Triangle Area Real Estate News & Information - Larry Tollen

Safety Tips During the Holidays

The holidays are a joyous, fun-filled time of year, but they’re also a time to think about safety. With all of the shopping, parties and traveling, everyone is in a hurry during the holidays. With so much activity, it’s easy to overlook the safety of you and your family. Here are some tips to help you to stay safe over the holidays.

Safety In The Home

• If you have a natural Christmas tree, be sure the lighting is UL approved and that the wires are not frayed or damaged.
• Put your tree in a solid base that will prevent it from falling over easily when children or pets get too close.
• Keep your live tree well watered to prevent it from drying out and becoming a potential fire hazard.
• Be sure to test your smoke alarms to ensure they are…

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8 Things You Probably Didn't Know About The Triangle Area

The Triangle area is known for a lot of things; college basketball, Research Triangle Park, and barbecue, to name a few.

But there are a lot of lesser-known things about this area that make up its culture and flavor. Here are eight fun facts about the Triangle:

 On the forefront of healthcare.

 Durham is home to a large number of medical-related companies. In fact,  there are more than 300 of them, and they have a combined annual  payroll of more than $1.2 billion.

 Cradle of technology.

 Research Triangle Park (RTP) is two miles wide and eight miles long, and is home to 136 companies involved in research and development. They employ 37,600 people in fields such as nanotechnology, pharmacology, biotechnology, information technology, and…

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The Future Of Durham-Chapel Hill Real Estate: Looking Ahead To 2017

Realtor.com recently released their national housing forecast for 2017 that includes big news for the Raleigh-Cary and Durham-Chapel Hill real estate markets. According to the report, home prices and sales are expected to rise across the country next year by 3.9% and 1.9% respectively, although the Triangle Area is predicted to see some of the highest increases across all of the markets.

Raleigh in particular could see home prices rise 4.16% next year with an estimated growth of 7.6% in home sales, which could make them one of the 10 strongest real estate economies in the nation next year.

The report ranks Durham –Chapel Hill just a few spots behind Raleigh, with an expected increase of 2.55% in home prices and 8.95% in sales. So far this year,…

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5 Key Ways To Avoid Risk & Safeguard Your Home Insurance Rates

Being a homeowner means that there is always some element of risk involved. The risk is not only what can happen to you, but also the liability you may incur when accidents happen on your property, or even on someone else's property.

Each of these potential problems can raise your homeowner's insurance costs, or may even prevent you from obtaining coverage. Here are some things you need to consider in terms of reducing your risk:

Keep Swimming Pools Safe

While swimming pools can be a lot of fun for the family, and a great way to cool off in the summer, they do come with some additional insurance risks.  Someone could fall on the deck and get hurt, or a child could wander into the pool area and drown.

The result could be high medical bills,…

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5 Must-Visit Art Studios & Shows In Pittsboro, NC!

Pittsboro is a town that thrives in the arts all year long. It is small (just over 4,000 people) and quiet, which makes it perfect for the development of artists and musicians, and many of them come here for that reason.

Chatham Artists Guild

A recognized group that encourages people all over North Carolina to get into the arts is the Chatham Artists Guild, which has been around for 24 years. They also aim to connect artists with patrons, and provide training for artists.    

They regularly host various exhibits of local artists, as well as the works of artists from around the state. The Studio Tour is free, and introduces the artists, their local studios and their art.

Cooper Mays Pottery

If you are looking for unique pottery to add to…

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Great Retirement Communities in the Triangle Area

For retirees, finding the right community to live in is vital for enjoying your golden years. This is the time of your life when you don’t need to worry about heading to work every day and you can actually relax and enjoy your hobbies. In the Triangle Area between Durham, Chapel Hill, and Cary, there are many retirement communities that offer diverse living options and amenities.

No matter what you’re looking for, there’s something for everyone.

Is Small-Town Living Your Preference?

Fearrington Village is the ideal community for retirees of all ages who are looking for a small-town atmosphere. Unlike other similar communities, Fearrington Village does have an age restriction, making it ideal for retirees old and young. Surrounded by pastures…

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Experience Cary & Raleigh's Fun Arts & Culture Venues

Raleigh and Cary both embrace the arts, playing host to numerous events including festivals and performing arts shows that take place each year.  

In fact, in Raleigh alone as much as 150 million dollars a year is generated from cultural events and festivals that are hosted in the city. Whether you’re interested in a family outing or finding a hot spot to hang out with your group friends, there is something for everyone.

The Ten Year Arts Plan in Raleigh

The Ten Year “Creative Life" Arts Plan is a master plan that was developed to strengthen the presence of culture and arts in Raleigh. This plan is largely shaped by the community to provide citizens an opportunity to experiment and create. The Creative Life Arts Plan was formulated to meet…

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Explore Hillsborough Arts & Culture: Small Town With A Big-City Scene

The Hillsborough community is alive with the arts and you don't need to be a local to know where to find it!

Hillsborough is a small, but growing town, home to about 6,500 residents. But what it lacks in size it makes up for in a focus on the arts, offering events throughout the year sure to delight locals and visitors.

Art Exhibits

>The local arts museum, the Hillsborough Gallery of Arts, is owned by artists living in the area. It has a wide variety of art exhibits of mostly contemporary and modern art.

The exhibits in the museum are constantly being changed, with new pieces being added every month. Repeat visitors will always have new things to look at, including ceramics, sculptures, paintings, jewelry, mosaics, photography, and much…

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Still Looking For The Right Home? Try These Apps During Your Home Search!

It’s easier than ever to find homes for sale in Durham, Cary, and Chapel Hill. Gone are the days of driving around from neighborhood to neighborhood looking for a property with a sign out front, crossing your fingers that it has everything you want. Nowadays you just have to visit a website, set your search preferences, and homes matching your settings are all at your fingertips. What’s more is that when you register with My NC Homes, relevant searches are delivered to your inbox! It couldn’t be easier, or could it?

Even with some preferences set there can still be several listings to choose from in larger cities. Fret not – these handy home buying apps could be just what you need to find the right home for you in this big market.

Google Maps

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4 Enriching Ways To Explore Arts & Culture In Chapel Hill

If you have an interest in the arts, you will find plenty of activity in Chapel Hill, a town that has been noted for its many Best Places awards, whether you want to be a participant or a spectator.

Many people in Chapel Hill have an avid interest in the arts, and it shows by community’s support of its artists.

Various art pieces are displayed throughout the downtown area, and the town takes pride in being known as one that recognizes "the ways that art and culture enriches our lives."

Art pieces are also displayed in many storefront windows in the spring and summer in order to promote local artists. Local artists are also funded to conduct occasional special projects in the school system, and some communities conduct events where the public…

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