Real Estate News
T R I A N G L E
page 2
home design dedicated to showcasing the triangle’s distinctive homes
“People are drawn to the area for the charm of small-town living—low crime, rich history, casual style—but with the amenities of an urban environment nearby.” – Megan Sandidge, Hodge & Kittrell Sotheby’s International Realty
Tantalizing towns Fuquay-Varina and Willow Spring boast country charm with city convenience
- story on page 4
real estate news What’s new p2
design instyle Novel idea p8
designer spotlight
Phoebe Howard of Mrs. Howard and Max & Company p12
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION . THE NEWS & OBSERVER . SUNDAY, APRIL 7, 2019
straight talk Lawn business p14
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|real estate news
what’s new? compiled by Whitney Berongi
MERITAGE HOMES TO DEVELOP 135 NEW HOMES AT LAKEVIEW IN FUQUAYVARINA Construction of the newest Meritage Homes community, Lakeview, is projected to start in late summer and is expected to include two-story single-family homes on 135 lots in Fuquay-Varina. Six floor plans will range in size from 1,658 to 2,697 square feet, and each home includes Meritage’s signature energy efficiency features and M. Connect Home Automation Suite. Home sales are expected to begin in fall 2019. Located off Old Honeycutt Road, Lakeview homeowners will enjoy open common space, cul-de-sacs and energy-efficient plans. In addition to being located next to the new South Lakes Elementary School, Lakeview is convenient to downtown Fuquay-Varina with quaint local shopping and dining. For more information or to sign up for the interest list, email the Meritage Contact Center at contact.center@meritagehomes.com. CLARK TOWNHOMES CELEBRATES CONSTRUCTION UNDERWAY Henry Lambert, principal of Lambert Development, has announced that construction is underway at Clark Townhomes, with framing starting soon and an estimated delivery date of late this year. Clark Townhomes will consist of 11
Wayside Furniture House
designer residences in the mid $900,000s to $1 million-plus price range. The light-filled luxury homes cater to those in search of modern, low maintenance living near one of Raleigh’s most desirable locations, Cameron Village. Each home at Clark Townhomes will feature a personal courtyard and expansive rooftop terrace with private elevator and enclosed staircase access. A dining balcony adjoining each home’s dining room via glass doors will provide additional outdoor living options. Interiors will include 10-foot ceilings on the living and bedroom levels, site-finished hardwood flooring and kitchens with quartz countertops, custom cabinets and stainless steel appliances. Luxurious baths will be standard, as well as garage parking and ample garage storage. Deposits are currently being taken for Clark Townhome plans ranging from 2,500 to 2,700 square feet. Chappell Residential is representing Lambert Development on sales for Clark Townhomes. For more information, call 919-670-0022 or visit ClarkTownhomes.com. TERRAMOR HOMES TAKES HOME MULTIPLE WINS AT 2019 MAME AWARDS Terramor Homes was recently recognized at the 2019 Major Achievements in Marketing Excellence Awards, hosted by the Home Builders Associations of Wake and Durham, Orange and Chatham counties. Terramor accepted an award for Best Email Marketing Campaign while Kristy Pollard was recognized as Internet Sales Counselor of the Year. Jon Rooker, area manager for Terramor Homes, took home 2019 Superintendent of the Year in the category closing 31-plus homes a year. Additionally, the Terramor Homes sales team accepted nine Builder Representatives awards for dollar volume in the prestigious Million Dollar Circle. For more information, visit TerramorHomes.com. Email real estate news to TriangleHomeDesign@newsobserver.com.
T R I A N G L E
home design Editor
Christina Darnell
Coordinator/Designer
Melissa Kennelly
Creative Strategy Buck Brice
Real Estate Marketing Consultant
Katina Faulkner, kfaulkner@newsobserver.com 919-836-5999
Advertising Sales Manager Becky Halliday, 925-382-6594
SALE
Custom Order Upholstered Beds. Design the bed with all your personal taste! Select your shape, size & details in hundreds of fabrics. Custom Interior Design Services Available North Raleigh 5640 Capital Boulevard 919-954-0025 Monday through Friday 10-6 • Saturday 10-5:00 • Closed Sunday
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Section published by The News & Observer • 421 Fayetteville St. Suite 104 Raleigh, NC 27601. Editorial material in this section is the responsibility of the Observer Content Studio, 704-358-5185. It did not involve the news staff of The Observer.
