A Raleigh Roundup: Southern Charm Meets Big City Attractions

Raleigh lives true to its name “City of Oaks,” offering an abundance of outdoor amenities complemented by rays of sunshine and southern charm. Located in the Research Triangle along with Durham, Cary and Chapel Hill, Raleigh proves to be more than just the music capitol of North Carolina. The state capitol beats to the rhythm of its own drum, encompassing a tempo fit for every lifestyle. Whether you’re a foodie, techy, outdoor enthusiast or history buff, Raleigh offers something for everyone.

We asked 12 residents to share what they love about Raleigh.

1. Why do you think Raleigh was ranked first for “America’s Best Places to Live?”

Raleigh’s downtown began growing as soon as the economy recovered and hasn’t looked back. We have talented chefs, business owners, scientists, technologists, marketers, city officials and so on. There’s just huge talent and culture here, and it’s infectious. We celebrate our local talent and lift each other up. — Jen of Downtown Dame

Raleigh really has it all! There are lots of job opportunities, it has the convenience of a big city with the feel of a small town, it’s perfectly located between the mountains and the beach, and the residents are some of the nicest people I’ve ever met. — Ashley Nevis of Rainstorms and Love Note

2. Known as North Carolina’s live music capitol, where is the best venue for country blues?

The ‘Cuegrass Festival is awesome, because it has the best of both worlds — great food and great music! Outdoor street concerts just provide such a sense of community and really allow the attendees to connect with the band. — Sara Steadman of Sara Kate Styling

I am a big fan of Walnut Creek Amphitheater. Any type of music sounds better outside in beautiful North Carolina weather with a beverage in hand. — Alyssa of Alyssa Hellman

3. What’s Raleigh’s best free attraction?

North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. Source: Leigh Powell Hines of Hines Sight Blog

I love the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. It’s got a lot of impressive exhibits, including giant whale skeletons and a replica of a North Carolina forest. — Ashley Nevis of Rainstorms and Love Notes

It’s not a single destination but I’m going to say the greenways are the best free ways to explore the city and relax. I’d also recommend downtown spots like Moore Square where there are free events like Pickin’ in the Plaza where free concerts are held. — Elle of Couple Money

4. What’s the best way to spend a summer afternoon in Raleigh?

Lake Wheeler in Raleigh offers 150 acres of parkland and a 650-acre lake with fishing, sailing, canoeing, rowing and kayaking. You can rent a boat or pay to launch your personal boat, and there is a fishing rod and reel loaner program. The park is open daily from dawn to dusk during the summer. — Leigh Powell Hines of Hines Sight Blog

Bar hopping around downtown Raleigh. A few of my favorite spots are Crank Arm, Slim’s, Anchor and Raleigh Time’s upstairs outdoor bar-top. — Jen of Downtown Dame

5. What is Raleigh’s favorite comfort food?

Tater tots. We love ’em smothered with sour cream, chives and bacon. Or plain and simple with a little ketchup. They’ve gotta be hot, crispy and delicious. — Jen Downtown of Dame

Mac and Cheese! Yes, Raleigh is known for its other southern-style foods — barbecue, okra, etc. — but there are a ton of places that specialize in homemade macaroni and cheese! Plus, each place has its own little twist! — Sara Steadman of Sara Kate Styling

6. What’s the best neighborhood for first-time home-buyers with children?

A House in The Groves, Apex. Source: Jenn & Lucy of East Meets South

Located just north of Raleigh, the Heritage Wake Forest community is one of the best communities to raise a family including first-time home buyers with children. Aside from the safe and friendly neighborhoods, Heritage also provides easy access to great schools as part of the Wake County school system, parks and other wonderful amenities making it ideal for family life. — Sophie of Work Chic

Look for a place in Morrisville, Cary, Wake Forest or Apex for first family homes with excellent school districts. And you’ll be close enough to Raleigh proper that a drive into work is reasonable. — Jenn and Lucy of East Meets South 

7. Why do you think Raleigh is listed as one of the top 10 places for singles?

There is literally something for everyone and there are a ton of events throughout the year at which you can meet other people. There are bars, there are outdoor festivals, there are food truck rodeos and there are even comic conventions! You name, it we have it! So, no matter what type of person you are there is an event for you! — Sara Steadman of Sara Kate Styling

There’s a lot of amenities in downtown Raleigh and the surrounding cities — nightlife, outdoors, music, culture, etc. Again, it’s also affordable and the job market is great. — Jessica Corson of Happy is Healthy

8. Which neighborhood would you visit to see Victorian-style houses?

A Victorian-style home on the Oakwood Tour. Source: Leight Powell Hines of Hine Sight Blog

