Did You Say You Were Putting CORK On your Floor??? July 13, 2010

So… the carpet in our family room needs to be replaced and we have 3 indoor cats! Did I happen to mention one of our cats is 20 years old? That would be Mr. Merle. If you are a pet lover like my husband Glenn and I,  you would know, when making decisions about your home… you must take your pets into consideration!

Here was our dilemma.  If we put down carpet we would run the risk of stains from our much-loved  but aging Mr. Merle.  If we put down hardwood floors like we have in the foyer and kitchen/breakfast room the stain would be very difficult to match. The more we looked the more we liked the idea of cork.

Cork comes in several levels or thickness,  many different color selections and is much more forgiving on your feet plus when you drop something on the floor it tends to bounce rather than break. Always good news!

We found a color that would blend well with our hardwood floors. Worked well with our furniture and lifestyle and seemed to please both me and Glenn. Not an easy feat! They are coming tomorrow to measure and should have everything installed within 2 weeks.

Glenn and I decided to have the company we were ordering from do everything except move our furniture. They will measure our room, place the order, remove the carpet and install the cork floor. For those of you who love DIY projects, you might decide to tackle this on your own. Either way I think it is an excellent alternative to carpet! Give it look next time you are thinking about making a change in your flooring.

Country Feel but just Minutes to Everything @ 11809 Doc Arnold Drive November 14, 2011

This home is such a fantastic location! Location is always important and this home is in a great location… close to Hwy 98, 50 and 540 in order to get to places quickly. It is located in a neighborhood with large private homesites for that feeling of being in the “country” but with access to everything “city”.  But… have you thought how easy it would to get to the RBC Center for a Hurricanes game. No more than 15 minutes and you are there. Not into hockey… do you know about all the other wonderful events that come to the RBC Center? No… check out all the great information ; RBC Center

If you love to shop and who doesn’t you will love the fact that this home is just minutes from 3 malls and several other great shopping locations. Yes, you have the best of both worlds in the ideal setting of a country feel but fantastic location!!!

Triangle Town Center

North Hills Shopping

Crabtree Valley Mall

Shopping at Brier Creek

You are just minutes away from Falls Lake where you can enjoy all kinds of outdoor activities!
Fishing, boating and swimming are only a few water activities that await you at Falls Lake. On land you can enjoy everything from walking to camping or jogging to mountain biking! All of this along portions of the state’s Mountains-to-Sea Trail.  For more information go to… Falls Lake

Huge Deck & Screened Porch

• 
• Large Gourmet Style Kitchen

Love Living Your Life @ 100 Arlen Park Place September 28, 2011

Picture waking up on a Saturday morning and trying to decide what to do  with your morning… should I go for a swim at one of the neighborhood pools,  maybe play a couple of sets of tennis, or a round of golf, how about a walk at one of the nearby parks or go shopping… so much to choose from!!! When buying a home location is always important. This location offers a lifestyle that most people only dream.

Holly Springs has consistently been  rated in the top small towns in America! You are just minutes to just about anything…  22 minutes to downtown Raleigh as well as only 22 minutes to RDU International Airport.  What about vacation travel?  Drive less than 2 hours to the ocean  or drive a few hours west to the Blue Ridge Parkway.

There is so much to love about this house… come make it your home!

Sunset Ridge Swimming & Tennis

Gorgeous Brick Front w/Fiber Cement Siding

• www.100ArlenPark.info

• 100 Arlen Park – Visual Tour

• Bass Lake Park

• Devil’s Ridge Golf Club

• Sunset Ridge Info

• Town of Holly Springs

• Raleigh’s Farmers Market

• 1-888-298-2091  PIN # 347
• mls # 1793637

Having It All @ 1021 Starkland Way June 6, 2011

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to really get what’s on your wish list? That’s what one lucky homeowner will do at 1021 Starkland Way. Let’s just see how this list stacks up against your wish list!

1) Shady cul de sac location … check

2) Rocking chair front porch … check

3) Fenced backyard … check

4) Fiber Cement Siding…check

5) Hardwood floors on the first level… check

6) Master Suite with walk-in closet and luxury bath… check

7) 3 bedrooms PLUS a bonus room… check

8)  A 2 car garage… check

9) Neighborhood pool… check

10) Under $190,000… WOW… check!!!

