Snow In Cary NC-Maybe the Third Time Will be the Charm

This will be the third time this year the residents prepare for snow in Cary NC- Maybe the Third TIme Will be the Charm.  While the rest of the country is growing weary of the winter snowfall it still remains an event here in Cary, NC.  The weather is predicting significant accumullation in the Triangle.  The Town of Cary sent out a blast email to resident:

CARY’S A-TEAM PREPARED FOR WINTRY WEATHER
Brining operations underway

CARY, NC – With weather forecasters calling for the possibility of a snowy weekend, the Town of Cary’s A-Team is fully prepared should wintry weather affect the Cary community. Roads and bridges are being brined today through Friday; plows and spreaders are fully equipped and loaded; and Snow Command will be fully operational at 5 p.m. on Friday unless changing conditions warrant different action....

Northerns new to the Cary area may find the precautions of the county official a bit absurd, but their is precedence.
You see in January, 2005 right before rush hour about 4:00 pm 1" of snow fell on the cold roads and quickly iced over.  Days before the weather had been unseasonable cold and the snow froze to the streets. Southerners not used to driving on the icy roads created gridlock.  Motorist spent hours stranded on the highways.  Children were forced to sleep over night in their schools instead of chancing the bus drive home.


 January 2005 Raleigh Area Ice Storm

In the aftermath of that storm county official became proactive.  They now pre-treat the roads with a brine solution.  This solution is a mix of salt and water and is sprayed on the bridges, highways, and main roads prior to frozen precipitation.  





 The tricky part for Cary officials is getting the brine solution on the roads ahead of frozen precipitation while avoiding rain.





You may have also noticed another phenomenon in Cary NC that takes place prior to winter weather.
 Bread and milk disappear from store shelves.  Today was no exception.

Time to curl up with a good book and a warm cup of coffee and wait for the next snow prediction.

Copyright ©, By Linda Lohman, All  rights reserved  *Snow in Cary NC-Maybe the third Time will be the Charm*

Snow in Cary NC-Maybe the Third time will be the Charm was first published on CaryRealEstateBlogger.com- a Blog by Linda Lohman

Dead HVAC Unit in My Cary NC Home.

I woke up late last week to find my a dead HVAC unit in my Cary NC home.  YIKES!

"It shouldn't be a complete surprise" was the response of the HVAC repairman.  "Your unit is original and your home was built in 1995."  

It was like hearing those familiar words from your doctor, " Well at your age..."

Now we need to make the decision to buy a top of the line, energy efficient HVAC unit and get a government rebate or go less expensive?
It's hard to spend money on home repairs especially when I have one foot out the door. You see our kids are now in college and I'm ready to downsize to a comfortable town home on the golf course.  

Imaging rolling out of bed ready to golf.....

Back to the dead HVAC unit in my Cary NC home.  As a real estate agent I've been advising homeowners about home repairs for years.  I know what I'm supposed to do, buy an energy efficient unit that will add to the value of our home, the expensive choice.  

Do I really need to take my own advice?  Fine,I know the answer.

I spent the rest of the day pouting.  Scowling at my house, wondering what else would fail and cost me money.

I think it knows I'm ready to sell.  

Has anyone seen my golf clubs????

Copyright ©, By Linda  Lohman, All rights reserved *Dead HVAC Unit in My Cary NC Home*

Dead HVAC Unit In My Cary Home was first published on CaryRealEstateBlogger.com - A Blog by Linda Lohman

Cary NC Housing Trend Statistics - December '08-'09

Cary NC Housing Trend Statistics - December '08- '09   Using the chart below it is evident that the Cary NC market is up from one year ago.  

• Homes For Sale are UP 3.3%
• Homes Sold are UP 23.1%
• Homes Pending are UP 5.2%

These Housing trend statistics come as no surprise to me or the agents in our office.  We have been busy listing homes and writing contracts.
 It's been a welcome trend over 2008.  Again we have to attribute the increase in sale to the Tax Credits being offerers.
 $8000 for first-time buyers and $6500 for repeat buyers.  Tax credit expires April 30, 2010.  Sales have been strong in the under $250,000 market.  

Why are homes selling in Cary NC ?

Golf Communities in Cary NC
Top Cary Neighborhoods
Carolina Preserve Del Webb 55+
Cary Safest City Nat'l Award
Cary Schools

Copyright © By Linda Lohman, All rights reserved *Cary NC Housing Trend Statistics - '08-'09*

Cary NC Housing Trend Statistics - '08-'09 was first published on CaryRealEstateBlogger.com - A Blog by Linda Lohman

The Cary Greenway extends throughout the town meandering through the neighborhoods linking parks to its citizens.  Since 1980 the Town of Cary has been dedicated to the development of the Cary Greenway for all to enjoy.

