Enjoying Fall in the Triangle

At long last, the heat of summer begins to ease up to make way for Fall. The long, hot North Carolina summers remain a definitive feature of our piece of the world that I love and appreciate, BUT sweater season... it's amazing. Today, I donned a sweatshirt and felt an actual breeze for the first time in months and started to look forward to my favorite parts of autumn in the Triangle.

Playing in the Woods

We are surrounded by a plethora of accessible trails for hiking and biking. Soon, we will find the green of our beloved pine offset by the red, orange, and yellow of deciduous trees. Where better to enjoy the splendor of leaf death than in the woods? There is a park or nature preserve within half an hour of any city center in the Triangle - Umstead State Park in Raleigh, Eno River State Park in Hillsborough and Durham, and Brumley Forest Nature Preserve in Chapel Hill to name a few. Those three offer convenient parking and a variety of trail length and difficulties to suit explorers of all ages and fitness levels. 

Drinking Outside

Falls in the Triangle offer all the joys of drinking outside in the summer without the profuse sweating and sunburn. Swing by Cocoa Cinnamon in Durham and grab a table as you sip a hot coffee for the first time in months and doodle in your journal (What about Fall makes reflecting so necessary? Is it the previously mentioned leaf death?). Try out the rooftop bars at The Durham or Unscripted as it finally seems safe to opt for a perch CLOSER to the Sun. In Carrboro, settle in to your Weaver Street routine - enjoy a salad without fear of sticking to your seat, dance on the lawn without fear of dehydration, or simply appreciate the cooler temps as you chase your toddler around the mulch, a truly adorable, season-less task.

Social Bike Rides

The temperate evenings make the many social bike rides significantly more appealing. There is something inherently unnerving about making new acquaintances when you are so sweaty that you appear to have stepped directly out of the shower and into your "casual chic" biker gear. As the seasons change, the night falls earlier, the rides get shorter, and the conversations shift from, "Can your kidneys shut down from dehydration?" to "Man, your scarf game is truly on point." Not sure where to start for your closest ride? Check-in at Bullseye Bicycle in Durham, Back Alley Bikes in Chapel Hill, or Oak City Cycling Project in Raleigh. There are events for all skill levels/disciplines to which each of these shops can introduce you.

So, as Labor Day looms ahead of us, don't lament the end of summer - dust off your Uggs and prepare for Fall.

Considering Owning a Home?

So, you want to buy a house. Your friends are all taking the plunge. You want to invest in your community, build a raised bed, and fence in a yard for your hypothetical-future dog.

Now what?

My clients all begin with a sit-down to answer exactly that question. Don’t worry, this meeting is meant to be an introduction to the process, not a sales pitch. The first step is to work together to develop a plan and timeline for your move. The more you know, the more informed decisions you will be able to make as you embark on the home buying process. Questions and a bit of confusion are totally normal at this point in the process.

But, how do I get a loan?

I’ll put you in touch with one of the best lenders in our area, who will help you compare your options based on credit score, finances, and price point. Worried about your credit? There are special products that cater to your needs. Have you compared the effect on your monthly payment at various down payments? More isn't always better. Are you terrified of PMI? These lenders are used to being used as a resource by my clients as part of developing a purchase plan. A successful home purchase is a team effort, so it is key that each involved party is organized and communicative.

Buying your first home can be a daunting proposition without an advocate by your side. As a buyer’s agent, my job is to help you find a house to make your home, negotiate on your behalf, and manage the details of the transaction to move as smoothly as possible to closing.

Reach out, let’s set up a time to chat.

Anne Bell's Thought-Provoking "Ways I See" to Open in Durham in January

Cow of Many Colors by Anne Bell

Anne Bell's work for her newest show "Ways I See" spans media and styles in a way that depicts an artist journey over a lifetime. Large realistic paintings formed from oil on canvas transition to bright, dream-like combinations of acrylic and wax crayon. Given the wide range of imagery and styles, one must find at least one of Bell's artistic visions that resonates.

Originally from Eastern Virginia, Bell grew up fascinated with nature. Her life in town was filled with animals, primarily poodles and hunting dogs. On the weekends, she wandered her family's farm exploring rolling hay fields or playing in the waves while visiting family on the Eastern Shore. In college, Bell began to put the images that captured her imagination on paper. These first images are realistic line drawings in stark black and white.  In adulthood, the imagery of Bell's paintings began to evolve. Her watercolor work reflected her move to coastal North Carolina as colors began to flood the images she created. These softer works capture the effects of light and reflection which carried over to her work in oil. In recent years, with children grown, Bell and her husband began a pecan farm. The move to farm life immersed the artist in nature daily. Additionally, Bell began studying under Robert Joyner. Surrounded by nature and with a new teacher, Bell's vision evolved yet again to combine her drawing skills and her love of color.

Two works completed 30 years apart capture the artist's evolution.

Desire to evolve contrasted with a want to remain static seems to be a theme of all growth. Walking through the selection of pieces for "Ways I See", one gains a visual representation of consistent change through life stages. The show also poses an interesting question to each viewer: Does growth mean a linear progression or can the change simply represent our dynamic nature?

The show is to open at the Urban Durham Realty office at 401C Foster St, Durham 27701 on January 7th. An artist's reception featuring a larger selection of work will be held on the evening of January 15th.