Chapel Hill Durham Real Estate

Did you know that one of the best places to live is in the Triangle Area of North Carolina? Here’s what experts have to say:

In 2007, Forbes.com ranked Raleigh, NC number one for “The 25 Best US Cities For Jobs”! Forbes states that Raleigh has low unemployment, strong income & job growth and high incomes, yet maintains a relatively low cost of living, as well as having typically good weather and a highly educated population. Data was pulled from the largest 100 metropolitan areas per US Census and obtained data from Moody’s (NYSE: MC, Forbes News, Forbes People and Economy.com) to rank the cities.

In 2008 Kiplinger.com ranked Raleigh, NC number two for “2008 Best Cities”! Kiplinger says Raleigh is a “work in progress” with it’s recent population growth of 19.9% and income growth of 10.3% since 2000. Other interesting statistics are: 36.1% Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class, $56,150 Median Household Income, Cost of Living Index of 99 (100 being the national average), and Population of 995,662.

In 2006, Money Magazine’s CNNMoney.com ranked Cary, NC number 5 for “Best Places To Live” of the Top 10 Great American Towns that offer big-city opportunities and ammenities - with a lot more green space and a lot less stress. Comparisons were made for Financial, Housing, Education, Quality of Life, Leisure and Culture, Weather and Health.

Looking for a property in the Triangle Area? Click Here to start your search of all multiple listed properties in the Triangle.

Find out why more and more people are investing in real estate or relocating to the Triangle Area of NC and surrounding areas by contacting an experienced and educated agent on The Shuping Advantage Team. With proven experience since 1986, have a real estate expert on your side!

Summer Fun In The Sun - Tips For Not Getting Fried! 

 

 

With summer on the way you should think about sun exposure.

As the years go by each summer seams to be getting hotter than the last years.  The reason is because of global warming.  It’s very easy to get burned just be being out in the sun for only a few minutes.

Here are some tips to keep you healthy in the summer sun:

• Stay out of the sun when it is at it’s strongest (between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.)
• Use sunscreen that has an SPF of 15 or higher
• Wear protective clothing when out side
• Wear wraparound sunglasses that have provide 100 percent UV ray protection

Remember to be safe when you are out having fun!

With school now out kids need something to do with their time during the day so that parents are not worried about them while they are at work. Here is an idea for something fun, safe and educational for them, the Museum of Life and Science Summer Camp!  They offer dozens of fun, learning camp sessions for children from pre-school to 8th grade.  They have two camp locations - the Museum campus in Durham, and Estes Hills Elementary School in Chapel Hill which offers before and after care for kids.

Gas prices have you blue?  Here are a few suggestions to shake the gas blues and keep the “green” in your wallet!
 

With Gas prices so high these days we are paying almost $4.00 a gallon at the pump.  Here are a few tips for efficiently fueling your ride.
 

• When you’re filling up do not squeeze the trigger of the nozzle all the way down.  Let the gas flow slowly.  If you look you will see that the trigger has three stages: low, middle, and high. You should be pumping on low speed, thereby minimizing the vapors that are created while you are pumping.  All hoses at the pump have a vapor return.  If you are pumping on the fast rate, some other liquid that goes to your tank becomes vapor.  Those vapors are being sucked up and back into the underground storage tank so you’re getting less worth for your money.
  

When compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) come to a normal end, they will charr around the base, producing smoke and a bad smell.  This has concerned many people about whether or not they are safe.  According to research, they are no more likely to be a fire hazard than regular incandescent bulbs. The fire safety of any light bulb is largely dependent on its manufacturing quality, so always buy from a reputable brand with the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) seal.

CFL bulbs should not be used in a fixture with a dimmer switch, or in a fixture with an enclosed globe due to heat buildup. If a CFL bulb is broken or cracked, caution and special care is necessary when disposing of it.  This website from the state of Maine contains details you should know about when disposing of this kind of bulb.  Int

Interested in CFLs for their “green” aspect?  You can see an entire new house under construction built to “green” standards which will soon be complete and ready for occupancy on the Great Triangle Homes website.  Click here to view details on this exciting new property!

Eat Local!  Support local farms and promote your family’s health.  Locally grown foods preserve genetic diversity, gives strength to the local economy, benefits wildlife, supports a clean environment and delivers exceptional taste and freshness! 

