Pet Owners Take Note!

Staff posted: "A city parks committee is considering a ban on pets in certain areas of Raleigh parks after complaints about unleashed dogs roaming beyond owners' "sight and control." By city law, unleashed dogs are not allowed on public property except for in designate" New post on Raleigh Public Record Parks Committee Seeking Input on Possible Pet Ban in City Parks by Staff A city parks committee is considering a ban on pets in certain areas of Raleigh parks after complaints about unleashed dogs roaming beyond owners' "sight and control." By city law, unleashed dogs are not allowed on public property except for in designated dog parks. In addition, pet owners are required to remove and dispose of pet waste. According to a press release from the city, both the public and city staff have complained about pet waste on athletic fields. "Residents frequently unleash their dogs on open park grounds allowing them to roam beyond their sight and control, presenting the opportunity for pets to interact unrestricted with other park patrons," the release said. "Citizens also use fenced playgrounds, athletic fields and court areas as dog parks – allowing pets to run unleashed within the fenced area." The Greenways and Urban Tree Committee of the Parks, Recreation and Greenway Advisory Board is reviewing the issue and wants public input at its next meeting, at 6 p.m. Wednesday in Room 303 of the Avery C. Upchurch Government Complex at 222 W. Hargett Street. The committee will take that input and review the issue before making a recommendation to the full Board. Staff | May 16, 2013 at 11:21 am | Tags: parks, pets | Categories: News | URL: http://wp.me/poeYm-54C Comment    See all comments

Downtown Raleigh welcomes 13 new shops, restaurants

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Dathan Kazsuk

Downtown Raleigh welcomes 13 new shops, restaurants Enlarge Dathan Kazsuk Sponsored Links SurveyMonkey® Get feedback from your customers and vendors. Send a free survey. www.SurveyMonkey.com/Business Expanding or moving offices? Leave the PBX behind, and switch to RingCentral Office with voice, fax and text. www.ringcentral.com/office Get Listed Here Amanda Jones Hoyle Staff Writer- Triangle Business Journal Email  | Twitter Nine new restaurants, bars and clubs opened in the downtown Raleigh district during the first quarter of 2013, plus another four clothing, accessories and retail service businesses, according to a report from Downtown Raleigh Alliance. Unlike previous DRA quarterly reports, however, it did not record how many street-level businesses were closed during the first quarter. Street-level businesses that opened in the first quarter included: • Bad Daddy's Burger Bar and Kimbap in the 111 Seaboard building; • Coglin's Raleigh and NewBridge Bank (Nasdaq: NBBC) on Fayetteville Street; • Dos Taquitos Xoco, Myst and Cat Banjo on Glenwood Avenue; • Fiction Kitchen on South Dawson Street; • Fifteen on West Morgan Street; • Subway on South Salisbury Street; and • High Cotton and Nora and Nicky’s on West Hargett Street. Downtown development projects that started construction in the first quarter included the new $25 million Citrix (Nasdaq: CTXS) office facility in the Warehouse District and renovations to the 227 Fayetteville office building that has been vacant for several years. Downtown Raleigh projects that are slated to be completed in the second quarter include the N.C. State Bar building, the State Employees Credit Union tower and the Wake County Justice Center.
	Expanding or moving offices? Leave the PBX behind, and switch to RingCentral Office with voice, fax and text. www.ringcentral.com/office