This is definitely a home you  don’t want to miss!!!

www.1021Starkland.info

Visual Tour

Town of Apex

RDU Airport

RBC Center

The Research Triangle Park

Crabtree Valley Mall

NC Museum of Art

Raleigh’s Farmers Market

Recently Painted Exterior

You will love this backyard

Walk to The Kraft Family YMCA from 4205 Holly Stream Court April 12, 2011

 

 

Fabulously Well Maintained Hom

 

Oversized deck with private setting!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

www.4205HollyStream.info

Visual Tour

American Tobacco Trail

NC Museum of Art

Raleigh’s Farmers Market

Crabtree Valley Mall

The Research Triangle Park

RDU Airport

Town of Apex

Have you always wanted a home that was close to just about everything but yet had the feel of a small community. This is just what drew Beth & Mike to their home.The neighbors are great and the neighborhood is small enough toactually get to know one another!

Yes, it still on a hill but… that was part of it’s charm. It levels out at the top so that 2 cars can easily park and the walk way is nice and flat. Beth said that once you drive up and down the driveway once or twice it’s a breeze!

The YMCA is just across the street which makes the location perfect for using the pool in the summer and taking advantage of all the great programs throughout the year.

The sellers have done so many wonderful updates to their home… you really must see them to appreciate. Come by and take a look! You will be so happy you did!

Escape, Relax and Live! April 4, 2011

If you are like me when the days get warmer and the sun is out you can’t resist riding around in your car with the windows down and your favorite tunes playing. In my case it’s the top down. I get jazzed driving over by Falls Lake. It almost feels like a mini vacation.

That’s one of the reasons Erin and Rob fell in love with the location of their current home. It is literally just down the street from the water. How cool is that. Not only is the location great but their home is nestled on a fabulous wooded 1.35 acres. On the other hand you are just minutes to so many wonderful opportunities in Wake Forest. You guessed it… the best of both worlds!

Once you step inside this custom build home you will be sold! Check it out and see if you agree!

 

The Skinny:

www.5224PurnellRoad.info

Visual Tour of Home

Triangle Town Center

Downtown Raleigh

Northern Wake Tech Campus

Town of Wake Forest

NC Museum of Art

Gorgeous Home Nestled on 1.35 Acres

Upgrades Galore Throughout Home!

Loving Life @ 2002 Rocky Mountain Way February 8, 2011

Here are some of the comments that Lindy and Herb use to describe why they decided on Crockett’s Ridge. This neighborhood is great!  We really enjoy walking in our neighborhood and  up to the community pool!  Apex  offers that  “small town,”  feeling but with all the conveniences of city living.   We know the next homeowners will love and enjoy both our home, the great neighbors and the community.

When you  walk  into this home  you can almost hear yourself say… ahhh! It just feels like home. The backyard is a perfect place for entertaining family and friends!  Lindy and Herb have made this house a real home! It is spacious. It is well maintained. But it is also full of warmth and charm!

Once you step inside you will  notice all the upgrades that Lindy and Herb have done to their home. Check out the additional hardwood floors !     This home is simply a joy to see!

 

Gorgeous Home in the Peak of Apex

 

Fabulous open floorplan

Town of Apex

www.2002RockyMountain.com

Visual Tour of Home

American Tobacco Trail

NC Museum of Art

Raleigh’s Farmers Market

Crabtree Valley Mall

The Research Triangle Park

RDU Airport

 

My 12 Days of Christmas January 3, 2011

This year Christmas was a little different at our home. We did not put up a Christmas tree but we did but lights in all the windows. We decorated our porch and the interior of our home but also sorted through our decorations to see what we could take the the Goodwill. We realized we had a lot of decorations that we had not used in years but was still in great shape!

Months prior to the holiday season my husband, Glenn, and I started our usual “what do you what for Christmas” discussion. Glenn is a very talented wood craftsman, so I asked him to make me something. He is also a terrific guy. Since we didn’t have a tree for presents and several of his gifts to me this year were “Made by Glenn”, he decided to give one gift each day the 12 days leading up to Christmas leaving my stocking for Christmas Day. He did not tell me he was going to do this until he gave me the first gift!

