Greetings Dear Oenophiles!

So How are My Neighborhood Home Prices Doing?

I’d like to take a moment to personally thank all my readers as we are well into our third year of publication. Many readers will ask “Hey Jeff” How are home prices doing in Heritage Wake Forest NC? Well… it depends.  I wanted to re-introduce our Market Snapshot located on our home page of our main website www.JeffDicks.com and after a couple of clicks and filling in some blanks. Voila !! … You’ll have up to date and local MLS information sent to your e-mail inbox. It’s a great tool and as always we’re here to help you interpret the information and answer any questions you have. Check out the Market Snapshot for Raleigh Real Estate, Wake Forest Homes For Sale or Cary NC Real Estate Community Information.

Courtesy of the Jeff Dicks Real Estate Group

How to Find Your Raleigh NC Home Whether you are a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned expert, buying a home is a huge commitment in terms of time and money.  But, much more than that, the process of finding a home that perfectly fits your lifestyle should be fun.

Realtors know that buyers who get excited while looking for a home are more successful at finding the right home for their lifestyle and tend to enjoy the process almost as much as the realtors do.

Simplify the process of finding your next home in Raleigh by heeding these tips that will help you better enjoy the process of looking for a home and worry less about the nagging details that can derail the entire process.

Before You Start Looking… Sometimes potential buyers will decide that it is time to buy a new home when they drive past a for-sale sign in the lawn of a sparkling home in their neighborhood.  Perhaps this is the home of their dreams, but more likely it just makes them long for a change.

If and when this happens to you, take some time to consider what exactly you would include in your dream home if your choices and financial resources were unlimited.  Once you have put together this dream list, scratch off the items that you know are unrealistic.  Then make another list from the items that remain, grouping them into must-haves, would-likes and things it would be okay to have included.

Realtors’ experience shows that when such a list is created before beginning the actual home search, buyers do not have the opportunity to become enamored with a specific home that might not have everything that they are truly seeking.

Got Cash? Unless you can answer with a loud, confident “yes,” you need to research mortgage lenders, programs and interest rates well before beginning your home search.  Buyers who have determined ahead of time how much they are willing to spend, and how much they can borrow, are the most successful homebuyers.

Once you know how much money you can comfortably afford to put toward your mortgage payment each month, contact a lender to discuss the process of obtaining a pre-approval and loan commitment statement. 

Once you complete the application process and receive your pre-approval, ask the lender to make a loan commitment that will lock in your interest rate (usually as long as you purchase within 90 days) and provide proof of funding to a potential seller.

Realtors know that in most cases you will be unable to profit from your home significantly unless you are willing to make investments in it.  If you are purchasing a fixer-upper with the intention of making necessary repairs and upgrades and then selling the home for a much higher price, then you may indeed be able to make a profit…

Share the Wealth… …the wealth of information, that is.  By sharing your prioritized dream list with your realtor, you gain gaining access to all of his or her resources for matching you with potential homes.  Your realtor will be able to research many homes through a variety of different methods with the goal of finding one that suits your lifestyle perfectly.

Jump on the Highways… Yes, highways – and streets, roads, lanes, avenues, and boulevards, too!  You should drive through the area in which you would like to move in order to scope out potential homes for sale.  Getting a feel for the location, neighborhood, proximity to schools, and other factors will help you see first-hand what living in the area would mean to you.

And speaking of highways, now you can hop onto the information superhighway!  The internet is a fantastic tool that can help you find homes that meet your requirements from the comfort of your own home office.  You can access thousands of websites that list homes for sale, and you can also learn more about the area to which you plan to relocate.

Be Realistic… With housing costs are on the rise, some buyers choose to purchase homes in areas with appreciating property values in the hopes that within a few years they will be able to sell their home and generate a profit.

Realtors know that in most cases you will be unable to profit from your home significantly unless you are willing to make investments in it.  If you are purchasing a fixer-upper with the intention of making necessary repairs and upgrades and then selling the home for a much higher price, then you may indeed be able to make a profit.  However, if you do not intend to invest the necessary time and money in upgrading or renovating your new home, you should not expect a significant short-term increase in its value.

If you want to purchase a larger home than you might otherwise be able to afford through traditional lending, consider using a balloon or interest-only mortgage, but be aware that this is a risky proposition for buyers who are not prepared to make long-term sacrifices in order to satisfy their loan requirements.  Some buyers opt for this alternative financing in order to afford a home that is really beyond their grasp.  If this sounds like you, proceed with caution. Your realtor should provide the same advice. Even though your realtor earns income through commissions based on homes’ selling prices, it is his or her responsibility to look out for the client’s best interests.  You are no exception!