Amanda Jones Hoyle

Staff Writer- Triangle Business Journal

Email  | Twitter

Nine new restaurants, bars and clubs opened in the downtown Raleigh district during the first quarter of 2013, plus another four clothing, accessories and retail service businesses, according to a report from Downtown Raleigh Alliance.
Unlike previous DRA quarterly reports, however, it did not record how many street-level businesses were closed during the first quarter.
Street-level businesses that opened in the first quarter included:
• Bad Daddy's Burger Bar and Kimbap in the 111 Seaboard building;
• Coglin's Raleigh and NewBridge Bank (Nasdaq: NBBC) on Fayetteville Street;
• Dos Taquitos Xoco, Myst and Cat Banjo on Glenwood Avenue;
• Fiction Kitchen on South Dawson Street;
• Fifteen on West Morgan Street;
• Subway on South Salisbury Street; and
• High Cotton and Nora and Nicky’s on West Hargett Street.
Downtown development projects that started construction in the first quarter included the new $25 million Citrix (Nasdaq: CTXS) office facility in the Warehouse District and renovations to the 227 Fayetteville office building that has been vacant for several years.
Downtown Raleigh projects that are slated to be completed in the second quarter include the N.C. State Bar building, the State Employees Credit Union tower and the Wake County Justice Center.

Time to move DOWNTOWN!

Downtown Raleigh welcomes 13 new shops, restaurants

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Sponsored Links
	SurveyMonkey® Get feedback from your customers and vendors. Send a free survey. www.SurveyMonkey.com/Business
	Expanding or moving offices? Leave the PBX behind, and switch to RingCentral Office with voice, fax and text. www.ringcentral.com/office
Get Listed Here

Amanda Jones Hoyle

Staff Writer- Triangle Business Journal

Email  | Twitter

Nine new restaurants, bars and clubs opened in the downtown Raleigh district during the first quarter of 2013, plus another four clothing, accessories and retail service businesses, according to a report from Downtown Raleigh Alliance.
Unlike previous DRA quarterly reports, however, it did not record how many street-level businesses were closed during the first quarter.
Street-level businesses that opened in the first quarter included:
• Bad Daddy's Burger Bar and Kimbap in the 111 Seaboard building;
• Coglin's Raleigh and NewBridge Bank (Nasdaq: NBBC) on Fayetteville Street;
• Dos Taquitos Xoco, Myst and Cat Banjo on Glenwood Avenue;
• Fiction Kitchen on South Dawson Street;
• Fifteen on West Morgan Street;
• Subway on South Salisbury Street; and
• High Cotton and Nora and Nicky’s on West Hargett Street.
Downtown development projects that started construction in the first quarter included the new $25 million Citrix (Nasdaq: CTXS) office facility in the Warehouse District and renovations to the 227 Fayetteville office building that has been vacant for several years.
Downtown Raleigh projects that are slated to be completed in the second quarter include the N.C. State Bar building, the State Employees Credit Union tower and the Wake County Justice Center.

New post on Raleigh Public Record Greenway Trails, Current and Future by Leo Suarez With around 100 miles of paved trails, the Capital Area Greenway system is a growing treasure to our city. The Raleigh Public Record invites you to get outside and explore this ever expanding trail system. Download the latest map of the full greenway network. [pdf] A Growing Network by JOHN DANCY-JONES Initiated in 1974, Raleigh’s greenway system began as small, isolated segments. But in the last 39 years it has grown to over 99 miles. Encompassing 3700 acres, the system has developed some connectivity, with several multi-mile stretches. The system is not only reaching areas throughout the city, but is preparing to link with other, larger trails. As a premier amenity and as a pioneering national model in urban landscapes, the greenway system provides Raleigh with a highly visible symbol of the city’s character. My favorite aspects remain the pure naturalism available to greenway users, and the strong contributions these green ribbons make to our unique relationship with the natural landscape in which our metropolis is ensconced. Part of the initial impetus for Raleigh’s greenway program was the “strategic use of part of the city’s floodplain for an open space corridor between adjoining land uses.” The quote is from Bill Flournoy, a landscape architect out of NCSU who is called the father of North Carolina’s greenway movement in the “Greenway History” by Charles A. Flink. Northwest Raleigh has generous stretches of greenway aligned with the flood control lakes – Lynn, Shelley and others – built to protect Crabtree Valley. Almost all of the greenways follow waterways – and thus many of them literally track the sewer systems as well. But the occasional outgassing pipe is well worth the rich array of birds, diverse plants, and the occasional mammal you will see. Preservation of significant, if narrow, strips of natural areas will be a legacy to future Raleigh citizens as well as a highly valuable amenity now. [from Raleigh’s Greenway Outlook] Follow The Greenway On Your Smartphone by LEO SUAREZ While driving a car around Raleigh, you’ve most likely been near a greenway without even knowing it. “Where are the greenways?” is a common question asked by Raleighites and a team of data fans built a service in hopes to answer that question. As part of CityCamp Raleigh, a team of citizens created RGreenway, a mobile application that helps users find and navigate the Raleigh greenways. In addition to a map browser, the application uses a smartphone’s GPS features to show you where the greenway continues at intersections and road crossings. The application comes with many other features as well. RGreenway has a social component with the ability to check-in to trails and share it on different social media sites. The popular SeeClickFix application is used also for easy reporting of issues such as trash or needed path maintenance. Fitness and weather information has also been added. The application is available for Android and iOS devices. More: RGreenway.com Leo Suarez | May 2, 2013 at 11:18 am | Categories: News | URL: http://wp.me/poeYm-4Zj Comment    See all comments Unsubscribe or change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://www.raleighpublicrecord.org/news/2013/05/02/greenway-trails-current-and-future/

