Change is good.

Change is Good!

We are getting ready to turn back the clocks on Nov. 4th. This is an excellent time to change the batteries in your smoke detectors. Make it a habit of changing the smoke detector batteries each time you change your clocks (Fall and Spring) to stay safe from a house fire. According to the Town of Cary, most home fires occur from 2:00 AM to 5:00 AM, when we are sleeping. Smoke will not wake you up, and home fire related deaths are caused by smoke inhalation! Source: BUD Newsletter, Oct. 2012 edition.

In light of the devastating storm which has hit the east coast, it is important (especially when the power goes out) to keep your cell phones charged.

In light of the devastating storm which has just hit the east coast, it is important (especially when the power goes out) to keep your cell phones charged.  It is your lifeline to family, friends and those who can help.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/29/tech/mobile/sandy-charge-devices/index.html?iref=obnetwork

Plan to vote early this election year?

Plan to vote early?  Below is a link to a list of places in the Triangle.  BE SURE you check and see when these places are open.  I went to Cary Senior Center to vote at 9:00 this morning, and they do not open until 11:00!

http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/10/17/2419603/early-voting-sites.html 

Dave Liniger hits the nail on the head as regards the national housing market.

Thank you, RIS Media, for publishing this letter.  Regardless of your party affiliation, Dave Liniger hits the nail on the head in this Open Letter as regards the national housing market and it's importance to economic recovery/

http://rismedia.com/2012-10-25/remax-co-founder-and-chairman-dave-liniger-issues-open-letter-to-president-obama-and-governor-romney/

Weekend events, Halloween Edition, for the Raleigh area.

Weekend plans...Halloween Edition....for Raleigh, NC and surrounding communities! Credit given to WRAL.com (they do the BEST at compiling such stuff!)  Have fun and be safe!

http://www.wral.com/weekend-plans-halloween-edition-spooktaculars-raleigh-living-dead-festival-and-much-more/11696184/

Need a rug?

Need a rug?

Sundram Rugs & Interiors is selling the rug company because he is starting a new business and everything is 80% off. They are nice rugs! 

Sundram Rugs & Interiors located at 101 Baines Court in Cary – next to Bunky’s car wash on Cary Parkway near Kildaire Farm Road.

Thinking of picking up investment properties? The FHA changes their guidelines for real estate investors.

Fannie Mae has made some major changes in its polices that now allow real estate investors to purchase up to 20 properties, using renovation loans similar to 203k mortgages.

The new changes that took effect on Oct. 1 are big news for smaller investors, and are designed to help Fannie clear out its inventory of foreclosed properties. Previously, Fannie Mae guidelines limited investors to 10 mortgages on nonowner-occupied residences. And, while the new policy allows the purchase of up to 20 properties by one investor, half of the purchases now are required to be Fannie Mae foreclosures.

Here’s the fine print:

 •Minimum downpayment (on each home) is 30%

 •No mortgage insurance needed

 •Appraisal not required

 •Contributions from sellers and other interested parties are limited to 2%

•Purchase loans only, no refinances

 •No second homes

 •Properties 11 through 20 have to be Fannie Mae foreclosures

 •203k type renovation loans available through Fannie Mae finance partner

 Investors have to purchase properties through the HomePath program and finance those homes through Fannie Mae’s finance partner, Prospect Mortgage.

Over the past months, investors have stepped into markets all over the country, whether to concentrate on "flipping" properties, or renovating and renting.

 

Call us!  Email us CHUCKandCINDY@CHUCKandCINDY.com

When is Halloween celebrated this year in Cary, NC and the surrounding communities?

There has been confusion over when to expect the trick-or-treaters!  In years past, some municipalities have encouraged weekends, and some have set a timeframe...here's the 2012 list:

http://www.wral.com/when-is-halloween-oct-31/11619816/

Take the Town of Apex Parks & Rec Survey!

The Town of Apex wants your input so they can create "the best programs, facilities and connections" for the community. 