• The Greenway links our neighborhoods with parks and schools.
• Preserve open spaces.
• Enhance Cary's quality of life.
• Provide recreational activities for its citizens.
• Add to property values.

In June 2009 the Town of Cary was given the green light to become part of the nations East Coast Greenway system.   A proposed 3000 mile long Greenway connecting Calais, Maine to Key West, Florida passing right through the Triangle.

My neighbor and I walked the Greenway by my home every morning for years, great exercise.  My girls grew up riding their bikes with friends up and down the Greenway many long summer days without a care in the world.
So strap on your running shoes, roller blades, hop on a bike, skate board or any form of recreational activity you enjoy and take advantage of the Cary Greenway.









Copyright © By Linda Lohman, All rights reserved, *Cary Greenway*

Cary Greenway was first published on CaryRealEstateBlogger.com - a Blog by Linda Lohman

 

Biggest Tech Predictions of 2010

According to Newsweek these are the Biggest Tech Predictions of 2010.

 High-tech is our business in Cary NC.  Cary is the residential hub for Research Triangle Park (RTP).  RTP houses well over 100 high-tech and biomedical corporations.  Many of the latest innovations of the past decade were developed right here in our backyard.  Corporations like Cisco, SAS, Qualcomm, IBM, Lenovo, and most recently RIM - the maker of the Blackberry are just a few of the high profile names that call RTP home.

What is your Biggest Tech Prediction of 2010?

 1 Finally, Apple Unveils the Tablet

 2 Murdoch Pulls Out of Google

 3 Malware Disrupts Facebook

 4 Starbucks Will Stalk You

 (Instant discounts offered on your phone as you pass by that business)

 5 Movie Downloads Stall Blu-rays

 6 Your Phone Replaces Your Wallet

 7 Facebook Goes Public

 8 Twitter Use Flat lines

 9 Microsoft Pushes Out Steve Ballmer

 10 Google Faces Antitrust Suit

Copyright © by Linda Lohman, All rights reserved *Biggest Tech Predictions on 2010*

 Biggest Tech Predictions of 2010 was first published on CaryRealEstateBlogger.com - a Blog by Linda Lohman

 

 

 

 

 

Art in Cary - Cary Visual Art Expands Public Art 

Art in Cary can be seen throughout the town thanks to Cary Visual Art.  The Cary Visual Art organization places art in Cary's most visible locations to highlight local artist.  Public art has become the mission of Cary Visual Art to enhance the quality of life for its citizens.  

Since 1997 Cary Visual Arts has placed more than 50 two and three- dimensional works of art in Cary.

Each year thousand of folks descend on downtown Cary to view the Cary Visual Art's temporary Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition
Visit Cary Visual Art website for dates.   This event showcases regional and national artists.

The art in Cary enables the town to tell its story. This is most evident on the side of the Sorrel Building located on Chatham Street in Downtown Cary.  
During local Downtown events, Cary residents can be seen standing and pointing at the differing aspects of the mural as if telling the history to their children.





More recently is the head turning horse sculpture located at the corner of Davis Drive and High House Rd in western Cary.  No it's not a unicorn that a telephone pole in the background. I wish I was that clever!  The horse symbolizes the horses farm that was on this site for decades and is now making way for the Searstone Senior Community, bearing the name of the farm owners.



The center sculpture can be found in the turn-around at Stone Creek Plaza, shopping area in western Cary. The intermittent panels catch the sun and glimmer like a abalone shell.  Even the fountains have become works of art in Cary.  



Next time you're driving around the Town of Cary take the time to enjoy the art in Cary and be thankful for the Cary Visual Art organization.

Copyright © By Linda Lohman, All rights reserved,  *Art in Cary- Cary Visual Art Expands Public Art*

Art in Cary - Cary Visual Art Expands Public Art was first published on CaryRealEstateBlogger.com - a Blog by Linda Lohman

Snow In Cary NC

Snow in Cary NC is an event.  Twice this year snow has been predicted in Cary NC and twice this year we have been disappointed.
You see our average snowfall is 8" a year.  To me, a 15 year resident of Cary, that seems on the high side. While the rest of the country is cursing the daily snowfall we are wondering where is our share?  

