Easy Come, Easy Go.....

It came..... it went...... but not without a whole bunch of attention. We did get our snow (almost 7 inches) and it hung around for about 3 days -- plenty of time for the Reccas, and everyone else to go outside and have some fun. Another great thing about North Carolina is - while we don't get much snow, when we do - EVERYTHING shuts down, or delays so everyone can take a deep breath and take advantage of the beauty and the opportunity to share some down time with those who matter most!

With 2-6 Inches of Snow in the Forecast for Raleigh, I Do Believe a Pot of Chili is in Order!!

Finally -- Raleigh, North Carolina is slated to get some snow. We've been waiting all season long. And while that is what many people LOVE about North Carolina - the fact that we don't get much snow -- that is the ONE THING I would change. I LOVE SNOW - the more the better. So bring it on Baby!

In honor of our projected snow forecast, today is going to be the perfect day to drag out mom's recipe and make some chili. EVERYBODY loves chili... and EVERYBODY has their own recipe.

Blaise is from New Jersey and I am from Ohio -- and in Ohio -- we LOVE our chili. Ever heard of Skyline Chili? It is the best -- but impossible to duplicate. I know - I've tried. That's ok though because my mom made the best homemade chili ever, and I'm going to share her recipe with you.

HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED:

1 pound ground beef (sometimes I use ground turkey or a combo of the two)
1 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/2 - 3/4 cup chopped onion
3 tablespoons chili powder
At least! - 2 cloves garlic, minced
2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed tomato soup
1 (15 ounce) can each of Kidney, New Orleans and Chili Beans. I cut the kidney and Chili beans cans in half and only use half but I use the entire Orleans beans can WITH THE LIQUID.
1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

HERE'S WHAT YOU DO:

In a STOCK POT over medium heat, cook ground beef, green pepper, onion, chili powder and garlic, until beef is browned and vegetables are tender. Drain fat off of beef/vegetable mixture.
Add beans, tomato soup, vinegar and cinnamon to soup, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cook on low for at least two hours. I keep a can of tomato juice handy and add a bit to the chili as it's cooking to keep it from cooking down.

(You can also add chili powder, red pepper flakes, etc. to kick it up a bit. It's up to you. Growing up my family did not like spicy food, so my mom's chili was mild, but Blaise likes his chili spicy so we add a ton of spice.)

Here comes the important part - dish it up and sprinkle with LOTS of shredded Cheddar cheese. I like sharp Cheddar. You can serve it in a bowl with our without spaghetti, with or without elbow macaroni, and with or without additional chopped onions on top. We like it loaded with cheese AND onions.

Chili is super hearty and super easy - and leftovers taste even better.
Hope you try this recipe - and Enjoy!

INCREDIBLE HOMES VALUES - here in North Carolina!

We know you've heard how BAD the real estate market is right now . It seems every time we turn on the television there is more bad news about foreclosures and lagging home sales.
Now - Are you ready for some GOOD news? When you DO sell your home (and you WILL) and you find yourself ready, willing and able to finally make your dreams of moving to North Carolina a reality -- there is a BRAND NEW HOME waiting for you here in the Raleigh area for THOUSANDS, and in some cases, TENS OF THOUSANDS of Dollars off, or with THOUSANDS of dollars in incentives or BOTH!

I took time today to search our local Multiple Listing Service for NEWER homes in three popular price ranges (1) $125,000-$175,000, (2) $175,000-$275,000, and (3) $285,000-$400,000 you won't believe what I found. Home values in the Raleigh area are some of the best in the country. Here is a small sampling of the incentives being offered....

In the $125-175,000 price range:
MLS#1632816 is offered at only $149,900. An extraordinary value for this beautiful cape cod style home located in the heart of The Town of Wake Forest, a historic little town just on the outskirts of Raleigh . Wake Forest is a highly sought after area with wonderful schools, several parks, charming historic district and small historic downtown area. It's beautiful tree lined streets and sidewalks invite neighborly gatherings all year long.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THIS HOME: RES - Buyer Full

The Seller of MLS # 162990 is offering to pay $3,000 in closing costs PLUS giving purchasers a $1,000 Home Depot Gift Card. This home is located in the popular Wake County School District, and is currently listed at only $162,200, and the added incentives makes this gorgeous home all the more attractive.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THIS HOME: RES - Buyer Full

In the 175-$275,000 price range:
MLS #1617351 is located in charming and growing Johnston County. This gorgeous home has 1200 square feet upstairs ready to finish making the grand total of square footage 2881. This seller is offering buyers an incentive by paying for closing costs or offering a price reduction. Johnston County boasts many bedroom communities of Wake County only minutes away from Downtown Raleigh, and Research Triangle Park. CLICK HERE TO SEE THIS HOME: RES - Buyer Full

And finally, in the $285-$400,000 price range, hang on to your seat because you're not gonna believe this:
How about a beautiful Parade of Homes Prize Winning 2600+ square foot home, situate on a gorgeous, wooded 1 1/2 acre lot for only $350,000! This stunner is brand new, and located in beautiful Franklin County. Minutes from Raleigh and Research Triangle Park , Franklin County is an up and coming area offering extraordinary value in new construction.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THESE HOMES: RES - Buyer Full

We're not kidding when we tell you week after week in our newsletters that because of the over-
abundance of new construction in North Carolina , builders of new homes and sellers of newer resale homes are offering INCREDIBLE incentives in EVERY price range. Combine this with the super low interest right now and you've got the perfect combination for making your dream of owning a home in beautiful North Carolina a reality!

So - what are you waiting for? Come on down (or up - whatever the case may be!) to North Carolina . Set aside a weekend and let Blaise or I give you a personal tour of the beautiful Triangle area and get you "inside" to see some of these gorgeous homes. Let us help you make your dreams of moving to beautiful North Carolina -- a REALITY today!
And don't forget to check out our Carolina Pines Realty Website where you, yourself can type in those MLS numbers mentioned above, right into our search engine and see not only the homes featured in this newsletter, but search the entire Multiple Listing Service of this area WITHOUT PASSWORDS!

If you find that you have any questions about the information you see here, on our website, please don't hesitate to contact us. It's our pleasure to talk to you and share whatever information and knowledge we have.

NEXT WEEK: Some Spicy HOT Recipes for Cold Winter Days!

First Time Buyers & Sellers Must Read This.....

Happy New Year!

With 2008 Finally Behind Us,
Let’s All Look Forward to the Promise
Of a Joyous, Peaceful and Prosperous 2009.

We hope everyone enjoyed a joyous and peaceful holiday season. We certainly did and we’re back at work and ready to roll up our sleeves to help you accomplish your New Year’s Resolution of finally making a move to North Carolina!!

We wanted to start the year out by sharing with you a recently published New York Times article that addresses the amazing situation first time home buyers are finding themselves in right now. With interest low, inventory high and motivation for sellers extremely high -- buyers could not be in a better position to take the plunge NOW.

And Sellers, this article addresses you too. With interest rates so low, motivated first time home buyers are going to be out and about looking for that perfect dream home – which very well could be the home YOU are trying to sell.

So to all of our Buyers AND Sellers – take a moment and click on this link to read the New York Times article which we think you will find very informative. And be sure to contact us if you have any questions or comments on it.

In the meantime, don’t forget to visit our Carolina Pines Realty website where you can search the Multiple Listing Service with no passwords, as well as find a wealth of information on living, working and playing in North Carolina. Again – Happy New Year to all of our past, present and future clients. We look forward to working with you to make 2009 a very joyous, peaceful and prosperous year!

Blaise & Cathie Recca