Is there a neighborhood you’d like to see featured? Do you know of a new design trend on the rise? Did you use one of our ideas for your own home or home purchase?
We’d love to hear from you.
TriangleHomeDesign@newsobserver.com
facebook.com/TriangleHomeDesign *Copyright 2019 by The News & Observer. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or reprinted without written permission.
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION . THE NEWS & OBSERVER . SUNDAY, APRIL 7, 2019
THIS IS A PAID ADVERTISMENT
NEW HOUSE, NEW YARD
NEW CHALLENGES HERE’S TEN TIPS FROM LOGAN’S GARDEN SHOP (RALEIGH) & GARDEN SUPPLY COMPANY (CARY) FOR NEW HOMEOWNERS!
1. Water Your Lawn & Garden Frequently 2. Know Your Hardiness Zone 3. Make a Plan 4. Reseed & Fertilize 5. Use The Best Weed Killer (Ask us!) 6. Don’t Over-Mow! 7. Consider Planting in the Container 8. Deadhead Flowers Regularly 9. Use the Right Tools for the Job 10. Visit Your Local Garden Center
FOR ALL YOUR GARDEN & LANDSCAPE NEEDS 707 SEMART DRIVE RALEIGH, NC 27604 919-828-5337 INFO@LOGANTRD.COM LOGANTRD.COM
1421 OLD APEX ROAD CARY, NC, 27513 919.460.7747 INFO@GARDENSUPPLYCO.COM GARDENSUPPLYCO.COM
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FIND & FOLLOW US
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|living in Fuquay-Varina/Willow Spring
by Lisa Daniels
EAT
Aviator Brewing Company Try Aviator’s craft brews at their local Tap House, or alongside delicious house smoked meats, wings and burgers at their Smokehouse. aviatorbrew.com
PLAY
Splash Pad Open from June to September, the Splash Pad at South Park is a favorite destination for kids. With a 6,000-square-foot pad and more than 35 water features spraying multiple jets of water, it’s a perfect way to beat the heat on a summer day. fuquay-varina.org
EXPLORE
KnB’s Marketplace Hunt for vintage, one-of-a-kind furniture, collectibles, jewelry and more at this 5,000-square-foot antiques mall housing around 40 different vendors in downtown Fuquay-Varina. knbmarketplace.wordpress.com
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A
short drive south of Raleigh, two small but growing towns are catching the eye of home buyers who want beautiful homes on spacious lots. Fuquay-Varina and Willow Spring also offer a convenient commute to both downtown Raleigh and the RTP airport. Fuquay-Varina, located in Wake County, was formed in 1963 when the towns of Fuquay Springs and Varina merged. It is larger and more densely developed than Willow Spring, and because of rapid recent growth, its population has doubled over the last 10 years. “Fuquay-Varina has transitioned out of an agricultural economy to being more of a community of commuters to Raleigh and RTP,” says Megan Sandidge with Hodge & Kittrell Sotheby’s International Realty. “People are drawn to the area for the charm of small-town living—low crime, rich history, casual style— but with the amenities of an urban environment nearby.” History plays an important role in the Fuquay-Varina of today, and evidence of its past can be found throughout the town. In the mid19th century, local tobacco farmer Stephen Fuquay discovered a mineral spring that he believed boasted healing properties. The promise of beneficial waters lured visitors from neighboring towns. As its popularity grew, hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues popped up to accommodate tourists. In the 1890s, trains from Raleigh
transported those wanting to visit Fuquay Mineral Springs, and eventually the Fuquay Springs Corporation was formed to bottle and sell the mineral water. But then advances in cars and roads in the early 1900s made the Carolina coast more accessible, and tourists left the spring behind in favor of the beach. Today, the spring is commemorated at Fuquay Mineral Spring Park, where visitors can see a restored springhouse and enjoy the outdoors. The Fuquay Springs Historic District, Varina Commercial Historic District and Fuquay-Varina Museums Complex all offer a further glimpse into the town’s rich and interesting past. The merger of the two towns left Fuquay-Varina with two downtown districts, where unique shops and restaurants continue to pop up. Innovative concepts like The Mill call downtown Fuquay-Varina home. This hip, industrial space serves local craft beers, wine and locally roasted coffee, a retail shop and event space, and regularly hosts food trucks and live music. Next to Fuquay-Varina, the town of Willow Spring (or Willow Springs, depending on who you ask) straddles the county line between Johnston and Wake counties. It’s the perfect location for those who want to live in the country, but don’t want to give up shopping and dining. “It provides the rural community that more people are desiring,” says Lezlie Struble with Envite