Consider the Value of Contingencies… When you are looking at homes that are attractive to you, realize that several other buyers may also be very interested in making an offer.  Therefore, you need to know ahead of time what you are willing to give up in terms of contractual agreements and obligations in order to make your offer as attractive as possible to the seller.

Your realtor can ask the listing agent whether the seller has obtained a pre-sale home inspection. If so, then you and your realtor can evaluate the legitimacy of the inspection report by researching the home inspector.  If the inspection seems accurate and the inspector is properly certified, then you might opt to waive the right to a home inspection.  You might also agree to allow the seller to remain in the home rent-free for a specific period of time after the closing. This is particularly useful when the seller is building a home or the closing is pending on his or her next home.

If you would like additional information about ways to improve your offer’s attractiveness to the seller, your realtor should be more than happy to share his or her knowledge and expertise with you.  Call to schedule a time to chat before you are ready to make an offer.

Good realtors pride themselves on being able to assist people like you in the process of buying and selling their home.  Years of experience have allowed them to understand what sells buyers on homes, and sellers on buyers.  Working together, your combined efforts should be enough to get you into the home of your dreams.

Most importantly, remember that the process of looking for your next home should be a fun and exciting time!  Being pre-approved for your mortgage and knowing exactly what you are looking for in a home make the process much smoother once you actually begin viewing homes.  Have fun and always remember that you can contact us at Jeff Dicks Real Estate with any questions or concerns that you might have related to any of the information presented in this article. Call us toll free 800-516-9507

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Rick’s Grape Skinny
March 2012
“Behold the rain which descends from heaven upon our vineyards, and which incorporates itself with the grapes, to be changed into wine; a constant proof that God loves us, and loves to see us happy.” Benjamin Franklin

American Grand Cru Society
What a Grand Idea!

Every now and again, we all stumble upon something in the wonderful world of wine that not only piques our interest…but makes us say, “Wow…what a great idea. Wish I’d thought of that!” Well, the American Grand Cru Society is just such an idea – and though it’s not my idea, I I am no less excited to have become a member during its formative stages…and I look forward to helping the AGCS achieve its noble goals.

Founded by long time wine aficionado and professional wine consultant, Greg Poirier, the not-for-profit AGCS was principally conceived from the depths of Greg’s wine-related passion and his drive to better serve all who might buy or produce wine in America. Having become a Certified Sommelier in 1995 (through the renowned Court of Master Sommeliers), Greg also owns and operates a travel and wine education business, Wine Guy Tours, that offers tailored, instructional travel and training experiences to the world’s major wine regions. http://www.wineguytours.com/ Greg also earned an MBA from the acclaimed School of Business in Bordeaux, France this past year! And oh by the way, when Greg isn’t engaged in his wine related passions, he also holds a full time job!

At the risk of putting words in Founder Greg’s mouth, it’s at least my sensing that the AGCS was born in large part from the universal knowledge that the best wines are made in the vineyards…and that through identifying America’s best vineyards…we might also derive an evolving list of America’s best wines and wine producers. To be sure, the concept of identifying and classifying the best vineyards and the best terroir for growing grapes is not new, and indeed the “Grand Cru” terminology is taken from the highly regulated French system of categorizing and classifying their wines.

There’s certainly no reason to try and replicate the complex French approach, but as US wine consumption grows and marketing techniques and approaches become more clever and aggressive, it is important, I think, to do all we can to protect consumers through achieving and ensuring common usage and understanding of key wine terms…especially those that are used to market and promote wine consumption. Among those terms are Grand Cru and American Grand Cru – especially when referring to and inferring something about American vineyards.

With that thought in mind, Greg registered the terminology American Grand Cru® with the US Patent and Trade Office. As a result, only the AGCS now has the legal basis and authority to designate Grand Cru and American Grand Cru Vineyards — and to authorize the use of that terminology on labels and marketing materials. To date, only two vineyards have earned American Grand Cru status — Napa Valley’s famed Robert Mondavi Kalon Vineyard and the equally regarded Pisoni Vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands. Isn’t it also about time we recognized those who grow the grapes and who farm and provide stewardship of some of our nation’s best and most precious terroir!?