Hmmmm!

New post on Raleigh Public Record

Chocolatier’s Growing Pains are Good for Business by Laura Baverman Raleigh certainly loves its chocolate. Especially when it is grinded, mixed, flavored and packaged locally by hand, with cacao beans sourced directly from farmers in Venezuela and Costa Rica. The city’s first bean-to-bar chocolatier, Escazu Artisan Chocolates of Mordecai, is reaping the benefits of a growing love affair—locally and nationally—with artisan food. Sales now top $500,000 annually, so much that chocolatiers Hallot Parson and Danielle Centeno are forced to turn business away. Danielle Centeno, Escazu co-owner, holds "push up pops" — ice cream made with their chocolate. Photo by Karen Tam. There’s simply not enough space at 936 N. Blount Street to produce any more chocolate. “If Whole Foods wanted us nationally instead of just in the Southeast, we couldn’t do that without increasing our production immensely,” said Centeno, a pastry chef who runs the confections and retail operations. “And we couldn’t do that here.” Too much business isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It’s helped Escazu hire nine workers, pay off its first business loan (secured when it moved from Glenwood Avenue in 2009) and operate profitably for the first time. It’s let Parson and Centeno master their current operation—winning 2012 and 2013 Good Food Awards and recognition in Southern Living and Wine Spectator magazines. Escazu now distributes its eight bars to specialty markets and retail stores nationwide. The retail shop, with a hot chocolate bar, hand-made decorative confections and ice cream each day, has become a neighborhood staple. “People are looking for quality and are willing to pay a little more for that,” said Parson, who made his first chocolate bar in 2005. The quality of Escazu and other bean-to-bar chocolate comes from a process 100 years old or more that starts with a farmer of cacao in some tropical climate. Parson built a relationship with a Costa Rican farmer (Escazu is named after a town there) and Centeno brought her ties to her native Venezuela. They now import three or four tons of beans at a time from those farms. The beans are sorted and roasted in an antique coffee roaster they bought and shipped from Spain. Hallot Parson, Escazu co-owner, checks the consistency of the chocolate as it is mixed in the 1930s machine he bought in Spain. Photo by Karen Tam. About 180 pounds of nibs are then ground into a liquid, and sugar (and sometimes cocoa butter) is added to meet a certain percentage of cacao. The chocolate is aged, and later, tempering machines heat and cool it to achieve the perfect appearance and texture. Ingredients such as pumpkin seeds and chipotle chili are added just before the chocolate goes into a mold. Sea salt is sprinkled after. Bars are then wrapped and labeled by hand, about 100 per hour. Escazu produces 200 to 400 bars on a slow day and 1,600 to 1,700 daily before holidays such as Christmas and Valentine’s Day. Centeno’s small team of chocolatiers produces about 87,000 truffles a year for the retail shop. Daily, they bake cookies and make ice cream and introduce specialty treats. “It’s frustrating,” Parson said. “We can see so many avenues for growth.” Escazu chocolate bars. Photo by Karen Tam. Bean-to-bar chocolatiers have grown in number since 2005, when a Colorado man named Steve DeVries opened the first shop in Denver. Escazu was among a dozen or so chocolatiers nationally when Parson opened the first retail shop in 2007. Today, bean-to-bar chocolate is one of eight categories included in the Good Food Awards, a three-year-old competition to recognize U.S. producers of craft food. For the 2013 awards, 67 chocolate makers entered. “Part of the popularity of these bean-to-bar manufacturers is that they are local, maybe the ‘new’ local chocolate shop,” said Susan Smith of the National Confectioners Association. “They bring with them a certain amount of hometown pride … since they sell the products they make in the back of the store right up front.” Escazu’s success has allowed it be picky about the future. The partners recently quashed plans to move alongside Market Restaurant and Yellow Dog Bakery in the Person Street retail center two blocks away. Developers failed to meet Escazu’s timeline. Now, they’ll wait until the right deal comes along. A lease was renewed for another year in March. They hope to self-finance the move when the right property becomes available. Parson and Centeno hope to double the existing 1,600 square feet. They’d like room to add more equipment sourced from overseas and a larger retail shop and hot chocolate bar to serve loyal customers and attract even more. The inside of Escazu, located on Blount Street. Photo by Karen Tam. They plan for more storage and prep space, and sophisticated and professional décor this time around. And perhaps someone besides Parson will operate the forklift required to move the roaster and grinder. “It will be a place that will allow us to make as much as we want to make and grow as much as we want to grow,” Centeno said. Laura Baverman | April 18, 2013 at 12:12 pm | Tags: chocolatier, Escazu | Categories: Business, News, The Latest | URL: http://wp.me/poeYm-4Yk Comment    See all comments