This would be the Oakwood area of Raleigh near downtown Raleigh. It’s a very close-knit, family-friendly community with a very active historical society and garden club. They host two of my favorite events yearly. The Candlelight Christmas Tour and the Oakwood Garden Club Victorian Tea and Garden Tour. The Boylan Heights neighborhood may also have a few Victorians as well. — Leigh Powell Hines of Hines Sight Blog

The three best neighborhoods for Victorian-style houses in Raleigh are Historic Oakwood, Boylan Heights and Mordecai. — Carol of The Gardening Cook

9. What’s the best specialty item at the State Farmers Market?

Fresh produce from the farmer’s market. Source: Sara Steadman of Sara Kate Styling

My pick for the most reliably present specialty vendor at the market is La Farm Bakery. When he is present, a wonderful young man bakes his own delicious bread, typically on Saturdays — it is the best bread in the market. — Craig LeHoullier of nctomatoman

Locally-produced honey. — Pat McKee of McKee Homes

10. In the “City of Oaks,” where are the best hikes?

My #1 choice is William B. Umstead State Park anytime I want to get a good long walk or hike in. The scenic trails are beautifully hidden inside of the woods! It’s even perfect for those who just want to enjoy being in the peaceful outdoors inside a lush forest. The overall relaxing ambiance makes this a great getaway from busy city life. — Sophie of Work Chic

The greenways are all over the city and are great. There’s also many parks and lakes nearby. My personal favorite is Jordan Lake, followed by Shelley Lake. — Jessica Corson of Healthy is Happy

11. When planning a day trip to North Carolina State University, do you visit the JC Raulston Arboretum or Pullen Park?

JC Raulston Arboretum. Source: Carol of The Gardening Cook

We love the Raulston Arboretum for the wide variety of unique plant species, mostly trees and shrubs, organized in an interesting, attractive layout. One of the most enjoyable ways to spend a few hours in the spring is to pick up a tasty lunch at nearby Neomonde, and find a seat in the arboretum near a blossoming peach or cherry tree or magnolia. — Craig LeHoullier of nctomatoman

Pullen Park is the quintessential NC State experience — its understated, simple charms take you back to a bygone era where kids would enjoy a quaint train ride through the park or throwing pieces of bread to oversized ducks. It has that golden glow of nostalgia that State fans revel in. (Most of our happiest moments are from bygone eras, unfortunately, but there is always next year!). — Jenn and Lucy of East Meets South

12. Where are the most affordable places to live in Raleigh?

The suburbs of Raleigh, such as Garner and Knightdale have very affordable homes and are only a short commute to the Raleigh Beltline. — Pat McKee of McKee Homes

Any of the southeast Raleigh neighborhoods are still undervalued in Raleigh. — Carol of The Gardening Cook

13. Where would you take out-of-town guests for a true Raleigh experience?

Elle enjoying a beer at Trophy Brewing & Pizza Co. Source: Elle of Couple Money

A day trip spending hours downtown, picking a good lunch spot and walking the streets, perhaps taking in a museum — maybe focusing on a special weekend events such as Artsplosure, would be a wonderful way to spend the day and get to know the city. — Craig LeHoullier of nctomatoman

Right now I’m loving taking people to Sono for sushi and cocktails or Boylan Bridge for great beer and sandwich. And since we’re on the topic of beer, you have to set aside some time to check out many of the local breweries. — Elle of Couple Money

14. Would you rather go to a Carolina Hurricane’s NHL game? Or a RailHawks pro soccer game?

The Hurricanes win hands down. It is hard to be outside for hours without shade in Raleigh from April to September, but if you are trying to escape the heat nothing sounds better than being inside near ice. — Lucy and Jenn of East Meets South

Frankly, I enjoy a good old fashioned amateur baseball game at the new Holly Springs Salamanders stadium in Holly Springs, NC — one of Raleigh’s nearby communities. But, I also love a Hurricanes game! — Alyssa of Alyssa Hellman

Related:

• Tired of Competing With Cash Buyers? Buy in Raleigh
• Raleigh a Place Where $1 Million Gets the Most Square Footage
• An Insider’s Look at Richmond: Where Southern Charm Meets Urban Creativity

from Zillow Blog - Real Estate Market Stats, Celebrity Real Estate, and Zillow News http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ZillowBlog/~3/wbxSwJVOdwE/
via Reveeo

Zillow Speaker Series: 'Serial Entrepreneur' Sasha Muir Shares Her Business Secrets

Muir shows off a convertible clutch by BEVÉE — a cross-body purse with an easily accessed billfold and an outer pocket “that fits all your largest smart phones.”