 

Take the Parks & Rec Survey!

Posted October 11, 2012

The Town has initiated an update to the 2001 Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Master Plan and we are focused on creating the best programs, facilities, and connections for our community. Take the online survey and let us know what you want to see in Apex!

Really, really positive signs for the (Wake County housing) market!

More great housing news!  Stacey Anfindsen is our "go to" guy for statistical housing information.  He analyzes the market to include deed transfers at Wake County...therefore capturing FSBO stats as well.  He was an early foreseer of the real estate crash...and is now seeing "really, really positive signs..."

"Stacey Anfindsen, a residential market analyst, sees many positives. Pending sales are up, closings are up and days on the market are down, leading to a reduction in the available inventory, or fewer people waiting to sell their home. "All of those are really, really positive signs for the market," he said. "


http://www.wral.com/builders-see-triangle-housing-market-turning-a-corner/11662371/ 

Triangle housing sales are up 24 percent in the 3rd quarter!!!

The housing market is getting stronger! 

http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/10/15/2414019/triangle-home-sales-up-24-percent.html

Just Say No to Junk Mail!

What a great link identifying several ways to help you get off mailing lists AND save our trees and landfills!

Courtesy of the NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Pollution Prevention & Environmental Assistance division.

http://www.p2pays.org/junkmail.asp

Want to visit the NC State Fair without busting the budget?

Attending the NC State Fair is such fun....but also very expensive.  Below is a link to attend the NC State Fair without busting the budget!

http://www.wral.com/saving-at-the-nc-state-fair-/11650563/

Consumer confidence index rises to a 5-year high!

Great article on recent consumer confidence standing!  It's at it's highest in 5 years!

http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/10/12/2408290/consumer-confidence-index-jumps.html

It's time for the NC STATE FAIR! I can smell the food now! Below is your guide to everything!

http://www.wral.com/your-guide-to-the-nc-state-fair/11647496/

This should be a fascinating program: Apex, NC Historical Society 2012 Founders Day Program!

You are invited to the:  Apex Historical Society 25th Anniversary Founders Day Program      Sunday, October 14, 2012  3pm to 5pm   Halle Cultural Arts Center 237 N. Salem Street Apex, NC 27502    "All Aboard" For an afternoon of historic nostalgia!    Honor the founders of the Apex Historical Society  Reflect on our past achievements  Hop on board our "Re-Membering 25 Train"  Celebrate the 100th birthday of the old Town Hall  Enjoy Refreshments, diorama of 1970's Apex by The North Raleigh Model Railroad Club, and a Time Line of Apex Historical Society beginning 1987   RSVP by Oct 12 to Halle Cultural Arts Center 919-249-1120   For more information call Apex Historical Society Jan Brooks 919-469-5900, or Claire Rousseau 919-346-1440

Free shredding is TOMORROW, Saturday, Oct. 6th, from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM.

TOMORROW, Saturday 10-6-12:    FREE shredding! FREE shredding!

 

Get rid of those old boxes of paper!!

 

We are hosting a FREE shredding event tomorrow (Saturday, Oct.6th) from 8AM to 11AM at our office:  RE/MAX United, 51 Kilmayne Drive, Cary, NC 27511

 

THIS IS A SECURE SHREDDING EVENT WHERE YOU WATCH YOUR DOCUMENTS BEING SHREDDED. 

 

Open to the public!

 

With identity theft on the rise, this is a great way to safely get rid of your documents!

This event is sponsored by RE/MAX United and Richardson Law Firm.

It is amazing what WD-40 can do!

Just in from Reader's Digest...a list of amazing things WD-40 can be used to accomplish!  Who would've thought to use it to remove gum from hair, prevent wasps from building nests, or to kill bugs?

http://www.rd.com/slideshows/13-amazing-uses-for-wd-40/?trkid=outbrain-all

Good news for the economy!