Farmers Markets locations and times:

• Carrboro Farmers Market - 301 W. Main Steet, Carrboro, NC.  Held Saturdays from 7:00 am to noon and Wednesdays 3:30 - 6:30 pm.
• Chapel Hill Farmers Market also known as South Estes Farmers’ Market - 201 S. Estes Drive, University Mall parking lot near A Southern Season in Chapel Hill, NC.  Held Saturdays 8:00 am to noon.  
• Durham Farmers’ Market - At the pavillion in Durham Central Park, corner of Foster St. & Hunt Ave., Durham, NC.  Held Saturdays (summer through Thanksgiving) 8:00 am to noon and Wednesdays (5/7 thru 9/24) from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm. 
• Hillsborough Saturday Farmers Market - SunTrust parking lot, 128 N. Churton St., Hillsborough, NC.  Held Saturdays from 8:00 am to noon.
• Hillsborough Wednesday Farmers Market - Between US-70A and I-85, just south of the new Cardinal Bank, 241 S. Churton St., Hillsborough, NC.  Wednesdays 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm.  
• Orange County Farmers Market - At the Public Market House behind the orange County Sheriff’s office, 144 E. Margaret Lane, Hillsborough, NC.  Held Saturdays 8:00 am to noon.  
• Southern Village Farmers Market - Market Street in Southern Village, Chapel Hill, NC.  Held Thursdays 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

If you are intersted in buying or selling a home in the Triangle Area or in Orange, Chatham, Durham or Alamance Counties, have experience on your side! Visit www.GreatTriangleHomes.com to begin your home search and to learn more about The Shuping Advantage Team. Ask us about ”Local Farmers Markets” in proximity to where you may plan to relocate!

G. Crabtree Home Building
What Makes Our Homes Green
 Lot Design: Preparation and Development

Not only are the days getting longer, but they’re also getting warmer. You know what that means. It is time to start beautifying your yard! Here are a few simple ideas to get you thinking about how to start.

1. Design a plan for your yard that will work for all seasons. For example, your design should include plants that will provide gorgeous greenery in the spring, beautiful blooms in summer (maybe even a small vegetable garden), fabulous fall colors, and some evergreens to make winter not so white.

2. Layer your flower beds in rows, tallest plants in the back, shortest in the front. This way you get the most beauty, even in a small space. Also try to use repetition in your yard, meaning the same layers in different areas of the yard tying everything together.

3. You can also use ‘hardscaping’ tools like bird baths, stone paths, or Arbor Arches for interesting details.

4. Great landscape designs are anchored by focal points. One of the most peaceful focal points are water features. Water features are not only visually appealing, but emit soothing sounds. You can use pre-formed rigid plastic liners, durable pumps, flexible tubing and cheap fountains, they’re also a lot easier to install than you think.

5. Don’t forget about texture and color. Be sure to have varying forms of plants that not only vary in texture, but vary in color as well.

6. For folks in dryer areas, look into drought-tolerant plants that can grow even in poor soils. Click here for a site that has a list of some gorgeous drought-tolerant plants.

7. Make your life simpler by selecting plants that require little to no maintenance.
Every yard, big and small, can be gorgeous with the right tools and tricks. Getting out into the sunshine is a great way to beat the blah winter days, relieve stress, and get in some exercise at the same time. Landscaping should be fun, even the kids can help in the simpler projects.

Having a beautiful yard is especially important when trying to sell a home. Visit Great Triangle Homes online today to see how The Shuping Advantage Team can help your sell your home and/or buy a new one! With all of their expertise and education, The Shuping Advantage Team will help you every step of the way in buying and/or selling a home.

A sparkling new neighborhood located near The Streets at Southpoint Mall in Durham and adjacent to Herndon Park and the American Tobacco Trail awaits your arrival. Brand-new homes starting from the low $300,000s offers outstanding features at no additional costs. Thousands of customizing options are available to fit your unique style. Amenities including an outdoor swimming pool, Resident’s Club, multipurpose courts, playground, and walking trails will be completed Spring of 2009! 

The home of your dreams, the time of your life!

Have an experienced Real Estate professional on your side to guide you through the home buying process with this new exciting community.  With over 27 years combined experience, Connie Shuping and Wilma Gunnesch will save you time and money with your real estate needs!  Contact us for more information on this exciting new subdivision.  Visit Great Triangle Homes online http://www.greattrianglehomes.com to learn more about The Shuping Adavantage Team.