Volunteering in the Triangle

A great way to meet new people while engaging and learning about your community is to volunteer. There are many volunteer opportunities available in the Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill area. Triangle residents are immensely proud of the wide variety of interests and passions that make up the different communities. Keeping Durham Beautiful, a nonprofit that works with Durham County to conserve and the appearance of Durham, notes that properties average a nine percent to 10% increase in value when there is an added presence of landscaping, trees, and green space. Volunteering is one way to contribute to the value of your neighborhood and participate in acts of service.

It can be difficult to figure out where to start or select from the list of…

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storage tricks for your north carolina home

Over the years, the garage has become more than a place to park your car. It's the place to store items with nowhere else to go: bikes, tools, toys, even furniture. It's easy to understand how a garage can become disorganized in a hurry.

To avoid a cluttered garage, here are some storage hacks to help you keep it organized on a budget:

DIY Cleaning Tools Holder

Every household has a number of tools used to help keep it clean: mops, brooms, dustpans, and other supplies. Ironically, these cleaning tools are one of the main culprits contributing to a messy garage. One way to keep these necessities organized is to create a DIY cleaning tool organizer. A quick trip to your local home center will get you all the materials you need, at a fraction of…

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What to do with your dog during showings

For dog owners, selling a home can be a challenge, especially when it comes to finding a place for your furry companion to stay during showings.

Buyers don’t want to view homes with dog(s) around, so owners will typically turn to friends and neighbors to watch their pets during showings and open houses. But sometimes that’s simply not an option.

Luckily, there are some options in the Triangle for pet owners to get their pets out of the house for an hour or an afternoon.

Dog-Friendly Parks in the Triangle

When the weather is nice, a great option is to take your dog to the park. There are plenty of dog-friendly parks in the area. Here are some parks that are welcome to dogs:

  • Homestead Park, Chapel Hill - This park features a…

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Croasdaile Farms expansion project in durham, nc

Demand for homes in active adult 55+ communities is on the rise. Behind this are the baby boomers, who account for about a quarter of the U.S. population. Born between 1946 and 1964, baby boomers started hitting retirement age a few years ago, and in the next decade, they'll drive up the number of retiree households by about 10 million.

If you're retiring soon in North Carolina, you may be wondering how to navigate the crazy, retirement home real estate market. According to seniorguidance.org, the U.S. average cost for assisted living is just over $3,600 per month, and Durham Area, NC's assisted living is lower than the national average, at approximately $2,800 monthly.

The History of Croasdaile Farms

Living in Durham offers a little of…

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adding smart home technology to your home

This is the Year of the Smart Home

You come home from a long day’s work to your empty home, but it’s ready for you. The thermostat is set to your favorite temperature, all of the lights are dimmed, and the dishwasher is quietly running. The sprinklers are watering your lawn and the dog is sleeping in his bed after being fed by the automatic dog feeder.

This may sound like a scene from a movie, yet this could be your reality if you join the smart home trend.

According to CNBC, 2017 will be the year of the smart home, with over 80 million smart home devices being delivered worldwide. These products include devices for the kitchen, living room, bedroom, home security, and even the yard.

Popular Smart Home Products To Watch For

With…

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best neighborhoods for students near duke university

Congratulations on your acceptance to one of the best schools in the nation! Now it's time to figure out where to live for the next year, if not your entire stint at Duke University, and beyond! Here's  our overview of which Duke University neighborhoods to consider as your new home while you attend school. Everything from affordable abodes, to   the convenience of location, and of course which neighborhoods are closest to all the action in the city of Durham, can be found here. We've even looked into the rental market for your investment purposes!

Old West Durham

To make the most out of your time at Duke University, we recommend living as close to the city of Durham as possible. Old West Durham is also one of the closest Duke Universtiy…

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tips to declutter your home office

Today, more people than ever are working from home, and the trend shows no signs of slowing down. According to Forbes, “68 percent of U.S. workers say that they expect to work remotely in the future."

But in order to be productive in the comfort of your home, you must have an organized office space. Here are some quick and simple tips to help make your home office a model of organization:

Dedicate a Space

One of the drawbacks of working from home is all of the distractions. Other members of your family want your attention. Household chores are never ending. And sometimes the TV, refrigerator, and sofa are just calling your name.

There is no way to eliminate these distractions, but you can minimize them by dedicating a room only for your…

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Community Amenities Increase Home Values

Luxurious amenities are a lure for homebuyers in new communities. New construction neighborhoods are developing all over the Triangle region, delivering dozens of new communities throughout the Raleigh-Durham area. You can find everything from lush green spaces to fun mini water parks for adults and kids alike. The journey to homeownership will force you to weigh the long-term value of not only the household, but the community amenities as well. It's important to consider that homes with nearby amenities make living there more enjoyable, which is great while you're living there and also a terrific asset when it's time to sell.

As you start narrowing down your list of “must-haves," here are a few neighborhood amenities you may want to consider.

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Best back to school shopping in the Triangle, NC

August is here and that means it's time to get ready for another school year. Shopping for school can often be a hassle but with outlets and malls, it is becoming increasingly popular to find a one-stop shop that makes this task simple. The Triangle is home to many of the most popular malls in North Carolina and these are just a few.

Carolina Premium Outlets

Located approximately 25 miles east of Raleigh, is Smithfield, North Carolina. Carolina Premium Outlets is known to be one of the best outlet malls in North Carolina. Sporting over 80 shops including brand names such as NIKE and Polo Ralph Lauren, the Carolina Premium Outlets has everything you could want and more. Also available at the office is complimentary wheelchairs to assist in making…

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Affordable places to eat in Chapel Hill

Looking for a quick bite in Chapel Hill? There are many excellent restaurants in Chapel Hill, ranging from extravagant bistros to fast and inexpensive eateries. Below are some of my favorite cheap eats in the area.

Sutton's Drug Store

Sutton's is an old-fashioned drug store and soda fountain located on East Franklin Street, right next to UNC's campus. Sutton's has been in business since 1923, and has been owned by John Woodard since 1977. Although the restaurant also offers deli sandwiches, salads, and hotdogs, it is known for its mouth-watering burgers that are served to customers straight off the grill in the back of the store.

Woodard regularly takes photos of customers and hangs them on the restaurant's walls, a tradition that he began in…

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