Last Friday, Chip had his first teacher workday. So in celebration of this event, we planned a whole day of fun. The first stop was the Women's and Children's Shelter at the Salvation Army in downtown Raleigh.
So with the car packed with donations from the Hayes Barton Baptist Church KidzStuff Consignment sale, away we went. Of course, explaining to a five year old why some people had to live there was hard, but I think I got the main point across. However, I was not prepared for what my friend who works there would tell me.
My daughter Holly's friend's mom (stay with me here) works for the Salvation Army at the shelter. So I called ahead of time so they would be ready for us when we got there. As we unloaded the car, and loaded things into the warehouse, we discussed how many families were in the shelter now, and how plans for Christmas were going. Then she told me something that I had never even thought of. There are actually people who are homeless in other areas of the country, who are packing up what little possessions they have, and are relocating their families to Raleigh.
That's right, it seems that Raleigh is not only the #1 place to live for those relocating with jobs, etc, but for those down on their luck as well. The main reason, if you are going to live on the streets or in shelters, you might as well do it in a place that has the best chance of recovery. Those that are moving here feel that they can get on their feet better and faster in Raleigh, than in say Detroit, Miami, etc.
So I did a little research to see if this was unique to Raleigh. I didn't find much, there doesn't seem to be much written about this subject. But there was an article on KKTV's site out of Colorado. It seems that Colorado Springs has had quite a few homeless people move to their area. (see the article here: http://www.kktv.com/news/headlines/81070832.html). They also said that their influx of homeless is coming from Denver and Mexico.
So what does all this mean, and does it really matter? It just goes to show you that Raleigh is a great place to live, whether you are bless with riches or are just getting by, with or without, the necessities in life.
And on a personal note, the Salvation Army is looking for volunteers for this upcoming holiday season. The Wake County Chapter is estimating that they will help over 8000 children with Christmas this year. So click on over to their site: www.keepthebellringing.org and volunteer. Whether you are in Raleigh or somewhere else in the world. You'll be glad you did!
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
How You Can Help Project Angel Tree
If you are in the Raleigh or Cary area of North Carolina today, October 4th or Thursday, October 6th, did you know that something as simple as dining out can make a big difference in a needy child's life?
On these two days, if you dine at one of the wonderful restaurants listed below, AND ( you have to do this or it doesn't count) you mention that you are dining there to help the Realtor's Dine Out Angel Tree Event, they will donate 5% of your total bill to the project.
Here are the participating restaurants:
18 Seaboard *
zPizza *
Casa Carbone *
Gypsy's Shiny Diner *
Tir Na Nog *
Bocci *
Joel Lane's Public House *
The Irregardless Cafe *
Bombay Grille *
Spring Rolls *
Carraba's Italian Grill
So please choose one of these fine establishments and dine out for a great cause!
I thank you, the Realtor's Association thanks you, and the children who will benefit from your efforts will have a Great Christmas!
On these two days, if you dine at one of the wonderful restaurants listed below, AND ( you have to do this or it doesn't count) you mention that you are dining there to help the Realtor's Dine Out Angel Tree Event, they will donate 5% of your total bill to the project.
Here are the participating restaurants:
18 Seaboard *
zPizza *
Casa Carbone *
Gypsy's Shiny Diner *
Tir Na Nog *
Bocci *
Joel Lane's Public House *
The Irregardless Cafe *
Bombay Grille *
Spring Rolls *
Carraba's Italian Grill
So please choose one of these fine establishments and dine out for a great cause!
I thank you, the Realtor's Association thanks you, and the children who will benefit from your efforts will have a Great Christmas!
Monday, October 3, 2011
I'm Baaack!
To say the least, it's been a while!
I know, you have been so busy with your own lives that you probably are thinking, "I didn't even know that she was gone!" Well, I wasn't really gone. Just on a small break. You see, I decided back in the Spring, ( and really quite a while before then) to focus on my family. Mainly, my two children. Everyone says that they grow up so fast, you will blink and they will be gone. And I now know that "they" are right.
Chip recently started kindergarten, and I wanted to make sure that I had a lot of time with both him and Holly this past summer. I put real estate on the back burner, and made them the full focus of my attention. And we had a blast.
We almost lived at the pool, took several day trips to the beach. (With my income dropping to almost nothing, I had to be creative, and several day trips is much less than a week in a hotel or condo). We also took advantage of the Regal Cinemas at North Hills, with their $1.00 movies on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and the free bowling for kids at Sparians Bowling Boutique at North Hills East on Thursdays. So we stayed busy, and didn't break the bank.
But as the title states, I AM BACK! Both of the kids are in school, and I have found that you there is just so much organization that you can do around the house.