In case it’s not enough that Sasha Muir’s “butter LONDON” brand is known the world over for high-quality nail lacquer that’s beautifully packaged, last year Goldman Sachs named the Brit-turned-Seattleite one of its 100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs.

Muir, a self-described “serial entrepreneur,” sold a majority share of butter LONDON to a private equity group last year. She’s also founder of a brand of children’s undergarments called Knickerbocker Glory and co-founder of a line of luxury handbags and accessories called BEVÉE.

So there is plenty to keep her busy, the mother of three young children told a crowd of Zillowites.

Muir recommends “hiring creatively,” whether you’re an entrepreneur or a corporate leader. Her director of operations at butter LONDON came from the restaurant industry, where “they knew service and had to get deep into menus — everything I wanted, they had done.”

She also believes in writing out detailed business plans and running them by people you trust to determine whether something has a chance. With butter LONDON, “I poured my heart and soul into what [the mission, vision and values] should be. I asked myself, ‘Am I doing something that’s different enough, that’s almost shocking at this time for this type of product?'”

Then she sold it to manufacturers — and investors. It’s important to be “so passionate and to have done the homework so well and to be so into this idea will they take bet on you and help you develop it,” Muir said.

However, groundwork doesn’t mean plans remain static.

Zillow Group Chief Marketing Officer Amy Bohutinsky, who interviewed Muir, showed surprise at the entrepreneur’s tale of arriving in Seattle years ago with a boyfriend and deciding on the spur of the moment not to leave.

“You seem to be a big planner, but a whim set the pace for so much of the rest of your life,” Bohutinsky said.

Muir said she’s a risk taker — she’s also started other businesses that weren’t successful — but that she always has a possible exit, a Plan B.

“For me, the key thing is what’s the mitigation. … What are the possible outcomes, and am I comfortable with them?” Muir said. (With the boyfriend, things worked out. He’s now her husband.)

Things also worked out with butter LONDON. The company’s trajectory changed dramatically with the recession, turning it from mostly a retailer into primarily a wholesaler.

“It’s very rare for a company to end up exactly where founder thought they would be,” Muir said.

Come see Zillow’s intriguing speakers in person, check out our jobs page. We’re hiring!

Photos by Adam Cohn

Related:

• Actor Rainn Wilson — aka “Dwight” — Shares His Love of Philanthropy
• Bestselling Author Lee Woodruff Shares Tips for Coping With Tragedy
• Theo Chocolate’s Cocoa Buyer Shares Sweet Secrets

from Zillow Blog - Real Estate Market Stats, Celebrity Real Estate, and Zillow News http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ZillowBlog/~3/j8eORo8YkMw/
via Reveeo

Pretty Little Listing From TV's Ian Harding

Midway through the sixth season of “Pretty Little Liars,” series star Ian Harding has listed his Los Angeles home.

The fictional high school teacher is asking $1.35 million for the 1,241-square-foot home on a rare double lot in popular Laurel Canyon.

Built in 1948, the 3-bedroom, 2-bath home is described as “bohemian” by listing agent Courtney Van Cott of Partners Trust.

The retreat boasts a large deck for entertaining and a spacious guest suite with its own kitchenette.

Related:

• Emmy Nominees Buying, Listing & Renting Homes
• ‘Scandal’ Star Tony Goldwyn (aka President Fitz) Lands NYC Apartment
• ‘Salem’ Stars Buy Home in Hollywood Hills

from Zillow Blog - Real Estate Market Stats, Celebrity Real Estate, and Zillow News http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ZillowBlog/~3/nDoVOLr_Upc/
via Reveeo

Baby, He's a Star, and So Is His 'Purple Rain' Fixer-Upper

Prince’s home from the 1984 cult classic “Purple Rain” is on the market for $110,000 — and it’s looking for more than a weekend lover.

It was a humble home even then, when “The Kid” was struggling to escape his parents’ dysfunction. Now the listing by Nancy Petran of Coldwell Banker Burnet says the home “needs to be rehabbed.” It was first reported by Minnesota Public Radio’s blog.

Built in 1913, the 3-bedroom, 1.5-bath home sits on a quiet street near the light rail line in Minneapolis’ Longfellow neighborhood.

Let’s hope someone goes crazy and fixes it right up.

