Linda Trevor, RE/MAX United, Cary, Raleigh

To our family, friends, clients, and business associates....

Linda Trevor & Co.

In it's second annual report, Inman News recently published its list of the Top Real Estate Markets to Watch for 2012. At the top of the list: Raleigh, NC!

To create this list, Inman News examined housing, economic and demographic data for metropolitan areas nationwide. Other factors included above-average price appreciation, a flourishing job market, a high rate of sales in proportion to population, a high level of home affordability, low foreclosure activity, a below-average share of distressed sales, a low vacancy rate, and other characteristics indicating a healthy housing market.

Watch the video from The Today Show!

The 10 markets are, in order: Raleigh-Cary, NC, Wichita, KS, Rochester, NY, Des Moines-West Des Moines, Iowa, Chattanooga, TN, Peoria, IL, Amarillo, TX, Binghamton, NY, Waterloo-Cedar Falls, Iowa, and Bloomington-Normal, IL.

Raleigh, NC:

Despite a steep drop in sales, the Raleigh-Cary market saw considerable price appreciation last year, with its median sales price for single-family homes jumping 7.3 percent from third-quarter 2010 to third-quarter 2011.

At $224,300, the Raleigh-Cary metro had the highest median sales price among the 10 markets on this list and was the only market with a median sales price above the U.S. median. Nonetheless, its affordability rate stayed above the national level, with 73.6 percent of its homes affordable to households earning the area's median income, according to the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index.

Source: Inman News

In a recent study by 24/7 WallStreet, Raleigh was ranked the third Best Place to Raise a Family. Some of the factors used for the study included good schools, health care, and nearby recreational opportunities. The only other North Carolina city to make the list was Greensboro, coming in at number 10.

3. Raleigh, N.C.

Acres of parkland per 1,000 residents: 30.8 (14th highest)
Playgrounds per 1,000 residents: 2.2 (49th highest)
Violent crimes per 1,000 residents: 4.1 (24th lowest)
Unemployment rate: 7.2% (17th lowest)
Adults with at least a high school degree: 91.7% (12th highest)

Raleigh is one of the strongest cities in North Carolina, economically speaking. Its high-tech and biotech industries are growing quickly, keeping unemployment low. The city has a top-notch school system that includes the highly ranked Raleigh Charter High School. Children are also surrounded by highly educated adults, as Raleigh was recently named the third-most educated city in the United States by Men's Health. Children have ample opportunities to enjoy activities, especially basketball: The city has one of the highest rates of basketball hoops per resident in the country.

Source: DailyFinance

Raleigh was recently voted the #1 Place to Live by BusinessWeek.com!

From BusinessWeek.com:

Raleigh, N.C. #1

Population: 377,487
Mayor: Charles Meeker

Why it’s ranked: Taking more than a dozen data points into account, Raleigh ranks as the best place to live in the U.S. The city sports a high number of bars, restaurants, and cultural institutions as well as a thriving social scene, great parks, and good schools. Raleigh reflects the cultural graces that go along with anchoring the so-called research triangle, home to North Carolina State University, Duke University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Of course, it’s also much more. The city offers a great deal on nights and weekends, from concerts and opera to the 30,000-sq.-ft. State Farmer’s Market. North Carolina’s state capital is tops in our book.

How it ranked:
Percent with bachelor's degrees: 47.5
Percent under poverty level: 13.9
Median household income: $53,370
Violent crime rate: 492.9
Property crime rate: 3,403.2
School score: 74.4
Pro sports teams: 1
Foreclosure rate: .0056
Percent Unemployment: 6.9
Park acres per 1,000 residents: 30.8
Bars: 110
Restaurants: 867
Museums: 51
Colleges: 10
Libraries: 18
Air Quality Index: 83

Source: BusinessWeek.com

Looking for a fun way to ring in 2012 – check out these events happening around the Triangle:

First Night Raleigh 2012

Where:

Fayetteville Street Mall

When:

Sat, Dec 31: 2pm to Midnight

Tickets:

All Day Passes are $9.00 in advance

On December 31, admission passes will cost $12 for adults and $10 for children 6 to 12

All patrons ages 6 and over require a pass

Children 5 and under are admitted for free and do not need a pass

New Year's Eve Extravaganza 2012

Where:

RBC Center

When:

Sat, Dec. 31: 9pm

Tickets:

$25 & $60 in advance. Prices will increase day of event

New Year’s Eve Red Carpet Hollywood Party

Where:

Spy Raleigh

330 West Davie Street, Raleigh, NC 27601

When:

Sat, Dec. 31: 8pm to 2am

Tickets:

$15 per ticket, $25 for two tickets

An Irish/Celtic New Year at Tir Na nOg

Where:

Tir Na nOg

218 South Blount Street, Raleigh, NC 27601

When:

Sat, Dec. 31: 6pm to 9pm

Tickets:

FREE admission until 8pm

The North Carolina Symphony's "New Year's in Vienna"

Where:

Meymandi Concert Hall (located on the west side of the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts)

2 E South Street, Raleigh, NC 27601

When:

Sat, Dec. 31: 7:30pm

Tickets:

Prices range from $21.50 to $72.75

New Years Eve at Sparians

Where:

Sparians Bowling Boutique & Bistro

141 Park at North Hills Street #120, Raleigh, NC 27609

When:

Sat, Dec. 31: 7pm to 2am

Tickets:

$60 per person

"Cirque Du Solas" New Years Eve Ball

Where:

Solas

419 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh, NC, 27603

When:

Sat, Dec. 31: 9pm to 2am

Tickets:

$25 per person