So if you are interested in real estate in the Raleigh Area, Midtown or North Hills Area, just contact me. I would love to hear from you!
Don't forget to "LIKE" my page: Facebook.com/midtownrealtor
I know, you have been so busy with your own lives that you probably are thinking, "I didn't even know that she was gone!" Well, I wasn't really gone. Just on a small break. You see, I decided back in the Spring, ( and really quite a while before then) to focus on my family. Mainly, my two children. Everyone says that they grow up so fast, you will blink and they will be gone. And I now know that "they" are right.
Chip recently started kindergarten, and I wanted to make sure that I had a lot of time with both him and Holly this past summer. I put real estate on the back burner, and made them the full focus of my attention. And we had a blast.
We almost lived at the pool, took several day trips to the beach. (With my income dropping to almost nothing, I had to be creative, and several day trips is much less than a week in a hotel or condo). We also took advantage of the Regal Cinemas at North Hills, with their $1.00 movies on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and the free bowling for kids at Sparians Bowling Boutique at North Hills East on Thursdays. So we stayed busy, and didn't break the bank.
But as the title states, I AM BACK! Both of the kids are in school, and I have found that you there is just so much organization that you can do around the house.
So if you are interested in real estate in the Raleigh Area, Midtown or North Hills Area, just contact me. I would love to hear from you!
Don't forget to "LIKE" my page: Facebook.com/midtownrealtor
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Monday, September 13, 2010
Sidewalk Sale at North Hills in #Raleigh! Only $84,700!
They have been advertising a sidewalk sale and Girl's Night Out this week. I didn't realized this was included in the sale! I'll take two please! And if you need a garage in the area to park this bad boy in, just see me!
Lisa Coleman, Broker
Coldwell Banker HPW
Saturday, September 11, 2010
What's happening in Midtown Raleigh this weekend? The St. Raphael's Fair!
It was a beautiful night last night at the annual St. Raphael's fair on Falls of Neuse Road. Head out there tonight and enjoy rides, games, food and so much more! And if you want to live in this wonderful area where there is always something fun to do, just contact me today.
Lisa Coleman, Broker
Coldwell Banker HPW
Friday, September 10, 2010
We had a guest at lunch today. Beautiful! #REBCRDU
Lisa Coleman, Broker
Coldwell Banker HPW
@MayaREGuru at #REBCRDU
Lisa Coleman, Broker
Coldwell Banker HPW
#REBCRDU getting started!
Lisa Coleman, Broker
Coldwell Banker HPW
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Ranch home in Raleigh Golf community--Coming Soon!
Great three bedroom, two bath ranch home in Raleigh's Hedingham Golf Community will be on the market soon. Priced at $149,900, this is a great deal! Contact me for details.
Lisa Coleman, Broker
Coldwell Banker HPW
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Healthy breakfast for me this morning!!
Lisa Coleman, Broker
Coldwell Banker HPW
Monday, August 30, 2010
Social Media and Real Estate Class at Falls Midtown Office
With @mmorgantriangle teaching linking your social media accounts. A great way to begin the week!
Lisa Coleman, Broker
Coldwell Banker HPW
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Real Estate market update at the RBC Center in Raleigh
I'm at the Real Estate Market update and forecast at the RBC Center. Good news, rates are low. Let's not focus on bad news!
Lisa Coleman, Broker
Coldwell Banker HPW
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
North Hills Basement Townhome For Sale Soon!
This three bedroom, two full and two half bath, basement townhome will hit the market soon. Completely redone on the inside, beautiful deck overlooking wooded area and over 1900 square feet and priced under $150,000. Contact me today fir a sneak preview!
Lisa Coleman, Broker
Coldwell Banker HPW
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
It's Mater Sandwich day at the #Midtown office of @CBHPW
If you are Southern Born and Bred, or arrived here by plane, train or automobile, you know that mater sandwiches are the staple of a Southen Summer Diet! And it's not complete unless you have the Duke's mayo to go along with it! So here's to tradition and summers in the South!
Lisa Coleman, Broker
Coldwell Banker HPW
It's Mater Sandwich Day at the Midtown Office of @CBHPW
It's that time of year again, It's Mater Sandwich Day! If you are Southern Born and Bred, or if you arrived here by plane, train or automobile, you know that Mater Sandwiches are the staple of the summer southern diet! And no proper mater sandwich is complete without Duke's Mayo! Here's to tradition and summer in the south! May you both live on forever!
Lisa Coleman
Follow me on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/MidtownRealtor
Go Mobile!
Text "LisaC" to 87778 for a free SmartPhone App to search the MLS!
MeFine Foundation and my daughter Holly Need Your Help!!