This is an endeavour whose time has come and whose merits will benefit consumers, growers, winemakers, producers, and the entire industry of wine professionals in and outside of America. Now in its infancy, I hope you will consider joining the AGCS and become a part of helping it grow, prosper and bear fruit. Prosit!
http://www.americangrandcrusociety.com/

Toast of the Month
“May the strength of God pilot us, may the wisdom of God instruct us, may the hand of God protect us, and may the word of God direct us.” St. Patrick

The Monthly Cluster!
Red
Carménère (Chile’s Signature Grape)
Viña Maquis 2009 Deep, Dark and Delicious!
(Colchagua Valley, Chile)/$12-$14 – For nearly 60 years, the Hurtado family grew some of Chile’s best grapes and sold them to some of Chile’s finest wineries. Twelve years ago however, under the visionary leadership of Ricardo Hurtado, the family decided to make its own wines…an endeavor that took years of dedicated hard work. So in 2002, with a new state-of-the-art winery, the help of Xavier Choné overseeing the vineyards and the magic of Chief Winemaker, Juan Jofré, this 100% Carmenere brilliantly showcases the Hurtados’ extraordinary success. Key to making this classically expressive wine was aging only half of the wine in second and third use French oak barristas for a year…an approach that yields a fruit-forward and mouth watering wine! http://www.vinamaquis.com/

Red Blend
Toro de Piedra 2009 Carménère – Cabernet
Rich, Succulent and Smooth as Silk!
(Maule Valley, Chile)/$11-$13 – From the prestigious Viña Requingua family and their Puerto Viejo portfolio of wines, this scrumptious blend of 60% Carménère and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon is nothing short of superb. Aged for a full year in an unspecified apportionment of new French and American oak, the result is a highly aromatic wine whose delight lasts and lingers for several lip-smacking minutes. Reminiscent of Left Bank Bordeaux blends of a hundred or so years ago, one can only imagine and wonder how this splendid blend might stack up against its more ancient French ancestors. For what it’s worth, I’d stand this up against many contemporary Bordeaux blends! And lest there be doubt, this wine is a great value! http://www.requingua.cl/english/index.php

Domaine Houchart 2007 Cotes de Provence
(Provence, France)/$11-13 – From one of France’s most venerable and prolific wine producers, the Quiot family, this exceptional red blend is indeed a taste of the South of France! La Famille Quiot has been making wine since 1748…and for all those years, they have uniquely specialized in making wines from the Rhone and Provence Regions. All to say that they know what they’re doing…and each of us has the good fortune of being able to benefit from their exceptional winemaking prowess. The 2007 Rouge is comprised of mostly Grenache, Carignan, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon and it was aged-to-taste — in new oak for 10 to 12 months. The finished product is a splendid medium-bodied quaff that is soft and fruit-forward. It’s also among the most versatile wines you’ll ever find.
http://www.famillequiot.com/

White
Cortese
SANT’ EVASIO 2010 Gavi di Gavi
(Gavi DOCG — Piemonte, Italy)/$15-$17
Cantina Sant’ Evasio was born from the ruins of World War II. With nothing much more than a destroyed chapel and fallowed vines to be found, Carlo and Anna Lacqua bought the land 50 years ago and began making wine for their friends. Over the span of many years, Carlo’s winemaking knowledge, skill and passion grew and today…aided by son Pier and daughter Andrea…the Lacqua family is not only making astonishingly excellent and notable wines…but wines that leave warm fuzzies and indelible memories! Off-dry, floral and impactful, this sinfully delicious Gavi di Gavi expression is one of the best I’ve tasted…and all for a price point that’s a rare find indeed.
http://www.santevasiovini.com/

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Your Heritage Neighbor! ® Insider Tips for Healthy, Wealthy and Happy Living

Inside This Issue… The Secrets of People Who Never Get Sick… Four Things Locksmiths Don't Want You To Know… Fun Facts and Laughs: Most Stolen Items At Home, First Aid Hot and Cold Rules, And More… Trivia Challenge: Win [[Free Movie Tickets For Two]] Real Estate Q&A: What Can I Ask The Seller To Pay For When Buying A Home?