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Realty. “It’s a lifestyle.” Both towns are great options for home buyers, who can find generous-sized homes with large lots at a reasonable price. “First-time buyers are attracted to the area since there is little inventory in Raleigh, Cary and Apex under $200,000—and if there is, there is most likely a bidding war for it,” says Mick Bodino with Keller Williams Realty Cary. Seasoned home buyers wanting more land with their home also find Fuquay-Varina appealing. “Despite the town’s growth, you can still drive through the area and see farmland and horses. It’s a great location to raise a family and feel a sense of community,” says Struble. In Fuquay-Varina, the majority of homes on the market are new construction, and new developments are thriving. “Fuquay-Varina also has a nice selection of townhomes—something you don’t find in Willow Spring, where the houses are all detached, single-family homes,” Bodino adds. The small-town sense of community that’s so important to the area’s residents is cultivated through events and festivals. From packed Friday night high school football games to exciting annual happenings like the International Cultural Festival (April), Follow Me 2 Fuquay-Varina Concert Series (April), En Plein Air Paint-off (May) and Celebrate Fuquay-Varina (October), the area’s events welcome neighbors from near and far.
living in Fuquay-Varina/Willow Spring|
5132 Doughtymews Lane, Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526 Price: $899,900 MLS: 2231968 Listing Agent: April Stephens, The April Stephens Team RE/MAX One Realty II, 919-651-HOME, April@AprilStephens.com
5105 Huntley Grove Court, Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526 Price: $839,900 MLS: 2242351 Listing Agent: Mick Bodino, Keller Williams Realty Cary, 919-741-2483, mick@mickbodino.com
Stunning custom home on 1.79 acres in High Grove. Meticulously maintained, featuring pristine hardwood floors, open and spacious living area, stone bar with granite countertops, brick-and-stone stove surround, walk-in pantry, additional master suite on the first floor and a three-car garage. Second floor features huge master suite with his-and-hers walk-inclosets, a fireplace and terrace, and three large bedrooms. Third floor could be finished for additional footage.
This majestic, lodge-style home has a mountain retreat feel and Old World architectural elements. Brick, stone and wood exterior. Inside features exposed wood beams, open floor plan, site-finished hardwood and tile floors, stone fireplace and soaring ceilings. Kitchen has granite countertops, tile backsplash, six-burner gas cooktop and double ovens. First-floor master, second-floor bonus/bedroom and bath, finished basement with family room, exercise room, office, guest suite, kitchenette and three additional full baths.
105 Birchland Drive, Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526 Price: $749,900 MLS: 2239599 Listing Agent: Lezlie Struble, Envite Realty, 919-264-9530, Lezlie@ enviterealty.com
5012 Darcy Woods Lane, Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526 Price: $565,900 MLS: 2239811 Listing Agent: Gilliam Kittrell, Hodge & Kittrell Sotheby’s International Realty, 919-880-0283, gilliam.kittrell@hodgekittrellsir.com
Stately country home on 3.3 acres. Custom-built, open concept floor plan with stone fireplace, hardwood floors and wall of windows. Gourmet kitchen with stainless steel, granite, gas cooktop, island and solid wood cabinets. Extensive crown molding. Huge first-floor master with tray ceiling, upgraded spa-like bath with soaking tub, tile shower, granite and tile plank floors. Outside features heated saltwater pool, large deck, fourcar garage and workshop.
Relax and enjoy the peaceful lifestyle of this immaculate residence in desirable High Grove. The open chef’s kitchen features GE stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, gas cooktop and a sunny breakfast area opening into the two-story family room. Spacious first-floor master with gas fireplace, cozy sitting room and spa-styled bath. Other features include beautiful 1.16-acre lot, screened porch, outdoor patio and fireplace, three-car garage and two-story foyer.
