Date Archives: September 2021

Fall may bring a drop in temperature, but the social scene around the Triangle doesn't miss a beat. Here are some of the lively activities and events our real estate agents are looking forward to as the season changes. 

• Splatterflix - Carolina Theatre, 309 W. Morgan St., Durham, NC 27701
  Get in the Halloween spirit with the onscreen thrills and chills of Splatterflix. This popular event returns to the Carolina Theatre, not far from Durham homes for sale, for another weekend of spooky fun. This year's series features several genre classics, including Army of Darkness, Hocus Pocus, and the original Halloween. Splatterflix runs from Friday, October 8 through Sunday, October 10. Tickets are $9.50 per film or $80 for a 10-film pass.
  
  
• Barktoberfest - Durham Central Park, 501 Foster St., Durham, NC 27701
  No need to leave Fido home while you're out having fun. Take him to Barktoberfest, a celebration of our furry four-legged friends. Your pet can socialize and make new pals while you enjoy live music and great food. Other activities include raffles, a photo booth, and a costume contest for dogs who come dressed in their finest apparel. Mark your calendar for Saturday, October 23, from 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. Admission is free.
  
  
• N.C. State Fair - 1025 Blue Ridge Rd., Raleigh, NC 27607
  Yes, it's "Worth the Wait!" That's the festive theme of this year's N.C. State Fair, once again taking place just minutes from Raleigh homes for sale. Nearly one million people pass through the gates to enjoy fun-filled days of agricultural exhibits, live music, and carnival rides. The 2021 N.C. State Fair is scheduled for Thursday, October 14 through Sunday, October 24. Daily admission is $10 for adults and $5 for ages 6-12 when purchased in advance.
  
  
• Raleigh Farmers Market - 1201 Agriculture St., Raleigh, NC 27604
  Do you usually picture a farmers market as a collection of modest fruit and vegetable stands? With more than 75 acres of vendor booths, restaurants, and specialty shops, the incredible Raleigh Farmers Market is like an amusement park for foodies. The Farmers Building alone encompasses 30,000 square feet filled with fresh produce, plants, and other items produced on local farms. Be sure to visit Market Imports to see the stunning assortment of home and garden accessories, from cabinets and glazed pottery to outdoor fountains and wrought-iron trellises. Market hours are 5 a.m. - 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday.
  
  
• Carolina Hurricanes - PNC Arena, 1400 Edwards Mill Rd., Raleigh, NC 27607
  Have you jumped aboard the Hurricane train? The Carolina Hurricanes are ready to defend their title in the NHL Central Division and keep going until they hoist the Stanley Cup. Captain Jordan Staal returns to lead the team against division rivals Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators, and current Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning. Visit the website for schedule and ticket prices. 
  
  
• Pumpkin Flotilla - Bond Park, 801 High House Rd., Cary, NC 27513
  Visitors of all ages love the charmingly spooky sights of the Pumpkin Flotilla on Bond Park Lake, not far from Cary homes for sale. Bring your own carved jack-o-lantern (lights and floating devices provided) or dress in your finest costume for discounted admission to a pre-show boat ride. Pumpkin drop-off begins at 4 p.m. on Friday, October 29, with the show starting at twilight. 

Is buying or selling a home on your fall to-do list? Contact us at Coldwell Banker Howard Perry and Walston to get started.

You could call it a small city, or you could call it North Carolina's largest small town. Whatever you choose to call it, Cary is one of the most charming, vibrant communities in the Triangle. 

Our real estate agents always love getting to spend some time in Cary, and if you're in the area looking at Raleigh homes for sale, we highly recommend you do the same! These are some of our favorite spots for a fun day in Cary, NC.

• BREW Coffee Bar - 122 E Chatham St, Cary, NC 27511
  Every great day starts with a great cup of coffee, and BREW Coffee Bar is the best place to get one in Cary. They serve an ever-changing selection of gourmet coffee from around the world. BREW Coffee Bar is within walking distance of these Cary homes for sale and many other local attractions, making it a great place to begin your day in Cary.
  
  
• Cary Downtown Farmers Market - 135 W Chatham St, Cary, NC 27511
  If you have the good fortune to be in town on a Saturday, be sure to check out the Cary Downtown Farmers Market. It's much more than a place to buy produce (although it definitely is a great place to buy produce). You'll also find everything from local honey and handmade soap to crafty jewelry and live plants. The farmers market is open every Saturday year-round, from 8 am until noon, and all the vendors are local. 
  
