Green Home Tour Special Presentation: "Rainwater Collection Systems"   If you missed "Your New Raleigh Home and Rainwater Collection Systems" during the Green Home Tour, you can see it here!  The experts at Rainwater Solutions shared information about rainwater collection systems during the Triangle Green Home Tour. Rainwater collection is not required for a green built home, but can be a great way to irrigate while reducing runoff. This video clip is Part 2 of the Rainwater Collection System information session.  See below for parts one and three! Some of the questions Rainwater Solutions answered included:   - Why save rainwater? - How much rainwater can be collected each year from my roof? - What does a rainwater collection system look like? - What different ways are there to use rai... 08/22/2010

What County is Chapel Hill, NC in? You would think this question should have a simple answer! The short answer is that the Town of Chapel Hill is in Orange County, NC. The long answer goes like this...There are areas surrounding the Town of Chapel Hill ,with a Chapel Hill address, in both Chatham, Durham and Orange Counties. There are also areas with a Chapel Hill address that are in the Carrboro municipality. It is really a matter of postal areas determining the address. If the Chapel Hill address is in Chatham County the homes will have low Chatham County Taxes and Chatham County Schools. If the Chapel Hill address is in Durham County the homes will have Durham County taxes and Durham County Schools. If the Chapel Hill address is in Orange County the homes will have Orange County tax... 08/19/2010

Governors Park, Chapel Hill, NC produced by Marianne Howell Wright on WellcomeMat Governors Park is one of the Governors community of neighborhoods in Chatham County with a Chapel Hill address. Chatham County taxes are quite a bit lower than the surrounding areas. With about 240 homes Governors Park is located adjacent to Governors Club and across the road from Governors Village and Governors Lake. The homes are priced somewhere between Governors Village (home prices in the upper 300's), and Governors Lake (prices in the 400,000's and low 500,000's). Governors Park prices have been solidly in the 400,000's for the past few years although in the past couple of months I have seen a couple of sales dip down into the upper 300,000's. Governors Park was developed in the late 1990's and lots ... 08/14/2010

The North Carolina State Board of Education just released the 2010 ABC Reports.  The ABC program measures academic progress at North Carolina's public schools, using standardized end-of-grade tests in reading and math for grades three through eight and end-of-course tests in seven high school subjects.    This year, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro schools again led the state in most areas of student achievement.  Every district school but one made High Growth, seven schools were named Honor Schools of Excellence, and another three were named schools of Excellence.   Honor Schools of Excellence earn the designation if 90 percent or more of their students are proficient in math and reading.  These schools are:  Glenwood, Morris Grove, Rashkis, Scroggs, Seawell, Phillips and Smith.  The Schools o... 08/11/2010

I know it sounds like a cliché to hear a Realtor say it is a good time to buy; but really, "It is a Good Time to Buy."   10-year mortgage rates are at an all time low.  See the chart below that was done for me by Jim Enright with First Financial Services in Chapel Hill.  Mortgage Rates - A 10 Year History CONFORMING                                                        JUMBO (Over $417 Loan Amt)  30 Yr Fixed    4.0%                                                    30 Yr Fixed   4.875% 15 Yr Fixed    3.75%                                                  15 Yr Fixed   4.25% 7/1 Arm           3.125%                                               7/1 Arm         4.0% 5/1 Arm           2.75%  Mortgage rates were provided by Laura Hall at Corporate Investors in Chapel Hill.  There is no wa... 08/11/2010

  Mortgage interest rates remain at their lowest in recent history as shown in the figures below. If you need additional info regarding home loans, or buying or selling a home in the Chapel Hill, Durham or Raleigh areas, contact me, I can help. CONVENTIONAL 30 YEAR FIXED 4.375% CONVENTIONAL 30 YEAR FIXED-NO ORIG 4.50% CONVENTIONAL 15 YEAR FIXED 3.75% JUMBO 30 YEAR FIXED 5.00% JUMBO 5YEAR ARM 3.875% FHA 30 YEAR FIXED 4.25% FHA & VA 5 YEAR ARM 3.375% VA 30 YEAR FIXED 4.25% NC HOUSING BOND 3.95%    *All quotes with 1% origination fee or less *Rates vary according to down payment & credit score google-site-verification: googlebf60ccdaa02938c8.html 08/06/2010