Related:

• ‘Magic Mike’ Stars Bust Real Estate Moves, Too
• Chrissy Teigen and John Legend List $4.5 Million 1-Bedroom
• Slash Slept Here: Rocker-Chic Italian Villa in Beverly Hills for Sale

from Zillow Blog - Real Estate Market Stats, Celebrity Real Estate, and Zillow News http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ZillowBlog/~3/0NukF7JfYSM/
via Reveeo

Most Viewed Homes Under $1 Million

In retail stores, it’s easy to tell which products are hot. They fly off the shelves with shoppers lining up around the block — or even camping out overnight — to get one.

While less obvious, the same can be said about homes on Zillow. Certain listings ignite a surge in Web traffic, quickly enticing prospective buyers.

To see which listings were the biggest attention grabbers, we looked at homes garnering more than 10,000 pageviews on Zillow this spring. Why spring? From April through June, for-sale inventory typically peaks and buyers get serious about finding a home.

While several eye-popping, jaw-dropping estates made the list, we focused on those under $1 million to pinpoint the homes people were most conceivably interested in purchasing.

Here’s a look at 10 of the most viewed homes.

Seattle, WA

4415 SW Walker St, Seattle, WA
Sold 6/3/15: $850,000

Photo courtesy of Northadmiral.com and Kelly Right Real Estate

When you’re a real estate agent, you know how to sell a home — especially your own. Michael Zuppe found a buyer for his Seattle home in June, after noting its A+ details, large media room and slab granite countertops. We also couldn’t get enough of this photo, taken of the home at dusk.

See Seattle homes currently on the market.

Lutz, FL

16123 W Lake Burrell Dr, Lutz, FL
For sale: $275,000

The Duncan Duo are marketing this lakefront gem as “a lushly landscaped lot overlooking stunning waterfront views.” The photos do the Lutz listing justice, showing off a backyard pool and tropical landscaping.

See more Lutz homes for sale.

Portland, OR

2114 SE Harold St, Portland, OR
Sold 5/15/15: $275,000

Photo by Travis Stanley Photography, courtesy of Ilyse Ball

In a hot market like Portland, homes — especially those first-time buyers could afford — fly off the market. Seller’s agent Ilyse Ball listed this adorable 4-bedroom in April and sold it a month later for $35,000 over asking. The house features hardwood floors, a fenced yard and a finished basement.

Check out more Portland listings.

Smyrna, GA

1506 Wehunt Cir SE, Smyrna, GA
Sold 7/10/15: $257,250

Photo courtesy of Michael Smith

Hitting the market in April, this Smyrna home quickly attracted buyers looking for a move-in ready townhome. The 3-bedroom, listed by Michael Smith, features 2,430 square feet of living space as well as a private backyard, deck and patio.

See Smyrna homes currently for sale.

Hauula, HI

53-157 Kamehameha Hwy, Hauula, HI
For sale: $550,000

Who doesn’t like the idea of oceanfront, resort-style living? Listing agent Maria Torcia has made this Hawaiian property hard to resist, describing its beautiful sandy beach, volleyball court, boat access and more.

See more listings in Hauula.

Tampa, FL

5603 N Central Ave, Tampa, FL
Sold 7/13/15: $440,000

A spring home shopping success, this Tampa home was listed in April and sold earlier this month. Seller’s agent James Falcon showed off the bungalow with bright photos and a list of unexpected amenities such as a salt-water aquarium setup and original 1920s chandeliers.

See homes currently listed in Tampa.

Manakin Sabot, VA

1901 Camberley Ct, Manakin Sabot, VA
For sale: $539,000

Photo by Katelyn James Photography

It’s easy to see why this Manakin Sabot listing has received so much love from Zillow users. The contemporary home is stunning inside and out, showing off a picture-perfect porch, inviting entryway, stately columns and more.

See more Manakin Sabot homes for sale.

San Francisco, CA

418 Victoria St, San Francisco, CA
Sold 5/29/15: $855,000

Photo courtesy of the Patrick Lam and Joanne Xiang Award-Winning Team

In San Francisco, finding a 3-bedroom home under $1 million is no small feat. Listing agent Patrick Lam found a buyer in May by emphasizing this home’s selling points: ocean and city views, a sun-drenched living room, hardwoods and a big backyard.

Check out other San Francisco listings.

San Antonio, TX

8415 Lavenham, San Antonio, TX
Sold 6/24/15: undisclosed price

Sometimes it’s the little things like “no carpet” that catch your eye. Listing agent Levi Rodgers attracted home shoppers by calling out a few of this San Antonio home’s selling points like its lot size, backyard pool and carpet-less interior.

See what’s currently listed in San Antonio.

Poplar Bluff, MO

6135 Greenbriar Dr, Poplar Bluff, MO
For sale: $249,900

Seller’s agent Tonya Carter listed this home in April and has since attracted a slew of online visitors. The Poplar Bluff estate has 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, a sunroom, hardwood floors and lots of storage.