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Jeff Dicks Keller Williams Realty Phone: (919) 793-4730 Email: jeff@jeffdicks.com www.JeffDicks.com

.. Are you sick of getting the cold and flu? In today's Your Heritage Neighbor!® Free consumer newsletter you'll get tips to prevent sickness and be healthier this year. You'll also learn four insider secrets of locksmiths, where to stash your cash so it's safe in your home, plus funny jokes, a trivia challenge, and lots more. Jeff Dicks Jeff Dicks, REALTOR® Keller Williams Realty PS.  When you notice people talking about real estate in the next few weeks, can you tell them about the free consumer information I provide? They may be people needing to move in the next 6 months, and you can tell them about my Free Consumer Report: "Home Seller's Guide To Moneymaking Fix-Ups". You'll look really smart because this informative guide explains how to avoid costly repair rip-offs and what improvements bring the biggest return. To request a copy for a friend, simply email me at jeff@jeffdicks.com, or call me at: (919) 793-4730.

Today's Brain Teaser . . . How many F's are in the following sentence?… Finished files are the result of years of scientific study and also years of experience.   (see answer below)

The Secrets of People Who Never Get Sick . . . How do some people never get sick while the rest of us seem to get a cold or the flu at least once a year? Health journalist, Gene Stone, captured the secrets of 25 people who claim to never get sick in his recent book The Secrets of People Who Never Get Sick. If you want to be healthier this year, here are four practical, food-related secrets he discovered to prevent sickness: 1) Garlic.  Researchers at the University of Western Australia found people who started eating garlic regularly reduced their sick days by more than 50%. Garlic has antibacterial and antiviral properties that can help ward off colds or the flu. An easy way to eat more garlic is to include it in a rice or pasta dish a few times a week. 2) Probiotics.  This good bacteria can relieve gastrointestinal conditions and boost your body's immune system. Probiotics that live in your digestive system make it harder for disease-creating germs to move in. Eat one or more of these probiotic-rich foods each day: yogurt with live cultures, sauerkraut, cottage cheese, or probiotic-fortified soy milk. You can also take a probiotic supplement found in most natural food stores. 3) Brewer's Yeast.  Most of the brewer's yeast that you can buy from vitamin or health food stores is an extract from yeast used to ferment beer and wine. Brewer's yeast contains B vitamins that the body uses to maintain blood cells and the immune system. Take one tablespoon each day in powdered form, dissolved in water, to get your recommended daily allowance of B vitamins. This simple supplement can also lower your risk of some cancers. 4) Vegetables.  There's a reason your mother always told you to eat your veggies. If you eat a lot of meats and sugars, your diet is probably acidic with not enough alkaline-based foods to balance out your pH levels. Your pH level is a measure of the acidity to alkaline in your body. And recent studies have linked disease to high levels of acidity. Eating vegetables, legumes, and olive oil keeps your body more at a pH "neutral" level and can help you stay healthy. Stone says, "Since I started researching this book, I haven't been sick once." I hope you'll say the same after trying some of these tips. To preview the contents of "Secrets of People Who Never Get Sick" or order the book, go to: www.amazon.com.

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Save Thousands When Buying Or Financing! Did you know there's a free consumer report revealing ways to save time and money when buying a home? It's called "8 Secrets For Saving Thousands When Finding, Buying and Financing Your Next Home," and it's great even if you're not planning to buy soon. To get your free copy email me by clicking here, or call me at: (919) 793-4730.

Four Things Locksmiths Don't Want You To Know If you get locked out of your home or simply need new locks, here are some insider secrets to protect yourself and your pocketbook: 1. Check all your doors before you call.  They often arrive at the house and try another door, find it unlocked and charge you for the service. 2. Be careful of scam artists posing as professionals.  Some quote a great rate on the phone and claim they have a special lock at a higher price when they arrive. Find reputable pros at: www.findalocksmith.com. 3. Replace thumb-turn deadbolts near windows.  Whatever the locksmith says, you need to use a double cylinder lock that uses a key near windows. Why? Because it is too easy for a criminal to break a window, reach in, and unlock the door. 4. Cheap locks are easily defeated.  Purchase a "Grade 2" lockset. It's more secure and durable than Grade 1, but you don't need Grade 3 which are for commercial buildings and can be expensive. You may want to ask your locksmith to install high-security locks with keys that can't be replicated at the hardware store.

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Do You Have A Real Estate Or Home- Ownership Question You Want Answered? Maybe you want to know how much your home is worth. Or maybe you just need a recommendation for a handyman, carpet cleaner or plumber… Either way, I love hearing from all of my good friends and clients. And I'm always looking to answer pressing questions you might have about anything relating to real estate or home-ownership. If you have a question, tip or idea, please feel free to email me by clicking here, or call me at: (919) 793-4730. I'm here to help!

