Do You Live in One of The 10 Happiest Suburbs In The US?

Are you happy where you’re living? There’s nothing quite so satisfying as enjoying life and being content with where you are. Some of the best places to achieve this aspect of the American Dream are in suburbs, not surprisingly, but which places bring locals the most joy?

After determining the happiest mid-sized cities earlier this year, the Movoto Real Estate Blog decided the time was right to rank the 10 happiest suburbs in the nation—places that can be measured in smiles just as easily as miles. Once our happy task was complete, we concluded that these are the most content ‘burbs in the country:

1. Dublin, OH
2. Fishers, IN
3. Germantown, TN
4. Carmel, IN
5. Newton, MA (tie)
5. Apex, NC (tie)
7. Cupertino, CA (tie)
7. Westerville, OH (tie)
9. Papillion, NE
10. Cary, NC

If you live in any of these places, you’re probably smiling right about now!

How We Created This Ranking

The seven criteria used to determine a place’s overall happiness were:

·         Stress factors (high unemployment, long commutes, high cost of living)

·         Personal safety (violent crimes)

·         Residents making greater than $25,000 a year

·         Married residents

·         Home ownership

·         Residents with a bachelor’s degree or higher

·         Convenience of amenities

1. Dublin, OH

Our No. 1 happy place has a bit of the luck o’ the Irish going for it, but mostly it just knows how to keep its residents dancing, drinking, eating, and grinning. You might recognize this suburb of Columbus from oursafest suburbs list, and its third place safety rank definitely played a part in its first place finish overall.

Most of the results we found earned this place a cheerfully great score. For one, the income here ranked No. 1, with less than 5 percent of residents making less than $25,000 a year. Well over half of the locals are married, and most homes are owned rather than rented.

If you think that might be because people are settling down early rather than continuing their education, you’d be wrong. More than 73 percent of the population of Dublin has a college degree, which ranked fourth for that category.

2. Fishers, IN

For fun, Fishers locals can head to the Renaissance festival in June or the Freedom Festival in July, both of which are sure to keep spirits up. For the rest of the year, there’s mini golf, concerts, the Conner Prairie experience, and a ton of other events sure to soothe even the most troubled brow.

Honestly, though, if you live here you might not be too troubled in the first place. The safety in this Indianapolis suburb ranked first, the income is ranked second, and the marriage as well as home ownership rank were both sixth.

3. Germantown, TN

There are quite a few places on this list that sound like they might be in other countries, but we assure you that this is an all-American little city. A suburb of Memphis, this place has 39,161 residents who are all a pretty smiley bunch. Why? The numbers make it obvious.

First of all, locals don’t have to worry about renter’s woes. Over 83 percent of dwellings here are owned rather than rented, and with the No. 4 ranked income it’s not difficult to see why. Germantown also had the seventh highest safety rank, the third highest marriage rank, and the ninth highest education rank.

4. Carmel, IN

The second city in Indiana that made our top 10, Carmel has a lot to offer those looking to enjoy each day and night. Carmel is home to art centers, biking trails, and even a beautiful Japanese garden and tea gazebo. You can have fun, or just relax your mind and body at one of the many yoga studios and spas—whatever makes you happy.

It seems that a lot in this Indianapolis suburb makes people happy. For example, the safety ranked No. 2 and the education ranked No. 7. The stress factors ranking was fairly mediocre, but the income was high, which gives locals one less thing to worry about. An area where Carmel really excelled was the marriage department. An impressive 68 percent of folks here have tied the knot, so this is a romance and family friendly spot.

5. Newton, MA (tie)

The second biggest place in our top 10, Newton offers its 85,146 residents a lot to be happy about. While it didn’t have especially low scores in any one category, it did post good scores across the board and a couple of standouts.

As far as walkability goes, this place had the best rank in our top 10 with a walkability rating of 51, ranking 29th for that criterion. It also had ranked well for safest and income. Newton excelled in education attainment, placing first for that criterion.

It’s home to many colleges, such as Boston College’s Newton Campus, Mount Ida College, and Lasell College, just to name a few, which probably accounts for the fact that more than three quarters of the population here have a college degree. Students also aren’t as likely to be married or own houses, so those stats make a little more sense. Still, this is one seriously happy place. Well, except during finals week.

5. Apex, NC (tie)

Tied with Newton for No. 5 on our list is Apex. Locals of this Raleigh suburb are lucky enough to enjoy the third best income ranking on our list as well as the sixth best safety ranking. The majority of people here are married, and most have a college degree. People here are smart, caring, on the wealthier side, and tend to own a home rather than rent.

