A Toast to All My Friends and Loved Ones - Happy New Year Everyone!

As
we close yet another chapter in the book of our lives, I wanted to take
a moment out to wish all my friends, family and loved ones a happy,
healthy and prosperous New Year.

May 2010 bring each and every one of you nothing less than smiles, love and good fortune.

 

Happy New Year Everyone!
See you all in 2010!

About The Author

Craig Rutman is a North Carolina Residential Real Estate Specialist that can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in the Raleigh - Cary – Apex metro areas; or any place else in the country by connecting you with a relocation professional in your destination of choice.

To find all available homes for sale in the Triangle area of North Carolina,
please visit www.justnchomes.com

Call me TODAY at 919-349-9530
Email me with your Raleigh - Cary – Apex area questions

Recovering From the Foreclosure Crisis - Raleigh/ Cary, North Carolina Among the Leaders!

Recovering From the Foreclosure Crisis
Raleigh/ Cary, North Carolina Among the Leaders!

Once again, the Raleigh/ Cary area of North Carolina has been recognized as one of the metro areas leading the way out of the foreclosure crisis. Forbes Magazine has ranked the top 100 cities in this category and the Raleigh/ Cary area ranks in at #6 in the nation.

We've won numerous awards over the years as being one of the best places in the United States to work, live, play and raise a family.

But, despite the great weather, great medical facilities and schools, we still have some homes in foreclosure status...although not too many!

Here is a breakdown of foreclosures in Wake County, of which Raleigh and Cary are a part of:

Currently available foreclosure homes from $1.00 - $100,000.00
Currently available foreclosure homes from $100,000.00 - 199,999.00
Currently available foreclosure homes from $200,000.00 - 299,000.00
Currently available foreclosure homes from $300,000.00 +

About The Author

Craig Rutman is a North Carolina Residential Real Estate Specialist that can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate

in the Raleigh - Cary – Apex metro areas;

or any place else in the country by connecting you with a relocation professional in your destination of choice.

To find all available homes for sale in the Triangle area of North Carolina,
 please visit www.justnchomes.com

Call me TODAY at 919-349-9530

Email me with your Raleigh - Cary – Apex area questions

Help Save Christmas!

Santa Needs Your Help!

About The Author

Craig Rutman is a North Carolina Residential Real Estate Specialist that can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in the Raleigh - Cary – Apex metro areas; or any place else in the country by connecting you with a relocation professional in your destination of choice.

To find all available homes for sale in the Triangle area of North Carolina,
please visit www.justnchomes.com

Call me TODAY at 919-349-9530
Email me with your Raleigh - Cary – Apex area questions

Christmas on Salem Steet - Apex, NC

onSalem Street

Every year, in the first week of December, the town of Apex, NC welcomes in the holiday season with its annual Christmas on Salem Street festivities.

Salem Street will be closed to traffic and the twinkling lights and garlands will guide the way to the Historic Depot, where folks from all over will celebrate the lighting of the Apex Christmas Tree.

Carriage and sleigh rides will provide the only transportation on Salem Street on this special evening.

On Saturday morning, beginning at 7AM, the annual family Pancake and Sausage Breakfast will take place at the Salem Street Fire Station. Following breakfast, Santa will be on hand for photographs!

All day Saturday, children can compete for amazing prizes as they enjoy Scrooge’s Scavenger Hunt.

Saturday, at 5PM, as the carolers fill the night air with song, the Annual Christmas Parade gets underway.

Then on Sunday, beginning at 1PM, the Apex Historical Society will hold its Beautiful Home Tour. The tour is just one more great opportunity to see how beautiful our little town really is.

And, why Apex is known as “The Peak of Good Living”!

About The Author

Craig Rutman is a North Carolina Residential Real Estate Specialist that can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in the Raleigh - Cary – Apex metro areas; or any place else in the country by connecting you with a relocation professional in your destination of choice.

To find all available homes for sale in the Triangle area of North Carolina,

please visit www.justnchomes.com

Call me TODAY at 919-349-9530

Email me with your Raleigh - Cary – Apex area questions

Cary, North Carolina Ranked Safest City in the Southeastern United States!!!

We all know that Cary, North Carolina is a great place to live, work and play.

We all know that Cary has won numerous awards over the years stating as such.

We all know that Cary boasts an award winning public school system, is only moments away from Raleigh, the capitol of North Carolina, three top rated colleges (UNC, NC State and Duke), and the Research Triangle Park; home to some of the leading bio/med and technology companies in the United States.

