)

Search Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and ALL Triangle Homes for Sale