6 Tricks to Great Negotiation Skills!

If honing your negotiation skills is one of your New Year's resolutions, consider these 6 tricks.

Negotiating skills are often minimized or overlooked completely in training and coaching programs for real estate professionals. Yet negotiating is a big part of successful business. There are many reasons that one might be hesitant to go head to head in a negotiation:

1. Little to no formal training on negotiating
2. Usually inexperienced at negotiations and are fearful
3. This is the customer's largest and most important asset
4. Customer's are going through a major life change that can make them feel insecure

There are 6 tricks to making a negotiation go smoothly:

Trick 1. At your presentations, prepare the seller or buyer for how the negotiations are going to go.
By giving a quick outline of what is about to happen, it gives the seller or buyer a sense of control. They will know what to expect, so when something happens, they will know it is part of the normal process. As you review the process, explain all the items that might be negotiated in your market.

Trick 2: Prepare the seller or buyer for the worst case.
It is great to prepare your seller or buyer for the good news, but it is as important to prepare them for the bad news too. Go over both the best case and worse case scenarios so that if a snag arises, the buyer and seller expect it and know that you have a plan on how to overcome that snag.

Trick 3: Research, Prepare, and Plan
Gain information from everyone and anyone you can, including your client, the other agent, the other party, tax records, and past multiple listing records. Make sure that you keep asking questions, don't stop at one question, go three deep using phrases like "why is that important to you?" and "What size do you consider a large backyard?".  The more information you have before the negoations begin, the better you can represent your customers.

Trick 4: Gain the respect of all the parties with simple courtesy and integrity.
This might go without saying, but it can never hurt! When people realize you keep your word, it gives you additional influence in the negotiation. This includes:

• Showing up when you say you will.
• Calling when you say you will.
• Doing what you say you will.

What might seem common courtesy to some, might be overlooked by others and can change the outcome of negotiations.

Trick 5: Maintain objectivity.

Remember who you represent, and make sure that you are always looking out for their best interests. Often, when negotiations break down or get difficult, it's due to information that was passed from one party to the other. Weather it is agent to agent, or buyer to seller, things that are said (or sent in a email) can be misinterpreted and offend one another.

Trick 6: Write an offer that you believe will be accepted.

Again, this might go without saying, but when writing an offer, make it the best you can. Going back and forth more than twice can make the buyer and seller frustrated. To avoid this, include everything that is important into the offer.

Good luck with your negotiations!

Keller Williams Realty Cary located at 201 Shannon Oaks Cir, Cary, NC 27511 has 192 real estate professionals. If you are interested in starting your real estate career or want to build your real estate business to the next level, visit our website today!

Cary, NC Real Estate Agents Give Back to Their Community!

At Keller Williams Realty Cary, we believe that to have a fulfilling business, giving back to the community in which you work is a must. That is why every year around the holidays, KW Cary real estate agents partner with the Raleigh Regional Association of Realtors (RRAR) for Project Angel Tree. 





Project Angel Tree

Project Angel Tree is an annual community outreach program organized by the REALTOR®  Foundation of the Triangle that provides gifts to needy children. REALTORS® 'adopt' and purchase gifts for the 'angels' (children ranging from newborn to 13 years old). Once an "angel' is adopted, a gift is purchased, gift wrapped and dropped off at RRAR. The gifts are given so local children can have a holiday to remember.

The KW Cary agents rose to the occasion and donated over 150 gifts! We are proud to be partnered with agents who understand the importance of giving back to the community in which they live!

Keller Williams Realty Cary located at 201 Shannon Oaks Cir, Cary, NC 27511 has 192 real estate professionals. If you are interested in starting your real estate career or want to build your real estate business to the next level, visit our website today!

Happy Thanksgiving from Keller Williams Realty Cary!

As the holiday season officially begins, Keller Williams Realty Cary wants to wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving! We hope that your holiday celebrations are full of family, laughter, and most importantly, fun!

At Keller Williams Realty Cary, each year, we celebrate Thanksgiving with a potluck in our office where we gather together and share a meal with our KW Family. This year, we were proud to celebrate Thanksgiving by giving back to our community. Through the generosity of our community, the Fashion Victim Ball and our Silent Auction, we were able to present a check for over $17 Thousand to Meg's Smile Foundation. 