Fun Facts and Laughs . . . Most Stolen Items At Home . . . These are the items reported by the website www.homesalarm.com. Some of them made the list because they are simply easy to find in the average home. In order, the most stolen are: Cash (see where to stash below) Tools and building supplies Home electronics Bicycles and parts Jewelry, Furs, and Silver Best Places to Stash Cash . . . You may think you have your stash in a safe place, but burglars know where to look. www.frugaldad.com suggests the following places to hide your cash: In the freezer between used meat trays and wrapped in aluminum foil. Behind the cardboard backing of a picture frame that is hard to reach. Under something heavy like an entertainment center or piano. Inside a used soup can on a shelf. First Aid Hot and Cold Rules . . . Knowing when to use hot or cold for injuries can be very confusing. Here are the general rules. Heat increases circulation. Use it for chronic pain like tight muscles in your lower back. Cold reduces inflammation. Acute injuries such as a newly sprained ankle can benefit from applying cold. Alternating Hot and Cold is helpful when you have soft-tissue damage or overstretched ligaments. Try 20 minutes of cold each hour in the first 24 hours. Applying 20 minutes of warmth each hour for a few more days should reduce affects of injury. If you still have inflammation after 72 hours, you should call a doctor. Have A Laugh — "What Do You Say?" . . . I was visiting an office when a woman walked in with her 3-week old baby and her seven-year-old son. Turns out she was on maternity leave, and just visiting coworkers. Of course everyone gathered around the new toddler, while the young boy asked, "Mommy, can I have some money to buy a soda?" "What do you say?" she asked. Respectfully, the boy replied, "You're thin and beautiful." With a smile, the woman immediately pulls out her purse and hands him money for a soda.

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Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thanks to all of my clients and friends who support my practice and graciously referred me to your friends and neighbors! Rather than pester people with unwanted calls and visits, I build my business based on the positive comments and referrals from people just like you. I couldn't do it without you! Mike & Mary Rochon & Glenn & Allison Miller

Trivia Challenge for the Month… "Who Else Wants To Win A $25 Gift Card?" Guess who won last month's Trivia Question? I'm pleased to announce the lucky winner of last month's quiz. And the winner is…drum roll please: Ken Corcoran of Wake Forest was the first > person to correctly answer my quiz question. Who won the World Series in 1903? a) Yankees    b) Red Sox    c) Americans    d) Giants The answer is c) Americans. You may have answered the Boston Red Sox, but at the time, the name of the team was the Boston Americans. So, let's move on to this month's trivia question. What is the most populated time zone in North America? a) Pacific b) Eastern c) Central d) Mountain   EMAIL ME AT: jeff@jeffdicks.com OR Call Me At (919) 793-4730 And You Could Be One Of My Next Winners!

Brain Teaser Answer: If your answer was three, you counted like most people. Actually, the correct answer is six. Our brain has difficulty processing the word "of" as containing the letter F because it sounds like the letter V when pronounced.

Thanks For Thinking of Me! Did you know I can help you or any of your friends or family save time and money when buying or selling a home? Thanks for keeping me in mind with your referrals…and spreading the word about my services.

Real Estate Q & A . . . Q.  What can I ask the seller to pay for when buying a home? A.  Remember, everything you ask from a seller is a concession in their mind. Whether you're asking them to lower the price, make a decorating allowance or contribute to your closing costs, they are primarily interested in the bottom line dollar proceeds at closing. Here are a few things to keep in mind: Negotiations can be tough if you try to get the seller to both lower the price and also make other concessions or contributions to your closing costs too. It can actually compromise your ability to come to an agreement. Appraisers are now asked to consider the dollar value of any seller concessions when they determine the value of the home you are purchasing. Lenders will limit the contributions made by the seller without lowering your loan amount. It is important for you to ask your lender what they will allow the seller to pay. If you'd like to learn more about the home-buying process and how to get the home of your dreams at a price you can afford please call me at: (919) 793-4730 or email me at jeff@jeffdicks.com. Or, if you have any other real estate questions, I'm here to help.

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THANK YOU… for reading my Your Heritage Neighbor!® personal newsletter.  I wanted to produce a newsletter that has great content and is fun and valuable to you.  Help your friends get more out of life by forwarding this email to them…

You received this email because you requested it, are on the mailing list as {EMAIL_ADDRESS}, or a friend forwarded it to you. Disclaimer:  The information contained in this email is intended for informational purposes.  It should not substitute as legal, accounting, investment, medical and other professional services advice.  Always seek a competent professional for answers to your specific questions. This email is not intended to solicit real estate properties currently for sale.

