Triangle Area Real Estate News & Information - Larry Tollen

Lawn Care Tips: 3 Easy Ways To Maintain Your Home's Curb Appeal

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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Cool Recipes, Products, and Activities for Summer!

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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Take Me Out To The Ball Game: Enjoy America’s Past Time In The Triangle

“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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Revitalizing Downtown Cary: Your New Hub For Food, Culture, Activities, & the Arts!

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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3 Things You Need To Know About Mold In Triangle Area Homes

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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How to Set Up a Safe Woodshop in your Garage

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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Discover Cary's Best Restaurants With Flavors From Around The World!

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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3 Must-Do Day Trips In North Carolina

Now that the children are out of school, it is time to find new and interesting ways to entertain them. Here are three day-trips that are must-do in North Carolina. The State provides many activities that are perfect for the whole family. Being centrally located, the Triangle provides an ideal location to explore everything that North Carolina has to offer.

Explore the Mountains at Great Smoky Mountain Railroad

Located approximately 5 hours from the Triangle in the beautiful North Carolina mountains is the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad.

Known for its astounding views and outstanding food, the experience is one-of-a-kind. While riding miles of railroad surrounded by mountains, passengers will be able to view the hundreds of different trees and…

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Millennial Homeowners are More Focused on Financial Success than The American Dream

A family, a job, a home with a white picket fence: all these things are associated with what we call The American Dream. For decades, Americans have pursued this idyllic life. After graduating college, it’s expected that people will get married, settle down, buy a house, and have kids. But today, The American Dream is changing.

Research shows that millennials are changing the definition of The American Dream.

What is a Millennial?

Many news articles and reports these days discuss trends involving the Millennial generation. Just like the Baby Boomers and Generation Z, millennials are one of the six living generations in America today. Millennials are individuals born between 1981-1997, making them one of the largest and most prominent…

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Tips for Maintaining a Backyard Garden in the Triangle

Maintaining a garden in the Triangle can sometimes be a bit tricky. Whether you just want to grow a few tomatoes, or are planning a full vegetable garden, here are some tips for people whose thumbs aren't quite as green as they'd like them to be.

Add Topsoil

The most important part of any garden is the soil, yet it's something many  take for granted. Unfortunately, the soil in many residential  neighborhoods around the Triangle isn't the best for gardening.

Beneath a thin layer of topsoil—just enough to support a lawn—is clay.  Lots of it. It traps water and contains virtually no nutrients that plants need. If you're planning a garden in your backyard, you'll need to build up a bed of topsoil so your plants and vegetables will thrive.

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