realestatewithjessica

Here we are in our 4th week of isolation with the refrigerator looming bigger than ever in our kitchen and our lives.  We are low on some things and someone needs to brave the Covid-19 epidemic to make a run to the grocery store. My husband, Skip is the designated grocery store shopper equipped with mask and gloves, hand sanitizer, plastic bags, wipes, and Lysol spray.  Each week we have taken greater precautions until the last trip to the store when I told him that he was not allowed in the house until he stripped off his clothes in the garage, washed his hands thoroughly, then took a shower.  Meanwhile we took in the groceries that were perishable and left boxes and non-perishables on the garage floor.  To my shock and bewilderment, I found that Skip had bought more perishables than non-perishables.  There were two large bags of lettuce and a large plastic container of fancy-mix of lettuce.  Another large tub was filled with spinach and then there was a h...

If I see one more post, article, or email about Covid-19 AKA Coronavirus, I'm going to scream!  My inbox is full of notices from businesses telling me what they are doing to protect their employees, their patrons, and themselves. It's important, but after ten or twelve of these that carry the same message, it is a bit overwhelming.   These are serious times, and I don't want to minimize that, but while we are hunkering down in our homes, isolating ourselves and 'enjoying' some down time, we do begin to notice that the walls need paint, the rail on the stairs is splintering, or the kitchen appliances have seen better days. Suddenly there is not enough closet space, the cabinets need redoing, and that carpet is looking pretty stained.  Now comes the big question: 'Should I stay or should I go?' (Hmm...sounds like lyrics to a song by The Clash.) If you stay, and decide to fix up the old homestead, there is all of the upheaval...moving furniture, protecting c...

It's that time of year again!  It's the Spring Market here in the Triangle Area of North Carolina, and along with budding daffodils, blossoming ornamental cherry trees, and the first sneezes from pollen, for sale signs are popping up like crocuses wherever you look.  People often panic to be the first home on the market to beat the rush so to speak, and in fact, I do encourage that if a seller doesn't want to deal with the competition.  However, those who are a little late to the game can also do quite well.  There are two different strategies: be early, set your price and you won't compete with other similar homes, or wait until a few go under contract and close thus setting a price and perhaps going higher as the market heats up.  In some neighborhoods there are multiple offers driving prices higher.  In those areas, arriving a little later to the game might mean a higher price tag and more profit when a home sells.  But let me caution here that by...

I should keep this a secret.  By writing about this, I'm opening this up to everyone.  Well, I guess I just feel like sharing to set the record straight.  My husband, Skip read that Raleigh, NC was the number 3 location in the U.S. for Millenials to live. Sure.  I can see that.  Raleigh has a lot to offer.  Of course it is also considered on some lists to be the number one place to live. I decided to research how various cities ranked for the number one place to live for various reasons, and since Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill, (locally known and grouped together as The Triangle) are often listed as number one in myriad categories.  Statistics aren't out yet for 2020 but I am willing to bet that we will make it on some lists again since it seems to be on everyone's radar these days. "Why?" you may ask.  Besides a great lifestyle offering something for everyone, relatively low costs, and great working environments, there is also tremendo...

I never really thought about the beauty of the simple lines and open spaces that were used in the homes designed by the famous architect, Frank Lloyd Wright until recently, when the company that my husband and I work with (Lindal Cedar Homes) began designing homes with the permission of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and two FLW architecture-trained architects authorized to design these homes.  Now I'm a huge fan.  By repositioning walls to open rooms, raising ceilings, enlarging bathrooms and closets we bring a new look to a timeless design. (See   https://lindal.com/dealer/trianglecedarhomes ). We are already working on a few designs that promise to be outstanding.  There are already several great examples of how some of the Lindal Cedar Homes Dealers have remained true to the original designs by FLW (see below). Joel Turkel, Architect As a Realtor, I think that it is important to understand construction, architecture, use of space, and land to assi...

You know that the expression 'A Home For the Holidays' is often overused.  It loses its true meaning when it is repeated so often.  But honestly, with the holidays upon us, I think of the expression with a full heart.  You see, this year, my home will be missing a few people who have always been here.  While I am lovingly preparing the recipes that my mother handed down to me, I will be thinking of her.  She passed away this year. Our son will not be here either.  He has moved out of state and has to work, so he will not be around. My father passed away many years ago. He is always missed. Some dear friends, with whom we have shared many holiday celebrations will also be away.  Fortunately, we will have our daughter and her family here. There are so many changes in our lives.  People come and go, there are births, deaths and illnesses. There are marriages, break ups, divorces, and jobs that remove us from places where we want to be.  Still,...