Copyright (c) 2012 by Jeff Dicks Real Estate, Inc.

Well a Very Happy NEW Year to all my readers, supporters, clients and friends. It’s been a crazy year with travels to the home of the worlds largest oilsands deposits- Ft McMurray, Alberta. My father was inducted into the local Hockey Hall of Fame with the Ft McMurray Oil Barons as founder of the team. A proud son  I am. I can’t leave out the summer excursion with my wife and two terrific kids up to Torch Lake in Northern Michigan. If you haven’t been there add it to your bucket list. Simply a sensational lake and also ranked as one of the top lakes in the world.

Last but not least was the family event of the year to Disney World. Totally worth it. My kids had the time of their life. My son keeps wanting to back to the “Tower of Terror” he just turned 5.

As for us here at Jeff Dicks Real Estate have a fabulous 2012. We look for to helping you Buy or Sell a home here in the Triangle area of North Carolina. Check out the daily headlines for December 30th/2012

TOP NEWS • Spain to fire opening salvos in austerity drive Spain’s centre-right government will announce billions of euros in savings measures, using its first decrees since sweeping to power at November elections to give the nation a foretaste of tougher austerity to come.

• China’s factories falter, pro-growth policies eyed China’s factory activity shrank again December as demand at home and abroad slackened, a purchasing managers’ survey showed, reinforcing the case for pro-growth policies to underpin the world’s second-largest economy. • Colombia sells state-run power firm for $415 million Canadian-owned BCIF Holding Colombia S.A.S. has won a bid to acquire a Colombian state-owned power company for around $415 million, the country’s finance ministry said on Thursday. • HSH Nordbank sues Ally, JPM over mortgage losses German lender HSH Nordbank has sued several banks, including Ally Financial and JPMorgan Chase, over losses on $130.2 million in mortgage bond investments, according to court documents.

Very rarely do I have something at the tip of my tongue not be thankful for. The years continue to roll along and my kids continue to get taller as I shrink. I’m often reminded by my lovely wife Christine that we are very fortunate and as I like to say life gives you lemons if you continue to complain of life’s challenges.

I came across a snippet of Jon Gordon’s work today that I couldn’t help but share.

They are two words that have the power to transform our health, happiness, athletic performance and success. Research shows that grateful people are happier and more likely to maintain good friendships. A state of gratitude, according to research by the Institute of HeartMath, also improves the heart’s rhythmic functioning, which helps us to reduce stress, think more clearly under pressure and heal physically. It’s actually physiologically impossible to be stressed and thankful at the same time. When you are grateful you flood your body and brain with emotions and endorphins that uplift and energize you rather than the stress hormones that drain you.

Gratitude and appreciation are also essential for a healthy work environment. In fact, the number one reason why people leave their jobs is because they don’t feel appreciated. A simple thank you and a show of appreciation can make all the difference.

Gratitude is like muscle. The more we do with it the stronger it gets- Jon Gordon

Take note and you may just survive the holidays…….and beyond

Jeff Dicks

Jeff Dicks Real Estate

But while Canadian investors can get a glimpse of a wide variety of properties in the U.S., Europe and Brazil with the newly launched website, Canadian properties are not included.

The NAR said nearly 2.6 million international visitors searched for U.S. real estate alone on Realtor.com, with Canadians leading the list, followed by visitors from the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia and India. The international site, www.Realtor.com/International, launched last week.

The site will not only allow Realtors to offer their expertise and knowledge to a broader knowledge, but also bring buyers and sellers together on a more global scale, said NAR President Ron Phipps.

“Foreign buyers understand the value of owning a home in the U.S. and can rely on a Realtor because of their global perspective and understanding of different cultures and real estate practices,” he said. “This collaboration with Move.com is just one of many ways Realtors can expand and grow their business globally.”

With Canadians leading the surge in U.S. purchases by foreign buyers, much of the sales focus has been on warmer, coastal states recently. The NAR said Arizona, California, Florida and Texas accounted for 58% of all U.S. residential transactions completed by international buyers.

Visitors to the NAR site can search properties for 11 countries in 11 languages. Along with the U.S. and Brazil, the site offers listings for France, Italy, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Croatia, and Serbia. Listings range from the multi-million price range to some homes for well under $10,000. A simple search variation allows prices to be listed in Canadian dollars.

