Triangle Area Real Estate News & Information - Home Ownership

What You Need To Know About Buying A Home In A Floodplain

When buying a home, something you need to know is whether it’s located in a floodplain. Knowing what and where they are can help you make better decisions about buying a home and obtaining the proper insurance. You may think of floodplains being limited to areas affected by hurricanes and tropical storms, and while this is true, floodplains can exist almost anywhere there’s low lying land and rain.

How To Know If You're Home Is In A Floodzone

By definitions, a floodplain is any area that is likely to have flooding from rising water levels in a river, a stream, lake, or tidal area. It may surprise some people to know that flooding is the biggest natural disaster that occurs in the United States.

An area can get flooded from several causes,…

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Future-Proof Your Home: Remodelling Your Home To Age In Place

When it comes to retirement, there are a lot of things people look forward to, like golf, travel and hobbies. But they don’t look forward to moving into assisted living facilities. Many prefer to "age in place" and stay in their existing homes as long as possible.

This may sound like a daunting, expensive proposition, but a little planning can go a long way, according to Joe Norwood, owner of Manor House Renovations. "People don’t want to move from their home when they retire," said Norwood. "But most aren’t proactive when it comes to future-proofing their homes as they age."

Joe Norwood is a "Certified Aging in Place Specialist" and Manor House Renovations is one of the Triangle area’s leading home remodeling companies, focusing on modifying…

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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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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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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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How To Remove Pet Odors From Your Home When Getting Ready To Sell

We are a society that loves their pets. We cuddle them, walk them, bathe them, and sometimes, we’ll even create special rooms in the home just for our furry four-legged friends. One of the greatest benefits to owning your home is the ability to have a pet, but after a while, all of the cuddling on the couch, sleeping on the floor, and little accidents here and there can start to leave your house smelling a little less fresh.

When it comes to selling your home in the Triangle Area, you’ll need to make sure that it’s in the best possible condition for when a potential buyer comes along for a showing. You stash your belongings in closets and wipe the counters but odors can be a little more tricky to remove. Here are a few easy ways to get rid of the…

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4 Home Improvement Projects You Probably Shouldn’t Do Yourself

It’s nearly time for the kids to head back to school, which means that there’s still a little bit of time left for ambitious homeowners to do some home improvement projects as a family. One of the things that Pinterest and blogs are great for is inspiring homeowners to be creative and tackle some home projects themselves, but when it comes to home improvements, there are some things are best-left to the professionals.

Trimming Or Removing Trees

Pruning a tree that’s no taller than you or a small shrub is east to do yourself, but as soon as you need a ladder to reach the leaves or need to remove large branches, you should probably leave it to the pros. Removing trees or trimming them will require power tools and considerable heights. A good tree…

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Professional Interior Painting Tips For Absolute Beginners

It’s no secret that adding a fresh coat of paint is one of the best ways to refresh the inside of your home. In fact, it consistently ranks as one of the best home improvements you can do in the Triangle area because of its great return-on-investment. While a seasoned pro will do a quality job in a shorter amount of time, anyone can paint their own home with a little help and the right tools. Summer is the best time to paint your home in the Chapel Hill area, so grab some supplies from the hardware store, pick your preferred hue, and freshen up your space!

Here are some professional tips to help you add a splash of color or just refresh the walls of your Triangle area home this summer.

Painting Supplies – What You’ll Need

• Primer
• Stir…

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How To Make Your Renovations Easier When You Buy A Fixer-Upper

Step 1: Find The Right Home

Some buyers are out there with the specific goal in mind: to buy a fixer-upper. With an extensive background in construction, the My NC Home team wants to help you find a good home that's worth restoration. They'll advise on whether or not its a viable home to renovate, and help you find the home that best suits your needs. Once we've found the right home, we'll help you negotiate a fair price so that you can buy the house and start making your vision a reality.

Step 2: Renovate It!

When you buy a home with My NC Homes, they don't just hand over the keys and call it a day, they're with you every step of the way. If you're planning to do some construction work post-purchase, then they want to help you follow through…

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5 Simple & Cost Savvy Tips To Keeping Your Home Cool This Summer

It’s finally June; the mercury is rising, the sun is shining, and the house is starting to really warm up again. On one hand, if don’t have air conditioning in your home, you’re probably sitting there wishing that you did. On the other hand, if you do have air conditioning, you might be dreading the arrival of the next electricity bill. It’s hot now, and it’s only going to get warmer. Here are some simple tips that you can try this year to keep your wallet happy and you’re home nice and comfortable.

Block The Heat From Coming Inside

It’s easy to keep bugs and pests out of the home, but heat is something completely different. The best way to cool you’re North Carolina home is to prevent the heat from building up in the first place.

1. Watch The…

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