BugFest 2015Saturday, September 19, 20159am - 7pmCOST: FREE   Each year, over 35,000 visitors come to BugFest to experience over 100 exhibits, crafts, games and activities. The NC Museum of Natural Sciences & Nature Research provides the opportunity for the public to interact with entomologists and other scientists so you can continue learning about the fascinating world of bugs. You can also sample buggy dishes prepared by local chefs at Cafe Insecta! This year's theme bug: Cicadas! At BugFest 2015: Enjoy the entertaining displays, exhibits and activities - both inside and outside the Museum Learn about arthropods, which make up three-quarters of all animals on Earth, during fascinating presentations Taste delectable dishes featuring creepy crawlers as a main ingredient at Cafe Insecta... 09/14/2015

 The 6th Annual Hopscotch Music Festival is taking place September 10th – 12th and you are guaranteed a fantastic weekend in Downtown Raleigh! From rock and punk to hip-hop and dance to alt-country and folk to heavy metal and noise, this North Carolina festival has it all. There will be 160 musical acts performing at more than 15 venues downtown, along with a healthy dose of warm weather and fun. This year’s performers include country pioneer and multi-platinum artist Dwight Yoakam, Grammy nominated Brooklynites TV on the Radio, and Canada’s Godspeed You! Black Emperor. The festival features music in nearly every genre – rock, rap, folk, pop, metal, experimental, electronic, and more. Even if you don’t know some of the acts, come have a listen, you never know when you might find your ne... 09/02/2015

 National Home Builder M/I Homes has closed on its acquisition of 112 acres of land near Brier Creek. The new home builder has proposed plans to build up to 500 new homes.  The new neighborhood property, which as not yet been named, is adjacent to the age-restricted Carolina Arbors by Del Webb community. Both communities are located near the intersection of Leesville and Andrews Chapel roads, less than seven miles from Raleigh-Durham International Airport. M/I Homes purchased the land from four local families for a combined $10.2 million. M/I Homes has been working on securing entitlements for the property since October 2013, when it put the first piece of property under contract. Here is a look at the future site of these new homes!    Lisa Southern Real Estate, located at 15 E. Martin... 08/31/2015

 Enter To WIN 2 FREE Lawn Tickets to Jason Aldean's 2015 Burn It Down Tour in Raleigh, NC!   Jason Aldean will be at the Walnut Creek Amphitheatre on September 5th at 7:30pm for his 2015 Burn It Down Tour. Lisa Southern Real Estate has 2 Lawn Tickets that are up for grabs! In order to Enter to Win, LIKE the Lisa Southern Real Estate Facebook page AND send us a PM (Private Message) with your Full Name, Phone Number AND your Email Address, so we can let you know when you win! Lisa Southern Real Estate is located at 15 E. Martin St. Raleigh, NC 27601. We specialize in residential real estate and property management in Downtown Raleigh and the surrounding Triangle Area! If you or someone you know have questions on buying a home or selling your home in today's real estate market, call us at ... 08/26/2015

Downtown Raleigh Restaurant WeekRaleigh families this week should have few problems making a decision on where to take the crowd or a special someone for lunch or dinner.Downtown Raleigh Restaurant week begins today and runs through Sunday, August 23. Participating restaurants will offer delectable, three-course dinners for either a fixed price of $20 or $30 per person, depending on the venue (tax and tip not included). This year, Restaurant Week has expanded to include lunch menus, as well as an exciting new Do-It-Yourself Progressive Dinner option. The DIY Progressive Dinner encourages patrons to visit a different restaurant for each course on a tantalizing tour of downtown dining.Savor the delicious dishes prepared by downtown Raleigh's finest dining establishments during this popula... 08/17/2015

Looking to buy a home in Raleigh, Cary or the nations top City, Apex?Here are five essential tips for making the process as smooth as possible. Hire a professional.While the Internet gives buyers unprecedented access to home listings and resources, many aspects of the buying process require a level of expertise you can’t pick up from surfing the web. That’s why you’re better off using a professional agent than going it alone. Recruit an exclusive buyer agent, who will have your interests at heart and can help you with strategies during the bidding process. including your next step which is finding a lender. Contact us for an Informative Buyer ConsultationGet your finances in order. Start by getting a full picture of your credit. Obtain copies of your credit report. Make sure the facts a... 08/17/2015

