Derrick Minor is the Director of Downtown Development for Downtown Raleigh Alliance. Great guy, great knowledge. You can follow him @DerrickMinor. Apologies for beginning and ending being a little rough. Stay with us as we work out the kinks.

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Clymer Cease, AIA

March 27, 2012 (Raleigh, NC) –  Clymer Cease, AIA, a principal at the architecture firm Pearce Brinkley Cease + Lee Architects, has been named board chair of The Downtown Raleigh Alliance (DRA), an organization dedicated to improving and supporting downtown Raleigh’s central business district.

Founded in 1996, DRA focuses on the development of five community services: Clean & Safe Ambassadors, Marketing & Events, Economic Development, Public Space Management, and Membership & Advocacy. The organization is non-profit and is run by community advocates, local business leaders, and government officials.

Cease, an architect with over 35 years of practice, brings years of leadership experience and a broad understanding of city development issues to his new position. As board chair, Cease will work closely with CEO David Diaz and be responsible for leading the board in its agenda, evaluating its performance, and adjusting its priorities to suit its memberships’ needs. Cease will be a chief volunteer of the organization, mediating between noted concerns and executed plans of action.

“Downtown Raleigh is poised for an acceleration of the development that we have seen over the past several years,” Cease said. “Working with David Diaz, the staff, the board, the membership of DRA, and many community partners to create an even more vibrant and diverse downtown is a unique and exciting opportunity”

Cease is a consistently active member of the downtown Raleigh community. He currently serves on the board of directors of the Carolina Ballet, the board of directors of the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce, and he serves as vice chair of the City of Raleigh’s Public Art and Design Board. He is also chair of the board of Triangle Family Services and of the Regional Transportation Alliance. Cease’s experience, providing leadership for complex projects, has pushed him to work within multiple facets of the city community.

“Raleigh and our region have long been identified as among the best places in the world to live and work,” Cease said. “The decisions that yielded that recognition go back decades and were expanded by successive generations of leaders. We have a responsibility to maintain the momentum of downtown Raleigh and to drive the progress of the globally competitive city that is emerging.”

Clymer Cease graduated with a Master of Architecture degree from Georgia Institute of Technology and with a Bachelor of Environmental Design degree from North Carolina State University’s College of Design. He has designed an array of buildings including facilities for colleges and universities, corporations, museums, schools, and other public institutions.

For more information on Cease or Pearce Brinkley Cease + Lee, visit www.pbclarchitecture.com.

For more information on the Downtown Raleigh Alliance visit www.godowntownraleigh.com.

What should a professional video about you say about your company?

1.  The video should be short and to the point

2.  Your video should show what you do, who you are as a business person, so that your potential client can make a firm decision about contacting you

3.  Your video should have all your contact information on it

4.  The video should be free of all things that are not professional – from equipment on

http://www.godowntownraleigh.com/

On March 9th, 2012, I met with David Diaz, the Executive Director of the Downtown Raleigh Alliance (nonprofit organization created to revitalize Raleigh’s central business district), to discuss my homelessness research project. David has been involved in the Partnership to End Homelessness as a prior board member, and he understands a lot of the issues involved.  He also sees things from another vantage point — as the person advocating for the residents, property owners, businesses, and other stakeholders who live and work downtown.

The Downtown Raleigh Alliance works to make Downtown Raleigh a vibrant and attractive city-center.  David grew up in the inner city of Philly and he understands that the homeless and the poor are part of any city-scape.  Equally, he sees his organization as a facilitator and partner in changing the status-quo and finding innovative solutions to the problem of homelessness in Raleigh.Community Development Block Grants.

I asked David about his wish list: “What would you like, from your point of view?”  He said, “I wish we had a tool to educate and empower residents, visitors and businesses, so they have information resources they can share when they encounter a homeless person.”

He informed me that Wake County has the primary role when it comes to coordinating and providing the service needs of the homelessness.  The city of Raleigh’s primary role is using Community Development Block Grants and bond funds for housing the homeless. David also mentioned Gregg Warren at the Downtown Housing Improvement Corporation across the street from him — DHIC builds supportive housing for low income people.  I followed up with Gregg right away (more in a future post).