New post on Raleigh Public Record

Retail Becomes More Urban, Social by Leo Suarez During the past few decades, Raleigh, like the rest of the country, is shopping differently. Yes, online spending continues to grow, but spending “in real life,” or in shopping centers, is changing, too. Urban in style with a mix of uses is the new trend in retail development, and in Raleigh, a few locations offer shoppers goods, services, and a place to socialize. “I think it is the future of our cities,” said Bonner Gaylord, general manager of North Hills and a member of the City Council. North Hills is a growing area along the Beltline and Six Forks Road with a mix of residential condos, street-level shopping, entertainment, and office space. Paul Bronson of North Raleigh’s Lafayette Village agrees. Lafayette Village is a thematic retail and office development based on a European village feel with a diverse offering of shops and restaurants. “We’ve created an outdoor lifestyle center,” he said. “The enclosed mall model doesn’t work anymore.” Lafayette Village. Photo by Leo Suarez. With multiple examples around the country showing success, places like North Hills and Lafayette Village in Raleigh are complimenting Internet sales rather than competing. The keys to their success include a diverse mix of high-quality offerings and an equally important social component. Gaylord and his team at North Hills keep a close eye on the diversity of the shops that are opening up in the midtown development. “Diversity is very important to us,” he said. “We want to have a mix of goods and services.” Starting as early as the 1960s, automobile ownership grew at a much faster pace and allowed more people to move around a city to do their shopping. Enclosed malls and department stores offered the ability for one-stop shopping and quickly became popular. Today, shopping on the Internet is changing that dynamic. What the Internet can’t offer is the real life community aspect that makes people feel better connected. “We want shoppers to meet the owner, not the manager,” Bronson said about the shops in Lafayette Village. “We didn’t want a Starbucks.” Lafayette Village and North Hills take the experience one step further with little things, from hiring a sidewalk musician on Friday nights all the way to street festivals on major holidays. Events are an important part in bringing consumers back and creating community between shops and visitors. North Hills. Photo by Leo Suarez. While North Hills and Lafayette Village have been enjoying recent success, downtown Raleigh has always been the city’s main urban hub. During the course of Raleigh’s city history, the city center has enjoyed quite a bit of retail success and it’s possible that the rise in Internet shopping is helping bring that retail back to downtown. Downtown Raleigh has just as much urban-style development and is naturally built for a mix of uses. Paul Reimel, Economic Development Manager of the Downtown Raleigh Alliance (DRA), feels that it is a big advantage for downtown over other city retail areas. “Nowhere else can you find that diversity and product,” he said. Retailers look for all kinds of different spaces and this is where downtown may have an edge. "There are retailers that want new, others that want middle of the road, and others that want old. Downtown has all that." Behind the scenes, the retail recruitment efforts are different in downtown than they are at North Hills or Lafayette Village. The newer developments are controlled by a single property owner where downtown is a mix of several hundred private property owners and governments including the city, county, and state. Reimel and the DRA build relationships with property owners and outside retailers and attempt to match them up. With studies and reports, they try to encourage services or retail that is needed in downtown, but the ultimate decision lies with the property owner. A contrast to this method would be with what is taking place in Lafeyette Village. A very strict selection policy is used when choosing retailers. High quality, great service, and proven success is something that the owners of Lafayette Village seek. “We have not lost any tenants in the last two years.” Bronson said. At 93 percent capacity, it must be working. While different in operation, downtown Raleigh, North Hills, and Lafayette Village share the same social aspect that has been vital to their success. With an increase of uses, the days of shopping only at the mall may be numbered. Leo Suarez | April 4, 2013 at 8:40 am | Tags: Lafayette Village, North Hills | Categories: City Journal | URL: http://wp.me/poeYm-4W0 Comment    See all comments