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION . THE NEWS & OBSERVER . SUNDAY, APRIL 7, 2019
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|living in Fuquay-Varina/Willow Spring 8204 Yellow Aster Court Willow Spring, NC 27592 Price: $425,000 MLS: 2230702 Listing Agent: David Wilson, Carolina’s Choice Real Estate, 919-844-1152, David@ CarolinasChoiceRealEstate.com This fantastic custom home, nestled at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac, is loaded with extras. Extensive millwork, hardwoods throughout, formal dining with tray ceiling, spacious family room with gas fireplace and tiled sunroom with vaulted ceiling. Gourmet kitchen offers custom cabinets, granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. First-floor master with oversized tile shower, soaking tub and two walk-in closets. Large bonus room with built-ins and half bath. Amazing backyard with fruit trees, garden, shed and wooded views.
7637 Ladora Drive Willow Spring, NC 27592 Price: $369,500 MLS: 2237437 Listing Agent: Chad A. Conley, Clover Realty brokered by eXp Realty, 919-815-4686, chad@cloverrealtyfirm.com This meticulous home, located on a cul-desac in the Bloomfield subdivision, has all a family needs. Four-bedroom/3.5-bath home with spacious third-floor bonus room with a full bath. Master bedroom has en suite and large walk-in closet. Laundry on second floor. Outside, two screened patios with a gas fireplace, garden shed and privacy fence. Great neighborhood away from city life, yet close to all necessities.
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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION . THE NEWS & OBSERVER . SUNDAY, APRIL 7, 2019
living in Fuquay-Varina/Willow Spring| 1621 Struble Circle Willow Spring, NC 27592 Price: $368,000 MLS: 2226315 Listing Agent: Lewis Beynon, Century 21 Triangle Group, 919-475-6329, LewBRealty@ gmail.com Custom home features 9-foot ceilings and impressive first floor master with tray ceiling, split vanities and huge walk-in closet. Gourmet kitchen features lots of cabinets, granite, backsplash and vented hood. A coffered ceiling adds elegance to the formal dining room. First-floor office could be used as fifth bedroom. Second floor has huge bonus room and three bedrooms. Backyard features screened-in deck, open deck and patio with firepit.
3109 Doulton Lane Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526 Price: $365,000 MLS: 2245289 Listing Agent: Annette Holt and Davis Holt, The Results Team, LLC at Remax United, 919-295-0986, team@raleightrianglehomesnc.com Updated and on-trend, this spacious, movein ready home has room for everyone. Three large bedrooms, bonus room and third-floor flex space. Upgraded kitchen with white cabinetry, new flooring, custom tile backsplash and stainless appliances, including new dishwasher and beverage fridge. Ample storage in walk-in attic. Situated on .73 acres with a fenced backyard, spacious deck and front porch.
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION . THE NEWS & OBSERVER . SUNDAY, APRIL 7, 2019
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|design instyle
Organize your home office reference books inside beautiful cabinets, like these Delano iron door cabinets, that coordinate with your room’s décor / ballarddesigns.com
Novel idea
The art of decorating with books by Vicki Payne
I
have book envy. Every time I see a beautifully designed room in a magazine or online, I notice a well curated book collection. It may be so understated that few even notice—but the effect is dramatic. I admit that I shop for books based on the color of their
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jacket or binding. Or I might buy a book because of the title or the stylish script written on the spine, because I’m searching for books that share the overall color palette or theme of the room I’m decorating. Designers make style statements with color-coordinating
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION . THE NEWS & OBSERVER . SUNDAY, APRIL 7, 2019
SPRING PIANO SALE
Choose from New and Pre-Owned Bechstein, Kawai, Yamaha, Steinway, Pearl River, Ritmuller, Lowrey, Story & Clark, and others.
Piano Moving Available
Financing, Lessons, Delivery, Tuning, and Warranty Available.
Oak Park Shopping Ctr • 6015 Glenwood Ave./ Hwy 70W • Raleigh • 1-888-782-8391 • 782-8391
Imagine your home, totally organized! Gold is spread through this room setting via book placement on bookshelves, the coffee table and end table / ballarddesigns.com
books. Designer Billy Ceglia wraps books in plain white paper to create a clean-cut sophisticated style. Chad James fills his clients’ shelves with the creamy pages facing outward for a uniform look. Shopping flea markets and charity outlets is time consuming, and antique shop prices—well, they can be budget busters. Booth & Williams, an Atlanta based company, has taken the grind out of finding or creating beautiful book collections. Processing over one million books a year, this company has really found their niche in the design world. They recently supplied and placed 13,500 books in a blend of tans, cool grays and ocean shades for the Hotel Bennett in Charleston, South Carolina.