Map of Restaurants from Raleigh Downtown's Website

David said, “Downtown is the public square — long after you and I are gone, it will be where people commemorate, celebrate, loiter and panhandle.  Thus, we have to manage the downtown in a way that is open to all but is also friendly and welcoming. We now have over 3 million visitors that come to downtown annually.  Moore Square has a concentration of social service agencies and a transit station that can at times make it seem as though there are more loiterers than transit or social service users. We hope to work with the community on improving this area.”

It’s clear that he doesn’t just see himself as a representative of the rich or business interests alone, he sees the city as a dynamic representation of all strata of society. “We are trying to bring a 25,000 square foot grocery store to downtown but our median income is too low to attract businesses.  So for those who say that Downtown Raleigh is unaffordable for the poor don’t understand the current demographics of the area.  By the way, if we do manage to bring this store, it will create jobs for lower-income residents of the downtown area.”

I’m really glad I was able to meet David and get his perspective.  I sincerely believe that to be successful my project must be something business owners, residents, and visitors can get excited about and ultimately feel a part of.  He represents those groups — and I hope we can partner to create-from-thin-air something truly innovative together.

Long after we’re dead and gone, it’s possible that what started here as an itty-bitty research project will resemble a stately oak tree on Moore’s Square, with roots in the community deep and wide.  My meeting with David and so many others I’ve spoken to and met with over the past five weeks (since I began) has told me I’m not alone, and many of us want to effect this change.  As an outsider looking in, I am slowly stitching together the canvas of what exists, but more importantly figuring out what’s needed to close the gaping holes in the system.  The goal in the next few weeks will be to write a report to summarize my key findings and then prioritize a single do-able high-impact project that benefits as many stakeholders as possible (not just the homeless but the community at large).  Watch this space!  Sign up for updates or ‘Like’ homelessincarolina on Facebook.

To David and all the others who’ve taught me, guided me, and answered my research questions — thank you!  I am in your debt.  At the very least, publishing my research findings on this blog shares your work/message/wisdom to citizens and policy makers.  But of course, all of us want more out of this process of discovery — a whole lot more.

• As a visitor to Downtown Raleigh, what resources would you like to see when you encounter a homeless person?  What ideas do you have?
• As a business owner or resident in Downtown Raleigh, what are your biggest issues around homelessness?  Would you like to be involved in this project?

Write a constructive comment below or feel free to send a confidential email to homelessincarolina@gmail.com

While you shop, enjoy afternoon performances by outdoor entertainers. A third R-LINE bus will circulate throughout the event making headways even shorter than usual, and ample FREE parking will be available! Shoppers are encouraged to continue the seasonal celebrations at the AT&T Raleigh Winterfest kickoff starting at 4 pm on Saturday, December 4 in City Plaza.

Attention First Time Home buyers...This could be yours!!!

As a real estate professional, the best part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 is the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit. The credit is designed to encourage first time home buyer to get into home ownership at a time when the housing market has been struggling. Combine this tax credit with the fact that home prices and interest rates are at historical lows, and it is an ideal time for many first-time home buyers to purchase a home, NOW!

According to the bill, a first time home buyer is defined as someone who has not owned a home in the last three years. Additionally, single taxpayers with inocmes up to $75,000 and married couples with incomes up to $150,000 qualify for the full tax credit. This credit cannot be used to purchase the home from a related party like a spouse, direct ancestor, or direct lineal descendant, but can be used to purchase a home from siblings, nephews, nieces and other such relatives.

If you are married, then both spouses must be first-time home buyers. Finally, if more than one unmarried individual is buying the property, the credit can be split up among all the individuals who qualify, but the total credit taken cannot exceed $7,500 for homes purchased in 2008 and $8,000 for homes purchased in 2009.

