Here’s some information from his website: “With a thriving dining scene, my alma mater Johnson & Wales, the nearby universities and Charlotte’s great cultural and arts community, I feel right at home here,” said Emeril. “I’m excited to join the beautiful museums and attractions at the Levine Center for the Arts and Duke Energy Center with my new restaurant – e2 Emeril’s Eatery. We’re creating a comfortable, fun, neighborhood eatery that serves great food and drink at an affordable price.”

“E2 features an eclectic menu and cooking methods that highlight Emeril’s passion for elevating American classics. The menu will include some dishes inspired by his travels in the U.S. and abroad, plus a few twists on his New Orleans favorites – with a touch of Southern flavor that is uniquely Charlotte. A large bar will feature moderately priced wines, craft beers, unique spirits and handcrafted cocktails.”

Have any of you been there yet?

Go try it out – you’ll love it!  Feel free to share this with your friends.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbSI4zIunu0&feature=youtu.be

I have been lucky enough to hear Mr. Liniger speak over the past twenty years at various conferences and shows, and I’m so pleased that he has been given this honor.

The readers of Inman News™, the leader in real estate and technology news, have selected RE/MAX founder Dave Liniger as the People's Choice Most Influential Real Estate Leader in 2011.

Liniger's selection, based on a popular vote by readers, was announced today during the Inman News Real Estate Connect® conference in New York City, which runs through Jan. 13 at the Marriott Marquis hotel in Times Square.

Liniger, 66, who co-founded RE/MAX with wife Gail in 1973, serves as chairman of the board for the global franchisor. Liniger oversaw the expansion of RE/MAX global franchise operations to eight additional countries in 2011 – there is now a brand presence in nearly every country in Central America and South America, and the franchisor has almost 90,000 affiliated real estate sales professionals in more than 80 countries.

"Our knowledgeable Inman News readers cast their votes for a true visionary of our industry," says Tim G. Smith, CEO of Inman News. "We are honored to include Dave Liniger among our list of influential past winners."

Liniger was also selected to the annual Inman 100 list of Most Influential Real Estate Leaders for 2011 — that list is separate and distinct from the individual People’s Choice recognition, and is based on a reader nomination process and an in-house review and selection process by Inman News.

-The Inman News Team

1. We’ll see low interest rates
2. Home prices will be stable and then rise
3. We’ll see an increase in home sales
4. We’ll see a rise in inventory
5. We’ll have 50% distressed properties
6. We’ll have an improves short sales process, avoid more foreclosures
7. We’ll see an increase in rentals
8. We’ll have 25% investors
9. We’ll see an increase in real estate professionals

    10. We’ll see an increase in use of social media to find and sell homes

For 14 years, no company has sold more than Re/Max.  I’m so happy to be part of this company.  Here’s the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-mqj4iZlOs

http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2011/12/06/nc-to-see-modest-growth-in-2012.html

Wishing you and yours a happy, healthy new year!

I also wanted to take some time to thank you for your business this past year.  I truly love my job because of the people I meet.  I enjoy showing people homes, and I enjoy getting to know the people for whom I am helping to sell their homes.  I am so blessed to have relationships with so many of you that have lasted year over year, and very much appreciate your business.

I wish you and your families the merriest of Christmases.

There are a few pros and cons, so let’s review, starting with the cons, so we end on a high note:

It’s hard to keep a home presentable from Thanksgiving till New Year’s Day, due to all the decorations, baking, cooking and gift wrapping.  If you are in the market for a home, many people do take their homes off the market, so inventory can be low.

As for the positives, most homes are festively decorated, making them more appealing to buyers, interest rates are low, homes prices are depressed nationwide, making it a great time to buy.

Take a look at this piece on realtor.com for more information, but ultimately, if you want your home to sell, keep it on the market.

http://www.realtor.com/blogs/2011/12/02/survey-data-reveals-the-majority-of-real-estate-professionals-recommend-clients-list-their-homes-during-the-holidays/

Veteran’s Day was especially meaningful this year because the town of Cornelius dedicated its new Veterans Memorial Monument at Rotary Plaza on Main Street.  We made sure to go to the ceremony because my father’s name was engraved on the memorial.  We were so proud!

Also, to thank my wonderful clients and business contacts, I hosted a Thanksgiving pie party at the cabin at Ramah Presbyterian Church and had a blast seeing so many wonderful people!  We had over 40 pies to give away (apple, pumpkin and pecan), served cider and cookies, and, collected over 6 boxes of donations to the Ada Jenkins Center’s Loaves and Fishes food pantry!  Thank you to my fabulous clients for being so giving, and thanks for stopping by to share some holiday fun.  The best part of all was being able to re-connect with so many people from the past and present, meet their kids, share funny stories of past closings (some were pretty crazy!), get referrals, and discuss potential new deals.  Please remember that I am always at your service.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

This is great news for buyers and sellers – buyers will get a great deal, and sellers will likely see a boost heading into the holidays.

For more information, here’s the article:

http://www.inman.com/news/2011/11/10/low-rates-sparking-demand-mortgages

Today is Election Day and there are many local positions that are being hotly contested in the Charlotte region.  Incumbent Anthony Foxx is being challenged by Scott Stone in the mayoral race, there are 14 candidates on the ballot for three at-large spots on the school board, and Davidson, my hometown, Cornelius and Huntersville are also experiencing some aggressively-run political campaigns this time around.

As we look ahead to 2012, it is interesting to think what hosting the Democratic National Convention will bring to Charlotte and the Lake Norman area.  Visit Lake Norman, the convention and visitors bureau, is gearing up for an influx of visitors related to the convention – lobbyists, special interest groups, their families.  Will people realize how wonderful Charlotte and the Lake Norman region are?  Will more people want to relocate here?  Will there be a big increase in business of all types?  Time will tell.

In the meantime, please vote today. 

Here’s the Charlotte Observer’s voter’s guide: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/vote/

Please exercise your right to vote!

Friday night, the rain held off so we could enjoy the Halloween March through Davidson.  Hundreds of costumed residents lined up at Davidson’s Town Hall to parade down Main Street to get candy, meet the merchants and visit with friends.  This is an aspect of Davidson that I just love.  Our sense of community is really “spooktacular” and is one of the things I point out to people who are looking to move to this area.  Every year, the town plans this event with our local merchants, and it’s a really fun way to celebrate this holiday.

Our whole Lake Norman region prides itself in being a welcoming community, and it enhances home sales when I am able to talk about these values.  People want to live here.  They want to raise their families here, retire here, and participate in everything there is to do in the area, whether it be having fun on the lake, going to festivals, shopping, going to sporting or cultural events, or enjoying the outdoors.

Enjoy Halloween and I hope that it brings you more treats than tricks!