There are also plenty of events for kids, like Easter egg hunts and a ham toss. There are parades, farmers markets, parks, music venues, and more. No matter how you like to have fun or unwind, Apex is the pinnacle of making you smile.

For a list of homes for sale in Apex, NC, Visit our website today!

7. Cupertino, CA (tie)

If you were wondering when a California city would make the list, your question has been answered. This suburb of San Jose is not only a busy and exciting place to live, it’s also pretty cheery.

The marriage rank was No. 4 and the education rank was No. 2, with almost three quarters of the population holding a college degree. It had the eighth best safety ranking and a pretty decent income rank, so there’s not as much for residents to worry about.

You name it and this city has got it. Art and wine festivals, concerts, city celebrations, cultural festivals, and so much more…there’s something going on literally every month, all year round, usually outside. You can thank the awesome California weather for that.

7. Westerville, OH (tie)

Another tie in our listing and another Columbus suburb, Westerville offers its 36,120 locals something to smile about. From the 10th best safety ranking to the over 70 percent of homes that are owned rather than rented, there’s a lot to be thankful and happy about. There were no particularly bad scores here, though the walkability is a little low, and there are quite a few standout attractions such as the Inniswood Metro Gardens and the Westerville Golf Center, both of which are lovely and mood-elevating.

The other great thing about this place is that there are few stress factors here. Westerville ranked 19th for that criterion, offering low unemployment rates and commute times. Workers here will be happy to know that only about 12 percent of people who live in this city make less than $25,000, so the working joe is not going to be as unhappy as in other places.

9.Papillion, NE

This is definitely the smallest spot on our top 10 with only 20,785 residents. Still, Papillion is home to some big smiles. The majority of locals are married, and the safety is pretty great too, ranked No. 4 overall. Most of the homes here are owned rather than rented, and the walkability rank was one of the better ones in our top 10.

The stress factors rank for Papillion was second overall, with the fourth lowest commute time and the lowest unemployment rate on our list. The cost of living was also fairly good, and with offerings like Runzas, Chocolaterie Stam, Papio Bay, and more festivals than you can shake a stick at, whatever stress you do have can find relief in this city.

10. Cary, NC

At 145,693 people, this Raleigh suburb is the largest place in our top 10. Its ninth place safety and ninth place marriage ranks start things off, and when you add in the 16th best income rank and the 11th best education rank, you get a pretty upbeat place to call home.

Low average commute time and a fairly low unemployment rate help make this place a little less stressful for workers, so those with a job need not worry so much. If you do need to unwind, this place has a festival for everything: arts and crafts, cultural events, wine, food, music, even a day to celebrate local bands.

For a list of homes for sale in Cary, NC, visit our website today!

If you are looking to move to one of these happy city, call Keller Williams Realty Cary today! We have 175 agents who are ready to help you find your happy place and get your current home sold for top dollar.

If you are looking for a new career in Real Estate or looking for a change in Brokerage, call Team Leader, Bill Middleton today or visit our website!

What To Do For Memorial Day Weekend!

It's Memorial Day Weekend again! Every year we find ourselves saying "What happened to the year?" Every year friends, family, neighbors are invited to a big cookout, and the question inevitably comes up: What is there to do this weekend? This Memorial Day Weekend is perfect for those looking to get out of the house and into the community.

 Cary can look forward to Hitchcock on West Chatham and Polka in the Street! There will be a Memorial Day Service at Hillcrest Cemetery on Monday.

 Holly Springs is proud to present it's 3rd Annual Community Program at Holly Grove Elementary School. This event units the school and community in teach about duty, honor and service. On Memorial Day, there will be a historical moment at Veterans Park in Holly Springs.

 Apex is full of fun this weekend with Paddle the Pond on Saturday and Sunday at Historic Yates Mill County Park. On Memorial Day, the tradition continues of decorating the graves of those who gave their lives in service to our country.

Fuquay Varina will hold it's 2nd Annual Two-Town Sprint Triathlon on Saturday at Kraft Family YMCA.

Downtown Raleigh is ready to celebrate Memorial Day with a Memorial Day Wreath Laying at the Capitol Building and a Memorial Day Service at Historic Oakwood Cemetery.

Spring Fling? Homes Sell Faster!

Real Estate Agents in the Cary, Apex, Raleigh area of North Carolina saw a boom in home buyer traffic as they officially enter their 'busy' season. Properties sold at a median of 55 days due to low inventories of homes for sale, according to the latest REALTORS® Confidence Index. The index is based on a survey of more than 3,800 REALTORS® about their transactions in March.

