Best back to school shopping in the Triangle, NC

August is here and that means it's time to get ready for another school year. Shopping for school can often be a hassle but with outlets and malls, it is becoming increasingly popular to find a one-stop shop that makes this task simple. The Triangle is home to many of the most popular malls in North Carolina and these are just a few.

Carolina Premium Outlets

Located approximately 25 miles east of Raleigh, is Smithfield, North Carolina. Carolina Premium Outlets is known to be one of the best outlet malls in North Carolina. Sporting over 80 shops including brand names such as NIKE and Polo Ralph Lauren, the Carolina Premium Outlets has everything you could want and more. Also available at the office is complimentary wheelchairs to assist in making…

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Affordable places to eat in Chapel Hill

Looking for a quick bite in Chapel Hill? There are many excellent restaurants in Chapel Hill, ranging from extravagant bistros to fast and inexpensive eateries. Below are some of my favorite cheap eats in the area.

Sutton's Drug Store

Sutton's is an old-fashioned drug store and soda fountain located on East Franklin Street, right next to UNC's campus. Sutton's has been in business since 1923, and has been owned by John Woodard since 1977. Although the restaurant also offers deli sandwiches, salads, and hotdogs, it is known for its mouth-watering burgers that are served to customers straight off the grill in the back of the store.

Woodard regularly takes photos of customers and hangs them on the restaurant's walls, a tradition that he began in…

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Lawn Care 101: tips to keep your yard looking fresh

We’ve all driven by those houses with the calf-high-brown grass, lack of flowers, and dead garden beds. We’ve also all seen those pristine envy-inducing lawns with their lush grass and gorgeous gardens.   Whether you’re trying to sell or add curb appeal to your home or are just making sure your neighbors don’t get angry, lawn care is important to maintaining your home’s curb appeal.

By spending a little bit of your time fixing your lawn this summer, you can create a stress free oasis on your own property. It just takes a little effort to attain the perfect look. Here are some tips to make the transformation from drab to fab a little bit easier. 

Know Your Grass

First thing’s first, you should know what breed of grass you have, as there…

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stay cool this summer with recipes and activities

Anyone who has lived in North Carolina knows it gets hot in the summer. With temperatures regularly reaching into the 90s, and humidity to match, it can be tough to stay cool during June, July and August.

To help you keep cool during the sweltering summer, here are some ideas for fun treats, activities, and places to go.

Cold Recipes For Hot Days

Here are a few homemade recipes to keep you cool in the North Carolina heat.

  • Homemade healthy fruit pops - Take some of your favorite fruits, puree them in a blender, and pour them into either an ice tray or popsicle molds. Let them freeze overnight.

  • Homemade mint ice cream - Nothing beats homemade ice cream. Follow this simple recipe for some delicious mint chocolate chip ice cream…

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baseball teams in the triangle reagion

“Batter Up!” Summer is here and there is no better way to spend it than outside under the beautiful North Carolina sunshine. The Triangle offers many outdoor activities that are sure to entertain people of all ages. One of the many activities is America’s Past Time, otherwise known as baseball. The Triangle is home to a few minor league baseball teams all within a short thirty minute drive from Chapel Hill.

Durham Bulls

 The Durham Bulls are perhaps one of the most famous minor league teams in the country  due to the movie, Bull Durham. Come and enjoy a night with the bulls in a new stadium  that has infinite amenities, including free Wi-Fi throughout the stadium, and inflatables and  games for the children at the Chick-Fil-A Wool E. World…

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Downtown Cary's revitalization

Downtown Cary’s revitalization is nearly complete and has transformed what had been a relatively ho-hum town center into a vibrant cultural center with much to do for the whole family. Since the beginning of the downtown revitalization project, many unique restaurants and businesses have opened their doors and much has been done in terms of beautification.

The Beginning

One of downtown Cary’s first renovations was the 2011 transformation of the former Cary High School into the Cary Arts Center, where a variety of classes and performances now take  place. Pieces of artwork were placed around the downtown area  as well, giving it a sense of character. The Jones House, a  property originally constructed in 1896, was purchased and  renovated by the…

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buying homes with mold and mildew

If you're buying a home in this area that's more than ten years old, mold (or fungal growth) is a topic that may come up. But the truth is, mold is rarely as serious a problem as some would have you believe.

Here are three important things to understand about mold:

1. Mold is Everywhere

Mold is actually quite common. In fact, it's everywhere. There are more than 100,000 different species of mold, and there is likely mold on every surface you touch and in the air you breathe. Most of the time, it's harmless, though people who suffer from allergies may be more susceptible to mold-related health problems.

When it comes to mold in the home, again there are many different kinds, and it takes a qualified specialist to properly identify molds.…

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Building a safe, at-home woodworking shop

From making small crafts to intricate furniture, woodworking is a rewarding hobby for people of all skill levels. It's also a good way to teach children how to solve problems and build their confidence.

For those people who want to take up woodworking, the garage can be a great place to set up a shop, as long as you don't mind keeping the car in the driveway. But if they're not careful, a woodshop can also cause safety problems.

Here are some safety tips for setting up a home woodworking shop:

Heating Your Workshop

Most garages in this area are not heated, making them difficult to work in during the cold winters. Many homeowners are tempted to solve this problem with a space heater. While they are effective, they can be very…

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Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary real estate market update - Spring 2017

Wow, what happened to spring? What should we expect for the summer?

It seems like spring just started but it's already over and summer is here. The kids are finishing up EOG's and they will be complaining they are bored before we know it. So what happened in the market this spring in the Triangle and what should we expect for the summer?

As we predicted in our Let's get ready for the Spring Market article, buyers faced a challenge here in the Triangle. Prices continued to rise as inventory dropped to historic lows. Most buyers in the Triangle faced multiple offers and selling prices well above asking prices. However, this seems to be the case with all of our competition as prices continue to rise across the east coast.

Below are the updated…

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3 Best International Restaurants in Cary, NC

Although largely known for its great master-planned communities, Cary is also home to an abundance of restaurants offering up savory flavors from around the world. In part due to its diverse population, you can find everything from handmade Italian pasta and fresh sushi, to mouthwatering briskets and spicy samosas.

If you're eager to mix things up for date night or are eager to try something new, here are a few of my personal favorites:

Sushi-Thai

Every Friday and Saturday night, Sushi-Thai is packed with families and friends enjoying great food and company. Staffed by some of the most genuine and personable people I have ever met, dining at Sushi-Thai is always an excellent experience.

In addition to sushi, which is sometimes served in…

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