Durham selected as best city to retire

Residents of the triangle (Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill), are always reading about our cities being voted as the best of something.  It is no surprise that Durham was recently selected as the best city to retire by Black Enterprise Magazine. Our “city of medicine” is experiencing an urban revitalization yet still offers affordable housing.  You can learn the details by picking up the October issue.

Make the most of your dual zone heating and air conditioning

My home has a dual zone HVAC system.  It was built in 2004.  It is just an average size home but fortunately our builder had the insight to install some energy saving features.  We have two gas furnaces and two electric air conditioning units.  I love that we can all but turn off the second floor units most of the time.  If you are considering installing heating or air conditioning, I highly recommend exploring this as a possibility.  I can recommend a reputable HVAC contractor also, just give me a call (919)357-6064 or email.

Save energy by installing a programmable thermostat

A programmable thermostat will turn down the heating or cooling for you when you are not at home.  Program your thermostat to 58 or 60 degrees in the winter during the times that you will not be home.  In the summer, set your cooling temperature to around 78 or 80.  You can set the program to return to the comfort zone just shortly before you get home.  Avoid completely shutting down your system which is not as cost effective; the energy required to get the entire home back to the comfort range will offset most of your savings.  Programmable thermostats are an inexpensive ecofriendly improvement that will prolong the life of your heating and cooling system, save you money and reduce your carbon footprint.

Solar powered attic fan can reduce cooling costs

A solar powered attic fan is a completely self-sustaining device.  Nomimal sunlight should provide enough energy to keep it powered.  Attic fans can eleviate heated air that gets trapped between attic insulation and the roof.  Installation is not complicated and can be done by a homeowner who is handy or of course you could hire a professional.  By installing a solar powered attic fan you will decrease energy use, reduce burden on your air conditioner, reduce adverse conditions to the roof structure and enjoy a comfortable attice temperature.  For optimal energy storage, as with all solar powered products, install the unit facing directly south.

Front loading high efficiency washer saves water,energy, your clothes and the environment.

I recently purchased my second front loading washer.  The first time, we bought a Kenmore HE.  It was the newest thing and my impetus was two teenage boys playing sports.  We are a busy two career family and the laundry was never done.  I simply wanted to be able to wash 30 pairs of jeans in one load.  But we quickly realized the other benefits; decreased water usage, less detergent (saving money and the environment) and less wear and tear on our clothes.  That washer lasted 9years.  Not that long, but it got used often.  My sons are no longer at home but when it was time to replace, I couldn’t go back to the old ways. We bought an LG unit which is much more high tech and makes the funniest noises instead of that annoying buzzer that we affectionately call it the ice cream truck.

Chapel Hill has ideal climate for passive solar water heaters

Passive solar water heaters have been around for a while but they are finally gaining popularity.  More builders are installing these simple units as an energy saving, inexpensive alternative.  The tanks consist of a box mounted on the roof; south facing.  Inside the box is tubing that transfers heat from the solar energy into the water as it circulates through.  The heated water is then stored in a well insulated storage tank.  The simple design is not ideal for cooler climates but here in the triangle, we have plenty of sun and hard freeze is rarely a problem.  Read more at: http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/water_heating/index.cfm/mytopic=12850

or visit my website for other “green” ideas, www.mariescheuring.com

Orange County schools show increase in average SAT scores

I frequently have buyers who want award winning schools decide on the Chapel Hill/Carrboro district.  The latest test scores reflect that as a great choice. Orange County test SAT scores are up over last year.  Orange High School saw the biggest gain from its 2006-07 scores — 1039 versus 999 — a 40-point jump. The number of students who took the SAT was also up, from 161 to 126, which translated to 72.5 percent of the seniors, an 8.1 percent increase from 2006-2007. For additional information on these results or NC schools, visit my website. www.mariescheuring.com, click on resources, then schools.

Finding eco friendly counter top materials in the Raleigh/Durham area

There is quite a bit of debate around the issue of environmentally friendly counter tops.  To optimize the “green” in your choice, look for a local product that uses a recycled material.  There is no need to sacrifice beauty and function but I believe it is necessary to consider how you will use your kitchen.  Concrete is a good option for buyers wanting an industrial or contemporary feel but keep in mind that it is not ideal for busy kitchens as it may stain and chip.  Recycled glass, recycled marble and recycled quartz offer a more lasting durability that will not require sealing and will have a uniform color and pattern.

Rescue dogs and cats not what you think.

This post is not about real estate except for the fact that I wish every home could have a pet.  My mantra is: there is no such thing as too much fun or too many pugs.  My son went away to grad school last fall and was living alone in a strange city and found he missed the companionship of our dogs.  I really didn’t think he had the time to care for a pet.  Against our advice, he rescued a mixed breed dog from the Guilford County shelter.  She is skittish but making strides on learning to relax.  The point is though, she is extremely sweet, very docile, gentle, completely housebroken, has no bad habits and loves other dogs.  I want to take this time to debunk the myth that most of the animals in the shelter are there because they are “problem” pets.  It took my son to show me that the truth is quite the opposite.

Foreclosures in your neighborhood could affect your home value

Do you know if your neighbors are current on their mortgage payment?  The ever increasing number of foreclosures is beginning to affect home values.  As the numbers of foreclosed properties increases, appraisers are beginning to use those sales as comparables for estimating home values.  Some markets experienced up to 30% of home sales (in specific price ranges) as foreclosed properties in 08.  Fortunately, in the triangle, we are not seeing a large number of distressed properties or foreclosures.