Short sales were on the market the longest, for 112 days in March compared to 98 days in February, according to the report. Foreclosed homes were on the market for 55 days.

About 37 percent of real estate professionals report that properties sold in March had been on the market for less than a month. 

Buyer traffic was also up in March, although demand was not as fast and furious as it was a year ago, according to the report.

Still, REALTOR® confidence about current market conditions soared in March, reflecting a typical seasonal increase. Their confidence about the next six months also improved but is lower than what it was a year ago, according to the report. The biggest concerns among real estate agents remain tight inventory, credit conditions, and uncertainty about flood insurance regulation, according to the REALTORS® Confidence Index.

Real estate agents continue to be confident that prices will increase over the next 12 months but at a “modest pace.” They expect prices to increase at a median of about 4 percent over the next 12 months. Due to the high home buyer demand and low inventory, home prices are starting to go up while mortgage rates are very low. 

If you are interested in selling your home or are looking for your dream home, Keller Williams Realty Cary, opened in 2003 has 174 real estate agents. 

If you are interested in a career in Real Estate, call Team Leader, Bill Middleton at 919-882-3229 or visit our website today!

Top 10 Reasons to Hire a Real Estate Professional

With so much information readily available online, customers often ask, "Why should we hire a real estate agent?" They wonder if they couldn't buy or sell a home through the Internet or at least without representation. There will always be the few success stories, but the amount of frustrated, unhappy, failed stories highly out-number the successes. If you've wondered the same thing, here are 10 reasons why you might want to consider hiring a professional real estate agent.

1. Education & Experience

You don't need to know everything about buying and selling real estate if you hire a real estate professional who does. The trick is to find the right person. Why not hire a person with more education and experience than you? We're all looking for more time in our lives, and hiring pros gives us that time.

2. Agents are Buffers

Agents take the spam out of your property showings and visits. If you're a buyer looking at new home construction, your agent will handle the negotiations with the builder's agent. This means you don't feel pressured or attacked and you know that your agent is on your side making sure you get everything you need. If you're a seller, your agent will filter all those phone calls that lead to nowhere from lookie loos and nosy neighbors and help serious buyers to immediately write an offer.

3. Neighborhood Knowledge

Agents either possess knowledge or they know where to find the inside information about your neighborhood. They can identify comparable sales and hand these facts to you, in addition to pointing you in the direction where you can find more data on schools, crime or the community. For example, you may know that a home down the street was on the market for $350,000, but an agent will know the inside scoop of how long it sat on the market, what upgrades it had and how it dropped in price twice.

4. Price Guidance

Contrary to what some people believe, agents do not select prices for sellers or buyers. However, an agent will help to guide clients to make the right choices for themselves. Selling agents will ask buyers to weigh all the data supplied to them and to choose a price. Then based on market supply, demand and the conditions, the agent will devise a negotiation strategy.

5. Market Conditions Information

Real estate agents can disclose market conditions, which will govern your selling or buying process. Many factors determine how you will proceed. Data such as the average per square foot cost of similar homes, average sales prices, average days on market, among other criteria, will help you decide what is in your best interest; weather you need to act now, or do you have time to sleep on it.

6. Professional Networking

Real estate agents network with other professionals, many of whom provide services that you will need during the buying or selling process. Agents know which vendors have a reputation for efficiency, competency and competitive pricing and can give you a list to choose from so you know you're getting great service.

7. Negotiation Skills & Confidentiality

Top producing agents negotiate well because, unlike most buyers and sellers, they are not emotionally invested in the outcome of the transaction. It's part of their job description. Good agents are not merely messengers; they are professionals who are trained to present their client's case in the best light and agree to hold client information confidential from competing interests.

8. Handling Volumes of Paperwork

One-page receipts were prevalent in the early 1970s. Today's purchase agreements run 10 pages or more. That does not include the federal- and state-mandated disclosures. Most real estate files average thicknesses from one to three inches of paper. One tiny mistake or omission could land you in court or cost you thousands. It's good to know that your agent has an attorney who is reviewing your documents to make sure you are covered!

9. Answer Questions After Closing

Even the smoothest transactions that close without complications can come back to haunt. For example, taxing authorities that collect property tax assessments, doc stamps or transfer tax can fall months behind and mix up invoices, but one call to your agent can straighten out the confusion. Many questions can pop up that were overlooked in the excitement of closing. Good agents are with you even after the last piece of paper is signed and are ready to take your call with any questions you might have.