Hi Everyone,
I wanted to let everyone know that my daughter Holly is competing in the SEC (Southern Elegance Charm) State Pageant on August 28th. This is a wonderful pageant for little girls, and they always choose a charity to help during their state competition. The little girl that raises the most money gets crowned the Sweetheart Queen of the pageant and gets to participate with the state queens in all their appearances during the next year!
This year they have chosen the MeFine Foundation in Johnston County. If you don't know about MeFine, this wonderful group of people helps parents and families of children with terminal illness and those that have long hospital stays. They rely solely on the goodness of those around them for their funds through donation and money collected at their thrift store. In fact, I love this organization so much that I have a portion of every paycheck I receive sent to them through our foundation here at HPW.
Holly is collecting money for MeFine through August 28th. I know that everyone's budget is tighter this year, so I don't want to ask for any specific amount. If you can give a little something, that would be great. Even a couple of dollars goes a long way!
All you have to do is click on the link below to find out more about MeFine and to make a donation. If you choose to donate this way, just cut and past this is the note section:
"For Holly Coleman for SEC State Pageant". If you would like to write a check, let me know and you can send it to me or directly to MeFine.
Also, if you do donate, can you drop a private email back to me and let me know you did with how much, so I can keep track.
Thanks for all your help and I hope you are all having a wonderful day!!
Lisa Coleman
First Day of School!
My son Chip is checking out everything on his way to class his first day of school at Friendship Christian School. Time is going by so fast. Next thing I know I'll be dropping him off at college! Hopefully NC State!
Lisa Coleman, Broker
Coldwell Banker HPW
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Down Payment Assistance for First Time Home Buyer's May Be Back
There is a "new" bill in Congress (I say "new" because it was originally introduced on January 16, 2009) that would reinstate FHA seller financed down payment assistance.
H.R. 600 was introduced by Rep. All Green (D-TX) and has 23 additional sponsors. This bill, if passed, would revive the down payment assistance programs that were so popular before the mortgage meltdown and the foreclosure wave that has hit the US real estate market.
This bill differs from the previous Down Payment Assistance programs in that a buyer would need a credit score of 680 or higher to qualify. Which supports say would lessen the risk of foreclosure. The majority of foreclosures that have happened in recent months have been with loans given to buyers with credit scores south of 600.
So, the question is, is this the magic tool that will kick-start our real estate industry? Let's think about it this way. Seventy percent of all first time buyers who purchased a home using the now expired tax credit, stated that they would have purchased a home anyway. The tax credit just gave them the incentive to do it a little earlier. The cost of the tax credit is placed on the government, which eventually gets passed to the tax payers. So why not have a program where the seller helps the buyer with the down payment, instead of the tax payers. This could work.
Below is a link to a video giving more information about this program:
http://www.thinkbigworksmall.com/mypage/archive/1/52128/
Also, if you would like to read the bill, here the link for that:
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h111-600
This may be a great way to breathe some life into the US Real Estate Industry, which is on of the major drivers of the entire US Economy. If you agree with this bill, contact your representative and tell them to take a look at this bill, a see what can be done to get it passed.
And as always, if you need any assistance with any real estate related issue, just contact me. I'm always happy to help!
H.R. 600 was introduced by Rep. All Green (D-TX) and has 23 additional sponsors. This bill, if passed, would revive the down payment assistance programs that were so popular before the mortgage meltdown and the foreclosure wave that has hit the US real estate market.
This bill differs from the previous Down Payment Assistance programs in that a buyer would need a credit score of 680 or higher to qualify. Which supports say would lessen the risk of foreclosure. The majority of foreclosures that have happened in recent months have been with loans given to buyers with credit scores south of 600.
So, the question is, is this the magic tool that will kick-start our real estate industry? Let's think about it this way. Seventy percent of all first time buyers who purchased a home using the now expired tax credit, stated that they would have purchased a home anyway. The tax credit just gave them the incentive to do it a little earlier. The cost of the tax credit is placed on the government, which eventually gets passed to the tax payers. So why not have a program where the seller helps the buyer with the down payment, instead of the tax payers. This could work.
Below is a link to a video giving more information about this program:
http://www.thinkbigworksmall.com/mypage/archive/1/52128/
Also, if you would like to read the bill, here the link for that:
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h111-600
This may be a great way to breathe some life into the US Real Estate Industry, which is on of the major drivers of the entire US Economy. If you agree with this bill, contact your representative and tell them to take a look at this bill, a see what can be done to get it passed.
And as always, if you need any assistance with any real estate related issue, just contact me. I'm always happy to help!
Monday, July 26, 2010
One reason built-in bookcases are popular in new homes.
This us our family pet, Max&RubyJoe. (my children named him after their two favorite NickJr. Shows). He loves the built-in bookcases in our new home.
Lisa Coleman, Broker
Coldwell Banker HPW
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)