They sell books based on their design influence. You can purchase books in more than 90 shades of colors by the foot, or fill a complete library based on content. The Midcentury Sunset Ombre collection contains authentic midcentury hardback decorative books in vibrant and blended shades of red, orange and yellow. All books are published between 1940 and 1969 and include a variety of fiction and non-fiction titles. Each collection will vary. If you’re looking for design inspiration for your child or grandchild’s room, consider their Vintage Children’s book–Whitman Collection. Twenty vintage children’s books featuring classic stories written for children published by Whitman
40% Off
Plus Free Installation Expires 5-31-19
Call for a free in home design consultation and estimate.
919-850-9030
Licensed and Insured Locally Owned and Operated
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION . THE NEWS & OBSERVER . SUNDAY, APRIL 7, 2019
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Pink is one of this season’s hottest looks. Keep your furniture slim and light in color. Accessories and books in white, soft tan and sage decorate the shelves, walls and furniture / ballarddesigns.com
Curated children’s library by the foot / boothandwilliams.com
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Publishing Company between 1954 and 1966. Color is key, but so is size. Creating a color blended collection of books, artfully stacked to create interest, is primary to fashioning a striking coffee table display. All interesting tabletops and bookshelf displays have one thing in common—elevation. There is an art to using books as props. When mixed with other accessory items like a small vase of fresh flowers or one-off eclectic items, books become pedestals. When they are being used
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION . THE NEWS & OBSERVER . SUNDAY, APRIL 7, 2019
this way, keep the colors uniform. The stack should either be all the same size or stacked as a pyramid. Hate your common bookshelf display? Or perhaps it’s all wrong, and you don’t know where to start. I’ll tell you—clear the shelves. As you do, organize your books by color and then size. What color(s) could make this room pop? If those colors are not represented in your collection, you can purchase them or wrap the books in colored paper. Arrange your books by color and height on the shelves. If you have a lot
of books, don’t be afraid to fill one or two shelves completely, but keep the color and heights in mind as you place them. The objective is an interesting or thoughtful mix. Slide all standing books forward to create an even row of spines across the front of the shelf. No bookends? No worries. Use a horizontal stack of books to hold a short or long row of vertical books. Top that stack with a small accessory. Book are the most versatile accessory you can use to create that designer look in every room. Get those cookbooks out of the cabinet and create a colorful, inspiring display on the countertop or island. Have fun turning your old books into new accessories.
Vicki Payne Donatelli is an interior designer, project coordinator and popular speaker for renovation and new construction projects. She is the host of the national PBS series “For Your Home.” Visit her blog at ForYourHome.com. Shake up your transitional décor with Hollywood-glamour-inspired silver and ebony bookcases designed by Miles Redd. Neutral and ocean colored books are displayed horizontally in pyramid stacks / ballarddesigns.com
National Sales Event April 6–28, 2019
Great Rates + Personalized Incentives* = Tremendous Buying Power Regency at White Oak Creek features single-family homes with open-concept floor plans and first-floor master suites. Enjoy lowmaintenance living, resort-style amenities, and a stunning clubhouse. Homes priced from the mid-$400s
Start Here to Make it Personal TollSalesEvent.com/RAL Open Sun. & Mon. 1 pm to 6 pm, Tues. - Sat. 10 am to 6 pm. Brokers welcome. Homes available nationwide. Prices subject to change without notice. Photos are images only and should not be relied upon to confirm applicable features. *Offer, if any, is valid for new buyers who purchase a home in a participating community in Raleigh and deposit between 4/6/19 and 4/28/19, sign an agreement of sale, and close on the home. Offers, incentives, and seller contributions, if any, vary by community and are subject to certain terms, conditions, and restrictions. Not all communities, not all home sites, and not all options and upgrades are included so see the Sales team in your desired community for availability and specific details. Toll Brothers reserves the right to change or withdraw any offer at any time. Not valid with any other offer. See sales representative for details. This is not an offering where prohibited by law.
