Date Archives: October 2022

Your laundry room doesn't have to be just the place you associate with your least favorite chore. While they typically don't receive the same level of attention as other rooms in the house, our real estate agents can tell you laundry rooms are full of potential. 

Transforming your laundry room into a bright, functional space can really pay off when it comes time to sell your home. It also might help make doing the laundry just a bit more enjoyable. If you're looking for new ideas on how to make the most of your laundry room, here are some tips:

1. Decorate Your Walls
   Many people neglect the laundry room walls since it's not a room that generally attracts many visitors; however, there is a real opportunity to transform your walls into something beautiful. A fresh coat of paint might be a good first step, but we've also seen homeowners install decorative backsplashes, beautiful art, and more.
   
   
2. Invest in Storage
   If there is one thing a good laundry room needs, it's storage. Make sure your room is equipped with shelves, bins, cabinets, and drawers to ensure you have adequate space for storing laundry, tools, materials and cleaning supplies. You could also consider some over-the-door hangers to make it easy to quickly hang your most important items. 
   
   
3. Create a Space for Folding and Ironing
   Your laundry room should provide space for basic laundry tasks, such as folding and ironing clothes. A foldaway table and a foldaway ironing board are great additions, as they can easily be stashed away in a cupboard when not in use.  If your laundry room is large enough, you may even consider dedicating a portion of the room to a permanent table that serves as a folding station.  
   
   
4. Focus on Bright Colors and Lots of Light
   Creating a bright space is the key to a good-looking laundry room. Maximize light exposure by keeping your walls and decor white or a lighter shade. If the room doesn't receive natural light, supplement it with some ceiling fixtures. Nobody wants to use a dark, damp, or dreary laundry room!
   
   
5. Add Some Plants
   If you want to really create a fresh and clean vibe, add a large indoor house plant to the corner of the room, or add smaller plants along with some floating shelves. Greenery can bring some much-needed life into the space.
   
   
6. Paint a Mural
   If you really want to do something bold and inspirational, dedicate a wall of your laundry room to a mural. Paint it yourself or hire a local artist to create a beautiful scene. Since the laundry room isn't a primary room, you might consider allowing yourself a bit of creative freedom.

Laundry rooms are a valuable asset to any home, and the right design and decor can really help bring them to life. Contact us today for more tips on how to make the most of your home or for help searching homes for sale in Raleigh!

As the city's website proudly proclaims, Apex is "The Peak of Good Living." Spend a rewarding day exploring Apex with a visit to these wonderful places recommended by our real estate agents. 

• The Halle Cultural Arts Center - 237 N. Salem St., Apex, NC 27502
  Whether you're viewing someone else's creativity or developing your own, there's always something to do at The Halle Cultural Arts Center. Their event schedule is jam-packed with plays, concerts, and movies, such as the bi-monthly classical music series. Classes and workshops for all ages include SuperFun Saturdays, a free bi-weekly arts and crafts session for kids aged 4-12. Center hours are 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Sundays.
  
  
• The Rusty Bucket - 104 N. Salem St., Apex, NC 27502
  Countless items from The Rusty Bucket have found their way into properties for sale in Apex. In 2004, owners Pam and Mack fulfilled their dream of starting a business inspired by old country stores. They specialize in American country, farmhouse, rustic, and primitive home furnishings and accessories, along with custom-made farm tables and chairs. Pam is also available to visit your home for a personalized design consultation. The Rusty Bucket is open 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. Saturday, and noon - 4 p.m. Sunday.
  
  
• Apex Farmers Market - 73 Hunter St., Apex, NC 27502
  Enjoy farm-to-table dining in your own home when you shop at the Apex Farmers Market. Almost all of the products sold at the market are farmed or produced within a 150-mile radius, so your purchases help support local vendors. Choose from fresh produce and sustainably-farmed chicken, beef, and pork, as well as homemade baked goods and artisanal food products. Leashed dogs are welcome. The market is held on Saturday from 9 a.m. - noon, weekly from April through November, and bi-weekly from December through March. 
  
  
• Apex Nature Park - 2600 Evans Rd., Apex, NC 27502
  Even couch potatoes love to spend time at Apex Nature Park. With more than 160 acres divided into two sections, there are activities to fit everyone's preference. The nature park section features paved walking paths, an amphitheater, a disc golf course, a picnic shelter, and an off-leash dog park. Across the paved walkway sits Seymour Athletic fields, with tennis and volleyball courts, multi-use trails, a picnic shelter, and multipurpose fields. Hours are 6:30 a.m. - 10 p.m. daily. While the park itself is free to use, a $30 membership fee ($60 for non-residents) is required for the off-leash dog park.
  
  
• North Carolina Railway Museum - 3900 Bonsal Rd., New Hill, NC 27562
  Railroads played a significant role in the development of our state and country. Learn more about their fascinating history at the North Carolina Railway Museum. See a restored depot that dates back to 1884, along with actual train cars used to transport passengers and freight. Visitors of all ages love watching volunteers operate the model railroad display, with more than 1,000 feet of track. Experience an actual train ride on the "Triangle's Train," an hour-long trip through the woods and across a trestle. Visit the website for schedule and pricing information.

Looking for dependable assistance with Apex and Raleigh real estate opportunities? Get started when you contact us at Howard Perry and Walston.

As the weather changes, it's the perfect time to go on a bike ride along the beautiful East Coast Greenway. If you've never had the opportunity to explore the East Coast Greenway before, our real estate agents think you are in for a real treat!

Cycling is one of the best ways to enjoy nature while getting some valuable exercise. No matter where you start or end your journey, the East Coast Greenway is a unique setting for it. You'll find top-quality trails just minutes from Raleigh homes for sale.