But, did you know that according to the City Crime Rankings 2009-2010, Cary is the highest-ranked city in the Southeastern US as the safest city to live, work and raise a family?

An honor that we have proudly held for 11 years in a row!

Did you know that, Cary North Carolina has been named as the 5^th safest city in the entire United States among cities with populations of 100,000 to 499,999?

And that Cary's safety ranking is the 19^th safest city in the entire United States when compared to any sized community?

You've been thinking about moving to the Raleigh – Cary – Apex area. With the $8,000 tax credit extended and housing still very affordable here, now might be the time to make the move.

Do you need any more reasons to move here?

Read on……

Cary North Carolina A Brief History and Why You Should Move Here!

And, Yet Another Award For Cary, North  Carolina!

36 Hours in the Triangle Area of North Carolina

Another Award For Raleigh North Carolina? My Trophy Case Is Getting Full!!!

The Castles of Cary and Apex, NC

Apex North Carolina "The Peak of Good Living"

Raleigh North Carolina A Brief History and Why You Should Move Here!!!

About The Author

Craig Rutman is a North Carolina Residential Real Estate
Specialist that can assist you with the

purchase and/or sale of real estate in the Raleigh - Cary – Apex metro areas; or any place else in the country

by connecting you with a relocation professional in your destination of choice.

To find all available homes for sale in the Triangle area of North Carolina,

 

please visit www.justnchomes.com

 

Call me TODAY at 919-349-9530

 

Email me with your Raleigh - Cary – Apex area questions

 

New Construction Foreclosure Home Finished and Ready to Move Right In!

Spectacular opportunity to own this 3 bedroom 3.5 bathroom bank owned foreclosure home for a fraction of the comparables. Situated in an estate style community only minutes from 264 and 540. This home is complete and ready NOW! 8400 Battle Abby boasts a great floor plan, ceramic tile baths, stainless steel appliances, extensive hardwoods, a 1st floor Master suite, security pre-wire, intercom system, ceiling fans and much more. All this on a 1.23 acre lot and NO city taxes! Call Craig today at 919-349-9530 for more details or to schedule an appointment. Offered at $385,000.

Come and Knock On Our Door...

…We’ve been waiting for you!

With the $8,000 first time homebuyer’s tax credit deadline rapidly approaching it’s time to knock on my door!

With the team of lenders and inspectors I’ve assembled; and with my expertise of Raleigh - Cary - Apex Real Estate, we still have some time to get you that tax credit.

But we don’t have much time. In fact, you have about 2-3 weeks to get into a contract that will close on time to qualify for the credit.

You’re ready to buy your first home. I’ve assembled the team for you….

Come and knock on our door!

About The Author

Craig Rutman is a North Carolina Residential Real Estate Specialist that can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in the Raleigh - Cary – Apex metro areas; or any place else in the country by connecting you with a relocation professional in your destination of choice.

To find all available homes for sale in the Triangle area of North Carolina, please visit www.justnchomes.com

Call me TODAY at 919-349-9530

Email me with your Raleigh - Cary – Apex area questions

The Waybacks - On Tour in North Carolina! October 11th and 13th, 2009

The original purveyors of "acoustic mayhem”, the Waybacks, are once again, hitting the road this fall!

As uninhibited and unpredictable as the eclectic San Francisco Bay area that claims them, the Waybacks will be playing two shows right here in North Carolina.

October 11^th at the Grey Eagle in Asheville

October 13^th at the McGlohan Theatre in Charlotte

For tickets and tour information visit the Waybacks newly revamped web site!

About The Author

Craig Rutman is a North Carolina Residential Real Estate Specialist that can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in the Raleigh - Cary – Apex metro areas; or any place else in the country by connecting you with a relocation professional in your destination of choice.

To find all available homes for sale in the Triangle area of North Carolina, please visit www.justnchomes.com

Call me TODAY at 919-349-9530

Email me with your Raleigh - Cary – Apex area questions

Just listed: 1601 Font Hills Lane, Knightdale, NC 27545 for $250,000

Just listed: 1601 Font Hills Lane, Knightdale, NC 27545 for $250,000

2009 Parade of Homes Raleigh - Cary - Apex - Wake County North Carolina

44th Annual Parade of Homes October 3-4, 9-11 & 16-18, 2009

Open daily 12 noon to 5 p.m.