  
• 'All Aboard' Mural - 122 W Chatham St, Cary, NC 27511
  Downtown Cary is home to a growing collection of murals and street art. The 'All Aboard' Mural (a nod to the historic 1871 train that once frequented the city) is a favorite. It's the work of Triangle-area mural artist Sean Kernick and makes for a very Instagram-worthy photo-op in Cary. 
  
  
• Pizzeria Faulisi - 215 E Chatham St, Cary, NC 27511
  Hungry? Grab lunch at Pizzeria Faulisi! Their wood-fired Neapolitan pizza is the best in town, and they have beautiful indoor and outdoor seating areas. Pizzeria Faulisi is known for using the freshest seasonal ingredients, and they have a great wine and beer menu too. 
  
  
• Page-Walker Arts and History Center - 119 Ambassador Loop, Cary, NC 27513
  Housed in a former hotel built in 1868, the Page-Walker Arts and History Center offers a fascinating opportunity to learn more about Cary's storied past. The historic building is open to walking tours and displays educational exhibits and the work of modern local and regional artists.
  
  
• Fred G. Bond Metro Park - 801 High House Rd, Cary, NC 27513
  Less than 10 minutes from downtown Cary, Fred G. Bond Metro Park is the city's largest park, spanning 310 acres. The park features 4.2 miles of trails and a lake that's popular for fishing and kayaking. It's a great place for a walk, a picnic, or to simply enjoy a lovely green space a stone's throw from the city.

Contact us today to learn more about life in the Triangle, and be sure to ask our real estate agents about finding your dream home in Cary and the surrounding areas. 

Your pets are a part of the family. Our real estate agents are well aware of that and, since September is National Happy Cat Month, we want to share with you some of the many ways you can make your home more comfortable for them. Make your home the purr-fect place for your feline friends by following these tips. 

1. Give Them Space
   If you provide a convenient space for your cat with fresh water and food close to the litter box, your cat is going to hate it. That may seem ungrateful, but there are actually good reasons for their reactions. First, their very sensitive noses can locate their litter box when it is quite far away. If it is too close to the food, the odor will overwhelm the scent of their dinner. They are also unhappy if the scent of their food overwhelms the scent of their water. They like to eat in quiet, out-of-the-way places. If this describes your kitchen, it may be a good kitty dining room, but if not, you may want to find a more appropriate location. 
   
   
2. Don't Forget Playtime
   Your first reaction may be that the entire house is a cat playground, and to a degree, you would be correct. But remember that cats love to climb, jump and look down from on high. Fortunately, cat trees come in all shapes and sizes that can fit in any size home, from a small condo to a mansion. Often covered with carpet, it can blend into the decor and serve double duty as cat scratch poles. 
   
   
3. Build a Cat Cave
   Cats love the safety and security of a confined space. Even big cats like lions and tigers will climb into any box they can and curl up in comfort. Some of the most popular cat toys are miniature houses and fabric retreats. They are also more than happy to curl up on your clean laundry, so why not give them a basket with a baby blanket? Whatever you choose, do keep in mind that cats can be like toddlers. No matter how much you spend on the toy, they may prefer to play in the box it came in!
   
   
4. Give the Cat a View
   Indoor cats are prone to sitting for hours staring out of the window. Whether they are watching the birds in the trees or just relaxing in the sun, a special cat should have a special space, much as you might enjoy a reading nook in a bay window. You can make it special with a well-placed shelf or even just a chair. Be sure the cat has easy access to the window itself by opening the drapes or blinds sufficiently. 
   
   
5. Keep the Litter Box Odor-Free
   Ammonia and cat feces carry foul odors that your cat hates even more than you do. Fortunately, modern technology has made the most despised chore facing cat owners a little easier to tackle. An expensive self-cleaning litter box is well worth the investment. Keep in mind that multi-cat homes require multiple litter boxes. 

If you think one of the exquisite Raleigh homes for sale might be a great new place for you and your cat, our real estate professionals would like to help you find it. Contact us today to get started.

Looking for an easy, affordable way to improve your garden and reduce your waste output? Create your own backyard compost pile!

Composting is the natural process of recycling garden, yard, and kitchen waste into fertile garden soil. When you add compost material to your soil, you improve its health, help it retain moisture, and provide protection against disease and pests. 

Our real estate agents know that a property with attractive landscaping appeals to prospective buyers. Here are some tips to follow for optimal backyard composting. 