Keller Williams Realty Cary located at 201 Shannon Oaks Cir, Cary, NC 27511 has 189 real estate professionals. If you are interested in starting your real estate career or want to build your real estate business to the next level, visit our website today!

How to Choose My Niche as a New Real Estate Agent

As a new real estate agent, one of the hardest parts of the business is deciding what you are going to focus on that will set you apart from any other real estate agent in the market. Many real estate professionals identify a specific buyer/seller niche that they will cater to. Choose what you know, what you love, and what you dream about. If you are passionate, it will translate into your every day interactions with buyers and sellers!

When you are passionate about helping buyers find their dream home and helping sellers move into their next dream home, it is important to not be a jack of all trades. The first step is to break your real estate business into three categories:

1. What do you know best?
2. What are you most passionate about?
3. What do you dream of doing?

By answering these three questions, you will quickly find three niches that you can build your real estate business on, and watch your business succeed.

Niche #1: Stick to What You Know

If you're a new agent or have some experience under your belt and are still struggling to identify a niche market you can be successful in, think about what part of real estate you had the most knowledge of before coming into the business. Perhaps first time home buyers, senior housing, divorcing couples, historic homes, ect. Once you have identified the are of real estate that you already know about, make that your first niche.

Niche #2: Do What You Love

Your passion may be something different from what you already know, but when you love something, you'll put your all into it. If you are an outdoor enthusiast, homes with a lot of acreage might appeal to you. If you love to be on the water, homes with water access or waterfront properties might be just the ticket. With the heart of a student, once you find what you love, it's time to hit the books. Study maps, weather patterns, what type of person buys or sells that type of property, talk to other professionals already in that field and ask for help and information. You will be surprised at the information others are willing to share if you only ask. You need to know who buys that type of property and how to reach them. It's all about placing yourself and your marketing in the proper places to find the buyer and seller that is the right fit for you.

Niche #3: Dream Big

Your third niche will be the most difficult to break into, but you could likely take it over with the right mindset. It should be your dream - the part of real estate that you never thought you could be involved in. It could be luxury, commercial, or global real estate. By dreaming big and going after that dream, you will have to work hard, overcome challenges, and grow both professionally and personally. In the end, by working towards your goal, the reward can be huge.

Tips for Making Your Niches Successful

Be Brave and listen for cues

Don't be afraid to be the new guy nobody has heard of. As long as you are working as hard as you can, staying focused on your goal, listening to what your buyers and sellers are looking for, you will have success.

Get Involved

Join organizations that your ideal buyers and sellers are involved in. This is the best way to meet the clients you want. Show them that you have common interests, that you are committed to giving back to the community and they will want to work with you.

Use Tools you have at your disposal

All companies have them, weather it is a program, database management system, scripts, or a marketing suite, the most successful people and companies have systems in place and use them regularly. If you are constantly re-inventing the wheel instead of customizing the wheel that is there, you will quickly fall behind.

Keller Williams Realty Cary located at 201 Shannon Oaks Cir, Cary, NC 27511 has 189 real estate professionals. If you are interested in starting your real estate career or want to build your real estate business to the next level, visit our website today!

Keller Williams Realty is Featured on Franchise Times Top 200 for 2014!

Three real estate companies are featured on Franchise Times' Top 200 list for 2014. This list ranks the nation's largest franchise systems based on worldwide sales and growth of various business sectors. 

Keller Williams Realty landed the number 28 spot, posting a 30.2 percent sales growth. In the latest report, much of the growth in the largest franchises were due to moving more locations abroad. Franchise Times reports that the number of international locations operated or franchised by companies on the Franchise Times Top 200 grew by 10.3 percent in 2013. By comparison, domestic growth was just 1.3 percent.  

To be eligible for the Top 200 franchise list, a franchise must have a sizable presence in the United States and own at least 15 percent of the system's units. The Top 200 list is compiled using companies' own submissions and publicly available information from the SEC and franchises' disclosure documents. 

Keller Williams Realty Cary, located at 201 Shannon Oaks Cir. #101, Cary, NC 27511 has 186 associates who specialize in Residential, Commercial, and Luxury real estate. If you are interested in a career in real estate, or looking to grow your real estate business, contact Team Leader, Bill Middleton, Jr. at 919-882-3229 or visit our website today!