I had lived in Chapel Hill for years, driving over Jordan Lake many times, but not really knowing what is was like to be actually out on the lake. I didn't have a very good idea of how large the lake is and how much fun people were having in my own back yard until a friend took us out of their boat. I thought I would make this video to give you an idea of what one version of an afternoon on Jordan lake could be. It was a hot summer weekend day and our idea was just go out on the lake float around in the water and keep cool. Jordan Lake is over 14,000 acres and has 12 recreation areas with boat ramps and various features depending on the site including camping, swimming, picnicking, boat rentals, kayaking,sailing fishing, and shower and rest room facilities. Vista Point Recreation area i... 08/04/2010

    Happy Summer! Here are the market statistics for June and comparasons with last year. Chapel Hilland Carrboro Chatham County Orange County Durham County Hillsborough Sales have been up mostly I think because of the rush to take advantage of the tax credit but with the incredably low rates and and some real deals available I expect the market here to be stable. The really desirable homes that are priced right still sell quickly and I would advise being careful that you don't buy a dog just to get a good deal because the homes with problems are hard to resell even in a good market. 08/02/2010

Barb Pater, a Chapel Hill, NC real estate broker talks about why she moved her family from San Diego to Chapel Hill 13 years ago. Barbara Pater Lives in Lake Hogan Farms produced by Marianne Howell Wright on WellcomeMat 08/01/2010

Raleigh Relocation Information Impact Fees Increasing in Orange County Chapel Hill NC New Home Cost Going Up! There are a multitude of different permits and fees required to build any new home.  Orange County and Chapel Hill have long had some of the highest fees in the Triangle. And they're going up. These fee increases were approved in December 2008, with new increases taking affect each January. Orange County School District Changes School district impact fees in Orange County have been $3,000 per single family home since 2001. On January 1, 2010, school district impact fees increased to $3749 per home. On January 1 2011, these fees will be increasing again, as part of a yearly increase for each of three years. Orange County Schools District impact fees will increase from $3749 to $4... 07/30/2010

New Homes Chapel Hill NC - New Homes Hillsborough NC Chapel Hill NC Relocation - Property Taxes How Much Will I Pay in Property Taxes for My New Hillsborough, Chapel Hill, or Carrboro Home? That's a very common question when considering purchasing a home in Orange County NC.  Orange County holds Chapel Hill, the third corner of the Triangle - which consists of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill.  Orange County is divided nearly in half by Hwy 40, which runs east/west between Raleigh/Durham and Greensboro.  Mebane and Hillsborough are "middle ground" points between the two areas.  Chapel Hill and Carrboro are on the southern side of the county, just north of Chatham County.  Find out more about Orange County here.  If you're considering relocating to Orange County, you may have a Chapel Hi... 07/27/2010

The private sewer lateral is the part of the sewer that runs from the house to the public sewer main, which is located under the street, alley, or in an easement behind the house. The maintenance and repair of the private sewer lateral is the responsibility of the property owner. But many owners give little thought to this system until a sewage back up occurs, usually due to a damaged or root-clogged pipe, or an offset joint. Repairing damages caused by a sewage backup can cost thousands of dollars; an expense seldom covered by homeowner's insurance policies. Local water utilities in our area offer insurance coverage that can be added to your water bill as a hedge against expensive lateral sewer repairs. A professional home inspection will cover the interior and exterior of the major m... 07/24/2010

A juvenile prank or someone's opinion of what is or is not art? It doesn't really matter. What matters is that someone felt compelled to make off with a large sculpture installed in front of the financially troubled Chapel Hill Museum on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill, NC. The sculpture was on lease from a Florida artist and intended to be on display until October of this year. It is gone.  Surely someone noticed it being removed or has seen it someplace where it doesn't belong...which is anywhere except in front of the Chapel Hill Museum. Come on boys and girls. This is art theft even if you prefer Rodin. Chapel Hill is fortunate enough to have a dedication to displaying public art in public places. For some reason there are always those who think it is a challenge to remove it. On pre... 07/24/2010

I've just had a pergola built over my deck in Carrboro, NC. As our daytime temperatures reach over 100 degrees for the third time this summer, I cannot tell you how much I am looking forward to sitting under my new pergola with its soon-to-be-installed ceiling fans and Coolaroo UV blocking exterior shades. I'm a Carolina girl, born and raised, and you'll forgive me if I daydream about serving my guests cocktails and dinner by candlelight at a garden party under my new pergola, on my mother's china and table linens, with ceiling fans spinning slowly overhead. Ah believe ma southe'n accent got thicka just thinkin' about it but...I digress... How much more true to my southern roots could I be if I were to let thick vines of purple flowered wisteria curl around the posts and hang through th... 07/23/2010