For homes purchased between January 1, 2009 and December 1, 2009, the credit amounts is for up to 10% of the purchase price of the home and not to exceed $8,000. Furthermore, the tax credit does not need to be paid back if you continue living in the home as your primary residence for three years without selling it.

The tax credit works as a special provision that reduces income tax liability on a dollar for dollar basis. When filing a tax return, you must include income items, deduction items and the number of exemptions to figure your total tax liability. For instance, if your total tax liability for the year is $8,000 and you qualify for the full $8,000 tax credit, this credit would wipe out all of the tax due If your employer already deducted the $8,000 from your pay checks throughout the year, you would receive a tax refund of $8,000. If you owe less than $8,000 in taxes for the year, you are still eligible for the full $8,000 credit when you file your tax returns. In this case, the IRS will write you a check for the difference between $8,000 and your actual tax bill.

This means a great deal for the Raleigh real estate market as it will allow and encourage many more buyers into the market than are currently there. Potential home owners who have been waiting to see the bottom before buying can have some new assurances that even if they do not get the “rock bottom” price, they can still buy and the tax credit may offset the “would-be” rock bottom price. This may be all that the Raleigh market will need to return the market back to a semblance of its prime in 2006.

Despite this Recovery package, the economy will not rebound completely and immediately. It will gradually improve and take some time for the economy to totally recover. In fact, many experts predict that the economy will begin to improve during the second half of 2009 and unemployment will continue to increase into 2010.

For more information about this tax credit or the housing market in the Triangle, please feel free to contact me as I enjoy speaking about Raleigh and real estate. Remember the wise Biblical words, “This too shall pass”.

By Steven W. Nelson

Dated: 1/30/09        

Raleigh, NC-Steven W. Nelson, a broker with Keller Williams Realty-North Raleigh has been granted the coveted Accredited Buyer’s Representative designation (ABR) by the Real Estate Buyer Agent Council (REBAC).

The Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR®) designation is the benchmark of excellence in buyer representation. This coveted designation is awarded to real estate practitioners by the Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council (“REBAC”) of the National Association of REALTORS® who meet the specified educational and practical experience criteria. 

“I am honored to earn such a designation as it represents the highest quality of representation a buyer can expect to receive”, replied Steven. “This designation shows that I have put the effort to be the best agent I can for my buyers and have worked hard to meet their needs.”

Home buyers can be assured that ABR designees subscribe to the strict REALTOR Code of Ethics, have access to the latest technology, and are specialists in helping their buyer clients have ful and aggressive representation when buying a home.

There are four major requirements to attain the ABR designation:

·         Completion of a 2-day ABR core course through an accredited course provider,

·         Completion of one approved elective course,

·         Passing a written examination on the legal and practical aspects of agency representation,

·         Practical experience requirement of acting as a buyer’s representative in five documented and verifiable transactions.

“The values that are attributed to the ABR designation show my past and future clients that I am committed to the highest standard with respect to my representation of them. It naturally feeds into my slogan, Honesty, Integrity, RESULTS,” added Nelson.

Steven W. Nelson joins more than 30,000 real estate professional in North America who have earned the ABR designation.

About REBAC and the Accredited Buyer’s Representative Designation

REBAC was founded in 1988 and currently has more than 40,000 members throughout the world. REBAC is the world’s largest association of real estate professionals focusing specifically on representing the real estate buyer.

About Steven W. Nelson and Keller Williams Realty

Steven is a licensed broker for Keller Williams with nearly 9 years of experience. He has lived in Raleigh for nearly 12 years and has a tireless knowledge of the Triangle market. Steven is an active member of his community as Chairman of the Young Executives at the Capital City Club, member of the Rotary Club of North Raleigh, Committee member of the Big Bad Ball, a black tie charity event to support Hospice of Wake County, volunteer for Jimmy V Celebrity Golf Tournament and Susan G. Koman Race for the Cure among many other activities. For more information about the Triangle market or Steven, please visit his website at www.StevenWNelsonHomes.com.

Contact Steven W. Nelson of Keller Williams Realty by calling 919-604-6135 or email Steven at StevenWNelson@gmail.com.