See more Poplar Bluff homes for sale.

Related:

• 4 Ways to Tell How Fast Your Home Will Sell
• $2,000 Rentals With Spectacular Amenities
• Where Do the Luckiest Home Buyers in America Live?

from Zillow Blog - Real Estate Market Stats, Celebrity Real Estate, and Zillow News http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ZillowBlog/~3/jw0Vec6GGQo/
via Reveeo

Sia Snags LA Castle Packed With Chandeliers

Singer-songwriter Sia just landed a Los Angeles mansion right out of a fairy tale — and of course, it’s crawling with chandeliers.

She paid $4.7 million for the 5,161-square-foot spread, as first reported by the Los Angeles Times. She put the property in the name of “Whatever Dude LLC,” true to her quirky nature.

The 5-bedroom, 5-bath home is a Mediterranean Revival from the 1920s, complete with stained glass murals and elaborate wood carvings. It boasts spectacular views of the city from the master suite and a sunken sun room.

There are chandeliers in the sun room, the foyer, the kitchen, at the top of the stairs, in the entry to the master bedroom and above each of its side tables.

Sia, who won the best choreography MTV VMA in 2014 for her “Chandelier” video, is nominated this year for best female video for her hit “Elastic Heart.”

If she wins again, the Australian talent can celebrate from her enchanting new digs in Los Angeles’ hip Los Feliz neighborhood.

The listing agent was Jon Grauman of The Agency.

Photos courtesy of The Agency

Related:

• Pink’s Malibu Dreamhouse Hits the Market
• Report: Kesha Lists Spanish Charmer in Venice
• Fairy Tale Homes for Sale

from Zillow Blog - Real Estate Market Stats, Celebrity Real Estate, and Zillow News http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ZillowBlog/~3/Gb-yYuCHsaM/
via Reveeo

House of the Week: Mega-Mansion Built By Casino, Resort Architects

If Jon Sparer and John Klai built it, you know it’s going to have panache — along with bowling lanes, a Japanese soaking tub, a massage table that turns into a mani-pedi station and a “swank” room with a disco ball.

Klai is known for designing the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino and the Four Seasons Hotel in Las Vegas. Sparer worked on the MGM Macau and Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, as well as the Mirage, Treasure Island and Bellagio in Las Vegas.

The couple spent nearly seven years and more than $18 million building their own 13,255-square-foot modern mansion with views of Las Vegas. It’s now listed for $12.5 million “because we can’t find anyone to give us $18 million,” Sparer jokes. “We realize we spent too much money on it; we’ve gotten over that.”

The 5-bedroom, 9-bath home is a feast of luxury amenities, including a home theater, an 1,800-bottle wine cellar, a zero-edge pool and spa with water spouts, a steam room and a Vichy spa. The master suite boasts a closet with 26 feet of clothes-hanging space plus a deck with its own bed, spa, fire feature, shower, television and wet bar.

While they enjoy lounging inside, the couple also relish throwing parties at CAVU, which is an aeronautical term pilots use for “ceiling and visibility unrestricted” or “clear above, view unlimited.” (The ceiling for CAVU’s living and master areas is the size and shape of a 747 wing.)

“We’ve had parties with 400 people, and it’s not even crowded. There are so many courtyards and spaces and roof decks,” Sparer said. “We’ve had seven chefs from seven restaurants cooking in seven different areas of the house.”

Some windows reach to 24 feet high, offering tremendous light as well as striking golf course and mountain views.

The architects know that immense scale or “volume,” especially when encased by glass, concrete, steel and rammed-earth surfaces, can create a chilly feel. They worked to keep the home warm with finishes and through acoustic engineering that neutralizes echoes.

Another coziness booster is the separation of certain rooms — the library, the “swank” room and two guest spaces (the “treehouse” and the “retreat”) — from the main house. “You have to go outside in the courtyard to get to those rooms,” Sparer said.

CAVU‘s listing agent is Jill Lorenz of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, and her marketing includes a video featuring an introduction to the home by an English-accented guide prone to suggestive references:

Photos and video courtesy of RUHM Luxury Marketing

Related:

• Penn Jillette Paid $3.3M, and Voila! This Las Vegas Mansion Is His!
• The Dude Lists: Jeff Bridges Asks $29.5M for Montecito Estate
• They’re Just Like Us: Emmy Nominees Buying, Listing & Renting Homes

from Zillow Blog - Real Estate Market Stats, Celebrity Real Estate, and Zillow News http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ZillowBlog/~3/jqeNp2eZG2s/
via Reveeo