Hello Friends,

Spring is here and with the flowers blooming and the trees sprouting their leaves, we are gearing up for a busy housing market!  The latest market trends report shows pending sales increased 29% and closings were up 27% compared with this same time last year.  Consumer confidence is as high as it has been in a year, and the Federal Reserve reported growth in all of its 12 banking districts in 2012 through the first half of February, including more hiring and home sales.  The housing market is not yet recovered, but with the positive increases in pending and closed sales, it appears to be on its way.

As promised last month, we are happy and excited to announce our new Linda Trevor & Co Facebook page!  Be the first group to “like” us….and stay informed on the latest market trends, new listings, and area information.

And speaking of updates, the new Triangle Expressway is now open.  Phase One opened in December 2011 and begins at the intersection of Hwy 147 and I-40.  This section connects the Durham Freeway to NC 540, and NC 540 to Hwy 54 and Hwy 55.  For more details about the new Triangle Expressway and how to obtain your NC Quick Pass please visit www.ncdot.gov/turnpike or watch this informative video.

Finally, a couple Raleigh accolades we wanted to share.  Raleigh is among the Fastest Growing Urban Areas and is in the Top 10 List of Cities for Wedded Bliss!

As always, “Thank You” for your continued support of our business and we wish you all a very blessed Easter!

Warm Regards,
Linda Trevor & Co

233 Meadow Beauty Dr, Apex, NC - West Lake

• 3 BR, 3 BA, .09 Acre, 2285 SF
• Kitchen with Stainless Steel Appliances
• Mostly Hardwoods on 1st Fl
• 1st Fl Master Suite & Guest Bedroom
• Screened Porch, Patio, & Fenced Yard
• Priced at $234,900      MLS#1826713

319 Riverwalk Circle, Cary, NC - Riverwalk

• 2 BR, 2.5 BA, .04 Acre, 1340 SF
• NEW Energy Efficient Windows
• Kitchen has NEW Stove, Sink, & Counters
• Open Living/Dining has Stacked Stone Fireplace
• Back Patio & Storage Closet
• Priced at $129,900      MLS#1826175

321 Riverwalk Circle, Cary, NC - Riverwalk

• 2 BR, 2.5 BA, .03 Acre, 1360 SF
• Completely Renovated Kitchen with Stainless Steel Appliances
• NEW Tile Floors in Foyer & All Baths
• NEW Interior Paint & NEW 2" Faux Wood Blinds
• Back Patio has a Pergola, Garden Area, & Wooded Views
• Priced at $127,500      MLS#1824189

1319 Rothes Rd, Cary, NC - Woodwinds

• 3 BR, 2 BA, .31 Acre, 1440 SF
• Kitchen hosts Stainless Steel Appliances
• Living Room has Fireplace
• 1st Fl Master Suite with a Vaulted Ceiling
• Deck, Fenced Back Yard, & Wooded Surround
• Priced at $172,500      MLS#1828083

3233 Arden Branch Ln, Raleigh, NC - Willow Lakes

• 3 BR, 2.5 BA, .29 Acre, 1912 SF
• Kitchen hosts Stainless Steel appliances
• All Hardwoods on 1st Fl, New Carpet on 2nd Fl
• Master has His & Her walk-in closets
• Deck, Brick Patio, & Cul-de-Sac Location
• Priced at $180,000      MLS#1818324

Highland Creek is a popular new home choice as evidenced by its position as a Top 20 Selling New Home Development according to the Triangle Residential Realty Report. The community is located just off Hwy 401N/Louisburg Rd in Raleigh and offers a variety of single family homes and townhomes.  Amenities include a 11,000-Sq.Ft. Resident’s Lodge, Jr Olympic Pool and a Kiddie Pool with Slide and Splash Zone, State-of-the-Art Fitness Center, Playground, Biking Trails, Park with a Soccer Field, and Tennis and Basketball Courts. Contact Us Today for a list of available homes!

1 -- April Fool's Day
13 -- Thomas Jefferson Day
15 -- Tax Day
15 -- Leonardo da Vinci's B-day
23 -- Shakespeare's Birthday
27 -- Arbor Day

Are your eyes itchy? Do you get a runny nose in the spring? If so, you're not alone. Seasonal rhinitis or hay fever affects more than 20 percent of the U.S. population. While researchers can't identify why some of us suffer these symptoms and others do not, they can identify the common triggers.

Pollen and mold spores top the list this time of year. Avoiding these triggers would be the most effective way to prevent flare-ups, but not the most practical.

The two most common types of allergy medications are antihistamines and decongestants. Antihistamines can stop all the major symptoms of hay fever, but they don't work well on established congestion. Most decongestants come in the form of nasal sprays and oral medication, which are good for the short term, but can cause dependency. If decongestants keep you up at night, or you can't take them due to heart or thyroid problems, try an anti-leukotriene, a medication that helps fight allergic inflammation.

Prescription steroid nasal sprays are another effective option.
If you don't treat your allergies you could end up with infections in your sinuses, throat or ears. Early treatment is key. If you know you've been exposed to a lot of allergens on a particular day (say you took a walk through a field of dandelions at lunch) it might be a good idea to treat yourself to a nice hot shower and a fresh set of clothes when you get home.

All winter long, dirt, mold and mildew build up on the outside of your home -- and spring is the perfect time to clean the exterior. Cleaning isn't just for aesthetic reasons, it also helps to maintain the integrity of the materials on your home.

A pressure washer is by far the easiest and the quickest way to approach this job. If you're looking for a little exercise, just grab some detergent, a rag, and some elbow grease. But, depending on the size of your home, you may want to invest in your own washer; they usually cost anywhere from $200 to $600.

Rentals are available for about $50 a day. If you opt to use a pressure washer, be sure to know its strength before you begin your work. These tools can quickly cause a lot of damage if they're not handled correctly. It is also a good idea to use a detergent specifically designed for use in a pressure washer to further speed up the cleaning process.

When cleaning your home's exterior, don't forget the rain gutters. During the fall and winter months, leaves and debris collect and need to come out to allow the spring rain to run off. There's really no easy way to do this job short of hiring someone else. So, break out the ladder and just start scooping. An old plastic cup makes a good scoop.