This year marks the 44th Annual Parade of Homes here in the Triangle (Raleigh) area. The first weekend is rapidly approaching ans the weather is predicted to be absolutely perfect!

The Parade will showcase some of the area's finest homebuilders with just shy of 400 homes for your viewing pleasure. Prices range from the low $100's to over $3,000,000!

If you're looking for a new home or just want to see what's available in varying price ranges, then the Parade of Homes is definitely for you!

Don't worry; you can always search for your new home at:
justnchomes.com.

If you'd like more information about Raleigh/ Cary/ Apex or any of its surrounding areas, please contact me and I'll be happy to provide answers to your questions.

About The Author

Craig Rutman is a North Carolina Residential Real Estate Specialist that can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in the Raleigh - Cary – Apex metro areas; or any place else in the country by connecting you with a relocation professional in your destination of choice.

To find all available homes for sale in the Triangle area of North Carolina, please visit www.justnchomes.com

Call me TODAY at 919-349-9530

Email me with your Raleigh - Cary – Apex area questions

Reel-ly Scary Movies in Cary, NC

Reel-ly Scary Movies in Cary, North Carolina

From October 26^th through October 30^th the town of Cary will be hosting the Reel-ly Scary Cary Movie Series. Horror movie enthusiasts can come out to the Koka Booth Amphitheatre and view some of the greatest horror classics ever to hit the big screen.

Gates open at 6PM and the movies start at 7PM. Adult admission is $3.00 and kids under 12 are free. Bring a blanket or chair as the spacious lawn at Koka Booth Amphitheatre is transformed in to an outdoor movie theatre.

Reel-ly Scary Cary Movie Schedule

Monday 10/26 - Psycho (1960)
Tuesday 10/27- The Shining (1980)
Wednesday 10/28 - Night of the Living Dead (shown in 3-D) (2006)
Thursday 10/29- Casper (1995)
Double Feature Friday 10/30 Frankenstein (1931) AND Dracula (1979)

About The Author

Craig Rutman is a North Carolina Residential Real Estate Specialist that can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in the Raleigh - Cary – Apex metro areas; or any place else in the country by connecting you with a relocation professional in your destination of choice.

To find all available homes for sale in the Triangle area of North Carolina, please visit www.justnchomes.com

Call me TODAY at 919-349-9530

Email me with your Raleigh - Cary – Apex area questions

Happy New Year everyone!

Tonight at sundown, Jewish people from all over the world will celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.

Considered one of the High Holy Days in the Jewish faith, Rosh Hashanah will continue until the sun sets on September 20th.

The celebration of this holiday is the day on which, according to the Jewish faith, the whole world is judged for the coming year.

The video below came out during the election last year. But it's pretty funny so I thought I'd share it with you again. Happy New Year everyone!

Happy New Year everyone!

About The Author

Craig Rutman is a North Carolina Residential Real Estate Specialist that can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in the Raleigh - Cary – Apex metro areas; or any place else in the country by connecting you with a relocation professional in your destination of choice.

To find all available homes for sale in the Triangle area of North Carolina, please visit www.justnchomes.com

Call me TODAY at 919-349-9530

Email me with your Raleigh - Cary – Apex area questions

Looking For a Home in the Raleigh, NC Area?

Number 9, Number 9, Number 9.....

Number 9...Number 9...Number 9...

Of course, this is a reference to one of the many great Beatles songs.

But today is also the only time in our lifetimes that the date will be 09/09/09.

And, thanks to some truly brilliant marketing, today the Beatles are releasing their entire catalog in a digitally remastered box set.

With over 600 million records, tapes and cd's sold since they exploded on the scene in the 1960s, this new release will surely propel them right back into the spotlight.

Personally, I can't wait until the beatles are back on the billboard charts replacing some of today's artists!!!

To commemorate 09/09/09, don't forget to listen to the Beatles!

To help you get started, here's one of my all time favorite beatles songs...

Don't Let Me Down

About The Author

Craig Rutman is a North Carolina Residential Real Estate Specialist that can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in the Raleigh - Cary – Apex metro areas; or any place else in the country by connecting you with a relocation professional in your destination of choice.

To find all available homes for sale in the Triangle area of North Carolina,
please visit www.justnchomes.com

Call me TODAY at 919-349-9530
Email me with your Raleigh - Cary – Apex area questions

The $8,000 HomeBuyers Tax Credit is Expiring Soon. Please Don't Miss Out.