11 Things Happy Small Business Owners Do Differently

Being a business owner can be stressful. Happiness in your business requires controlling those stress levels and creating a work environment that is a good mix between business and fun. Here are a few things happy small business owners do differently.

1. Focus on the Motivations for Your Actions

Focus on the 'why', not the 'what'. Know the goals you’re trying to reach with every action, and they will help push you forward. 

2. Choose Acceptance and Compromise, not Resistance

Be open to change. The world is an evolving place, and in order to stay on top, you must grow and adapt along with it. Resisting change can cost you both financially and personally.

3. Focus Less on Fear and More on Love

Have a positive outlook. With a different outlook you can view things you face in your business not as obstacles but tools that will help propel you forward. Look at others not as enemies but allies.

4. Respect and Trust

Treat all with dignity and respect. The happiest business owners are able to make each person they meet feel unique and trusted.

5. See Problems as Opportunities

Don’t let problems intimidate you. Use them to explore new ways of thinking and problem solving, and instead of hindering you, they can help you to expand and grow.

6. Choose Selflessness over Selfishness

Look for ways to give back to your community. The idea of giving back is a way to help make others happy, and it feels good to do it.

8. “Dream No Small Dreams”

Dream Big. If you set a goal and then you reach it, you weren't thinking big enough. By dreaming big, you are giving yourself a goal that will force you to grow along the way of achieving it.

9. Recognize the Power of Kindness

Being kind to yourself and others is key. Happy people are able to understand that forgiveness, love, and acceptance is for themselves and others.

10. Express Gratitude with a Simple Thank You

A simple ‘thank you’ can go a long way, and you might be surprised what a hand written thank you letter can do.

11. A Positive Outlook

Keeping a positive, glass-half-full outlook can do wonders. When an obsticle arises, address the problem, fix it, then shake it off.

Keller Williams Realty Cary, located at 201 Shannon Oaks Cir. #101, Cary, NC 27511 has 186 real estate associates who specialize in residential, commercial and luxury properties. 

If you are looking to begin a career in real estate, or are looking for an opportunity to grow your real estate business to the next level, visit our website today!

Keller Williams Realty Earns a Spot on Inc 5,000 Honor Roll!

Keller Williams is excited to have made the Honor Roll for the Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing privately held companies. The Honor Roll recognizes companies that have appeared on the list each of the past five years! 

Keller Williams Realty Cary, located at 201 Shannon Oaks Cir. #101, Cary, NC has 176 agents who specialize in residential, luxury and commercial real estate. If you are interested in buying your dream home, or selling your home for the most value, call us today at 919-882-3200.

If you are looking for a career in Real Estate or looking to grow your real estate business, call Team Leader, Bill Middleton for a free, confidential consultation today at 919-882-3229 or for more information, visit our website today!

How to Be Successful in Any Business!

Mark Spain, the number one real estate agent in Keller Williams Realty, sat down with our Team Leader, Bill Middleton, jr. Mark shared his insight on how to be successful in any business!





Three things to remember:

1. No business is perfect, make sure you have developed systems to make sure you can handle anything that comes at you!
2. Bigger is not always more complicated! Thing Big, Dream Big, Believe Big!
3. The people that you hang out with, and the books you read are the two things that will change the trajectory of your business!

Keller Williams Realty Cary, located at 201 Shannon Oaks Cir. #101, Cary, NC has 176 agents who specialize in residential, luxury and commercial real estate. If you are interested in buying your dream home, or selling your home for the most value, call us today at 919-882-3200.

If you are looking for a career in Real Estate or looking to grow your real estate business, call Team Leader, Bill Middleton for a free, confidential consultation today at 919-882-3229 or for more information, visit our website today!