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION . THE NEWS & OBSERVER . SUNDAY, APRIL 7, 2019
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|designer spotlight
Phoebe Howard of Mrs. Howard and Max & Company by Bethany E. Starin
P
hoebe Howard launched into life with the goal of becoming a writer. But this English literature loving stay-at-home mom of four soon found herself forging a path as a shop owner, designer, published author and travel guru. Travel plays an integral part in her business—she jetsets to Europe several times a year to find the one-of-a-kind pieces that make her spaces distinct. It’s the thrill of the hunt that she loves, and Howard has stores in four cities (including in the Carolinas in the Queen City) selling her international finds and the hospitable Southern brand she’s created for herself. Q: How did you get into the design business? A: “My husband Jim was an interior designer, and I was a housewife with four kids. I noticed by observing his business that people were not educated in scale and proportion and furniture arrangements and how to create layers in a space. I thought, if we could open a store with rooms that we arrange, people could come and walk around and see how it’s done. Basically, it was launched to be an accessory to his business.” Q: Did the first store do well? A: “The first retail shop was opened in 1996, and it
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ended up blowing up! We opened a sister store called Max & Company (our son’s name) and then decided to take it to Jacksonville Beach and then to Atlanta and then to Charlotte.” Q: Was your entrance into the role of designer a lucky break? A: “One hundred percent it was a lucky break. The shop catapulted me into becoming a designer. When we first opened the Jacksonville Beach store, our second location, my husband was so busy that we couldn’t even return all the client interest phone calls. One day, I was in the shop and someone walked in and said, “Can you design my house?” I said, “Yes.” It was my first project, and those designs landed a 10-page spread in House Beautiful and the cover. I have since designed 19 houses for that extended family.” Q: What’s the distinction between Mrs. Howard and Max & Company? A: “Mrs. Howard is the grand old, traditional Southern style, with antiques, high-end upholstery and accessories. It’s really for people over 40. Mrs. Howard is all about Southern decorating that captures the essence
of Southern hospitality and tradition. Max & Company was to target the children of Mrs. Howard. It’s for firsttime homebuyers in their 20s. We buy lots of Swedish painted pieces and lots of antique French wicker and rattan—anything that is unusual and casual in its essence is at Max & Company. The two stores have separate identities, but between the two stores we can bridge the gap of age and style and broaden our influence.” Q: Describe your stores in three words. A: “Mrs. Howard is classic, timeless and Southern. Max & Company is kid friendly, dog friendly and casual, carefree living.” Q: How does your love of antiques play into your business model? A: “It is the one-of-a kind pieces that set our designs apart. We travel all over the world for those unique items. In every project I design, I use antiques.” Q: What’s it like working with your husband? A: “My husband is very supportive and encouraging, he has always been there for me. But everybody who
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FIVE OF PHOEBE’S MUST-HAVE’S FOR INSPIRATION 1. Travel “I must have travel—it brings both exposure and inspiration. We go to Europe several times a year, primarily England, France and Italy. When you are a merchant at heart—which I am— you are always searching for something interesting to sell to someone, so I want to go as far as I can and see as many things as I can, and throw my lasso a little bit wider. I search for things I like, and if I don’t have a client for it, we pick which store to sell it in.” works with their husband will tell you it is not easy. You have to find ways to balance it — whether it’s a division of labor or to divvy up the responsibilities, you have to find ways to make it work. It is something that requires a lot of patience. Once you find the right balance, it can work. It is not for everyone.” Q: How do you split your time between your stores and projects? A: “We live in Jacksonville and both travel all the time. I try to rotate between the stores and my clients, and Jim works all over the country. My business is client driven so I go basically where the clients want me. My Charlotte team is amazing. Two of them have been with me since we opened in 2008. Lane, Lindsey and Courtney are like my family.” Q: Talk about your books! A: “I got a book offer that I couldn’t refuse. I did the first book and found out it was something I loved doing, chronicling my work and expressing myself in a different way. I am on book number four now. The title for the fourth is in discussion—I got the offer just last month. It will have something to do with the word pretty. That’s the word I most often use to describe my work. It is just simple—it’s pretty.”
2. Antiques “For me, it’s the thrill of the hunt. I must have antiques and one-of-a kind items. We go to the flea market in Paris all the time, we go to the fairs in the South of France and we shop in the English countryside.” 3. Nice Clients “I only work for nice people, people who encourage you, people who listen, people who respect you. I find you get your best work when you partner with the right clients. These clients seem to find me.” 4. Duke Mansion “I like staying at the Duke Mansion when I come to Charlotte. It is a treasure for Charlotte. It’s like staying in a house. I love that you wake up in the morning and you can smell someone mowing the grass and you can smell bacon and coffee.” 5. A Really Good Suitcase “I have found suitcases have a one-year shelf life—and then it’s time to get rid of them. The Samsonite 21-inch suitcase is the best suitcase. It is the biggest size you can put in the overhead bin, and you get everything in it.” For more information, go to phoebehoward.net or call 704-376-8900. In the Carolinas, visit Mrs. Howard and Max & Company at 1001 East Morehead Street in Charlotte.
