Wake County High Schools have done well in the NC rankings on US News and World Report

Here are the Ranking per USNWR.

Here is a link to the full report:

http://www.usnews.com/sections/education/high-schools/index.html

enjoy,

Brian Wray

www.Triangle-NC.com

Here is a Link to the Full List of NC Schools

http://www.usnews.com/listings/directories/high-schools/index_html/state_id+NC/page_number+1/page_size+10/sort+award/name+/award+1+2+3+4/school_name+/county+/detail+less

Wake County has done a great job, and has one of the best school systems in the state and I feel the nation.  Good information about the schools in the area can be found at www.greatschools.com

Here are the Wake County Rankings, but click the link above to get the full list of NC schools:

This is good news for this area!!!!

US News and World reports hase just dropped its list of Americas top 25 schools.

What a Blessing to see that one of Raleigh's own is on this list.  One a List dominated by CA, TX, and NY schools, Two in NC made the grade to get into the Top 25.  This really shows why Raleigh Charter is so sought after with in the area.

Way to Go!!!

18. The Early College at Guilford

Location: Greensboro, NC
Enrollment: 191
Economically Disadvantaged Students (% of Total Enrollment): 6.2
Minority Enrollment (% of Total): 10.9
Quality-Adjusted Exams Per Test Taker: 4.0
College Readiness Index: 95.4

AND

24. Raleigh Charter High School

Location: Raleigh, NC
Enrollment: 528
Economically Disadvantaged Students (% of Total Enrollment): n.a.
Minority Enrollment (% of Total): 10.4
Quality-Adjusted Exams Per Test Taker: 4.9
College Readiness Index: 91.2

Here is a Link to the Full Article:  http://www.usnews.com/sections/education/high-schools/index.html

Enjoy,

Brian D. Wray

www.Triangle-NC.com

This is Great Post provided By Penny Hull of Stanon Custom Homes.  Good information about what the Residents Want in the Future.

For more information from the Town of Holly Springs, NC, visit their Planning Dept website:

http://www.hollyspringsnc.us/dept/planning/index.htm

Thanks, Brian Wray

www.Triangle-NC.com

This should be an Easy one...Right?   

But I just got off the phone with the NC Real Estate Commission, and the answer met my expectations, but with a Little Twist.

1) You have to be 18 Years old to Sign a Legally Binding Contract.

2) But you can be as old as you want, to actualy Buy a home...... from 0+.   If you have got the cash, you can leagally own real property in NC.

3) You must be at least 18+ in order to get a mortgage, some banks have the requirement of being at least 21+. But the Law is 18+

For Example in order to Write a Legally binding contract you need to be 18+. You can still write one at age 12 for example, but can get out of the contract easily for just being a minor.  But once the Deed is recorded, then the home is Yours, no matter your age.

So the moral of the Story...If you've Got the money, you can buy Real Property...no matter your age.  But if you want to write a legal contract and get a mortgage, you must be at least 18+.

Happy Buying in NC!!!

Brian D. Wray

Broker / Owner

Wray Realty

www.Triangle-NC.com

919-880-4188

Wake county in 2008 raised the Property Values on their residents home, but they also lowered the Tax Rates across the County and many of the Cities also lowered their Tax Rates as well.  This in effect lowered the Wake County Residents Tax Liability on almost everyones home.  Here are the 2008 Tax rates.  The 2009 Rates will not be out until late spring, early summer. If you look below, you can see the change from 2007 to 2008.  The rates are based on the cost per $100 in Value.

For Example a home in Raleigh with a Tax Value of $200,000 would have a Tax Bill of

Wake County Rate = 200000/ 100 = $2000 x .534 = $1068

Raleigh Rate = 200000 / 100 = $2000 x .3735 = $747

Total Tax Bill = $1815.00

This is not including recycling fee, fire district fees, etc.  But these usually only tally up to $20 - $50 total

Tax Rates

WAKE COUNTY

2008          2007

.534          .678      

ANGIER

.53            .53          

APEX

.34         .40       

CARY

.33          .42          

CLAYTON

.54            .54

FUQUAY VARINA

.385           .52

GARNER

.49             .575

HOLLY SPRINGS

.415            .53

KNIGHTDALE

.40           .50

MORRISVILLE

.3665       .4677

RALEIGH

.3735      .435

ROLESVILLE

.42        .515

WAKE FOREST

.51            .55

WENDELL

.49              .54

ZEBULON

.51             .55

To read more about this, please visit the following link:

http://www.wakegov.com/NR/rdonlyres/AC8EA9E6-C572-4C65-8B15-8AC9CAB2D1B0/0/TaxRates2008.pdf

If you are looking to buy or sell in the Raleigh, NC  and surround areas, please give me a call.

