Grayson Hodge

New home sales are on the rise! Is this a sign that the housing market is rebounding? Yes! After reading some recent announcements, it's looking that way.

According to a recent announcement released by the U.S. Department of Commerce, new single family home sales rose 4.7 percent in February.

The South is feeling some relief too. An article in The News & Observer last week cited a 9.7 percent rise in new home sales in the South in February.

A recent press release from KB Homes reports that company-wide net orders for new homes in the first quarter of 2009 increased 26 percent to 1,827, up from

1,449 net orders in the same quarter of 2008.

What's driving the recent rise in new home sales? Is it the stimulus package, which includes an $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit? Could be the low interest rates? What I want to know is why aren't more people buying homes? This is a great time to buy a new home or invest in real estate. I'll be addressing my own question in an upcoming article.

Finally, there's some more encouraging news. Did you see the story about the Raleigh area having the number 1 growth in the U.S. in The News & Observer last week?

The article described the Raleigh area as "the fastest-growing metropolitan area in the country." It also stated that according to a recent census, "the Raleigh-Cary metropolitan area, which includes Wake, Johnston and Franklin counties, grew by 4.3 percent from July 2007 to July 2008." Noting that the national average was just under 1 percent.

This is additional proof that the Triangle area is doing well. People are continuing to relocate to the Triangle and make it their home.

In addition, a recent article in Builder Magazine listed Raleigh, NC, as the 6th healthiest housing market in the U.S. for 2009. The Triangle housing market is more stable and steady than the rest of the country. Plenty of homes are selling at their top value in a short time period. I see the housing market dramatically improving every day.

Do you want to spice up your Triangle area home? Here are some tips to upgrade your home so you'll love living in it and when it comes time to sell, buyers will desire it. Think luxurious, energy-efficient, and sustainable.

The kitchen and bath are always popular areas for upgrades. What's in? For kitchens, consider the following:

•· Island kitchens,

•· High-end and energy-efficient appliances,

•· Countertops made of granite, bamboo or recycled glass, and

•· Formaldehyde-free cabinets with stylish fixtures.

For bathrooms, explore the following options:

•· Water saving faucets,

•· Separate shower stall, and

•· Contemporary bathroom sink bowl on top of a vanity or chest.

Flooring is also common to upgrade. Solid hardwood flooring, including bamboo and reclaimed wood, are popular choices. Cork is another option.

Need more ideas? Visit new homes. Better yet, go on the 2009 Spring New Home Showcase tour, March 28-29, 2009, hosted by the Home Builders Association of Raleigh-Wake County. For more information, visit http://www.hbawake.com/about/feature/.

Can't make the tour this weekend? Check out the kitchens that celebrity chefs use on television as well as other popular do-it-yourself (DIY) type television shows. Browse through magazines to get inspired. Share your upgrade stories or ask a question.

Have you ever met an EcoBroker®? It's a title that may soon become commonplace as more companies such as RE/MAX International, Inc. address the demand for environmentally-friendly properties.

According to a recent press release, RE/MAX International, Inc. launched a new green initiative to educate the company's real estate agents about environmentally-friendly living. The program will help home buyers find RE/MAX agents experienced in locating eco-friendly homes. Sellers can benefit from recommendations to reduce their home's carbon footprint.

As part of the RE/MAX Green initiative, the company is offering a training program that helps agents to earn the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) new Green designation. The designation provides real estate professionals with the knowledge to help customers seeking green properties.

According to NAR, forty percent of Realtors® report that green building is important to their business and clients, while 87 percent believe it will be of even more interest in the months to come.

Locally, there are several green building initiatives in the Raleigh-Durham area. You can view some of the Triangle's green homes during the 4th annual spring Green Home Tour April 25 & 26 and May 2 & 3. This free event is presented by the Green Home Builders of the Triangle. You can visit 36 green homes spread over 6 Triangle counties.

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Continuing with our green theme, let's look at environmentally-friendly spring cleaning. Spring is just a few days away - March 21. You'll want to get your cleaning done as soon as possible so you can enjoy the weather in the Triangle.

Start by going through personal belongings such as clothing. How's your spring and summer wardrobe looking? If you are not going to keep it, donate it or sell it at a consignment shop or yard sale. Please avoid throwing items away in the trash - landfills have too much. This rule applies to all items you want to get rid of including furniture. If it's an electronic device that still works, see if a non-profit organization could use. Otherwise recycle. Contact Raleigh about their recycling program. Properly dispose of hazardous household materials at a Wake County collection center.

Once you've removed all unwanted items, you can start to clean. You might want to create a checklist such as the one below.

•· Dust furniture, knickknacks, ceiling fans and blinds

•· Wash floors, walls, baseboards, and bathroom and kitchen fixtures

•· Vacuum all rugs and upholstery (especially if you have pets)

•· Clean all mirrors, appliances, light fixtures, windows and vents

Clean as if you are getting ready to sell your home.

Look for non-toxic cleaning products. Most supermarkets as well as home improvement and discount stores now carry environmentally safe cleaning products. You can make your own. The City of Raleigh has a list of DIY environmentally friendly cleaners.

How much extra space did you just create? Can you actually walk in your walk-in closet?

Now that you have a clean house, what would you like to change about it? We'll look at ways to upgrade your home next week.