That night I came home late. I was tired, driving down our driveway… just at the edge of the driveway was a white wooden deer, now named Rhonda Reindeer… and it all became! Some gifts were small, others were large, some store bought, others hand crafted.

Every year when I get Rhonda and Randy Reindeer out to put on the lawn, I will think of Glenn taking the time to buy one, make the pattern and the 2nd reindeer of the set! Everyday when I look out on our deck I can see the table he made from the re-claimed wood for my plants! I think this year the meaning of Christmas came more into focus because of  the thoughtfulness of my husband. It makes me want to be more thoughtful to others!

If you are one of my Facebook friends you journeyed with me as I was surprised and amazed by Glenn’s creativity and generosity. I don’t know if this will be a once a decade tradition or just once in a while surprise but it was a special way to usher in a bright new year and a promising new decade.

Here’s to a fantastic 2011!

New Outdoor Table made from re-claimed wood

Rhonda and Randy Reindeer

Not Quite Broadway but Still Really Good!!! December 21, 2010

My husband’s side of the family has recently, the past 4 or 5 years, gathered at Christmas for some type of production and then dinner to celebrate the holidays. This year we went to see the matinée production of Raleigh’s NC Theatre’s, “The Christmas Story” .

About half of us had seen the film version of the play and were acquainted with the story line. I was one of those. I was not a huge fan of the movie but amazingly enough… I enjoyed the play. The set design was excellent. The acting moved along at a quick pace and there was enough action that you did not feel like it was dragging. The actors were all excellent!

If you have not been to a production at the Raleigh NC Theatre downtown… please check them out. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

After enjoying the play we head to Maria and Bob’s home to enjoy good food, good drink and great friends! What a wonderful way to celebrate the meaning of Christmas. I hope that you will enjoy the holiday season with your family and friends!

Raleigh NC Theatre's - The Christmas Story

Dinner at Maria and Bob's house after the play!

Do You Have Foggy Windows??? December 14, 2010

If you have dual pane windows and are concerned about energy efficiency with the winter season, you may want to take a look at your windows. Make sure they are closed correctly and make sure that the seal is not compromised. If the window is so foggy that you have lines of condensation running between the glass you will probably have to replace the glass in the window. This is a lot less expensive than replacing the whole window.

If the window has just begun to fog up there is a new process that cost less than half the price of replacing the glass and has a 10 year warranty. It takes about 30-45 minutes per window and can be done from the outside of your home with little or no mess. The window returns to a very clear window plus goes back to about 96% of its original energy efficiency… how great is that! The one thing you must know that once a window seal has been compromised it will only get worse with time so taking action sooner rather than later will always be the best course of action!

During one of my home inspections last week I actually had the opportunity to see this process in action. It was so neat I had to call several agents about it while the guys were doing it plus take pictures! We are all interested in saving money so I hope this helps!

Adding Cleaning Solution

Removing Moisture

Vents for tiny holes

The Glass Guru

Your Own Slice of Heaven November 10, 2010

When you close your eyes and imagine your first home what does it look like? Is it a bungalow nestled among the trees with a stone walkway to the front porch. Is there plenty of space for a swing or rocking chair to sit and watch the sun slowly sink into the horizon as your stress melts away from a busy day? Or… are you concerned that it’s just minutes to shopping and majors highways in order to get to work and play easily? What if all these answers were in one location?

This adorable ranch style home is located on over a half acre and offers a fenced backyard with additional storage plus that stone walkway! The sellers purchased this home for their son while he was finishing his education. It was the perfect home and setting for a serious student… quiet and peaceful!

While owning this home the sellers have made so many improvements and upgrades. Recently they have had the entire exterior and  interior (including the ceilings) professionally painted.

The location is prime! 5 minutes to the Triangle Town Center, 540, to 2 different Colleges and so much more! Check this home out… it might just be the perfect home for you!

The Skinny:

www.7244JacquelineLane.com

Visual Tour

Triangle Town Center

Downtown Raleigh

Northern Wake Tech Campus

Town of Wake Forest

NC Museum of Art

Lovely Bungalow nestled on Large Lot