About The Author

Craig Rutman is a North Carolina Residential Real Estate Specialist that can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in the Raleigh - Cary – Apex metro areas; or any place else in the country by connecting you with a relocation professional in your destination of choice.

To find all available homes for sale in the Triangle area of North Carolina, please visit www.justnchomes.com

Call me TODAY at 919-349-9530

Email me with your Raleigh - Cary – Apex area questions

Realtoids - The New Breath Mint for Commission Breath!

Greg Nino, that crazy blogger extraordinaire, and Realtor, from the Houston, Texas area, recently posted a blog entitled, "Understanding Why Buyers Lie - A Lot".

While it's really an expose` on what's wrong with some Realtors and why many consumers either just don't trust or like us, he makes some very good points in his post. And he does so in his usual comedic fashion.

One thing I found particularly funny was a term he coined in his blog : Commission Breath

He wrote that too many Realtors reek of commission breath!

Of course, if you know me by now, you know that I enjoy a good joke, and I love playing around with Photoshop.

Well, this term "commission breath" just had me rolling.

So, I did the only thing I could think of doing....and that was to create something to combat this offending plague!

This one took me all of 2 minutes and it's certainly not my best work. But I felt it was silly enough to share with my friends and colleagues here in the Rain. I hope you enjoy it.

And remember to click on the link above to read Greg's blog. After all, his blog was the inspiration for this post.

You can either thank him or curse him now!

Oh, and just in case you were wondering...Neither Greg nor I suffer from "commission breath"!!!

About The Author

Craig Rutman is a North Carolina Residential Real Estate Specialist that can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in the Raleigh - Cary – Apex metro areas; or any place else in the country by connecting you with a relocation professional in your destination of choice.

To find all available homes for sale in the Triangle area of North Carolina, please visit www.justnchomes.com

Call me TODAY at 919-349-9530

Email me with your Raleigh - Cary – Apex area questions

Paint Your Pot - A Unique Experience for People of All Ages in Cary, North Carolina

Cary, North Carolina, a suburb of Raleigh, has consistently been voted by Forbes, CNN and Money Magazine as one of the best small towns in the nation to live, raise a family, and work.

Not only do we have beautiful parks, award winning schools, wonderful shopping and top notch medical facilities, we also have a unique place for children of ALL ages to express themselves artistically.

That place is Paint Your Pot.

With new owner Danielle Milner at the helm, Paint Your Pot has quickly become a great place for folks to enjoy an afternoon or evening creating a personalized ceramic keepsake.

Once you've picked your piece, you choose from a tremendous variety of paints and customize it as you see fit.

There are many different sizes of brushes, stencils, and sponges on hand to create that just right look for your masterpiece!

Here's how it works:

First, you choose from a huge variety of unfinished ceramic pieces; there are hundreds of items to choose from!

From Christmas ornaments to vases to business card holders...and everyting in between is available for you to make your very own!

Once you're happy with the way your piece has turned out, Danielle will take your creation into the "back room". There it'll be fired in the kiln overnight turning your artwork into a glazed ceramic masterpiece!

Open 7 days a week, Paint Your Pot is a great place for people of all ages and artistic abilities to relax, hang out with friends, celebrate a birthday party or other special event, or just spend time with the family....AND it's just one more reason why Cary, North Carolina is a great place to live, work and play!

Danielle Milner, owner of Paint Your Pot, is always on hand to provide assistance or teach a new technique.

About The Author

Craig Rutman is a North Carolina Residential Real Estate Specialist that can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in the Raleigh - Cary – Apex metro areas; or any place else in the country by connecting you with a relocation professional in your destination of choice.

To find all available homes for sale in the Triangle area of North Carolina, please visit www.justnchomes.com

Call me TODAY at 919-349-9530
Email me with your Raleigh - Cary – Apex area questions

Free Flu Shots in Cary, North Carolina

Once again, as they have done for the past two years, the Cary Area Emergency Medical Services will be providing free flu vaccinations to the public!

On October 17, 2009 starting at 8:00 am and running until the vaccine runs out, folks ages 14 and up can receive the vaccine.

Come early as the vaccine ran out by 11AM the last two years. However, over 650 people were able to take advantage of this free clinic in 2008.

The clinic will be held at the Cary Area EMS, located at 107 Medcon Court, Cary, NC.