Did you know!

English: Downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, 12 October 2008. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Here are some cool facts about Raleigh that you may or may not know???

Enrollment in a few of the 7 Universities/Colleges around the downtown area of Raleigh.

NC State: 31,802 peeps
Shaw University: 2,866 peeps
Saint Augustine's: 1281 peeps
William Peace University: 692 peeps
Brand New Campbell Laws School: 477 peeps

40% of Downtown Residence are18-34 of age!
30% are 45+ of age!

According to Raleigh Alliance there are 5 apartment complexes currently being built in the downtown Raleigh area with a total of 1184 new units.  Currently there are about 1100 units within 1.5 miles of Raleigh.

And the coolest fact you did not know!  According to Inman News, Feb 2012, The #1 Real Estate Market to Watch in 2012 -------- RALEIGH-CARY, NC!

Remember to call, Patrick Lawson with any of your Real Estate needs or concerns, 919-669-3937.

Great Article on Builder Confidence!

REMEMBER to vote for Pat Lawson for Soil and Water Supervisor!

Remember to vote for Pat Lawson for Soil and Water Supervisor!  No body knows Wake County like Pat Lawson, your Tour Guide of not just Raleigh but all of Wake County! 



English: Location of Raleigh, North Carolina within Wake County and within North Carolina, based off US Census Bureau data. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Great Informtion from REMAX

Just click the link!

http://newsletter.rismedia.com/newsletters/preview/9307/1016262/4756256

In the Top 10 Again!

Check it OUT!  In the top ten Job Growth areas in the County!!

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/8-cities-with-surprising-job-growth.html?page=2

Raleigh, N.C.
Metro area population: 1.2 million
Current unemployment rate: 7.4%
Job growth next five years: 14%
Number of new jobs: 75,000

Raleigh and its environs will continue to be a magnet for high-tech and biotech job creation. Major employers adding the most jobs will be Duke University, the University of North Carolina, IBM, Cisco, GlaxoSmithKline, Nortel, Verizon and Lenovo. As the capital of a state with healthy finances, Raleigh will also steadily add government jobs. Moreover, it's a regional hub for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, supporting thousands of related private-sector jobs.

The Market is on the Move!

The market is starting to open up and head North.  I am seeing this all over the Triangle but especially inside the belt line.  Those deals that have been sitting on the market for a year or longer are now under contract.  Some of the condos in downtown Raleigh that were selling for $400 a SF in 2009 are now at at $250 a SF but not for long.  I am starting to see a trend where prices are starting to inch upward.  Those good deals that are still on the market are going under contract.  If you are thinking of buying, the time is now!  If you are thinking of selling it may be smart to hold off 6 months if you can.  Either way call me today to discuss.

