Downtown Raleigh School Named Blue Ribbon School for 2007

Raleigh, NC – The U.S. Department of Education Secretary Margaret Spellings has announced that Sacred Heart Cathedral Catholic School has been chosen as a National No Child Left Behind – Blue Ribbon School for 2007. A total of eight schools in North Carolina received the national recognition.

The No Child Left Behind—Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private K-12 schools that make significant progress in closing the achievement gap or those whose students achieve at very high levels. The schools submit an extensive application and are selected by a panel based on one of the following criteria:

• A school has at least 40 percent of its students from disadvantaged backgrounds who have dramatically improved their performance in at least the past three years in reading and mathematics and are achieving at high levels.


• A school may be recognized if its students achieve at the highest levels, that is, if the school is in the top 10 percent of the schools in the nation in reading and mathematics in the last grade tested, as measured by an assessment referenced against national norms, or in the top 10 percent in its state as measured by a state test in at least the last grade tested.

Sacred Heart Cathedral School is being recognized for high achievement. Along with test scores, the schools were evaluated on other measures such as overall school program, assessment, curriculum, instructional methods and professional development. “This is a huge accomplishment and honor for our school. Words cannot express how proud I am of the faculty, staff, students and parents for making this a school community that is able to compete and be recognized on a national level,” says Donna Moss, Principal of Sacred Heart Cathedral School. Since its founding in 1909, Cathedral School has played a dynamic role in the North Carolina educational community. It was the first school in North Carolina to educate Native American children. It was also the first Catholic School to integrate when high school students from St. Monica’s School began attending Cathedral School in the 1950’s. Even today, Cathedral School is recognized as the hallmark of ethnic and racial diversity among Raleigh’s private schools. Located in its historic building on Hillsborough Street in downtown Raleigh, Sacred Heart Cathedral School is among the oldest in the Diocese of Raleigh. www.cathedral-school.net. Contact: Trudie Williamson; (919) 832-4711; williamson@cathedral-school.net

Cary Voters Have Spoken Out for Managed Growth with Election of New Mayor

"It truly is a victory for all of Cary," said Harold Weinbrecht, 51, a SAS software programmer and newly elected Mayor. "Not only a victory for those of us who care about a balanced way to approach growth but a victory for those of us who want to be heard. We wanted a voice."

Now Weinbrecht will lead the suburban boomtown of about 123,000 people between Raleigh and Research Triangle Park, where the techie rode a tide of discontent about the effects of rapid growth in the Triangle's third-largest city.

THE PACE OF GROWTH

Growth seems sure to slow somewhat in Cary, where all the winners Tuesday favor slowing development to a more manageable rate while roads, schools, parks, and water and sewer catch up.

INFILL DEVELOPMENT

Even Cary's most pro-growth candidates acknowledged that development of big tracts surrounded by established neighborhoods will remain a hot issue as "doughnut holes" fill in and the town begins to reach its outward limits. The issue inflamed residents this year near the intersection of Davis Drive and High House Road, where the Town Council approved large mixed-use projects in the geographic center of town; some of the irked residents got involved in the election campaigns. The election results suggest that large-scale infill development will get closer scrutiny.

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS

Widening roads and building parks are popular in Cary, and all of the winners rated them a high priority. Several also highlighted a core infrastructure project the town can't long delay: building an expensive sewage treatment plant with Apex and Morrisville.

In the end, the voters had the final say on growth policy. And they gave Weinbrecht four years -- and a friendly council -- to pursue his vision for Cary.

Matthew Eisley, Staff Writer, www.NewsObserver.com

Heritage Golf Community in Wake Forest Opens New Community- Heritage Reserve

Wake Forest, NC., Fall 2007. Heritage Reserve is now open for sales. Built by the Cunnane Group of Charlotte, N.C., Heritage Reserve offers outstanding views of the 10th, 11th and 14th holes of the Heritage Golf Club, as well as a private, low-maintenance lifestyle. These Charleston-style homes range in size from 3,000-3,500 square feet and are priced from the low $500s. Heritage Reserve is part of the Heritage Wake Forest residential community developed by Ammons Development Group.