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION . THE NEWS & OBSERVER . SUNDAY, APRIL 7, 2019
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|straight talk
Lawn business
From curb appeal to snake visits, we follow up on a few recent reader questions by Allen Norwood
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ight after the column highlighting the importance of lawn care ran a couple of months ago, two readers asked for copies to share with their yard service crews. One eye-catching number in the column reinforced how important a healthy lawn is to curb appeal when selling. The readers wanted their crews to know how valuable yard work can be. Coincidentally, a couple more readers asked recently if I remember that piece. Yes—although it took a minute to find it. Here’s the bit of information those readers remembered so vividly: According to a report from national realtors and landscape pros, completing regular lawn service before you list your house can return 267 percent of your investment when you sell. As I wrote then, that’s not a typo. Last year’s Remodeling Impact Report: Outdoor Features was prepared by the
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National Association of Realtors and National Association of Landscape Professionals. The report calculated that standard fertilizer and weed control on a typical yard costs about $375, and boosts the sale price by $1,000. The report said 99 percent of realtors representing sellers believe curb appeal is important to attracting a buyer. That 267 percent figure is proof aplenty that buyers are willing to pay for curb appeal. Also from the report, which you can find at nar.realtor: – The projects that added the most value were standard lawn care service, landscape maintenance—which includes mulch, mowing and pruning—and overall landscape upgrade. – Outdoor landscape lighting returns about 50 percent, while installing an irrigation system returns 86 percent. – A fire feature returns 67 percent of
your investment, and an outdoor kitchen returns 71 percent when you sell. Not sure why readers are asking about that earlier column now, unless they’re out in the clouds of yellow pollen trying to get their yards in top shape and just wanted to be reminded that all their hard labor will be worth it. Might be hard to focus on curb appeal, what with the swollen eyes and all the sneezing. Snakes, redux: Reader Lee Barnes of Durham pointed out that I meant to say “venomous” when writing about snakes last week, instead of “poisonous.” Absolutely; there’s a difference. But I couldn’t resist: I emailed back to point out that a snake might be poisonous if you ate it. Mary-Ellen Bailey wanted to know if I could identify the snake in the photo that was published with the column. “We don’t kill our snakes,” she wrote. “We
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just hope they find a new yard they like. We are up in Salisbury and normally just visited by black snakes.” The snake in the picture is identified as an Eastern garter snake. Garter snakes come in all sorts of color variations, and the one in the photo looks like the one pictured on the N.C. Extension Service snake page. By the way, the link to that page— go.ncsu.edu/snakes—was visited 346 times on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Steven Capobianco, the helpful extension agent who set the link up for the column, said most visits occurred between 8 and 11 a.m. Nothing quite like snakes with your morning coffee. Sip—click. Allen Norwood: homeinfo@charter.net
2019 Features Calendar 7 14 21 28
APR I L Fuquay Varina/Willow Spring Golf Communities Wake Forest Travel Feature
7 14 21 28
JULY Morrisville Brier Creek Senior Living Travel Feature
6 13 20 27
OC TOBER North Raleigh Estates Midtown Completely Custom Travel Feature
3 10 17 24
FEBRUARY Downtown Raleigh Cameron Village Chapel Hill / Carborro Design Feature
5 12 19 26
MAY The Condo Issue Historic Oakwood Garner / Clayton Travel Feature
4 11 18 25
AUGUST Luxury Homes Equestrian Communities Chapel Hill / Carborro Travel Feature
3 10 17 24
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Call Katina Faulkner for advertising information or to place your ad 919-836-5999 421 Fayetteville St, Ste 104, Raleigh, NC 27601
The Triangle’s Premier, Weekly Real Estate Publication
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION . THE NEWS & OBSERVER . SUNDAY, APRIL 7, 2019
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1-800-648-5903
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
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JimAllen.com Sales & Marketing by the Jim Allen Group HPW Coldwell Banker
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION . THE NEWS & OBSERVER . SUNDAY, APRIL 7, 2019