Check out this deal that just came on the market today at Founders Row.  Totally renovated and very cool located next to Moore Square.  Awesome place for $243,900.  Call me today, Patrick Lawson -919-669-3937!

Breaking News! Home sales jump 35% in the Triangle!!!!!!

By David Bracken - dbracken@newsobserver.com
By David Bracken The News and Observer

Tags: home sales | Triangle MLS | Triangle real estate
Triangle home sales jumped 35 percent in February compared to the same period a year ago as the market showed increased signs of life ahead of the spring selling season.There were 1,204 homes sold in Durham, Johnston, Orange and Wake counties in February, data from Triangle Multiple Listing Services show. That’s the most homes sold in the month of February since 2008.
Pending sales were up 30 percent and showings increased 9 percent.

Sales activity in the early months of this year is expected to provide a better gauge of the overall health of the market because the influence of the federal homebuyer tax credits is waning.
The increase in sales activity is a sign that the balance of supply and demand may be finally coming into balance. The number of homes on the market has been falling for months, and was 26 percent lower in February than it was during the same period a year ago.

The Triangle’s housing inventory increased just 3 percent from January to February — a time in which traditionally many people put their homes up for sale. The region currently has an 8 month supply of homes on the market at current rate of sales.

The average selling price also continues to fall. The average price of all the homes that sold in February was $216,600, down about 9 percent from the same period four years ago.
Read more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/03/14/1930946/triangle-home-sales-jump-35-percent.html#storylink=cpy

New Construction in Downtown Raleigh!

Raleigh, NC is experiencing a surge in downtown construction as we enter 2012.  Not to be confused or compared to 2009 or just a few years ago when growth rates were double digits and the where at least 8 skyscrapers (30+ stories) green lighted for the downtown area schedule to construction.  All of these projects have been abandoned or on hold until our growth rate increase from the low single digits.  Don’t misunderstand however, there a dramatic pick up in Residential home and multipel housing development inside the 440 belt line.  Glenwood South will see three new construction projects, in fact these projects have already started.  Two large apartment complexes with somewhere around 250 units each.  These complexes are located just off Glenwood South on Boylan Ave.  On St. Marys street they have broken ground on yet another new complex.  At this time I am not sure if this will be a Condos or apartments complex, it will however be mixed use with commercial and residential property.  Check back for an update.  
On the corner of Oberlin and Clark in the historic shopping center of Cameron Village they have broken ground on yet another mix use apartment complex with somewhere around 150 units.  This was to be a 12 story condo building but the place changed to apartments.  This would be an ideal place to call home with incredible views of the Cameron Park and downtown area not to mention walking distance to anything you can imagine.

Image via Wikipedia

Downtown off of Moore Square in what was being called the Edison Building will be yet another 250 unit + apartment building mix use.  This was to be a two separate buildings.  A 33 and 44 story building but obviously the plans have changed.  The current projext will be on the south end corner of Davie and Salisbury St.
Please check back for further updates or just give me a call.  Patrick Lawson, 919-669-3937

More Good News for Raleigh, NC

Image via WikipediaHey all, the ship is starting to right itself.  Just report by Inman News.  Raleigh and Cary are on the raise.  It was just reported that Raleigh and Cary are experiencing a gain in home values of more than seven percent.  SEVEN PERCENT!!  Do not miss this train.  The RTP and the greater Raleigh area will be the first to take off when this economy starts to recover.  My office is located in the Five Points area of Raleigh.  As I drive and show property I see growth everywhere.  There are four major projects that are coming out of the ground now that I am aware of and several more on the books.  Clayton is on Fire!!  I can personally tell you, that this was not happening at the same time last year in 2011.  I am excited and I hope you are too.  Call me, Pat Lawson, 919-669-3937!

Another Great Opportunity in Downtown Raleigh!