All About the East Coast Greenway

What is the East Coast Greenway? It connects 15 states and more than 450 communities, from large cities to small towns. Stretching an astonishing 3,000 miles from Florida through Maine, its aim is to become the country's longest and safest route for cycling, walking, and hiking.

North Carolina boasts some of the best-tended and signposted trails anywhere on the East Coast Greenway, so it is the ideal place to get started with your first adventures there. There are numerous paths leading between Raleigh and or Durham properties for sale, which we'll be highlighting here.

For detailed start and end point coordinates, consult the official Greenway website.

Here's a preview of your Raleigh to Durham excursion:

• Downtown Raleigh/Dix Park to the North Carolina Museum of Art
  Launch your journey from Raleigh, and you'll enjoy brilliant views of Cullen Park, a quick zip through the North Carolina State University main campus, and a "blink and you'll miss it" moment behind Meredith College. A short, steep hill kicks up the difficulty level a notch before you reach the first rest point, the North Carolina Museum of Art.
  
  
• North Carolina Museum of Art through William B. Umstead State Park
  If you swing by the North Carolina Museum of Art to take in one of its world-class exhibits, the natural next step is William B. Umstead State Park. The path is only 2.3 miles – you'll spend about two-thirds going downhill before a brief uphill jaunt. Umstead itself welcomes cyclists with open arms, providing some 13 miles of trails, especially for off-road enthusiasts. A mountain bike is not required.
  
  
• Old Reedy Trailhead to Bond Park
  Getting a start from Umstead State Park will put you in a prime position for cycling adventures courtesy of the Town of Cary, which sponsors this particular leg of the trek. You might see your way into a beloved swath of Lake Crabtree County Park and through to Cary's own Black Creek Greenway. Passing through quiet neighborhoods, it is mostly flat except for the challenging hill you'll encounter at mile 15.
  
  
• Bond Park to the American Tobacco Trail
  If you're spending a weekend looking at homes for sale in Cary, you can also hop on the East Coast Greenway from here, heading west through the White Oak Creek area. The full length of White Oak Creek was recently enhanced with two connecting trails that made the Raleigh-Durham ride possible for the first time!
  
  
• American Tobacco Trail to Durham
  Following the path of an abandoned rail corridor of the historic Norfolk Southern Railroad, the American Tobacco Trail encompasses more than 22 miles of trails and terminates in Durham proper. It opened in sections, beginning its story in downtown Durham in 2001. In 2014, a bridge over the interstate in Durham inaugurated the complete trail for the first time, and it's been a local favorite ever since.

Contact us to discover more about Raleigh-Durham.

There's never a bad time to enjoy pizza – one of America's favorite foods since practically the day it was introduced by Italian immigrants in the early 1900s. But our real estate agents have some good news: National Pizza Month is celebrated in October, and that's all the more reason to savor a slice or two!

An outstanding culinary culture is one of the many things that makes the Triangle great. While you're visiting Raleigh homes for sale, you'll be within minutes of dozens of small local restaurants, including pizzerias, to suit any taste. From classic flavors to new twists on the old favorite, you'll find it all here.

Let's drop in on just a handful of the pizza places that help keep the Triangle's pie spinning:

• Assaggio's Italian Restaurant – 3501 West Millbrook Road, Raleigh, NC 27613
  Open for dinner from 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., Assaggio's Italian Restaurant is the place for your authentic thin crust, gluten-free, or specialty pizza craving. With wares available through pickup or delivery, this pizza parlor is loved for its creative combinations of ingredients and a wide-ranging appetizer catalog with everything from French fries to wings to fried calamari. There are even veal and seafood dishes!
  
  
• Max's Pizza & Grill – 5609 Creedmoor Road, Raleigh, NC 27612
  Max's Pizza & Grill stands out for its gourmet pizza selection. Try such chef-led creations as the Garlic Steak Supreme Gourmet Pizza or the Hawaiian. Pizzas may be the main attraction, but you can also enjoy fresh salads, robust side orders, zesty wings, and satisfying stromboli. Hot subs, cold subs, and wraps round out the experience and are perfect for a snack later that night or the next day.
  
  
• Brothers of New York Pizza – 3450 Kildaire Farm Road, Cary, NC 27518
  Brothers of New York Pizza says, "life is too short for bad pizza!" With its comfortable, family-friendly space, it has made a name for itself as a lovely place for a family outing near Cary homes for sale. Replete with recipes passed down through the generations, its menu goes beyond pizza, with special surprises in store for any birthday or memorable occasion. Dine-in, pickup, or delivery are all available.
  
  
• Hutchins Garage – 402 West Geer Street, Durham, NC 27701
  Hutchins Garage is the kind of restaurant you really will want to follow on social media, as seasonal selections enliven the menu at any time of year. Often, these are available for dine-in only and last a limited time. Aged, fine mozzarella, San Marzano tomato sauce, fresh basil, and extra virgin olive oil energize each pizza with Neapolitan flair. Why not try it out to relax after your day full of Durham homes for sale?
  
  
• Big Sergio's Pizza – 2127 Ten-Ten Road, Apex, NC 27539
  Big Sergio's Pizza is a welcoming neighborhood pizzeria where the service is as warm as the signature pies. Just as the name suggests, Sergio's goes big with a vast and growing assortment of 18" pizza pies, featuring more than a dozen to choose from. Some popular picks include Sergio's own take on the stuffed crust (Garlic Knot Pizza) and the 18" Greek Pizza with feta cheese, garlic, spinach, tomatoes, olives, and red onions. Don't miss it when you're out looking at Apex homes for sale.

Contact us to discover more about all the Triangle has to offer.