Rentals are also offered on the site.

Canadian Real Estate- Editorial Team

Courtesy of Jeff Dicks Real Estate   View Triangle area Investment Properties

Get Picky — Insist on a Stickie!  

A couple of months ago, I wrote about sweet red wines…and
the rather curious…but nonetheless latest and greatest craze in the ever-changing
world of wine.  And guess what! Their
numbers have only mushroomed in the past few months!

Be that as it may, I thought I’d capitalize on the
obvious and burgeoning popularity of all things sugary and write a bit about the
true nobility of sweet wines…the “Stickies!”
Known commonly as dessert wines, Stickies
are exquisitely flavorful nectars that are simply God’s way of illustrating
organoleptic perfection!  

The never-miss-a-chance-to-coin-a-new-word
larrikin Aussies are recognized to have first minted the clever but definitive term
Stickie…a nickname befitting the
unctuous, syrupy — and yes — sticky nature that is common to dessert
wines.  To be technically factual, it’s
necessary for me to declare that the original use of “Stickies” first referred to Australian dessert wines made from
white grapes…but prone as we humans are to beg, borrow and steal a great idea,
the term Stickie these days is pretty
much a universally acceptable reference to all syrupy sweet dessert wines…from
Ports to Ice Wines.

Primo Stickies From
Around the World

Would it surprise you to learn that “really sweet” wines
are thought to be the earliest consistently-made and consumed types of wine?
There appear to be a number of reasons for that, but chief among them is that high
sugar levels minimized the negative impact of oxidation and helped preserve wines
for very long periods of time.   One of
the world’s oldest and most respected Stickies
is an ancient wine from Cyprus known as Commandaria…a
Stickie that dates back some 4000
years…and a wine that

was revered by the Knights Templar in the 12^th
Century.  It’s also known as one of the
world’s “noblest” Stickies for the
distinction it was

afforded by King Richard the Lionheart when celebrating
his marriage to Berengaria of Navarre.
He declared Commandaria to be the “Wine of Kings and the King of Wines.”

Other famous Stickies
of the world are the fabled Sauternes from Bordeaux, the Beerenauslese, Trockenbeerenauslese and Eisweins
of Germany and Austria, the Ice Wines of
Canada and the US Finger Lakes, the Tokaji/Tokay
wines from Hungary and Slovakia, Vin
Santo from Italy, and the “fortified” Ports
and Sherries of Portugal and Spain respectively.

And Not to Be Forgotten…the
Also-rans!

There are countless other Stickies of distinction, for just about every winery will have a Stickie made from one or more of the grapes
they grow.  That said, Stickies get that way by one of five
basic methods: from grapes being infected
with Noble Rot, aka Botrytis cinerea, a harmless fungus that dries and
shrivels ripened grapes such that sugars, acids and flavors are intensely concentrated;
from non-infected grapes frozen on the vine such
that water is frozen but sugars and other dissolved solids are not…which
produces a more concentrated and flavorful must to be pressed; from non-infected grapes frozen after being
picked…which also produces a highly concentrated and flavorful must;
from non-infected very ripe to “raisined” grapes that are
picked far later than usual…which allows for a range of concentrated sugars,
acids and flavors (called Late Harvest
wines); or the Granddaddy of approaches – from grapes that have been dried (on or off-vine)…whose concentrated
flavors run from fruity to nutty.  Can
you say CA-CHING?!

A Stickie’s ultimate character is also tempered by the variety of grape(s)
involved, the addition of sweeteners (sugar, honey etc.) and aging
techniques.  Finally…for those who’ve never ended a meal with a Port,
an Eiswein or a goblet of gold from
Sauternes, you really do need to get with the program!  Pricey? Yes!
Worth it? You betcha’

A Festive Flight of

Fat Day Favorites!

White

Chardonnay

Big Vines   2009

Refined, Vibrant, Elegant, and
Mouth-watering!

(Carneros — Napa Valley, CA)  $12-$14 – First and foremost, this bright and
fruity Chardonnay expression is a “dreamboat of a wine!”  Then there’s the Big Vines pedigree — that
not only involves exquisite fruit from idyllic terroir but craftsmanship
overseen by two of Napa’s brightest winemaking stars — Michael Beaulac and
Scott McLeod (Wine Enthusiast’s 2009 Winemaker of the Year as well as the
doting genius behind both Rubicon Estate and Francis Coppola wines for 18
years).   Aged in stainless steel with no
malolactic fermentation, the result is a fruit-forward, beautifully balanced
and delicious wine that will both delight your senses and leave you with fond
memories.  This is Chardonnay as God
intended it to be…and for the life of me, I don’t know how Big Vines can sell
it for such an affordable price.    http://www.bigvinewines.com/

Reds

Valdiguié

J. Lohr Estates Wildflower   2010

A Fruit-forward, Soft & Supple Jewel
of a Wine!