Keller Williams Realty-North Raleigh

Phone: 919-604-6135

Fax: 919-256-7547

Email: StevenWNelson@gmail.com                                                             

2484 Sapphire Valley Drive

Great 3 bedroom 2.5 bath home in an established golf course community in Northeast Raleigh, minutes from I-440/Beltline and downtown Raleigh. This home offers a spacious family room with gas fireplace, oversized master bedroom and eat-in kitchen. This home also offers community ammenities such as clubhouse, pool, tennis courts, and access to Raleigh Greenway. Hedingham offers a wonderful golf course and great fishing ponds for residents. Home offers close proximity to playground, golf course, and greenway. GREAT STATER HOME AND PRICED TO SELL!!!

This home is close to shopping with a new shopping center less than 2 miles from this home. The shopping center has a new Wal-Mart Supercenter, Ruby Tuesday and many more stores to enhance your new lifestyle. Further east is an even newer shopping center that has a Home Depot, Target, Kohls, Best Buy and any more great stores. Home is minutes from I-540 for an easy commute to RTP and the airport.

Experience a quality lifestyle with the many ammenities that this lovely community has to offer. Relax on the fishing dock or take a leasure hike on the Greenway. Experience an urban lifestyle as this home is only minutes from downtown Raleigh and the theaters and restaurants there.

For more information about this great home, please visit my website at StevenWNelsonHomes.com.

Steven W. Nelson, Broker Keller Williams Realty-N. Raleigh

We made dinner reservations online and were able to get an 8pm time. This is a little later than I typically eat, but it was a weekend and we were up for a nice casual dinner.

My first impression of this fine eatery was one of gratitude that we now had another upscale, urban-style restaurant that would be impressive to new residents who may have moved here from a larger city. As a real estate agent, I am always looking at new businesses to the area and deciding if this would appeal to my clientele. The elegant and modern decor set a mood that this would be an upscale dining experience.

Many of the tables were separated by shear curtains that were opaque that set a theme of an intimate dinner. The chairs were very comfortable as they were padded to add to the level of comfort that this restaurant affords.

As we were seated, it was not long before a very helpful and informative waiter came to take our drink orders. A manager stopped by our table to ask if we were enjoying ourselves and if we needed anything. As we mentioned that it was our first time dinning here, he took a few extra minutes to welcome us and make us feel welcomed.

The menu is very extensive with many options for any taste-bud. I went with the New York Strip steak while my wife ordered the scallops. The dinner menu is a-la-carte, so we also ordered a couple of side dishes. We had the loaded mashed potatoes, which was some of the best I have had. Also, we had the Broccoli, which I was not a huge fan of as I like my broccoli to be more crispier as this not.

It did not take very long for our meal to be prepared and brought to our table. My wife commented that the scallops were well prepared and the portion was wonderful. My steak was cooked to the “medium” I had asked and the flavored butter that was placed on top of my steak was simply wonderful.

Desert came with a bang as their selection was good. My wife had the Creme’ Brulee and I went with the Flourless Chocolate Torte. My desert was very rich in taste as it should be and I found it difficult to restrain myself from eating the entire torte.

After the wonderful dinner, we strolled up the stairs to the Lounge to investigate the second floor. The lounge was well designed with ample seating as well as sofa lounge areas for intimate gatherings. The bartender was very pleasant and attentive. My wife found a flavored martini to suit her. Being a 40 couple, we are not accustomed to staying out too late at clubs/bars, but we thoroughly enjoyed experiencing the lounge.

As we left, I wanted to ascend to the Rooftop to check it out, but she did not wish to and we left. The valet was efficient in retrieving our car. Although, I think the valets should be paid when we return for the car as most places do it. Nonetheless, the experience was very pleasant and Jan and I will return again to this spot. Maybe next time, we can come early for a drink on the rooftop, then have dinner.

For more information about this restaurant or to make reservations, please visit their website at http://www.solasraleigh.com/.