4 Mistakes First Time Home Buyers in Raleigh NC MakeThe home buying process in Raleigh North Carolina can be difficult to navigate without an experienced agent in your corner.  If you are a first time home buyer in Raleigh, it can be even more challenging.Below are my top 5 pitfalls to avoid when buying your first home in Raleigh, NC. 1.  They call the listing agent on the sign When you buy a home... Especially as a first time buyer, it can be a big mistake to pick the phone and call the sign.  When buying a home in Raleigh North Carolina, a REALTOR who you have not hired to work for you automatically works for the seller.  As a buyer in Raleigh NC, you always want to have representation.  The sellers agent is normally paying the commission to the buyers agent, so it should cost you ver... 08/13/2015

Portia Springer is promoted to Director of Operations at Lisa Southern Real Estate in Raleigh, NC.   Portia  has an extensive background in leadership, organization, technology, and online marketing. She has been in the real estate industry for 5 years. She has been recognized for her ability in front of a classroom teaching marketing strategies, current technology and the use of social media to real estate agents around the country. Portia holds a Bachelor’s of Arts in English: Literature from the University of Central Florida. She is an avid reader, passionate about growing her knowledge and staying on the edge of technology.   “We are truly lucky to have Portia here at Lisa Southern Real Estate,” says Owner Lisa Southern. “Lisa Southern Real Estate offers its associates unparalleled ... 08/07/2015

 Ewa Agusta has joined the Lisa Southern Real Estate Team in Raleigh, NC as their Director of Real Estate Administration.   Ewa has an extensive background in management, customer service, and technology. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Computer Science from St. Peter’s University. Ewa has lived in the Raleigh area for almost 10 years, is an avid reader, garden and spend time with her family; both two and four legged.   “We are truly lucky to have Ewa join us here at Lisa Southern Real Estate,” says Owner Lisa Southern. “Lisa Southern Real Estate offers its associates unparalleled career growth and lifelong learning opportunities in the real estate industry. We know that Ewa will be a great fit and that it is our customers who will truly benefit from Ewa’s 20 years of management ex... 08/03/2015

Relocating to Raleigh NC?Are you seeking to relocate to the Capital City of North Carolina?Searching for a Home in Raleigh NC?Find Raleigh NC Homes for Sale by Clicking HERE Need Relocation Information?Register Here for a Free Relocation Guide and to be connected to a Relocation Realtor Information about Relocating to Raleigh NC   powered by movoto.com  Chalk Score for Raleigh NC - What are the highly rated schools in Raleigh NC and Wake County? Local Crime Statistics Raleigh, NC Crime Statistics For Raleigh NC *It's always recommend you confirm with your local law enforcement Local Real Estate Trends Real Estate Trends for Raleigh NC - *It's always important to confirm with your Local Raleigh Realtor - Carla Freund & Team Mortgage Calculator Mortgage Calculator - *It's always important... 08/02/2015

 5 must know tips when buying a home in the North Carolina Triangle 1.  Don't Accrue DebtThe smallest purchases on a credit card can dramatically alter your buying power.   I have seen well qualified buyers lose the home of their dreams over the purchase of a new couch prior to closing.  There are really two things to consider when making a purchasing decision before your close on your new home.  1. Will this purchase impact my debt ratios and score?  Odds say that even the smallest purchases can have a month or two impact on your score.  2.  Will funds that I was going to use for a down payment or for closing costs be used to make this purchase? (See #4 for more information on what these may be).  If you answered yes to either of those questions, save yourself some heartache and don't ... 07/30/2015

The city of Raleigh is introducing new development zones. Up to 30% of the city will be affected by the rezonings. There have been several public meetings on the subject but since this is all so new and complicated there are many unanswered questions. Most center around how will these affect the character of their neighborhoods.The Raleigh City Council will have city staff meet with some people one on one and will have more meetings throughout August. One meeting is taking place the first Monday in August. It will be about the downtown zones.If you don't think this affects consider that over 35,000 individual pieces of property in the city will be rezoned. Most of the rezoning are a result of a remapping process. The remapping process was caused by the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO... 07/30/2015

First off – A DAP is the “mortgage babble term” for Down Payment Assistance Programs.  These programs USE to be funded by a SELLER paid contribution – these days, however, “the Home Seller can only help buyers pay closing costs by giving a portion of their proceeds back to the buyer at closing, in the form of closing costs.  When you are trying to figure out How to Write a Contract With A DAP it can be tricky.How to Write a Contract With A DAPIt’s not really writing a contract with a Down Payment Assistance Program that’s a problem… frankly it’s getting one APPROVED by the Seller, in today’s Market that can be a challenge.Why would a Seller Care if the Borrower has a contract with a DAP?  Because we are in a “Sellers” Market, and many times, the borrower who is using a DAP is considered... 07/29/2015