This is a great article!

http://www.dailycamera.com/nation-world-news/ci_21693484/good-news-economy-u-s-service-firms-grow

October Home Tips

Useful information, just in from Marshburn Home Inspections:

Tips

October Home Hints

October means it's about to get cold (if it hasn't already) and brings with it lots of homeowner tasks. Among other things, remember to:
Check the roof for loose, cracked or missing shingles.

• Trim tree limbs away from the roof and windows.
• Check weather stripping and caulking around doors and windows and repair or replace as necessary.
• Store paints, caulks and liquid materials in warmer areas or remove from unheated areas and sheds. 
• Detach and store hoses.
• Clean gutters after most of the leaves have fallen and make sure downspouts and gutter extensions are in good repair.
• Set thermostats and automatic sprinklers for winter. 
• Reverse fan blades for winter settings.
• Ensure that gauges on home fire extinguishers indicate a full charge. Replace if necessary.

---

Prepare Your Fireplace for Winter

Ah, cool days, chilly nights, fall foliage and warm fires-the joys of an approaching winter. While you are getting your home ready for winter, don't forget about the fireplace. October is the perfect time to start prepping your fireplace for the cold weather. Whether it's wood-burning, gas or electric, www.diylife.com has some tips to clean your fireplace and get it in tip-top shape before frosty temperatures hit.

Need a locksmith in Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Durham?

Need a locksmith? We have used John (owner) of Access Lock & Key for many years. He is on time, reasonably priced and very professional! He does residential, commercial, autos...basically anything involving a key and lock! Tell him CHUCK & CINDY sent you!

http://www.locksmith-raleigh.com/

I-95 to become a Toll Road?

Overview - As the East Coast’s main north-south highway, I-95 plays an important role in commerce and tourism, linking the nation’s populous Northeast with the South Atlantic and tourist centers of Florida.  It passes through more states than any other interstate highway, connecting some of the most densely populated regions of the country.

 Construction of I-95 in NC began in the mid 1950s, with the final sections built in 1980.  Much of the corridor remains a four-lane divided highway as when it was built.  Because there has not been major reconstruction or rehabilitation on I-95 since it was originally built, the majority of bridges, pavement, ramps and other infrastructure are reaching the end of their expected life and need replacement.  This issue has become immediate because of the large amount of heavy vehicles and trucks that use I-95 every day.  These trucks cause greater wear and tear of the roadway than lighter vehicles.

The I-95 Corridor Planning and Finance Study Environmental Assessment (EA), which will be discussed in this presentation, identified $4.4 billion in needed improvements on the I-95 corridor over the next 40 years and proposed a tolling plan that could be used to pay for these improvements.  However, tolling is not a “done deal”.  NCDOT is at the beginning of a process that will require many more steps before tolls can be placed on I-95 including receiving final tolling authority from FHWA.

In the next phase of the project, NCDOT will conduct an in-depth socio-economic analysis that evaluates the potential impacts that tolling I-95 could have on the local economies of Eastern NC.  FHWA will not grant final tolling authority until it demonstrates how the plan for implementing tolls takes into account the interests of local, regional and interstate travelers. 

 For more information visit www.driving95.com

FREE shredding event!

FREE shredding!  FREE shredding!

 

We are hosting a FREE shredding event, open to the public!

 

Saturday (October 6th) from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM

 

The event will be located at our office:

 

RE/MAX United, 51 Kilmayne Dr, Cary, NC 27511

 

This is an on-site shredding event, where you will see your documents being safely and securely shredded!

Chuck Hinton & Cindy Leonard

RE/MAX United and Richardson Law Firm are additional sponsors of this event!

 

FREE shredding event!

Don't forget that we are hosting a FREE shredding event this Saturday (10-6-12) from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM at our office:  RE/MAX United, 51 Kilmayne Drive, Cary, NC 27511!  Open to the public!  Get rid of those old boxes of paper!  It's safe and you can watch your papers being shredded!

Sponsored by: Chuck Hinton/Cindy Leonard, RE/MAX United and Richardson Law Firm