Kids in Cary, sleds ready, watched the news closely this week as snow was once again predicted.  Only to see a light cold rain, not even ice! Off to school they went....with a two hour delay.  It may be time to plan a weekend in the mountains of NC if they want to see snow.

Northerns new to the Cary area may find the precautions of the county official a bit absurd, but their is precedence.
You see in January, 2005 right before rush hour about 4:00 pm 1" of snow fell on the cold roads and quickly iced over.  Days before the weather had been unseasonable cold and the snow froze to the streets. Southerners not used to driving on the icy roads created gridlock.  Motorist spent hours stranded on the highways.  Children were forced to sleep over night in their schools instead of chancing the bus drive home.


 January 2005 Raleigh Area Ice Storm

In the aftermath of that storm county official became proactive.  They now pre-treat the roads with a brine solution.  This solution is a mix of salt and water and is sprayed on the bridges, highways, and main roads prior to frozen precipitation.  





If you were out on Cary roads this week ahead of the snow forecast you would have seen the brine solution streaks on the road.  The tricky part for officials is getting it on the roads ahead of frozen precipitation while avoiding rain.





You may have also noticed another phenomenon in Cary NC that takes place prior to winter weather.
 Bread and milk disappear from store shelves.  This week was no exception, even if the weather was a bust!

Time to curl up with a good book and a warm cup of coffee and wait for the next snow prediction.

Copyright ©, By Linda Lohman, All  rights reserved  *Snow in Cary NC*

Snow in Cary NC was first published on
CaryRealEstateBlogger.com- a Blog by Linda Lohman

Google Nexus Phone

Google Nexus Phone has been unveiled! This phone is touted as a competitor of the IPhone. This is the internet giants first venture in the smart phone arena. I've feel like I'm letting one of my children out of the nest with this announcement.  My husband works for Qualcomm, the creators of the hardware.  He was on the design team and spent time on site working directly with Google.  After all the overtime I'm glad to see the announcement.

What makes this phone different?  Watch the CNBC video below.  The biggest change the Google Nexus Phone offers is the pricing options.  

$179 with a two year contract with T-Mobile

OR, and this is a big OR

Pay a flat fee of $529 for open service.  This means you choose your own provider.
This is the economical way the European market provides cell phone service.  Consumers own their phone and select their own provider without lengthy contracts. Consumers have choice without penalty.  What a concept, competition without penalty.  I'm hoping this way of cell phone ownership catches on on the US.
Finally, the Google Nexus Phone will be offered to Verizon users this Spring under the name Nexus II.

Hmmm...Isn't that when the IPhone is rumored to end it's exclusive contract with AT&T?

Copyright © Linda Lohman, All rights reserved, *Google Nexus Phone*

Google Nexus Phone was first published on CaryRealEstateBlogger.com - a Blog by Linda Lohman

Cary Towne Center Welcomes Another Resident-

Parkside Town Commons

Cary Towne Center Welcomes Another Resident - Parkside Town Commons, a 950,000+ sf mixed-use/lifestyle development, opening Summer 2011. The project will incorporate a main street shopping district anchored by industry leading "big box" tenants, as well as retail shops, office and entertainment.  Much more than its predecessor Cary Towne Center located on Walnut Street.

In addition, Parkside Town Commons will host 375 residential units and hotel facilities round out the mixed-use character of the project to meet the needs of an attractive growing community that Cary has become as well as the Research Triangle Park workers.

Parkside Town Commons will provide a  safe 24/7 environment for shoppers, residents, visitors and employees.

Enjoy shopping at North Hills Raleigh, than you'll really enjoy Parkside Town Commons, the model will be very similar.

Gone are the days of the interior malls like Cary Town Center replaced with the mixed-use interactive spaces encouraging walking and people watching.  

View Larger Map

Parkside Town Commons with its location at the intersection of 540 and NC 55 will become a destination!

Carolina Preserve Del Webb Amberly is minutes from this location which is an extra added bonus for the residents of this Cary 55+ community.

Green Hope High School - Cary student are also excited for the new food venues that will be offered for their off-campus lunch.

Other Cary communities within a "stones throw" are:
Amberly
Cary Park
Highcroft
Twin Lakes
Carpenter Village

And the list goes on.....

Copyright ©  By Linda Lohman, All rights reserved, *Cary Towne Center Welcomes  Another Resident - Parkside Town Commons*

Cary Towne Center Welcomes Another Resident - Parkside Town Commons was first published on CaryRealEstateBlogger.com - a Blog by Linda Lohman