Brian D. Wray

Wray Realty

919-880-4188

www.Triangle-NC.com

Well, there is good news.  It has finally snowed in Raleigh, NC and the surround areas.  After 8 years of no real snow and only ice storms, we finally get a nice 6" dumping of fluffy white snow.  The last time was in 2000 when we got 20"+ overnight.  This was a mess, but now it is only 6" and it is Great!!  You can still get around and play in. 

Welcome to Raleigh, NC - Four Full Seasons - Gotta Love It!!

Below are some pics in a slid show we took while playing in the snow.

Brian Wray

www.Triangle-NC.com

919-880-4188

Calling All Sellers:  This ain't the Stock Market (Sell High and Buy Low).  No this is the Housing Market.  Stop Making the Compairisons.  In the Housing Market you typically have two options (Forclosures and Distress Sales excluded). 

1)  SELL HIGH, then you have to BUY HIGH.  If you are in a market that is taking off and hot, Then you are in a Sellers Market. If you go to sell your home, you will SELL HIGH.  Likely if you are selling then you are going to Buy.  If you are Buying in a Hot Market you are going to BUY HIGH!!

Example"  Sell your $200K home at a 10% premium ($220K) then you just made $20K on the Sell of your home, but then you have to buy that $300K home at a 10% premium ($330K) so you paid $30K over the market Value.  Looks Like you just Lost $10K...Again we are programmed to SELL HIGH and BUY HIGH.

2) SELL LOW, then you get to BUY LOW. If you are in a market that is slow and average time on market in 8-12 months or longer, then you are in a Buyers Market.  So if you are going to Sell you home in a Buyers market, you will SELL LOW, but you also get to BUY LOW.  There are bargains out there to be had, but you just have to be willing to take a hit on your side (SELL LOW) to make it up on the buy side (BUY LOW).  Here is the Issue with too many sellers right now, they all still want to SELL HIGH and BUY LOW.  This is just not the market we are in right now.  We have to recognize this.

Example:  Sell your $200K Home at 10% off ($180) and you loose $20K.  But you get to Buy that $300K home at 10% off and you just saved $30K.  Looks like you are now $10K to the Positive. How great is this.  Time to make up mind and get out of your home and move on. 

Have a Great New Year!!  Here is to a Prosperous and Healthy 2009!!

If you are interested in selling or buying the Triangle NC market (Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Holly Springs, Fuquay Varina, Wake Forest, etc) please give me a call.  Check out our website www.Triangle-NC.com to see out unique Buyers Cash Back Program.

Brian Wray

Wray Realty

919-880-4188

www.Triangle-NC.com

We all know the market is tough, so I just wanted to share with potential sellers and buyers what is happening in the Harnett County, NC markets at this time of year.  2009 will be a much better year for everyone!!  Happy Buying and Happy Selling in 2009.

 If you are looking to Sell or Buy in the Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Fuquay Varina, Holly Springs, and Surround areas, please give me a call.  Check out our website to see all of our Unique Seller and Buyer Programs.  www.Triangle-NC.com

Brian Wray

Wray Realty

919-880-4188

www.Triangle-NC.com

We all know the market is tough, so I just wanted to share with potential sellers and buyers what is happening in the Johnston County, NC markets at this time of year.  2009 will be a much better year for everyone!!  Happy Buying and Happy Selling in 2009.

If you are looking to Sell or Buy in the Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Fuquay Varina, Holly Springs, and Surround areas, please give me a call.  Check out our website to see all of our Unique Seller and Buyer Programs.  www.Triangle-NC.com

Brian Wray

Wray Realty

919-880-4188

www.Triangle-NC.com