6 Yard Care To-Dos For New Homeowners

Home owners will be off to a good start with their new yards by following these important “move-in” steps. First and foremost, members of The Professional Landcare Network (PLANET), the national landscape industry association, recommend making safety a priority for your yard by doing the following:

1. Do a walk-thru of the yard and check for any dangers. Inspect the trees and evaluate the health of mature ones. One of the greatest assets in a yard are mature trees — they not only provide beauty but also shade and significant cooling to the home. Make note of any trees that don’t look healthy, may be diseased, leaning or are too close to the house. Consult with a licensed arborist to assess the health of your trees.
2. Evaluate the hardscape. Make sure any hardscape areas – stone or retaining walls, concrete or brick patios, tile paths, or wooden decks — are not heaving or creating tripping hazards.
3. Inspect the drainage around the house. The drainage should not cause any water to stand near or next to the foundation, which will prevent saturation of the soil and affect the foundation.
4. Make a plan to perform routine maintenance and clean up. Clean up any brush or debris in the yard. Weeding and mulching is an inexpensive way to make a yard look great; it also provides health benefits to the plants. Consider planting annuals to add some color and impact to the yard. Learn about your plants and shrubs and how to best take care of them.
5. Check the soil. The soil is the foundation of everything in the yard — grass, plants and trees depend on healthy, well-balanced soil to flourish. Composting will improve the soil. Your lawn care professional or a DIY soil kit available at home improvement and lawn/garden centers can test the soil’s condition.
6. Study the PLAT map. The PLAT is a map, drawn to scale, showing the divisions of the piece of land; this is helpful for any restrictions that could prevent home additions.

If you are looking for your dream home, or need to sell your house, Keller Williams Realty Cary has 170 agents who specialize in residential, luxury and commercial properties. To talk to an agent, call our office today at 919-882-3200.

If you are interested in a career in Real Estate or are looking to grow your current real estate business, contact Team Leader, Bill Middleton today at 919-882-3229 or visit our website!

Remodel Your Home - Raise Your Home's Value

Home owners remodel their homes to increase the value, and more are showing a desire to stay and enjoy their remodels before they sell their home.

53% of U.S. home owners say they are remodeling to increase the resale value of their home, but they have no plans to move in the next five years, according to a new Houzz & Home survey of more than 135,000 respondents. 16% of re-modelers say they plan to sell their home in the next two years.

One in five — or 22 % — of the re-modelers surveyed say they feel home prices are rising too quickly to consider moving yet. 24% of respondents say they would prefer to move, but remodeling their home makes more economic sense.

The Millennial generation of home owners seem to be the most apt to move within the next five years, according to the survey. 36% say they are remodeling to increase their home’s value with the intent to move to their next home soon.

Overall, the most popular renovation projects are bathroom remodels or additions and kitchen remodels. Home owners continue to devote the highest share of dollars to kitchen remodels, spending an average of $26,172.

However, the average cost of a remodel can vary drastically by region. Home owners in the Northeast and West tend to spend the most on their renovation projects at an average of $32,155 and $29,411, respectively, on their kitchens (compared to $23,946 in the Midwest and $21,894 in the South), according to the survey.

The most popular replacement projects are flooring/paneling/ceiling, followed by windows/doors and roofing.

The top challenges that home owners say they face when renovating are finding the right products, defining their style, making decisions with spouse/partner, and educating themselves.

If you are interested in finding your dream home or are remodeling in hopes to sell your home for top dollar, call the Keller Williams Realty Cary office today at 919-882-3200. Keller Williams Realty Cary, opened in 2003 and has 170 real estate agents who specialize in residential, luxury and commercial real estate serving the Cary, Raleigh, Apex, Holly Springs area. 

If you are interested in a career in Real Estate, or are currently an agent who is looking to grow your business, visit our website today!

Downtown Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo

Along with the TGIFs that you are happily spouting to anyone who looks at you, you are also wondering, What am I going to do this weekend? Well, stop your wondering!


There will be over 50 food trucks from across North Carolina converging in Downtown Raleigh on Sunday, June 8th from 1pm - 6pm! Free admission to this community Food Truck Rodeo gives you access to an amazing menu to choose from! As you wander around Raleigh, there is seating along the sidewalks and a new "Mess Maker" and Street Chalk Art Zone for families!


Keller Williams Realty Cary is looking to open a business center in the Downtown Raleigh area. If you are interested in a career in Real Estate or are looking to build your current real estate business, visit our website today!

Keller Williams Realty Cary, opened in 2003, has 176 agents who specialize in residential, luxury and commercial real estate. If you are looking to find your dream home, or want to sell your current home, call the office at 919-882-3200 to speak to a real estate agent today!

