Forbes just released its list of "America's Best Bang-For-The-Buck Cities".  Winning out over other NC metros such as Charlotte (#56) and Greensboro (#30), Raleigh-Cary came in at #21 out of 100 other cities.  The overall ranking was determined by factors such as Housing Affordability, Unemployment, Job Forecast, and Foreclosures rank. 

For more details, please be sure to check out the entire list here!

(Source: Forbes.com)

104 Galsworthy St, Cary, NC

Welcome to this grand home in the desirable neighborhood of Cotswold! The 2-story foyer greets you with crown molding, hardwoods, a catwalk, and is surrounded by a chair rail and picture frame trim. A formal living room hosts crown, a chair rail, and hardwoods. The elegant dining room offers a trey ceiling, chandelier, crown, chair rail, and hardwoods. A bright family room features a wall of windows and a gas log fireplace flanked with built-in bookshelves. The gourmet kitchen is a chef's dream offering 42" maple cabinets with crown, a tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, a center island with prep sink and four pendant lights, solid surface counters, and hardwoods.  Enjoy your morning coffee in the breakfast area that boasts a cathedral ceiling, triple windows, and a French door leading to the back deck.  The stately office wrapped with crown and a chair rail shares a see-through fireplace with the family room. Journey upstairs to the spacious master suite that  showcases a trey ceiling, His & Her walk-in closets, and luxurious bath featuring His & Her vanities, maple cabinets with glass displays, tile floors, a jetted tub, walk-in shower, and separate water closet. The three secondary bedrooms are all a good size with large closets, a ceiling fan with light, and all share Jack-n-Jill baths. A large bonus room offers additional living space, a storage closet, and stairs leading to the kitchen. Relax after a long day on the back deck that includes a gazebo and wooded views for additional privacy. With so many fine details and a neutral color scheme, this beautiful home is move-in ready!  Be sure to check out the VISUAL TOUR!

Price $399,900

MLS #1697140

If you are in the market for a new home, you may still be able to claim the First-Time Homebuyer Credit. Congress recently passed The Worker, Homeownership and Business Assistance Act Of 2009, extending the First-Time Homebuyer Credit and expanding who qualifies.

Here are the top 10 things the IRS wants you to know about the expanded credit and the qualifications you must meet in order to qualify for it. 

1. You must buy - or enter into a binding contract to buy a principal residence - on or before April 30, 2010.
2. If you enter into a binding contract by April 30, 2010 you must close on the home on or before June 30, 2010.
3. For qualifying purchases in 2010, you will have the option of claiming the credit on either your 2009 or 2010 return.
4. A long-time resident of the same home can now qualify for a reduced credit. You can qualify for the credit if you've lived in the same principal residence for any five-consecutive year period during the eight-year period that ended on the date the new home is purchased and the settlement date is after November 6, 2009.
5. The maximum credit for long-time residents is $6,500. However, married individuals filing separately are limited to $3,250.
6. People with higher incomes can now qualify for the credit. The new law raises the income limits for homes purchased after November 6, 2009. The full credit is available to taxpayers with modified adjusted gross incomes up to $125,000, or $225,000 for joint filers.
7. The IRS will issue a December 2009 revision of Form 5405 to claim this credit. The December 2009 form must be used for homes purchased after November 6, 2009 - whether the credit is claimed for 2008 or for 2009 - and for all home purchases that are claimed on 2009 returns.
8. No credit is available if the purchase price of the home exceeds $800,000.
9. The purchaser must be at least 18 years old on the date of purchase. For a married couple, only one spouse must meet this age requirement.
10. A dependent is not eligible to claim the credit. 

For more information about the expanded First-Time Home Buyer Credit, visit www.IRS.gov/recovery.

According to a study done by CQ Press and their annual publication "City Crime Rankings 2009-2010", Cary was ranked among one of the safest U.S. cities to live.   This year, Cary's overall safety ranking was 19th safest when compared with every community of any size in the report.

To learn, please visit CQ Press at www.CQPress.com or read more statistics at the Town of Cary's website www.TownOfCary.org

The holiday season kicks off this Saturday, November 21 with the Raleigh Christmas Parade!!  And it doesn't end there - in the next following weeks, there will be all kinds of fun holiday events happening around the Triangle.

Be sure to check out these helpful links:

City of Raleigh

North Hills Holiday Events

Cary Jaycees Christmas Parade

Wake Forest Christmas Parade

Apex Christmas Parade & Holiday Events

Happy Holly Days Christmas Parade

The Chapel Hill-Carrboro Holiday Parade

City of Durham Holiday Parade

164 Greenmont Lane, Cary, NC

Best Location in Paxton!!  Welcome to this quaint townhome in the heart of Cary!  As you stroll up the walkway, you are greeted by brick steps that lead to a covered front porch.  The foyer is grounded with parquet flooring and surrounded by crown molding.  To the left, you'll notice the kitchen and breakfast area bordered with crown molding and a chair rail, raised panel Oak cabinets, all white appliances, subway tile backsplash, laminate hardwood floors, and a triple window to let in lots of light.  Enjoy meals in the dining area that offers an updated light fixture, laminate hardwood floors, and chair rail.  The laminate hardwood floors continue on into the living room.  Here you'll love sitting by the corner gas log fireplace on those chilly winter days.  A door with a decorative window connects to the back deck overlooking the wooded back yard.  Continue upstairs to the master bedroom that offers His & Her double door closets, crown molding, and an updated bath with a double vanity and tile floors.  The secondary bedroom is also spacious and includes a walk-in closet.  Finished with a neutral paint scheme, this townhome is move-in ready!  And be sure to check out the VISUAL TOUR!

MLS #1695434

Price $147,000

The Milken Institute has released its list of the 2009 Best Performing Cities and both Durham and Raleigh-Cary made the Top 10! Durham is up from number 21 in 2008 to number 6 in 2009 while Raleigh-Cary dropped from number 2 in 2008 to number 10 in 2009.

For a complete list, be sure to visit: 

http://bestcities.milkeninstitute.org/bestcities2009.taf?rankyear=2009&type=rank200

(Source: Milken Institute)

Have you ever wondered what the cost of living is in a particular city?  And what if you decided to move there, how would your living situation be affected - would your cost of living increase, stay the same, or decrease?

Here's a handy tool to help you compare your current city to another...and it's really easy to use.  Simply type in your current city, a city you are considering moving to, and your current salary.  A comparison chart pops up and you'll be able to see how your current income level could change based upon where you live.

Give it a try:

http://www.bestplaces.net/COL/

(Source: Sperling's BestPlaces)

If you thought your time was running out to use the homebuyer tax credit, your luck just changed!  Today, President Obama signed the bill into law extending the $8000 first-time homebuyer tax credit.  In addition, this new law now includes a $6500 tax credit for buyers who are current home owners and have lived in their home for five of the past eight years.

The National Association of REALTORS® has created a simple and helpful CHART that showcases the modifications - for more information, click here

The "City of Oaks" accolades continue to build!  Relocate-America^TM released its 2009 Top 100 Places to Live in 2009 and Raleigh ranked in the Top 10.   This is the twelfth year for the annual list with nominations accepted throughout the calendar year.  

For more details, visit: http://top100.relocate-america.com