10. Develop Relationships for Future Business

In order for an agent to have continued success in a career in real estate is referrals. Few agents would survive if their livelihood was dependent on consistently drumming up new business. This ensures your agent is working to make certain you are happy and satisfied. It also means that an agent who stays in the business will be there for you when you need to hire an agent again. Many will periodically mail market updates to you to keep you informed and to stay in touch.

Keller Williams Realty Cary located at 201 Shannon Oaks Cir. #101, Cary, NC 27511, opened in 2003 and has 174 real estate agents. 

If you are interested in speaking with a real estate agent for your buying and selling needs, or if you are looking to change careers, contact Team Leader, Bill Middleton by phone at: 919-882-3229 or visit our website today!

Top 10 Home Builders By Closings in 2013

Today's real estate market is just entering it's 'busy' season. Buyers are finding themselves in multiple offer situations and houses are being snatched up almost as soon as they hit the market. Many home buyers are turning to new home construction as the solution to high demand for homes. With so many new home construction neighborhoods popping up all around the Triangle area, how to the Home Builders compare to each other?

A review of 2013 shows that D.R. Horton maintains its No. 1 rank in the home building industry as the builder with the most closings as well as most revenue last year, according to Builder Magazine’s annual “Builder 100” list.

The magazine released its list of home building firms ranked by closings for 2013. The following are the top 10:

1. D.R. Horton: 25,161 total closings in 2013
2. Lennar Corp.: 18,290
3. PulteGroup: 17,766
4. NVR: 11,834
5. KB Home: 7,145
6. The Ryland Group: 7,027
7. Hovnanian Enterprises: 5,927
8. Taylor Morrison; 5,829
9. Meritage Homes Corp:5,259
10. Beazer Homes USA: 5,056

Keller Williams Realty Cary is located at 201 Shannon Oaks Cir. #101, Cary, NC 27511. It opened in 2003 and has 174 real estate agents.

If you are interested in buying a home, selling your home or becoming a real estate agent, call Team Leader, Bill Middleton at 919-882-3229 or visit our website today!

30-Year Mortgage Rate Reaches New Low for the Year

The Cary, North Carolina real estate market is entering their 'busy' season, as buyers are ready to purchase their dream home, and sellers are ready to show their properties! The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.21 percent this week, the lowest since November 2013, Freddie Mac reports in its weekly mortgage market survey.

"Mortgage rates continued moving down following the decline in 10-year Treasury yields after a dismal report on real GDP growth in the first quarter,” says Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac’s chief economist.

Freddie Mac reports the following national averages for mortgage rates for the week ending May 8:

• 30-year fixed-rate mortgages: averaged 4.21 percent, with an average 0.6 point, dropping from last week’s 4.29 percent average. Last year at this time, 30-year rates averaged 3.42 percent.
• 15-year fixed-rate mortgages: averaged 3.32 percent, with an average 0.6 point, dropping from last week’s 3.38 percent average. A year ago, 15-year rates averaged 2.61 percent.
• 5-year hybrid adjustable-rate mortgages: averaged 3.05 percent, with an average 0.5 point, holding the same as last week. Last year at this time, 5-year ARMs averaged 2.58 percent.
• 1-year ARMs: averaged 2.43 percent, with an average 0.4, dropping from last week’s 2.45 percent. A year ago, 1-year ARMs averaged 2.53 percent.

If you are ready to find your dream home, start your home search by contacting Kevin Martini with DNJ Gateway Bank Mortgage to get a pre-approval letter. See how you can benefit from these low mortgage rates, and how much home you can afford!

Keller Williams Realty Cary, located at 201 Shannon Oaks Cir. #101, Cary, NC 27511 opened in 2003 and currently has 175 real estate agents who specialize in Residential, Commercial and Luxury properties. 

If you are interested in more information on the buying process, on becoming a real estate agent or on Keller Williams Realty, call Team Leader, Bill Middleton at 919-882-3229 or visit our website today!

Keller Williams Realty Cary Makes the Real Trends 500 List for 2014!

The REAL Trends 500 is an annual research report which identifies the country’s largest and most successful residential real estate firms as ranked by closed transaction sides and separately by closed sales volume. This report represents the most trusted standard of measuring the performance of the nation’s leading realty service firms.

Keller Williams RealtyCary has made the REAL Trends 500 List for 2014 in both Closed Transaction Sides and Closed Sales Volume. KW Cary opened its doors in 2003, and currently has 175 associates and is growing! Part of the growth initiative for Keller Williams Cary is to open a business center in Downtown Raleigh, NC.

If you are interested in joining this dynamic group of real estate professionals in either their Cary, NC or Downtown Raleigh, NC locations, please contact Team Leader, Bill Middleton by phone at: 919-882-3229 or visit our website today!