(Arroyo Seco Appellation – Monterey,  CA)/$10-$12 When it comes to describing this
little gem of a wine, WOW is the best word that comes to mind.  While there might be a handful of other
California wineries that produce this deliciously fruity and slightly off-dry
wine, no one makes it better than J. Lohr’s renowned “red wine winemaker” Steve
Peck.  Reminiscent of the famed Crus from
Beaujolais — Morgon, Fleurie and Moulin-a-Vent –all made from the famously
luscious Gamay grape…this wine used to be called “Napa Gamay” until the Bureau of Alcohol, Tax and Firearms prohibited
the use of that term in 2007.  Instead, US
producers must now use the actual name of the grape — Valdiguié – a once-popular but now obscure varietal from the
Languedoc-Roussillon region of southern France.  This
Vintage is 100% Valdiguié and about
20% of the

wine was produced using Carbonic
Maceration, where whole grape clusters are fermented together and without
benefit of added yeast.  It’s a
winemaking technique that features the fruit, achieves lower tannin levels and
results in a soft, supple and luscious wine.
It reminds me of the

German Dornfelder…the red grape (and wine)
for people who say they don’t like red wine!
It’s also one of the most versatile wines you’ll ever experience!   It’s the perfect “new wine” to try this
Thanksgiving!  I guarantee you’ll love
it!   http://www.jlohr.com/

Gamay

Georges Duboeuf   Beaujolais
Nouveau   2011

Fruity, Floral, Soft, and Yummy! 

(Beaujolais AOC–Romaneche-Thorins, FR)/$9-$12 Duboeuf’s
Beaujolais Nouveau is a perennial Thanksgiving crowd pleaser and one of the
best wine values you’ll find…period!
Look for the 2011 release on the traditional third Thursday of November
–which falls on the 17^th this year.
Also…be sure to call your retailer and reserve your fair share!

http://duboeuf.com/

Cabernet Sauvignon

Big Vines   2009

Superbly Supple, Sinfully Sensuous and
Stunning!  

(Napa Valley, CA)/$16-$18– It’s not
every day that I discover a refined and elegant classic Cabernet at such a
modest price point.  A Tasting Panel I recently
hosted unanimously judged this to be a $50 Cab – and as much as I wanted to let
them believe in my “generosity”… I buckled and let them know the truth. Medium
bodied, gorgeously translucent and beautifully balanced, this little gem still
has the legs of a Rockette and a finish that lasts through two big chews from a
French baguette!  If ever there was a
Cabernet that illustrates “typicity”…the extent to which a wine exhibits the taste
attributes of is varietal foundation…this 2009 Big Vines Cab is that wine!  With 50% of the fruit sourced from vineyards
in renowned Rutherford, 30% from Atlas Peak and 20% from Coombsville, it was
rested for 18 months in 30% new French oak.
Yum!  I can hardly wait to get that
next bottle!      http://www.bigvinewines.com/

Rick Davis

Courtesy of Jeff Dicks Real Estate

Heritage Wake Forest Homes For Sale

“Following last week’s euphoria over the European Summit plan, investors are
in a more skeptical mood this week,” said BMO Capital Markets. “In our view,
while the plan will help contain the risk of a European banking crisis and
financial contagion to other countries, it falls well short of resolving the
crisis.”

So Treasuries are starting off the day stronger as more investors are seeking
safety over riskier stocks.  This will allow us to see a little bit of
improvement in rates today.

Rate
update.  Remember these are start rates…credit score, LTV, and other factors
go into final rate.

30yr
Fixed rate 4.125%  APR 4.229%

15 yr
Fixed rate 3.5%  APR 3.765%

5/1 Arm
3.125%   APR 3.207%

30 yr
FHA Fixed 3.75%  APR 4.113%

Have a
fun and safe Halloween!

Chris Blount
Branch Manager
Integrity Mortgage/AES Lending

Courtesy Jeff Dicks Real Estate

Raleigh Homes Market Update