About The Author

Craig Rutman is a North Carolina Residential Real Estate Specialist that can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in the Raleigh - Cary – Apex metro areas; or any place else in the country by connecting you with a relocation professional in your destination of choice.

To find all available homes for sale in the Triangle area of North Carolina,
please visit www.justnchomes.com

Call me TODAY at 919-349-9530
Email me with your Raleigh - Cary – Apex area questions

Need a New Nest In the Raleigh North Carolina Area? Call Craig Today!

About The Author

Craig Rutman is a North Carolina Residential Real Estate Specialist that can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in the Raleigh - Cary – Apex metro areas; or any place else in the country by connecting you with a relocation professional in your destination of choice.

To find all available homes for sale in the Triangle area of North Carolina,
please visit www.justnchomes.com

Call me TODAY at 919-349-9530

Email me with your Raleigh - Cary – Apex area questions

10 Stressful Jobs That Are Worth It - Real Estate Agents Come in at #7

OK, so I'm not saving lives or fighting for my country's freedom.

No, I'm not growing the food that everyone relies on to survive, or molding the youth of today to become tomorrow's leaders.

But, as a Real Estate agent, I do serve a very valuable purpose. Simply put, I help people fulfill their dreams of home ownership.

And that, in its most basic terms, is why I do what I do. The look on my clients faces when I hand them the keys at the closing table, or when I pull up to a home and hear their ooohs and ahhhs, makes it all worthwhile.

But in the process of doing so, we agents encounter an amazing amount of stress.

In fact, CareerBuilder.com recently ranked Real Estate professionals #7 on their list of.....

10 Stressful Jobs That Are Worth It

So, if you're wondering why my hair seems to be turning more and more gray every day, it's probably because I was worried about you, my client. Will your offer get accepted? Will you get approved for your loan? Will the inspection go well? Will the closing go off without a hitch?

There are many other reasons all along the way as to why we as agents are stressed. But, at the risk of redundancy, when we hand you the keys to your new home, it's all worth it.

So, if you're thinking of buying or selling a home here in the Raleigh - Cary - Apex areas of North Carolina, don't worry about my stress...If I couldn't handle it, I wouldn't be working in Real Estate!

About The Author

Craig Rutman is a North Carolina Residential Real Estate Specialist that can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in the Raleigh - Cary – Apex metro areas; or any place else in the country by connecting you with a relocation professional in your destination of choice.

To find all available homes for sale in the Triangle area of North Carolina, please visit www.justnchomes.com

Call me TODAY at 919-349-9530
Email me with your Raleigh - Cary – Apex area questions

Free Chapel Hill North Carolina Home Search

Search for all the currently available homes in Chapel Hill...for FREE!

Free Holly Springs North Carolina Home Search

Search for all the currently available homes in Holly Springs, North Carolina...for FREE!

Free Raleigh North Carolina Home Search

Search for all the currently available homes in Raleigh, North Carolina...for FREE!

Free Apex North Carolina Home Search

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Free Cary North Carolina Home Search

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Monster Spotted in Raleigh North Carolina!

On May 31st, North Carolina State University student, Joseph Carnevale had an inspiration that he just couldn't resist. So he set out to act upon his desire.

"I had the idea in class that morning, and it kind of grew in my head, until it was something I had to do," he said.

So, that night he stole some of those all too familiar construction barrels from a site near the university.

About an hour and a half later he returned to assemble his "Barrel Monster"

He saw it as street art. The Raleigh police department did not and Carnevale was charged with larceny and destruction of property. Carnevale is scheduled to appear in court next month.

Hamlin Associates, the construction company who owns the barrels, does not want to press charges. The president of the company says that the publicity they've received far outweighs the $365 cost of the barrels.

In fact, Hamlin Associates wants to commission Carnevale to recreate his now famous Barrel Monster for their corporate offices here in North Carolina.

There's even a Facebook group dedicated to Joseph Carnevale!

What do you think? Should Carnevale be charged with these crimes? Should he be let off? Or should he be commissioned to create some more art for the Raleigh, North Carolina area?

Barrel Monster Spotted in Raleigh!

About The Author

Craig Rutman is a North Carolina Residential Real Estate Specialist that can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in the Raleigh - Cary – Apex metro areas; or any place else in the country by connecting you with a relocation professional in your destination of choice.

To find all available homes for sale in the Triangle area of North Carolina, please visit www.justnchomes.com

Call me TODAY at 919-349-9530

Email me with your Raleigh - Cary – Apex area questions