1. Select the Right Area for Your Compost Bin
   For the best results, your compost pile needs to be located in a suitable environment. Look for a spot that's dry and shady but has access to a water source. If your home is lacking in outside space, it's possible to set up a small compost bin inside your home. 

2. Know What to Add to Your Compost Pile
   Every compost pile should have water, browns, and greens. These ingredients are all necessary to produce nutrient-rich compost. Browns include yard and garden waste, like twigs, dead leaves, and branches. Greens consist of grass clippings, fruit and vegetable waste, and old coffee grounds. Your compost pile needs an equal amount of browns and greens. Water keeps the compost pile moist so that it breaks down more rapidly. 

3. Understand What NOT to Add to Your Compost Pile
   A few items should not be composted. These items may harm plants or produce an odor that attracts insects. When you put your home on the market, it's essential to confirm that your compost pile is odor-free so that it doesn't deter homebuyers. Never add plants with disease or pests to your compost pile, as both disease and pests can be transmitted to other plants when you add the compost to your garden. Avoid adding fats, meats, bones, and dairy products, as all these items will make your compost pile smell and attract rodents and insects. Any yard or garden waste that's been treated with chemical pesticides should stay out of your compost pile. Pesticides can kill the organisms necessary to break down organic material. 

4. Cover Your Compost Pile
   It can take between a couple of months and a couple of years for organic materials to turn into compost. Hasten the process by covering your compost pile. Covering your compost helps it retain moisture that assists with the degradation of your food and yard waste. You can opt for a compost bin with a lid or use a tarp to cover your compost pile. 

5. Be Picky with How You Layer Your Compost
   Always put a layer of browns as the top layer on your compost pile. This will minimize any odors associated with your compost, and it helps the materials retain moisture. A brown top layer also decreases the number of pests and insects attracted to your compost pile. When you add new waste to your compost pile, alternate brown and green layers, check that the brown layers are two to three times thicker than your green layers.

A compost pile is a great way to supply your garden with nutrients. Ready to add your home to the list of Raleigh homes for sale? Contact us today to get started!

Finding a new home that meets your needs can be a difficult task. There are plenty of Raleigh homes for sale, but what if you want to build your own? It affords you more control and ensures that the finished product will meet all your standards. What does it take to build a home, though? What does it cost, and what can you expect throughout the process? Here's what you need to know.

Cost

On average, building a new home costs a little under $300,000. Keep in mind this estimate doesn't factor in the cost of buying the land for the build. Buying a home, on the other hand, costs around $435,000. 

Of course, the cost also depends on how big of a house you plan on building. A good rule of thumb is to factor around $100-$200 per square foot. So building a 1,000 square foot house will cost between $100,000 and $200,000. Building a 3,000 square foot house will cost between $300,000 and $600,000.

Budgeting

Once you have an idea of the total cost of building a new home, it's important to break down exactly where that money is going to give you a more accurate idea of how much your home, specifically, will cost to build.

About 40% of your budget will go towards labor. This includes the construction crew, as well as an electrician, plumber, roofer, framer, and other jobs. Shop around and see how much each of these services costs in your area.

About 50% of your budget goes towards materials. This includes everything such as lumber, concrete, drywall, siding, and more. What your house is made of will greatly influence the cost.

Finally, you need to decide if, in addition to the house itself, you want any extras. A swimming pool, for example, can cost anywhere from an additional $36,000 to $66,000. You may also want an outdoor deck, an unfinished basement, or heated floors. Each of these things will add to the total cost of construction.

Scheduling

Your new home will probably take longer to complete than the initial estimates. Most contractors will give you the most optimistic estimate they can, but plenty of things can cause delays, from bad weather to zoning and permit issues, and almost anything else.

When your contractor gives you a timeline, think of it as a guide rather than a strict schedule, and plan on at least a few extra months before you can move in. If you're in a hurry to get into a new place, you're probably better off buying rather than building.

Sweat Equity

Sometimes it's possible to save both time and money by doing some of the work on the house yourself. Major projects like plumbing and electricity should always be left to the experts, but smaller tasks like painting or laying the tile in the bathroom, you can do on your own if you're up to it. This is called sweat equity: putting your own labor into a building or improving your house to save money and increase its value.

These are just a few of the considerations when building a new home. Our real estate agents can help you find the perfect property on which to build it. In fact, we have a whole team dedicated to helping those looking to build a home in the area! Or, if you'd rather, we can help you find an existing home that will meet your needs. Contact us to learn more!