Home stagging is the art of using limited funds and practical creativity to professionally bring out the home’s best potential. This makes the home more attractive to buyers and increases profits in two ways: it increases the value of the property and decreases the time on the market, saving mortgage payments, taxes, etc. Staging involves de-personalizing the home in order for the potential buyer to see themselves living there. Staging includes de-cluttering, rearranging furniture, adding accessories, and making additional recommendations to complete the look of the home. 

Statistics show that professionally staged homes sell for 6%-10% more, which can make a difference of $18,000 to $30,000 for the average homeowner! Remember, this is an investment in your home, not an expense. It can increase profits and reduce exenses by staying on the market less time and not having to reduce your price when it does not sell. In today’s real estate market, it is important to stand out from the crowd and to sell your home for its highest potential.

It is extremely difficult for a homeowner to stage their own home since they lack the objectivity required. Pieces of furniture and keepsakes are like “old friends” and your personal taste is throughout the home. A professional home stager can come in with a “buyer’s eyes”, be objective and de-personalize your home, maximizing it’s marketing potential.

Professional realtors simply do not have the time or resources to professionally stage your home. Their time is better spent marketing and showing your home to potential buyers instead of spending hours rearranging furniture and shopping for accessories.

It is difficult for buyer’s to see the potential in a home. Only about 10% of buyers who walk through your home can visualize its potential, which means you loosing 90% of your potential buyers! They immediately notice “this is too crowed”, “this is too dark”, “this is too small”, etc. Even though buyers have logical criteria, their decision to buy is an emotional one. Think about a model home, it is designed to allow anyone to be able to visualize living there.

The internet is full of information about home staging and I encourage you to research it. As an agent, I have yet to use a stager for one of my homes, but after meeting this lady, I plan to use her to see if the result is positive.

Downtown Raleigh at Night

I had a very interesting meeting this morning from the Membership Director of the Downtown Raleigh Alliance. She came to my office this morning to give me some membership information about this organization whose sole purpose it to better the downtown area of Raleigh. I actually met the Director last week at a luncheon he spoke and mentioned my interest in the group. So, she scheduled a time to come to my office to speak with me about it.

Some of the things that the Downtown Raleigh Alliance promotes and supports are the First Friday, which is an event that they sponsor on the first Friday of every month to introduce the downtown dining, art gallaries, and other businesses to the community. As part of the First Friday events, they have a live music and of course, art galleries. My wife and I may have to participate in a First Friday event to learn more about it.

Another event they sponsor is the Moore Square Farmer’s Market every Wednesday through August. Wednesday may appear to be a strange day to have a Farmer’s Market, but as many people work in downtown, but do not live there, it should gain much support, especially as more people learn about it. They can stop by during their lunch breaks and buy fresh produce, then take it to their vehicles until the go home from work. I am not usually downtown for lunches unless I have a meeting, but I may have to check it out next year when it picks up again. Again, my wife does most of the shopping for us, but it may be interesting anyway.

One thing that I feel is a great service that they provide is the Downtown Ambassadors. They have both Clean Ambassadors and Safety Ambassadors. The Clean Ambassadors devote much of their time to keeping the downtown area clean by daily litter pickup, sidewalk sweepers, and graffiti removal. The Safety Ambassadors will assist residence and visitors with parking information, directions, dining and shopping attractions, emergency assistance, escorting service, and downtown parking deck security. This is a major cause for the Downtown Alliance and one that all major downtown’s have in place. The service they give is immense.

The Downtown Raleigh Alliance also has numerous networking events and an Annual Meeting to help business leaders to both network and conduct business together. Many of the business members offer discounts to other members and work together to better the downtown area. Raleigh is fortunate to have such an organization and the new Director has been an asset in his short time with the Alliance.

I must speak with my wife about it, but I think I would be honored to be a member of such an organization as I am a huge fan of the renaissance that is happening is Downtown Raleigh. I can foresee that the actual downtown area will expand as more people see the benefit of living there and a greater increase in population demands a more urban lifestyle.