Hey Guys!  I pointed out the great opportunity on 815 Whitaker Mill Rd and now it is gone!  Someone got a winner there.  Don't wait.  Here is another.  This one is more of a land deal on .76 acres on Capital Blvd.  Rent the property and wait until the market rebounds.  This is a bank owned property at 259K with a tax value of 412K. Hot Dog!

Should You Go It Alone When Buying from Home Builder? NOT

Do you know the sales person in the builder’s office or sales center generally do not have a Realtor License. Know why? Because that person works for the builder and not you!  He or she does not have a fiduciary responsibility to work for you and does not have to do the right thing. Another words, they wont get their license taken away! Think about it, and the next time you want to go it alone ask the sales guy if he or she has a valid Real Estate License or better yet, give me a call at, 919-669-3937!

http://www.realtor.com/blogs/2011/02/21/should-you-go-it-alone-when-buying-from-home-builder/

Your Restaurant Review, LaVolta

As you know, as your Downtown Raleigh Tour Guide, I do my best to keep you fed and updated on all the good menus in the downtown area! On that note: A few friends of mine traveled in from the Apex area for a night of celebration as Chip was about to turn 40, and a celebratory dinner and possible bar crawl was in order. The travelers stayed at the Raleigh Marriott City Center hotel (a review for anther time). I suggested that we meet at LaVolta Restaurant just across the street from the Marriott for a few appetizers before hitting the crawl. Boy am I glad I did. We sat in the bar area with about 10 of us. We ordered appetizers and drank the special drink which was Sangria. This was bit pricy at 8 clams a glass, but the glass was big and concoction was fabulous. I personally only had one and had to switch to Bud Light drafts to keep my wits about me. This Italian restaurant reminded me of something you would find in NY or Chicago, a very warm and comfortable feeling. The owner, who I believe is from NY made you feel right at home and came to the bar area and said hello. The staff was great given my 9 rowdy friends. Food was fantastic (we only had apps.) and the Meatballs ($5.95, two gigantic homemade meatballs) and Bruschetta ($6.95) were to die for. As a tip to you from your Tour Guide, make sure you ask for some bread when ordering the meatballs, you will thank me latter. All in all, this was a fabuous place to start or possibly finish a great night out with friends.

http://lavoltarestaurant.com/menus.html

RATES STAY LOW - Prices will GO UP

Interesting article below. Rates will stay low for at least another year and half. I believe this will push prices higher as buyers can afford more and loan restriction start to ease. It is a great time to look at residential or commercial. Commercial prices are as low as $100 a SF for class A space. Don't wait, Call me today! 919-669-3937


Monetary policy - fed expects to

keep rates low through 2014

The Fed Meeting Adjourned today – the Fed’s Monetary Policy Statement language rang loudly this afternoon. Their Monetary stance now states that they expect to keep rates exceptionally low through late 2014. Their low rate commitment timeline has increased by a year. Treasuries reacted immediately to the news, with the 10 Year Yield dropping below 2%. Great news for Triangle housing and homeowners.

On to other news from today, Mortgage Applications slipped in volume for the week ending January 20th as Mortgage Rates inched up. The Mortgage Application Index showed a drop of five percent which was in sharp contrast to the twenty percent rise we saw last week.

According to the National Association of Realtors, pending home sales were down 3.5% in December – that decline was a bit more dramatic than expected. Good news though, in that year over year figures for pending sales data was up 5.6% for that same time frame.

Great Read on a Commercial Sale on Glenwood!

A fantastic article on some commercial sales on Glenwood by Amanda Jones Hoyle, Staff Writer - Triangle Business Journal

http://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2012/01/20/glenwood-ave-office-building-bought.html

Love the last line:

New Boston Fund is thrilled to add Carolina Place to its Southeast portfolio,” Pryse Elam. The southeast regional director at New Boston Fund, said in the news release. “This acquisition will help to re-establish a presence for New Boston in the Raleigh-Durham market, one of the fastest-growing metropolitan regions in the country.”

Don’t wait call Patrick Lawson TODAY at, 919-669-3937