Located near the downtown district of Wake Forest, Heritage Wake Forest features beautiful custom homes with a wide variety of home plans and architectural styles. The community features several amenities, which include the Heritage Swim and Tennis Club as well as the award-winning Heritage Golf Club. For more information on Heritage Wake Forest, visit www.heritagewakeforest.com. For more information call FOR HomeBUYERS, Inc. at 919-878-1110 or 800-333-2893 or visit www.ForHomeBuyers.com.

This neighborhood in Heritage Wake Forest offers amazing views of the golf course along with a private, low-maintenance lifestyle to potential home buyers. FOR HomeBUYERS’ Exclusive Buyer’s Only Realtors look forward to selling the beautiful Charleston-style homes in Heritage Reserve.

Chapel Hill with increasing jobs, excellent schools and controlled growth, has fewer homes on the market than other areas of the Triangle

Job growth, attractive schools and a slow-but-steady rate of community development are saving the greater Chapel Hill area from being swamped by the housing crisis that has stymied the rest of the nation.

"The North Carolina market — Chapel Hill included — remains relatively stable, but soft by comparison to the previous six years," Kent said. From 2001 to 2006, North Carolina saw record home sales. Year-to-date, however, the number of North Carolina home sales are down 8 percent. Chapel Hill home sales are down 4 percent.

The average list price for a home in Chapel Hill stands at $469,000, up 4 percent from last year and way above everyone else in the county and the entire Triangle. However, the sold price is up less than 1 percent.

"We want prices to go up but be sustainable," said Stacey Anfindsen, managing partner of Birch Appraisal Group and preparer of the market update for the Greater Chapel Hill Association of Realtors.

The good news is that homes continue to appreciate in North Carolina. According to the market update, comparing the first quarter of 2006 to the first quarter of 2007 the rate for housing appreciation in the United States was 4.3 percent. In North Carolina, it was 7.99 percent. Since January 2005 the average for re-sales in Orange County is 7.54 percent.

The work force in Orange County increased 3.1 percent since May 2006. The large number of newcomers to the area raises the demand for housing near the universities and Research Triangle Park.

Many new employees looking to relocate families come to Chapel Hill because of the schools. During the 2006-07 school year, all schools met their Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). Newsweek ranked East Chapel Hill High School 105 in America’s top high schools for 2007.

Currently, there are fewer houses available for sale in Orange County than in nearby counties.

Anfindsen agrees. "Durham and Wake Counties are exploding, but not Orange," he said. That is not to say that Chapel Hill is a no-growth area. The Town Council takes time and careful planning before allowing new building in the area. "The [Chapel Hill] Town Council is very deliberate and thorough," Perry said. "As long as you’re doing something that is a benefit" the town welcomes new growth.

The inventory of homes in Orange County has risen 23 percent, and more are up for sale. In July 2006, 695 houses were listed. In July 2007, 856 homes were listed. A home stayed on the market for an average of 45 days in July 2006. In July 2007 the length was 53 days.

Realtors remain hopeful for the fall market.

Triangle home sales drop 24%

Sales of existing homes in the Triangle dropped 24 percent in September as woes in the national housing market continued to chip at the local economy.

Data released by the Triangle Multiple Listing Service show that 2,347 homes were sold in September, down from 3,098 in September 2006.

Local home sales had been trending down for months, most recently dropping 8 percent in August and 11 percent in July. But the area hadn't yet seen such a sharp downturn equivalent to those in other markets, where declining home costs and troubles with sub-prime mortgage markets have embroiled economies. The time of year coupled with the media’s gloom and doom predictions has finally begun to impact the Triangle real estate market.

Prices weren't the culprit. The average closing price on a home rose 6 percent year-over-year to $242,885.