Retreat to secluded acreage close to town! Gracious outdoor spaces include a screened porch, large deck, southern rocking chair front porch and custom stone firepit with hand crafted stone bench and retaining wall. MLS 1731471   Cozy indoor spaces with wooded views from every window.  Hard to believe you are just minutes from downtown Chapel Hill! Home also boasts a rare finished walkout basement for additional storage, living space and flexibility.  All this on almost 5 acres of land.   3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths.   $389,000   Virtual Tour www.TourFactory.com/636121   07/13/2010

Price: $179,900 FIZBER.com ID 17227814 Condo/Townhome/Co-op with 3 bed, 2.5 bath, in 453 Summerwalk Circle Chapel hill, NC, 27517 http://www.fizber.com/17227814/ 453 Summerwalk Circle - For Sale By Owner Property Details: Type: Condo/Townhome/Co-op Address: 453 Summerwalk Circle, Chapel hill, NC, 27517 Sq footage: 1500.0 Floors: n/a Bathrooms: 2.5 Bedrooms: 3 Year built: 1989 View full property details and seller's contacts. View more North Carolina homes for sale. Homes for Sale by Owner. Description: Finley Forest - THE affordable neighborhood with access to the best of Chapel Hill for students and professionals. 453 Summerwalk Circle Features: · Constructed in 1989· 3 Bedrooms / 2.5 Baths· Approx. 1500 Square Feet· 2 Story Condominium· 1st Level Hardwood Floors· Refinished 1st Floor... 07/13/2010

I received a call today from a prospective client who called on a property that I have listed for sale. Although the property is not listed "For Rent". The prospect wanted to know if the owner would consider leasing the property for at least a 1 year term. After discussing the North Carolina Agency Disclosure I went on to have a qualifying discussion with prospect and based on the information provided asked why the prospect was not considering buying rather than renting. He answered my question by launching into a Tirade on how it's all a big lie that home ownership over the long term was a better finacial decision than renting and that he'd done the math and it didn't add up. The data that I've seen indicates that homeownership begins paying benefits at around the 6th year of ownership... 07/12/2010

It's Hot outside and so are the mortgage interest rates below. Contact me to get a pre-approval and to begin your Triangle area home search...I can help. Rates* as of 7/09/10 All quotes with 1% origination fee or less. Rates vary according to down payment & credit score  CONVENTIONAL 30 YEAR FIXED 4.375% CONVENTIONAL 30 YEAR FIXED-NO ORIG 4.625% CONVENTIONAL 15 YEAR FIXED 3.875% JUMBO 30 YEAR FIXED 5.125% JUMBO 5YEAR ARM 4.00% FHA 30 YEAR FIXED 4.50% FHA & VA 5 YEAR ARM 3.50% VA 30 YEAR FIXED 4.50% NC HOUSING BOND 4.75% 07/10/2010

I have a very special group of clients who show up in Chapel Hill every May. I've worked with them for many years now and I cannot tell you how much I enjoy them. Living in a university town has lots of perks but for me one of the best one is the opportunity to work with the young medical residents coming to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill every year to begin their specialized studies in obstetrics and gynecology. Every spring is a blur for me as I work non-stop for several weeks getting the incoming residents into homes appropriate for their new lives. Many have spouses or soon-to-be spouses who come with them and quite a few of them will begin families during the four years they are here so, in addition to being affordable and reasonably close to the hospitals, they ne... 07/08/2010

Wondering what you can expect as far as mortgage interest rates in the Raleigh-Durham area of North Carolina? Take a look below. If you need additional info or assistance regarding the homebuying or selling process, contact me..I can help. North Carolina Mortgage Intereste Rates* as of 7/02/10 All quotes with 1% origination fee or less                               Rates vary according to down payment & credit score CONVENTIONAL 30 YEAR FIXED 4.50% CONVENTIONAL 30 YEAR FIXED-NO ORIG 4.625% CONVENTIONAL 15 YEAR FIXED 4.00% JUMBO 30 YEAR FIXED 5.25% JUMBO 5YEAR ARM 4.00% FHA 30 YEAR FIXED 4.50% FHA & VA 5 YEAR ARM 3.50% VA 30 YEAR FIXED 4.625% NC HOUSING BOND 4.75%   07/05/2010