Blog
In This Neighborhood Near You…It’s A Seller’s Market!
May 9, 2012 by CrazyViv · Leave a Comment
We haven’t been able to say this for a while, but in some areas of the country -and in two areas near Chapel Hill – it really is a seller’s market once again! The young and educated – grad students, young professionals, medical residents and so forth – are in the market for classic older [...]
Lean, Mean, Green Machine: How to Save Energy Even if Your House Wasn’t Built that Way
May 2, 2012 by CrazyViv · Leave a Comment
No one wants to spend too much on high energy bills. Try these simple steps around your home for significant savings: 1. Baby, it’s hot in here. The bulk of your energy bill is spent on heating and air conditioning. A programmable thermostat keeps you honest and consistent day and night. 2. Shop green. If [...]
Living in a Work of Art: This Year’s Triangle Modernist Tour
April 26, 2012 by CrazyViv · Leave a Comment
Modernist houses are rare art forms, but you can still find quite a few of these gems in Durham, Raleigh and Chapel Hill. Did you know that only Los Angeles and Chicago areas have a higher concentration of modernist houses than our native triangle area? If you’re not familiar with Modernist houses, let me introduce [...]
Crazy Viv Talks! An Investment Opportunity in Durham
April 5, 2012 by CrazyViv · Leave a Comment
I wish I could say I found this little gem by myself; it would make a better story. The truth is that another investor from Connecticut told me she was looking at it. She spurred my curiosity, so I thought I would drive over and have a quick look. I drove up to this new [...]
Richard Riano – Lender Extraordinaire
January 25, 2012 by CrazyViv · Leave a Comment
Rarely do I send out compliments about a lender – this time I have to because he is so fantastic. He figured out how I can refinance my rental properties when NO ONE ELSE could. Rich Riano loves problems, so if your taxes are complex, if your financing is complicated, he just may be able [...]
Where’s 2012′s Real Estate Market Headed?
January 16, 2012 by CrazyViv · Leave a Comment
Call me an optimist, but I think the economy will continue its slow recovery in 2012. And according to financial forecasters polled by the Wall Street Journal, I’m not the only one who feels that way. Fifty or so forecasters expect growth rather than decline in the coming year. How does that look exactly? I [...]
Cleaning Out? Here’s Where to Donate Your Old Stuff…
January 12, 2012 by CrazyViv · Leave a Comment
This is the time of year when many of us resolve to clean out and organize – as part of our resolutions – or simply making space for the new things we have received over holidays. If you are getting rid of used items (or unwanted gifts!), consider donating them to one of the local [...]
Giving for the Season
December 8, 2011 by CrazyViv · Leave a Comment
This is the time of year that usually brings out the generous spirit in all of us. Most of us want to share with others, but there are so many options that sometimes it’s hard to know which one is the best. If you live in the Chapel Hill/Durham area, here’s a list of some [...]
Buy Local!
November 22, 2011 by CrazyViv · Leave a Comment
Buy local. You’ve seen it on bumper stickers, read it on blogs, heard it on the radio. Most of the time when we think “Buy Local”, we’re thinking about food. But as “Black Friday” approaches, what about thinking “Buy Local” for all those on your gift list? Instead of heading to the big box store [...]
New Commandments for Real Estate
October 14, 2011 by CrazyViv · Leave a Comment
In the past couple of years, the rules for real estate have changed. Here are four new “commands” to keep you on the straight and narrow. I. Thou shalt not sell. If you don’t have to sell – don’t. If it’s already on the market, and hasn’t sold, rent it. Wait until 2012 to list [...]