But as foreclosures grow locally and the national economy slows, local home inventory rises. It continued to rise in September, when there were 17,929 active listings - up 22 percent from the year prior. Real estate markets that have not lost value are Williamsburg Real Estate, Williamsburg Realtor, Realtor Williamsburg, Realtor in Williamsburg, Realtor Williamsburg VA, and buyers agent in Williamsburg.

And unlike in recent months, when wealthier ZIP codes dominated home sales, the top three ZIPs for sales all came in areas that have seen high foreclosure activity. Fuquay-Varina's 27526 topped the list with 96 home sales, while southeast Raleigh's 27610 was No. 2 with 90 and Wake Forest's 27587 was No. 3 with 88.

Great Time to Buy a Home is NOW!

In our opinion at FOR HomeBUYERS, Inc., this is the best time of year for you to purchase a new home. With the "mortgage crisis" looming and foreclosures on the rise, it makes the next few months a great time to purchase a home. Typically, October through April the market slows a bit and that gives you, as the buyer, more leverage to negotiate a better price. Also, if the home is on the market during these months the seller is usually very motivated to sell.

New construction home builders and the large national builders are offering some very big discounts and other incentives. Because their inventories are larger than they like to carry and their end of year projections are down, there is room to do some serious negotiating with home builders.

While the Triangle (Raleigh, Cary, Durham, Chapel Hill, Wake Forest) Real Estate Market has remained strong when other markets have stalled, we are beginning to feel the trickle down affect as many potential buyers cannot sell their homes in other areas of the country. Slowing sales in other real estate markets, is leading to an increase in the inventory of homes on the market in the Triangle. Also, a larger inventory of homes and a longer "time on market" is to the buyer's advantage, as this helps the prices to level off instead of continuing to increase.

The best months to purchase are November – January. So if you are considering purchasing a home in the next 9 months, you may want to move your timetable up slightly to take advantage of the present real estate market conditions. Give FOR HomeBUYERS, Inc. a call at 919-878-1110 or 800-333-2893 or visit www.ForHomeBuyers.com for an appointment to discuss your family’s needs in a home and how to get started.

There is No Additional Charge to have someone working ONLY for YOU because we are compensated through the transaction. Why risk "Dual Agency" with an agent working with a listing company and trying to represent both you and the seller at the same time? Why not use the oldest and most experienced Exclusive Buyer Only Realtors in the Triangle, FOR HomeBUYERS, Inc.?

Buying Foreclosures: Deal or No Deal?

RISMEDIA, Oct. 1, 2007- Buyers and would-be investors often look to foreclosure sales to find real estate bargains. But newcomers to this market could find some unpleasant surprises if they go in blind. All homes should be thoroughly inspected by a professional home inspector before sealing the deal.

Why inspect if you can’t negotiate?

Foreclosure homes are usually “as-is” sales. This means that buyers cannot negotiate for the cost of needed repairs, as they may do in a traditional home purchase. Buyers must absorb repair costs themselves and consider this in their purchase offer at auction. So why get a professional inspection on a foreclosure property?

Too many foreclosure buyers think they’re getting a deal when, in fact, they might be purchasing a property with substantial and costly defects. The repair of these major issues could exceed the savings gained in buying a foreclosed property.

Sellers at foreclosure auctions are not usually obligated to disclose defects. But buyers can empower themselves by getting a professional property inspection before the auction that will provide valuable insights about the condition of the home. If pre-auction property inspections are not permitted at the foreclosure sale, buyers will need to weigh that risk carefully.

Knowledge is power

Even with a significant influx of newly foreclosed properties due to the sub prime mortgage mess, the foreclosure market can be competitive, and it is often dominated by experienced real estate investors. Armed with the right information you can make informed bids and find the best home at the best deal. After all, a bargain isn’t a bargain if it costs more than expected down the line.

Remember, buying foreclosed properties can be a risky business, so be certain to consult with needed professionals, including a reputable, certified home inspector, to address questions about specific issues.