Date Archives: August 2021

If you're considering putting your home on the market, you'll want to take advantage of the information other sellers in the neighborhood will provide you. Our real estate agents would suggest that you take note of these critical details you can learn from other Raleigh homes for sale.

• Unbiased reviews
  You won't want to miss the gold mine of feedback from potential buyers at your neighbor's open house. People will discuss everything from the condition of the home to the surrounding community. Let their conversations guide you with respect to upgrades or repairs to your house. Seeing the area through the eyes of strangers opens you up to different perspectives. This can influence your decisions about such things as paint color and appliance preference while you're still in the process of upgrading. 

• Market study
  Take a look at the length of time your neighbor's house stays on the market. Was it a quick sale, or did it languish for a while? If it remained on the market for longer than a few weeks, you might want to delay selling yours until the market shifts. Setting a price can be very challenging. You can ease that process by comparing the original asking price to the final sale. Did the seller have to reduce the price in order to sell? Was there a bidding war driving the price above the asking price? It's also helpful to note the demographics of the potential buyers. If most interested parties, as well as the ultimate buyer, were from a particular age range, for example, you may want to focus your own marketing efforts toward that group. 

• Connect with the seller's agent
  Selling a home is serious business and you don't want to trust the process to just anyone. Who better than an agent that has already studied the neighborhood and comes with a good reference? Chatting with the agent at an open house can give you insight that you can't find in an ad. It might tell you about the number of years the agent has been licensed, but you want to know how well they attract interested buyers, their knowledge of the selling process and how well they handle negotiations. Before you put your own home on the market, attending multiple open houses provides you with the opportunity to see a few agents in action. 

• Collaboration with your neighbor
  There is no need to compete with your neighbor if you are both selling. You can both obtain a better price with less effort if you work together to show the entire neighborhood in a positive light. By using the same agent, both homes can be shown at the same time, allowing potential buyers to compare properties. If one house sells, another shopper may make an immediate offer on the second. By consulting with the agent and each other, you can both set an asking price without worrying about undercutting each other. 

Contact us to arrange private tours or attend open houses near you. We feel confident that our real estate professionals can help you get a good price for the home you're in while finding you a new place to live. 

Live theater is alive and well in the Triangle! Raleigh, Durham, and the surrounding area are home to a wealth of art and culture. It's a great place to call home if you enjoy theater and the performing arts, and our real estate agents are excited to share some of their favorite performance venues in the area.

• A.J. Fletcher Opera Theater - 2 E South St, Raleigh, NC 27601
  Some of the most exciting theater events in the Triangle happen at the A.J. Fletcher Opera Theater at Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts. This 600-seat theater is Raleigh's epicenter for opera and dance and regularly hosts productions by the Carolina Ballet. Located just minutes from these Raleigh homes for sale, the A.J. Fletcher Opera Theater is just the right size for a powerful, intimate performance. 
  
  
• Cary Academy Fine & Performing Arts Center - 1500 N Harrison Ave, Cary, NC 27513
  Established in 1997, Cary Academy is an independent college-preparatory secondary school located in the beautiful city of Cary, North Carolina. The school's Fine & Performing Arts Center is known throughout the region for producing exceptional theater and dance productions rooted in their students' ensemble ethic. Some of the best young actors around get their start here! The Arts Center is part of a 65-acre campus, which is convenient to many Cary homes for sale.
  
  
• Burning Coal Theater Company - 224 Polk St, Raleigh, NC 27604
  With a reputation for producing gritty, explosive takes on classic plays, Burning Coal Theater Company is Raleigh's leading professional not-for-profit theater. Burning Coal Theater Company attracts some of the best actors from Raleigh and all over the country and creates thrilling performances in a unique 175-seat space. Be sure to check their website to learn more about upcoming shows!
  
  
• Garner Performing Arts Center - 742 W Garner Rd, Garner, NC 27529
  A beautiful 471-seat auditorium inside of the former Garner High School, the Garner Performing Arts Center is a great place to attend (or host) a live theater event. Their renovated, state-of-the-art stage has hosted countless plays, musicals, and concerts, including Broadway Voices, the Towne Players of Garner, and the "It's Showtime!" series. The theater is located a stone's throw from these Garner homes for sale. 
  
  
• Halle Cultural Arts Center - 237 N Salem St, Apex, NC 27502
  The Halle Cultural Arts Center is a versatile space that hosts events of all kinds. From concerts and showcase performances to community events and visual arts presentations, this is a major hub for local arts and culture. It also hosts the Apex farmers market and weekly free movies. Just minutes from these Apex homes for sale, the Halle Cultural Arts Center is nestled in the charming heart of downtown Apex, North Carolina. 
  
  
• The Carolina Theatre - 309 W Morgan St, Durham, NC 27701
  You never know what you'll see at the Carolina Theatre. It could be a play or a musical. It could be a rock concert or a comedy showcase. It could be a classic film or the latest blockbuster. This multi-use performing arts and cinema complex offers a little bit of everything, and it's been a staple downtown Durham since 1926. The Carolina Theatre always offers something fresh and exciting, a short drive from many Durham homes for sale.

Contact us today to learn more about arts and culture in the Triangle area, and be sure to ask our team about finding your dream home in Raleigh, Durham, and the surrounding areas!

Reading is a wonderful way to gain new perspectives on familiar topics. Not only is the Triangle a desired location that people want to move to, writers often use this area as a backdrop for their novels. See the Triangle through new eyes in these books that our real estate agents will be reading to celebrate Book Lovers Day on August 9th. 

• Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
  Young adult fiction isn't just for kids anymore. Relatable themes and engaging stories have made these books popular with readers of all ages. In Legendborn, author Tracy Deonn draws on her childhood in North Carolina, along with her love of fantasy. Main character Bree Matthews, reeling after the death of her mother, escapes to a residential program for gifted high schoolers at UNC-Chapel Hill. After witnessing an attack, Bree uncovers the existence of the titular secret society, which may have a link to her mother's death.
  
  
• Cabins in the Laurel by Muriel Earley Sheppard
  Get an intimate look at mountain life in the early 20th century in Cabins in the Laurel. After the author and her husband moved from New York to the Toe River Valley in 1928, she set out to become acquainted with her neighbors, and these friendships form the basis of the book. Adding to the realism are 128 breathtaking pictures from noted Chapel Hill photographer Bayard Wooten.

• Dying to Be Thin by Kathryn Lilley
  Durham's reputation as a weight-loss mecca gave rise to the nickname "Fat City." Kathryn Lilley cleverly uses this background in Dying to Be Thin, the first in her series of "Fat City Mysteries." Lead character Kate Gallagher hopes to lose weight. Kate's efforts inadvertently put her in the middle of a murder, and she discovers a talent for crime-solving that takes her life in a new direction. Subsequent titles include A Killer Workout and Makeovers Can Be Murder.
  
  
• Naked by David Sedaris
  David Sedaris became a beloved contemporary humorist with witty, self-deprecating essays about his quirky life. Naked, the first of his books to hit the New York Times best-sellers list, includes stories about growing up in suburban Raleigh. Sedaris's colorful family includes younger sister Amy, a popular actress and comedian in her own right. In relating tales such as his mother imitating his nervous tics in front of amused teachers, Sedaris shows an ability to find humor in awkward and painful moments.
  
  
• Blue Blood: Duke-North Carolina: Inside the Most Storied Rivalry in College Hoops by Art Chansky
  It's no secret that the Triangle has many basketball stories to tell! Blue Blood: Duke-North Carolina: Inside the Most Storied Rivalry in College Hoops offers a front-row seat to the most fascinating moments throughout this storied history. With exciting tales of fights, feuds, and controversy, the book sometimes reads more like fiction than real life. The forward is written by ESPN college hoops guru Dick Vitale. This rivalry has such a rich legacy that it spawned a sequel in 2018.

Create your own story in the Triangle. Contact us at Coldwell Banker Howard Perry and Walston for up-to-date information on the best Raleigh homes for sale. 

Summer isn't over yet and the Triangle is ready to party! There are so many fun community events coming up this season. Community fairs, farmers markets, film nights — the possibilities are endless. Here are some of the top local events our real estate agents recommend checking out this summer.

• Acoustic Evenings in the Park: 301 Colonades Way, Cary, NC 27518
  If you're looking at Cary homes for sale, you'll be within easy reach of Acoustic Evenings in the Park. These events take place in Waverly Park every Wednesday from June 16 - August 25, 2021. Admission is free, and the performance lasts from 6 pm - 9 pm.
  
  
• Silent Film Celebration: 1903 Hillsborough St., North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607
  The Silent Film Celebration is an ongoing summer event lasting from May 25 - August 25th, 2021. It's being held in the Gredd Museum of Art & Design on the NCSU campus. Visit any time between 10 am and 5 pm. Admission is free.
  
  This film series seeks to highlight the silent film creations of women, people of color, and other visionaries. Among the films shown are One Week, directed by Buster Keaton & Edward F. Cline, and Frankenstein, directed by J. Searle Dawley. There are plenty of Raleigh homes for sale nearby.
  
  
• Holly Springs Farmers Market: 300 West Ballentine St., Holly Springs, NC 27540
  Here's a good reason to look at Holly Springs homes for sale: the farmers market is nearby. The Holly Springs Farmers Market is one of the best in the area. It takes place weekly on Saturdays from 8 am - noon.
  
  At this farmers market, you'll find lots of local produce. But you'll also find other treats like baked goods, sauces and marinades, kettle corn, and pickled veggies. Some vendors attend every week, and others come on occasion, so there's often something new to check out.
  
  
• Switzerland by Joanna Murray-Smith: 107 Pullen Rd., Raleigh, NC 27607
  Switzerland is a summer production at the Ira David Wood III Pullen Park Theatre. Performances take place every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 7:30 pm and every Sunday at 3:00 pm through August 15th.
  
  This play is set in the Swiss Alps. It tells the story of a crime literature buff named Patricia Highsmith. One day, an international visitor arrives at her home, and she becomes immersed in her very own murder mystery. The show is directed by Lynda Clark, who also plays the main character.
  
  
• Yoga and Mimosas: 610 and 613 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh, NC 27603
  What could be better than sipping a mimosa mid-day? Sipping a mimosa while doing yoga, of course. Yoga & Mimosas is being held every Saturday at Dogwood Bar & Eatery. Oak City Yoga is providing the instruction. The class runs from 11 am-noon, and admission is $13 per person.
  
  This is a lovely way to ease your way into the weekend while also getting a little exercise. The class is open to all ability levels; you don't need to be a super-flexible yogi to attend and have a great time.
  
  

There are always plenty of things to do in the Triangle, especially in the summer months. It's a great place to live and work. If you're thinking of moving to the Triangle and are looking for a real estate agent, don't hesitate to contact us.