Just in from ABC News: Housing now a plus for the economy!

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/business/2012/09/housing-now-a-plus-for-the-economy/

What a gorgeous time of year! The perfect time to work outside!

This time of year, many people want to work in the yards and install hardscape to be ready for spring.  Have you ever thought of installing stone pavers?  Actually my sister and I installed a stone paver grill pad in one afternoon (and we are CLUELESS when it comes to this stuff) and it still looks fabulous six years later!

http://www.ehow.com/how_4556905_install-stone-pavers.html

Raleigh, NC is getting a regional transit hub!

http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/11575309/

Hanging by a thread with your mortgage(s)?

Hanging by a thread? 

Foreclosures and short sales are NOT the same!  With more than one in seven mortgages not being paid today, chances are someone you know is either facing foreclosure or will be soon.

We ask because we've COMMITTED ourselves to being a community resource on avoiding foreclosure and we have some important information to share.  We know how to help!  There ARE foreclosure alternatives, including short sales and deeds-in-lieu, that may help homeowners avoid the worst effects of foreclosure.

We have been Certified Distressed Property Experts!  We know how to help.  If you, or someone you know, need our help, please send a confidential email to: chuckandcindy@chuckandcindy.com 

30-Year Fixed Rates hit 3.49% WOW! What a great reason to purchase a home!

WOW!  30-year fixed rate mortgage have hit 3.49%! Take advantage of the low home prices ANDlow mortgage rates!

http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/national_world&id=8817992

Raleigh, NC is the BEST American city! Even BusinessWeek recognizes that!

Raleigh, NC is the #1 Best American City according to BusinessWeek research!  Of course, those of us who live here already knew that!

http://www.businessweek.com/lifestyle/which-is-americas-best-city-09202011.html

"The U.S. housing recovery is for real," said Sal Guatieri, an economist at BMO Capital Markets, in a note to clients. "Great affordability, pent-up demand and strong investor interest in rental units are driving the market."

"The U.S. housing recovery is for real," said Sal Guatieri, an economist at BMO Capital Markets, in a note to clients. "Great affordability, pent-up demand and strong investor interest in rental units are driving the market."

http://www.wral.com/business/story/11565359/

Housing signals are getting stronger and stronger!

http://www.wral.com/business/story/11565558/

Lots of spooky things are happening in the Raleigh area!

As the calendar creeps into October, lots of spooky things are beginning to take place in the Raleigh area!

http://www.wral.com/lifestyles/goaskmom/page/8315262/

Any questions on why so many people are moving to the Raleigh/Cary/Research Triangle Park area?! The 2012 Accolades/Business Rankings for Raleigh/Cary courtesy of the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce.

2012

~ #4 “Tech-Twenty” City

(Raleigh-Durham, NC)

CBRE | August 2012

 

~ #3 U.S. Cities Getting

Smarter the Fastest

(Raleigh, NC)

Forbes.com | August 2012

 

~ #1 Best Quality of Life

(Raleigh, NC)

Business Facilities Magazine

July/August 2012

 

~ #2 Fastest Growing City

(Raleigh, NC)

Business Facilities Magazine

July/August 2012

 

~ #6 Economic Growth Potential

(Raleigh-Cary, NC)

Business Facilities Magazine

July/August 2012

 

~ #3 Fastest Growing American City

(Raleigh-Cary, NC)

HuffingtonPost.com | August 2012

 

~ #5 Most Eco-Friendly City

(Raleigh, NC)

Thumbtack.com | July 2012

 

~ #6 Hottest American City

of the Future

(Raleigh, NC)

Yahoo Finance | June 2012

 

~ #2 Best Place for

Business and Careers

(Raleigh, NC)

Forbes.com | June 2012

 

~ #6 of America’s Leading

High-tech Metros

(Raleigh-Cary, NC)

TheAtlanticCities.com | June 2012

 

~ A Top 8 City with

Surprising Job Growth

(Raleigh, NC)

Kiplinger.com | June 2012

 

~ #7 Best Bang For Your Buck City

(Raleigh-Durham, NC)

TheFiscalTimes.com | June 2012

 

~ A Top 10 Beer City

(Raleigh/Durham, NC)

IDCocktails.com | June 2012

 

~ #6 Best City for a Happy Marriage

(Raleigh-Durham, NC)

RealAge.com | June 2012

 

~ #8 Most Affordable City Worth

Visiting This Summer

(Raleigh, NC)

Kiplinger.com | June 2012

~ #3 Best City for Jobs This Summer

(Raleigh-Cary, NC)

Forbes | June 2012

 

~ #7 Metro with Most

College-Educated Residents

(Raleigh-Cary, NC)

Brookings Metropolitan Policy

Program | May 2012

 

~ Named a Top Ten City for

Recent College Graduates

(Raleigh-Durham, NC)

Rent.com | May 2012

 

~ #7 Best City for Jobs

(Raleigh, NC)

Forbes.com | May 2012

 

~ #15 Most Peaceful Place in U.S.

(Raleigh-Cary MSA)

The Atlantic Cities | April 2012

 

~ #5 Best City for Raising a Family

(Raleigh, NC)

Forbes | April 2012

 

~ #6 Fastest-Growing American City

(Raleigh, NC)

Forbes | April 2012

 

~ #2 Most Organized U.S. City

(Raleigh, NC)

doxo.com | April 2012

 

~ #1 Healthiest Count in NC

(Wake County, NC)

CountyHeatlthRankings.org

March 2012

 

~ #9 Best City for Finance Jobs in 2012

(Raleigh, NC)

Accounting Principals | March 2012

 

~ #21 Fastest Growing Urban

Area in the U.S.

(Raleigh, NC)

U.S. Census Bureau | March 2012

 

~ #5 Most Cost-Attractive

Business Location

(Raleigh, NC)

KPMG | March 2012

 

~ #3 Best City for Health

and Happiness

(Raleigh, NC)

EcoSalon | March 2012

 

~ #3 Most Optimistic U.S. Metro

(Raleigh-Cary, NC)

Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index

March 2012

 

~ #10 Tastiest Town in the South

(Raleigh, NC)

Southern Living | March 2012

 

~ #1 Fastest Growing City

for Technology Jobs

(Raleigh, NC)

Dice | March 2012

 

~ #6 Large City for Well-Being

(Raleigh-Cary, NC)

Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index

February 2012

 

~ #5 Most Frugal City

(Raleigh, NC)

Coupons.com | February 2012

 

~ #1 Real Estate Market

to Watch in 2012

(Raleigh-Cary, NC)

Inman News | February 2012

 

~ #2 Metro with High Economic

Impact Colleges and Universities

(Raleigh, NC)

Westfield State University

January 2012

~ #6 Best City for Staying Young

(Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, NC)

RealAge.com | January 2012

 

~ #3 Best U.S. City to Raise a Family

(Raleigh, NC)

24/7 Wall St. | January 2012

 

~ #1 Healthiest City for Women

(Raleigh, NC)

Women’s Health | January 2012

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder! Be careful with your renovations...

The link below contains a fabulous article  on "Value Killing Renovations". 

http://homes.yahoo.com/news/beware-of-value-killing-renovations-20120905.html

Do your plumbing pipes make a hammering noise?

If your plumbing pipes make a hammering noise, here's the way to fix it!

http://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/plumbing/how-to-fix-pipes5.htm