Archive for the 'Around Town' Category
The American Dream
June 30th, 2008 categories: Around Town
This isn’t directly related to real estate, but I don’t care. It’s my blog and I can write what I want.
I heard on the radio today that only 40% of the U.S. population still believes in the American Dream. Think about that! Sixty percent of the population no longer believes you can get ahead by hard work and make a better life for you and your family. I find that alarming. And it is also absolute nonsense! You can still be anything you want to be in this country if you are willing to work for it. You are blessed to live in the greatest country this world has EVER seen.
As I thought about the sixty percent I figured I shouldn’t be too surprised. The government and socialists in this country have spent the past 50+ years telling people that they can’t get ahead on their own. They kept telling everyone you can only get ahead with the help of government. That is a tragedy. I would say to that 60%, ignore the people who tell you you can’t do something. There are always those who will tell you to give up, it’s too hard, it’s not your fault. Ignore them! Take responsibility for your life and your actions.
To the government I would say get back to doing what the Constitution tells you to do and stay out of our way. To the socialists I would say shut up. You have preached failure and defeat long enough. You are free to dwell in your shrinking piece of your pie, but don’t drag me down with you. To me the future is without limits. And, for now, there is still a 40% chunk of Americans who agree with me.
| Discussion: No Comments »
Trees - Should A Buyer Care?
June 5th, 2008 categories: Around Town, Home Buying Advice
With the temperature well over 90 degrees, I am realizing how much I love our trees in our yard. Our prior house had almost no tree coverage. When the sun was out, the house would sit there and bake. Our A/C units would run like mad to try and keep up. The bill the next month would be a disaster! Great choice, sweat in our house or sweat at bill-time.
Our current house is surrounded by huge maples and oaks. When the sun is out out our wonderful trees provide shade coverage for almost the whole day. Our A/C easily maintains our house at a very comfortable temperature. And the bill the next month puts a smile on our faces.
Plus, we can now actually use our back deck! The oaks make it a great place to sit and read a book, as well as watch our three dogs play in the back yard without fear of heatstroke.
So, when you are looking at what house to buy do not neglect the landscaping. It can come back to bite you or put that smile on your face!
| Discussion: No Comments »
Transfer Tax Down In Flames
May 14th, 2008 categories: Around Town, Real Estate Market, Real Estate News
The residents of Orange County soundly defeated the County’s attempt to institute a transfer tax on the sale of homes in Orange County. Excellent! In a time of rising gas prices, rising food prices, rising prices for darn near everything, the last thing we need is local government sticking us for more taxes. In my opinion, they already have plenty of tax revenue for everything they really need to do,
The transfer tax would have been passed along to buyers and sellers, thereby raising the price of buying a home.
Well done voters of Orange County!
| Discussion: No Comments »
Duke Forest Beauty
January 7th, 2008 categories: Around Town
OK. This has nothing to do with real estate. However, I just had to publish this picture I was able to take of the first albino deer I’ve ever seen in real life. It was just off Erwin Rd. around Duke Forest. I was much closer when I first saw it. By the time I could race home and get my camera it had wandered deeper into the woods. It was absolutely beautiful. Pure white with pink eyes and nose. I emailed the Duke Forest people and they said they have been getting reports on this deer for about two years. Wow! Amazing it has been around for that long. Let’s hope it has many more years ahead of it.
I’ll tell you, having a treasure like Duke Forest so close to Chapel Hill is a gift, and when you get to see a beauty like this deer, it is just icing on the cake. Duke Forest is a great place to run, hike or just walk your dog for a few hours. One of the perks of living in such a great place like Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
| Discussion: No Comments »