6 Reasons to Move to Raleigh!

Raleigh, North Caronlina’s state capital is known to residents as the "City of Oaks," a name that is apparent when you visit downtown. Oak trees line the streets and sidewalks, offering pleasant shady spots for window shopping, coffee drinking and patio dining. Traveling east of Raleigh, you’ll find North Carolina’s beautiful coastal regions, and traveling west, you’ll find the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains. Beyond the city's natural beauty and convenient location, here are six more reasons to move to the Raleigh area.

1.    Urban Living, Southern Flair: Folks often move to Raleigh looking for urban living with a Southern touch. The neighborhoods surrounding downtown Raleigh make it easy for residents to bike to farmers markets packed with local produce, walk to a new restaurant or bar, or visit the State Capitol Building. With apartments, condos and many other housing options, the Glenwood South neighborhood is a good fit if you want all that downtown offers right at your doorstep.

2.    Delicious Food: When it comes to good food, the Raleigh region offers many options. For example, a favorite in the Boylan Heights neighborhood is The Irregardless Cafe, a small, environmentally friendly cafe catering to diverse dietary preferences, including those who are vegan or vegetarian. It's an excellent choice for treating someone special to an evening of exquisite food.

3.    First Friday: Remember to mark your calendars for the First Friday Gallery Walk in downtown Raleigh. On the first Friday of every month, local galleries, studios and museums keep their doors open late. Galleries display new artworks, artists talk about their latest creations, and you can find handcrafted gifts for family and friends.

4.    Great Neighboring Towns: When it comes to where you live, good neighbors make a big difference. Raleigh has two neighboring cities, Durham and Chapel Hill, and they are both listed among Livability’s Top 100 Best Places to Live. In fact, Durham is even ranked among the top five best places to live.

5.    Don’t-Miss Restaurant: Speaking of Durham, it's worth a drive if for nothing else but to visit Piedmont, a restaurant that's cozy and big on recommendations for a true taste of North Carolina flavor. Local farm-grown ingredients are a Piedmont specialty, and its ever-changing seasonal menu means there's always something new and delicious to try.

6.    Educational Opportunities: Many folks move to the Raleigh region for educational opportunities.North Carolina State University is the largest four-year university in the state, and it is nationally renowned for programs in engineering, biology and agriculture. Duke University is located in Durham, and it is a prestigious private research institution known for its medical school and medical center. And of course, there's the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, best known for its programs in business, government, law and public health. 

If you are looking to move to the Raleigh area, Keller Williams Realty Cary, opened in 2003 has 176 agents who specialize in residential, luxury and commercial properties. 

If you are looking for a career in real estate or are currently a licensed real estate agent looking to grow your business, call Team Leader, Bill Middleton at 919-882-3229 or visit our website today!

Young Renters Say They Want to Own, But ...

Most young renters think owning is a more sensible housing choice for financial reasons, according to Fannie Mae’s new National Housing Survey. Seventy-six percent of young renters, surveyed in this study, between 18 and 39 years old, think owning makes more sense because they’re protected against rent increases, and owning can be a good investment in the long-run.

“However, a large majority of young renters have remained pessimistic over the last few years about their ability to get a mortgage; in contrast, younger owners have grown more optimistic,” says Sarah Shahdad, strategic planning analyst at Fannie Mae. “Demographic differences between younger renters and younger owners may explain part of the gap in attitudes.”

Young owners are more likely to fall in the higher end of the age range, earn more, and be employed full-time compared with younger renters, Shahdad notes. While young renters would like to own, we are becoming aware that many young renters continue to rent longer due to their financial capability and preparation.

Young renters consider down payments and credit scores to be the top obstacles of getting a mortgage. Also, the presence of student loans heightens the difficulty, they feel. The majority of younger renters are reported to have insufficient assets to cover a 5 percent down payment plus closing costs on a typical starter home, Shahdad notes.

But, young renters say, one day, they still plan to buy.

By educating renters about their housing choices, and showing them the steps they need to start taking control of their finances, renters will be able to make more informed decisions and begin managing their finances in order to fulfill their goal of home ownership sooner rather than later. 

If you currently rent and are looking to speak to a real estate professional about home ownership, Keller Williams Realty Cary, opened in 2003 has 176 agents who specialize in residential, luxury and commercial properties. Call Team Leader, Bill Middleton today at: 919-882-3229.

If you are looking for a career in real estate, or are a current real estate professional looking to grow your business, visit our website today! 

 

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!