School is out for many children in the Raleigh, NC area.  With that it means many of them will miss free meals that they receive at school.  Please don't forget them.  Visit www.stopsummerhunger.com  This is a website put on by the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina.Some of the Summer Hunger Partners are Food Lion Feeds, Leith Toyota and ABC 11.  The website has several different ways of helping.  You can donate cash which is always welcome, you can organize a food drive and find ways to involve your business.  Like raising awareness of this ongoing effort.  So please take a moment to visit www.stopsummerhunger.org 07/15/2015

There has been a changing of the guard at The Raleigh Chamber of Commerce. Harvey Schmitt served as the head of the Raleigh Chamber for two decades, and decided it was time to retire and spend time surrounded by family. As he says, "[The] Chamber has a talented, professional, responsive, energetic team with a 'can do' attitude".  "Chairman Ed Willingham, Chair-elect Jill Heath, and Treasurer Greg Winkler have put in extra work during this transition" says Schmitt. They have been instrumental in finding a successor who will write the next chapter in The Raleigh Chamber's history. Tim Giuliani is the new Chamber President and CEO. Here is a message from him!  Lisa Southern Real Estate, located at 15 E. Martin St. Raleigh, NC 27601 is a proud member of the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce. If y... 06/30/2015

Lynette McEvoy, a real estate professional, has partnered with Lisa Southern Real Estate in Raleigh, NC.  Lynette welcomes the opportunity to assist both buyers and sellers with one of their most important investments, their home. Originally from central Ohio, Lynette graduated from Otterbein College with a degree in Family and Consumer Science, and moved to Raleigh in 2001. Real Estate has been a perfect fit, as Lynette grew up in a family of builders. She incorporates her knowledge gained from course work and experience in interior design, real life business experience and her love for helping her clients stage and sell or find their ideal home. “We are truly lucky to have Lynette join us here at Lisa Southern Real Estate,” says Owner Lisa Southern. “Lisa Southern Real Estate offers i... 06/29/2015

The city of Raleigh is looking at putting upwards of $20 million into proposals to entice developers to build housing that have lower rents and prices then normal as part of its affordability programs.  The program dovetails what the federal government wants to do by putting the limited rent housing and houses in areas of the city that are not primarily low income.  The city would like this housing around proposed transit stations, areas with revitalization plans or downtown.  Some the incentives could include loans to groups like Habitat for Humanity or forgivable loans to for the rehabilitation of homes in fast developing areas of the city.  East College Park is scheduled for improvements to utility lines and other infrastructure and the city may sell government owned residential lots... 06/20/2015

$125,000, 3Bd/2Ba Townhouse, 1750 sqft. Gene Allen | Fathom Realty | 919-473-9068gene@geneallen.realtor | 11701 Coppergate Dr, Raleigh, NC 27614 Wakefield, NC 3Bd/2Ba Townhouse $125,000 Year Built 2008 Sq Footage 1750 sqft. Bedrooms 3 Beds Bathrooms 2 Baths Floors 3 Parking 2 Other Laundry In Unit Lot Size 871 Square Feet HOA/Maint $440 Website www.viewlisting.i...   DESCRIPTION Welcome home to your Tri-level town home in Wakefield! Great floor plan with 2 bedrooms and laundry on level 2 and on the entire 3rd level is a spacious master bedroom/bath retreat w/cathedral ceiling! Master bath offers tub with separate shower & double vanity sinks. White picket fence entry. Convenient to Triangle Town Center Mall shopping, restaurants and Hwy 540 access! Community pool for your summer enjoym... 06/15/2015

Looking for something fun to do in Raleigh with your kids?  Why not visit Historic Yates County Mill!  Historic Yates County Mill is a great place for families to visit.  The park’s main attraction is an old mill that was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. Yates Mill was only one of 70 grist mills operating in Wake County at one point.  Yates Mill is the last operational Mill.One of the best things to do is walk down to the waterfall.  Follow the path down to the bridge and you will be rewarded with a fantastic view of the mill and the water following over the rocks.  Watch your step on the rocks, it can be slippery at times! Read more about Yates Mill  06/13/2015

As I wrote about last week, my wife and I moved to Raleigh about 3 years ago from just outside of San Diego, in a town called Escondido.  When we made we honestly didn’t know all that much about the area.Which is how come I’m writing this post;  so that other people thinking about making the move might know at least a bit more about the place that we did!  This post is going to be specific to Raleigh, but I also plan on writing similar posts on other areas around here that somebody relocating might be interested in finding out about.Statistics:  2013 Population (Raleigh Specific)*                                                               431,476(Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill Metropolitan Statistical Area)*               1,912,729Population Growth Rate                                   ... 06/08/2015